l'ici et maintenant

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l'ici et maintenant

    : the here and now, or le moment or l'instant présent

Audio File: (I'm afraid our super French word pronouncer (Chief Grape) is away... that means you're stuck with me and my recording. Listen at your own péril...): Download MP3 or Wav file

L'ici et maintenant. Dans l'ici-maintenant je ressens de la paix.
In the here and now I feel at peace.

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

My husband is running a bath, this after two days without water. Our plumber was able to temporarily fix our reservoir, meaning that tonight our beloved Chief Grape will escape the dreaded bird bath—and youpi! for that, for it is no fun standing in a vintner's bucket, pouring cups of cold water over a tired body.

I am in the next room, folding clothes (in order to free-up the bed, so that we can eventually get some rest). As I fold, I listen to glorious sound of rushing water, along with the occasional squeaky shift of a man settling into his bath. 

Max strides into the bedroom and plops down onto the bed. "I'm going to rest here a bit," he says. 

I turn towards our son, amazed at his decision to spend time with his old lady. My étonnement increases, when our 16-year-old offers an apparent compliment: 

"You smell like pamplemousse," he remarks. 

I touch my cheek, remembering the moisturizer that I have just put on. It has a citrus scent? I hadn't noticed... in fact, I hardly remember putting on the lait hydratant. 

Inhaling another whiff of grapefruit, I am transported to the present moment, having stepped off the ruthless timeline of the past (in which I am regretful of those things I've left undone—anything from unanswered emails to the sinkful of dishes) and the future (in which I worry about our water problem and my upcoming surgery). But here, in the pamplemousse present, I awake to life around me, including the unchacteristic attention of our teenager.

"Tiens," Max says, handing me one of his earphones, which I stick into my oreille, following Max's example. I push the clothes out of the way and lie back on the pillow.

"Can you tell me what she is saying?" Max wants to know. It isn't the first time I've been asked to identify English lyrics, only, the music is usually not to my liking (i.e. it is rap, instead of rhapsody).

I recognise the song by Dido. Quelle coincidence! It was once a favorite of mine... I listen in, intent on clarifying the words for Max:

My tea's gone cold, I'm wonderin' why
I got out of bed alone
The morning rain clouds up my window
and I can't see at all...

As I communicate the lyrics to Max, he begins to sing along with me... 

and even if I could it'd all be grey
but your picture on my wall, it reminds me
that it's not so bad, it's not so bad...

As Max and I sing, I hear splashing now and again, as Jean-Marc relaxes into his bath. To him the noise coming from the bedroom must surely be an amusement, what with Max and me belting it out like a couple of tone-deaf dogs...

And I want to thank you for giving me
the best day of my life...
Oh, just to be with you,
is having the best day of my life.

I muse at how perfectly the lyrics fit this treasured moment of togetherness. Though I can't be sure that this is the best day of my life... I am quite certain, here in l'instant présent, that this is the best minute of my life.

As for the other worries and regrets, they just don't exist in the peaceful here and now, where a mother-and-son duo howl like a couple of hound dogs:

 And I want to thank you for giving me
the best day of my life...
Oh, just to be with you,
is having the best day of my life....

***
Le Coin Commentaires
I love to read your comments--and so does my mom! So please don't hesitate to leave a message. If you don't know what to say (personally, I get very nervous and tongue-tied when it comes to leaving comments on blogs!), simply say "bonjour" and be sure to let us know which town your are writing in from (this is my dad's favorite part). Click here to leave a comment.

Psst... Mom and Dad, if you are reading, check out the recent article in ASU News: Expat alum offers Francophiles a word a day! Mom, Dad, I know how worried you were when I came in close to last in my class--almost failing high school. But I've been working hard, ever since, to make up for that! Click here to find out how.

French Vocabulary

youpi! = yahoo!

un étonnement = surprise

le pamplemousse = grapefruit 

le lait hydratant = moisturizer

tiens! = here!

une oreille = ear

quelle coincidence! = what a coincidence!

l'instant présent = the present moment, the here and now

The vinter's buckets that I mentioned in today's story. Just imagine Chief Grape's bird bath dilemma!

 

 S'il vous plaît...

S.V.P.!: I need your help in getting out the word of my latest book! 

Thank you very much if you have already purchased a copy of Blossoming in Provence. Your purchase is one of the best ways to help me to continue publishing these educational "stories in a French life". 

