Jouer à cache-cache means to play hide-n-seek. This was a favorite game of Smokey's when he was one-years-old (pictured), though his hiding places were a bit obvious. Now, at 4, he likes the classics: a good ol' game of catch is fine by him. doux (do) : mild, temperate; sweet, pleasant; soft; lenient Doux also refers to a gentle person–or how about a … Continue reading Doux: mild, temperate, sweet in French
I wrote the story “crush widow” two years ago. Were you reading then? (Photo of a modern cabanon with its carpet of white flowers taken in Sainte Cécile-les-Vignes. In wintertime, the old, leafless vines always look, to me, like upended chicken feet—as do all the pollarded trees.) la veuve de la vendange (lah vuv deuh lah von danzh) : crush widow Audio file: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce … Continue reading veuve de la vendange
The first day of harvest (Part II) ended with a blast! And a down-on-his-luck Chief Grape drove, with a flat-tire, two hours beneath the darkening, cold sky. The harvesters waited for him, working late into the night to process the grapes, which made it back to the farm in the back of a crooked and wobbly wagon. So much for romancing the grapes. belles fringues … Continue reading belles fringues
Our son, Max, harvesting at Châteauneuf-du-Pape some seven years ago. Yesterday, he and his 16-year-old buddies helped out with our rosé vendange. By the way… The rosé harvest is finished! … As we recover from the field and the four (behind which I've been roasting poivrons and sauteing courgettes….), let's take the time to enjoy another's story. Read with me now the account of volunteer harvester, Thomas … Continue reading cueillette
Photo of a modern cabanon with its carpet of white mustard flowers. Don't you just want to lose yourself in it? la veuve de la vendange (lah vuv deuh lah von danzh) : crush widoww A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse I learned a new term last fall, while guiding yet another enthusiastic and brave bénévole out to the vine fields to help … Continue reading la veuve de la vendange
Our tractor's girophare (upper left) and Braise-the-Dog (lower right, hidden). Click on image. Today's word is "girophare", though "friggin' girophare" would be more correct, or simply "frigging" (which fits the mood of our story better and which is, you all might agree, a much more common and useful word (never mind the English) than "girophare"). Hélas, as this Gallic gazette is used in classrooms, we'd … Continue reading girophare
