Why French People Think I’m Nuts

They think I’m nuts.

Whenever a French person asks me where I’m from. “L.A. California” I say with a big smile.

And what do I get?

Googly eyes, accompanied by this incredulous response "But what are you doing here??? California iz so beeootifall!" (French people still don’t speak English).

Of course, they don’t get it. Why I’m here, I mean. The allure of this tranquil, rural place. Until I tell them I fell in love with a water wheel. Then they light up. 'Cos if there’s one thing a French person loves, it’s a story that involves passion.

“But aren’t you bored? What do you do all day?”

OMG. If only they knew! The sheep, the geese, the ducks, the chickens, the donkeys…the POOP.

I don’t tell them what I took on though – six years of construction, renovating an old water mill, waiting for workers to show up, the patience – in case it all sounds like too much hard work. (French people aren’t into that.)

So, I deflect, turning to humor: “I make soup from toes that grow in my garden!”

They smile politely at my understandable mistake. The French admit that their language isn’t easy, but they respect me for trying.

“Toes? You mean nettles! You make nettle soup!”

Here’s a really useful French lesson for you:

The French for nettles is ortilles (say: or-tee).

The French for toes is orteils (say: or-tay)

I want them to get on board my ‘let’s join hands across the Atlantic’ vision. So I tell them about the French and English-speaking artisans, coaches, chefs, producers, growers, guides, and translators that I’m collaborating with - all of whom are pouring their passion into Mill on the Rock’s 12 annual retreats.

Why? Because they love sharing what they know, helping others, and keeping French traditions alive for international visitors to learn from.

Googly eyes again. (Whether at the passion, the scale, or maybe I mixed up my French words again - who knows why.)

"What is this place, Mill on the Rock?"

Beat, my husband, who’s here when he’s not art directing films, says, “It’s an emergency exit for people who need to get away from city life, America, sirens, traffic, helicopters - MADNESS! Mill on the Rock is a mental gas station."

I say it’s a personal growth experience with all the benefits of a relaxing vacation in France, minus the headache of having to know the difference between “toes” and “nettles.”

Life here is about reconnecting to the peace and joy you naturally have within you. But first, you have to decide it’s what you want to feel. It has to come from a place of intention.

When you do something with intention, you’re aware of what you’re doing: You’re present. You’re feeling. You’re open. You’re aware of what you’re doing with your hands, your feet, your body, your breath. It’s just you and the present moment. And that’s where joy is found.

Joy is your purpose in life. So, why not make it your intention?