About M.M

Typical Playmobil scenario when I play with Little My. Copyright Multifarious meanderings.

Typical Playmobil scenario when I play with Little My. Copyright Multifarious meanderings.

M.M is a twenty (plus 29) – year-old mother living in the Hérault region of France with P.F (Pater Familias) and our three children Bigfoot, Rugby-boy and Little My. A smelly golden retriever and Murphy the unlucky black cat complete the family equation.

I do not yet know what I want to be when I grow up. I am terminally hooked on my pyjamas and peanuts, have a soft spot for Grieg and Picon-bière, and talk way too much for my own good. If there’s any time left for me when I’m done with my job correcting and translating English and my role as Super Mum, I read and write…. write and read….. You get my drift.

“Multifarious Meanderings” is simply an opportunity for me to write up and share a few moments in life, the odds and sods, the bits and bobs, without any ambition other than to enjoy writing and interact with other bloggers who share the blogging bug.

Every so often, some banal event in my day gets me geared up, my imagination starts humming and my fingers start twitching. Unfortunately, inspiration tends to rear its head when I am driving, washing-up, throwing stuff into skips at the dump or waiting at the supermarket check-out, but some of my ideas survive until I get time to batter on my keyboard. So don’t expect philosophy, arty-farty contemplations or politico-cultural reflections: I’ll leave that for someone else. In conclusion, nothing new, nothing exceptional, just my vision of everyday life, served up with a good dose of humour.

I have rounded up all the articles written in French and penned them in a new French sister blog for Multifarious Meanderings called “Ruminations d’une vache folle”,which can be found here.

118 thoughts on “About M.M

  1. Nous avons une copine suisse (Nathalie) vue à nos 40 ans qui tient un blog du même genre (elle a sorti un livre par la suite…)..en allemand on dit “Rabenmutter”…

    • Thank you, Drive Thru Guy. I’m glad you enjoyed my post; thank you for the nomination! As they say in Cannes, I would like to thank my manager, my smelly dog and George the Nespresso coffee machine for their support during my writing sessions 🙂

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  3. Ehem, did I read that right that you correct and translate English? Oh-oh, English is my second language and I do need to be corrected. I like the images of your header.

    • Hello, and welcome to the blog! Yes, I chose a job that gave me a good excuse to read and write all day 😉 I will tell the artist that you like the picture- it was Rugby-boy, who draws better than I ever could 😀

    • Thank you! Sorry I took so long to get back to you…. I’m very honoured, but unfortunately I can’t accept the award, as by some miracle I have over 200 followers and it is designed to promote newer, exciting blogs. Would you be terribly hurt if I suggested passing it on to someone newer to blogging?

      • Aww that makes the art even better! 🙂 What a wonderful idea! And thank you for reading my blog. Likewise! I love connecting with other parents who blog about parenting, children, and family life. It lets me know I’m not alone. LOL

  4. Glad to have found you – there is too much geo-political and cultural pontification already around here – (everyone has an opinion and they are all wrong, of course) – so your lovely fresh incisive blog is a welcome breath of fresh air. I think the huge eyes in the pic are because he knows you see everything…. I certainly used to think that about my mother!

  5. I see you’re inundated with awards … so I’ve nominated you once more! Seriously, I love your writing. Feel free to respond to the award or to leave it simmer for eternity on that back burner. If you read my post on it, you’ll see that I’ve not been the best at responding to these types of things. Plus, technically, you have way too great a readership to be eligible for the Liebster Award. But I nominated you anyhow. Because this is fibre optic land. And I can. And nothing else really matters, then, does it? 🙂
    Here’s a link:
    https://gypsyintheme.squarespace.com/pyramids-in-the-me-

    • Thanks, Gypsy! I am very honoured, as always. I will have to do a post for all these nominations before I roast in bloggers’ hell. As far as real followers go, I am probably below the 200 mark- if I base myself on those who comment, I definitely am 😉

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  7. Love it! I am so glad you stopped by my blog, thank you. Now I have found you to follow, I look forward to your humor. You made me laugh!!

  8. Hello! I wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Award. You are truly inspirational and your posts make my days better. Thank you for everything you write and share! Have a great day!

    • C’est très joli à ce moment de l’année, mais la neige manque à mes enfants (ils ont connu l’hiver en Alsace, alors le sud en hiver, ils n’apprécient pas autant. Mais l’herbe est toujours plus verte….)

