Tag: French

Childhood Memories, French Learning

Some People Build Roots. Others Wander. Can Fulfillment Be Simple?

Back at the vineyard in Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes, Max and I were in middle school. Once the hot days were over, Dad no longer needed our petites mains for the harvest and our petits pieds to crush grapes, and when we weren’t swimming in the river with Braise and Smokey, there wasn’t much left to do. So in winter, we spent our weekends and evenings playing a game on the computer. The goal was simple: make your character as powerful as possible. You started by creating a character, choosing its powers, name, gender, and colors. Continue reading Some People Build Roots. Others Wander. Can Fulfillment Be Simple?

Jacqueline Espinasse8 Comments
French Learning

Six Days Together in La Ciotat: A Sample Itinerary

TODAY’S WORD: revenir : to come back PRONUNCIATION: ruh-vuh-neer On revient en juillet pour entendre les cigales.We’ll come back in July to hear the cicadas. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse It’s Jackie’s turn to write, but as she and Vinny are en route to the airport—on their way back to New York—I’ll step in with a brief summary of the week. Let’s call … Continue reading Six Days Together in La Ciotat: A Sample Itinerary

Kristin Espinasse17 Comments
French Learning

Success: Advice from a French Nurse and Dog Lover

TODAY’S WORD: se mettre en échec : to set oneself up for failure PRONUNCIATION: [suh met-truh ahn eh-shek] EXAMPLE SENTENCE:Quand on apprend quelque chose de nouveau, il vaut mieux avancer doucement pour ne pas se mettre en échec. When learning something new, it’s best to move forward gently so as not to set yourself up for failure. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi EspinasseDuring one … Continue reading Success: Advice from a French Nurse and Dog Lover

Kristin Espinasse15 Comments
French Learning

Un Bel Apprentissage: A Beautiful Learning Experience

TODAY’S WORD: apprentissage : learning; apprenticeshipPRONUNCIATION: ah-prahn-tee-sahj A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse  The first thing I did when Jean-Marc and Jackie left for the airport was to hurry to her room. Our little American shepherd followed, to sniff out anything my daughter might’ve left behind.  Ricci’s nose swept the floor like one of those metal detectors used by treasure hunters here on the … Continue reading Un Bel Apprentissage: A Beautiful Learning Experience

Kristin Espinasse15 Comments
Aging, Jules, Thanksgiving

How to Say Caregiver in French (and in the Cosmos)

TODAY’S WORD: l’aidant(e) : caregiver PRONUNCIATION: [lay-dahn(t)] A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Two weeks ago, Mom moved into the house—into Max’s old room. She immediately loved the firmness of the mattress, the cozy space, and the way the wooden shutters blocked out all the light—perfect for nap time. She packed only her toothbrush, in her pocket, and, for the fortnight that … Continue reading How to Say Caregiver in French (and in the Cosmos)

Kristin Espinasse19 Comments
Artists, Beach, Travel

A Surprise at the Beach & Ephemeral Art in France

In today’ post, “Éphémère”, a fleeting sand sculpture of La Crucifixion, created by a traveling artist, captivates beachgoers while highlighting the ephemeral nature of art. As Ricci reacts to the artist, the scene underscores the contrast between the temporary artwork and the eternal message it conveys. The artist, identified as a wandering nomad, invites appreciation through a sign that reveals his travels and artistic purpose. Although the sculpture is destined to be washed away or trampled, it momentarily enriches lives and prompts reflection on both the momentary and the everlasting. Continue reading A Surprise at the Beach & Ephemeral Art in France

Kristin Espinasse17 Comments
French Expressions

A French Phrase for Life in the Fast Lane

TODAY’S WORD: coller au cul : to be right on someone’s heelsPRONUNCIATION: [koh-lay oh kew] EXAMPLE SENTENCE:Il me colle au cul, celui-là ! → That person is right on my heels! The French word cul literally means “bottom,” and while it can sound a bit cheeky (or downright rude) in some contexts, it’s also part of many everyday expressions. You’ll see it in perfectly polite phrases like cul-de-sac (a dead-end street) or à pied … Continue reading A French Phrase for Life in the Fast Lane

Jacqueline Espinasse10 Comments
Uncategorized

Survivre: Think Like a European, Love Like a Mom

TODAY’S WORD: survivre : to survivePRONUNCIATION: [sur-VEEV-r] EXAMPLE: « J’essaie de survivre à New York. » — I’m trying to survive in New York. How to Be Street-Smart in an Expensive Cityby Jacqueline Espinasse I knew about inflation. I knew prices were higher in big cities. But nothing prepared me for a $12 block of Greek feta cheese. At this moment in my 28-year-old life, that teeny-weeny square of dairy whispered, “You’d better hustle here…” … Continue reading Survivre: Think Like a European, Love Like a Mom

Kristin Espinasse21 Comments
Characters

Sabots: Clogs, Sabotage & Standing Your Ground in France!

I woke up this morning thinking, “I could really use a clog to illustrate today’s post.” Later, Jackie and I were at the mall when we stumbled into a second-hand shop…and found this sabot. Now that’s serendipitous! TODAY’S WORD: LE SABOT : clog Did you know the word sabotage comes from sabot? The term sabotage is believed to have originated during the Industrial Revolution in … Continue reading Sabots: Clogs, Sabotage & Standing Your Ground in France!

Kristin Espinasse18 Comments
Home Improvement/Repair

Pancarte: A Funny Sign Taped to the wall of our W.C.

Valentine's Day is past but an unusual love note lingers in today's story…. Also, a book you might love: Amour: How the French Talk About Love. Find it in the "Books" section" here. TODAY'S WORD: LA PANCARTE     : banner, sign A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse The last moments before Jean-Marc flew to New Zealand for his wine mission were … Continue reading Pancarte: A Funny Sign Taped to the wall of our W.C.

Kristin Espinasse23 Comments