It began with tattoos... (our mother-daughter escapade to Cap Ferrat) + un attrape-rêve
Monday, July 02, 2018
Do you own a dreamcatcher? We kept seeing these attrape-rêves last week--in the most unexpected places: La Ciotat, near Cannes, and again in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Coincidence? (photo of our daughter)
un attrape-rêve (also un capteur de rêves)
: dreamcatcher
Selon la croyance populaire, le capteur de rêve empêche les mauvais rêves d'envahir le sommeil de son détenteur. Agissant comme un filtre, il capte les songes envoyés par les esprits, conserve les belles images de la nuit et brûle les mauvaises visions aux premières lueurs du jour. a dream catcher or dreamcatcher. According to popular belief, the dream catcher prevents bad dreams from invading the sleeper's sleep. Acting as a filter, it captures the dreams sent by the spirits, preserves the beautiful images of the night and burns the bad visions at the first light of day. (Wikipedia)
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
by Kristi Espinasse
Our 20-year-old returned for a second season waitressing at the port in Bandol. She will work "sept sur sept" or 7 nights a week (including 2 or 3 lunch services, double shift) until mid-September. But before Jackie begins the demanding workload, we spirited away for 3 nights to Cap Ferrat--a breathtaking peninsula next to Beaulieu-sur-Mer. This mother-daughter escapade would be a summer vacation with an underlying goal...
Because our daughter is floundering (continue her design studies or take a year off and work fulltime? Or move to the States!), I thought this drive up the coast could be the chance to practice positive thinking, to try some assertiveness exercises...and why not chat about le fric while we are at it (how will she make a living? Meantime, better save those waitressing wages!). As my goals for our trip unfolded, a lighter theme began to announce itself...
It began with tattoos (Jackie wants one...). We saw a young woman on the beach sporting a tatouage of an attrape-rêve....
A day later, on the road to Cap Ferrat, we passed a pick-up truck with a sticker of an attrape-rêve. "I'll bet we'll see another of those dreamcatchers on this trip," I said to my girl, grasping for some sort of meaning to our journey. Though a dreamcatcher in Amerindian culture is an object that catches bad dreams, the sound of the words "attrape rêve" could remind us to run after our own dreams....
Arriving at Villefranche, my daughter held on to the wheel with one hand, surreptitiously glancing at her GPS phone-map, which she held in the other hand. Her Citroen, newly mine 15 years before, jerked its way up the hill in a series of nerve-racking hairpin turns. "Give me that phone! Keep both hands on the wheel!" I begged.
Handing over her mobile phone, Jackie instructed me to "Hit recenter. Hit recenter!" Tapping my daughter's iPhone screen, I noticed how the map honed in to our location, making our exact whereabouts crystal clear. Génial! I suggested to Jackie we might, from here-on-out, hit our own "recenter buttons" when feeling stressed--whether during a series of hairpin turns up the hill or whether on a Sunday afternoon when, instead of enjoying an hour at the beach, we're rumination about a bunch of deadlines coming up this week....a week in which we also have guests to host, appointments, and a tax extension to deal with). Remember to hit recenter. Hit recenter and be in The Now Whereabouts (instead of The Future Whereabouts. We'll cross that road when we get there!)
I'd do well to hit the recenter button now, instead of panicking over how to tie-up the rest of this story within one hundred words (if you prefer shorter posts, rather than long ones, let me know). So let's all take a moment to breathe and remember we have the rest of the week to get everything done. Whatever your workload, whatever your commitments--break it down. I hope this message was helpful to you (I know I needed it too!)
I'll be back at the next chance to tell you about our third sighting in three days of the mysterious attrape-rêves (aka capteur de rêves) not far from Beaulieu-sur-Mer, where for three full days I hit the recenter button while trying, all along, to help my daughter figure out her own next steps.
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Thanks for the post - and for giving me a laugh - Beaulieu-sur-Mer was the setting for the hilarious Steve Martin film "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"!
Posted by: Mary Beth Dietrick | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 02:31 PM
Hi Kristie, just shared and discussed with my 28 years, 3 tattoos , 2 years wandering, back to home, landed job, now doing well in NYC, and last tattoo was the evil eye, from India and it wards off bad stuff--could be an idea for your daughter!
Posted by: stephen battalia | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 03:10 PM
My husband and I lived in VFSM for 4 years and remember those hairpin turns well! But what a glorious place. Beautieu and Cap Ferret. You and your daughter experienced a hat trick! Thank you for reminding me of the beauty and fun and that I need to return to those wonderful places so I too can “recenter”. In the meantime as Mary Beth (above) reminded me Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a good way to visit from the states as well as to watch the original Affair to Remember with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. That movie shows VFSM in the good old days when they had donkey carts to take you up those winding “rue! Thank you for your posts they are informational as well as help me reminisce about a magical time in my life. Merci and bonne journee.
