Like two peas in a pod! Se ressembler comme deux gouttes d’eau !

When you spot these two boys, at fist glance you might think that you have double vision! But in fact they are twins having lots of fun at the Rings fountain, which spouts water over 30 feet into the air.
This brand new plaza, located in the heart of downtown Boston, is part of the linear grand promenade “greenway”, where the old elevated highway used to be, stretching from North Station to the Zachim Bridge.

À première vue, quand on aperçoit ces deux garçons, on pourrait penser qu’on y voit double ! Mais en réalité , il s'agit de jumeaux s’amusant à la Rings Fontain (fontaine des anneaux), dont les jets d’eau sont projetés à 9 m de haut.
Cette toute nouvelle place, en plein cœur de Boston, fait partie de la grande promenade linéaire « Greenway » (coulée verte), là où se trouvait l’ancienne autoroute surélevée, entre « North Station » et le pont Zachim.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

1. “ Se ressembler comme deux gouttes d'eau" (lit: be as much alike as two raindrops): to be alike two peas in a pod. Origin: In his encyclopedia “Le Bouquet des expressions imagées”, French linguistic Claude Duneton wrote that this expression was very much in vogue in the 18th century. As a result, language purists in these days, required that it should strictly refer to a comparison between only two identical people, or things in a sense of a replica. 2. "Ceux qui se ressemblent, s'assemblent" : (lit: Those who look alike, bring them together) Birds of a feather flock together. Origin: This proverb goes back to Classical Antiquities. Indeed, it can be found in the Odyssey from the Greek epic poet Homer and in other different passages from philosophers Plato, and Aristote.

"A windmill or a chatterbox?" "Un moulin à vent ou un moulin à paroles?" That is the question! ;-)

Well, no, I didn't take this picture in Holland, but in Arlington, only 6 miles west of Boston.
This charming "windmill house"sits on a hill called Morningside. It was built in the 1930's.
I guess, the first question that crosses your mind is: Are its sails operating? What do you think?

There is a French old lullaby related to this theme. If you want to hear it, click here. And for the translation, visit our friend Bergson from Chateaubriant Daily photo.

Eh bien non, je n’ai pas pris cette photo en Hollande, mais à Arlington à 9km seulement à l’ouest de Boston.
Ce charmant moulin à vent se trouve sur une colline portant le nom de Morningside. Il fut construit dans les années trente.
J'imagine que la première question qui vous vient à l’esprit est la suivante : Ses ailes tournent-elles ? Qu’en pensez-vous ?

Il existe une vieille berceuse sur ce thème. Si vous voulez l’entendre, cliquez ici. Et pour la traduction, allez sur le blog de notre ami Bergson de Chateaubriant Daily Photo.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

1. "On ne peut (pas) être au four et au moulin" : One cannot be in two places, at once. (lit: one cannot be at the oven and at the mill at the same time): Un peu d'histoire! A little bit of history!: This expression has its roots in medieval times. Windmills appeared in France in the 12th century. Under the feudal system, mills and ovens were the property of the lord who had a monopoly status. As a result, to be able to use these public facilities, peasants (serfs) had to pay dues (called "banalités") in the form of a product corresponding to a portion of the flour left to the miller, and to the lord as well. To make their flour, they would bring their grain to the mill (usually located on the river or stream) and wait in line. The bread was then made at home to be finally baked in the common oven (le four banal) situated in the center of the village. Thus it was impossible to be at the two places at the same time. These facilities were also a place to chat... which brings us to our second expression: 2. “un moulin à paroles" : a chatterbox . (lit: a wordmill )” Enjoy! :-)

All roads lead to Rome! Tous les chemins mènent à Rome!

We are here in "little Italy", a residential neighborhood in Boston, known as the North-End, located, as its name suggests, at the northern part of the city.
It is Boston's oldest neighborhood and was home of famous patriot Paul Revere during the American Revolution.
During the 19th century this area welcomed different waves of immigrations. Italians imigrants, settled here in the beginning of the 20th century. Needless to say that Italian is spoken around every corner and Italians restaurants, cafes and bakeries are plentiful here.

This is also the place where the Great Molasses flood took place in 1919 when a 50-foot-high tank exploded sweeping an immense wave of sticky molasses up to 15 ft high, in the narrow cobblestone streets of the city, killing 21 people. It has been reported that the smell prevailed for several years.

This book: "Dark Tide" The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, by Stephen Puleo, is dedicated to the tragedy.

