Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

What Signifies You?

Signature

When you are expecting a child you automatically start thinking of names. Well at least I did. My list was short but defined I knew the names I liked and I did not think my French Husband would object. I was about six weeks pregnant when I mentioned to French Husband about my list of names…

"I like the name Ella for a girl…" but before I could end my sentence I noticed a horrific look on French Husband's face… I looked around the room thinking something awful must be happening somewhere, somehow to provoke such a response.

"What? What's wrong?" I questioned.

"Ella? Elle a! You do know that 'Elle a' means, 'She has' in French? You do know that? How can we name our baby 'She has'? Can you imagine what it would be like to be named: She has?"

Well to say the least Ella was tossed aside. France scored another "BOO" point in my book of Boos of France.

I went on with my list of names… and I suppose somewhere in my childhood I must have learned French and confused it with first names. Because every name I mentioned was a word in French.

"Rue," I offered.

"Rue! Rue is a street." He replied.

"Beau," I thought hopefully only to see my French Husband close his eyes… "Beautiful," he said.

"Oh, you like it!?" I was thrilled. But thrilled lasted two seconds.

"No. Beau means beautiful." he shook his head as if I had said poop or something disgusting like that.

"What about Savon?"

"Are you doing this on porpoise?"

"You mean on PURPOSE? No I am not."

"Savon is soap in French."

He got up and mumbled something under his breath.

Frenh-signature

The middle name question yesterday provoked many a stories and I enjoyed them all.

Does anyone like their middle name? My daughter Chelsea's is Marie after my Grandmother. My son Sacha's is Alain after French Husband Father who died before Sacha was born.


Signature-carriere

Your comments often inspire what I write about. Jend'isère's and Linda N.'s comments provoked today's post when they wrote about their middle names:

jend'isère had this to say about her name: "Like
most, I hated my middle name. Never sure why, until hearing French
pronunciation years later. "Beth" sounds like bete, meaning stupid or
beast."

Linda N. "My middle
name is Yuki. It means snow in Japanese. I was born in Canada to
immigrant parents, so they gave me an English first name to help me
integrate here, and a Japanese middle name. I actually am more
comfortable with Yuki, since my family and all my Japanese friends call
me by that name. Even my french boyfriend calls me Yuki saying it has
more character 🙂 As much as I like the name, I understand why my
mother gave me Linda as a first name instead. Y-U-K-I spelled out can
easily be mispronounced as yucky, so growing up my classmates would
call me "yucky yuki" when they found out my middle name, and I would
often counter with "it's not yucky, it means snow which is pretty!".

You see French Husband darling I could have said "Beth" instead of "Chelsea", which many a French pronounce, "Gel-C."

Signature-style


Paula S. in New Mexico you are the name out of the hat winner of yesterday's question.

Paula wrote: "My middle name is Jean. I have always hated it. I'm not even particularly fond of my first name! (Paula)

So sometimes I'm called PJ, PEEG(pronounced just like it looks),
Trixie, John Paul, Dolly. The name I covet with all my heart is
"Grandma".

(Love Can Help Me Know My Name. I love this song by Seal.)

Signature-cartier

Which brings me to today's post and another giveaway… leading up to my birthday where I am not 53 but 52.

Signatures.

French-signature-M

In France a child learns to write in cursive in kindergarten. When their hand writing is "good enough" they are allowed or graduate to use a fountain pen. It is a big deal, and usually happens in the first grade or better known as: "C.P.".

French-script

Soon there after the teachers start encouraging the children to find their signature. Usually a signature is their first initial and their last name. It doesn't have to resemble their mane; Or at least that is what I think when I see the amazing signatures my French friends have.

French-name 

What is your signature? Not your name signature but something(s) that signifies you.

What is one thing that if someone you knew saw it would think of you… It might be a perfume, or something you bake or do, or wear….

Something that signifies me… well my Brother Marty once told me when he sees Hub Caps he thinks of me. My daughter told me when she smells Dune perfume she is reminding of me. But I think most people I know think of me when they see "old things"… at least that is what they say when they bring me something they wanted to get rid of, "Corey I thought you might like this since you like old things."

I will randomly pick a comment tomorrow, the gift is: An old handwritten document.

Comments

91 responses to “What Signifies You?”

