la veuve de la vendange
malgré les circonstances

respirer

Merry Minou (c) Kristin Espinasse
Respirez! Breathe in! And let out all your cares. Photo of a merry minou taken in Nyons.

respirer (reh spee ray) verb

    : to breathe

synonym : souffler

Note: I'm running behind schedule this morning... any terms and expressions related to "respirer" are most appreciated in the comments box only: click here.

Audio File and Example : listen to Jean-Marc pronounce these French words (Download MP3):

Pour bien vous détendre, il faut respirer profondément.
To relax, you must breathe deeply.
. 

A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse

H20 and Hieroglyphics

In the corner of the room sits a small, opened suitcase. There are one, two, three books inside - stories I promised she would like. As soon as I can, I'll add my notebook, my eyeglasses, and my tooth guard. (Les dents, elles grinçaient encore hier soir, et je me suis réveillée dans la nuit en train de grignoter mon appareil dentaire!)

A few small piles are stacked beside the valise: jeans... "and bring your white skirt and shorts..." Mom suggested. "Tennies and flip flops...". Check check check. Check check. I will not pack too much... just this one carry-on. No more!

More than a scientific method of packing, I need a scientific method of relaxing. Jules has a tip on that one too, it amounts to these four words of wisdom: "Relax Within I Am."

I know who "I Am" is and I Am is not me... I am simply to break down these words and repeat, as following:

Re ("breathe in!" Mom instructs.)

lax ("breathe out...")

With ("breathe in!")

in ("breathe out...")

I ("in!")

Am ("out... ... ...")

I try this for a time until I begin to notice how my eyes won't stop watering. It is distracting and purpose-defeating (the goal of the exercise being to clear the mind!) to have to reach up and dry my temples and the tips of my ears each time. These are not tears; the water streaming from my eyes, down past my temples, oreilles, and onto my pillow, must be all that extra oxygen that I am breathing in. Or have I got that backwards?: water contains oxygen... No wonder I can't relax when all of the oxygen is leaking out of the corners of my eyes!

I decide to abandon the exercise. I notice that, malgré tout, peace and a certain stillness has encompassed the room. I look slowly over to the window, below which un étendoir steals the patch of sun shining there. On the drying rack I spy Max's basketball maillot, un torchon, some threadbare chaussettes... will I need socks in Mexico?

Relax....

I breathe in! Above the drying rack I stare at the heart on the window. It is for my daughter. I had drawn it in the steam that had gathered there as I aired out the room this morning. We'd passed a restless night: she, whimpering non-stop from a stomachache and nausea, and I, listening helplessly to her suffering. 

The next morning I threw open the windows. "A little fresh air will do you good!" I explained. On opening the windows the glass quickly fogged up and I reached over and drew the heart. "For you," I pointed out, carving the letter "J" in the center. I signed "Mommy" in cursive, in the lower right slope of the coeur.

The rounded heart and letters had an unexpected exponential effect: my daughter perked right up! "Thank you, Mommy!"

The doodled heart might have been a sackful of her favorite candies or a life-size teddy bear. Her eyes shone in delight.

I sat beside Jackie, shaking my head about those backwards letters: I hadn't anticipated their changing direction... on closing the window... but the effect was not lost and I sat there basking in my patient's appreciation. The gesture had not taken a lot of thought... it had been more of an impulse. 

***

So much for methodology. In spite of any efforts I'd stumbled onto the tranquil moment and there rested, quietly, gazing at the coeur's reversed letters, or the hieroglyphics of the heart.
. 

 Le Coin Commentaires
Corrections are most helpful and comments are the best return on these stories! To leave a message on the blog, click here

French Vocabulary (coming soon, please check back... meantime enjoy this poem by Newforest: many of you enjoy Newforest's commentary in the "Coin Commentaires" . Enjoy this poem, in French, in response to today's story.):

Sur le carreau d'une fenêtre,
dans la buée,
un doigt trace un coeur
pour J
♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥

Message en gouttelettes,
Perles d'amour maternel, 
Larmes d'eau de rose
dans la buée du carreau.
♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥

Larmes hiéroglyphiques,
remède magique
pour le mal au coeur de Jackie
maintenant toute ravie.
♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥

Un coeur sur le carreau de la fenêtre
un langage à l'envers qui dit:
♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ 
Un soupir de bien-être
Oh! Thank you Mommy!

***

Newforest included this vocabulary guide... to help you with your translation :-)

-> le carreau = tile (ceramic)
Here, carreau (/ vitre) = pane (for a window)
le carreau de la fenêtre = the windowpane

-> la buée = steam, condensation, mist, blur (on your glasses, on a window)

-> tracer = to draw (lines)

-> un doigt = a finger

-> gouttelettes = tiny drops, droplets

-> Perles = pearls

-> amour maternel = maternal love

-> Larmes = tears

-> mal au coeur = stomach pain that makes you feel sick, nauseous. (avoir mal au coeur)
Emotionally speaking, it's what you feel in a sad/hearbreaking situation.

