avant-coureur

Puzzled at which photo to put up today... I found this forerunner in Ramatuelle. Picture taken  last spring. For a free email subscription to French Word-A-Day, click here.

 

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avant-coureur (ah vahn koor ur) adjective

    : forerunner

synonyme: précurseur (noun)

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A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse

Next month this word journal will set out for—and near—its very dear ninth year! How to sum up one's thoughts about that? With the help of Doctor Seuss, bien sûr:

Oh, les endroits où tu courras!

As you may have surmised, translation is not always on my side. So let's keep le docteur's words intact: 

Oh, the places you'll go!  To this I would add, with glee and wee-stee-tee:

...and, oh, the people you will meet!
 

Take Lou, for example. He wrote to me back in 2006.

I've just been able to send an e-mail. I read your book, which I enjoy and get your word a day, which is helping me try and learn French, as I'm planning on spending a month next Sept. in the Provence area celebrating my 80th, hope to try your wine, I'm from Casa Grande, AZ., also a desert rat, much good luck to you and to your family, I'm sure, like most of your readers, you feel like family. Au revoir.

And now, three and some years later, at the age of 83, Lou finally came to visit me! He had mentioned wanting to help out with our wine harvest... and so it was that Lou became our most venerable vendangeur!

Lou has often sent encouraging words (you may have seen them in the comments box):

Happy birthday and holiday greetings from an old fan, enjoy your family news and pics, hope to get over one of these days and meet you all, My best to you and yours.

But there is nothing like hearing encouraging words en direct. I stood there on the front patio, listening to un homme d'un certain âge honor me for following and sharing this writing dream. Next, the man with grape stains from his shirt shoulders to his socks, turned and pointed to the horizon. His face sunburnt from harvesting, a bee sting beneath his eye, he said that I was blessed. My eyes traveled back from the skyline and, looking back at Lou, I could not help but feel so: blessed not for what I have, but for whom I have.

Lou's solo trip south (he first visited London) to gather grapes beneath the sizzling sun makes my imagination spin: will I dare to drive a car across a foreign country when I am the same age as he? Or will I remain a wet chicken?

I look at Lou and see what James Dean might have been, nearing ninety: a rebel runner in Time's race, not about to slow down. Never mind gravity.

Time and lines. I try to superimpose my own face on Lou's: eyes on eyes, nose on nose. Will I be as handsome... with a little chance and then some?

But beauty has nothing on bohemia and, like Lou, it is the unconventional life for which I'll strive at 80 or for as long as I'm alive.

(more photos below... keep scrolling!)

Le Coin Commentaires
I love reading your comments. Please don't hesitate to leave a message, or a simple "bonjour". Click here to comment. 

Speaking of Doctor Seuss, check out Les Oeufs Verts au Jambon: The French Edition of Green Eggs and Ham

French Vocabulary

bien sûr = of course

le docteur = doctor

ouistiti = the word the French say for "cheese" when posing for a photo (pronounced wee-stee-tee)

le vendangeur (la vendangeuse) = grape picker, vintager
wet chicken 

en direct = live

un homme d'un certain âge = a man of a certain age

wet chicken = la poule mouillée = a coward  

 

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Lou with harvester Zayra. Ah là là!

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Comments

[Sab]

Here's a simple 'Bonjour' then, as you said that was ok. I thought your piece about the 'olderly' gent was charming, and he obviously got a nice welcome. As a Paris addict I don't know if I could lead that life on a long-term basis, but when I see pics it sure does make me wonder.. I like the first photo too - intriguing!

[Bill in St. Paul]

Wow! Lou certainly is a model for the rest of us. Congrats, Lou, on finally making it to France and Provence. I, too, hope that at 83 I will still be traveling to (or maybe even living in) foreign countries.

[Jens, Copenhagen, Denmark]

Well done, Lou. You still know how to 'draguer les femmes', I can see.

I fully agree with Bill. 'Age is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans'... someone once said.

[Jens, Copenhagen, Denmark]

Ooops! I think it was 'Life is what happens to you...'.

[Pat Cargill]

Cheers for Lou to living his dreams (comme toi, Kristin!) and becoming a vandangeur at 83. I considered the possibility of being part of the harvest but felt that at 63 I was perhaps "too old," blah, blah, blah...we all know the "blah-blah's" we use on ourselves in self-defeating babble. So, MERCI, Lou, for the inspiration you are to me to follow through and go for it, whatever it may be.

The puzzle-painted runner (forerunner) is tres intriguing. Who/what/when/why/where chere K??!!

