FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Jean-Marc enjoys un roupillon at the beach. Enjoy an update on Chief Grape and more in today's post. I’ll see you in a few weeks, after my family’s visit. Read on.

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TODAY’S WORD: LE ROUPILLON

  : a nap, a snooze

Chaque matin, Ricci m’accorde quelques roupillons—de petites siestes entre ses coups de patte insistants, mon bouton de rappel intégré en action.

Each morning, Ricci grants me a few cat naps—little dozes between her persistent paw taps, my built-in snooze button at work.

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse

It is early Sunday morning, and Ricci is stirring. Soon, she’ll quietly move from the bottom of the bed to begin her journey toward my pillow, where a series of light paw taps are designed to wake me. She is my living, breathing alarm clock—and she comes with a built-in, voice-activated snooze button.

When I realize we’re up even before the birds—who are not yet chirping—I reach for my phone and learn it is 5:15 a.m. Non! I say firmly, turning my back to her, letting Ricci know, in no uncertain terms, Ce n’est pas fini, le dodo! My command instantly activates the snooze button, as Ricci settles back down, falling against me with a plaintive harrumph!

The little curled ball against my back may be only 11 kilos, but her weight snug against me is so comforting. I wish we could sleep like this for another hour, but I know that in five minutes, she’ll attempt, once again, to get me up and at ’em.

In the meantime, my mind is waking up, and—with a slight but daunting feeling—I begin thinking about the days ahead…

Le Chantier

Max and Ana’s new apartment. After months of renovation, they’ll finally move in on Saturday! Today at noon, Jackie and I are joining them—and Aunt Cécile—for a brief pause-déjeuner. After Max hinted that fait maison is always better, Jackie bought all the ingredients to make tuna sandwiches, while I’m in charge of homemade cookies…

I’m now mentally making a grocery list when Ricci, sensing my agitation, begins to stir. But I’m not ready to get up just yet. Non! I quickly hit the furry snooze button again.

But now, my thoughts jump to Monday…

The Blog!

Le lundi, I begin a new draft to tinker with for the rest of the week. I think I’ll write a post called Snooze Button (a.k.a. my dog) and weave in updates about the coming week. (Ça y est—the story’s begun!) But the French don’t have a cool word for “snooze button” (they call it le snooze, and that won’t do!), so we’ll change it to roupillon, which means “nap” or “forty winks”—which is just what I get, blink, blink, blink, before Ricci nudges me again. I groan and press snooze for the second time…

Only, instead of drifting back to sleep, I’m thinking of Tuesday!

9:30 a.m. Hair Appointment

Mardi, with Cyril-le-coiffeur’s help, it’ll take a full balayage to cover all the grays that have rushed in during my husband’s absence. That’s right—after two months in South America, Jean-Marc will be home soon, and my hair is showing signs of his absence.

While the house didn’t sink into the ground, there were a few crises during Chief Grape’s departure—a little plague, a little flood, and a little duperie but I managed. (Even if my hair didn’t. Where did all that silver come from? Admittedly, it was nerve-racking dealing with the jobs my husband usually handles—like negotiation and plumbing. Did I mention Mom’s kitchen flooded? The faucet sprang a leak, and thankfully, our friendly fée caught it in time—merci, Fiona!).

Just when I begin fretting over how Mom will manage without le robinet for three days, Ricci gently paws me. Tap… tap… tap.

I grumble and press snooze: Non, Ricci! Dodo!

Now, my mind is racing to Wednesday…

Le Retour

Ce mercredi, Jean-Marc arrives at l’aéroport de Marignane in Marseille! After biking in Chile, making wine in Argentina, and a promenade in Peru, my husband is ready to come home—especially after the last week.

After hiking Machu Picchu, he traveled to Lima and jumped right into the sea—swallowing a giant gulp of seawater by accident. He came down with a terrible five-day gastro and finally traced it back to that big gulp. (In a city of nearly 12 million people, who knows what is piped into the water… The same happens in France, only here the beaches are condemned on days when the water is “unclear”…). Poor Jean-Marc, malade comme un chien for days.