-> toute - here, it has the meaning of completely, thoroughly

-> ravi(e) = delighted, overjoyed

-> à l'envers = upside down, backward, inside out ... You read the newsletter, so you can guess the right expression in French

-> Un soupir = a sigh

-> bien-être = well-being

 

 

window (c) Kristin Espinasse

What would you name this one? Could you get away with this kind of window whimsy in your own neighborhood? Click here to leave a comment.

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Comments

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Angela

What amazing moms, you and Jules both are!!!! Truly admirable and enviable, no doubt about it.

Wishing you safe travels and a blissful time in Mexico! If you're going to be anywhere near the Mayan ruins of Tulum on January 28, maybe we could meet up?

Angela

Eileen deCamp

Safe travels Kristin! Say hello to Jules. I hope Jackie is feeling better

Jeanne of Maumee, OH

Are you nervous about leaving your children or afraid of flying? Most likely a combination! But once in Mexico with Jules, you will be a child again yourself and in her loving care.

Karen W  (Towson, Maryland)

A very sweet story, Kristin.

I'll take a try at "respirer":

"Comme une bouteille du vin, nous tous devons respirer." (me)

[If anyone wants to refine this, please have at it.]

Have a restful trip. Hugs to Jules!

Julie Schorr

Bon voyage, Kristin! Have a safe and wonderful trip. The warmth and the sun in Mexico will do you a lot of good. Enjoy your time with your mom and I look forward to many beautiful pictures upon your return!

Ophelia in Nashville

What a beautiful story of mindfulness and meditation in the midst of chaos. We can all relate to the pre-trip "monkey mind" lists and jitters. A little breathing helps a lot. Jules is so wise....

Je te souhaite un bon voyage au Mexique. Hope you can sleep a bit on the plane.

Cheryl in STL

Bon voyage, Kristin! I know you will treasure your time with Jules---and some warm sunshine. Looking forward to the photos. I get those same travel jitters faced wtih my suitcase and the necessary decisions.... Hope Jackie is feeling lots better.

Jean(ne) P in MN

It sounds like you were doing some serious yoga breathing, deep and calming, which can produce some surprising results like the tears. Hope you have a lovely visit with your wonderful maman in Mexico.

Herm in Phoenix, AZ

Salut Kristin,

Bon voyage! Time to start thinking about chimichangas, quesadillas, enchiladas, tostadas, refried beans and salsa. Maybe, a Dos Equis to sip on.

A name for your neat photo might be; “Une Fenêtre le Jardin Beau” (A Beautiful Garden Window).

À bientôt

Julie F in St. Louis, MO

Bon voyage mucho cuidado. Have a large margarita for me. Meanwhile, I'll try Jules' yoga breathing exercise myself when I have to start packing for France later this year.

Kay

Bon bon BON voyage!
Your sweet Jackie will be fine.........we all worry about our children but try to calm those worries w/ your breath. Today I read an interesting quote by A.J. Cronin that is perhaps appropos to you at this moment: "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, but saps today of its strength".
Think glorious sun, bright colors, fun food!

Kay

The window: "Une vue de fantaisie" A whimsical view?!

joie

Enjoy the warmth of the sun and Jules in Mexico....
And actually that whimiscal window setting can be found here and there in my "village" in California.

Laurel

The window: Window of Whimsy (ou Fenetre Fantasque, je pense...). Have a stupendous trip, and Mille Mercis for the breathing this morning. My stomach is itself in butterflies and needed some calm. Now to make like that petit minou and sprawl in the sunshine :)

Lisa A., CA

How about this: respirer
(La correction bienvenue!)

Je m'ai dis juste respire, demain est une autre jour. Encore commencer!

Bon voyage au Mexique!! :)

Kristin Espinasse

Such wonderful encouragement. Thank you!

Angela: would have loved to have met up with you but I will be back home by then....

Jeanne: yes, you hit it: travel and being away from the kids (including Smokey and Braise) and Jean-Marc.

Anyone in PHX around Feb 12th?... Herm, Karen, and I are working on a meet-up! (voilà... I just couldn't keep a secret! I'll be stopping by briefly on the way back from Mexico and would love to meet-up with those of you who are free on this morning! We'll be hiking with Herm, so come join in!)

Thanks again for the caring notes!

