Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 22
December 9, 2020
Le Ravin: Jean-Marc's car accident in the French Alps
Passion for Provence: 22 Keys to La Belle Vie tells the tale of Americans Gayle and Ralph falling for France on their Mediterranean honeymoon and finally making it homeover two decades later. Part love story, part travel tale, part can-do, this humorous, spirited memoir will have you packing your bags for Provence for a sweet sojourn or possibly a longer stay. Order the Kindle/ebook or the paperback. Worldwide distribution via Amazon.
Today's Word: le ravin
: ravine, a deep or...
December 2, 2020
Remerciement + A gold medal from the French government!
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I am delighted to share with you that I will be receiving a gold medal, La Médaille d’Or des Valeurs francophones, from the French government. This is a landmark in my near 20 years of blogging about the French language and culture. Sincere remerciements to Bernard Duhaime, president of La Renaissance Française, to the American Delegation, and to the French Committee for this nomination and award. And merci infiniment to you, Dear Reader, and to my family, for your support and ongoing encourage...
November 25, 2020
How to say cane (or trekking pole...) + photos from French Alps
Our golden retriever, Smokey, and one of his many sticks. In today's story, Jean-Marc searches for the perfect bâton along the sentier to Fontenil, high up in the Southern Alps. Read along and learn a dozen useful French terms including a funny word for perfectionist...
Today's Word: le bâton
: stick, cane, staff
: le bâton de ski = ski pole
Sound file: Click here to listen to Jean-Marc read the following sentence in French and in English.Un alpenstock est un long poteau en bois avec ...
November 19, 2020
Une épreuve: Do you know the French word?
Jean-Marc in the early days at Mas des Brun near Bandol
Today's Word: une épreuve = a trial, a test
Synonyms for the French word épreuve include adversité, malheur (hardship), and even calamité. Now for the cheerful antonyms: bonheur (happiness), réussite (success), joie (joy). Every one of these nouns describes our 10-year stay at two French vineyards. For years Jean-Marc has wanted to tell the story of his rise and fall as a vigneron. Now, 18 chapters (36 published installments) later, we ar...
November 10, 2020
PAIX: Share your thoughts, stories, for Veterans Day
Diane Covington-Carter’s award-winning book, “Finding Gilbert, A Promise Fulfilled,” takes you on her journey to find the French orphan, Gilbert, who her father tried to adopt during the war in 1944. In this touching and true story, Covington-Carter reminds us that, “in the end, it’s all about who you love and letting them know.” Order the book.
Today's word: LA PAIX
: peace
Click here: Listen to Jean-Marc read this entry from wikipedia.fr:
Le coquelicot blanc a été lancé comme symbole de...
November 4, 2020
Corrigez-moi si j'ai tort: Correct me if I'm wrong
I am much more comfortable writing about my garde-manger than politics. (story of my pantry in the next edition of France Today...)
Corrigez-moi si j'ai tort
On this, the day we are to find out who will be the next president of the United States... I'm tempted to call in sick from work (or casually "forget" to post this week) because I am afraid to comment on world news, even if I sometimes do.
Recently I daydreamed about beginning a new column titled Correct Me If I am Wrong. For once, I coul...
October 29, 2020
Le glas: The death knell rang today in France
Le glas sonne dans toutes les églises de France en hommage aux trois victimes de l'attentat dans la basilique de Nice. (-Midi Libre) The death knell is ringing in all the churches of France in homage to the three victims of the attack in the basilica of Nice. (pictured: Catholic church in St. Cyr-sur-Mer)
* * *
Many of you woke to the news of France's latest, most horrific terrorist attack (the fourth in under 6 weeks). Two women and one man were knifed to death this morning in Nice, onl...
October 23, 2020
Rien qu'aujourd'hui (Only for Today): A "How To" for difficult times
During 10 challenging years at two vineyards (before moving to this peaceful, postage-stamp garden where our wine memoir is underway), I kept a copy of today's mind-centering thoughts in my purse. In uncertain times, such words may be helpful to you, family, or friends.
ONLY FOR TODAY...
RIEN QU'AUJOURD'HUI
Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once. Rien qu’aujourd’hui, j’essaierai de vivre ma journée sans cherc...
October 16, 2020
They don't have that in France! In Memory of my brother-in-law
My brother-in-law leaves us with countless memories of his generosity, big heart, and Tell It Like It Is character. In today's missive, a few French souvenirs, in memory of Doug.
Today's Word: inoubliable
1. unforgettable
2. never to be forgotten
Merci pour ces inoubliables moments en famille, Doug.
Thank you for these unforgettable family moments, Doug. Click here to listen to Jean-Marc read the French
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
My brother-in-law passed away eleven days ag...
October 7, 2020
Le rivage: Mother-Daughter adventure in Beaulieu-sur-Mer
A giant arbre (a Banyan tree?) in the market square of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, near Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Today's Word: le rivage
: shore, bank, coastline
Click to listen to Jean-Marc read the French example sentence:
Tu ne traversera jamais l'océan si tu as peur de perdre de vue le rivage.
You will never cross the ocean if you are afraid of losing sight of the shore.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
At a sandy cove in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, my daughter and I left our rented transats to w...