Soggy hello's from Roanoke, VA, where enfin! il pleut - a nice soaking rain. The maple leaves are turning and falling - l'automne is in the air and I am enjoying la saison favorie!

[gail bingenheimer]

Je suis allée à Aix-en-Provence pendant l'été de 2003 & 2004. Je suis allée l'institute d'americain universities. Il etait une bonne fois. J'espere que Lou s'amuse.

[Ophelia in Nashville]

Yes, yes, yes! I want to be like Lou -- picking grapes in my 80s and appreciating the blessings and beauty of life. Quel courage to have traveled tout seul to Provence. Bravo to you, Lou, et "Santé!"

[Mindy (Manhattan Beach, CA)]

Lou is an inspiration! Thanks for sharing his story Kristin.

I'm thinking I should get certified as a massage therapist and travel the world volunteering at vineyards for the exhausted grape pickers! :-)

In other news....This is Banned Books Week in which we celebrate the freedom to read without censorship.

Happy last week of September! We're having a heat wave in Los Angeles.

[Suzanne Codi]

I'm so happy for both Lou and you for his trip to visit you, a great experience all around, and a great eaxample for your kids too!
I met an Aussie gentleman Stanley when I was 19, who had just turned 90 and had decided to learn French and had enrolled at American University here in Wash. DC !! I spent many wonderful hours with him helping him with his homework and practicing his French ( French is ma langue maternelle) and your relationship with Lou brought all those felings of admiration back! Thanks so much for sharing! Suzanne

[Leslie in Massachusetts]

I always thought ouistiti was a kind of bird until I just looked it up and learned that it is a very cute kind of monkey. In case anyone wondered.

[jeananne]

Bravo Lou! It is a dream of mine to visit France that I hope to soon make a reality. Lou is a great inspiration. Thanks for sharing him with us...
but what about the sculpture in your post from Ramatuelle? "Puzzle Man" is fantastic!

[Linda R.]

I second Jeananne's "Bravo, Lou!" What a great inspiration you are to all of us! Congratulations for following your dream. May we all have the courage to do likewise.

[Robin from Los Altos Hills]

Kristin, It's 6am in Los Altos Hills, CA. When I pad out to the kitchen, yawning, stretching and moving slowly, and plop down in front of my computer, it doesn't matter what's in my "In" box, if there is a French Word-A-Day email, it is always the first thing I open,with anticipation, because I know I will be touched and before the last word has been read, there will be a smile on my face. Today was special. Age and wisdom don't always go hand in hand, but Lou embodies the magic combination of excelling at both. He is a breathing living example of what it means to live fully present in the moment. You - and your readers - have so much to teach me. And as we skip down this path of every day life and continue to share French words, it's the life lessons that touch my heart and leave the most lasting impressions. Thank you for that. Truly. xo R

[Kristin]

Sab, so glad you responded to the "bonjour" suggestion! Bonjour bonjour!

Mindy, A masseuse would be a welcome addition to the harvest, I'm sure!

Pat, Jeananne, and those who asked about the sculpture: I do not know anything about it, but quickly snapped the photo while driving past it. Ramatuelle is a picturesque village not var from St. Tropez. Update: an email in my inbox, from Marlene, suggests the sculpture is by Rabarama...

Suzanne, loved your story about helping the 90-year-old with his French.

[Pat Nottingham]

Always look forward to your stories & pictures....but this one about Lou was PERFECT today....it fits into what many of us approaching that certain time of life need to think about....and GO FOR IT!!!

[Shelley Longmire]

I enjoy reading your French word of the day and love the story about Lou! I learned about the site from our French teacher who coaches a friend, my husband and me. My husband and I are preparing for our own adventure of living for 6 months in France where we have visited twice in the last few years and love it! Keep those words and stories coming!

Shelley in Santa Fe

[Taylor Anne Smith]

Hello Kristin!

I have been following French Word-A-Day for several years but this is my first comment. Thank you for all you have done for me without knowing!

I am an artist and I moved to Europe in my 20s and lived for years, not in France, but Germany. I painted and worked happily for many years, speaking German well but now I am back in the USA raising my daughter. My dream is to learn French and purchase a quiet home in Provence with my husband one day when she is off to University.

You post today inspired me to write, not because it was better than any other (they are all good), but I was touched by your thoughts of your friend Lou and mention of James Dean. You see just yesterday I happened to be in James Dean's home town of Fairmount, Indiana having a glass of wine near his gravestone. Your post today was serendipitous.