  9. Yikes – just lost my comment!!! Let’s start again…

    Hello MM, how lovely to meet you! I found you from Andrea’s blog and I’m so glad that I did! I love your posts, your witty and very clever writing. My children may be grown (Aspie daughter, 21, still lives at home with Hubby and I) but since my life was defined for so long by being a full-time-stay-at-home-mum-of-three with numerous pets and a catalogue of misadventures to go along with it all, which I write about frequently on my blog, I still feel that I’m ‘there’ in many ways!!

    I am really looking forward to reading more of your posts and I have signed up to follow you. Have a great day 🙂

    • Aha, the disappearing comment… that happens to me, too. I spend ages typing something, then it gets swallowed up by cyber space. I’m glad to meet you, too! Andrea’s idea was excellent, but then again, she’s an excellent blogger 🙂 A mum’s world is a great place to find inspiration for writing – I’m off to have a nosey around your pad now. Thanks for signing up, and welcome to the mayhem!

  10. PS LOVE the Playmobile scene! I (ooops, I mean, my children) adored playing with Playmobile and Lego. Still have it all. Just need some granchildren now… 😉

    • You will discover through previous posts that I am a Playmobil addict. PF tolerates having a Playmobile house (like one of the Wisteria Lane abodes, but better) and a castle in his bedroom. I regularly set up playmos in alternative scenarios and take photos of them, but I don’t think that the creaors of playmobil would be impressed. Never mind.

  11. Thank you for taking the time to read some of my posts and to follow me. You have such a lovely blog, it’s a pleasure to read and to be enlighted.

  12. Bonjour,
    Je me permet de vous contacter car je viens de lancer le site http://www.aux-cinq-coins-du-monde.com/. Je recherche des francophones vivant à l’étranger et acceptant de répondre à une interview pour partager ses impressions, découvertes et anecdotes sur sa vie d’expatrié.
    Je vis moi-même en Californie du Nord et je suis curieuse de savoir comment on vit dans les autres coins du monde.
    Si vous êtes intéressés par ce projet, n’hésitez pas à me contacter sur mon email perso : sarabourg99@gmail.com.
    Merci d’avance,
    Sara
    http://www.aux-cinq-coins-du-monde.com/

    • Bonjour Sara,
      Merci pour votre proposition. Je suis allée jeter un coup d’oeil sur le site – c’est un joli projet! En ce qui me concerne, je suis une expatriée anglophone, donc je tombe pas vraiment dans les critères requises. Merci, cela dit, d’avoir pensé à moi!

      • Bonjour,
        Je recherche des expatriés francophones, c’est à dire des personnes vivant à l’étranger et qui parlent le français. Je n’ai pas nécessairement besoin de francophones de naissance.
        Vous avez l’air de bien parler le français, alors vous rentrez dans mes critères pour le site Aux cinq Coins du Monde.
        Si cela vous intéresse, envoyez moi un email sur mon adresse perso : sarabourg99@gmail.com
        Sara

  13. Mon Dieu, a living breathing English speaking witty person who lives near Montpellier. I am a lawyer turned writer clearly about to turn taxi driver. Moving from Paris to Montpellier in the summer to follow my dreams….or is that because my ex-wife is moving there with my kids and I want to be near them. Whatever the truth, great and funny writing. Will start a blog myself merely so you can read it and boost your self-esteem. Incidentally, where are you all based? Hope you aren’t too far into banjo country. Take care, Matt

    • Hi, Matt! Welcome to the blog – I’m glad you enjoyed what you read. Lawyer turned writer? What do you write? And why change again, if I may ask? If you are following your children, you ARE following your dreams, and this region is a great place to live.
      “Banjo country”? 😀 I haven’t heard that one before. Must get out more often. I’m up in the Hérault valley. I’m a fair whack away from Montpellier; which suits me fine and is just as well because you now need to be an international drug dealer to be able to afford a four-bedroomed house anywhere near the metropolis. Get that blog up and rolling – I’m looking forward to reading your posts!

      • Lovely to hear back from you. Should explain that from my experience calling yourself a writer is usually a euphemism for actually working as a taxi driver. Why the change? Well I have always had a bit of a hate/hate relationship with the law. Ended up being a specialist divorce lawyer the irony of which is not lost on me in my present personal situation. Most of my clients were celebs in the TV/Film business so I have lots of contacts and I thought it is about time I changed direction in my life. So what is like out there in the badlands where the men have three heads and the sheep are worried? How come you ended up down South and do you enjoy life there?

