Heartfelt remerciements for your responses to this award from La Renaissance Française. Your kind words are pure gold! Back now to the weekly chronicle. I'm eagerly rolling up my sleeves and I thank you for reading.  (Mince! just realized today's word (selected days ago) clashes with this opening message. Read on to find out why… and learn extra vocabulary and French phrases in the story. … Continue reading French for ‘Emptiness’: Il y a dans le coeur de l’ homme un vide….

Jean-Marc in the early days at Mas des Brun near Bandol Today's Word: une épreuve = a trial, a testSynonyms for the French word épreuve include adversité, malheur (hardship), and even calamité. Now for the cheerful antonyms: bonheur (happiness), réussite (success), joie (joy). Every one of these nouns describes our 10-year stay at two French vineyards. For years Jean-Marc has wanted to tell the story … Continue reading Une épreuve: Do you know the French word?

I am much more comfortable writing about my garde-manger than politics. (story of my pantry in the next edition of France Today…) Corrigez-moi si j'ai tortOn this, the day we are to find out who will be the next president of the United States… I'm tempted to call in sick from work (or casually "forget" to post this week) because I am afraid to comment … Continue reading Corrigez-moi si j’ai tort: Correct me if I’m wrong

A giant arbre (a Banyan tree?) in the market square of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, near Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Today's Word: le rivage     : shore, bank, coastlineClick to listen to Jean-Marc read the French example sentence: Tu ne traversera jamais l'océan si tu as peur de perdre de vue le rivage.You will never cross the ocean if you are afraid of losing sight of the shore. A DAY … Continue reading Le rivage: Mother-Daughter adventure in Beaulieu-sur-Mer

Years ago I had dinner at a friend's in Bandol and wrote about the musical evening–but never posted the story (it needed work). I found the written draft this morning and reencountered one of the characters from that night: Harry Rabinowitz. Today's column is in memory of the endearing British composer and conductor who was born in South Africa and died in France. Today's French … Continue reading A story lost (but not forgotten): In Memory of Harry Rabinowitz

Our daughter, Jackie (center, at her father's wine shop) reunited with her closest friends during her recent visit.  Bienvenue to those who have just signed on to this French word journal. And a warm welcome back to longtime readers. Heureuse de vous retrouver! To get the most out of this language blog, be sure to read beyond the featured word–to the personal column about our … Continue reading An update from Kristi + Bienvenue, Sourire, Faire La Gueule

Bonjour from La Ciotat where I am checking in from my staycation to share the good news of Jackie's arrival tomorrow, Wednesday. We are thrilled to see our daughter who we have not hugged since before this pandemic began. We thank you for keeping Jackie in your thoughts and prayers as she navigates 3 airports, traveling from Florida to Paris and onto Marseilles. Also, I'd … Continue reading Exciting News! An update from my Staycation

If you've ever dreamed of living in France, it is not too late! Diane Covington-Carter proved that in her delightful memoir, "Eight Months in Provence, A Junior Year Abroad, 30 Years Late." Covington-Carter headed off to Provence at age fifty and discovered that wisdom and maturity made her "Junior Year Abroad" not, after all, thirty years late. But rather, right on time. A great summer read! … Continue reading L’Oisiveté: Thoughts on Work, Love, and Writing