For draining the tears of the Ligurian heavens. Une gouttière in Ceriana, Italy. Stray (or "alley") cats in France are called "gutter cats" or "les chats de gouttière." Read the story of one here: Max: A Griggstown Mystery / Un Mystere de Griggstown In English and in French. A long missing tabby cat tells the story of his disappearance, mishaps, and adventures along the Delaware … Continue reading gouttière
On the way to Ceriana, Italy… la marche (marsh) noun, feminine 1. step, stair 2. walk, walking Qui peut jamais être seul un instant en Italie ? Chaque pierre a une voix, chaque grain de poussière semble être l’instinct d’un esprit du Passé, chaque marche rappelle quelque ligne, quelque légende d’une tradition depuis longtemps à l’abandon. Who can ever be alone for a moment in … Continue reading la marche (Italy, part 1)
Not far from Ventimiglia, is the quiet village of Coldirodi. In A Paris Moment by Meredith Mullins "… makes us want to rush out and look at the world, not just Paris, but all the world." –Mary Pope Osborne une contrefaçon (kontr-fah-sahn) noun, feminine 1. imitation, counterfeit, counterfeiting 2. forging, forgery, fabrication, infringement 3. pirating Contrefaçon comes from the verb "contrefaire" which means to imitate, … Continue reading contrefaçon (Italy, Intro)
Today's word was inpired by a lesson learned in Châteauneuf-du-Pape… How to Learn Any Language: Quickly, Easily, Inexpensively, Enjoyably and on Your Own le museau (mew zo) noun, masculine (plural = museaux) 1. muzzle; snout 2. (informal) face, mouth A Day in a French Life…For once it wasn't the wind knocking us down in the old town of Châteauneuf-du-Pape but a four-legged whisper of a … Continue reading museau
These old French buildings don't discriminate and the so-called chic share ancient walls with the struggling (or slack) squatters. accroupir (a kroo peer) verb to squat, to crouch (down) s'accroupir = to sit on one's heels, to squat or crouch down Proverb:Un chien qui se remue vaut mieux qu'un lion accroupi.A dog which stirs is better than a crouched lion. A Day in a French … Continue reading accroupir
Braise (Brez) at her first harvest. Printed in French, Cuisine Et Vins De France features dozens of recipes in each issue along with articles on wine, cheese, appetizers, table decorations, and more. Subscribe to C&V here. la pourriture (poo ree tewr) noun, feminine 1. rotting, rot, decay 2. rottenness 3. stinker, louse (person) Proverb:Ce que tu manges devient pourriture, ce que tu donnes devient une … Continue reading pourriture
Lazy days at a beach in Cavalière, along the Blue Coast. Paresse (par-ess) noun, feminine laziness, idleness ; sloth By the time my aunt and uncle from San Francisco arrived for a three-day visit, my home, my yard, my kids, my spouse, my dog and I, all in our Sunday best, were as put together as a family of paper dolls. All I needed … Continue reading paresse
Today’s story takes place near St. Tropez… essuyer (es-wee-yay) verb 1. to wipe, to dry 2. to mop 3. to clean; to dust 4. to wipe up; to mop up Le rire, comme les essuie-glaces, permet d’avancer même s’il n’arrête pas la pluie. Laughter, like windshield wipers, permits us to advance even if it doesn’t stop the rain. –Gérard Jugnot A Day in a French … Continue reading essuyer
An old sign outside a locksmiths's shop in Draguignan cadenas (kad na) n.m. 1. padlock L'un contre l'autre appuyés, les battants de la grille étaient libre de verrou, exempts de chaîne et de cadenas. Leaning one against the other, the double gates were unbolted, free of chain or padlock. –from French Short Stories 2 A Day in a French Life… by Kristin EspinasseAs I … Continue reading cadenas
Les phares / lighthouses at the Island of Groix (Brittany). le phare (far) noun, masculine 1. lighthouse 2. headlight 3. beacon "Unlike many other countries, France has resisted the trend toward total automation, and in many small ports and seaside towns, the lighthouse keeper is still a well-known and respected figure." –from Lighthouses of France: The Monuments and their Keepers A Day in a … Continue reading phare
