Faux Pas
( or how I learned first hand the meaning of the term)
My husband, Sam, was on the board of directors of his company, a major accounting firm, and he made many overseas trips and I frequently accompanied him. Our first trip to Paris was a delight. Remembering all the movies I had seen which featured Paris locales, I felt like Gigi as we stood on the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower and gazed out over the city. We walked along the Seine and stepped into the grandeur of Notre Dame Cathedral. We visited the Louvre and marveled at the Mona Lisa. We strolled down the Avenue des Champs Ellesse to the Arch d'Triumphe. We dined at La Tour d'Argent. The dining room features an excellent view of the river Seine at night.. We toured Versailles
Neither of us knew a word of French but we got along just fine but before we returned on another trip to France I determined to learn at least a smattering of the language. I started attending classes at the local Alliance Française ,an international French language school, which has a branch in Atlanta.
We watched videos of Pierre and Mirerre, a French couple, and their adventures.Then we repeated the dialogue and acted out the scenes in French. Madame Saporta allowed only French spoken in the classroom so we quickly learned to converse a little.
Having no grasp of the grammatical aspect of the language, I decided to sign on for another class at Georgia State University in addition to the French 101. Since I would be driving to the downtown campus anyway, I decided to take another class while I was there. I chose Political Science the second semester as it dovetailed time wise with the French course.
The first day in the Poly Sci course I realized I had made a mistake in choosing this class.. It was in a large classroom of the amphitheater type. I prefer smaller classes.The professor was boring and bossy. Immediately she stated that all students in the class would have to divide up into groups of 6 or 8 and study and research together on their own time. Baloney, I said to myself. I am way past the age of these students and besides, I am just here to fill in a block of time, although I do have an interest in political science. Long story short I immediately dropped the course and simply stuck with the French.
The next week, back at Alliance Francaise, Madame Saporta was registering our small class for the current session. I was standing at Madame Saporta's desk while another student, Albert Andrews, waited to sign up for the class. Making small talk I told them about my experience in the Poly Sci class and how I had not liked the BORING professor and had dropped the course.
Albert Andrews, a grey haired man of about 50 listened intently. Then he asked what was the Poly Sci professor's name.
I said her name was ---- Professor Joyce Morris, Why do you ask?
He said "That is my wife. She retained her maiden name".
Drop through the floor time on my part. But we all just had a good laugh and went on into class to converse in rudimentary French.
Main Entry: FAUX PAS
Pronunciation: 'fO-"pä, fO-'
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural faux pas /-"pä(z), -'pä(z)/
Etymology: French, literally, false step
: BLUNDER; especially : a social blunder
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
"Enemy women"
I have written before about the great book sale that takes place at my neighborhood library each month. It is staffed by volunteers and the books are NOT library rejects but donations from people in the area. Many times I run across best sellers or books by a favorite author or just a book I have never heard of before which looks promising.
I enjoy the book sale. I have always loved browsing in the library, but the book sale is even better. The proceeds go to our neighborhood library and they are used to buy books or equipment. And also, when I have finished reading one of my sale books I simply return it to be resold.
On a recent Saturday afternoon, the last day of the book sale, they featured an "all the books you can stuff in a plastic grocery bag for $5.00" sale. I already had about 6 hardback books in my plastic bag but I had room for one more and I spied a book, "Enemy Women," that peaked my interest mainly because it had a sticker that said "Read This" by "Good Morning America" So I said to myself,what the heck, I might like it, and in the bulging plastic bag it went.
I put off starting "Enemy Women" for some time but then one day with nothing else interesting to read that struck my fancy, I picked it up and started to read.
I could not put it down. One of the best books I have ever read.I finished it in about 2 days and one night I read until 2AM.
If you like historical novels that focus on the ordinary people in epic struggles, try "Enemy Women"
What have you read recently that you would recommend?
