how to say "from the bottom of the heart" and "shooting star" in French?
Friday, August 23, 2013
Dear Readers,
French Word-A-Day is free thanks to sponsors and readers like you! Whether you have read my language journal since October 2002--or whether you have just signed on--I thank you du fond du coeur for supporting this educational enterprise!
More than learning a new French word or phrase, I hope you will come away from the vocabulary-rich stories with a sense of connection and the reassurance that we are not so different from each other, no matter where we call home.
I have many more stories and snapshots to share with you. Meantime, thank you for giving me the platform with which to diffuse the words and impressions that dash through my mind like shooting stars, or étoiles filantes.
The following note is from Cynthia L., who wrote in wishing to send a donation:
This is such a small amount for something which I thoroughly enjoy and would not miss reading "for the world"! Now I wonder how the French would handle that expression.
Thank you, Cynthia, for your wish to renew your support--and thanks to all who help keep this French word journal going!
Amicalement,
Kristin
P.S. Cynthia, the French equivalent to your "for the world" would be "pour rien au monde". (And your thoughtful comment is much appreciated!!)
You've read about some of theses characters in my French word journal. The lovely lady on the left is Cousin Audrey (Marie-Françoise and Jean-Claude's daughter). C'est moi, author of this blog, hugging her (Audrey is so dear it's hard not to!) and that's my son, Max, to the right. We are surrounded by his friends. From left to right: Paul, Hatim, Antoine, and Ed). "Come on, Audrey," I giggled, let's pretend we're cougars! ...at which point the boys' smiles went as crooked as an awkward moment (see what I mean?)
Thanks again for your support of this French word journal. See you next week with many more photos--and faux pas--from France! To comment on this edition or to share your encouragements for this language journal, click here.
Il faut donner sans se souvenir et recevoir sans oublier.
Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting.”― Brian Tracy
A Message from Kristi: Ongoing support from readers like you keeps me writing and publishing this free language journal each week. If you find joy or value in these stories and would like to keep this site going, donating today will help so much. Thank you for being a part of this community and helping me to maintain this site and its newsletter.
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For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety
Often your lovely posts are like shooting stars, full of beauty and surprises, brightening up even a very dark sky...
Posted by: Laura | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 12:18 PM
Darling Kristi,
Looks like heaven to me...I wish I was in France right this minute. I am starting to thing August might be a great month to begin my next visit. Jackie must be over the top with all of these good-lookin' guys running around the olive groves.
Your photo of Cassis has set the stage for my painting today - thanks for all of the ways you bring inspiration and joy into my life with each post of French Word-A-Day.
I can't get over how much Max looks like your Dad...now he has Kip's blond hair, that's what working at the Aqua-Park does---what a life.
XOXO
MOM
Posted by: Jules Greer | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 01:54 PM
Bonjour Kristin -- Merci au fond du Coeur for sharing so much of your life and your thoughts with all of us. I love seeing your children grow up, too!
Bonne journée et bon travail.
Posted by: Ophelia | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 02:07 PM
Hi Kristin,
I love the photo of Cassis and the one of you, Audrey and the boys!
I'm so glad I found your blog and I so enjoy the stories and the photos!
Merci beaucoup! Eileen
Posted by: Eileen deCamp | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 03:10 PM
Thanks, also, for the lovely quote by Brian Tracy. Love that!
Posted by: Trina, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 03:54 PM
What has happened to the audio portion of your blog? It is a pain-free way of learning pronunciation and inflexion.
Posted by: marcia | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 04:00 PM
Is Rex a family member?????????
Posted by: joie | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 04:53 PM
Thank you all for this touching feedback! And to answer Joie, you must have seen the photo of the Australian shepherd puppy. No, we decided to put our energy into caring properly for Braise and Smokey. But the puppy was so tempting!
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 05:11 PM
Thank you for sharing your life with us each week. Your blog was what convinced me that French was not so frightening to learn. It really helped me feel comfortable with French culture since I was so often left to navigate on my own while Brad did his work. Who would think that I'd go from reading Words in a French Life to owning my own apartment in that country?! Can't wait to see you and J-M again in November.
Posted by: Julie Farrar | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 06:04 PM
Those are some very good looking young men----and the cougars aren't bad either. :)
Posted by: Sherry | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 06:12 PM
Sherry, LOL (or as the French write it MDR--mort de rire!).