  1. Jennifer

    This is very interesting!! My signature isn’t very unique or authentic at all. Its all over the place most of the time.

    Reply
  2. Leslie

    This one is easy…chippy lady!!!
    Anything old and imperfect…I am drawn to and everyone around me knows that of me.

    Reply
  3. patricia mallory

    Hi Corey, it would have to be a four leaf clover. As a very small child I would find them and give them to my grandparents. I have found and given away hundreds over the years. Many people have pressed them in books only to find them years later and think of me. Hugs, Patricia

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth Harper

    I have always liked my middle name Elwyn because it was different and used it as a part of my stage name when I was a working actor for five years in the 90s.
    As to my signature, well it’s rubbish as they might say here in my new home and getting worse all the time.

    Reply
  5. Penny

    I think it is my smile.
    Ever since I was in high school, which, believe you me was decades ago, folks have said they knew it was me by my smile. It happened again as I was meeting a friend of mine who invited me to lunch with a joint acquaintance I had not seen in quite a few years. Helen is well into her 80’s and has a vision problem, but, piped up, it’s Penny, I’d know that round face and smile anywhere.

    Reply
  6. Maureen

    Oh, to be sure, it is old linens – soft to the touch, gently worn, some with hand crocheted edges, some with monograms from long ago. I think of the lives of the people who made them, lived with them, enjoyed them and it makes me happy 🙂

    Reply
  7. Cindy

    My signature? This really made me think. Ah, I believe it is gather—gather around a table with friends, foods, giggles. Yes, gather.

    Reply
  8. Natasha Burns

    I love reading your stories, Corey!
    For me, I think it depends on how well that person knows me, and knows what I love. People who take the time to know what I love, see things that are apple, mint or pistacchio green and ring me to tell me they thought of me, and where to get it. People who know me but not as well as that, think of me as the bright & happy faced one. My grade 6 teacher told me I was born with a smile on my face, and many have said so since. So – green…. and happy

    Reply
  9. likeschocholate

    While most people might think of chocolate or travel with me they can not deny my hair is my signature. I once had a boy in high school write me a poem about my golden tresses. When not tamed by the flat iron I have hair of a lion. Which is on most days because I am just too lazy to spend the 1 1/2 in the bathroom to make it straight.

    Reply
  10. Margaret Bouwmeester

    Hmmm, it would have to be an old book, people are always giving them to me saying things like I saw this and I knew you would want it! Or my perfume, I know my friend’s husband can tell when I have been to see her, at least I hope that is what he means when he says he can smell that I was there!!! Great, now I need to go and ask her…
    My signature says I can’t decide what direction I want to go in… it’s all over the place.
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

    Reply
  11. kathy woods

    My signature is loving! Loving my husband, children, family and friends. I am well known for it.
    Kathy

    Reply
  12. yvonnerosenfield

    The sight of Pink saucer Japanese
    Magnolia’s.. Makes me think of my Daughter Renee’.
    The morning of her birth My Mom and I were in a Taxi on the way to hospital and the streets were lined with pink magnolia’s blowing petals all around the taxi. It was such a glorious Morning.The air was filled
    with something exciting. She was on her way to the world…. yvonne.

    Reply
  13. Karin

    Loved this post! I’m not sure I have a “signature”. I can easily think of things for others- my mom’s classic sense of style; my sister’s exercise clothes (when she gets home from work, on they go!); my other sister’s laugh; my friend, Cilla, is truly a frou-frou girl; my daughter’s smile is what defines her; my son’s friendliness; my oldest son’s sense of humor- but, me? I’m not so sure I have one.

    Reply
  14. kathie

    it is so incredible that i could have so much in common with so many other gals! i love it!
    even people that don’t know me, know me as the girl with the curly hair. (girl? 51 on the 11th!)
    but i am know by friends as loving old things, like so many of you!
    my father is a woodworker in his 70’s and he so loves beautiful wood and it’s color and grain. the very idea that people would paint wood furniture boggles his mind….the fact that i am crazy about chipped, crackled and distressed painted wood of all kinds is CRAZY to him. he often jokes with my husband that they are going to do an “intervention” and find me a 12 step program.
    such salvation to know that i am part of a “sisterhood”!!!!!