Speaking of dogs…

Ricci shifts beside me. Oh no you don’t! I reach for the furry snooze button and pat her back. Not yet, girl… go back to sleep.

As for me, no chance of dozing now—I’m already bracing for Thursday…

P-Day

Le jeudi is when I publish my blog. It’s the moment to triple-check the format, the story, the sound file, and the photos. I allow the entire morning to tie up any loose ends before my column goes out to 20,000 pairs of eyes! (half of all subscribers actually open the newsletter, so that’s 10,000 and I don’t want a single eyeball to spot an error!).

Ricci sighs. By now she knows the drill and settles back down.

But now, it’s Friday… if only in my head…

Merci Beaucoup!

Le vendredi is when I catch up with emails—including several personal thank-yous to readers who’ve sent in a donation following Thursday’s post. Hopefully, I’ll also make it to the post office to ship out books—because I’m beginning to learn that business, the old-fashioned way, is good. (Contact me if you’d like to buy a book!)

Ricci stirs. I instinctively hit snooze. If only we could get those forty winks! But by now, my brain has jumped ahead to Saturday…

Hiking with Jenny

Samedi, I’m meeting my new friend Jenny, who is an avid hiker. This comes at a good time, as I’ll soon lose my hiking buddy—Jackie—who’s about to fly off again… this time to The Big Apple. (Stay tuned!) Will she be safe? Who will she meet? Will she come home?

Ricci presses against my back. But here comes next Sunday… and we’re not yet done catastrophizing before sunrise…

Slinking into Church

Dimanche—After skipping today, I’ll make an effort to go next week…Ricci nudges me…Non! Snooze button engaged.

Now, my mind leaps ahead to next week!

Family Arrives!

March 24th, my family begins arriving: Heidi, Payne, Maddi, Reagan—landing on three different days. It’s going to be a busy week… but all I can think about is: What will we eat? Spaghetti Roquefort… le magret de canard… les moules marinières… des tartes tomates… le poulet rôti… ah, pizza—thank God for pizza!

I hit the furry snooze button once again. Even Ricci seems exhausted from it all and voluntarily goes back to sleep.

And when I’m finally ready to get up, guess who hits snooze this time?

“Ricci, come on! The day’s begun!” To energize her, I repeat our morning prayer: “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it! Ceci est le jour que le Seigneur a fait ; je me réjouirai et en serai heureux.”

But all my dog can utter is… harrumph!

COMMENTS
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Welcome home, Chief Grape! 🐾🐾

FRENCH VOCABULARY

Jean-Marc recorded this one from the Madrid airport! Don't miss it!

le roupillon = nap, snooze

le dodo = sleep

n’est pas = isn’t 

fini = finished

le snooze = snooze

le chantier = construction site, renovation project

la pause-déjeuner = lunch break

le fait maison = homemade

le lundi = Monday

ça y est = that’s it

le mardi = Tuesday

le coiffeur/la coiffeuse = hairdresser

le balayage = hair highlighting using a freehand painting method

la duperie = deception, trickery, being taken advantage of

la fée du logis = house fairy, housekeeper

le robinet = faucet 

le mercredi = Wednesday

le retour = return

l’aéroport = airport

l’ océan = ocean

la gastro = gastroenteritis

malade comme un chien = sick as a dog

le jeudi = Thursday

le vendredi = Friday

le samedi = Saturday

le dimanche = Sunday

la famille = family

le magret de canard = duck breast

les moules marinières = mussels in white wine sauce

la tarte = tart

le poulet rôti = roast chicken

REMERCIEMENTS
Your generosity means so much, especially during this book launch! Every donation helps cover self-publishing costs, and thanks to you, I’m already halfway there. I look forward to the moment when the book begins to support itself—merci infiniment!

Betsy F.
Sarah W.
Mary Jo A.

