Bren Kübler
@brenkubler.bsky.social
Lining up words for 40+ years (editor, translator, writer). Swiss/UK citizen originally from Yorkshire. Semi-retired, living in rural SE France since 2007.
Language(s), books, cats, food, gardening, France, bees in my bonnet. Food bank volunteer
Language(s), books, cats, food, gardening, France, bees in my bonnet. Food bank volunteer
The Swiss have 'fourres de duvet' too (housse de couette/duvet cover). I used to come out with all sorts of Swiss words when we first came to France, with lots of rolled eyes.
November 19, 2025 at 7:50 AM
The Swiss have 'fourres de duvet' too (housse de couette/duvet cover). I used to come out with all sorts of Swiss words when we first came to France, with lots of rolled eyes.
Could well be. I use a French keyboard so maybe people get the same message on my (rare) posts too.
November 19, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Could well be. I use a French keyboard so maybe people get the same message on my (rare) posts too.
That too.
BlueSky informs me your post was written in... Portuguese and did I want to reply in that?
Sober up, BlueSky.
BlueSky informs me your post was written in... Portuguese and did I want to reply in that?
Sober up, BlueSky.
November 18, 2025 at 11:12 AM
That too.
BlueSky informs me your post was written in... Portuguese and did I want to reply in that?
Sober up, BlueSky.
BlueSky informs me your post was written in... Portuguese and did I want to reply in that?
Sober up, BlueSky.
I woke up thinking it was Saturday.
Not that it makes a huge difference in semi-retirement, tbh, but still weird.
Not that it makes a huge difference in semi-retirement, tbh, but still weird.
November 18, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I woke up thinking it was Saturday.
Not that it makes a huge difference in semi-retirement, tbh, but still weird.
Not that it makes a huge difference in semi-retirement, tbh, but still weird.
You are not alone.
But a little voice also says 'but then he'd be pictured as a martyr' if somebody killed him, or a 'hero' of some kind anyway.
And then there's his sidekick(s) (if we're thinking the same person).
But a little voice also says 'but then he'd be pictured as a martyr' if somebody killed him, or a 'hero' of some kind anyway.
And then there's his sidekick(s) (if we're thinking the same person).
November 18, 2025 at 11:09 AM
You are not alone.
But a little voice also says 'but then he'd be pictured as a martyr' if somebody killed him, or a 'hero' of some kind anyway.
And then there's his sidekick(s) (if we're thinking the same person).
But a little voice also says 'but then he'd be pictured as a martyr' if somebody killed him, or a 'hero' of some kind anyway.
And then there's his sidekick(s) (if we're thinking the same person).
Oh please. Stollen with bananas? Pineapple?
I seem to remember there was rum involved in the Swiss recipe I used to use, though - to soak the raisins in.
Or was that just me? Might have been.
I seem to remember there was rum involved in the Swiss recipe I used to use, though - to soak the raisins in.
Or was that just me? Might have been.
November 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Oh please. Stollen with bananas? Pineapple?
I seem to remember there was rum involved in the Swiss recipe I used to use, though - to soak the raisins in.
Or was that just me? Might have been.
I seem to remember there was rum involved in the Swiss recipe I used to use, though - to soak the raisins in.
Or was that just me? Might have been.
That's another change from the Lidls we've been before. Wines and spirits no longer together (and yes, near the caisse now). I did about three tours and then asked somebody when I failed to find the eggs.
November 18, 2025 at 9:59 AM
That's another change from the Lidls we've been before. Wines and spirits no longer together (and yes, near the caisse now). I did about three tours and then asked somebody when I failed to find the eggs.
Apparently our local Intermarché (owner is a big shot locally) has been blocking the creation of a Lidl in town for years now. We figure it's worth the 20-minute drive, but a local one would be great.
November 18, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Apparently our local Intermarché (owner is a big shot locally) has been blocking the creation of a Lidl in town for years now. We figure it's worth the 20-minute drive, but a local one would be great.
Butter and Marzipan - the mini ones are truly excellent. And I say this as somebody who made their own for years.
November 18, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Butter and Marzipan - the mini ones are truly excellent. And I say this as somebody who made their own for years.