This review from "AMAZON.COM
"Enemy Women, the outstanding first novel by poet Paulette Jiles, leads us into new terrain, both geographic and historical, in the war between the states. Set in the Missouri Ozarks during the Civil War, Jiles's story focuses on the trying times of 18-year-old heroine Adair Colley. When a group of renegade Union militiamen attacks the Colley home, stealing family possessions, burning everything down, and taking away her father--an apolitical judge--Adair gathers the remnants of her clothes and mounts a rescue effort. Unfortunately, she is falsely accused of being a Confederate spy, a charge that lands her in a squalid women's prison run by a decent commandant embarrassed by his post. After he helps her escape, the two agree to seek out one another after the war; their separate, harrowing journeys and the evolution of each character throughout make for breathtaking action and powerful writing. Each chapter of Enemy Women begins with excerpts from historical testimony about this terrible period in the Civil War, when marauding soldiers pillaged and murdered whole families and communities at will. These documents add depth and resonance to Jiles's remarkable narrative."
And this from another reviewer on Amazon
"With researcher's eye Ms. Jiles has illuminated a little known aspect of Civil War history, the incarceration of women. Her prose is artful, describing a new leaf as "already as large as a squirrel's ear, " or a man with "a pair of jaws like church pews." Painful in its authenticity, poetically rendered, Enemy Women is a book that will not be forgotten"
I enjoy the book sale. I have always loved browsing in the library, but the book sale is even better. The proceeds go to our neighborhood library and they are used to buy books or equipment. And also, when I have finished reading one of my sale books I simply return it to be resold.
On a recent Saturday afternoon, the last day of the book sale, they featured an "all the books you can stuff in a plastic grocery bag for $5.00" sale. I already had about 6 hardback books in my plastic bag but I had room for one more and I spied a book, "Enemy Women," that peaked my interest mainly because it had a sticker that said "Read This" by "Good Morning America" So I said to myself,what the heck, I might like it, and in the bulging plastic bag it went.
I put off starting "Enemy Women" for some time but then one day with nothing else interesting to read that struck my fancy, I picked it up and started to read.
I could not put it down. One of the best books I have ever read.I finished it in about 2 days and one night I read until 2AM.
If you like historical novels that focus on the ordinary people in epic struggles, try "Enemy Women"
What have you read recently that you would recommend?
This review from "AMAZON.COM
"Enemy Women, the outstanding first novel by poet Paulette Jiles, leads us into new terrain, both geographic and historical, in the war between the states. Set in the Missouri Ozarks during the Civil War, Jiles's story focuses on the trying times of 18-year-old heroine Adair Colley. When a group of renegade Union militiamen attacks the Colley home, stealing family possessions, burning everything down, and taking away her father--an apolitical judge--Adair gathers the remnants of her clothes and mounts a rescue effort. Unfortunately, she is falsely accused of being a Confederate spy, a charge that lands her in a squalid women's prison run by a decent commandant embarrassed by his post. After he helps her escape, the two agree to seek out one another after the war; their separate, harrowing journeys and the evolution of each character throughout make for breathtaking action and powerful writing. Each chapter of Enemy Women begins with excerpts from historical testimony about this terrible period in the Civil War, when marauding soldiers pillaged and murdered whole families and communities at will. These documents add depth and resonance to Jiles's remarkable narrative."
And this from another reviewer on Amazon
"With researcher's eye Ms. Jiles has illuminated a little known aspect of Civil War history, the incarceration of women. Her prose is artful, describing a new leaf as "already as large as a squirrel's ear, " or a man with "a pair of jaws like church pews." Painful in its authenticity, poetically rendered, Enemy Women is a book that will not be forgotten"
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Nice Thoughts
I don't remember where I read these but they are "keepers"
"Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around
the sun.
Birthdays are good for you: the more you have the longer you live.
How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door
you're on.
I have noticed that the people who are late are often so much
jollier than the people who have to wait for them.
If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?
Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.
If Wal-Mart is lowering prices every day, how come nothing in the
store is free yet?
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the
world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
Don't cry because its over; smile because it happened.
We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty,
some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different
colors ... but they all have to learn to live in the same box.
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open"
"Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around
the sun.
Birthdays are good for you: the more you have the longer you live.
How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door
you're on.
I have noticed that the people who are late are often so much
jollier than the people who have to wait for them.
If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?
Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.
If Wal-Mart is lowering prices every day, how come nothing in the
store is free yet?
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the
world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
Don't cry because its over; smile because it happened.
We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty,
some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different
colors ... but they all have to learn to live in the same box.
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open"
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Remembering
On our second date, we went to Jennings Rose Room, a night club, dance hall and Sam talked me into trying a “Singapore Sling. When we returned to my apartment I felt the effects of the “Singapore Sling” when I sat down and totally missed the kitchen chair. I was so embarrassed but Sam said “Oh don’t worry. We will tell our “grandchildren about it”. I said, “YOU will tell YOUR grandchildren about it.”
