FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Here is the interpretation for:

Le copiste avec ses innombrables incorrections me donne autant de tintouin que le poète avec ses étourderies et ses maladresses.

The typist with his numerous mistakes gave me as much trouble as the author with his blunders and clumsiness.

Ah yes, the problem of the swimsuit! I am in southern Sicily (Taormina) at present and I didn't even pack a swimsuit because no way am I going to be seen in one at present! Besides which, I am a poor swimmer and the water has to be the temperature of a bathtub for me to enjoy being in the ocean. By June, when the water might be just warm enough, I'll be in Palermo, where there's far too much to see to spend time on the beach. See how good I am at justifying my decision to leave the swimsuit at home!

We're expecting tornadoes here in the Tulsa area again today. I'll try and convince some of the "nicer" portions of it to head over your way. I'm sure though that you have nothing to worry about in the swimsuit department, Kristi. Luckily, europeans don't seem to have the same "hang-ups" about their bodies as Americans do, so even the "naturist" beaches are full of "natural" people who are just out to enjoy the day!

Kristi,
One of the great things about being 50+ is that I no longer care about how I look in a bathing suit ... I love to swim. I do care that I am healthy but as I approach 60 I am wise enough to know that my body will never again look as it did when I was in my 20's. And, you are much younger so my advice is pack the suit, take the plunge and have a wonderful time. All of the slim and trim on the beaches of St. Tropez are probably not as happy as you.

BTW the photo of the dogs with the bougenvia (sp?) transported me to my childhood in California. What a lovely color.

Have a wonderful time "sans tintouin".

I agree with Suzanne in Monroe Township: enjoy the swimming, and don't worry about what you look like. You will be under water most of the time, anyway. Besides, Kristin, at least with regular clothes, you look quite slender, and it's doubtful you look much different in a bathing suit.

I confess to not wanting to look "fat" in a suit. I'm even older than Suzanne. But if I worried about my appearance, I wouldn't swim or dive. I regularly build up to two miles or so continuously in our pool over the summer. That is, I start the season with 8 or so laps (200 meters) at a time, then 16, etc. I splash around and have fun, as well. And I am probably the oldest diver there. Water sports are great because there is little potential for injury, and one exercises all the muscles without breaking a sweat.

If I had the chance to swim at Saint-Tropez, I surely would. I agree, the water might be a bit chilly now, but one could go in and out. Swim a bit, then lie on the beach in the sun.

Mais oui, The French and the maillot de bain. Last summer I took along my suit because the previous time we had spent summertime in Dijon it was hotter than Texas. I planned on enjoying the lake, but most of the time it was cool or rainy. On the one super nice day, I and everyone else in the city decided to head to the local pools for the afternoon. I think that I was the only female -- over 50 or under 50 -- in a one-piece tank suit. But then again, I was the only female who was actually swimming. My body may not look like it belongs on the beaches of Cannes, but it can do serious laps, so I'm content.

Rain this week in St. Louis. It's going to make the water very cold in the pools that open Memorial Day weekend.

And Kristin -- I remember your beach story too well from "Words in a French Life." Hilarious! Do you go through this worry every summer?

Hi, Kristin
I went to St. Tropez a couple of years ago and here is a link to information about a gorgeous beach we visited nearby:

http://www.saint-tropez.tv/html/captaya.html

One of the guys we were with saw an octopus while swimming there. My husband liked the topless girl selling ice cream from a boat and we loved the nearby villages of Ramatuelle and Gassin too. Have a great trip!

My favorite French nickname for Ascension: "La Saint-Otis." (Think about it....)

Water supports, stimulates, sustains, cools, refreshes, cleans, pleases ... partake with joy and gratitude.

Affectueusement from an ex life guard and water safety instructor

I hear you. I see some wonderwoman above says after 50 one no longer cares. With respect, Mme. I care. Really. Not to look like a screen goddess or something but I do care & I'm glad that I do.

It may be too late to ask for continuing rain, but I shall make an offering on your behalf, K.

Kristin, Hope you're having a great weekend. i can't imagine the water is warm enough to swim in nor the temperature warm enough to sit in a bathing suit on the beach at present. But if it is, enjoy it.

i took the girls to the pool today, at 8 and 1/2 months pregnant. I don't have a maternity bathing suit so I wore my bikini with a maternity tank top over it. You are aware of the rule of no shirts, no boxer style shorts, etc at French pools? Not 5 minutes after I got in the pool, they asked me to take it off. Let's just say, I couldn't see the bottom half of my bikini.

Good morning, I am finally getting to see Weds post. I feel your pain about the swimsuit issue. I may switch to a tankini this year. I have worn a 2 piece for most of my life, but the middle is slowly changing. I really should not care, I'm still in good shape for my age. Have a great trip to the beach!!