Julie, thanks, me too.
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 06:16 PM
Hi, I'm currently taking French as a minor. This fall semester I'll be taking intermediate French and French conversation. I'm having a bit of trouble with how to use the imparfait vs plus-que-parfait vs past participle and the various future tenses as well. Do you have any tips on how to make it a bit easier to know which one to use and when. Thanks =)
Posted by: Gaby | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 08:27 PM
love love love the cougar comment! :D
Posted by: laura | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 09:30 PM
Hi Kristin! Haven't been online for a while and have missed your wonderful stories and pictures. Your son looks JUST like you! I am making my first trip to France in October and am truly excited! Thank you au fond du coeur for these years of wonderful snippets of France and French. Blessings,
Jackie
Posted by: Jacqueline Gill | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 10:08 PM
I will use both of today's phrases. And I think Max looks like Jean-Marc. So, I guess everyone sees something a little different.
Posted by: joie | Friday, August 23, 2013 at 11:37 PM
OK, I can see from this pic that the young man I thought was Max is NOT, but could definitely be a brother or cousin. Max's blond hair fooled me, but from this latest pic I can see that it's him right next to you!
GO COUGARS !!! You and Audrey both look so young, you don't even qualify as such...me, on the other hand...aaaahhhh to live your life !!!
Quelle chance! And where is Jackie ????
Posted by: Suzanne Codi | Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 04:24 AM
So envious of you still living a wonderful life in the south of France. I know you have had many changes recently but just to let you know I am really missing the audio files you used to "persuade" J.M and your family to record. Pronunciation was such a help to me. Perhaps you could use your charms to lure one of those young lads into your office! Purely educational of course.How could they refuse.
Posted by: Lynne In The New Forest | Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 11:44 AM
I love all three photos! My, you and Audrey do have beautiful smiles! :)
Just reading this as yesterday had the pleasure of passing the entire day in the serenity of a high mountain lake. Interesting as one of the conversations between my best friend and I was our dream of renting an apartment in Paris for a week and then of course, a visit with you. The French language is the biggest roadblock for me. I am taking inspiration from Julie’s comment…and as always, from you dear Kristi! Enjoy your weekend!
Posted by: Stacy ~ Sweet Life Farm | Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 09:36 PM
I love all three photos! My, you and Audrey do have beautiful smiles! :)
Just reading this as yesterday had the pleasure of passing the entire day in the serenity of a high mountain lake. Interesting as one of the conversations between my best friend and I was of our dream of renting an apartment in Paris for a week and then of course, a visit with you. The French language is the biggest roadblock for me. I am taking inspiration from Julie’s comment…and as always, from you dear Kristi! Enjoy your weekend!
Posted by: Stacy ~ Sweet Life Farm | Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 09:39 PM
Comme toujours, c'etait un plaisir de lire et regarder votre blog. Il semble que votre fils devient un blond. Mais ses yeux sont comme son pere.
Posted by: Diane Young | Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 11:10 PM
Our dear Kristi,
Beautiful pictures of beautiful and caring people!
THANK YOU for sharing your life with us,and for never failing to wrap our heart in smiles.
We support you with a donation but also(always)with our love and gratitude for bringing such enjoyment to us through your gifted writing.
Natalia XO
Posted by: Natalia | Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 01:47 AM
Natalia, you have expressed my sentiments exactly. FWAD is a treasure which we all enjoy so much.
Posted by: Cynthia Lewis (Eastern Shore of Maryland) | Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 03:23 AM
Thank you Natalia and Cynthia--and to all who share such warm encouragements. As Natalia says, your words wrap themselves around my own heart and keep me following my writing dream! I am grateful, too, to have this inspiring topic--la France-- to write about. So vive la France et la langue francaise!
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 07:17 AM
Love the photo of Cassis-how I long to see that someday! And the picture of you with Audrey and the boys is wonderful. Like your Mom said-Jackie must love seeing all those handsome boys! But you and Audrey are the stars in that photo-you both look radiant!!
Thanks for sharing so much with us and bringing joy to our days.
Carolyn :)
Posted by: Carolyn Dahm, Sharon, MA | Thursday, September 05, 2013 at 10:55 PM