    Reply
  15. marlis

    my signature, not sure. But a sense of color and or lace… antique lace dripping from everthing..

    Reply
  16. ohgoodie

    When my friends and family see a doll or child’s size little tea cup, they say they always think of me. You see, for a few years now, I have been wearing tiny toy tea cups on a ribbon as a neclace. I would buy them at vintage sales whenever I saw them. But what to do with these little treasures, then it came to me, put them on a sweet length of ribbon and wear them so that I could enjoy them everyday.
    Smiles,
    Carol

    Reply
  17. feathers

    My family,friends,neighbours,my children’s friends all know that I love white. I wear it, decorate with it, have white cars. I was recently called the White Witch.
    My father helped me choose shoes ,white patent leather of course for my first communion.
    Sr.Francis Joseph was my grade one teacher her face was framed in white linen, I have loved white linen ever since.
    Joanne Marie

    Reply
  18. carol

    My signature is my smile, my husband who NEVER compliments me says my face lights up. I know my eyes disappear, but I do have dimples!

    Reply
  19. Alexis

    My signature is my dark copper red hair. Everyone in school knows me at least by sight because of my hair. 😀

    Reply
  20. Kathie B.

    “Ella? Elle a! You do know that ‘Elle a’ means, ‘She has’ in French?”
    That reminds me of the story about when Chevrolet rolled out a new model and named it “Nova,” they encountered a problem in Spanish-speaking countries — where “no va” means “no go” (hardly a ringing endorsement for an automobile’s reliability!).
    On my father’s Portuguese side, our family “signature” is killer blue eyes. Some say that’s indicative of Flemish blood (since some early settlers in the Azores’ central and western island groups came from the modern-day Netherlands), but I’m skeptical that after half a millennium of intermarriage with Portuguese (and others) there would still be such conspicuous unassimilated traits.
    Note to “kathie”: In order to make it easier for other followers of this blog to differentiate us, perhaps you could add an initial after your name, as I have, so readers can tell us apart more readily. OK? Thanks.

    Reply
  21. Jeanette Mc.

    Oh I would have said, vintage childrens books and vintage posters but I just went and asked my husband and he said “impossible” I think of you all day – everything reminds me of you” so I’m just all gooey inside now. I will tell you though that now anything old & French reminds me of you! (that might not sound as nice as I meant it).

    Reply
  22. Lizbeth

    I was in my late teens when my godmother said she had always loved my “musical” laugh! I became very self-conscious about laughing after that. LOL

    Reply
  23. Sarah N

    My signature would hopefully be my quilts. For almost 7 years now I have been making quilts for all the new babies at church. Some older women have threatened to get pregnant just so they can get a quilt!
    By the way, my daughter’s name is Madeleine – named after the cathedral in Paris. Her birthday is coming up and I am redoing her bedroom as her surprise present. Pale pink and black – with lots of Paris accents! French themed! I am even making her a Paris quilt with fabrics I have been collecting for about 10 years – all of them have the Eiffel Tower on them!
    I look forward to reading your blog every morning!

    Reply
  24. Angélique Melancon

    My name is french as my grandmother,from France,named me Angélique. It is totally massacred in Texas….uuuugh.
    My signature is my love of tattoos. Everyone who knows me, regardless of associaton, knows me by my back tattoo….a large cherry blossom tree that takes up most of my back.

    Reply
  25. Shirley M.

    A broken foot and a cast. That reminds my little nieces of me. My nephew’s wedding took place a few years back. I had to fly to Dallas with a broken foot in a cast. My niece and her girls picked me up at the airport and I stayed with them. The next year when I flew out on vacation, they asked their mother if auntie still had that “thing” on her foot and if they would have to help me. They still ask about my foot.

    Reply
  26. Kristie

    I would hope my signature would be my sense of fun and laughter! It flows through my spirit and I want to share it with my grandchildren. When we are working on a some project we are laughing and finding joy in being together. No matter what age I am I hope I can have a light spirit!

    Reply
  27. Kate Mai

    How about a book? I surrounded my children with books when t hey were small and now I am forever hiding behind one. Of course, it helps that I work in a book store!