Taylor Anne
Indianapolis, Indiana USA

[Joyce Hoover]

I wrote a pretty long comment but it disappeared, and patience to rewrite it has gone too. but anyway Lou's blue eyes are beautiful and send their own loving message. Love Joyce Hampton, VA

[blair]

Dear Kristen
I too look forward to your posting every day! The story of Lou was such a wonderful way to start a Monday. Thank you for filling my inbox with happiness.

~blair

[maryplsn@yahoo.com]

I loved reading every comment and the pictures were delightful! good to see you Lou! glad you followed your dream. Getting a peck on the cheek from Zayra wasn't too shabby either!
Looks like you had a dream of a time.THANK YOU
THANK YOU!

[Kay Cotner]

Kristin:

You are indeed blessed by those in your life...it's such fun to follow your & yours daily adventures.

Hats off to handsome Lou for his spirit....you both are indeed blessed.

Kay

[Pat Cargill]

Taylor Anne, thank you so much for writing today and telling us about sipping wine near James Dean's gravestone - nice remembrance of the Rebel and in connection with:

"This is Banned Books Week in which we celebrate the freedom to read without censorship" (Mindy)

... may we all give life to our inner rebel and breathe DEEPLY into living an authentic life, stilling again and again the small babble within that stops us from doing so! Viva les Rebels.

[Mrs. Derin Gemignani]

Dear Kristen,
Lou truly is an inspiration. Some day I hope to come riding up to your vineyard "en velo" as I am an avid cyclist and have cycled all over France. I am in the process of learning the beautiful French language and your "word-a-day" is so very helpful and so much fun. I love your golden retrievers, their madcap exploits and their insights.
I would love to come help with your vendage, hopefully before I turn 80, so watch for me come riding down your lane, maybe next year, maybe the year after........who knows?
Thanks so much for your very entertaining and educational blog,
Derin

[Anne Wirth]

Congratulations on your nine years! I hope you have brought as much joy in the morning to everyone who reads your page as you have brought to me.
Lou gives me hope that when I reach his age I still may have a few adventures in my life. I am 68 years and hoping.

[Herm in Phoenix, Az]

Salut Kristen and Lou

Lou….from one ole desert rat to another ole desert rat …EXCELLENT! What a satisfying experience that must have been. At 80, a trip to France is also in my future plans. I want to do it before I get old.

Kristen......The forerunner photo’s a “puzzlement”. Is he confused, contemplating an uncertain future or reflecting on a troubled past? The sculptor had to have more in mind than just resting.

À bientôt

[martina]

Yeah Lou! What fun stories he will have to share when he gets back home. I think I started reading FWD about seven years ago. Merci beaucoup Kristi.

[Kathryn Winslow]

Re the puzzle sculpture: Rabarama is an Italian artist (real name Paola Epifani).
"Rabarama’s works capture the viewer’s imagination with their silent, frozen postures. Her human figures are both clothed and naked, covered with multicolored patterns, arabesques, numbers, letters, mazes and puzzles. Like sequence symbols of a genetic code, Rabarama’s patterns and puzzles stem from the artist’s fascination with genetics, the molecular metamorphosis of ever changing life, and the process of transformation. These figures ask the viewer to reflect on the nature of the individual, and on life as a labyrinth or journey, which is written on each of us."

[Lisa]

I am from Arizona, not far from Lou, and was heartwarmed by this story too.... my warmest greetings to him, and to you as well. I was blessed to take a driving trip through France with my daughter this past July... Your pictures make me want to go back! You are both an inspiration as dream weavers and followers. Thank you :)

[Mona]

I wish Lou the best of times...an inspiration, and I wish you a great week ahead! xoxo

[Herm in Phoenix, Az]

Thanks, Kathryn, for your input on the puzzle sculpture and Rabarama.

I’m always pleasantly surprised when reading this blog. Because of the vast base of intelligent followers, I always learn something new from Kristin and the readers that post their inputs.

[Marianne Rankin]

Herm and all, Puzzle Man reminds me of Rodin's "Thinker."

I keep saying that age is mostly a state of mind! So if you think young, you act young. Good going, Lou!

It will likely be quite a few years before I can get back to France. I probably won't be 80, but at what would be called "un certain age," I will look forward to visiting and helping with the harvest, whenever that is.

Kristin and family, it's because of your blog and especially your hospitality that people such as Lou come to visit. Merci!

[Julie F]

Bonjour, Kristin. And merci for introducing us to Lou. There are many people in my life like Lou to whom I look for inspiration in aging. I have no intention of slowing down, either. However, I hope that I can come and be une vendangeuse pour toi long before I turn 80. Last summer in France I rented a bicycle to ride (seule) through crazy city streets and out to the Burgundy countryside. And I rented a car to navigate (seule) from Burgundy to Loire without taking the autoroute. I'm finally planning on taking a real French class so I can improve the French I've learned on the fly. Aging is better if we risk failure at one new thing each year.

