Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 23
October 1, 2020
A story lost (but not forgotten): In Memory of Harry Rabinowitz
Years ago I had dinner at a friend's in Bandol and wrote about the musical evening--but never posted the story (it needed work). I found the written draft this morning and reencountered one of the characters from that night: Harry Rabinowitz. Today's column is in memory of the endearing British composer and conductor who was born in South Africa and died in France.
Today's French word: savoir (verb)
: to know, be aware of
Listen to Jean-Marc read the quote below in French/English:
Le Coeur,...
September 24, 2020
A Marriage Secret? + A Tribute to Mon Epoux
For this special edition, all the French vocabulary is featured in the story (the sound file returns next week). Picture taken last month at Ecrins National Park in the Alps.
Today Jean-Marc and I celebrate 26 years of marriage. I had not planned to write un hommage (and was due to update you on a mother-daughter périple)... when I realized il ne faut pas manquer cette chance!
I would have liked to have composed a list of 26 Things (God knows that would be a colorful one!)… but I am growing w...
September 17, 2020
An update from Kristi + Bienvenue, Sourire, Faire La Gueule
Our daughter, Jackie (center, at her father's wine shop) reunited with her closest friends during her recent visit.
Bienvenue to those who have just signed on to this French word journal. And a warm welcome back to longtime readers. Heureuse de vous retrouver! To get the most out of this language blog, be sure to read beyond the featured word--to the personal column about our life in France. Most of the useful vocabulary happens there!
A link to a delicious tomato tart recipe follows when yo...
August 18, 2020
Exciting News! An update from my Staycation
Bonjour from La Ciotat where I am checking in from my staycation to share the good news of Jackie's arrival tomorrow, Wednesday. We are thrilled to see our daughter who we have not hugged since before this pandemic began. We thank you for keeping Jackie in your thoughts and prayers as she navigates 3 airports, traveling from Florida to Paris and onto Marseilles.
Also, I'd like to highly recommend my friend Tessa's painting excursions in Provence. Many readers here have enjoyed these relaxing ...
August 4, 2020
L'Oisiveté: Thoughts on Work, Love, and Writing
If you've ever dreamed of living in France, it is not too late! Diane Covington-Carter proved that in her delightful memoir, "Eight Months in Provence, A Junior Year Abroad, 30 Years Late." Covington-Carter headed off to Provence at age fifty and discovered that wisdom and maturity made her "Junior Year Abroad" not, after all, thirty years late. But rather, right on time. A great summer read! Order here.
Today's Word: l'oisivité
L'oisiveté rend à la fin le travail difficile
Idleness makes work...
July 31, 2020
Gaga for Galets! Rock collecting: caillou, roche, gravier, pierre and other stones in French
Gravel is handy for a lot of things--including pétanque (boules)! Read on to learn about another benefit of rocks. (Pictured: family members, including André, who is measuring, at a picnic in Fuveau).
Today's Word: ramasser
: to pick up, gather
Audio file: Click to hear Jean-Marc read the following French sentence:
Rockhounding, ou géologie amateur, est l'étude récréative et la collecte de roches, de pierres précieuses, de minéraux ou de fossiles de leurs environnements naturels. Les Rock...
July 24, 2020
The French words are in the story (Some Assembly Required!)
Putting the finishing touches on our new spinning composter...My excuse for not putting the finishing touches on today's post. But if you read through to the end you will pick up a lot of French vocabulary! Edits are always welcome in the comments section. Merci!
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
Our new composteur rotatif arrived! It's a spinning contraption that'll transform kitchen scraps into garden compost within weeks...4? 6? 12?--on verra! I was surprised by the size of the p...
July 17, 2020
A bilingual message from Jean-Marc + Un Petit Accident while preaching
This morning while out on a walk I took a tumble and slammed into the ground of uneven wooden planks. I gashed my knee (le genou), elbow (le coude), knuckles (les articulations des doigts), and the palm (la paume) of the opposite hand. Jean-Marc reached down to help and, after I recovered, I laughed and said, Pride comes before the fall! That'll teach me to walk and preach to my husband about why we have two ears to listen!
Pride and falling are themes of The Lost Gardens--the memoir we are wr...
July 10, 2020
S'Emerveiller: Dolphins in The Bay of La Ciotat
The breathtaking Bay of La Ciotat. Left: L'Ile Verte (The Green Island). Right: Le Bec de L'Aigle (Eagle's Beak). Even more beauty and grace dwell beneath the surface of the sea...
Today's Word: s'émerveiller
: to be amazed
: to marvel at something
Soundfile: Click here to listen to Jean-Marc read the following French:
Le bonheur pour une abeille ou un dauphin est d'exister, pour l'homme, de le savoir et de s'en émerveiller. The happiness of the bee and the dolphin is to exist. For ma...
S'Emerveiller: Dophins in The Bay of La Ciotat
The breathtaking Bay of La Ciotat. Left: L'Ile Verte (The Green Island). Right: Le Bec de L'Aigle (Eagle's Beak). Even more beauty and grace dwell beneath the surface of the sea...
Today's Word: s'émerveiller
: to be amazed
: to marvel at something
Soundfile: Click here to listen to Jean-Marc read the following French:
Le bonheur pour une abeille ou un dauphin est d'exister, pour l'homme, de le savoir et de s'en émerveiller. The happiness of the bee and the dolphin is to exist. For ma...