Nous sommes ici dans la "petite Italie", un quartier résidentiel de Boston appelé North-End situé, comme son nom l’indique, à la pointe nord de la ville.
C'est le quartier le plus ancien de Boston où le célèbre patriote, Paul Revere a demeuré pendant la guerre de l'Indépendance des Etats-Unis.
Au cours du 19ième siècle, le quartier a connu plusieures grandes vagues d'immigration. Ce n'est qu'au début du 20 ième siècle que les italiens s'y installèrent. Il va sans dire qu'on entend parler italien à chaque coin de rue et qu’on trouve un grand nombre de restaurants italiens, de cafés et de boulangeries.
C'est aussi dans ce quartier qu'a eu lieu en 1919, la grande inondation de mélasse provoquée par l'explosion d'une énorme citerne de 15 mètres de haut, qui contenait la mélasse. Celle-ci entraîna une vague gluante, atteignant 4,5 mètres de haut, qui se déversa dans les étroites rues pavées de la ville, faisant 21 victimes. Il a été rapporté que l'odeur persista pendant plusieurs années.

Le livre : "Dark Tide" The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, de Stephen Puleo, est consacré à cette tragédie .

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

1. "Etre dans la mélasse" : to be broke, "in the soup" To be drown in the molasse: (the dark brown thick liquid) This figurative expression dates back to 1872. It implies that someone is in great difficulty/ in extreme misery. 2. “s’emmêler les pinceaux” : (lit: to get paintbrushes all tangled up) to get oneself all mixed up This idiomatic expression has no relationship with the world of painting. As a matter of fact, paintbrushes designate the foot (pied) or the legs (jambe) in French slang. In other words, "s’emmêler les jambes, or les pieds”means that you get tangled up in your own legs/feet". In a figurative sense, this expression means that you get confused/ all mixed up. The word "pinceau" originates from "pince"(a grip/ a clip) and by analogy the word came to encompass hands and feet. On horses, "la pince" designates the toe: one of the differents parts of the hoof (le sabot). Thanks to Marie-Noyale from Larchmont Daily Photo who brought up this expression in a comment.

James Hook & Co gone up in smoke! James Hook parti en fumée!

This is all that remains from the popular James Hook & Co, a wholesale and retail seafood business located on Boston's waterfront since 1925.

On Friday morning, around 3:30, a blazing fire has devastated the wooden building which is known as the largest lobster distributors in the country.

About 60,000 pounds of live lobster have gone up in smoke and the damage is estimated at $5 million. Fortunately, nobody was injured.

Bostonians who used to get fresh supplies here are sad today of the loss and hope this Boston landmark will be rebuilt.

Considering its great location, this lot has a princely market value. Will the family resist to the temptation to sell for Real estate developers eagerly waiting await a chance? To be continued...

_______________________

Voici tout ce qu'il reste du très populaire James Hook & Co, grossiste et détaillant de fruits de mer situé dans le port de Boston depuis 1925.

Vendredi, vers 3 heures et demie du matin, un violent incendie a complètement ravagé l'établissement, construit en bois, connu pour être le plus gros distributeur de homards du pays.

27 tonnes de homards sont partis en fumée et les dommages sont estimés à 5 millions de dollars. Heureusement, l'incendie n’a fait aucune victime.

Les bostoniens qui venaient se ravitailler ici sont tristes de cette perte et espèrent que l’établissement sera reconstruit.

Cette parcelle de terrain, royalement placée a une valeur marchande considérable. La famille résistera-t-elle à la tentation de vendre aux promoteurs immobiliers avides d'une opportunité de développement. A suivre…

Here is a picture of James Hook & Co before the fire. Voici une photo de James Hook & Co avant l'incendie.

The Latest breaking news on June 12, 2008: “City and federal fire officials Wednesday ruled out arson as the cause of the fire that destroyed the James Hook Lobster Co. last month, but they have not been able to pinpoint what started the blaze, most likely an electrical or mechanical malfunction” To read more, click here.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

"Il n'y a pas le feu!" (or:"Y'a pas le feu! in a shorter version): No rush! (lit: "There isn't a fire" )
The full expression is in fact : "Y'a pas le feu au lac!" (the lake is not on fire) used to tease French spoken Swiss who have a slow lilting accent (the expression is ponounced with the swiss tone). The lake refers the Geneva lake (or lac Leman in French)

"One man, one boat, one ocean" "Un homme, un bateau et l’Océan"

Loick Peyron on board his blue 60 foot monohulls Gitana Eighty, won the transat solo race for the third time, on May 24, 2008.

In doing so, he has beaten French notorious Eric Tabarly's record. Leaving Plymouth (UK) on May 11, he sailed 2 982 miles to Boston in 12 days, 11 hours, 45 minutes and 35 secondes.

"One man, one boat, one ocean" three emblematic words uttered by English navigator Blondie Hasler, who created with Francis Chichester, the race solo across the Atlantic in 1960.

