Barbara Luhrs

mom to two daughters and grandma to three granddaughters. Avid K-State supporter. Pi Beta Phi volunteer.

[Josiah @josiahjdp]

My fingers tightened around my fork.

Then Philippe said he feared Luca would spend his marriage carrying a wife without a proper cultural foundation. He hoped his grandchildren would understand where they came from.

By that, he meant Brussels.

He did not mean Claire.

He certainly did not mean me.

Something inside me, something that had been folding itself smaller for decades, finally stopped.

I placed my fork beside my plate.

Philippe was still talking when I raised my eyes and answered him.

In perfect French.

I did not shout.

I spoke politely, using the formal tone I had learned in Lyon—the kind of politeness that allows a person to deliver a devastating correction without raising her voice.

“Forgive me, Philippe,” I began. “I have enjoyed your conversation so much that I did not want to interrupt.”

The table became completely silent.

Hélène’s fork froze in the air. Philippe slowly turned pale.

“I lived in Lyon for eight years,” I continued. “I worked on Rue Mercière and lived near Croix-Rousse. I learned French from people who did not slow down for foreigners. So I have understood everything you have said since arriving.”

Claire stared at me.

Luca covered his face with one hand.

I repeated their remarks—the rustic house, Claire’s supposed simplicity, my small life, and their concerns about our family lacking culture.

Then I became more precise.

“You sat at my daughter’s table and ate a meal she practised for weeks to honour you. You used a language you believed protected you to insult her in front of her.”

Neither of them moved.

“That is not the behaviour of people with cultural refinement,” I said. “In Lyon, we would call it the behaviour of people with money but no manners. That is one of the most common forms of poverty.”

Hélène attempted to interrupt.

“I am not finished,” I said pleasantly. “You have discussed my family for two hours. Now it is my turn, and I am giving you the courtesy of speaking in a language you understand.”

I told them what Claire had built.

[The Kansas City Star @KCStar]

Another Las Vegas Strip show shutting down unexpectedly https://t.co/lMXbC1lWGi

[Allison Kite @Allie_Kite]

From @mdkcstar: Single-serve coffee aims for the compost pile and lands in court -- https://t.co/oxeIEngzVZ

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@ThatEricAlper Erasable bond typewriter paper

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@KStateAlumni None are correct. The KC event is held in Overland Park.

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@jandrewv @vluhrs @leluhrs @Royals 28 years on the 27th or 28th??

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@leluhrs you are so lucky!

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@laurenINlaw Babies at K-State events are great, the crowd noise muffles their cries so nobody minds. That's what I did, and no ear muffs.

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@laurenINlaw you are correct! How about Dish TV for your grandparents?

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

Happy 60th anniversary to my parents!

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@laurenINlaw @vluhrs OK but you could listen and follow-I was doing journal entries.

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

#firstworldproblems @laurenINlaw could watch the Royals while @vluhrs and I had to work.

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

30th anniversary of the Pine Tar game in NY on the 24th.

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@laurenINlaw Is it 1973 or 2013? Some things never change.

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

#wheatharvest2013

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@laurenINlaw Meeting Victoria at #spinpizza to try it tonight. Intriguing that they are using 2 sauces on 1 pizza.

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@vluhrs @laurenINlaw I concur.

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@vluhrs @laurenINlaw You were too busy with classes at KU museum and JCCC, plus trips to every historical site in KC. When did it begin?

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@laurenINlaw @vluhrs LuhrsLadies were all at Farmer's Market today.

[Barbara Luhrs @brooglekc]

@laurenINlaw I will put it on your desk with the #kstater that arrived today, the more important magazine.