Posted by: Tracy Isham | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 03:18 PM
What a wonderful pre-cursor and "teaser" to our upcoming French Riviera trip! We will be taking a day trip to both cities from our base in MonteCarlo. And thanks, @Tracy Isham for reminding me of that wonderful movie, "An Affair to Remember" with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. Perfect timing to get me in the mood for our travels. I don't always have time to read your posts Kristi but it must have been meant to be that I opened it this morning. Merci beaucoup, bisous, Robin
Posted by: Robin | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 04:09 PM
Good Morning, Kristi,
I've enjoyed your blog for many years now. I lived in France briefly as a young girl and hated it. Couldn't wait to get back home. As I follow the peregrinations of you and your family I find that I actually like France better this time around and I think my French may be improving!
Merci,
Andree
Posted by: Andree MacColl | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 04:13 PM
I love your posts and photos, long or short. They never drag on too long, if that’s your fear. I think you captivate us all.
Posted by: Leslie NYC | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 04:23 PM
Here in New Mexico dreamcatchers are as common as bad drivers. Everyone makes them, and my gardener gave me one made from a horseshoe 20 years ago when I first moved here from New Jersey. However, ours are not the dainty crocheted version you show with tassels, but made with fiber to imitate a spider web inside the circle with feathers and perhaps leather fringe with beads hanging from the bottom. I have one dangling from my car's rearview mirror to protect me at all times. May your dreamcatchers serve you well!
Adele
Albuquerque, NM
Posted by: [email protected] | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 04:46 PM
Today I am pet sitting ... a lovely 75 pound Labradoodle who thinks he's a lap dog! His humans have dreamcatchers. Two to be exact. One above each side of the bed to catch their separate dreams. it sounds like you are having a lovely summer when time permits!
Posted by: Trina in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 05:17 PM
I have always loved dreamcatchers. I love the idea of the bad dreams not getting through and to be protected..
You are so right about our own "recenter button" it would do us all good to recenter at times.
Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: Karen Cafarella | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 05:18 PM
First encountered Dream Catchers when I spent time in Albuquerque years ago, everyone has them and they are everywhere they are what the Indian tribes of the Southeast believed were there saviors of bad dreams, from smoking old fashion POT. Yes a young girls dreams of finding that way of life that will bring all those dreams to fusion, is a hard journey, sometimes a long and tedious one, sometimes a move to a complete new environment opens up that door to understanding, just what you really want out of life, as the saying goes, NOTHING VENTURED- NOTHING GAINED, another big secret of life, KEEP MOVING and make sure it is FORWARD- never BACKWORD. If Jackie is still around come September, hope to meet her when I come to visit and this time it is my turn to buy lunch, probably will be between the 18th and 28th, will call from Antibes. Love and my Best to the family
Posted by: louis bogue | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 07:10 PM
What a lovely mother-daughter trip! And, to go to such beautiful places, I’ve only dreamt of going. Maybe I need a dream catcher to catch my good dreams and send me on my way! Long or short, I love your posts!
Posted by: Judi | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 07:28 PM
Recenter! I always enjoy your posts, especially today as I scramble with my "to do" list and (sooooo serendipitously also crocheting a dream catcher). Merci for the joy of your blog.
Posted by: Dulce María | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 08:27 PM
Alas, the video did not work. Probably my computer here in Rome.
As for tattoos, everyone has them. Perhaps she would rather be different...
I would go nuts with something I couldn't get out from under! Too changeable am I to do anything permanent on my bod. But when it comes to love, that's easy.
Posted by: Suzanne Dunaway | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 10:03 PM
Our dear Kristi,
You Espinesse ladies are gorgeous!So enjoy seeing pictures of Mom and Daughter,but very especially,seeing(and reading) of the loving bond you have together.
You gave me such happy recollections of our own fun times and travels through Beaulieu-sue-Mer(didn't realize it was sister cities with "our" Tempe!)
Once again(as always) you gave me inspiration to take minutes(or more)to just recenter what needs it in my own life.Thank you!
Growing up in the West(as you did),I am familiar with dream catchers.They almost seem magical in their abilities to shield us from bad dreams,and have somehow continue to capture my imagination.
What a wonderful post today!
Love
Natalia XO
Posted by: Natalia | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 11:15 PM
Fun post! We bought a dreamcatcher for our daughter last year in Sète, in the Occitanie region of France. We saw them at various markets in the South of France, where they seem to have gained some popularity!
Posted by: Gwyneth Perrier | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 11:24 PM
Hello my friend, thank you for this timely reminder and lovely post! I'm attempting to recenter after a whirlwind weekend trip to Seattle on a mission to find new dreams. Best wishes to Jackie on finding hers! I'm delighted you two got away together for an escapade!
Funny you mention dream catchers today. I had one for 25 years until I gave it away two weeks ago. The friend I gave it to was here visiting today. Exhale, relax and enjoy your week Kristi!
