After a walk across the fields to the waterfall, and back, she 's turned into a wild thing. Wild as in 'I've never been near a brush in my life' .
Angus continues decorating the Christmas tree. The maniacal lights are kept turned off during the day. They have three interlinked sequences. The first is a waltz like ripple that starts at the bottom and works its way sensually upwards and then back. So far so good. The second sequence is a high speed manic flashing of the lights on and then off. The third sequence is a wild fairy light acid trip where the lights explode in a riot of agitated randomness. Angus has to wonder if someone in Guangzhou Christmas Tree Factory #7 has an axe to grind.
The creche is brought out of the basement. That time of the year to wonder why Joseph is missing and why a lady in blue has taken his place. A mix up in the store or some deep comment on life and existence ?
Sophie and Angus head off to the greengrocers. The radio tells us that after 70 years IKEA is stopping printing its catalogue.
Angus is looking for Vidalia onions. There are lots of varieties but no Vidalias.
So starts another day in a little French village where nothing ever happens.
Who indeed ? : https://thehustle.co/the-economics-of-christmas-trees/
20 comments:
We lost our PON last night. Cherry suddenly cried out and collapsed and by the time we got her to the vets 15 minutes later, she was gone. Her vet thinks it was probably due to a blood clot coming loose all of a sudden. Cherry had a congenital heart defect and had been taking pretty heavy-duty heart medications for many years. She also had all sorts of other medical issues - 7 pills every morning, five every night, and three operations over the years, two for skin cancers and the most recent when her spleen was removed last spring. She'd slowed down over the last six months or so but that seemed mainly attributable to her failing eyesight. Overall she's been fine and living a happy life. I am sure that I am not the only reader who's been thinking about Bob these past few weeks. I remember reading last year what you and the Font went through in that last week and wondering if something like that was waiting down the road for us. Now, we've been spared that, and I suppose it was not a bad way to go - just before she collapsed, we were hanging out in front of the TV and she was sharing corn chip bits with the parrot - but it's terribly shocking for her human family members.
I am so so sorry to hear this. You and your family will be in our thoughts prayers. To lose a family PON is a wrench. Take some comfort in the fact that after 3 generations of PONs we have come to the understanding that they never actually leave us they simply do what they always do - run on ahead. To spend her last minutes sharing corn chip bits with the parrot is an epitaph worth of a fine family friend. Stay strong.
I had never heard of a PON until I came across this blog and now Sophie in all her wild and wonderful hairiness has become part of my every day. If a PON can do that to me remotely I can imagine the joy Cherry brought you. I know the empty space and the loss but I also know how often we have the pleasure of our "Remember when .... " moments for all the dogs we have loved. Thinking of you and hoping the memories help to heal the hurt.
Lisa, I am so very sorry to hear about Cherry, such a sad thing to happen, but you can take comfort from the fact that she had a very happy and contented life with you. My condolences to you all. Reading about both Sophie and Cherry always makes my day - they have such strong personalities.
If Inca and I go out for our usual walk at the moment, we'll end up looking like Sophie in that second photo! There is a howling gale and a serious threat of rain.
The tree looks good Angus, as does the crêche. Are you sure that is a lady, in the blue dress, and not Joseph? Though that might raise unwanted questions about cross-dressing!
Lisa I am so sorry to hear your news. What a blow! There will be such an empty space and sadness, but also many memories of a wonderful dog.
Oh Lisa, through reading your always interesting comments on this blog I too have grown fond of Cherry, and am so sorry to hear this news. Our dogs are so precious, and even when we know they are not well, and we hope we can hold onto them a bit longer, above all we want them not to suffer. It's clear Cherry was a well loved dog who enjoyed the best of life. My thoughts are with you on this sad day.
Gail xx
Angus, good to see the crib again, but I'm mighty grateful I don't have to live with those lights...
Hari OM
From one in current sorrow to another, my heartfelt condolence... I too shared Cherry vicariously and value the connections provided us through Angus and Sophie's comments threads. Know that you are held in our thoughts at this time. YAM xx
Thank you all for your kind thoughts. I found Angus's blog (from Italy at that time) many years ago when my husband and I were having an argument about whether or not we should cut Cherry's bangs. I voted "no," Angus voted "yes," so that was that and Cherry's life was probably the better for it. Tonight, my husband shocked me by paying her the greatest compliment I could ever have imagined. I suggested we might look into the epileptic rescue dog who was featured in our local paper a few weeks ago, but no, if we are to have another dog, he wants another PON. Cherry was his first dog, and she was not an easy dog, she even bit him (hard) a couple of times, so I assumed any dog after this would have to be something much "milder" in temperament, but no. I wouldn't trust the breeder we got Cherry from, given all her health issues, and I am not sure whether there are any others left in Japan, but I guess I will have to look.
I'm very sorry Lisa. No matter the health, no matter the years, the loss is always difficult. I have read your comments for years and know that Cherry was a well loved and well cared for family member. God bless.
Lisa, I too have followed your life and adventures with Cherry through Angus and this blog. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your dear girl. Indeed, Bob has been in my thoughts recently and I take comfort in Angus's observation that they're not really gone, but have simply run on ahead. Seeing the reappearance of that wonderful wonky chreche this morning has made me smile on a day we have needed the little boost.
Lisa - I am so sorry. Thank you for sharing Cherry with us. Twelve years is quite remarkable given all the medical issues life threw at her and is a testament to a caring, loving family. I quite enjoyed that even at twelve life still held remarkable new discoveries for her such as the new use for grass. Hugs and strength in this surreal time.
Lisa, we are very sorry for your loss. Shelagh and Peter
Oh Lisa, I am so sorry for your loss of Cherry. Sending strength and some Rottie kisses to Tokyo.
-Lisa in Los Angeles
Lisa, I am so sorry. Anyone who has loved a dog will understand your loss and the feeling there is never enough time. Please know many people around the world are thinking of you and your husband as you grieve, knowing that you gave Cherry a loving home and a wonderful life.
Angus, We have manic lights here too with different strands that don't synchronize! Any sign of the old Farmer's Christmas star brightening up your and The Font's nights, or has he put the star on his lady friend's house this year?
Look at that selection of onions , will you?
Onion gratin, yummy.
I look forward to your creche every year. It's my favorite.
And I believe this isn't the season for the delicious Vidalia. Should I send you some next year?
x
Quite how we discovered Vidalia onions is unknown. Having tasted them there's nothing else like them. I'd presumed the French would have something similar but they don't.
No, Vidalias are unique. Vidalia, Georgia is just down the road ... about an hour's drive or so. They are only in season a short time. But I will send you some when they show up. xx
Post a Comment