    Reply
  28. AmyKortuem

    If you had asked me this last year, it would have been The Black Ribbed Turtleneck. I started to break out of my rut this year after I realized that I had EIGHT of those things in my armoire…and that I was wearing them almost every day. This year, it’s scarves (gotta keep the neck warm somehow)!
    The signatures that will never change, though, are my love for harps and Fire King Jadeite.

    Reply
  29. Marilyn

    I think I forgot to tell you my middle name yesterday. It is Jean. I don’t have much emotion attached to it. But I think of Marilyn Monroe when I think of my name as she was Norma Jean. So I am a combination of her name Marilyn Jean. Apple pies define me, as I am known for a good apple pie. My family were all apple growers in Sebastopol, CA.

    Reply
  30. Becky F

    Gosh, this was a tough one. I think people know different “signatures” of you by how they know you. My dear cousin says that when she sees butterflies they remind her of me and likewise, when I see birds they remind me of her. My husband on the other hand says he thinks of me when he sees a beautiful garden, handmade jewelry or a lovely farmer’s market. I think people see your “signature” when they see something you are passionate about. Becky F

    Reply
  31. becky up a hill

    A Pansy. I love them. People tell me when they see a pansy, they think of me. Pansies met Heart’s Ease in Victorian times. That comforts my heart, pun intended! I have three window boxes of them spilling over as I write.

    Reply
  32. Shannon aka Bird

    Unfortunately Corey people remember me not by my pretty face or Miranda scent or kindness and generosity but by my awful loud woody woodpecker laugh-grrr! I cannot possibly change it, I was born with it and it has remained. But I often hear “Oh I knew you were here, I heard your laugh” or “I remember you! You have that wild laugh” which I just heard at my high school reunion where I hadn’t laid eyes on these people for 20 years.
    Someday I hope you can hear it too!

    Reply
  33. Kathie B.

    To Marilyn, whose family grew apples in Sebastopol, CA.:
    Did they raise Gravensteins? I get so homesick for Northern California remembering what wonderful applesauce they made!

    Reply
  34. angela

    Well I guess it would depend on who you ask but I think my signature is always telling something funny, laughing or trying to make others laugh. My kids would tell you “the Junk Lady” and my hubby would probably agree with them. There is a new show on the History Channel called American Pickers abt. 2 men who travel looking for old “junk” to buy. This is so my dream job! Maybe I should add the signature “Picker”, hahahaha. Imagine all the different things ppl. would think of if they heard Angela Meeks, Picker! hahahahahaha.

    Reply
  35. Nancy from Mass

    People tell me all the time that they think of me whenever they see a quilt somewhere. Usually, it’s a quilt with some kind of star pattern…I tend to make alot of quilts with star type patterns! I guess my other signature would be my naturally curly hair. Ringlets that start in one direction and go to the other, sort of like a stretched out phone cord!

    Reply
  36. georgie

    My laugh. Friends say I laugh like Betty from the Flintstones some times. However Mom and I both do a Woody Woodpecker type laugh when we are together. Great—my laugh is like a cartoon character! People also say I smile a lot.

    Reply
  37. Theresa

    Well….everyday I am a chaotic blend of paint, plaster and Hermes perfume! I am on a ladder or scaffolding painting a mural or gilding something but always wear my Hermes, it makes me happy!
    My middle name is Anne, spoken in a southern drawl instead of a foreign sophistication (Ahhnn) oh well….love your blog!

    Reply
  38. Jenny N

    Another cool question. I think there has been some things said by family and friends, like my fave scent and my love of decorative Eiffel Towers. But the dearest memory I have in this regard is with my sister. It was just two of us growing up and she couldn’t wait for me to clear out my larger room when I was going off to college and for her to take it over. Once I was bullied out and settling into her smaller room she stood at the doorway and watched me unpack. Slightly annoyed I said “Whatyda want?” and softly and dearly she said, “My room is okay now, but it was better with you in it.” It still makes me tear up to think of that moment.

    Reply
  39. Barbara

    I think things like vintage paper, old lace, and vintage images are things which are my signature. Of course my family and friends also know how much I like English bulldogs too, so I would have to include tham as part of my signature.

    Reply
  40. Lorelei

    My signature would be art supplies and ephemera…. I’m drawn to old photographs (cabinet cards) and amd lucky to have many, many pictures of my family. However, I like to give lonely photographs homes and I create art or stories around them…. who are they, where did they come from, what was their signature???

