The Stolen Orange
When I went out I stole an orange
I kept it in my pocket
It felt like a warm planet
Everywhere I went smelt of oranges
Whenever I got into an awkward situation
I'd take the orange out and smell it
And immediately on even dead branches I saw
The lovely and fierce orange blossom
That smells so much of joy
When I went out I stole an orange
It was a safeguard against imagining
There was nothing bright or special in the world
Brian Patten
Every day is like a Sunday now. Quiet bar birdsong and the sound of the seven am bells rolling around the hills. Angus and Sophie saunter down to the storm drain. Thrushes and blackbirds everywhere. The blackbirds could be the dullest of birds but their electric orange beaks glow brighter than the morning sun.
By now there's a faint hint of warmth in the air. Sophie leans in for an ear tickle. Angus and his furry companion both, in their own ways, think how remarkable it is to be alive on this little rock hurtling through space. Bird song, sunshine, a fluffy companion and bells. Not a bad start to a Tuesday. Sophie tops it off by chasing after birds in the hedgerows. It goes without saying that the birds have nothing ... absolutely nothing ... to fear from her hunting technique. Stealth is not a PON trait.
Blog du jour on Simon and Garfunkel : https://www.steynonline.com/10092/bridge-over-troubled-water
And this thread on the Venezuelan Navy and the cruise ship is remarkable : https://twitter.com/Canocola/status/1246364316355514368
25 comments:
Sophie does seem to be really pleased with your recent performance - she's always smiling lately. The story of the Venezuelan Navy and the cruise ship is truly amazing, and I enjoyed the blog on S&G. It was especially interesting that they referenced covers by Aretha and Elvis. I've always wondered why there are so few Simon & Garfunkel covers, as compared to, say, Bob Dylan. My 17-year old daughter had Scarborough Fair on her playlist yesterday, which brought back memories - when I was a kid, we had a wonderful Jack Russell/Norwich mix named Parsley. She was from a litter of four, and you can probably guess the other names. We planned to change her name, but the family couldn't agree on any of the alternatives, so Parsley she remained for the next 18 years. (We paid $50 for the puppy, and my father was insistent that we should name her "Took," as in "we got took.") We're taking Cherry to the vet in an hour to have her stitches removed for the second time. She finally seems to be feeling better, so I'm hoping the tests will confirm that.
What a lovely photo of Sophie in front of the rolling hills at dawn.
Surely, no bird with so melodious song as a blackbird could ever be thought of as dull.
Reading the 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' blog, it occurs to me that another Simon and Garfunkel song, 'Keep the Customer Satisfied', or at least the first two lines of this song, would also be appropriate just now...
Cheers, Gail.
I had to look up the lyrics - agree, very appropriate just now!
'Stitches removed' - two great words !
Beautiful sunrise photos; I thought the poem was lovely, and the song appropriate. Making one last trip out to the grocery in a few minutes, hopefully for the next month. Our governor here, in South Carolina USA, has finally seen fit to issue a stay-at-home order, the last of the states east of the Mississippi. Sad times, although our surrounding rural land remains peaceful. /Fay, cardis3, SPoo
Lovely photos of the family diva!
The verse is appropriate for the times, for needed hope and optimism. Going into work, traffic has been like a Sunday. One benefit of having to work.
In French, a blackbird is a merle, which seems like a good name for a great singer. We have a pair in our garden, very friendly, and Mr. Merle delivers some operatic performances. I love them.
The early '70s seem to be having a moment. "Lean on Me" is all over, with Bill Withers' passing. And now "Bridge Over Troubled Water," which brings back crystal-clear memories. I'll have to get out my sheet music of it. Two songs that moved me back in an era when life was pretty much trouble-free.
You are right! Good day today - stitches out, no fever, infection levels way down again. Her appetite is also getting better, although it still does seem as though Cherry's suddenly developed a pickier sense of taste at twelve. The vet sent her home with sample packages of allergen free kangaroo kibble. Not sure how I feel about that!
How chic is allergen free kangaroo kibble ? Sophie leads such a mundane life with badger poo !
We have a naval vessel very much in the headlines in the States with the dismissal of Captain Crozier of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt.
I notice that the wisteria is slowly but surely creeping around the corner of the ROF on the way to the dining terrace. It is really a magical sight each Spring. Wonder how old it is...as old as the house itself I guess.
Miss Sophie is looking particularly appealing this morning. I like the way her beard is growing longer as it falls from each side of her nose.
Sorry about taking up so much space. Must have hit the 'enter' key more than I realized.
So glad to know that Cherry is on the mend!
Thank you for the poem, Angus. I'll be sharing it. We're having a lovely spring on the coast of Northern California: bird song, tulips, cherry and apple blossoms, and the last daffodils. We're very fortunate to be in the country and with plenty of space, although we now have the first (two) confirmed cases in our county. Love that first picture of Sophie. Stay well, all!
What a joyful surprise! So happy for Cherry and your family, Lisa!
We are having frosty mornings but not bad days. Looks like it is going to get cooler.
Thanks for sharing that wonderful poem. We are happy that you are having such beautiful mornings and that the weather is staying warmer now for you. We love the pawsome photos. Have a fantastic rest of your day.
World of Animals
Enjoy SC - we should have been at Kiawah for a baptism but some things are not meant to be.
It really is like going back to the 70's - parking no problem, traffic light.
This year we seem to have not a pair but probably half a dozen pairs of them. This is a year when nature is providing some unexpected solace.
Mr.Modly must be regretting his intemperate talk to the crew of the TR.
If you had to be anywhere at the moment Northern California would be hard to beat.
We're expecting 25 degrees on Thursday. Time to start thinking about opening up the pool.
Thank you. Fear not. Sophie only has fantastic days.
A PONETTE or any dog is like an orange in your pocket.
So pleased to hear that Cherry is doing well, may she continue speedily to a full recovery.
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