FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

The garden photo reminds me of Anne Murray singing "Dans la Jardin"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzdFHs6j2dE

"Mom" is looking great!

Nice article in the Paris Writers News!

J'adore la serenite et la beaute de ce scene. Joli cheveux gris de la
femme juxtapose avec la verdure du jardin!

Alas, je ne peux pas utilise les accents grammatical ici!

Kathryn

Hello Kristin, Here's my story:

Au Naturel

I sit with the artichokes and the (?). Like them, I am stripped of color. I love my white hair and their stark, colorless form. Nothing distracts you from seeing us.

Marcia

Ah! It is wonderful to visit my daughter in her lovely home, but the life here is a lot of work. Up with the chickens, touring the gardens, then put to work weeding all the flower beds. Finally, as the sun heads toward the western horizon, I sink gratefully into my chair, surveying the fruits of my sweat. At least she feeds me!
(Of course, this is pure speculation!)

Hi Kristin,
Can't get much better than Chris's line above! I am not a writer, it's so difficult for me to find the right words. The photo of Jules is lovely and she looks so contented sitting and taking in all the sights and sounds of your garden. I would imagine you snapped the photo shortly after she arrived and she is just wanting a moment to relax, probably thinking how happy she is to be with you, JM, Jackie and Max. I would imagine she is contemplating a painting maybe and just thanking God that she has this precious time with you. Family is a beautiful thing!

"Enjoy the quiet,
Hear the birdsong,
Listen to the bees,
Revel in your solitude"
We Moms/ Grandmoms all need some 'me' time to remember our own person amongst the family demands on our time & emotions. And what better place than in a beautiful garden !! Savour it Jules .

As an artist, I can see a lovely painting in the composition of your lovely maman surrounded in a circle of beautiful Provencal garden plants. I love that her colorful blouse contrasts with the grays and sage greens of the garden, and her posture of rest and reflection adds so much personality without revealing her face. A "wild and precious life" finding a moment of rest. How do you say "wistful" en Francais?

My thoughts are the same as Sally's. That scene would make a
beautiful painting. Enjoy your holiday and your family Jules.

My favorite is Sari's post ---- I bet she would love a foot massage from a handsome French skier! And I know she is content, grateful, and full of love. I wish we could hear from her.......what is she feeling? I would love to hear her take on life, career, family, travel -- how about it?

Stay well & enjoy your mom!

Maman regardait l'etranger. "Qui est-ce?"

"Je vien en paix."

"Pourquoi est-ce que vous avez le peu vert et trois bras?"

"Pour meilleur vous bercer, Maman."

.....

"Ahhh, Kristin, quelle re^ve fantastique!"

Beautiful! Jules looks so serene, without a thought on her mind. Looking at the photo, I can't help but feel that she is wise beyond words.

It is worth all the hustle and bustle and work of travel, to be here, in this place at this time and just enjoy the moment. My daughter, her family, and her life and be part of it all. God is good and I am at peace here.
I love that picture. Yes, I agree with all the others who say that it would make a lovely painting, but I love the portrait that it is. Perfect. Such a beautiful woman and moment.
Enjoy your time together.

Life is funny. I didn't want my daughter to move away, but now I get to share this incredible life with her. Sometimes you don't get what you want but you get what you need. Our time together is that much more special.

Oops, need more coffee. (Substitute wine, a trip to the bathroom or whatever was appropriate at the moment.)

I know there are errors if any one want to correct them.

Fin de la derniere page de son roman, elle posa sur les pierres et pense "bien, qui s'est mal terminee". "oui, je suis d'accord", murmura le bourdon. Une Rose froid vif serait bien de temps en temps - peut-etre je vais lire un livre de cuisine suivant.

I just noticed that Jan and I had somewhat the same take on the moment.

cradled in my daughter's garden
drowsing, absorbing the warmth of the day
half-hearing the nearby familiar voices
encircled by the the sweet perfumes
of flowers and herbs
... coming home again

As I sit here in this earthly paradise, I think about my beautiful, talented daughter
married to a handsome , hard working man who produces wonderful wine
and my sweet grandchildren. I am blest.

Reflections cast
Dreams dreamt
Love surrounds
Laughter within

xoxo

"Ce Moment"

In this moment (ce moment)
she knows how to savor
the light in a garden
lush with flavor.