Cool air but blue skies in St. Louis today.

[Marcia]

What a wonderful adventure for Lou and for you and your family! I have French heritage in my family (Pictou, Normandy) and at age 56 I am contemplating an adventure in France myself!

[Laurel]

Quite inspiring! Way to go Lou, keep it up. He's right, you do make your blog feel like family. I get to pretend travel about Europe and make believe I live on a lustrous vineyard. A girl can dream :) Thanks Kristin! It also helps that you and my sister share your lovely first name.

[joie carmel,ca]

Seeing Lou come for the vendage is wonderful. At 60+ I can surely do it next year. Perhaps it would help take off some of these extra lbs I am carrying around.
And Kristin, I truly doubt that you will ever be a "la poule mouillee". Certainly to move to France, marry a Frenchman, decide to write a book, have a blog and enrich so many lives both on line and in person is not being cowardly. C'est vrai!

[Susan Strick]

I too dream of being one of your harvest volunteers. Lou makes me believe I may actually be able to do it even if it takes many years to become feasible. By then, of course, there may be thousands of volunteers each season!
Affectionate thanks and best wishes ti you, Kristin, and both your immediate and extended (including readers) family,
Susan in Seattle

[Kathryn Winslow]

I took up so much space with my previous post about Rabarama that I neglected to say how much FWAD has meant to me the past year. This morning I awoke to a delightful 58 degrees--the first sign of fall in this sun-drenched city of San Antonio TX. I love being a part of the FWAD community where being "of a certain age" is no hindrance to sharing with like-minded cyber friends who graciously communicate their daily joys, challenges, and love of all things French.

[Janine]

Warm greetings to you and Lou, from Trinidad & Tobago...the southern most island in the Caribbean chain. Lovely post about Lou...hats off to this amazing gentleman...life and the enjoyment of life never stops, only if you let it!

[Beverly Tabor]

Bonjour Kristin,
a simple hello, and your FWAD was a great boost to the plans for my coming years!
I was moved and inspired, especially after spending the weekend discussing future plans, in great anticipation of getting our 10-year Visa (rdv with Prefecture the 1 Oct) to continue our lives in France!
It seems as though your "beautiful blue-eyes" guest has spoken to a lot of us. Thanks again and if the "10years" are granted, we will make it for a vendange ourselves someday.
Congrats on your 9 years!

[Marilyn Boehm]

Thanks for todays posting with the story of Lou's adventures. We visited France last spring and saw that statue and at least 2 others by that artist in the area. So amusing and yet thought provoking.

[yvonne]

This post made my heart sing. Imagine
at 83 years old going to France. He looks great and in good shape. I hope his dreams came true.
yvonne

[Jill in Sydney]

Bonjour from Sydney. I love the blog every time I get it, but today's was special. You are blessed, Kristin, and so are we in the sharing. Looks like a beautiful day over there. Enjoy your harvest.

[Ellen]

I only hope I have half the spirit that Lou has if I'm fortunate enough to be active at 83. He is an inspiration to us all. Kristin, as a devout francophile, I anxiously await the arrival of your blog in my e-mail. You've so graciously let us be a part of your life - merci beaucoup!

[Christine]

Bonjour Kristin-- et bonjour Lou!

I was in your "neck of the woods" only yesterday, driving by Casa Grande on our way from Tucson to Phoenix, and wishing we had enough time to stop and see the historic site there. Alas, we didn't, but it was still fun to spend some time in Arizona, for us such a different part of the U.S. We live in New York, which seems a green jungle by comparison (& about 30 degrees cooler)!

You're a great role model, Lou. I hope that when we're in our 80's we're still out there, following our dreams!

[Kent Swisher]

Kristin....beauty is in the eye of the beholder and from all comments, Lou and his story are beautiful as are your thoughts !! You have created a wonderful French nest for new and unknown friends....all in love with France and those things French. Merci..
Kent in Sonoma County

[minh madison]

Bonjour Kristin! I have purchased your book after receiving several Word-A-Day emails from you. French would be my 3rd language (I speak Vietnamese and English). Although I often think I am a French woman inside! Thank you for allowing me into your world, showing me that I too can learn French and you have rekindled my love for the language again. Merci! I do hope to meet you some day!

With all my love,

Minh from Toronto,ON, Canada.

[Jacqueline Gill]

Thank you for sharing Lou with us. He is part of the "greatest generation" and rightly named . Good going, Lou! Kristin, you really are blessed! I too hope someday to visit France and maybe even see your vinyards. Your blogs are one of the high spots of my week. Thank you!

