FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

When I read the first half of your story, as a male, I was just going to lay low and not comment, but you recovered. I learned long ago not to play the who does more work game with my wife. She is far better organized than I am and starts a lot earlier than I do on her daily tasks.

As for the translations, here's a few:
pastis - anise-flavored liqueur that turns milky-white when water is added
Ricard - the original maker of pastis
apero - apertif (pastis is one)
c'est une vie de chien - it's a dog's life
sans souci - without worries (also the name of Frederick the Great's summer home in Potsdam, Germany - a must-see if your in Berlin)

I'll leave some for others.

Roast red-orange-yellow bell peppers in a pan at 200-degress C until they are medium-to-dark brown (okay if the brown is slightly mottled).
Transfer to a container with a lid - or place into a plastic bag and twist shut. Allow them to sit 20 minutes, during which time the heat and steam from the peppers disengage the skins. Open the container, and the skins should slide right off, effortlessly.

Hi Honey,

Laughed my head off first thing this morning reading your post. I can just see
my little Angel going through all of this,
maybe because I've heard this story before in so many wonderful variations. Your writing is reminding me more and more of our
10:30 morning coffee breaks on your terrace.
What a lucky Mom I am to have a daughter for a writer since your emails never tell me anything...probably a typical complaint of most moms. I hope to see more stories on our beautiful Jean-Marc - last night I was daydreaming of making a calendar of him,
he is so beautiful. Of course Jacque is beautiful too, have you found him a wife yet? Sorry for rambleing (sp?) but your story was so close to our old coffee breaks
I feel like I am back in Provence for the harvest...

Once again-why in the hell don't they have spell-check in the 'comment box' - please tell them to make this adjustment. I miss you Honey - you always make me laugh - you were the funniest little girl - don't ever
grow up.

XOXO

MOM

What a wonderful post. Thank you for addressing a problem/feeling that I was having just yesterday.

Je compatis avec toi, Kristi....I start feeling sorry for myself and complain silently while I'm picking up Mark's clothes off the floor or clearing the kitchen counter and sink from the mess he made from lunch or dinner or taking out (again) that over filled trash bag that no-one but me seems to empty. Then I think of the nonstop work that gets done around the house when the a/c goes out or the network goes down or the pool pump burns out....not to mention the constant 12-14 hour days on the road when he's working in different cities (without his luggage), forgetting to eat, carrying his company on his shoulders........and it all comes back into perspective. I wish he could relax now and then but he won't...so, I keep my mouth shut and appreciate my husband just the way he is!

Ah that blood sugar problem. Same thing happens to me. It can really sneak up on a person. Thank goodness my fella knows what to do-either fix a snack for us or hide!

Kristin, You did it again. Seeing the bigger picture (behind the scenes) helps keep things in perspective, and our eyes off of our "pitiful plight." I used this last Sunday in a sermon about Elijah. In 1 Kings 19 he complained he was the only one left in Israel who loved God. "Take my life," he pleaded. God said, "Open your eyes. I still know of 7000 people who have not, 'bowed the knee to Baal'."

By the way I also used your post about the mom and dad fishing companions you met in Croatia. You said, "I wondered if hard work help soften the circumstances." This was wonderfully said and perfectly illustrated one of the steps God used to bring Elijah back from the brink of the abyss called depression....He gave him significant work to do.

Well, 'nuff said. Got to get back to work!!

Was the brown-and-white dog in the photo a pooch you saw in Croatia?

Yes, it is easy to take others for granted. When one becomes a parent (first to one's children, then eventually to one's own parents as they age), one understands how hard they worked and how selfless they were.

When one loses a spouse, one realizes they did more than one ever realized.

Just because we don't see someone do somthing, doesn't mean they didn't do it. And many things, such as working on taxes, may not be real obvious, but still take time.

Since we can't always "repay" the same people who did kindness to us, we can pass it along to others.

Yes, eating regularly is a good idea. I don't think I've ever had low blood sugar, but for a number of years had terrible migraines, which were attenuated by regular food, or whatever type, and sometimes sweet tea.

Bonne chance avec la rentree! By now, which grades are the children in? I believe in France the grades start out with a high number and end with a low one, and the last one is "Terminal"?

il faut que tu manges quelque chose: You must eat something. (I enjoyed my little "work out" translating this!)

Last post, you were laboring with creaking back and knees in the field, along side the others. If you have blood sugar problems like most of us, you need to think about eating a little something every two hours - that means you learn to carry food (sunflower seeds, nuts, fruit) with you.

You were every bit as tired as Jean-Mark, but he was fixing his blood sugar problems with sugar-laden pastis - a suitably low key aperitif for a mug.

