Monday, June 3, 2013

Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.







We meet the very old farmer as he's coming out of the churchyard . The old fellows  daily visit to his wife's grave. He shuffles slowly alongside us down the lane. Bob is happy to trot along at this leisurely pace but Sophie strains at her leash, eager to race off . Our journey marked by the winding and unwinding of leads.

At his front door we're invited in. I make a half hearted excuse but it's clear he'd like the company. What in the scheme of things is half an hour of my time ? Bob and Sophie are immediately taken with the unusual smell in the very old farmers kitchen. Animal, vegetable or mineral ? Perhaps a combination of all three ? They settle under the table. Bob puts his chin on my foot. Although it's barely breakfast time the very old farmer pours a generous portion of  home made wine into a frosted glass beaker. He pushes it towards me.  The smell of rosewater with the consistency of treacle. He chews an olive, finds it tough, spits it out, then repeats the process. The discarded pieces arranged round a plate.  He wonders if Bob and Sophie would like some rabbit stew. 

Monday morning in deepest France profonde. On our way home Bob looks up at me as if to say '' Did you know there was cold rabbit stew on top of the oven ?" . 

Home to find Madame Bay has filled a vase with sage flowers. ' How exotic ' says ' the font '.




18 comments:

JacksDad said...

Did they get some rabbit stew?

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Have all the roses fallen apart?

XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & roxy

WFT Nobby said...

I'm sure the three guests greatly brightened the very old farmer's day.

Anonymous said...

A nice way to spend half an hour.
Love the picture of Bob - he looks like such a sweetheart.
Have a lovely day.
x

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I've no doubt it was an enjoyable start to the day for everyone--Except Bob and Sophie who I'm sure would have loved trying rabbit stew.

VirginiaC said...

Sometimes it's the little things that we do that make a BIGGG difference in someone's life.
It was nice of you to spend some time with the very old farmer...I'm sure he enjoyed your visit with Sophie and Bob, and it cheered up his day.
So how was that generous portion of homemade wine so early in the morning?

Fat Dormouse said...

...and did you try any of the tough olives...?

Robin Larkspur said...

How was the wine?

Anonymous said...

People get lonely.

Louise said...

Oh my goodness so bittersweet. You painted such a clear picture of the very old farmer that I can see him. I have been in that kitchen. Haven't we all.

The title yesterday is very appropriate for today also.

Whispering Walls said...

I like those sage flowers

Angus said...

Don't think the sage in the garden ever flowered in Scotland.

Angus said...

Memorable.

Angus said...

No but they did eat lots of windfall cherries.

Anonymous said...

Bob is looking more and more like a proper Scotsman every day - especially in his portrait this morning. Handsome boy.

Shelby in Tiburon

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

I thought those flowers were mini bananas. I must get my eyes tested! Those two wagging tails in the last video are just precious! That poor farmer...reminds me of my grandfather....

houndstooth said...

They are some rather unusual flowers!

Bunny and Morgan would have had the same questions about the rabbit stew! Bob seems like he's really growing fast. He looks so big in the second video!

Angus said...

They didn't get any. Rabbit stew and little stomachs seemed to me like an explosive mix. Literally !