You know you've been here too long when you sound like a Frenchman.

And I mean that literally. When you sound like a French MAN.

My friend Lara, who was my roommate when I did my junior year abroad a few too many years ago to mention, came to visit this week. It was great to catch up with her! While she was here, we visited the Dragon's Lair, a limestone quarry at the front lines of WWI used by the Germans and the French alternately and for several months, they both used it at the same time.

The conversation when we got there went like this:

Me: Hi, we are here for the visit in English.
Employee: Yes, are you the ones who called yesterday, and again this morning?
Me: Yes, my husband called...
Employee: (nodding) I recognized your voice!

Oh dear.

I suppose there are several possibilities here. Perhaps I sound like a French man, or perhaps Frédéric's picked up more of an American accent when he speaks French, along with a more feminine voice. I'm not really sure which of us should be more offended. Or flattered?

In other news....
The neighbor came over today and brought me some pear, pear/green tomato/apple, and green tomato jam. She made sure to tell me that she doesn't use a lot of sugar, but she does put in a hint of moonshine.