We *thought* it would be great, but for the first 18 months or so, 'la fibre' was often referred to as 'la effing fibre' as it was so unreliable.
At one point I told Orange that I preferred 'slow but relatively reliable' to 'fast but hopelessly unpredictable'.
It's better now (touches wood).
At one point I told Orange that I preferred 'slow but relatively reliable' to 'fast but hopelessly unpredictable'.
It's better now (touches wood).
November 18, 2025 at 9:51 AM
We *thought* it would be great, but for the first 18 months or so, 'la fibre' was often referred to as 'la effing fibre' as it was so unreliable.
At one point I told Orange that I preferred 'slow but relatively reliable' to 'fast but hopelessly unpredictable'.
It's better now (touches wood).
At one point I told Orange that I preferred 'slow but relatively reliable' to 'fast but hopelessly unpredictable'.
It's better now (touches wood).
Beware the brand new layout, though. Lidls we've been to before were all the same. This one? Nothing is in the 'usual' places.
We did find the Stollen, though. Some things are important!
We did find the Stollen, though. Some things are important!
November 18, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Beware the brand new layout, though. Lidls we've been to before were all the same. This one? Nothing is in the 'usual' places.
We did find the Stollen, though. Some things are important!
We did find the Stollen, though. Some things are important!
Yep. We have a brand new one, 20 minutes away. VERY posh. (There's a much less posh one 20 minutes in the other direction, too).
This is in Livron, Drôme.
This is in Livron, Drôme.
November 17, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Yep. We have a brand new one, 20 minutes away. VERY posh. (There's a much less posh one 20 minutes in the other direction, too).
This is in Livron, Drôme.
This is in Livron, Drôme.
Ahhh. Alt Txt, merci. J'imaginais un transat bleu ciel coincé dans un couloir.
Très LaFuma. Really. Look!
Très LaFuma. Really. Look!
November 17, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Ahhh. Alt Txt, merci. J'imaginais un transat bleu ciel coincé dans un couloir.
Très LaFuma. Really. Look!
Très LaFuma. Really. Look!
Almost as good is when somebody shows a presentation with the red underlines for typos or - once - the edited version of a document, with track changes and including comments.
November 17, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Almost as good is when somebody shows a presentation with the red underlines for typos or - once - the edited version of a document, with track changes and including comments.
Yes! Many good memories of picnics on the road in deepest Morocco. Stop at the hole in the wall shop in the tiniest village. Buy a wheel of Vache qui rit, a local loaf, tomatoes, and a bottle of water.
Bliss.
Mr K used to call it the 'Rit qui vache' in his early days speaking French. So we still do.
Bliss.
Mr K used to call it the 'Rit qui vache' in his early days speaking French. So we still do.
November 17, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Yes! Many good memories of picnics on the road in deepest Morocco. Stop at the hole in the wall shop in the tiniest village. Buy a wheel of Vache qui rit, a local loaf, tomatoes, and a bottle of water.
Bliss.
Mr K used to call it the 'Rit qui vache' in his early days speaking French. So we still do.
Bliss.
Mr K used to call it the 'Rit qui vache' in his early days speaking French. So we still do.
Oh I sympathise. When we lived in Switzerland, we had neighbours/friends who were Cuban (him)/Norwegian (her). We never got to eat before 10 pm - if then. Total chaos in the kitchen, too.
They were lovely, though, and heavy-handed with the Aquavit (helped stave off the hunger).
Too old for that now!
They were lovely, though, and heavy-handed with the Aquavit (helped stave off the hunger).
Too old for that now!
November 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Oh I sympathise. When we lived in Switzerland, we had neighbours/friends who were Cuban (him)/Norwegian (her). We never got to eat before 10 pm - if then. Total chaos in the kitchen, too.
They were lovely, though, and heavy-handed with the Aquavit (helped stave off the hunger).
Too old for that now!
They were lovely, though, and heavy-handed with the Aquavit (helped stave off the hunger).
Too old for that now!
Yes! We used to go to Beaune a lot when we lived in Switzerland (and Burgundy in general). These days, our local olive oil press company does a range of their own mustards, which are fabulous.
I can never pass a gourmet épicerie without examining their range of mustards!
I can never pass a gourmet épicerie without examining their range of mustards!