I enjoy your life! --Sarah

For the many years reading/dreaming with FWAD. Merci. --BF

I enjoy your blog! I'll donate in lieu of buying the book as I'm currently downsizing. —Mary Jo

My sister, Heidi, is debuting her book club in Denver :-) Denver peeps, contact Heidi at [email protected]

RATE OR REVIEW MY BOOK
Thanks for your book orders and helpful reviews. To read Kathi's and to leave a rating or a review, click here.

I leave you with some Oiseaux de Paradis, spotted in town. Have a lovely weekend. See you in a few weeks!

COMMENTS
Your comments and corrections are much appreciated. Thanks in advance. Click here to leave a message

Mom, Ricci, and me—part of Chief Grape’s welcome committee 

Escaped parakeets, a boycott, and le rhume des foins in today's update. Don't miss a word!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: POSSIBLE BLOG MOVE
Due to technical issues with my current blog, I may be switching to a new platform in the coming months (this is not yet certain). 

Please consider following me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X.com so we can stay connected. I’ll share updates there about where to find my latest posts.

Thank you for your support and patience! --Kristi

TODAY'S WORD: lessivé : worn out, exhausted

PRONUNCIATION: [leh-see-vay]

In French, lessivé describes someone who is completely drained—whether physically, mentally, or even financially. The word comes from lessive (laundry), evoking the image of being washed out or wrung dry. After a whirlwind book launch, a boycott, and a storm of pollen in the air, I’m feeling completely lessivée…

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE...by Kristi Espinasse

ACHOUM! ACHOUM! Pardon me for sneezing, but all this pollen is getting to me. This second week of March it’s everywhere. Partout! You can even see clouds of yellow dust coming from the pine trees in our neighborhood, drifting off alongside those pesky caterpillars. My family is exhausted from les éternuements. Everyone thinks they have le rhume when hayfever is to blame.

“It’s allergies!” I inform Mom, delivering her a fresh bouquet of flowers. I set them down beside a copy of my new book, which is prominently on display on Jules’s desk (where I’ve all but nailed it to the table). She assures me she’s proud of me and has asked for copies for les infirmières whose names appear in the chapter “Reconnaissance.” Ever since they helped nurse Jules back from a severe eye condition, the trio has become a sweet presence in Mom’s life, offering gifts, câlins and I love yous in thick French accents.

Feeling lethargic, I wave goodbye to Mom. “See you for dinner. Jackie is making Spaghetti Bolognese!” Ricci hops off Mom’s bed to follow me home under this floating yellow cloud that’s settled over our town. I make my way back around the house, via the gravel path, taking extra precautions not to step on any lurking chenilles processionaires.

Inside, Jackie is conked out on the couch. “C’est le rhume des foins,” I explain to my daughter. On est tous lessivés! “Come on, let’s take Ricci for a walk…”

These aren’t ideal conditions for going outside, what with strong winds stirring up so many allergens (mimosa? cypress? les platanes?), but our energetic shepherd needs her daily walk—or she’ll be stirring all day long!

Bundled up, we head down to the beach, following the cobbled street lined with plane trees. A pair of rose-winged parakeets flutters above, their feathers catching the wind as they grip the branches. Years ago, like me, they escaped from the Paris airport—one bound for l’animalerie, the other for freezing cold Lille. But, given a window of opportunity, we both flew south. It’s warmer here along the littoral, but we get strong winds and a fair share of critters that slither, bite, and sting.

Jackie and I reach a colorful waterfront, where the sea is alive with movement. I’ve never seen so many windsurfers on the horizon! And higher up, in the sky—kitesurfers galore. We advance along the crowded boardwalk, past the cafés and The Neptune sailing club—all the way down to les roches plates, where I ask my daughter for a small favor—help with some book marketing.

“Can you sit on that rock over there?” I begin. “Here. Take Ricci and read this,” I say, reaching into mon sac à dos and handing Jackie a paperback. With the deep blue water, crashing waves, and that dreamy coastline, it’s the perfect setting for a little guerrilla marketing.

