Posts from the ‘best time of my life’ Category
Nov 10
Nov 8
Au Revoir – my beautiful France………..
Au Revoir my beautiful France
It’s that time. The end of La veritable EAU de MENTON, (depuis 1947) has been emptied. My favorite citrus perfume in the whole world. But, now, it’s gone.)
The end of the teaching “fete” – party for my husband was last week. And it was the most meaningful, beautiful and fun party with lovely people all from his school enjoying the moment, contributing and making my husband feel very much loved. David is teaching no more for the British Council, except for possibly part-time assignments. It was most welcomed to hear that he has that opportunity, come summer.
Yes, we are saying goodbye to our beloved France and heading back to the United States of America. Why?
Not sure. Well, ofcourse we’re sure. We have children.
And, Well, because it’s time , that is why.
But listen carefully. It’s really, okay, honestly. Many of you have written to us saying, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? You are my hero(s), you have done what I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do…….are you CRAZY for returning to the United States? This has been your dream for as long as I have known you! Why, WHY are you coming back? Things are really difficult back here. What are you going to do here? Really, why are you leaving your fine life to come back here???
People say to us – HOW are you going to Adjust?
No problem, we’ll do what we’ve done for 2 years in another country. ADAPT. I think ADAPTATION is one of the most important words in any vocabulary. If you can adapt, to life, to difficult situations, to any number of relationships – WITHOUT giving up your spirit, your true force from within, you have gained everything.
Webster’s defines Adapt as: make (something) suitable for a new use or purpose; modify:
Adaptability :• able to be modified for a new use or purpose
Thesauruses: adaptation noun
1 an adaptation of a Scandinavian folk tale: alteration, modification, redesign, remodeling, revamping, reworking, reconstruction, conversion.adjustment, acclimatization, acclimation, accommodations, habituation, acculturation, assimilation, integration.
That being explained….. Some one wanted me to stay right here in Cassis, right here in France.
Who?
The weeds wanted me to stay. If I were to think of the “gods of Cassis” who didn’t want me to leave, I would have said that today, – as one , with the longest of tenacles grabbed a hold of my sandaled foot as I ran over to see the view of the vineyard next door – and my foot was held prisoner and ofcourse, I splattered onto the earth, amidst pebbles and more weeds under the Olive trees and could not get up for an inordinate amount of time. While David was at first alarmed, then overly senstive to my mishap – and thinking I’ve really done my knee in – I collasped in incredible gasping for air laughter for about 10 minutes. Because everytime I tried to get up and David tried to lift my 145 plus poundage, it wasn’t happening, and I got the giggles breathlessly again and again. No matter how I try, am NOT a graceful person. Klutz, that’s what I am.
So, ofcourse, it’s the “ gods that want me to stay” – I say. Yes, STAY, right here in France.
Au Revoir – my beautiful France – my beautiful friends – who have made us feel so very loved and never strangers in another land. We are blessed beyond measure.
Nov 5
Lie d’Vin – The Dregs of Wine
The Best gift for a cook – ever.
Look it up. The name is Lie d’Vin and it’s the most velvety, burgundy color, wine binding agent ever to use in sauces and in stews, coq au vin, beef bourguignon – you name it. It cannot be bought anywhere. It’s from a winery, take weeks to produce and it helps to know a friend…………………..Who works at a winery. 😉
(Eat your heart out – Julia Child ! )
Mine has gone into lamb chops, coq au vin and the last night in Cassis, it goes into BEEF BOURGUIGNON.
Along with my best ami joining us – in our favorite apartment of our 2 years in France.
Lie d’Vin:
In enology and brewery , the dregs Deigne the yeast dead (and possibly some crop residues) that sediment at the bottom of the container at the end of the fermentation .
During the alcoholic fermentation and the malolactic fermentation , particles appear in the wine or beer is the dregs. It consists ofyeast , the bacteria and flocculated and precipitated organic compounds.
After racking the wine is trapped at the bottom of the tank. Rich in organic matter, it is a potential source of pollution.
It is also the term that is the name of the color burgundy (purplish red).
I have such wonderful friends !!!!
Nov 2
The Man from Another Century
Tonight we met a man from another time and another century. His name is James.