Mom, Can't wait to see you!!!!!! XOXO

Karen from Phoenix, AZ

Have a great trip to Mexico. Say hello to Jules. I can't wait to see you on the 12th! xoxo

Jacqueline Gill

Keep up that yoga breathing! I am an anxious traveller and it(and prayer) helps me . Seems as if some sort of "problem" always occurs as I am leaving on a trip --sick child, mother, etc. -- but if it can be attended to, you'll feel so much better to have been with your very own mom! Not sure what you meant by "I Am", but I always think of my Heavenly Father when I hear those two words.....Have a glorious trip, and again, God bless you for your wonderful blog.
Jacqueline who someday will travel to France

Susan Carter

Have a marvelous trip and remember "Worry lies a long way from rational thought". I'm disappointed that you're meeting in Phoenix on the 12th as I'll be there until the 9th & would have loved to meet up with all of you. Please give Jules a hug from me & one for you too.

Kathleen

Bon voyage and take care in Mexico. Enjoy the warm weather and sun! Once you get to Mexico and breath in the warmth - you'll relax.... ...and enjoy AZ.
One carry on is the way to go, but I seldom am able to fit everything in one suitcase. I tend to over pack.

kellina

Hi, Kristin, beautiful story wrapped up neatly in an invisible heart — j'adore !

I thought your readers might enjoy this PDF reference of the seasonal produce available in France throughout the year.

http://francophilia.com/gazette/?p=5875

Bon voyage !

Pat Cargill


So true, the breath is the gateway to relaxation, releiving mind and body of tension and stress. Tu as un maman si wise! Today's word, respirer, coincides w/my needing to look up how one says "breathe in and out through the nose" en francaise. I forget why I want to know this, for I am certainly not tching any yoga classes in France!, but anyway. As a yoga teacher, and after many years of practice before that, I learned the secret to yoga is the breath.

Bon voyage, dear Kristin. Departures from one's loved ones can be so bittersweet. I love that you had that tender moment w/Jackie. Little things mean a lot. Which reminds me...

For your listening pleasure, and for anyone as old (in years, that is!) as I, you may remember the following (tho' I was but a "mere" child when it was on the "Hit Parade"!) Ecoutez a` Kitty Kallen singing "Little Things Mean a Lot." Sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMj1ihn-ey8

Newforest

Hi Kristin,

Which day are you flying?
We'll all be thinking about you.
I wish you a safe journey!

Enjoy this wonderful visit!
Lots of love
and big hugs to your dear Mum.

Herm, Karen and others in PHX:
we all envy you!
Make the best of that brilliant 12th Feb morning.

-----

I could easily have such a window in my back garden little chalet!
"Au fond du jardin, façade hétéroclite de mon chez moi"

or, this could belong to a different part of my life and be:
"La fenêtre de mon enfance"

Newforest

Sur le carreau d'une fenêtre,
dans la buée,
un doigt trace un coeur
pour J
♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥

Message en gouttelettes,
Perles d'amour maternel,
Larmes d'eau de rose
dans la buée du carreau.
♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥

Larmes hiéroglyphiques,
remède magique
pour le mal au coeur de Jackie
maintenant toute ravie.
♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥

Un coeur sur le carreau de la fenêtre
un langage à l'envers qui dit:
♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥
Un soupir de bien-être
Oh! Thank you Mommy!


Newforest

For you, Pat:

-> "une maman pleine de sagesse"
= a wise mum mom

-> "inspirer"
= to breathe in

-> "expirer"
= to breathe out

-> la respiration
= breathing (noun)

-> respirer par le nez
= to breathe through your nose

Paulette

J'adore le photo du chat! Mille mercis de tout, et bon voyage! C'est toujours difficile, la separation.

Je t'offre une toute petite correction: Nausea, pas nausia.

A la prochaine,
Paulette

Marianne Rankin

Pat, I listened to "Little Things Mean a Lot," which I didn't remember, although I do remember the name Kitty Kallen - a nice song, and it's good to be able to understand all the words; folks enunciated better then.

Kristin, I hope you will enjoy your trip to Mexico. Will you, by chance, accompany Jean-Marc on part of his trip in March to the USA?

Jules Greer

MY BEAUTIFUL NEWFOREST,

YOU ARE ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS THAT EVER HAPPENED TO KRISTI AND FRENCH-WORD-A-DAY !!!

You are always there to support Kristi and all of her wonderful friends, what a gift of selflessness you have been for all of us.
And now Kristi and I giggle over the phone you are giving us all your love with your sweet little hearts. Kristi and I immediately jumped on the phone to talk about the first time you put "hearts" on one of your posts in December, I believe you were in some airport and some nice guy showed you how. Kristi and I respect and honor you so much, when you put up the little hearts we both jumping around like ten year olds.

XOXO

JULES

Newforest

Dear Jules,

A ♥ is understood by everyone all over the world and I am glad the view of rows of them made you and Kristi jump around like ten years old.