This oldest solo ocean race held every four years across the North Atlantic and formaly known as "The Transat" took the name of " The Artemis Transat " in 2008 .

Check out the race here

Loick Peyron a battu le record du célèbre navigateur Eric Tabarly, en remportant, pour la troisième fois, la transat en solitaire à bord de son monocoque bleu de 18,28m le "Gitana Eighty" ce 24 mai 2008.

Parti de Plymouth (UK) le 11 mai, il a parcouru les 2 982 milles jusqu'à Boston en 12 jours 11 heures 45 minutes 35 secondes.

"Un homme, un bateau et l’Océan" trois mots emblématiques prononcés par le navigateur anglais Blondie Hasler qui créa en 1960 avec Francis Chichester, la transaltantique en solitaire. Cette épreuve qui se déroule tous les quatre ans est la plus ancienne transat en solitaire. Anciennement connue sous le nom de "La Transat, elle a été rebaptisée "Transat Artemis"en 2008. Suivez la course ici

Here comes the friendly winner Loick Peryon ! Congratulations again for your great victory!

Et voici Loick Peyron, fort sympathique au demeurant!
Encore bravo pour votre belle victoire!

Another French skipper Armel Le Cléac’h aboard BritAir arrived second.

Un autre skippeur français, Armel Le Cléac’h, à bord du Brit Air, est arrivé second.

French skipper, Yann Elies, on Generaly crossed the finish line on the third position in spite of a damage to the top spreader's mast.

Le skippeur français Yann Elies à bord du "Generali"a franchi la ligne d'arrivée en troisième place en dépit de sa barre de flèche endommagée.

"Gitana Eighty" alongside Rowes Wharf at the Boston Harbor Hotel.

Le "Gitana Eighty" le long du quai devant l'Hotel du port de Boston.

Time for Repair! Séquence Réparations!

Applying a strip of carbon fibre on the damage surface...

Application d'une bande de fibre de carbone sur la partie endommagée...
Then, gluing the strip with a special resin. Even toilett paper works for such a repair!

Collage ensuite de la bande avec une résine spéciale. Même du papier toilette fait l'affaire pour une telle réparation!

A last layer...Then, wait for it to dry, et voilà! All fixed!

Une dernière couche... Puis attendre que le tout sèche, et voilà! C'est reparé!

Fixing the spreader problem on "Generali"....
Réparation de la flèche tribord en haut du mât sur le Generali...

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

The french familiar expression "être mal barré !" wich means "to be in big trouble" (literally, "to be badly helmed) originates from the nautical expression:
"être à la barre" : "to be at the helm".

It is mostly used in a figurative way to express that someone is in trouble...
Obviously, here, Yann Elies was "mal barré", in both figurative and proper meaning. However, he still made it! :-)

Walk for Hunger! La marche contre la faim!

Click on the collage to see it larger.

There were many umbrellas and rain coats yesterday at the Boston’s 40th annual Walk for Hunger event; but despite the rain, we were there together (almost 40,000 of people of all age), walking with the same fervour.

The 20 mile-route which starts every year from the “Boston Common” includes 8 checkpoints, each of them providing free snacks, water and shuttle buses for the tired walkers. They are also equipped with first-aid in tents in case of injuries. Along the way, musical groups, and enthusiastic volunteers cheer up the participants in a warm-hearted atmosphere.

As food price continues to rise, more families in Massachusetts found themselves in desperate situation and suffer from lack of food. Clik here for The Project Bread walk.

Il y avait beaucoup de parapluies et d’imperméables hier à la 40 ième marche contre la faim. Mais, en dépit de la pluie, nous étions là ensemble hier (environ 40.000 personnes de tout âge), marchant avec la même ferveur. L'itinéraire de 20 miles (32 km) qui part chaque année du « Boston Common » est pourvu de 8 postes de contrôle, chacun d’entre eux, offrant des snacks gratuits, de l’eau, et des navettes pour les marcheurs fatigués. Il est aussi aménagé de tentes de secours en cas de blessures. Tout le long du parcours, des groupes musicaux et des volontaires enthousiastes encouragent les participants dans une atmosphère chaleureuse. Les prix ne cessant d’augmenter; de plus en plus de familles du Massachussetts se retrouvent dans des situations extrêmes et ne mangent pas à leur faim. Cliquez ici pour The Project Bread walk.

French Weekly Expression / Expression de la semaine

"Avoir le coeur sur la main" (lit: have the heart in the hand) means to be generous, kindhearted.

This French expression dates back to the XVIII century and refers to the two different body parts which both designates a symbol: the heart the one of feelings and affection; the hand the one of generosity and giving.