November 14, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Yes! We used to go to Beaune a lot when we lived in Switzerland (and Burgundy in general). These days, our local olive oil press company does a range of their own mustards, which are fabulous.
I can never pass a gourmet épicerie without examining their range of mustards!
I can never pass a gourmet épicerie without examining their range of mustards!
Sending yet more hugs and just wishing I could do something. Hug Cleo tight.
And yes, it's beyond bad luck - it's just unbelievably awful.
And yes, it's beyond bad luck - it's just unbelievably awful.
November 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Sending yet more hugs and just wishing I could do something. Hug Cleo tight.
And yes, it's beyond bad luck - it's just unbelievably awful.
And yes, it's beyond bad luck - it's just unbelievably awful.
I make the vinaigrette with walnut oil, whatever mustard I fancy (mustard freak here) and white balsamico, which is mild enough not to overpower the oil.
Walnut country is, of course, next door (noix de Grenoble!). We do have a tree for our own supply of nuts and local oil producers for the oil.
Walnut country is, of course, next door (noix de Grenoble!). We do have a tree for our own supply of nuts and local oil producers for the oil.
November 12, 2025 at 12:50 PM
I make the vinaigrette with walnut oil, whatever mustard I fancy (mustard freak here) and white balsamico, which is mild enough not to overpower the oil.
Walnut country is, of course, next door (noix de Grenoble!). We do have a tree for our own supply of nuts and local oil producers for the oil.
Walnut country is, of course, next door (noix de Grenoble!). We do have a tree for our own supply of nuts and local oil producers for the oil.
Corporate-speak is one of my greatest peeves. I remember I once snapped at my daughter when she said she'd 'reach out' to me when she had a minute.
She's worked for several US companies (in marketing, yep) and now speaks it all fluently. But no longer speaks to me!
She's worked for several US companies (in marketing, yep) and now speaks it all fluently. But no longer speaks to me!
November 12, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Corporate-speak is one of my greatest peeves. I remember I once snapped at my daughter when she said she'd 'reach out' to me when she had a minute.
She's worked for several US companies (in marketing, yep) and now speaks it all fluently. But no longer speaks to me!
She's worked for several US companies (in marketing, yep) and now speaks it all fluently. But no longer speaks to me!
YES! And use walnut oil in the vinaigrette, ofc.
November 12, 2025 at 12:34 PM
YES! And use walnut oil in the vinaigrette, ofc.
Same here. Back in the 70s I was forced to do an option on Middle High German as it was a prerequisite for the Dutch language option (go figure). I *hated* it. Not quite sure how I passed, but I did enjoy Dutch so it was worth it.
November 12, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Same here. Back in the 70s I was forced to do an option on Middle High German as it was a prerequisite for the Dutch language option (go figure). I *hated* it. Not quite sure how I passed, but I did enjoy Dutch so it was worth it.
I'm really glad! I lived in Switzerland for 28 years, and was already a fondue/raclette fan by the time we moved to France in 2007. But with age (I'm old)... both now seem way too heavy although I usually cave and eat one raclette per year (and regret it).
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I'm really glad! I lived in Switzerland for 28 years, and was already a fondue/raclette fan by the time we moved to France in 2007. But with age (I'm old)... both now seem way too heavy although I usually cave and eat one raclette per year (and regret it).
But did you *like* it???
November 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
But did you *like* it???
You need some excellent little potatoes with it too. And stab it and add some white whine (presume you found a recipe?).
And sure, blame away. It's the only 'melted' cheese meal my insides can handle. Not counting halloumi and I don't like baked Camembert (or Camembert in general).
And sure, blame away. It's the only 'melted' cheese meal my insides can handle. Not counting halloumi and I don't like baked Camembert (or Camembert in general).
November 10, 2025 at 5:37 PM
You need some excellent little potatoes with it too. And stab it and add some white whine (presume you found a recipe?).
And sure, blame away. It's the only 'melted' cheese meal my insides can handle. Not counting halloumi and I don't like baked Camembert (or Camembert in general).
And sure, blame away. It's the only 'melted' cheese meal my insides can handle. Not counting halloumi and I don't like baked Camembert (or Camembert in general).