Those little rows of hearts came with the words I typed!... and I wouldn't have typed those words and hearts if I hadn't read this newsletter - so, thank Kristin for that.

Now, I should have translated some of the words I used above and below the rows of ♥ ... It was a bit late so, I didn't. I think I ought to give you a few clues now - for you, and for whoever might like translating for themselves my comments in French (yes, the post with all those ♥ sent after I read the second half of Kristin's newsletter)

Ok Jules, you could ask Kristin to translate it all for you when she is with you... How soon is that going to be? surely not soon enough! We may count the hours, but as you know very well, Time plays tricks!..

Newforest

To anyone:

Here is a Vocab list to help you translating my Comments in French, (the one with rows of ♥) if you feel like it, of course...
Up to you to deal with 'the little words in between', but here are the main words.

-> le carreau = tile (ceramic)
Here, carreau (/ vitre) = pane (for a window)
le carreau de la fenêtre = the windowpane

-> la buée = steam, condensation, mist, blur (on your glasses, on a window)

-> tracer = to draw (lines)

-> un doigt = a finger

-> gouttelettes = tiny drops, droplets

-> Perles = pearls

-> amour maternel = maternal love

-> Larmes = tears

-> mal au coeur = stomach pain that makes you feel sick, nauseous. (avoir mal au coeur)
Emotionally speaking, it's what you feel in a sad/hearbreaking situation.

-> toute - here, it has the meaning of completely, thoroughly

-> ravi(e) = delighted, overjoyed

-> à l'envers = upside down, backward, inside out ... You read the newsletter, so you can guess the right expression in French

-> Un soupir = a sigh

-> bien-être = well-being

This is enough for anyone to get the gist of it and have a go at translating.

Bon week end à tous et à toutes!


PS
a bit frustrating, Kristin, not to know whenabout you'll be right up in the air. Never mind, whenever it is:
"Que ton vol soit le plus relaxe possible"!

Herm in Phoenix, AZ

Jules, I second you comments for Newforest and might I add how helpful her comments are for those of us who are trying to get French through our thick skulls.

Newforest, your "heart felt words" came through loud and clear; even for those of us with novice French language skills. Very nice post! C'est très bien.

Fred A Caswell

Dear Kristi, it has all been said above! Comme toujours...

Stacy, Applegate, Oregon

I love the whimsy of the sweet window scene! YES, I most certainly would welcome this playful, pretty and cheerful decor on my farm.

A blessed journey to you! May you enjoy the warmth and comfort of the sun, of family and dear friends. Wish I could meet up with you!

Hugs to you and Jules!

Jean-Marc GROSPELLIER

Hello
attention : une petite erreur s'est glissée dans le texte :
" Pour bien vous détendre, il faut réspirer profondément.
To relax, you must breathe deeply."

respirer : il n'y a pas d'accent sur le e

merci pour tout
jean-marc

Kristin Espinasse

Thanks again for these thoughtful wishes! I've already packed my carry on and zipped it shut... even if the flight leaves at the end of the week....

Jacqueline: We're thinking of the same "I Am"!

Susan: thank you for the quote -- and I am sorry to miss this chance to see you in Phoenix! Next time!

Kellina : I enjoyed that chart. Wishing honeydew melons were in season (for no particular reason except the hd melons are a favorite. Maybe they'll be ready in Mexico?!

Pat: "Little things" ça compte beaucoup!

Newforest: Thursday. Je pars jeudi! Thank you for the tender wishes and for the wonderful poem! I will happily translate it for Jules, who is jumping up in down with admiration without even understanding les paroles. You do have a fan in Puerta Vallarta Mexique... and beyond. And thank you for the translations - and so much more!

Paulette & Jean-Marc G. : merci beaucoup for the helpful edits.

Marianne: I will not be with Jean-Marc on this trip. Will miss seeing everyone!

Fred: wonderful to see your words!

"Stacy in Appelgate" Whom I met long ago (1985?) in Bellevue...: this time Mom and I were talking about YOU -- and others, bien sûr, in this French Word-A-Day family, as you would say :-) I don't dare begin mentioning names for fear I'll forget even one of the people who take the time to respond and to share their unique view(s), ideas, and information.

Ginette Mazloum


Have a wonderful trip Kristin. J'espère que vous aimez le Mexique autant que je l'aime. Bon séjour avec maman Jules et ramenez des belles photos pour vos lecteurs et lectrices.

Michael

Being a wine lover, there are times when a young red wine must breathe for the taste to develop. I aksed many a French person for the equivalent French phrase, including people in the food business (!), but none could provide an answer. Finally somone suggested 'respirer', and I have used it since. Thought this ought to be added to list of uses for this word as it important to enjoying life, if I say so myself.

Nikita

I love the picture of le chat (the cat)she is sooo beautiful. I would love to see many more!

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