Les Petites Choses Drôles (Funny Little Things)

I just have a handful of small stories that you might find amusing. But first, I’d like to correct something from my last blog. I said “doux” was soft, (btw pronounced like “doo”) and it is that but its soft like silk or velvet. Soft like moldable is “mou” (moo—like a cow). The butter advertizes “doux” as a reference to flavor. Ah, the little difference in meaning I discover as I learn. Ok, anyway.

The big thing recently with Eliott is to go on a walk with his friend, then stop on the side of the road and enter the forest to build a lean to against a tree. The first time, I was not feeling plunging into the woods to supervise, so I stayed outside despite Zoe’s requests. Really, it’s amazing these kids found this little path because the entry way is entirely covered by branches. Another day, it was rather hot in the sun and so I did venture in just slightly to be in the shade. The next day, I just wanted to sit outside again. In an attempt to get me to go with her Zoe started to try to pull the branches and make them stay, to open the path for me. I was truly impressed when she actually really opened the “door” for me. So we sat in the woods on a rock together. She started with the branches again after awhile and really did a good job making a clear spot for walking. I said “Wow Zoe! Thank you so much! That’s great!” to which she replied “It’s not for you, you, and you. It’s for you, and me and Eliott and Glen (said friend).” I was shut down by an 8 year old. That’s ok. It was all English. Good for her.

Some people are whistlers and some people are singers and some people are silent. Well Zoe is a hummer. While I washed some dishes and she set the table I watched her hum a song for like 15 minutes straight. I wish I had a video of it because she is totally in her own Zoe World. Her voice cracks at the high notes and she changes the melody. She’ll even hum with the movies she watches sometimes. It’s super cute.

On Saturday I met my friend Gillian, who I met in Scotland, for coffee and then a walk around Paris. We had a great time because it was good to see old Strathclyde friends and it was my first time really going around the city since I landed here. He was telling me stories about Paris, one in particular about parking in the city. He asked what it was that I called the place where I put my car on the side of the road or parking area. “Parking Spot.” Then suddenly, I realize how strange a phrase that is. A parking spot? It’s the spot that makes it strange for me. Like a spot on your shirt. Or Spot the dog who young children read and find in different place. Plus parking. Call me crazy but it’s a weird phrase.

There was a hedgehog in the yard! Here’s a video.

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