FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Thanks, I really enjoyed reading that - grabbed a minute of my own, in middle of multitasking various thorny issues and feel refreshed and ready to make a good start on the rest. Merci, Kristin, pour le petit philosophie (not good French but I'm trying!) L.

Dear Kristin, That is such a lovely story with lots of great energy. A way to live our lives. I must buy your latest book, that will be one to add to my collection . merci beaucoup Carole from downunder xxx

Bonjour from Sanibel Island, Florida! I just read your blog while listening to the waves from the Gulf of Mexico crashing on the beach, and feel like I'm living your story. My Sweetie and I have been spending most of the winter as "Snowbirds" since retirement. We walk the beach watching the shore birds scrabble for morsels from the various sea creatures that have washed ashore, pick up shells along the way, marvel at the morning glories blooming in February, and ride bikes on the miles of bike paths. What fun it is to wear a multicolored blouse, green sea glass earrings, a deep blue sea glass pendant and carry a bright pink shoulder bag. Life just keeps getting better!
Thank you for your blog and books. Keep on writing and sending photos of your life in France.

What a wonderful philosophy, which you seem to be already living long before becoming a vieille dame. : )

Pure poetry, Kristin! Thank you for encouraging those of us who are of retirement age that life should still be exciting!

Well, that was one of the most perfect pieces I've read in a long while. Completely transporting. Merci!

Beautiful Kristin! I loved your book. It is a fantastic valentine gift. Bravo.

And want to add beautifully written.

Hi, Joyce, I'm down here as well. And, yes, I found myself smiling and thinking how lucky I am to be able to beach walk AND read Kristin's glorious words, all in the same morning!

I am always moved when I see this beautiful book cover photo.

I, too, thought of the Jenny Joseph poem "Warning" popularly known as "When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple." In fact, I once gave my mom a book by the same name, with the forward by the poet and signed by the editor, it is a collection of poems and essays of this nature. Yours would fit right in! I haven't looked in that book in years. I think I will go browse it now with a 2nd cup of coffee. Thanks for providing a bright and comforting spot in my day.

Lovely story, Kristin...not too far from living that life at 72...minus the bicycle. Inspiring...and I love the pic of you (with your hat freckles) and your beloved Smokey!! Thanks for sharing...just got your book and will dive into it shortly!
xoxox to you and your family.

Just lovely, Kristin. Beautiful images!

Absolutely lovely.

Beautiful words and images! Thank you so much for sharing your magical visions! I can hear the delightful music of those coquilles and your whistling.

You have a a wonderful role model. Your wonderful mother, Jules. She is unto herself, one of a kind, except for me of course. Love and laughter and the freedom to break the rules.

Wonderful philosophy ! At my age the only one . I also live by Jenny Jones poem "When I grow old I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people’s gardens And learn to spit.

Kristin, your writing here reminded me of exactly what Audrey Wilson quoted above. So touching, and yet so positive. So far from youth, and yet so close. We all need to remember that age is only a number. Youth can go on forever.

I have no doubt this will be your future. A writer's epilogue.

Loved it the first time I read it and love it still. That is the spirit I intend to have in my golden years and even now. N

Just don't be so carefree that you forget safety. No scarf ends in the bike spokes!

Yes !

Dear Kristin ~ I'm well into the troisième âge and life has never been more full, satisfying, and filled with my own version of "coquilles". I believe yours will be too! On y va!

Best ever! My eyes are full of tears. Thank you Kristin. Love to JM, Michael (& Aimée)

Absolument belle. Merci. Such a gorgeous free tableau you paint for us today Kristin. I love Brittany. Hope we settle in to a seaside locale on the Med or the Pacific in the upcoming months. Carpe diem and each years new adventures.

In addition to the 'Purple' poem, what came to mind was Ronsard's "Quand vous serez bien vieille . . ." in which Ronsard claims that the old woman will be proud of the fact that she was the subject of his poems, back when she was beautiful. And I thought, how much better to be celebrating old age as a time when the pace of life is more relaxed, and we have learned not to judge--and not to care if we are ourselves judged--by appearances.

I used your au gratin recipe this week, thank you. It was great. The nutmeg was so good with it. Your story today reminded me of a time there was a special event at a big mall in Dallas. The MC selected an older woman and offered her a prize for whistling the Andy of Mayberry theme song. "LADIES DO NOT WHISTLE!" she said. He picked me next and I gladly whistled it and won the prize.

Beautiful vision... make it so!

Pati AIne

What a delightful and uplifing post Kristin. Feeling happy and positive as a result. Thank you for sharing.

Even though it's cold today in North Florida (in 50's but with nights in low 40's), the sky is a gorgeous blue and the sun very bright. If it weren't for the windchill factor, I wouldn't need a heavy coat outside. Just reading about your hopes for the troisieme age (in which I am well ensconced) warms me. This spring or early summer I will venture on the beach areas - not to swim but to walk and enjoy the rock formations. We have a large state park nearby which is named Washington Oaks (property was donated by George Washington's nephew to the state in the nineteenth century). There are many trees, bushes and plants throughout the park and a river on one side which is available for fishing. There is a rose garden which is glorious in June. I am hoping to take a friend there this spring before she leaves to summer in Michigan (her home state). Glad you are looking forward to many good years ahead.

Our dear Kristi,
THANK YOU for such a beautiful,inspiring and moving post today!(once again,as always!)
You made all of us,your fortunate readers,reach deep within ourselves,from whatever vantage point in life we are....some to hopefully look forward,some with smiles as we look back,and some(no!ALL of us!) to stop for a moment and just give thanks for wherever we are.
When I was your age,I loved to try to imagine my troisieme age,but never did I imagine the joy this time of life could bring,the inner peace,the liking/accepting myself as I am,the joie de vivre,
and most of all,thanks to God for all the blessings we have been graced with.
In our younger days, Rod and I would laughingly refer to each other as "the old lady" and "the old man"(this was about the same time that the Moblyette was called a Solex).Well,now we really ARE exactly that and after 50 years together,every day is still something wonderful to be shared and savored,together.
You are such a gifted writer!Each of your books are as wonderfully special as you are,each gifts us with the pleasure of being part of your life,and wrapping us in hugs.
Merci! Never too many times!THANK YOU!
Love
Natalia XO

Clay is right... Watch for the scarf in the spokes. That's how Isadora Duncan died. She was riding standing up in an open car, and her long, stylish scarf got wrapped around a car wheel and broke her neck.
I loved the rest of the post, since I am approaching mon troisieme age...

That was beautiful! No more words needed.

This book is on our nightstand, thanks for this refresher of the magic it holds.

Chère Kristin, I have the same image of me but riding up here in the high desert mountains of northern New Mexico!

Bonjour. Reminds me of the poem "When I am old I shall wear purple" by Jenny Jones - but a French uptake.
Very good. If only when we get to that age we can do these things we decide we shall in our younger days!

You are beautiful outside with an amazing, shining soul. Once again your words gave me laughter and tears of joy. Merci!

Well said, Patricia. I, too, am enjoying my "troisième âge" and I look forward to each and every day. I think our attitude has a lot to do with it, don't you?

I love how French differs from German so much: in French you pronounce almost none of the word and in German you pronounce all of it. Fascinating!

Sounds wonderful! I shall be there myself in early Nov for a month. A friend and I have decided to rent a place in Florida for a month to escape the dull grey days in the U.K. Cant wait to visit the islands of Captiva and Sanibel. We are renting a house in Port Charlotte. Enjoy your vacation!
Best wishes, Lynda