The Art of Speaking Frenchly

I have discovered recently that I miss French desperately.

I've been reading Julia Child's memoir "My Life in France" and I can't help but feel a little left out when she writes little asides in French or simple vocabulary en Francais. I hate that I can't remember simple verb conjugations and nouns. I was practically fluent! Now look at me.

Well, no more. I am resolved to learn French again, starting from scratch.

I'm well aware that the best way to learn a language is to immerse onself totally into the language by speaking it all day, hearing it all day- basically living in the area where the language is spoken.

That poses un problem. I do not live in France, I have no means to get to France, nor do I have the time to visit France. Hmmm.

I need suggestions for ways to help myself relearn this language that I love. I don't think Rosetta Stone is the answer. I'm looking for conversational French, not basic French. Besides, do you know any elementary school teachers with $400 just lying around for language software? Me neither, but if you meet one let me know.

I know, this probably seems silly to try and relearn something that I'll likely never use. But there is something so simple and poetic about French- it reminds me of clean laundry flapping in the lavendar and wine-scented breeze.

Now to go find and dust off my French/English dictionary.

Linguistically yours,

Nay