“That’s a wrap,” I say to two very patient models. Normally, we’d stay a while—unpack towels, goggles, put on non-slip plastic shoes, and walk to the edge of the flat rocks to enter the sea. But with this wind and chill, it’s too cold, and the shores are filling up with stinging méduses! Besides, we’ve got to hurry back. Jackie has a 5:15 appointment to teach a free Pilates class to Fiona, and I’m in the middle of a nerve-racking book launch…

Self-publishing is not for the faint-hearted. Just as I reached the final step in the process, my long-awaited publication day was bookended by a passionate consumer boycott!

Ding. Messages poured in from every direction—email, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp—all with the same request—'Can you ship me a copy directly?' I was deeply touched…but also paralyzed. How could I, one person, possibly fulfill a thousand personal orders? My mind raced: envelopes, postage, customs forms and the mounting pressure of deadlines…I hadn’t anticipated this logistical puzzle and wasn’t sure how I could manage it alongside more urgent needs at home—my mom’s health issues are acting up again, and I need to focus on that.

Je suis complètement lessivée. This week feels like walking through giant clouds of yellow powder, with my dog running circles around me—and all the local critters biting and stinging. Blindsided by the unexpected economic blackout, I just want to crawl under the covers until it all blows over.

But writing and publishing are all about perseverance. As this challenging week nears its end, I have a bold request: If you enjoy my stories, please buy my books.

Boycott the megastores for toothpaste and la lessive—but don’t inadvertently lessiver writers by boycotting books in the process. More than ever the world needs stories of love, hope, and joy, of families overcoming obstacles, putting aside their differences to aid and support one another. From here we can go out and help our friends and neighbors, our country, and, with peace in our hearts, le monde.

Take a Literary Escape to France! 🇫🇷📖

Wherever you are—at home, in a café, or curled up on the couch—let A Year in a French Life transport you to the heart of France.

📚 Order your copy today: https://www.amazon.com/dp/295989930X

Merci for reading and supporting my writing! 💙

Our dear friends Charles and Martha. It is so heartwarming to receive photos from readers holding my book. If you have a photo, too, let me know if I have permission to post it.

Reader Reviews: It’s so heartwarming to hear how A Year in a French Life is resonating with readers! Here’s a glimpse of what they’re saying:

• "A beautiful and inspiring book from cover to cover!" – Sweet Life Farm
• "A delight to read, and to look at!" – Lynn McBride
• "A lovely memoir from the South of France!" – RB

Thank you to everyone who has shared their thoughts! Your kind words fuel my passion for writing.

Karen, who I had the chance to meet last summer, sent me this one 💕. To order your copy, click here.

FRENCH VOCABULARY

Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce the French terms

achoum = achoo

partout = everywhere

l’éternuement = sneeze

le rhume = cold

l’infirmière = nurse

la reconnaissance = gratitude, appreciation

le câlin = hug

la chenille processionnaire = pine processionary caterpillar

le rhume des foins = hay fever

on est tous lessivés = we are all worn out

le platane = plane tree

les roches plates = flat rocks

le sac à dos = backpack

la méduse = jellyfish

la lessive = laundry detergent

lessiver = wear out

le monde = the world 

REMERCIEMENTS
Sincere thanks for your donations in support of my French word journal! 

Mike P.
Betsy F.
Karen B.
Patricia N.
Michèle C.

For the many years reading/dreaming with FWAD. Merci. —Betsy 

Kristen Have just bought your new book. Really looking forward to reading it. Best wishes. —Patricia 

Bonne chance, Kristi! J'ai commande exemplaires et je le recommande a mes amies pour leurs clubs de lecture. —Mike 

The eBook came out nicely. Please check it out if you enjoy reading on your Kindle. Click here to order.


