I too subscribe to and like French Word-A-Day.

I've also been using the lessons on this site to brush up on my French: http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html PBS series, Prof. Capretz, 50 lessons.

Also, on the Radio France International site, there is a feature called "Le Journal en Francais Facile," and you can listen to the broadcast and also read along. http://www.rfi.fr/fichiers/langue_francaise/index.asp This is pretty good practice, and deals with current affairs. It's great for picking up on the cadence and the rhythm of the language, but I have to admit that I still have a long way to go!

We're leaving for Paris and Provence in 45 days (who's counting?).

The excitement is mounting. Tonight, I will book the final travel leg on the SNCF site (Avignon to Roissy). I'm trying to resist my tendency to overplan, but I have booked a table at the D'Orsay museum restaurant on-line, and I've asked our Paris hotel to book us in one night at La Cave de L'Os a Moelle and another night at L'Auvergne Gourmande. I've also asked our Arles hotel to book a table for lunch at La Chassagnette, the highly recommended restaurant on the road to the Camargue.

Kevin Douglas, NB, Canada