Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Christmas Carol #13


I'd half expected to see an array of elves on the village green but the deputy mayors decorating urge seems to have been sated by the creation of the cheery Santa Claus and his four log reindeer.

Sophie displays exemplary courage and takes two slurps from the stream before deciding that her paw hold is too tenuous and the fast flowing water too dangerous. She reverses, carefully back and opts instead for a lengthy drink from a puddle that's formed in a pothole on the Old Roman Road.


'The Font' gifted the town council  two Swedish fir wreaths for the front door of the church. An attempt to give the village a more festive air. Their intertwined fir fronds and pine cones the epitome of svelte understatement. Perhaps they are just a little too Nordic for the locals. One has appeared high up on the wall of the village hall. The other has appeared on the wall beside the door into the town hall. The Swedes think wreaths are festive. I have a feeling they appear 'funerary ' to French village tastes. Best to put them where they can't be seen.


After a morning like that the best thing for a girl to do is repair to the kitchen in the hope that her family will have some form of muscular spasm and spill baked products on the floor. Failing that it's a good, warm place for a restorative nap.


Difficult to say what's the more impressive here - the Elizabethan English - ' In fury raging stout ? ' , the music or the photography. At times almost achingly beautiful.  Covid has spurred creativity :https://youtu.be/f0UK5Bw89-s?t=23

9 comments:

Lisa in France said...

Americans also think wreaths are festive - one of my tasks as a florist's daughter was helping decorate the wreaths for sale each year - but from your photo it seems that maybe the French don't get it, as that poor lovely wreath looks very forlorn. It is really true that Covid has spurred creativity. There was a tremendous burst earlier in the year, when people were struggling to wrap their minds around the situation, and now there seems to be a second burst at the end of the year. Your description of Sophie's shift to a safer drinking place reminds me of another new fact I've learned - the word "poodle" is supposedly derived from an old German word "pudelin," meaning "splashing in water." I have appreciated all the dog breed suggestions, and have learned a lot - I did not know that English cocker spaniels and American cocker spaniels are different breeds.

WFT Nobby said...

Bertie think Sophie very wise to back away from fast running water.

Coppa's girl said...

Inca thinks Bertie is right, Sophie is wise to keep away from the raging rapids - though that's strange advice coming from a Labrador!
It's true that in the past, in the UK, wreaths were associated with funerals than festive cheer. However in recent years they have become an acceptable adornment for the front door. I think yours just need a little brightening up.

Gina said...

Sophie is THINKING.

10NISNE1 said...

That's a shame about the wreaths. Would have looked lovely on the church doors!

Iza said...

I adore English Cockers and their faces. I lived in Poland where they were more popular than the American variety. From what I know, their coat doesn't need to be trimmed, but it requires some brushing and weekly or bi-weekly bathing as their coats tend to smell more. A while ago a PON crowd was in awe of Lagotto Romagnolo, an Italian breed. They are smaller, look a bit like poodles, but they are rare and were much more expensive the last time I researched. As much as I like all these breeds, I do love PONs. Sadly, my own passed suddenly three weeks ago. I hope to have another in the future

rottrover said...

I'm sorry about the sudden loss of your PON.

Bailey Bob Southern Dog said...

Angus, your selection of today’s Christmas Carol was stunningly gorgeous. Thank you.

Iza said...

Thank you. We still can't believe what happened. Our PONette was ten, and had so much energy and no obvious health issues. We miss her every day.