Under Berangere’s instruction I have been taking my daily French lessons on the chance that I might some day go ex-patriot.  A late life in the French provinces is appealing, but also life in Paris for an old man might be exciting.  So I study my French.  Soon after  we began these lessons both Jean – who is far ahead of me in this business of learning French – and Berangere encouraged me to post these lessons every day.  I am not sure why, but I liked their recognition.   They have either given up on that or thought the worse for it and I’ve not heard a thing from either of them about publishing these daily lessons on this blog for some time.   Among the handicaps of growing old are losing one’s powers and loneliness.  In partial relief from both I’ll now introduce today’s French Lesson in hopes that either Jean or Berangere will bring the matter up again, or that any of you will find it helpful and make some comment that is kind and encouraging.   Today’s French Lesson includes some prudent advise for anyone considering the ball and chain.  And it is illustrated to make the point better.

FRENCH LESSON for APRIL 13, 2010 (The French lesson is followed by its English translation.  The point is, in part, that I get the translation correct.  How have I done?)

Le caméraman-councelor: une tradition française. “Le mariage n’est pas quelque chose à prendre à la légère.   Pour le moment, de prendre une pause dans la cérémonie. Pensez-y.”

The cameraperson-counselor: a French tradition.   “Marriage is not something to enter into lightly.   For the moment take a pause in the ceremony.  Think about it.”