Surrounded by beauty
And quietly safe
she remembers the dark dancer
a loss, a hardship
a cancer.

Nature whispers
the dark night
a difficult fight
Can be
our best teacher.

She understands
what is real
knows how to feel
and savor the light
in this moment.

This is something from Rabindranath Tagore, a poet I love. Its what I thought of seeing your mum sitting there, part of the garden.
'The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day, runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures. It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth in numberless blades of grass and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers'
And here is one for you, her beautiful daughter who writes wonderful stories drawn from life.
Life
I don't want to leave this lovely world,
I want to stay in the midst of mankind.
In this sun drenched flower filled garden,
I'd like to be at the pulsating heart of life.
Life in earth ripples on everlastingly,
Mingling unions and partings, joy and sorrow;
Out of human happiness and distress
I'd like to compose immortal songs.
But if this proves a vain wish
As long as I am alive, let me at least
Place myself where night and day
I can pen words that blossom into stories.
Please accept my blossoms with a smile
And when they wither, cast them away'

I don't think your stories will ever wither though!

Enjoy your mum being with you, and thank you again for your stories.
Namaste, x Karen

Seeing Jules in the garden of tranquillity is such a wonderful gift to all of us who read this. How great it is to take a few moments and just be, soaking in the beauty of nature and the respite from the noises of the world. Merci, Kristi, pour la peinture vivante which your camera has captured. Le Bon Dieu est en (au?)son ciel and tous les choses sont bien avec le monde.

Jules! (I have a beautiful fille with this name). As I sit in Scottsdale's 106 degree heat, J'ai envie de the peace and cool of your fille's garden a St. Cyr-sur-Mer. Prenez plaisir à la jour!

Admiring in detail the lovely nostalgic photo of you, Jules, I imagine that you are thinking: Maybe I should pinch myself in order to make certain that I am sitting in Kristi's peaceful garden tenderly embraced by everyone and everything surrounding me. Since I am almost in a dream-like state, maybe I can convince the colorful libellules on the sleeves of my dress to flit over Kristi's garden in search of their lunch!

But the watch on my arm is ticking the minutes away et je ne fais pas des rêves. My attention is caught by the plants which have ventured into the pathway; now there's the spirit and spunk which is so much like my own. By this time tomorrow, I shall have my paints out and I will begin to capture all of these feelings and beauty.

P.S. Have a wonderful visit, Jules. We all love and admire you. Cynthia

Je suis enveloppé dans le jardin de ma fille et son mari et du désert de l'Arizona. ou:

Quand je sors de la gloire du désert de l'Arizona je débarque dans le jardin d'Espinasse.

Quel trésor d'avoir votre Moume il dans le jardin et la cuisine.

xxooharriet

A Jan Hersh, you asked for (very few) corrections .....

Assise au jardin
En fin de jour
Je me souviens
De L'enfance de ma fille
Maintenant tout est parfait
Et je suis contente
Parmi les amis en ce jardin charmant
nadine,

She is thinking "How lovely it is to work off my jet lag sitting on a garden chair. How nice it is to see my daughter so happy in her new home, even though it's a lot of work. Better her than me!"

@Anne...beautiful!

Je voudrai voir le belle visage de La Mere Bien Connu, mai la gesture du tete parle un un million des mots...
Je voudrai rester avec ta mere pour l'apres midi un jour et ecouter les bons mots q'elle raconte, je suis sure!!! Je voudrais peintre l'anime de ta mere.

I love the photo of your mom, and Leslie's poem! [previous comment]
Nice interview in Paris Writers News, Kristin. I just got back from a France visit. One sweet image from that trip was of a lady squatting down low to push open the mail slot of a home's front door. She put her face right up to the slot and sang, "Coucou!" A moment later, a tiny, curly-haired girl opened the door.

I identified with the comment from Betty W. I, too, have a daughter living so far away in France. It was difficult for her father and I when our youngest bird flew away from the nest, but in doing so, she has opened doors for us. These past six years, we have been blessed with many new and wonderful life experiences and we have treasured every precious moment with our girl. We look forward to many more visits. I look at that lovely photo of your mother, and I can just imagine her thoughts and feelings as she shares special moments with all of you.