Shortly after our arrival, and not more than two or three meals later, I realized that Jean Pierre had a very special knife that he used to slice and spread his cheese. He told me that it was a knife that he has had for many years. It is a knife that is made in a particular region of France and is popular for its quality and history. He would always take it with him when he traveled and would use it for the same purpose as he would at home, cutting bread and cheese. Everyone in the household knew that it was not to go into the sink or into the dishwasher. It was always placed next to his plate for the upcoming meal.
When Norma and I were in Nantes we were shopping with the Pein’s and just happen to find the same brand and model of knife that Jean Pierre had. My kids had given me some money for Father’s day, since I would be in France during that Sunday, and so I felt that this knife would make a perfect “souvenir” of my stay in France and a great Father’s day gift (for me of course).
I didn’t want to use the knife until it had a proper christening. I gave the knife to Jean Pierre at the last dinner we were to have before leaving France. He sliced a piece of cheese with my knife and placed it on my plate; he then cut another piece of cheese and placed it on his plate. He gave me my knife and the ceremony was official. My French knife had then been used by a Frenchman to cut French cheese, which was spread on French bread in France. It had been officially christened.
This video clip is a bit choppy, as the blog would only allow a a certain amount of MBs and it was difficult to edit the clip to make it fit the requirements