Meaning, I am not signing on for a lifetime with YOU BUDDY. We just met.
However, as it turned out we were married on November 22, 1951, Thanksgiving Day. We had met on September 13, 1951. How’s that for a whirlwind romance?
I knew right away that Sam was the one for me and he says he knew immediately also.
We wanted a church wedding, but small and simple since neither of us nor our parents had any money for a big wedding. I started planning, asking around at work, and making phone calls and secured the small chapel at Glenn Memorial Methodist Church on the campus of Emory University. A friend at work told me about the chapel and said that it was a fine place for a small wedding. We were entranced by the beauty of the little chapel.
“The Little Chapel was designed by Philip Trammel Schutze and modeled after London's St. Stephen Walbrook Church, one of Sir Christopher Wren's masterpieces.
The Little Chapel is almost a replica in miniature of the English prototype, combining within the narrow limits of its rectangular walls the central dome and the traditional English church plan with nave, side aisles, chancel, and, in effect, crossing transepts. Most exciting of all is the dome, with its finely molded plaster ornamentation and the eight arches that rise from the architrave to support it. The contrast between the white walls and ceilings and the oak woodwork is intensified in the white and black squares of the tessellated floor. The beautifully carved woodwork at the front and back is in the Grinling Gibbons manner. It was executed by H.J. Millard, who learned his skill in his native England. His joyful offering of festooned fruit, flowers, and vegetables includes pinecones, peaches, dogwood, camellias, and magnolias, all borrowed from the Georgia landscape.”
I wore a pale blue lace dress, ballerina length, and a small hat of blue with a half veil. I wore elbow length navy blue gloves and navy shoes. I carried a small white Bible with a white orchid on top. My mother had given me this Bible the preceding Easter. of 1951. Sam wore a double breasted navy blue suit. My one attendant was a friend, Peggy G, and Sam’s best man was Bill M, a good friend and co worker. Bill remains a friend to this day , 56 years later. My brother Tommy gave me away and his minister, Reverend Alvin Barker married us. My mother was dressed in a grey blue dress with a pill box hat and white gloves. She looked lovely and was so proud and happy
We only had a few days off from work so we stayed in town and went to the Atlanta Biltmore Hotel for our short honeymoon. We have some lovely black and white professional photos of our wedding. We both look so young and happy. Who knew we would still be happy and content with each other and the life and family we had made 56 years later.
We are blessed.
Link
Meaning, I am not signing on for a lifetime with YOU BUDDY. We just met.
However, as it turned out we were married on November 22, 1951, Thanksgiving Day. We had met on September 13, 1951. How’s that for a whirlwind romance?
I knew right away that Sam was the one for me and he says he knew immediately also.
We wanted a church wedding, but small and simple since neither of us nor our parents had any money for a big wedding. I started planning, asking around at work, and making phone calls and secured the small chapel at Glenn Memorial Methodist Church on the campus of Emory University. A friend at work told me about the chapel and said that it was a fine place for a small wedding. We were entranced by the beauty of the little chapel.
“The Little Chapel was designed by Philip Trammel Schutze and modeled after London's St. Stephen Walbrook Church, one of Sir Christopher Wren's masterpieces.
The Little Chapel is almost a replica in miniature of the English prototype, combining within the narrow limits of its rectangular walls the central dome and the traditional English church plan with nave, side aisles, chancel, and, in effect, crossing transepts. Most exciting of all is the dome, with its finely molded plaster ornamentation and the eight arches that rise from the architrave to support it. The contrast between the white walls and ceilings and the oak woodwork is intensified in the white and black squares of the tessellated floor. The beautifully carved woodwork at the front and back is in the Grinling Gibbons manner. It was executed by H.J. Millard, who learned his skill in his native England. His joyful offering of festooned fruit, flowers, and vegetables includes pinecones, peaches, dogwood, camellias, and magnolias, all borrowed from the Georgia landscape.”
