Sophie is looking particularly disheveled this morning. It's been one of those nights. Can it only be yesterday she spent half an hour on the grooming table with 'The Font' ?
Today, All Saints, is a national holiday here in France. The supermarket is open until lunchtime and will then close. A big morning for the sale of Chrysanthemums. We head off to stock up on milk. The PONs monitor my movements from the back of the car.
For All Saints The Old Farmer is going back ( again ) to his wife's grave. He's had a variety of marble plaques made up. These are adorned with photos of happier times. Brightening up graves is a very French thing. He asks me to take a photo of him standing with these new acquisitions. They're frost proof he tells me. '' The marble is treated with resin ". Our neighbour has dressed up for the journey. Long trousers, check shirts, lace up shoes and a black felt hat. "Not too formal ?" he asks. I assure him he's not.
One of the plaques commemorates the dog who was killed in the car alongside his wife and daughter. 'Cyrus our guardian angel' it says. Never let it be said that dogs aren't family members.
He's also had a plaque made up with a photo of his father on the day he was called off to the war in 1939. His father, captured in 1940, disappeared on a forced march from his PoW camp as the Russians advanced towards Germany at the end of 1943. It was only by pure serendipity that our old neighbour found the grave three years ago. '' We'll soon all be together " he says matter of factly.
I help him load the valuable items into the back of the venerable Mercedes. He'll set off later this morning and be back tomorrow.
This is playing on Radio Nostalgie this morning : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFEB9xLeLmY
And here are some bagpipers : https://youtu.be/vUCFvefMbTI?t=279
10 comments:
Thank you so much for the fine picture of the Old Farmer and the plaques he has had made up with such care and love.
It is a fine picture indeed. He excudes dignity, integrity and great depth. No need to be Beau Brummell when you wear your character with such style.
Another early morning weeping session :( The old farmer looks very dapper, indeed...
Agree with you and "Teena and Merlin," it is a fine picture of the Old Farmer. It's a fine photo of Sophie as well. It fits with what I read recently in a womans magazine that tousled hair exudes confidence and a little bit of sassiness.
I know the song "Walking in Memphis" very well. It was a favorite of my late brother.
Bless his heart!
The Old Farmer is a true man among men!! And Sophie displays that youthful Parisienne "je ne sais quoi" studied nonchalance:)
Hari Om
oops, somehow I nearly missed visiting today; sacre bleu! Am very grateful I did. Thanks Angus, for bringing one of our favourite characters to 'life'... YAM xx
Tell the OF from me that he looks very distinguished
The Old Farmer is very distinguished, très distingué, and he looks like someone you'd want as a neighbor. I, too, am shedding just a few tears for his family.
Now if only Mme. Bay would ask you to take her portrait . . .
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