If you enjoy this free newsletter, please consider supporting it by buying a copy of my book.

You might consider buying a copy for a friend of family member. Would someone at your office or at your school enjoy these short stories? Blossoming in Provence is a book for all ages. Both men and women enjoy the book, making it a perfect gift for a birthday or even for Valentine's Day.

Thank you very much for your support and for helping me to get the word out about Blossoming in Provence. When you click over to the page at Amazon, you will also notice the possibility to share the page via Twitter and Facebook and email (let your mouse hover over the "like" button, just beneath the books title.

Voilà. I've peddled my book for the month! I appreciate your patience and will now take off my sales hat and put back on my chef's toque (it is time to send out this post and to hurry and prepare lunch for the kids).

Comments

[Nancy]

...one more comment: I am currently reading an autobiographical book by Emilie Carles, published in 1977. She writes of life in the village in the early 1900's. One chapter described the commune's oven! I so enjoyed seeing the pictures you posted recently!

Nancy, in Southern NJ

[Bob Haine]

Bonjour (ou Bonsoir) de Rancho Cucamonga, Californie--essayant de vivre dans "l'ici et maintenant"!

[Lauren Golden]

Encore, the 4th grade teacher! Your phrase: " what with Max and I belting it out like a couple of tone-death dogs..." needs to be: "what with Max and me (object of the preposition with) belting it out like a couple of tone-DEAF dogs...."

Je m'amuse et prends plaisir à tous vos (ses?) e-mails!

[Ken Breeding]

Wow! So many responses. I'll add my humble merci beaucoup for your thoughtful emails. L'ici et maintenant is so very powerful and complete, but unfortunately, we so rarely stay there. I first read your first book before ever being aware there was a website or blog. I will look forward to purchasing your latest book. Merci encoure.
Ken Breeding, Carlsbad, CA

[Martha Miller]

Bonjour from Little Rock, Arkansas! I so enjoy reading your blog and especially enjoyed today's post about being mindful of the here and now and Max's connection with you. Howl on!!!!

[Dick Kahane]

Salut Kristin, et bisous de Lincoln City, Oregon. Your story reminded me that "pamplemousse" is one of the few French words that can be either masculine or feminine, so both "le pamplemousse" and "la pamplemousse" are correct!

[Clare Delaney in Mauritius]

What a delightful post - I'm still smiling! Thank you from the wonderful tropical island of Mauritius where I now live an eco friendly life and attempt to learn French for the first time. (I'm completely hopeless at it, but I'm trying).

Great to read all the comments and see just how many people all over the world are willing to take the time to respond - it just shows your blog is great!

[Karen Whitcome (Towson, MD. USA)]

Wow, Kritin. I was just singing this song out loud the other day when it came on the radio with my daughter in the car.

I'm certain that Max's intention was really to have you hear that refrain because of how he feels about you.

Congratulations on the ASU cudos!

[Gina B]

Bonjour Kristin (my daughter's name - spelled the same too!!)

Your blog (with my coffee) is my favorite way to start my day!!

Merci!!

Gina from Pittsburgh, PA

[mhwebb in NM, USA]

I began learning French decades ago in high school and have been working on it ever since. However, some vocabulary words refused to remain. One of those was "pamplemousse". Since reading your post yesterday, I found that it has made "pamplemousse" stick in my memory in a way that nothing ever could before. I have used it several times since then. Youpi! Merci! - Mary

[María E. Sastre Wirshing]

Dear Kristin

I'm from Puerto Rico and love everything French. One of my ancestors last name was Cuviller and I believe they were Huguenots who fled to Holland. I beleive they were from Valencienne.

Don't worry too much about surgery.I've had 5 already...

Carinos y bendiciones. ( love and blessings )María E. Sastre Wirshing ( tht's
German ) What a mixture............

[Nancy Shalen]

Bonjour Kristin,
I had never heard of the verb resenser, so I looked it up in the dictionarey (FR/Eng and Eng/Fr) and couldn't find it. Help, et Merci!
Nancy

[Shirley]

Kristen, You can create the most wonderful scenes in someones mind while telling your brief stories. How heart warming a moment with your son. (And I'm glad "y'all" have running water again. I could almost picture Chief Grape taking a bath!) Shirley, Florida but transplanted from N.Y.

