Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Washing his hands of it.


Sunny and bright but there's a decidedly nippy breeze blowing down from the high mountains. While Sophie waits to head off on our morning walk  Angus pops back indoors to put on an extra layer.... or two.


Sophie sits in the garden waiting for his reappearance with what might be seen  ( to some ) to be restrained patience.


This morning we meet the mayor taking down the Christmas baubles from the war memorial. Later today he's going to announce to the village council that he'll be retiring on March 15th. He's been mayor for 24 years. Time for someone younger to take the helm. The disagreement between the man with anger management issues and the German billionaires builder is the straw that's broken the camels back. ' I simply don't have the energy or patience to deal with this nonsense any more'. It also seems that his wife, who has had no less than five hip replacement operations, is not well.

There are three contenders for the mayors position. Four if you count the man with anger management issues who isn't a contender because no one likes him. The three viable candidates all have strongly partisan backing. The transfer of power and the municipal election will not be easy. Angus isn't sure if he'll be allowed to participate as Britain will be leaving the EU before the date of the vote. This might be a blessing .

When we get back to The Rickety Old Farmhouse Loic, the heavily bifocaled gardener, can be seen under an oak tree blowing leaves into piles.  Sophie rushes over to redistribute the leaves. Loic informs me - at length and with urgency- that the cat at his home is ill and hasn't been eating properly for two days. I ask if someone is going to take it to the vets.  He doesn't know but promises to find out by the time he returns on Friday. I get the lawn tractor out and let him zip around for fifteen minutes. Loic seems to think he's driving like Michael Schumacher but in fact his pace is sedentary. This doesn't stop him from laughing with pure delight.


9 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

It seems to me that the current mayor will be a hard act to follow. How long has he been in post?

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
The image of Loic and his in-the-moment enjoyment always sets everything else into balance somehow. Briefly. YAM xx

Poppy Q said...

The mayor has earned his retirement. Time to sit back and relax with his wife.

Sheila said...

Whenever you mention the man with anger management issues now, I picture in my mind Carlos Ghosn whose face seems twisted in a constant scowl.

Anonymous said...

No Village Dog today? Your story yesterday reminded me about the letter that Tom Corwin wrote to his friends after the sudden death of his beloved dog. The letter was eventually turned into a very short book called Mostly Bob. Corwin tells the background story of his golden retriever who was once his neighbor's dog and how he eventually became his dog. It is a lovely and touching tribute to another fine fellow named Bob.

Bailey Bob Southern Dog said...

It is 37 degrees here this morning. Predicted to be 60 degrees by this afternoon. It is also leaf roundup day! I hope someone will take Loic’s friend, The Cat, to be checked out. The Mayor’s service to the Village has been a loyal commitment. May he have an opportunity to do things that will be peaceful.

Camille said...

How lovely your house and yard (and Sophie) look today with that deep blue sky in the background. It won't be long before your Wisteria is covered in blooms again. The Mayor has been in office for 24 years? Goodness, he deserves a good rest and a medal.

Lisa in France said...

And Sophie has not detected that you have been consorting with another dog?

Coppa's girl said...

Perhaps Sophie would accept the dog who visited you yesterday, as anew companion? After all, who is she going to blame when she's caught out in mischief or things go wrong? It was always poor Bob who got blamed each time.