There is a saying that goes something like " you learn something new every day". Now this is something I aim to do, although the context in which I learn this 'something new' is varied.
I try to pick up at least one new French word or phrase each day, although I don't always find myself in the right situation to make use of it. Then I'm at the mercy of my fast fading memory!
Sometimes the 'something new' might be a new ICT process, like learning how to skype for the first time to keep in contact with Tim and Tom in Boulder, or perhaps a function in excel, as I do my data analysis for pupil progress.
I've been teaching for 32 years now, but am still an open to 'new' techniques and ways of doing things, even though some of these have been tried (and failed) before!
On Saturday I went for a stroll around Le Grand Pressigny and noticed a planter filled with plants I didn't recognise. Well, I thought it could have been ornamental rhubarb!
So when I met Chris and Sally at the brocante at Yzeures-sur-Creuse, I wasn't surprised to learn that they are ace negotiators (or should that be hagglers?). They bought a lovely little drinks table, just right for their terrace. I also learned that the ornamental rhubarb was in fact swiss chard!
Right, I'm off to look for today's learning experience ..........
In previous years the lady has grown petunias and begonias in this planter ~ much prettier than this year's swiss chard.
ReplyDeleteBonjour Jean,
ReplyDeleteMy photograph doesn't do the planter justice, but I was intrigued.
I am an ignoramus though.... how can I have gotten to my age and without ever seeing swiss chard before, let alone knowing what it is called! Perhaps it is the same stuff that we have in UK supermarlets with and much more spindly red stems?
Ah but chard is so much more useful than petunias and begonias!! I also tried that with French, a new word or phrase each day. Problem is I can only remember up to about five days and everything previous to that disappears LOL I will never learn French but I just about get by (sometimes!).Diane
ReplyDeleteGaynor, pop down the road and collect some blête [aka. Swiss Chard]- excellent freshly picked. We have plenty... also a courgette or two probably. Might even be some beans thrown in?
ReplyDeleteWe also have Nero di Toscano [Black Tuscan] kale if you want to try some... the French use edible plants in their arrangements a lot... we found some Black Tuscan for sale at Gammyvert for 6€ a plant!!
Thanks Tim,
ReplyDeleteI will take you up on your kind offer in the next day or so. I'm thinking of planting a small herb garden, where is the best shop to go to to buy a selection of plants?
What a great plan, learning something new every day. I tried a new French word every day when we lived there. It was the stringing of them together which always presented the problems!
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