[Debbie Ambrous]

I'm like Frances. I've checked other blogs but yours is the only that I follow continually. I must mention your competitor and possibly friend www.southernfriedfrench.com Wonderful recipes and stories from a different part of France. Today's story was wonderful, and I can sympathize. Hurricane weather leaves us without power and consequently no hot water! Glad you have that necessary water and I hope the surgery goes smoothly. I've been there too, with too many of those surgeries. I'm very relieved when the doctor doesn't find anything new! Looking forward to good news from your doctor visit.
Coconut Grove, Florida - weather nice but wishing it would rain!!

[Pat, Roanoke, Va]

So beautiful. Dear Max (and Jackie, aussi). Sweet story, makes me miss my Sam more...sigh.

[Janina]

HI Kristin, Janina here, from Cape Bridgewater, Victoria Australia. I have been reading your blog for a short while now and really enjoy your honesty and generosity in sharing some of your life's most treasured moments. I too had a beautiful moment when my son was 15yrs old. He was at an age where he was not enjoying the cuddles from his mother as much in favour of play fighting with his father. We took our family on an overseas trip and witnessed some desperate poverty along with a beautiful culture and to die for food. It was a massive eye opener and my son was overwhelmed with the whole experience. On going to bed one night after our return my son looked up at me and said "Mum, I love you so much" It was just one of the most precious, heart melting moments of my life and was brought about with his maturation and renewed appreciation for family, friends and life. He is now 18 and preparing to leave home for university in Melbourne. I am struggling with the concept of "losing my baby" and feeling like my heart is being ripped out, but I know it is his time to go and he goes with our love and support.
All the best for your upcoming surgery. I am thinking of you. Je vous remerci beaucoup et au revoir.

[Caroline@thebalancedapproach.]

Bonjour from Melbourne, Australia. It is a beautiful warm summer's night, the doors are open and the breeze superb. Ma famille ( three boys and one hubby) are on the couch watching the semi finals of the Australian Tennis Open. My dog has her head in my lap and it is also one of those moments. Thank you for sharing yours.

[Christine Webb-Curtis]

Kristin,

This is the first time I've read ALL others' comments. Your story was very dear and clearly appreciated by all of your readers--whether or not they have sons. My blog (penattheready.com) is peppered with pieces about either my dog or my three sons as well. We can't help it. Our relationships with these fascinating creatures keep us on our toes and firmly ensconced in our hearts. Stay well and keep writing.

Keep us informed about your surgery so we can all send good karma your way.

Christine Webb-Curtis in Carmichael, CA

[Rebecca Brown]

I was intrigued by your comment in your 1/25/2012 article: "Mom, Dad, I know how worried you were when I came in close to last in my class--almost failing high school. But I've been working hard, ever since, to make up for that!" I am looking for a story to inspire my daughter - a french language immersion student since kindergarten who fell off the academic bandwagon! Can you elaborate some time or perhaps direct me to a previous article you have written on this subject? Enjoy 'French Word-A-Day' so much here in the wilds of Oklahoma and have shared with others.

Rebecca

[Kathleen]

Bonjour de Madison Connecticut. Bonne chance on your surgery.
Wonderful story. One of my first memories of the word pamplemousse, was when I had taken a bus tour ( which I really don't care for, but this one was good) with family members and my mother kept drinking pamplemousse. I love the word - nice sound.

[Anne]

Bonjour from Auckland New Zealand (a VERY long plane ride fron Paris!!) Loved your story today --have had many moments like that with my kids (all grown and parents themselves now)but still treasure them (however ,these moments are extra special when a boy child is involved as they are not as forthcomming as girls)!! I LOVE france (especially Paris) have had 2 wonderful trips there and planning one more later this year.( would love to see some of your part of the country this time around)
Struggle very hard with French but still trying (with your help)and my husband says he's too long in the tooth (late 60's) so leaves it up to me to try to get by when we are there! We are having summer here now , though it has been rather wet and coolish so far this year, but we hope for lots of hot days yet . I love your stories Kristi (I also have a daughter with that name) Have been tuning in to you and yours for nearly 2 yrs now and feel like I know you !!
Take care , enjoy the here and now as soon those moments are soon part of the "there and then".Good luck with your upcomming surgery and your book sales.!

[Dawn]

How nice to have a moment like that with your teenage son. I have 3 boys and know how rare it is at that age and how wonderful it is when it happens : )

[gail bingenheimer]

I just learned a new English word "sommelier" means wine expert. Is there an equivalent in French?

