Monday, August 29, 2016

World changing.


The day dawns grey and overcast. On humid mornings like this the PONs take up position on their garden table 'roost'. The tables slats allow air to circulate freely to those parts that air needs to circulate to. They watch as I clean the pool. Bob watches in silence. Sophie lends noisy encouragement.


Off in the car to the market town. Below the cathedral we notice that someone is modernizing an attic flat. The modern window and the removal of the old shutters a hint that this is not going to be a 'sensitive' restoration.


At the bakers much discussion as to where you could find pastries like these in the US. Lake Shore Drive and Central Park South are mentioned. Angus is surprised to learn that inhabitants of Austin consider it to be more sophisticated than Dallas or Houston.


Bile. There could be a better name for this wine displayed in a local grocers window. It causes much amusement.


In the greengrocers it's now pumpkin season. Last week there were none.


This week we count a dozen varieties. The Americans are keen on pumpkin pie but admit that the only variety they know is the one that comes out of a can.


We find signs of some mite bites on Sophie's front paws. She gets given a bath with medicated shampoo. Bob, who is next in line to be bathed, disappears. Bob has learnt that if enough time passes between the bath being run and being caught then the chances of having to face this ordeal diminishes. It works. After twenty minutes of searching in vain we give up. He reappears. 

No worries. Bob is mite free.


Chicken and rice for dinner. Then a lengthy bout of throw the furry fox. Bob settles down for a doze by the pool. Sophie 'circulates' amongst the guests to let them know she's ready to be tickled .

It's been the best day ever.

And here's the story of a truly world changing man : http://www.economist.com/news/obituary/21705644-donald-ainslie-da-henderson-epidemiologist-died-august-19th-aged-87-man-versus-virus




7 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

I would be so tempted to buy a bottle of bile.

Taste of France said...

The perplexing thing is that bile means the same things in French: digestive juices and, figuratively, irascibility. How can that sell wine? Drink it and you'll be in a foul mood?
Tell the Americans that the "right" pumpkin is butternut squash. Not easy to turn one into purée of the pie consistency.
I had the honor to meet Dr. Henderson when I was an aid worker in Africa. Three decades later, I still remember it.

Kittypup said...

The gall of you all - laughing at Bile wine!
Those cakes look yummy - weekend treats?
Kitty empathises with Bob...although unlucky for her, our house and garden isn't large enough for disappearing at bathtime.

10NISNE1 said...

Bile...Ewww!!!

Coppa's girl said...

Perhaps Bile is meant to be given to people with a similar disposition?
Oh Bob, come on, be a man, a bath never hurt anyone, and you'll feel so much better ! In this hot weather we shower our girls outdoors, using the fine spray on the garden hose. They don't seem to mind, but then they are Labs !

Anonymous said...

Often I give thanks for scientists, doctors, firefighters and policemen. Without these brave people where would we be? Thank you for sending on the inspirational story about the wonderful Donald Henderson's work to save humanity from a dreaded disease.

Linda

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

At first, thought Bile would be all wrong for export. But as a humorous contribution to a dinner party just might put up sales.

Saw health workers in India--I think--giving polio vaccine to kids on trains and at the stations. Only way to reach many people. Some incredible people in this world.