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Random Unknown Facts – and factlets about La Cuisinière!
Why did I opt to use the word “factlets” when writing about the little known bits of information about me?
According to the urban dictionary a factlet is defined as:
A trivial, ephemeral fact; yet just as accurate. Not to be confused with factoid, which denotes less than accurate.
For example – “After a little research, it turns out that Jim’s little factoid the other night was actually a factlet.” (This will change how people think about President Taft).
I will, however, argue that these factlets are far from ephemeral. No passing fancies listed here. Just me.
Let’s make this Factlet #1 – Because that’s typical of me. I have to check to make sure everything is just right; it’s more out of habit than obsession.
I am a stickler for research. Ok, which one of my ancestors put the “check it” gene in my DNA?
Sure enough, after checking on several definitions of the word, I found that what I am about to reveal are true facts, albeit trivial. PICARDY FLAG 3′ x 5′ – FRENCH REGION OF PICARDIE FLAGS 90 x 150 cm – BANNER 3×5 ft – AZ FLAG
Random Unknown Facts
My great-grandmother ran a food canteen during World War I while my great-grandfather (the consummate military man since age 18) was fighting in the Vosges and other fronts.
My grandparents ran a general store and my grandfather would travel around the region selling merchandise right off his truck.
Sometimes I rode shotgun with my grandfather, sometimes I stayed in the store with Grandma sorting cotton hose, making sure all the aprons and shirts were folded correctly.
I would also re-arrange bobbins of sewing threads after a customer searched for just the right shade of black. It was often a time consuming search, filled with chit chat, the current sewing project and bringing everyone up to date on family matters.
In my mind, I found it difficult to understand how an adult could take so long to select from black, white, grey and a few basic colors of thread.
Learned about subsistence gardening at an early age because it was post-war France. Not because it was the cool thing to do – because all country folk had a “potager” and a flower garden. My grandparents had the most amazing vegetable and herb garden. Worked in it with my own set of garden tools.
Every day, we’d head out to the garden for fruits and vegetables. Potatoes, carrots, white asparagus, leeks, lettuce, parsley and other fresh herbs.
Factlets: My French Country Garden © www.food-crafting.com
Bread and meat were purchased daily. Each meal was planned more or less according to the day’s available produce and meats.
The butcher made his appointed rounds between 11 am and noon. The choice of meats was limited to what had not already been purchased! Walked to the neighbor’s farm every day for eggs and milk (straight from the cow – non pasteurized). I’m still here to talk about it.
The baker drove by in his van early in the morning with fresh baguettes and croissants.
French Boulangerie; Vintage French Baguette, Tarte, Croissants and Patisserie
Everything else we grew in our garden. No refrigeration. You bought it, grew it, prepared it, ate it. Done. Leftovers went into a pie safe in the cellar. But not for long.
More Randon Unknown Facts
Years later…that day to day country life and home style cooking came in very handy when living “off the land” in third world countries. BUT…it did not prepare me at all for what I would have access to in the USA – supermarkets! Imagine that. True culture shock.
Nothing like getting together on a clear cold night (thanks to time zones and the atmospherics) because the signal on the transistor radio was coming through loud and clear!
As hunt master, he trained his horses the same way he had trained them for years as a member of the Cadre Noir at Saumur. When I was old enough to sit steady on a horse, he taught me every riding trick in his book.
There could not be a better representation of all my favorite sights and sounds than the images seen in this video. It’s my little corner of France. Those participating in the video include my grandfather’s “Rallye” or team. Even Dad belonged to the same Rallye.
While the music in the video is quite familiar, this tune plays in my mind on a constant loop. I was there for all the practice sessions because Grandpère was the solo player in his band and as a Chasseur Alpin during his military days, it was also his regimental music.
Today, I have deer walking through my little patch of woods. They are tame enough to snack on my flower beds at the front door. It takes me back beaucoup de years.
Factlets: My Grandfather In Hunt Dress © www.food-crafting.com
Let’s hope these 25 random factlets do not change how you think about the way we eat… or about me. I do have a different outlook on just about everything including food.
Check back often and let’s chat. Time marches on and I’m sure to edit the list as I recall other little known bits of information.
A Bientôt!