    Reply
  41. linda marcov

    pink roses and vanilla…. without doubt!

    Reply
  42. Denise Moulun-Pasek

    When people see nice handwriting, Canadian style, (because it’s not like French handwriting) they say they think of me, they say that I have nice handwriting.

    Reply
  43. Valerie

    Mine would be my walk. I take long strides and so bob up and down as I move. Friends know it is me long before they can recognize my face.
    Corey ~ I have been visiting your site for a month now. I’m 48, widowed four years, and recently moved away from Arizona with my 3 children of five who are still at home, to Oregon. My little 100 yr old bungalow (named Jiggly Groove by my youngest) does not have a tub, though an old claw foot sits in the garage crying out to me. I googled some variation of “claw foot tub upstairs” in an attempt to find structural info on whether I could install the monster in the upstairs bath. Your site was in the top five which came up! How could I not read more when your wedding ring story was the first I saw?
    I am charmed by few things, but that is the word I use for your blog. I love everything about the way that you write, and I join the many others who would love to see your life on the screen somehow, or at the least in a book. Curled up with you in front of the fire or out on the front porch (the reason I bought this tiny place) would be a wonderful way to spend some time. (As French Husband would certainly agree, oui?) You make me smile. Thank you!

    Reply
  44. Patty Cole

    men’s plaid pajamas and checkered shirts from the goodwill.

    Reply
  45. krista

    jend’isère has my middle name and Paula S. has my sister’s middle name. Isn’t it ironic that those are two of the names that you posted today? I love little funny things like that. Anyway, I hate to be completely unoriginal but my signature is shoes. People are always saying to me, “Krista, I saw a pair of shoes and thought of you…”

    Reply
  46. helene

    My signature would be my very curly hair. I will send you an email of my self portrait in silver that I made. It goes in every direction and just this year I gave up and started cutting it myself by means of a two way mirror. Now I never can complain about “a bad hair day”. It is almost more satisfying that pruning roses.
    Also my middle name is Louise that seemed a plain afterthought to my first name. Then my first grandson called me Lulu and that makes me and everyone else smile.

    Reply
  47. Kat

    My signature: fancy script on a decorated cake! Since my first and last names start with a “K” I write that letter with a flourish. Yes, I decorated cakes for many years and actually took a week-long class to learn how to write on cakes! Even though retired many years I’m still identified as the cake lady!

    Reply
  48. mindi

    I often go shopping with my sister in laws, and its so funny that we all have signature likes,so we all know what each other would love. Elayna is birds, Meagan is the bright apple green color, and one of mine is definately Vintage & France and Crystals.

    Reply
  49. Delores

    Probably a fleur-de-lis. I wear a fleur-de-lis necklace that I had made from the diamonds in my original wedding ring. Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t comment on it. I never take it off. -Delores

    Reply
  50. KristaG

    People always tell me when they see horses they think of me. And it makes sense, because riding is seriously part of what defines me….it gives me a sense of purpose and is something that I couldn’t imagine not doing. And hopefully my love of horses is something I will pass along to others in my lifetime =).

    Reply
  51. Natalie Thiele

    Corey, thank you for nudging old memories. This is fun.
    My signatures- sock monkeys and broken dishes.
    I collect old sock monkeys and make new ones for babies. Old sock monkeys show up unannounced on my doorstep occasionally. It’s always a thrill. They all have such individual personalities.
    I do pique assiette- broken dish mosaics. People think of me and give me the most fabulous pieces when a favorite ceramic piece breaks. It is great for me (I love free stuff), and helps ease the loss for the person whose piece broke, knowing that the piece will have a new life.
    Kathie B. you must be from Berkeley. You mentioned Layton’s shoe store. Ahh, what memories. Also Rose and Rodden on Bancroft. What fabulous shoes they had.

    Reply
  52. Bebe

    For me it is Bees. Not the second letter of the alphabet but the insect. Sorry, not very inspiring but I just had to enter today because J’adore old papers.

    Reply
  53. Sara

    It’s my smile. I have two big front top teeth that have funny extra-white calcification marks on them, but it has never stopped me from smiling! (Dentists have always wanted to
    “fix” them for me, but I refuse.) In fact, I’ve been complemented on my smile–which always surprises me just a little because of my teeth. But, what I get is that it isn’t the teeth that make the smile–it’s the person who is smiling!