He survives everyday of his lovely retirement in France taking care of his elderly mother, who doesn’t need taking care of because she still does “wait-staff” work for various theatrical functions in Cassis. She’s almost 90. Her son meanwhile researches various documents of French history, ranging from the study of the Capetian dynasty (also known as the House of France, to little known wineries that hold humongous secrets.)
L’autoroute française A50 entre Aubagne et Roquefort-la-Bédoule (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Flag of the region Île-de-France in France, and of the kingdom of France (s.XIV-XV) Français : Drapeau de la région Île-de-France en France et du royaume de France (s.XIV-XV) 한국어: 이 것은 일드프랑스의 깃발입니다. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
One of the wineries he discussed with us was ROQUEFORT LA BÉDOULE ( http://www.deroquefort.com/en/winery ) east of Cassis, and a medieval village that is NOT on the main stream for tourists. It’s a secret. The owner of this prestigious but modest winery is a Marquis, but never mentions this in introductions nor is it embossed on any stationary. That is from the past, and those that are from a royal Bourbon line mostly keep it low-key or hidden. The older generation who know who they are, revere them from afar, but todays young people think of them as “just like them,” no different, same workers, “boulot, dodo, metro” kind of guy, only with a winery……….. Little do they know…….
James, however, knew more than the owner about his own legacy with the famous vineyard. The owner knows, of course, from where he came, but he does not dwell on his heritage. He cares impeccably for his vineyard instead.
https://www.facebook.com/deRoquefort
James speaks to us of these newest discoveries, our mouths hanging open, because although he cannot always find the English word to describe his newest research project, we get the gist and I start asking questions and making him spell things so that I can later look it up on the internet. Then the bomb came. He has no computer, no cell phone, no TV, and continues his work and research not in large “bibliothèque” (Libraries) that often have cameras in the corner, & too many computers, but also have a security screener, SO, he instead ops for the small mediathèque in the smaller villages. He often looks at and deciphers manuscripts that are ancient texts, that need to be handled with gloves, if they are even able to be handled at all. They used to be. Not so much now.
I shake my head. J’adore ma cell phone . I would not give it up willingly. But I’ve met a man, that has no cell phone, has no desire for one, nor a computer, nor anything that finds answers fast because he says, he “finds it superficial”. So, he TALKED to us, face to face, describing events. He tells of a “ line of the rose” – Sainte Rosaline – where he’s knows a possible relative of hers and has a deep desire to talk with her.
English: St Roseline church in Roquefort la Bédoule (Bouches du Rhône – France) Français : Église Sainte Roseline à Roquefort la Bédoule (Bouches du Rhône – France) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
She’s a bit difficult and evasive and untouchable, so it’s going to be a difficult road. Even though she’s passionate about her own history, he doubts he can “get his foot in the door.” Ahhhh, if I just knew French better, I would get in the door for him …..he needs to talk to her.
SO! This is for my friend Gudrun, who hates technology like James. I’m lucky to get an e-mail from this gal once a year, on an iPad given to her by her frustrated father-in-law who wanted to remain “connected”.
Frankly being 6000 miles away I couldn’t dream of not being able to keep in touch with my friends and family without the internet.
But for James, this is not a problem. He is in Marseille. His mum is in Cassis. He watches over her, and in between does something in this age that is unheard of……….survives without technology, writes snail mail, researches manuscripts – in a LIBRARY – – only has a land-line, never watches television. Instead, he VISITS people, looks at people in the eyes, talks to their faces, – what is this?? I **LOVE** this man.
Few and far between.
This is dedicated to Gudrun and Melanie who are two friends who despite the onslaught of new and innovative progress in the world of a global computer driven networks have remained without. (I couldn’t do it, but – ) but – – – Kudos to you that can.
Oct 28
SOCCER – OM vs Reims -The unlikely non-sportive Mum
Français : Olympique de Marseille – RC Strasbourg, vu de la tribune Ganay le 6 mai 2006 au Stade Vélodrome de Marseille (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Entrée du Stade Vélodrome de Marseille (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Tribune du Stade Velodrome lors de OM-OL (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Marseille (Photo credit: -eko-)
Soccer in the South — OM vs Reims – Velodrome Stade _ Marseille
This is about sports. I’m an unlikely person to talk about sports because , well, I’m awful at it. And the really amazing thing is that my son is a coach/ now athletic director for a highschool, my other son has started running and where they got this is certainly not from me. Nor from their dad. (Sorry Elwood), although I will say he had the passion for sports.
