French Word-A-Day

Le Point Rouge, in Marseilles. Nothing to do with today's story, these are photos I took in '92, when I moved to Marseilles to live with this young accountant. Turns out Jean-Marc wasn't cut out for office work (an outdoors type, he is). Today, a story about our son, Max. Just what is he cut out for' P.S. Max turns 17 on May 17th. The next post will go out on Friday. See you then! Meet Chief Grape in London. He will be pouring his wines at the Real Artisan Wines May...

Hollyhock and Wet Dog. Smokey volunteers his mug to illustrate today's expression "les chiens ne font pas des chats". Does he look disappointed by the news' No worries, Smokelicot, you can still do most anything you set your sweet mind to! Since your ordeal, two years ago, you are a true survivor!.   Provence Villa RentalLuberon luxury home; 4 bedrooms, 5 baths; gourmet kitchen, covered terrace & pool. Views of Roussillon. Click here     les...

The old mulberry tree and a mis-mash pistache of chairs beneath. Big, small, creaky and tall--unstable as the weather! Jean-Marc was right -- everything would work out fine. So when the rain drops began to fall, I carried on, setting up for our 30 guests comme si de rien n'était, as if nothing was amiss.24, 25, 26... After several aller-retours to the house and back, there were almost enough chairs... Jackie's nightstand was dragged out... It would hold two more people, just throw...

France is on the road again, with a new Président de la République française, though some wonder where we are headed. Photo taken at le Girocèdre restaurant, in Puyméras.  mésaventure (mayz-avohn-tewhr)     : mishap, mischance, misadventure Yabla French Video Immersion. The fun way to learn French   A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse Almost as soon as our new "France United" president was elected, things fell apart here at home. The...

A creative "lid" mask and a cheerful fenêtre in Richerenches, town of truffles, where the local church holds une messe aux truffes. During this unique mass, donations are given in... truffles. See another window in Richerenches here..   Provence Villa RentalLuberon luxury home; 4 bedrooms, 5 baths; gourmet kitchen, covered terrace & pool. Views of Roussillon. Click here   le couvercle (koo-verkl)     : lid Reverse DictionaryI...

Fresh flowers and fresh perspectives. Photo: at a strawberry, wine, and olive-oil vendor's in Tulette.    ravissant (rah-vee-sahn)     : lovely  also ravissante (rah-vee-sahnt) Audio File (warning! Jean-Marc is away so you are stuck with my recording. Listen at your own risk: Download MP3 or Wav file Charlotte est revenue hier! Elle était ravissante! Charlotte came back yesterday. She looked lovely!   Villa Royale...

The French name for poppy' "Le coquelicot" Smokey has his own term of endearment for this one. Read on! The next wine-tasting here at the vineyard is tomorrow, May 1st! If you can make it to this meet-up, please leave a message in the comments box and I'll reserve your seat and send the details. avoir tort (avwahr-tor)     : to be wrong Yabla French Video Immersion. The fun way to learn French    Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc read the sentence below:...

"Vignettes from the Var"? Such a book title might not win any awards, but it would clearly suggest the books content! All of the stories in this next collection are from 2006, when we lived in the Varois village of Les Arcs-sur-Argens (pictured). mieux vaut tard que jamais (myeuh-voh-tarh-keuh-zha-may)     : better late than never Note: though I do not have a sound file of today's expression... I do finally have the recording you asked for for Jean-Marc's story....

I wanted to title the previous book "Character-building in Provence"--a reference to the "character" one builds when adapting to a foreign land... as well as a reference to the writing life--or the characters that inspire these stories! The snapshot (above) would have made an illustrative cover photo (though it was taken in Verona....) les hauts et les bas (oh-ay-bah)     : highs and lows On l'appèle 'la vie en rose' mais, comme partout, il y a ici,...

"Blossoming in Provence Volume Two'".... Would this  photo work for the next story collection' The title could be written across the blue sky... the picture, bordered by a green cover' Your thoughts here, in the comments box.  Yabla French Video Immersion. The fun way to learn French ribambelle (une ribambelle de...) 1. a swarm, flock of (bees, birds...) 2. a string of (kids...) 3. a row of; stacks of (chairs...) Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc Download...