    Reply
  54. Tina S

    OK, my signature would have to be angel pigs. Nine years ago my 15 year old daughter was killed in a car accident. She was a pig collector. Since her death people have been giving me pigs, mostly angel pigs. At first they would say they saw the pig and thought of Amy. Now they say they saw the pig and thought of me! I have hundreds of pigs and I receive each new one with a greatful heart knowing that it is a gift of remembrance and love.

    Reply
  55. Isabel ~ Maison Douce

    My middle name is Maria. Maria is probably in about two thirds of women’s names in Portugal. My mother’s name is Maria Isabel and mine is Isabel Maria. The funny thing is that Maria is always considered an auxiliary name, even if it comes first, so my mom has always been called Isabel, just like I have, which makes for a very confusing time when we both hear the name!! I ended up with a nickname, Bébé, because I was the baby of the family (until #’s 5 and 6 showed up, but by then the nickname had stuck!). I do love my name, though….
    Isabel

    Reply
  56. Jeannie

    I thought this would be easy – thread. I always have thread hanging off my clothes – well mixed in with some cat fur. Then I thought about my walk. I walk every day and my friend’s dogs and my husband know it is me by my walk. I think we all have signatures that we aren’t aware of that others see. This was fun!

    Reply
  57. Isabel ~ Maison Douce

    Me, again!! Pink is my signature! If my friends see anything pink, they think of me!!! I love it that much!
    Isabel

    Reply
  58. Kathie B.

    Natalie, great catch! You’re right. By any chance are you any relation to a Mrs. Thiele who lived on Woolsey St.? She was already elderly 50 years ago, so undoubtedly long since dead. She lived next door to a schoolmate of mine, at whose house I’d play at least one afternoon a week after school.

    Reply
  59. Jacquelyn

    Corey, I am a great fan of your wonderful blog. Thank you for this opportunity to possibly win a lovely prize, it helps me overcome my fear of writing – yes, even a thank you note!
    My signature? Dedicated thrift store shopper, or maybe the poor girls’ Martha Stewart? I’m sure this would sound much better in french, le sigh.

    Reply
  60. Judy

    I think aprons must be my signature because I always wear one! It’s kind of like my “grandma” (my favorite name) uniform…Judy

    Reply
  61. christine allen

    My signature may be that I have every type of pen that exists. The perfect pen in hand is vital to me. Many times I’m surrounded by a pile of waded papers on the floor while I find just the right pen!
    I am a software engineer and when I create manuals, I am just as picky about how the pages look, the fonts, etc. It kills me when I see ugly documentation.
    c

    Reply
  62. Kathleen in Oregon

    I love the samples of your writing! It reminds me of how much trouble I had learning to write. I’m left handed but my grandfather insisted I learn to write with my right hand. Every day after school he’d sit me down with pen and paper and have me practice writing continuous circles. He had beautiful handwriting, while mostly I printed until 5th or 6th grade. It was confusing switching back and forth. When I did learn cursive it started out with “round” letters similar to yours at age 10.
    As for a signature, I’m not sure, although if you asked my husband today he’d say crystal chandeliers. I’ve always wanted one like my grandmothers and have been collecting them for a few years and didn’t realize how many there were until we started hanging them this week. Two small ones in the dining room, a miniature one over the kitchen sink, another for the bedroom and one in the master bath. As someone who doesn’t like clutter this just might be too much…

    Reply
  63. Allison

    what do others recognize as my signature? if it is white, old and frilly I will certainly hear about it.

    Reply
  64. cynthia Wolff

    my mothers diamond engagement ring, shawls or wraps,boots,one of my own design necklaces or earrings and hopefully my bright,shining, happy face..

    Reply
  65. Laura

    Junk
    Antiques or old things
    Calligraphy
    Those would be my signatures…
    and maybe my smile 🙂

    Reply
  66. Carol Ludwig

    My signature would have to be a denim shirt with it’s front dusted with flour. I love to bake croissants,puff pastry and danish and I wear a denim shirt everyday because they are so easy.I once walked into an antique shop and the girl behind the counter asked me if my name was Carol. I said “Yes,how did you know?” She replied “Your sister called and said I could recognize you by what you were probably wearing ,a denim shirt with flour in the pockets!” , and wouldnt you know…

    Reply
  67. Shelley Etchepare

    When someone sees flowblue they always say they think of me… when someone sees a chocolate pie they tell me that reminds me of shelley because she baked one every sunday for years. And last but not least painting, I am always changing room colors the joke is i am losing square footage on my house.

