My Non-Parisian Life

Bonjour y'all and welcome to my non-Parisian life!

Check out my latest posts below or use the menu at the top of the page to view posts by category.

Happy reading!

Eat, drink, hike, repeat: A weekend in the Périgord

If you are what you eat, then right about now, I must be fatty duck liver (or foie gras if you’re feeling fancy). And if you are what you...

From Rototiller to Nettle Manure: Yep, I’m Still Learning French

Sometimes family members and friends in the States are surprised to hear that I’m still learning French after all these years. “Don’t you...

Please, France, don't screw this one up.

On February 29, 2016, I submitted my application for the renewal and status change of my existing visa. It would take 2-3 months, they...

"One snail pizza coming right up!"

When you think of French cuisine, what immediately comes to mind? Croissants? Baguette? Cheese? Perhaps fondue or boeuf bourguignon? How...

"He nice, the Jesus."

Springtime is here and with Easter fast approaching, it seems timely to share this little gem. In David Sedaris’ hilarious collection of...

6 Daily Mysteries of Living in France and Among the French

Some days, I feel totally integrated into life in France. Other times, I am acutely aware of my "outlander" status, like the time last...

Merry Shitmas: The True Story of Last Year's Christmas Eve

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. And then, all hell broke loose....

The Official Sport of Paris

In many ways, France (and the entire francophone world for that matter) seems to revolve around Paris. Many business headquarters are...

Smiling at Strangers

It was a gray morning in Poitiers and I was admittedly a little tired and grumpy as I walked across the cobblestones to the bus stop. A...

A French Thanksgiving

A couple of years ago when I was teaching French and working on my PhD at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, one of my students...