[Priscilla Fleming Vayda, New Orleans]

Hello Kristin, from Priscilla in Nouvelle Orleans. I have been so enjoying "Blossoming in Provence" and want to thank you again for sharing your life, your family and your French language with us. Like many of your followers I long to visit France once again ... it has been too long, 15 years. I love both Paris and the south of France, most particularly Aix en Provence. So I will keep reading and hope that someday I will overcome my "tone death" handicap to speaking French. Perhaps I should not wait for that moment! Keep up the writing and the wonderful photography. I am thinking that for my 80th birthday present to myself I should return to Paris!

[Jackie Smith]

Another touching glimpse into your family life... My son is already 35 and I treasure the momenets we spent together similiar to those you described. Thanks Kristin for making all of us a part of your family!

[Jackie Smith]

Another touching glimpse into your family life... My son is already 35 and I treasure the momenets we spent together similiar to those you described. Thanks Kristin for making all of us a part of your family!

[Margarita Field]

Bonjour Kristin

I share exactly your sentiment of 'l'instant present' - I had just such a moment with my son Sasha recently and I cherish it every time I think of it - love your blogs
Margarita from Sydney, Australia

[dianne swanwick]

As the mother of three sons I know that these moments are to be treasured. Thank you for sharing them so generously with your readers. My husband & I adore France and we take any opportunity we can to try and learn a little bit more about your wonderful country and language. Take care, Dianne from Melbourne, Australia.

[R. Fontova]

Bonjour Kristin, mille mercie pour le livre Blossoming in Provence, J'ai profiter beaucoup le lire, c'est tres divertissant tous tes aventures, Best regards, Rosa Fontova

[Sandra H.]

HI Kristin,
I adore your blog and read and re-read the posting several times a week. I am a hopeless Francophile having lived and worked in Paris
for a year. (probably your parents era!)
In the American edition of the WSJ today, February 4th, there is an article "Why French Parents are Superior" and the word of the day from that
is "n'importe quoi" the English equivalent of the American's word "whatever"...in response to how we "educate" our children!
Interesting and wise read which prompted me to finally post a comment.
For your father my location:
Marblehead, MA

[Edie Kilgour]

Bonjour Kristin,
Je reçois (depuis 2 ou 3 ans) votre blog mais je dois admettre que je suis fidèle à le lire depuis 2 ou 3 mois. Maintenant je suis fan! Mon mari et moi et un couple d'amis australiens, nous visiterons la région du 27 septembre au 1er octobre. J'ai déjà communiqué ça à Jean Marc pour lui demander si ce serait possible de visiter votre vignoble. Il était très gentil de me répondre que nous ne devons que téléphoner en avance.
Dans l'espoir de faire la connaissance de toute la famille.
Edie Kilgour
Brunswick, Maine

[Jenny Pessereau]

Bonsoir de la Napa Valley! A dear francophile friend pressed your book into my hand last night at her dinner party and told me that you were living my life "in reverse." I think what she was referring to was being American, and an aspiring writer, and marrying a Frenchman was all similar to you, but I live in wine country in the States rather than France....We lived in Talence originally while Philippe went to La Tour Blanche, and now here where he went to Davis and now works for an NV winery. (I'm curious what the Cheif Grape thinks about biodynamic viticulture....) If you ever come for a visit, please contact me! It would be a privilege to show my spiritual sister around Napa.

[Jean Stewart]

Kristing, Thank you for the referral to the book about Therese Adele Housson, "Reflections".

[Sue]

Bonjour et salutations de 68!
This story really struck a chord. I do so hope you called your husband (yep, I know, he was in the bath but...) to take a photo of this precious, private moment of a mother with her son. This photo will appear in the scrapbooks you will be doing for your children to commemorate moments such as this. If not, I'm afraid you're going to have to do a re-run!

[Art Gleiner]

Bonjour Kristin,

I have been lurking and reading your blogs for several years, and by the date of my comments you can tell that sometimes I save them up for a while before I get the chance to work through them. I love your enthusiasm for life and your keen observations about the things that make life worthwhile, as well as the chance to see French life through your eyes. I will be spending two weeks in Provence this summer bicycling and ambling through some of the small town markets and byways, dreaming of a chance to live in a country I have learned to love and admire. Your little slices of life remind me of what I value about France and its people...

[Angga]

bonjour!! i love reading this. I'm indonesian, currently learning french at my campus. my favorite french word so far is "maintenant" I love how the way u say it so different with the letters. :)