    Reply
  68. mickey (michel) johnson

    …aaah that one is easy. for me it is that i always wear a pearl…usually more like pearls…lot’s of them…in fact, the more the better! i am known as “the pearl girl”

    Reply
  69. Lorrie

    When my family and friends see anything Paris or French-themed they think of me. J’adore toutes les choses françaises, sauf la musique. L’accordion, ce n’est pas pour moi!
    Or dark chocolate – mmmmmm

    Reply
  70. Judy

    For me, it is my love of old things and my sort of Bohemian Elegant style of dress. Could be worse, I suppose.
    Judy

    Reply
  71. Paula S In New Mexico

    Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm….my signature?
    Birds. I love all kinds of birds.

    Reply
  72. Diane

    the kitchen, food, cookbooks, ANYTHING food related, I am sure I popped out of the womb with a fry pan and wooden spoon, asking where’s the kitchen?

    Reply
  73. Natalie Thiele

    Hi again, Corey. Pardon me for using your blog as a party line, but I wanted to respond to Kathie B.
    No, I’m not related to the Mrs. Thiele on Woolsey, but I lived on Woolsey briefly 36 years ago. My mother, Mrs. Thiele, was a Berkeley school teacher for 27 years.

    Reply
  74. carol in CA

    I’m known for baking and bringing the goodies in to share at work. I’ve been doing this for almost 30 years. My favorite treat to share is chocolate chip cookies but the guys always want oatmeal raisin instead. What’s wrong with them? Every woman knows that chocolate chip cookies are the best!

    Reply
  75. Anna

    Corey,
    It would depend how they knew me what my signature would be- if it was through my job they would know me as teacher, one who loves young children and books. Should they know me personally, they would know me as person who loves to make quilts and play in fabric.
    They may also know me as someone who loves baubles and beads for I am always wearing some form of adornment- certainly earrings and most often a pendant, brooch and bracelet.
    Hopefully they know me as someone who is caring and kind.
    Have a happy birthday and enjoy your 52 year.
    Warmest regards,
    Anna

    Reply
  76. The Little Red Shop

    I think that Ella is a lovely name…as long as she doesn’t have a middle name which means, “stinky breath” or “big boobs” en francais. : ) My name is French…Julie Marie. My middle name comes from my great grandmother and runs down the line through all the generations down to moi. I scribble my signature….I’ve always had terrible penmanship. My mama, Cathy Marie has lovely hand-writing and has always written her signature using her full name. Butterflies make me think of my mama and cardinals call my dear auntie to mind…she said that she thinks of me when she sees a pretty hat. I think of me when I see candy.
    : )
    Julie M.

    Reply
  77. Kathie B.

    Natalie, I fear I’m before your and your mom’s time. Oh well, it was worth a try…

    Reply
  78. Linda

    I love this post- so thought-provoking- makes me wonder what people think of me and how I would want to be remembered! I sure have had a lot of haircolors and styles through the years…lol

    Reply
  79. Teri

    Happpy Birthday Corey! Have a wonderful year. Please tell is it today or was it yesterday!

    Reply
  80. Elaine L.

    Apparently, it’s my smile. I’ve had more than one person mention my smile.
    Did you know it’s actually easier for children to learn cursive than printing? With cursive the hand keeps moving and with printing there’s constant starts and stops.
    ~elaine~

    Reply
  81. Patt

    My 15 year old grandaughter Taylor Anne would say it is my fully set table. Tablecloth, cloth napkins, individual salt cellars, candles, etc. I love a well set table. I feel it is so worth the effort, now I have help for family gatherings. Taylor is now in charge of setting the table at her request.