INTERVIEW WITH MARGARET from WRITING AND BREATHING
I was delighted to be interviewed by Margaret, a passionate writer and word enthusiast whose blog is a treasure trove of insights into language, storytelling, and the writing life. With three novels, a short story collection, and plays performed by professional actors, Margaret generously shares her experiences while spotlighting fellow writers. It was an honor to chat with her—here’s the link to our conversation!

Interview here: https://writingandbreathing.wordpress.com/2025/03/06/meet-author-kristin-espinasse/

I leave you with a colorful march captured here in La Ciotat on Saturday, International Women's Day.

SOUVENEZ-VOUS/REMEMBER TO:

➡️ Leave a rating or a review of A Year in a French Life, if you enjoy my book. 

➡️ Stay connected with me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X.com 

COMMENTS
Your edits help a lot and your messages are a joy to read!
To leave  a comment, click here

A YEAR IN A FRENCH LIFE – NOW AVAILABLE!

Dear Readers,

The day has arrived! My new book, A Year in a French Life, is officially live on Amazon. After years of sharing stories with you on the blog, I am thrilled to present this collection in book form—one you can hold in your hands, gift to a friend, or take along on your own travels.

📖 Order your copy here: Amazon Link

A Glimpse Inside the Book

Step into a charming French seaside town and experience a year of life, love, and laughter under the Mediterranean sun.

Tucked inside this beautifully illustrated book, you’ll find an intimate, year-long portrait of life in the South of France. Through a series of warm and engaging essays—many originally shared with my devoted readers—I capture the joys and challenges of daily life in a bustling seaside town.

From local marchés to family milestones, language mix-ups to unexpected friendships, this book is filled with humor, resilience, and the beauty of embracing life’s twists and turns in my adopted country. Alongside my husband, Jean-Marc, our grown children, and my spirited mother, Jules, I share a touching portrait of multigenerational family life under the Mediterranean sun.

Perfect for Francophiles, armchair travelers, and lovers of personal stories, A Year in a French Life is a heartwarming invitation to slow down, savor the moment, and find joy in the everyday.

📚 Available now: Get your copy today!

Why Today Matters

This is a crucial moment! Early sales play a key role in helping my book gain visibility on Amazon. Simply put, when many readers purchase the book on the same day, it helps move it from the bottom of the "shelf" to front and center, making it easier for others to discover.

If you’ve been planning to buy a copy, today is the best time to do it!

👉 Order here: A Year in a French Life

A Thoughtful Gift for Any Occasion

Looking for a meaningful gift? A Year in a French Life makes a wonderful present for:
🎁 Mother’s Day – Treat a mom who loves France and good storytelling.
🎂 Birthdays – A unique and inspiring read for a friend or loved one.
📖 Book Clubs – Share the charm of Provence with your reading group.
🌞 Summer Travel Reads – The perfect companion for your next getaway.

If you know someone who enjoys memoirs, travel, or simply escaping into a good book, I’d be honored if you considered gifting them a copy.

Can You Help Spread the Word?

It has been eleven years since my last book, and the publishing world has changed. With social media algorithms and a saturated book market, every bit of word-of-mouth support makes a difference.

Here are a few simple ways to help:
✔ Leave a review on Amazon – Even a short review helps more than you know!
✔ Share this post with friends who love France, travel, or memoirs.
✔ Post a photo of the book on social media and tag me—I’d love to see it!

Merci beaucoup for being part of this journey. I can’t wait for you to read A Year in a French Life!

Amicalement,
Kristi

📖 Get your copy today! Amazon Link

New York Times bestselling author Janet Skeslien Charles recommended my book! Be sure to check out all of Janet's French-themed books including Miss Morgan's Book Brigade--soon to be released....

I would also like to thank Lynn, at Southern Fried French, for writing about A Year in a French Life and helping to kick off ebook sales! Merci, Lynn.

Katherine, at Rue Dauphine Paris graciously offered to mention my book at her gorgeous Instagram. Merci!

Finally, sincere thanks to my lovely readers who have made this book possible 💗💗💗💗💗