      • Law is a very time-consuming job. But so is driving a taxi. Why not go into teaching law?
        The badlands are good – little villages, good weather, people with character and an interesting temperament, and great fruit and veg that hasn’t spent months trying to ripen in palettes. We came here when hubby got a new job down here – before that we lived in the Alsace. I do enjoy life here – and when I go back to see the gang in the Alsace, I enjoy life there too 🙂

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  15. Despite my cursing of the law I will in fact be running a small bijou canapé of a law practice specializing in Anglo-French divorce law. Only question is whether to base it in Paris or Montpellier. I have an film script optioned and am writing a novel, but then I suppose who isn’t? Have written for the Beeb and when you read some of the stuff I have to write for divorce clients you will see why dark comedy is my forte.

    Lived in Provence for nine years so understand the importance of properly ripened fruit. Drinking rose year round remains my hobby. It will ne nice to get back to the sun although know not a saucisson in the area. Always liked Montpellier/Meze/Pezenas etc.

    If I may be Anglo-Saxon bold/rude/overly-inquisitive – have you managed to make money out of your blogging/writing or do you just rely on your trust fund to survive? Your French is distressingly good which is something I need to work on when it comes to representing French clients. I a have found shouting slowly but loudly in English doesn’t curry favour with Judges in France..

    • I’d check out how much competition there is in both cities.
      Writing for the Beeb must have been very fulfilling. I have the firm intention to publish one day, but for the moment I don’t know enough people in high places and am praying for Harry Potter’s owl to wing my stuff through the window at Random House. I have an idea brewing on the back hob for the content of this blog – I’m supposed to be getting my head around it this Spring.

  16. Well potentially I do know a few people so just let me know.I have to get some money-spinning writing ideas going. I always tell people that I have absolutely nothing of use to tell the world through my writing – I think that’s a good start. My big decision is whether to live in the countryside as we did in Provence or go up to the smoke in Montpellier. Not sure I can manage the rural life as a bachelor although living amongst vineyards always has a strange allure.

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  18. Hi there M.M!
    I’ve been sniffing around on your beautiful blog for a while and we’ve exchanged several comments and likes on the world of WordPress. I’m thankful for having found your blog as it is filled with wonderful observations and wit. That’s why I wanted to ask you to contribute to a little project I have on my little old blog.
    This year I’m indulging my love of fine blog writing around the world by exploring expats blogs in far flung and intriguing places.
    I was wondering if you’d be interested in doing a a short interview as part of my ‘Blogging around the world’ page. I am being totally self indulgent by exploring the background and people behind my favorite travel and expat blogs.
    Be sure to email me: rochelledelborrello@gmail.com

  19. Pingback: Group Therapy: March « HACKER. NINJA. HOOKER. SPY.

  20. Hello, popping by to thank you for the follow (and comments) but also to just say how much I’m enjoying your own blog! Even your ABOUT page just draws me in! I can’t wait to work my way through all your posts!

  21. Pingback: …and thyme rich | Food, Photography & France

  22. I love this blogging thing – you reply to a comment I make about dog poo on another Blog (the wonderful France Says) and I take a look at yours which I rather love and will enjoy following … bon dimanche a vous 🙂

    • Hi, Osyth, and welcome to MM’s pad 🙂 Pull up a chair and grab a glass of rosé. I’m very glad you stopped by – I’m off for a perusal of your blog too. I see that you are in the Cantal – I lived and worked in St Flour for my uni year out, and didn’t want to leave 🙂

  23. Hi,

    I am the editor of The Local France news website (www.thelocal.fr).

    You may or may not have heard from us, but we are an English language site based in Paris covering the news in France.

    Our readers are mainly Anglo expats based in France or Francophiles living in the UK or the United States and other European countries.

    We get around one million page views a month and are a part of Europe-wide network of sites that gets over 4 million unique visitors a month.

    In recent months we have been working with some France-based bloggers to promote their content about life in France or their views on all things French and also bring some new voices to our site.

    A couple of examples are below:

    http://www.thelocal.fr/20141007/breast-is-definitely-not-best-in-france

    http://www.thelocal.fr/20131023/British-cuisine-French-France-fish-chips-Paris-British-food-bashing

    If you write a blog post on anything related to life in France and want to share it with our readers then please get in touch.

