une pente
Thursday, April 21, 2005
A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse
(Spring Break: April, 2005)
Did I mention my children are on vacation? Things are a little "en pente," or sloping, around here and I feel I am sliding, trying to keep up with word weaving and kid wrestling. The two pint-sized giggle machines stop by my keyboard every five minutes with: "Can you fix Elodie's hair?" (handing me a doll with finger-socketed locks) or "My football is stuck on the roof. Tu peux me le chercher?--Can you get it for me?"
Yesterday I took a break from the giglet and the ball-toting Gaul to snap a few more photos of our village. I hope you like the image above, with its mingle-mangle of old stones and non-consistent patterns. By the way, Max and Jackie, who are leaning in so close to this keyboard that the keys are now coated with a humid layer of kid breath, would like to add "Salut!"
Max & Jackie: Fueled by giggles, they race through the town of Roquebrune.
Today's word: une pente
une pente (pahnt) noun, feminine
1. slope (of a roof), incline
2. tendency
French synonyms:
la descente, une inclinaison, un escarpement, la montée, la côte
Expressions:
en pente = sloping, inclined
avoir la dalle en pente = to love to drink; to be a boozer
descendre la pente = to let oneself slide (morally)
être sur une mauvaise pente = to be going downhill
remonter la pente = to get back on one's feet again
suivre sa pente = to follow one's (natural) bent or inclination
être sur la pente glissante (or) savonneuse = to be on the skids; to be on a slippery slope
Citation du Jour
La vie offre toujours deux pentes. On grimpe ou on se laisse glisser.
Life always offers two slopes. We climb or we let ourselves slide.--Pierre Hebey
What to Do in Paris : readers share their suggestions. Have you been to Paris? Please share your favorite things to see and places to stay. Click here.
A Message from Kristi: For twenty years now, support from readers like you has been an encouragement and a means to carve out a career in writing. If my work has touched you in any way, please consider a donation. Your gift keeps me going! Thank you very much.
Ways to contribute:
1. Send a check (to this new address)
2. Paypal or credit card
3. A bank transfer via Zelle, a great way to send your donation as there are no transaction fees.
Or purchase my book for a friend, and so help spread the French word.
For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety