Monday, June 30, 2014

Gratitude is the memory of the heart.






The lost baggage finally arrives. Packed inside there are squeaky toys for Bob and Sophie. Within twenty minutes the '' indestructible '' starfish have had their five arms reduced to four. Neither squeaks.

A flat bottomed barge flying the Union flag is moored by the river. How did it get from England to southern France ? It must have been 'fun' crossing the English channel in something that small .

Violent thunderstorms all afternoon. A section of the gutter running along the font of the house crashes onto the lane bringing the downpipe with it. Bob and Sophie head, with their starfish, into the downstairs library - as far away from the crashes and bangs as they can get. When 'the font' starts to bake a strawberry pie they move into the kitchen. There they remain, happily oblivious to the gales outside, until dinner is served. 

In the garden ,yesterdays puddle, augmented by the heavy rain, has turned into a muddy lake. Sophie finds this irresistible. She spends the day sporting a very wet nose and a mud coated chin.  PON wisdom - Water always tastes sweeter when its muddy. 



23 comments:

Kinley Westie said...

Glad da baggage finally arrived, even if it did contain a not-so-indestructible starfish.

Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers said...

Ohhh I looooove your book shelves.....
If you really wanted indestructible you would stick with Kongs - but I am gald they enjoyed their new toys :)

Angus said...

Kongs ? They won't touch them. Don't ask me why.

Angus said...

PON wisdom. Better a starfish with four arms than no starfish at all.

WFT Nobby said...

Clearly the Dunkirk spirit is alive and well amongst British barge owners.
Cheers, Gail.
PS Bertie says the odd thing is that humans would find tasteless tap water superior...

Wishfully Thinking said...

Have you read "Narrow Dog to Carcassonne"? It's very good, in spite of its cover, and they crossed the Channel in a narrow boat

Julie said...

Strawberry pie, I want strawberry pie !

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We agree with Sophie....

XXXOOO Bella Roxy & Dui

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I had to laugh when I saw the starfish and read about it--We had the exact toy, and Todd did the same thing as Bob and Sophie, but he started with the face. We were however given a KONG toy to review for them, (tomorrows post) that has turned out so far, to be indestructible for Todd -- However, I really think they should have asked Bob and Sophie instead.

Anonymous said...

The look that Merlin gives me when I freshen his water. I'm sure he's saying ' I've just got that tasting just right and you have ruined it'.

The only toy here to survive (almost) unscathed is a Starmark treat ball.

x

VirginiaC said...

Thank goodness, your luggage has arrived safe and sound.
The poor "squeakless" starfish...they have my sympathy.
I like the photo of Bob the librarian in his bed....a nice book to read in the rainy weather would have been perfect.

Anonymous said...

Yogi wasn't pleased with his Kong either, (I think its the rubber smell and taste?) BUT after I put a teaspoon of peanut butter in the center ... and he seems to think it's Wonderful now!! He gets this treat every few days, Yogi is a Lab ... so his Kong is extra large.

Happy your bags finally arrived!
Yogi & Mom

Emm said...

Not only do I like those bookshelves, but am trying to resist the urge to read all the book spines. Glad the lost luggage has been returned.

Hildred said...

Delightful post - great helpers in the kitchen, I'm sure. Love today's quotation.....

JacksDad said...

I love Bill Bryson!!

(Yes, I blew up the picture to see what books you have.)

Kari said...

The dog beds look very soft and inviting and wonderfully un-chewed. I remember a while back you sent for indestructible beds from Germany, I We're they a no go?

Kari said...

The words Channel and narrow boat in the same sentence give me the shivers. We're they mad? I must read this book.

Angus said...

The hugely expensive German 'indestructible' dog beds lasted all of an hour. They were then destuffed - completely. We now buy heavily remaindered dog beds in the bargain section of the dog store. Beds covered in shocking swirly pattern material. The sort of things no sane person would have in the house and are sold at 60% off. This way the PON's can chew them or throw them in the air and we're not bothered.

Angus said...

Why is it that Kongs are looked at with distaste by Bob and Sophie? Previous generations of PON's have also viewed them with suspicion. And yes, before you ask, we've tried the type you put cheese in . All that got in return was a look that seemed to ask " why are you wasting good cheese ? ".

Angus said...

I shall look up Starmark on Google.

Angus said...

By read I presume you mean 'devour' ?

Anonymous said...

OMG you have NOTHING to read.

Anonymous said...

Tink - the terrier who ranks chewing on whatever on a par with fetching - views Kongs (even filled with peanut butter) with complete disdain.