Momma Jules comments are also telling. Do not save your painterly words for us - spend a few of them on your mother, eh?

Momma Jules, if you use Firefox browser, you can download a nifty addon called Dictionary Tooltip. It will underline misspelled words in any text box, and with a quick right button mouse click, will suggest the correct spelling, which you can highlight by moving your mouse over (its a list), FF will automatically replace the word for you.

Good Harvest!

Dear Kristin, you are a GOOD woman, my God. I need to print this out and carry this around with me. I know my husband works harder but I get sick of the simple stuff...cabinet doors left open, mail dropped wherever, plates on every counter, empty milk container in the frig, water glasses here and there...I cannot go on, I will faint. Mine is a vie de chien at home but I tell myself that he has a lot to do at work. : )

xoxo

Please share your pepper recipe.

Marianne, I took that photo in the town of Labin, in Croatia. And thumbs up for your idea about passing along the kindess when we can no longer repay the others.

Esther, ketchup? You make ketchup? I didn't know people made ketchup. Wait till I tell Max and Jackie, who'll want to put in an order! PS: thanks to you, and many others (Mona... ;-), for relating to my story and sharing your examples. I am enjoying everyone's stories.

Judy and Intuit, thanks for the reminder to eat nuts and fruit and, Intuit, Jules needs to fess up about our telephone calls, in which we share more than I could via email! Mom, I'm pulling the (telephone) plug on our chats unless you admit this! Call you soon... er, *maybe*!

I also enjoyed votre histoire. I too felt all those feelings- my life passing me by while I waited on others. I want to encourage others who might think the marriage isn't worth it- hang in there. As you age, you will grow to appreciate each other more and more- the best is yet to come.

Kitty: I wonder the same thing -- I think your guess is right!

Cindy: Thanks for the encouragement you give us all!

William: I used to post the "wav" files in addition to the mp3 files. I'll try posting the wavs again. Let me know if that helps.

Dear Kristi, your post (just read) is a charming, charming subtle lesson needed by all at any age. Bless you and one more time -- merci beaucoup!

Usually get to read yours and others' postings late (5:33pm here and 10:33pm there), missing the possibility of a timely complimentary reply and realizing that so many of your readers have so eloquently responded with loving support. It leaves a guy wondering how he could possibly add to what has already been sent. I feel supplanted!

Love to all, particulierement toi -- Moi

I'm so familiar with the "Who Works The Hardest Around Here" debate! Now I'll remember to feed HIM when he's the one thinking this. :-)

To Fred: I understand what you are saying, that posting late leaves me thinking others have said it all already and what more could I possibly add. Well, just do it because here is 5:50 a.m. and I have been awake since 3 a.m. and I have read everyones' postings and yours touched me. I love the way you - like many of us - are so fond of this lovely sweet woman who bares her heart and soul for all to see, who gives us the opportunity to be in community sharing the in's and out's of life be it in belle France or elsewhere. I love this connection to France and try to let it suffice until my next (hope, hope) opportunity to visit again. Anyhoo, it's never too late to drop a line at fwad--and I rather doubt you will ever be supplanted!

All these years and it was just blood sugar??!! : )

Beautifully written and I so identified and then truly admired your ability to move through the feelings and embrace a broader picture.

I agree with Cindy. Maybe it's hormones, maybe it's that the children grow up, but gradually... ordinary activities become more precious and perspective and humor about each other's foibles and even gender roles become more easily accessible -- at least most of the time. ; )

Love your posts!

Peeling peppers? Qu'est-ce que vous cuisiniez de bon, was it only peppers for the sandwiches?
AAaaah la rentrée, back to school (and to work place)this time always comes after 'les vacances'.
This kind of blasé comment in France is usually followed in the next second by the typical French 'haussement d'épaules'. Indeed, we shrug shoulders a lot ;-D

Kristin,
Here's an idea for using your leftover peppers:
I make an appetizer that everyone seems to like, even though it is SO simple.

Take your roasted peppers, cut them into small julienne strips and put them in a small bowl with some balsamic vinegar.

In another small bowl mix some fresh goat cheese, some toasted pine nuts, and some roasted garlic.

Serve with small rounds of bread (like a sliced ficelle)and let people serve themselves. You take a slice of bread, spread it with some of the goat cheese mixture, then top it with some of the peppers dripping with balsamic vinegar. Miam miam!
Of course you can use just plain chevre, or add some herbs instead of the garlic, or whatever variation you like. It's hard to go wrong.

Kristi,
I, too, sympathize with you. My late husband, a pediatrician, would say to me when I was unreasonable, "You either need a nap, your pants changed, or something to eat." It was usually food I needed! I so enjoy your newsletter.