    The more original the better.

    Just as in the examples above, we’ll include links to your blog and a little information about it.

    If you have any further questions, please send me an e-mail.

    Thanks,

    Ben McPartland

    • Hello Ben and thank you for visiting the blog. I have heard of you – via PN, alias “An Englishman in Italy”, who I believe wrote a post for your website last year. Thank you for you offer – I will consider it for any posts that could be of interest.

  24. I have just found your blog and it made me laugh – thank you! I have only just started up with my own and it was inspiring to see someone taking so much joy out of the writing process (and going on excursions with playmobil people).

    • Hello Emily, and welcome to MM’s madhouse! I’m very happy that you enjoyed what you found – writing and Playmos are an essential part of happiness for me in this mad old world. I’m off to have a look at your place now – blogging is a fantastic activity, particularly for meeting so many lovely people all around the globe.

  25. Hello, I just came across your blog as you commented on Emily’s blog Lost in Lyon. I’ve been having a little read and love what I’ve found so far. I’m based a little east of you in the Alpes-Maritimes and blog about my life in France and whatever takes my fancy. Recently there was a salon de jouets at the palais des festivals in Cannes with life size playmobile figures on the famous red carpet steps. Did you see pictures of it? I think you’d have liked it. I’m currently hosting a link-up for blogs about France/with a French theme if you’d be interested in joining in (it’s how I “met” Emily) It’s called #AllAboutFrance and you’ll find it if you head over to my blog. Anyway, whether you’re interested in the linky or not I’m glad I’ve found your blog and will be reading more!

    • Hello, Phoebe! Thanks for coming round to visit – I’m glad you enjoyed it.
      Playmos on the red carpet in Cannes? Oh. My. God. I missed it. Dammit. I have a photo of myself with a lifesized Playmo in London – my daughter was the reluctant photographer.
      Now I’m off to check out your blog and your linky doodah whatnot 😀

  26. Joanna, I’ve tried to think of a better way to send a message, but I’m coming up empty on that. I just want you to know that I’ve been thinking of you. A lot. Blessings from California. ox

    • Hi Debra,
      Thanks so much for your thoughts and your message. It’s heartwarming to know that the good people outweigh the bad by far; I wish we could get rid of these evil people and all live in peace.
      My heart hasn’t been in it recently. I’ve been battering away at my keyboard but I’m not sure that what I have to say will be any use in cheering anyone up… and is probably just repeating what readers already know. Should I publish my musings on terrorism, or say nothing?

      • I’m glad to hear from you Joanna. You’ve been on my mind since last Friday, and I remember a post you wrote in January that touched on the subject of terrorism and violence following the terrible shootings at the Charlie Hebdo headquarters. That came back to me almost immediately!

        Even though we in America (and other parts of the world) are so very far away from Paris, the horror of what we see and learn touches our hearts and changes our lives as well as those of you living so close to the center of fear. Your perspective and the emotions you feel are certainly heightened because personal experiences are so much more visceral. Nothing you could say would make anyone feel better, but that’s not a goal for now. I think whatever you are feeling, experiencing, and the way the violence affects you and your family is deeply significant and worth sharing. Maybe give yourself a little time to begin to breathe again! I can imagine you must feel very overwhelmed by such a mixture of feelings and emotions. But there are so many of us “out here” who care deeply for you. Share what’s on your heart when you feel ready. Meanwhile, give yourself time to just absorb the shock. I know I’m not alone in saying how much I care. ox

  27. Hello
    Loved your article on the 25 things you have learned about the French
    One little thing I want to let you know : Johnny Hallyday is not French, he is actually from Belgium
    Rgds
    Laure Meyer

    • Hello Laure, and thanks for your kind words and for your visit! So Johnny is Belgian? Oops, sorry for the mistake. He lives in Switzerland now, doesn’t he? Now I’m worried that Eddy Mitchell may not be French either. I love his song about mint drink coloured eyes.

  28. I think Johnny asked for the Swiss citizenship a while ago
    He lives in L.A now

    Ah ah Eddy is French indeed and you are right, that’s a beautiful song
    Cheers
    Laure

  29. Comme c’est amusant M.M, tu vis dans l’Hérault dans notre belle région Occitanie.
    Tu y vis et j’y suis né, il y a quelques années.
    Belle région inspirante.

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