Thursday, November 23, 2017

Glorious.


After the freezing fog of the last week it's a delight to head off for our morning walk in glorious conditions.


Sophie is in her 'punk' mode.


Bob is never changing Bob.


We ordered some standard roses from England for the war memorial. A deep pink bordering on crimson. They were delivered to the mayor last week. Today he and his grand daughter are planting them. A man from the commune digs the holes. It is clear that the mayor enjoys the company of his twenty something grand daughter. As I wander over the two of them are joking and laughing away.  He looks years younger. The mayors dog is sitting, guarding, in the back of his owners little white van. It gets down and wanders over to make sure I'm not a threat.

I tell the mayor the roses look 'correcte' . He tells me they look like pallbearers at a catafalque. Not a word you hear every day. 37 of the villagers were killed in the 'Great' War. '' What nobody talks about is the 70 others who were injured " he muses. '' It changed things forever ". Only three of the 109 boys who left returned 'complete'.  After the end of hostilities there was no one to run the farms. Immigrants from Poland and Italy were brought in by the government in the 1920's to help work the fields. By the ruined windmill there is still a gentle old Italian farmer who arrived from Udine as a child in 1924.  He sits outside in the sun and nothing makes his day like a visit from Sophie. We speak Italian. His carers say this makes him happy. A kind of full circle happiness.


In the forenoon a van and a truck draw up outside The Rickety Old Farmhouse.


What they are doing is any ones guess. The PONs monitor them closely. As the church bells chime twelve the PONs wander in for lunch. Dogs are wild things who really thrive on family routine.


France Musique played this today. A sound I'd never heard before. Music for Thanksgiving :

19 comments:

MOPL said...

Might I ask the name of the Roses?

War is so sad and taxing on those whose families fought and can have an effect for generations. I am sure that the PONS support world peace...they are idealists.

Angus said...

Princess Anne from David Austin roses.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

People usually forget the devastation of villages and towns where men don't return from war, or return wounded, mentally and physically.

Taste of France said...

War is too easy a choice for those who don't have to go into battle.
That song is lovely.

WFT Nobby said...

Such a beautiful sunrise.

Coppa's girl said...

That sunrise is the most beautiful start to another best day ever.
The roses are such a caring gesture, and because they were planted with love and laughter, they should survive for future generations to enjoy.

Poppy Q said...

You are good people. The roses were a lovely gift - as is the Italian conversation. Also thanks to you for sharing your beautiful life with us. I treasure reading your blog each day and seeing the seasons change.

Judith said...

Beautiful and poignant post. Lovely music---a request so needed these days and yet, so much to be thankful for today. Thank you Angus for your lovely blog, I look forward to reading it every day. May you and 'the Font' be blessed abundantly in the days to come. Extra hugs to Bob and Sophie.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
This was as wonderful a 'thanksgiving' post as there might be by any in the USA, for thanks can only be generated by remembrance of what has been given...

...and is it wrong that Mlle Sophie caused me to choke on my tea as I cackled..? (in a good way) YAM xx

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

A thoughtful post, Angus. On our Thanksgiving as we're celebrating and giving thanks here in the US, your village also has much to be thankful for.

BaileyBobSouthernDog said...

Happy Thanksgiving Bob and Sophie, and all y’all ! ! !

Unknown said...

Such a lovely post, Angus. So much for which to be thankful. Your gentle sun-filled pictures are a blessing.

I'm a Sophie Doodle Dog said...

Sophie-we love your hair! Rock on!

Emm said...

Much to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving, including the delight of reading your blog each day. Many thanks.
Although I think Sophie's punk look needs, oh, a purple streak or two.

Beau and Mom said...

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone that participates on this beautiful blog. It starts each day of mine with a smile; I'm Thankful for Angus, The Font, the Dear Pons and all the lovely comments that I enjoy reading each day. Thank You

Beau and Mom said...

I agree this is a lovely way to start each day!! Happy Thanksgiving to You, Stephanie :)

Judith said...

Thanks Beau and Mom, I feel the same way.

Unknown said...

A bit late, but hope your holiday was happy, Beau and Mom.

Beau and Mom said...

Never too late! Thank You.