A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse J’ai le cafard. “I have the cockroach.” It’s a funny French way of saying “I have the blues.” Not that the blues are funny at all. Thankfully, like the clouds outside my window today, they pass on by with time. Le cafard came over me yesterday, three days before my daughter’s impending departure. At the mall, my belle-sœur, … Continue reading Brunch! Experience the Charm of Café Lo in La Ciotat

Ricci went to the vet’s this morning for her first détartrage. Jackie came with me for moral support, as I was nervous about our little shepherd going under anesthesia. When the vet’s assistant asked, “Is there anything else you would like to signaler?” Jackie surprised us with a confident Oui. I turned to listen as she informed the assistant that our little toutou had gained weight—the industrial scale read 13.5 … Continue reading When Mom Met Dad: A Love Story from Provence

TODAY’S WORD: se relayer : to take turns, to relieve one another PRONUNCIATION: [suh ruh-leh-yay] EXAMPLE SENTENCE:En famille, il faut savoir se relayer pour que chacun puisse se reposer.In a family, you have to take turns so everyone can rest. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse It’s early morning and a cool breeze is coming through the bedroom window. Outside, in the street, the sidewalks of … Continue reading “Se Relayer”–Passing the Baton: It’s Jackie’s Turn!

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse I’m back from a last-minute visit to the States. The whirlwind trip, followed by a 20-hour journey home, leaves me feeling wrung out—lessivé, as the locals say. (Lessive = wash.) Picture how your body would feel after being put through the wringer that is international travel—airport security, long lines, bone-chilling air turbulence, passport control… and a … Continue reading Bon. Allez. Ciao. Back to France and all its character.

Bonjour, The regular edition of French Word-A-Day will return soon. For now, an update from America… On Bastille Day I walked down to Pike Place Market to order a medium latté and a dozen chouquettes for Dad at a little French bakery, Le Panier. Kip has no appetite these days but can stomach sweets a little more easily than savory foods—though he does his best … Continue reading Séjour & Chouquettes in Seattle with Dad

I was working on the following story about Jackie when my sister, Kelley, called to tell us our Dad was going into the hospital following some fatigue and disorientation. I am flying to the US to hold Dad’s hand and cheer him back to recovery. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for “Kip”, our dear dad. (Picture of Dad by my sister, Heidi) TODAY’S … Continue reading Jackie back in France (Kristi now in the States)