Posted by: Stacy - Sweet Life Farm | Monday, July 02, 2018 at 11:39 PM
I love your posts Kristi and enjoy seeing the wonderful relationship that you share with your beautiful daughter. I think we must all go through these uncertain times with our children. They have SO many choices nowadays. I think our role is to listen and stay strong for them, allowing them to reach their own decisions. Even if what they arrive at isn't the right one, they own it and learn from it, knowing that we will always be there for them.
Love
Corinne from Brisbane, Australia
Posted by: Corinne Ward | Tuesday, July 03, 2018 at 12:03 AM
I started writing a (too) long diatribe about using a 'phone while driving, for any reason, including looking at a map but decided on a shorter version. Please, please buy Jackie some kind of gizmo to which she can attach her 'phone and then put it onto the windshield where she can see but not touch it while driving. The consequences are often disastrous, enough said..
Peter.
New Westminster, BC
Canada
Posted by: Peter Bull | Tuesday, July 03, 2018 at 01:08 AM
I assume you have heard the term cultural appropriation? I encourage you to do a little reading before committing to a dream catcher tattoo...
Posted by: e. curry | Tuesday, July 03, 2018 at 01:43 AM
Kristi, it sounds like you and Jackie had a lovely getaway. I know all too well what it's like to stand at a crossroads while trying to figure out the right path to take. I think hitting recenter and giving ourselves space to breathe, instead of overthinking while trying to make a decision, is often the best path toward finding what we need -- or letting it find us.
Posted by: Katia | Tuesday, July 03, 2018 at 03:16 AM
No, Suzanne, it's not just your computer in Rome; the video didn't work for me in the States, either.
Kristin, any length of a post is fine - short, medium, long - and the length can vary with the subject, the amount of time you have available, etc. I am always grateful for FWAD.
I'm so glad you had a pleasant time with Jackie. Please keep us up to date on how things are going with her.
Posted by: Marianne Rankin | Tuesday, July 03, 2018 at 05:13 AM
Thank you, Peter. Agreed! 100%
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Tuesday, July 03, 2018 at 06:45 AM
Spontaneity is best. Your writing is always appreciated, short or long! Loved seeing VFSM again, but disappointed the video didn’t work (USA).
Posted by: K.J. Laramie | Tuesday, July 03, 2018 at 05:15 PM
The video did not work for me either...
Posted by: Andrea Hughes | Tuesday, July 03, 2018 at 07:40 PM
"Hit recenter!" What good advice and how wise of you to suggest a mother/daughter getaway. :-)
Posted by: Patricia Sands | Friday, July 06, 2018 at 10:38 AM
Hi Kristi,
I had never heard of a "dream-catcher" before reading your blog ... but was fascinated to tie it in with the BBC "Thought for the day" that I listened to shortly after!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06cvg9y
Posted by: Ian | Friday, July 06, 2018 at 01:13 PM
Ian,
Thank you very much for the link to the BBC podcast on the benefits of downtime and dreaming. So serendipitous - - it was exactly relatable at this time! I hope anyone reading this will enjoy the link as well.
Merci encore!
Kristi
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Friday, July 06, 2018 at 01:20 PM
When did Jackie go brunette?? I saw the first photo and almost didn't recognize her!
Posted by: onehsancare | Friday, July 06, 2018 at 09:34 PM
About a year ago. It was much darker then! Shes letting it lighten over summertime 🌞
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Friday, July 06, 2018 at 10:16 PM
Merci, Kristi, for rekindling some precious memories with these photos. My father was stationed in Villefranche, the home port for the flagship of the sixth fleet, and my family lived on Cap Ferrat from 1958 to 1960. If you look at your 4th photo taken in Beaulieu (where my mother did her daily shopping at all the individual shops), you will see in the distance in the far right corner a lovely villa right on the water. No, we did not live there, but Charlie Chaplin did one summer! Our Villa La Canterella was right up the street, so one of his children, Michael, hung out with us American Navy kids. When I revisited the area after 45 years, nothing had changed - I easily made a beeline right to my front gate. On the other side of the peninsula facing the Villefranche harbor, is a little known beach, Plage de Passable (called Passable Beach by my ornery brother). That also remained with its comfortable “almost sand” and pedalo rentals. St. Jean's beach had been expanded and improved, and perhaps that is where your last picture was taken. If not, consider a revisit. By the way, I have several dream catchers in my house. Perhaps they will allow me to live out the dream of returning Cap Ferrat yet again. Amicalement, Janet
Posted by: Janet | Friday, July 13, 2018 at 03:29 AM
Wonderful memories! Thanks, Janet, for sharing. Loved reading about Charlie Chaplin. Oh, to hang out with his kids in this dreamy seaside place!
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Friday, July 13, 2018 at 06:28 AM