Polly Vous Francais? by Polly Lyman

About Polly Lyman

Polly is a recovering French literature major. She first visited Paris in 1973 and, smitten, she spent the next 30-odd years trying to masquerade as French in the US. This included stints smoking Gauloises and even wearing espadrilles in the heart of New England winter. By 2006 it was time to abandon that fantasy become an American in Paris. It's made her an honest woman. Now settled on the Left Bank of Paris, she authors “Polly Vous Francais?” and is ususally seen dashing all over the City of Light as she works on her first book, a collection of profiles of fascinating American expatirates currently living in Paris.

Incontinence on the Continent
Posted by Polly Lyman on Feb 3rd, 2008

God, I just love the French language. It's so poetic. The French word for bladder incontinence is une fuite urinaire ...

Replacing Matisse
Posted by Polly Lyman on Jan 4th, 2008

Once upon a time, when we lived in a rambling 19th century New England clapboard house, we had the requisite ...

The eyes have it
Posted by Polly Lyman on Nov 30th, 2007

All right. If you are my mother or my children or any of my Episcopalian friends and kin, please stop ...

Another Day, Another Manifestation
Posted by Polly Lyman on Oct 17th, 2007

Just another ordinary day in Paris. At the intersection on my street, the police were redirecting traffic yesterday afternoon. Cars ...

A small request
Posted by Polly Lyman on Sep 5th, 2007

Dear God, I know that I make a lot of requests. I usually ask You for the big favors in ...

Unlocking the French 'R'
Posted by Polly Lyman on Aug 3rd, 2007

Serrurerie. A locksmith's shop, in French. I can say the word "locksmith" just fine ... in English, that is. En ...

The houseguest from hell
Posted by Polly Lyman on Jul 12th, 2007

Living in Paris, I am slowly learning the perils of having all the people who were never nice to you ...

Shake-It-A-Baby!
Posted by Polly Lyman on Jun 28th, 2007

During my summers as a kid in Tennessee we used to go over to my cousins' house and play with ...

French women don't get fat, but Americans do
Posted by Polly Lyman on Jun 20th, 2007

Okay, I admit it. Since arriving in Paris a year ago I have experienced the newcomer's equivalent of new college ...

Le Look Parisien
Posted by Polly Lyman on May 14th, 2007

In a short time living in Paris, she's getting it figured out. Le Look Parisien. After finishing le petit déjeuner, ...