FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Deeply touched to see this collection of my postcards framed in the home of a longtime reader, Maria. Merci, mon amie!

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TODAY’S WORD: le remue-ménage : commotion, hubbub, upheaval

PRONUNCIATION: [ruh-mew-may-nazh]

EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
Le remue-ménage de la maison pleine a réveillé des émotions inattendues.
The hubbub of a full house stirred up unexpected emotions.

A YEAR IN A FRENCH LIFE…Kristi Espinasse

After two weeks in Europe, my American family has returned to the States. Outside, the garden is still rowdy with blossoms—red poppies, purple irises, blue borage...even the weeds are kicking out petals of gold. Inside, the house is so calm I can hear the horloge in the kitchen: tic-tac, tic-tac. Ricci is curled up against me and, no matter how colorful, bright, and exciting things are out there, I’m happy to rest in a whispering palette of grège.

I woke up debating whether to write today’s story or take the day off to récupérer. But my mind would only be full and restless, so why not let the words and images spill out now—and so review the highlights of this sentimental séjour?

Sentimental because “qui dit famille dit feelings”—that’s franglais for “where there is family, there is emotion.” And in the two weeks together, our clan experienced every nuance on le Carrousel des Sentiments:

L’agitation set in from day one—a true remue-ménage of stacked suitcases, laughter echoing from every room, voices overlapping in the kitchen, and too few pillows! Even in high spirits, going from a four-person household to ten at the dinner table requires a steady nerve… and a bit of acrobatics. During mealtimes, my family literally had to climb over the side of the table to reach the bench. “Careful of the broken leg!” I’d remind them each time, hoping our limping table would hold out for another family feast.

L’enthousiasme—as you know it takes a lot to get Jules out of bed! Especially now that her inflammatory condition has come back full force. But she strolled over every night for dinner and even posed without makeup or styling for our Christmas card (we’re planning ahead!). Those days when Mom showed up perfectly impeccable have been traded for simply being present. The pride of seeing all of her grandchildren gathered together was moving for my sister and me to see, and mom never looked so beautiful as when surrounded by those who love her.

La Joie…..All gathered we toasted to several réussites: niece Reagan’s semester in Florence, Heidi’s latest vente immobilière, Jean-Marc’s new project (a postage stamp vignoble in the Var), Max and Ana’s condo (after three months of renovation, c’est prêt!), Jackie’s short term lease in Brooklyn, Payne’s graduation, my new book, and Mom—for all she sacrificed to raise her family.

La Jalousie…Every member of a family harbors some sort of “need to be loved just as much if not more.” Ours is no different. To be safe we’ll pin this emotion and any examples on Ricci, who found it insupportable to be even slightly ignored, left out, or shortchanged (which she signaled by highly annoying aboiements any time she felt compromised). 

L'Exaltation—Jumping into the cold Mediterranean, peeking over the cliffs in Cassis, zipping across the bay of La Ciotat in a little wooden boat… even the quieter moments, like sunning in the garden beneath the flowering Judas tree, bees buzzing by, or tasting fresh produce from the Provençal markets, had a special energy. These are some of my family’s favorite memories—simple, bright, and full of life.

Tristesse… The last morning, just before heading to the airport, Heidi and I knocked softly on Mom’s window at 3:30 a.m. Jules was awake, watching a program online, and smiled when we slid open the porte-fenêtre and quietly entered her studio. “I love you girls so much. I’m so proud of you,” she said, with outreaching arms. After a long câlin and several whispered words of affection, Heidi promised she would return as soon as she could. We lingered for a moment, each of us knowing this goodbye was precious, filled with both the warmth of our bond and the ache of parting.

La reconnaissance — The house may be quieter now, the chairs tucked back in place, the fridge full of leftovers, but my heart (and Ricci’s, too, now that she has my undivided attention) is still echoing with the joy of having shared this fleeting, noisy, love-filled time together.

No matter how much I covet my time alone—and la quiétude—I know it is a gift to belong to a family—even one that arrives like a whirlwind and leaves you, afterward, searching for your peace and your pillow. As the French say, c’est pas tous les jours la fête—it’s not a party every day. But when family is here, it’s time to rejoice, celebrate, and honor every emotion on The Wheel of Feelings. It’s what makes us human—and lovable, perfectly imperfect souls.

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Tucked up against the wall to make room in our cozy living area: our dining table. The benches (made by my sister-in-law) allow for an extra seat on either side..

FRENCH VOCABULARY

Audio File: Click here to listen to Jean-Marc pronounce the following words:

le remue-ménage : commotion, hubbub, upheaval

l’horloge = clock

tic-tac = tick-tock

grège = greige, a soft gray-beige color

récupérer = to recover, rest, recharge

le séjour = stay, visit

qui dit famille dit feelings = where there is family, there is emotion

le Carrousel des Sentiments = the carousel of feelings

l’agitation = restlessness

l’enthousiasme = enthusiasm

la joie = joy

la réussite = accomplishment

la vente immobilière = real estate sale

un vignoble = vineyard

C’est prêt = it’s ready

la jalousie = jealousy

insupportable = unbearable

l’aboiement = barking

l’exaltation = exhilaration, heightened joy or excitement

la tristesse = sadness

la porte-fenêtre = French door

le câlin = cuddle, hug

la reconnaissance= gratitude

la quiétude = tranquility

c’est pas tous les jours la fête = it’s not a party every day (you can’t celebrate all the time)

Jean-Marc and my sister, Heidi

REMERCIEMENTS 
Heartfelt thanks for the generous support sent in by readers. Your donations are a veritable coup de pouce and keep this word journal going out each week.

Pierre Le R.
Marianne R.
Albert G. M. (sorry, Albert, I could not get your thank-you letter to you as I don't have your address. Mille mercis for your support sent in via Zelle!)

Maddi, Ana, Jackie, and Reagan


Mama and Papa dove enjoyed all the family activity. In the background, the flowering Judas tree sports pink blossoms for only three weeks each year. 

My mom, Jules, in the garden with her wild doves. She befriended this couple, Mama and Papa, soon after she moved here in July 2018. They have been a source of wonder and joy ever since.