The village drifting into high summer doldrums. The pace of life, relaxed at the best of times, slowing even further. Returning from our morning walk there was no sign of the school bus nor the two tikes and their long suffering and disdainful elder sister. Perhaps the summer holidays have started. If so I hope the two brothers have a long ( preferably very long ) and enjoyable break with their grandparents in St.Etienne. This morning a full moon was high in the sky as we headed off through the gates.
To avoid the heat ( more 40 degree days forecast for next week ) the angelic duo get two long walks. The first at five thirty, the second at ten. After that the tarmac gets too hot for PON paws and they are confined to the garden and the sunflower fields.This morning Sophie is decidedly miffed to discover the waterfowl have rushed into the undergrowth ahead of her arrival. I attempt to explain to her that throwing your head back and emitting loud squealing noises is not a good waterfowl stalking technique. She heads off for a noisy and long drink from the zinc bath tub below the village walls. I could swear she gives me a grumpy '' What do you know about water fowling ? '' look.
Lots of melon varieties in the greengrocers. We've done the strawberry season, worked our way through plums and nectarines, started to enjoy the local peaches and now can supplement our seasonal diet with melons.
Fresh almonds also make an appearance. Angus has no idea what you would do with fresh almonds so he leaves them alone.
There are however wild blueberries to go with 'The Fonts' morning porridge.
"First he was never for a moment, in all 27 years, bored. He was never lonely. He said that he felt almost the opposite of that. He said he felt utterly and intricately connected to everything else in the world. It was difficult for him to tell where his body ended, and the woods began ''. There is a surprising beauty and innocence to this tale :
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-48968502
Dog owners may enjoy this : https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jul/16/do-our-pets-ever-really-love-us-or-do-they-just-stick-around-for-the-food
I'd forgotten entirely what a lovely way of speaking this man had : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F46g8d5LZ0
8 comments:
I read the Guardian article yesterday and concluded it is parrot owners who really need the information it contains!
Cheers, Gail.
Thank you. Has to be the wittiest comment of the year !
I heard on French radio that there's a glut of melons in France this year. Apparently the heat has meant that all the melons in the Vendée have ripened at once, instead of being staggered over the season. Stand by for price reductions. But a very difficult year for the farmers - one of many it seems now.
Hari Om
Well, I had read the 'hermit' article yesterday; having such tendencies myself I found myself quite envious of Ms Maitland. The little vid clip within the Guardian article was touching. AS for the Green Almonds... You're welcome. YAM xx
They look like small blueberries. We love summer fruit and could live of it for months. Our new discovery here have been peacharines - a peach and nectarine mix. Fresh sweetcorn is a fave too.
I felt quite sorry for the hermit, being yanked back into "civilization" that way. And I wondered what it says about people who claim to be terrified because a few replaceable items are missing from a building unoccupied most of the year.
Reagan was reliable about cues and being on his mark, excellent qualifications for a B-list actor.
Lovely melons, they look quite tasty.
The love of pets was one topic on a news panel show last night. Panel members had animals that loved them, bar one, who at the end said she thought she must be missing out not having an animal.
Having been unable to comment for a time, due to knee replacement surgery, just a note of gratitude for this splendid blog. Each post is a joy. Speaking of the surgery, I've thought so often of Sophie and her rebuilt knees. I hope to do as well as she has; perhaps leaping onto kitchen counters is in my future?
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