Saturday, November 14, 2015

A prize beyond measure.


We go to bed in one world and wake in a different one. At 7.12 am on a misty Saturday morning the radio announcers still in a state of disbelief. One of those days that like 9/11 will stay rooted in the mind. 'The Font' due to fly to Paris on Tuesday mornings easyJet flight. Do we cancel ? Or do we continue , as we should and will ? Tears of joy from a friends wife who escaped unharmed. 

An unallayed vision of loveliness appears in the morning room. It has brought with it a dead blackbird. This prize is deposited at its owners feet while he's tying his shoe laces. Gushing praise is expected in return.

On a morning like this the life goes on 'ordinariness' of dogs is a prize beyond measure.


This eyewitness account from this mornings FT is sensitively and well written :


14 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Deeply, deeply shocking news from Paris. The city means so much to people all over the world, as the terrorists know only too well. My thoughts are with the victims and their close ones today. And yes, this is a day to value the ordinary patterns of a life lived they way it should be.
Best wishes, Gail.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We, too, shocked. At least the dogs can keep things grounded. Congrats on the Blackbird....

MOPL said...

Horrible beyond belief. The ordinariness of life with dogs whose love is unconditional is certainly comforting. When will the human race realise that violence begets violence and does not achieve anything but misery. Centuries of wars and tribal stoushes causing loss of life and we still deal with our differences by resorting to violence. Thank goodness for the PONS.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

The article is well written, and I am glad your friend is safe. President Obama's words are so true when he said, "this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values we share." And it is times like this that "oblivious ordinary" is welcomed and needed.

Kari said...

Life must go on or the forces of evil have triumphed.
The vision of loveliness bearing gifts is assuring.
Thankful that you and yours are safe.

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Shocked and saddened. I thought of you all at the Rickety Old Farmhouse and hope you are keeping safe. I wish I could live in a world where there were only the 4 legged animals....including the gifts of deceased blackbirds. Keep safe.

MLou said...

Dogs are true conjurers, finding joy on the saddest of days and sharing it with us. Glad that your friends are OK.

Julie said...

Shocking news from Paris, followed by a few fearful hours trying to track down friends, luckily to hear they are all safe.
Dogs are such great distraction

lyon de clarasvals said...

Horrific news. I've been thinking of you all since I heard. Be safe.

jskhackney said...

Shocking news indeed. Mum commented that our local newspaper gave just over half the "above the fold" to the shocking news, next to a piece about a project that $400,000 had been approved for tortoise tracking!!!!! We KNOW there is more important news than that!!!

Anonymous said...

My husband and I first met in Paris in 1972 and like millions of others, it is our special place. I am just heartbroken for Paris and all of France.
The world is praying for Paris...

Coppa's girl said...

Such terrible news - our hearts go out to all those who are injured or have lost loved ones. When will this slaughter end ?
Is this vision of loveliness the same one that frequently has a bad hair day? We thought so, but nice of her to bring you a gift. We hope that you gave the poor little bird a decent send off.

KB said...

We are so deeply shocked so I can only imagine how you feel. I hope that a sense of security can be restored. I remember the 9/11 attacks - and one of the most amazing things to me was my dogs' absolute joy with their little lives while it felt like the larger world was falling apart around us.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Thinking of you all today.
xx