Monday, August 22, 2016

Strike with wonder.


Sometimes you wonder if there's a point in blogging. Nothing new to add to what's been said time and time before. Just another perfect Monday morning with two playful sheepdogs. 


Then you turn out of the house onto the lane and feel the warmth of the sun and the freshness of the mountain breeze against your cheek. The beauty of the Queen Annes Lace in the Walnut grove.


The last of the deer hurrying home through the sunflowers to the safety of the forest.


The enthusiasm of the dogs not just for the new day but to be immersed in the new day.


And then you realize that an early morning walk with a dog is the key to a world beyond language. It's  a voyage into a canine world of wonder, amazement and inexpressible delight.

A world where words like dazzle, flabbergast, awe, miraculous and marvel only tell part of the story.

So starts a dog owners Monday morning in deepest, deepest France profonde. 

Truly, the best day ever and worth recording.


............................................................................................... The Radio France Breakfast Programme  informs its listeners that the 'highly acclaimed' French team finished seventh in the Olympics medal table behind the 'cash rich' American team. This way of phrasing things avoids mention being made of the fact that a neighbouring country finished second in the tables.




30 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Well worth recording (and sharing).
Plus - your dedicated blog audience would be quite lost without their daily dose of Bob and Sophie, and your witty, sometimes moving, and always beautifully written descriptions of life in France profonde.
Cheers, Gail.

Virginia said...

Thank you for your blogs, they delight and encourage me- and remind me to stop and appreciate the world around me.

Taste of France said...

I had these moments of wonder when my kid was little. Everything is new. Everything is amazing. Every day is the best ever. But dogs stay like children forever, whereas children grow up into antisocial adolescents. Sigh.
Your observations are the highlight of my mornings.

Coppa's girl said...

Gail is so right - my first port of call each day is here, wondering what Bob and Sophie have for us this morning. Even though we have our own dogs, it's good to share what's happening elsewhere in "dog blog" world.

Unknown said...

The golden morning light pictures are always among my favorites. You capture the passing seasons so poignantly. Coming to your little village in France to visit Bob and Sophie each morning does lift spirits. Gail has expressed it so well.

Anonymous said...

Yep - Travelling to France to visit you and the pups is always one of the first things on the agenda of my day for me! Thanks for the great start and wonderful outlook...........Chris

Charlotte said...

I have always loved your blog. I can't wait to read it each morning and look at the new pictures. Never boring. Please don't even think of cutting us off from your exciting life that you have in your town and with your fur babies.

Swan said...

I have to tell you how much your simple, funny, informative blog means to me. It's a breath of fresh air and I look forward to it each day.

Swan said...

We are fighting another wild fire in our area of Santa Barbara. The firefighters have requested people not send drones into the area! First time I've seen that! Feels like a Science Fiction movie !

Susan said...

Your blog is the first one that I read each day. Thank you so much for your wonderful posts. You have made me a dog lover :-)

Anonymous said...

Echoing what others have said; it would be unthinkable not to start the day with Bob and Sophie as well as all at the ROF......it is a very important start to my day, too......as we face the often insanity of this world, this blog and it's writer give us a sane balance......anyone who has dearly loved their canine family members and know their value to our human lives, treasure the chronicles of Bob and Sophie as well as all the goings on at the ROF. I have been a faithful and grateful reader since the beginning of The Rickety Old Farmhouse and still think of dear Wilf. Sending along a sincere think you for making my day every day. DBH









bob

Sheila said...

Well, Angus, these comments should put to rest any doubts you might have about posting a daily blog. So
many of us obviously look forward to starting each day with you.
Nice to see a photo of the walnut grove.

Unknown said...

I would surely die....

Anonymous said...

A day without "Bob and Sophie's French Adventure" is like a day without sunshine! Your blog makes the world a kinder more civilized place:)

Shannon Bell said...

I also love starting my day at 6 am reading about Bob and Sophie and the characters in your French village. As someone who has never been to France - but would be willing to housesit :) - I enjoy seeing your wonderful pictures and hearing about the comings and goings of my favourite PONS and their companions. It is a ritual that I hope continues.

10NISNE1 said...

When I lived in Alaska, I ended my day reading your wonderful blog and now in Chicago, it's how I start my day. There would be a lot of sad readers all over the world if you decided to stop blogging. :(

rottrover said...

You've given us so many beautiful moments. I heard this yesterday and wanted to send it along...https://youtu.be/5VRPKD7JqyI
Like others, Bob and Sophie are part of my morning ritual!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

We read you every single day.
xoxo

Anonymous said...

TRUE!

Beau and Mom said...

Always starts our day off with a smile here in Ohio. I feel like we're almost family at times.
Ha! the tough times are when you and the Font go on vacation!

Anonymous said...

Please don't ever stop. This cat owner would miss her virtual dogs.

Emm said...

Your third picture is particularly wonderful -- Sophie Surveying the Promised Land.
Adding to the comments above, a day without the ROF is not complete. Some days, just being able to step for a few minutes into your beautiful and gentle descriptions of village life helps everything else settle and calm.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

People who wake up late have no idea how fantastic the morning is.....

Anonymous said...

Please don't stop blogging. Although I rarely comment, it's a rare day I don't read your lovely blog. How I would miss it.

Myboyzach said...

Depending on the day...I wake up to Bob & Sophie or fall asleep to them. Maybe you can downsize and post a few times a week?? As everyone else has said...we enjoy being transported to your little corner of the world, even for 5 min each day.

Selina said...

The quality of your writing, humour and observations (not to mention the dilemma of cake selection) brighten up each and every day. If daily blogging is too onerous, perhaps a weekly or fortnightly post…? Irrespective of what you decide to do, I just wanted to say thank you.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

We have mornings that start out just like yours - My only issue is that I don't like having to round up the renegades who are also enjoying their walks, and forget their limits.

Louise said...

I love this blog

Judith said...

Like the other commenters have written, I too look forward to this small respite from daily life. The world is in such turmoil lately that coming here is a sweet place to tuck into every day (and sometimes more). Thank you for being here and sharing your lives with us. And thanks to the commenters too, they bring me joy as well.

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Please keep going....this blog makes my day, my week. What would I do without the PON's wisdom and delightful thoughts on the world around us.

Even if its just pictures - your blog is wonderful.