THat’s what I saw in living color yesterday – huge passion, at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille. Awesome passion. It is a bonafide crazy, fou fou, maniacal, fiercely energetic French football game
Now, I’m not going to discuss the plays, or anything, because I’m far from qualified but I’m really good at reading people, and these people were downright fou fou (crazy) for their team and their game. It was to see. I’m not going to discuss the ending in depth because I’m a Pollyanna feel good kind of person and need to keep the discussion positive.
What was absolutely lovely tonight was that the fans were amazingly french, loyal beyond loyal, and loud beyond loud. Also , despite their intensity, they are sensitive enough to notice that the old person behind them is not able to stand on the bleacher seats and is trying to peer through their shoulders at the game. When they see that, they both move over 2 seats so that they can afford the old lady a complete unobstructed view. I was the “old lady” – but they didn’t know that……..I know that I’m not really old, but since they were like 18 – I’m sure I must have “seemed” old.
Was that not beautiful or what?
Yes, fans – at a soccer game in Marseille do not sit – at all – during the 2 + hour game. They STAND Fans Fans in the stand
They also do not imbibe in Beer. Beer is not sold, not are any spirts as a game in Marseille. Some do – – many do smoke………but that’s the extent of their vices.
There are food items, but most are not eating. They’re yelling instead.
They did lose to Reims , yes, but the fans – as much as they acted as if they would DIE for their team what with all the hoopla yelling and though so disappointed, they were out at the cafe’s talking and having a drink for their normal hour or so FACETIME with friends afterwards. If you want to know EXACTLY what went wrong, you need to be at these cafes. This is where things like this are discussed. But you need to know French.
I’m going back. Addicted already I am. To the PASSION. (And the game is fast and that ball is controlled beautifully)
“CAN YOU PLEASE HOLD THE BUS, MY MUM IS RUNNING……………..”
While running to the bus (19) after our cafe time with friends, Sandrine had to run for
the BUS 19. I couldn’t run because of my bad knees. DO you know what she said?
She told the bus driver, ‘Oh, please wait, my mum is coming!” The bus driver says, “well, where is she, I can’t stay here long” – – – OH Sandrine says, “She’s almost here.”
(I wasn’t ) But he did wait. When he saw me , I said, Oh MERCI, MERCI BEAUCOUP -” J’ai une mal genou!!! Merci merci (I have bad knees, thank you thank you)”
ooooohh la la – – I turned to Sandrine while we walked to the back and said to her, Sandrine, that was so nice , – thank you so much for doing that. But do not EVER call me your mum again, EVER! “ 😉
Français : Bus RTM, ligne 83 en direction du Rond-Point du Prado. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Sandrinand her Mr Bean car – for David…..?
Sun setting on Marseille at new angle
Oct 22
Oct 15
Oct 14
Game Day – Football, French Style
Chateauneuf les Martiques vs. Frejus – White vs blue team
my first soccer game! Yeah! (It’s a complicated game for me to understand) but just watching them is amazingly fun
My good friend Sandrine – she’s a soccer fool – and loves to watch Marseille play in the 2nd biggest Stade in France (Marseille Stade)
Sandrine found a car for David !! A “Mr Bean Car” with the British flag on top. How cute is this?
The FREJUS team was professional. They played Chateauneuf les Martigues, an unprofessional team. Had they won, they would have been moved from Divison 3 to Divison 2 and could continue to play. The score was 2 – 1 – Frejus won, but Chateauneuf gave them a great fight
Oct 11
You can tell it’s Fall in Marseille – when……….
Fall fruits
The cheese man decorates his wheels of cheese with autumn leaves
the macaroons have a autumy look about them
- visiting Pavillion M is kind of sparse now that the tourists have left
Vineyards are changing colors
It’s scarf weather now
Leaves falling in gutter
it’s boot weather
it’s windy
Sun setting on Marseille at new angle
Time for new hairstyle
IT’s SO NICE to really ENJOY the Fall cause political strife does not interfere with the simple things of life that make the world go ’round
Letters from Marseille 