    Reply
  82. Sara Barroso

    Italy. I speak Italian to my boys. Anyone who says or does or goes anywhere Italian thinks of me… supposedly. I don’t mind. It’s nice to be thought of and it reminds me of the many fond memories I have related to Italy and Italian. Many fond memories that are forever becoming further and further away…

    Reply
  83. Sabel

    Thank you again Corey, for another delightful story.
    I remember those days of trying to find names that passed the English and French test. No Hs or Ths right?
    I also tried on different forms for Grandmother. Sometimes my lazy American accent will pronounce Grandmother/Grandmere in such a way that way that it sounds like Grammaire (grammar) to the French ears, so that was out. The French Mamie can evoke images of Eisenhower’s wife or maybe an old box of pancake mix – Granny made my mother cringe…
    My own Maternal grandmother was Mamaw…but in French that sounds like our Mama –Nana didn’t fly with her, so we settled on an affectionate Gramma (short American a in the middle) Then, after all that, I moved back to the states when Sarah was 1 and all the fretting over names seemed irrelevant…… My signature? maybe an old book of poetry gold leaf on the front or a song bird. Mother used to say I was always singing as little girl, and I still sing at the drop of hat, even if I don’t know all the words.
    PS I’m hanging on to 53 for a few more months, but come May the number rollsl over one more time!. 2 numbers always seem to keep getting bigger my age and my weight.

    Reply
  84. Karon

    Herbs. Friends link me to herbs because I grow so many and use them all the time in home and work. I used to fear this link thinking it made me sound like some aging hippy with greying plaits and a drindle skirt. Now I like it, herbs are me, they are useful, they are fun, they can pop up anywhere, they sometimes have unexpected flavour, they are good, I like them. Maybe I am getting to like me afterrr all these years, I will be 50 in 2 weeks. Am I sage, no way, I am more lavender.
    Karon

    Reply
  85. Marie-Noëlle Roland

    I was to write a comment… before that, I spent so much time reading ALL the comments … that my own just went.
    And I CANNOT recover it !!!
    At least I have 2 words for you :
    “Bonne journée !!!”
    xx

    Reply
  86. Marie-Noëlle Roland

    PS I mean “Bonne journée” on this very special day !!! Enjoy it all !!!

    Reply
  87. Diane

    Happy Birthday Corey! What a great idea to save your child’s signature and date it. Like marking the height notches on the wall! I lost my Mom to cancer 9 years ago. One of the saddest things was when my Dad remarried several years later and all the notches from grandchildren on the kitchen cupboard had to be painted over. Understandable of course but sad. Signatures can be kept. I’ll have to tell my daughter 🙂

    Reply
  88. Julienne

    My Father was fighting in WW2 when I was born and my Mother suggested Prudence or Priscilla. My Fathers reply was that he could not pronounce his “P’s”. So I became Julienne for my French Grandfather and my Father never had a problem with P again in his entire life!!!! My signature is a book in one hand and a sighthound under the other.

    Reply
  89. Gwen

    Corey…love that you always have something to get us thinking! My middle name Carol has always seemed so boring…but I have never liked my first name, Gwendolyn. It takes forever to get it out…too many syllables! We named our daughter Aimee and often call her “I-mee”…but people always misspell it…such is life. My signature would be my headband. I have worn one for years because it keeps my hair out of my face while sewing, which I do often, gardening, and everything else that I seem to always look down to do. People often ask when I’m going to give it up….not for a while. Oh…I too made the error of thinking I was 53 when I was 52…maybe it’s a phase! No mistake now that I’m 57!!!

    Reply
  90. Paula

    People always tell me I look smart and sophistaced, and I have a lovely smile. Me? I wish I was smart and sophistaced, like all women living in France. Oh and if you ask my daughter she would also say my perfume, Oscar de la.

    Reply
  91. Alison Whittington

    Ahhh, my signature is my cowboy boots. I wear them almost every single day. Funny thing, growing up in the Nevada desert, I thought cowboy boots were stupid. It wasn’t until I moved to the East Coast and found myself surprisingly out of place (more so than when I lived in either east Germany or Prague) that I grasped for something that reminded me of home. So they started out as a signature of home, but in the past 8 years or so, they’ve just become ME.
    Now that I’m pregnant, I’m told I can’t wear them because they’re not stable enough, so I’ve switched to hiking boots, which still remind me of the Sierra Nevada mountains, so I don’t feel totally bereft.
    But I’ll be glad to get back into my cowboy boots again.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions