My old man, who records the sound files for this word journal. Merci, Jean-Marc! If only we'd stop trying to be happy, we could have a pretty good time. -Edith WhartonSi seulement on essayait d’arrêter d’être heureux, on pourrait peut-être profiter de la vie. Today's Words: Profiter de la vie : to enjoy life Audio File: click the words below to hear the … Continue reading Profiter de la vie
We're meeting our neighbors, thanks to our local fishmonger. Read about this endearing personnage (seen in the last photo) in today's story. le voisin : neighbor Example sentence & Sound File Click here to listen to Jean-Marc read the soundfile Quand la maison du voisin brûle, c'est ton affaire aussi When your neighbor's house burns down, it is your business too. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE … Continue reading On the positive side: after the attempted break in, getting to know the neighbors (including somebody famous!)
Many people wonder how would their dog react should a break-in occur. I now know the answer. This picture says it all. Today's word is "effraction," for "break-in". The following is a sentence by sentence account of a chilling run-in with an intruder on Thursday night–while alone in my home. After you read it, I would like to know your tips on securing your home–and yourself–as … Continue reading Alone & Face to face with a burglar! Seule et nez à nez avec un cambrioleur!
You see two-wheelers ("les deux-roues") everywhere in France, whether scooters, mobylettes, bicycles, or trottinettes–this compact form of transportation is one way of outwitting traffic in Marseilles and Paris. Read my belle-soeur, Cécile's, story in today's all French edition. Today's word was supposed to be guêpe, but in a last-minute switch-a-roo, it is now the more interesting phrase "se faire chaler", which I bumped into while editing Cécile's … Continue reading Cécile’s New Wheels! Vespa…Guêpe…What does a wasp have to do with the Italian scooter by Piaggio? + se faire chaler
"LA FLEMME!" Je m'en veux. I've been feeling so guilty about this lassitude that's set in around here lately. I should be doing the grand ménage de printemps–or putting away all our stuff that's been crammed upstairs during our remodeling. At the very least I should be writing to you–catching up on a few stories about our petit bassin (it's been repaired!) or our home … Continue reading La Flemme! Why everyone’s so lethargic, paresseux, and feignant this time of year–and what France has done to remedy it!
Thursday we went to Marseille for a few appointments. Jean-Marc took the opportunity to drive us through our old neighborhood, in Le Roucas Blanc (our first home was there on the left, behind the house with the blue shutters–at the end of the Impasse Gagliardo. On the hilltop, you are seeing the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde). We also passed the church in which we were … Continue reading Alarming news at the Dentist’s + Jackie applies for Fashion school in Marseille
Ça y est! Part 1 of our La Ciotat renovation ended this week! We've been busy tying up dozens of loose ends, so it was wonderful to get away from it all via a little boat ride up the coast! Read about a breathtaking petite escapade from La Ciotat to Cassis in today's column, below. Today's word: caboter : to navigate from port … Continue reading Caboter: A relaxing, agreeable thing to do along the coastline in France
April 22nd is Earth Day. Reading about our earth's demise has me thinking of a little known French verb — a verb underdog if you like. Meet the humble Glaner ("to glean"). Certain French artists highlighted the practice years ago–making the art of gleaning as fashionable as the art of wandering. In other words, it's time to glaner as you flâner! Please read today's story. TODAY'S WORD: glaner (glah-nay) … Continue reading Glâner: a useful, necessary, verb for Earth Day 2018
Something about these reptilian tiles tells me they are not as old as our church (built here in La Ciotat in 1603. The cement tiles, it turns out, were set down 8 months ago, during a partial renovation). I do like them, though, and you? Some say the salamander is symbolic. Of what, I wonder? My friends from North Dakota and I had hurried into … Continue reading Dégouliner: the rain trickled, dripped, and poured but it didn’t keep us from touring La Ciotat
Out now! Jackie Clark Mancuso's latest in her much-beloved Hudson series: "An expatriate dog in Paris meets a young stray and helps him search for home…via a whirwind tour of Paris with stops at Hudson's favorite haunts." Order a copy here.un temps de cochon : lousy weather, beastly weather, Thanks to my friend Dominique for sharing today's expression! Audio File: Quel temps de cochon: click … Continue reading Quel temps de cochon! Beastly weather in La Ciotat, Cassis, and Sanary-sur-Mer!