[Tami]

As always, Kristin, your photos and your words .... priceless!

[Eileen deCamp]

Hi Kristin!
What a sweet post today! I loved hearing all about Lou, it made me smile.
Have a great week!
Eileen

[Newforest]

Dear Lou, you may certainly add another person to your list of admirers. Your own inspiration, dream, supported by high spirits and good health, prompted you to organise a journey of a lifetime! You travelled a long way from home in order to meet some fantastic people in “Provence”, at a time when “Domaine Rouge Bleu” reaches its peak of physical activities and... you joined in! Wooow!

You took such a brave decision and became not only a happy “voyageur”, but essentially a unique “vendangeur”, respected and loved by the Espinasse family and the 2010 team of vendangeurs -and vendangeuses (photos with charming Zayra are priceless!)

Another round of applause to Lou who not only captured our heart but has now become a source of inspiration to all of us, thanks to Kristin's writing in FWAD!

"Mille et mille mercis à Kristin" for describing Lou and sharing her own view on unconventional life... The delightful photos captured Lou's deep blue eyes, gentle smile and lovely expressions on his face - such a perfect complement to the story!

"Toutes mes félicitations" Kristin, for the 9th birthday of FWAD extraordinary journey and wonderful development. Now, readers can join in and comment, there are more photos ... and ... you created CINEMA VERITE (an absolute must for all enthusiastic photo lovers)

So pleased I came across FWAD a few years ago (time you were moving to Ste Cécile-les-Vignes...)

[Newforest]

PS
At first, the photo at the top did intrigue me. After a while and examining a few details (Ctrl+ several times), I came to the conclusion that:
--> la statue en question est une STATUE VIVANTE.
(the statue in question is a 'living statue')

'living statues' also called 'human statues'

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Living.statue.in.rome.arp.jpg

http://www.thelivingstatuecompany.com/

http://encrer-le-monde.over-blog.com/article-34090415.html

[Newforest]

AVANT-COUREUR
sending you an e-mail

[Kristin]

Thank you for such good cheer! Haven't heard back from Lou (he is busy traveling to other French towns...) hope he will enjoy the story as much as you have.

Newforest, I can assure you that the statue is not living (it was giant, seated there beside the road :-) But every time I look at the picture, I think the same as you: "there's somebody in there!"

[Jan]

Dear Kristin and Lou,
Thank you both for starting my day in the happiest of ways! Words, wine, and photos from the South of France!
Warmly,
Jan

[Newforest]

(about the statue) Hi again,

If the statue is completely immobile, and permanently there, ok, it is not a proper "living statue" as such, but... "une statue" -- a "painted" statue, unless the puzzle bodysuit is made of a special material (?).
I believe the main purpose of the thinking attitude (which can also be considered as a foetus posture) is to keep puzzling us! Is the statue "un signe avant-coureur" of... (something that is going to happen?)
or,
is the man of the statue "un précurseur" de ... (forerunner / precursor of another statue by the same artist? of some sort of ideology? of....?)

I like statues in buildings and outside buildings, in parks, in squares, but the large size statues in odd places, stir up some strange feelings in me. I am thinking more particularly of "The Angel of the North" -> type of angel that more or less frightened me when I first saw it in the North East of England, near the A1. What an experience!

[mhwebb]

Bonjour et merci,

Kristin, you have encouraged me more than you know. Your beautiful photos have inspired me to look with fresh eyes at my surroundings here in the desert Southwest of the United States.

I am so glad that you shared the story of Lou! He is an inspiration to us all - just like you!

Merci encore!

[Nan Morrissette]

Dear Kristin, Your wonderful column has lasted 9 years because you are an artist. As an artist you don't just write dry, academic vocabulary words - instead you use your camera, your wit and compassion, and your personal life, sharing it all with us in a glorious expression of life in France. Love the story of Lou, he's so much like my Dad and my grandfather. I venture to say that our own Charles has stayed young and fit, partly though picking your grapes and partly through drinking them. Fortunately, we can get Domaine Rouge-Bleu from Charles and Martha, but never enough of it. Keep on - I hope we'll meet next year. By the way, a delightful little person entered our life yesterday, a little white rescue dog from a shelter. We named him Yoda because of his ears and obvious wisdom. I have fallen in love. What us the French for "puppy love?" Nan in Dunnellon, Florida

[NEWTON AVELINO]

I really enjoyed your blog this ...
I'm Brazilian artist
NEWTON AVELINO'm showing my art and culture of Brazil

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