I wore a pale blue lace dress, ballerina length, and a small hat of blue with a half veil. I wore elbow length navy blue gloves and navy shoes. I carried a small white Bible with a white orchid on top. My mother had given me this Bible the preceding Easter. of 1951. Sam wore a double breasted navy blue suit. My one attendant was a friend, Peggy G, and Sam’s best man was Bill M, a good friend and co worker. Bill remains a friend to this day , 56 years later. My brother Tommy gave me away and his minister, Reverend Alvin Barker married us. My mother was dressed in a grey blue dress with a pill box hat and white gloves. She looked lovely and was so proud and happy
We only had a few days off from work so we stayed in town and went to the Atlanta Biltmore Hotel for our short honeymoon. We have some lovely black and white professional photos of our wedding. We both look so young and happy. Who knew we would still be happy and content with each other and the life and family we had made 56 years later.
We are blessed.
Link
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Rain, Rain, Rain
Blessed Rain
Singing in the Rain
A Rainy Night in Georgia
And all of the above.
Yesterday and the day before we had several nice rains. Some thunder too. Not enough to end the awful drought we have had here in Georgia but any amount is welcome after long weeks of total dryness.
The weather man is even promining more rain in the next several days.
Thanks be to God!
Link
Singing in the Rain
A Rainy Night in Georgia
And all of the above.
Yesterday and the day before we had several nice rains. Some thunder too. Not enough to end the awful drought we have had here in Georgia but any amount is welcome after long weeks of total dryness.
The weather man is even promining more rain in the next several days.
Thanks be to God!
Link
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Crafty Cats
Frank Paynter posted an interesting lost cat story on Ronni Bennett's "THE ELDER STORY TELLING PLACE". It reminded me of this long ago happening.
Many years ago, when my husband and I bought our first, small house, we had a large lot with deep,Georgia, pine woods behind it.
Our tom cat, named "Tom" was a few years old back then and we let him out to have free reign of the woods while we were away at work.
When we returned in the late afternoon, early evening, it did no good to simply call "Here kitty kitty'. "Here Tom. Come"
Since we had no children back then we had spoiled our jet black tom cat by, (you won't believe this) thawing frozen fish and feeding it to him.
If it was not completely thawed we would cut the pieces with a sharp knife on a wooden cutting board. This made a high pitched screeching sound. Scrape, scrape the sound reverberated through the back yard as we stood on the patio and called.
Alerted by the delicious sound, like a bat out of hell,Tom appeared from the woods, jumped the fence and followed us inside for his "fish supper"
Many times afterwards we "called" Tom by simply scraping the empty wooden cutting board.
Dirty trick, I suppose, but it worked
Many years ago, when my husband and I bought our first, small house, we had a large lot with deep,Georgia, pine woods behind it.
Our tom cat, named "Tom" was a few years old back then and we let him out to have free reign of the woods while we were away at work.
When we returned in the late afternoon, early evening, it did no good to simply call "Here kitty kitty'. "Here Tom. Come"
Since we had no children back then we had spoiled our jet black tom cat by, (you won't believe this) thawing frozen fish and feeding it to him.
If it was not completely thawed we would cut the pieces with a sharp knife on a wooden cutting board. This made a high pitched screeching sound. Scrape, scrape the sound reverberated through the back yard as we stood on the patio and called.
Alerted by the delicious sound, like a bat out of hell,Tom appeared from the woods, jumped the fence and followed us inside for his "fish supper"
Many times afterwards we "called" Tom by simply scraping the empty wooden cutting board.
Dirty trick, I suppose, but it worked
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
5 minutes of rain today
and one clap of thunder. Then later in the day, another 5 minutes of rain. But hey, at least it is a start and the birdies got a good bath..
Maybe tomorrow we will be blessed with 15 minutes of rain.
Maybe tomorrow we will be blessed with 15 minutes of rain.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
STILL no rain
Can you believe it. Not a drop of rain has fallen around here since I do not remember when. We are in the city of Atlanta and the watering restrictions are fierce, but luckily we have a tiny yard with our townhouse. I do have impatiens and mondo and liriope that I must give a drink now and again.
We can only water one day on the weekend and that is from 12 midnight to 10 AM on Saturday. I have fudged a little since I do not get up early and I don't want to break my neck turning on the hose in the dark.
Oh Well... as they say.."it wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark"
You gotta have hope.
We can only water one day on the weekend and that is from 12 midnight to 10 AM on Saturday. I have fudged a little since I do not get up early and I don't want to break my neck turning on the hose in the dark.
Oh Well... as they say.."it wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark"
You gotta have hope.
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