Friday, November 26, 2021

Tightened up.


Good morning from Sophie who, despite the early hour, has already managed to cake her muzzle in mud. 

The big news here is that France has decided against another lockdown. Instead, the 3rd jab will now be mandatory. Without it you can't go out to restaurants or family gatherings or fly. Not surprisingly the health service booking system went down yesterday under an avalanche of folks trying to get a slot before the holidays. The regulations on mask wearing are also being tightened up. All of this seems sensible. We're still unsure how to play Sundays medal ceremony for the Old Mayor. We so want to go but the thought of a hundred folk crammed together in a poorly ventilated village hall requires some thought. It screams 'super spreader' event.


Two deer race past us as we're heading down the hill. What deer are doing running down the middle of the road is anyone's guess. By the time I enter the security code to get the camera working they've headed across the fields and are bobbing happily into the far distance. Sophie thinks of giving chase but by the time she's registered what's happening they're long gone. PONs, it must be said, are not hunting dogs.

Heading back home the donkeys look up as we pass but make no attempt to wander up the hill to greet us.


A queue already forming at the Orange store. They used to open at nine thirty but since the pandemic they've started to open at eight. Christmas lights have been installed along the showrooms roofline . 


In the greengrocers all sorts of winter vegetables make an appearance. I buy two cauliflowers for Sophie. Apart from the occasional 'Greenie' (what do they put in them to make dogs love them so ? ) Sophie is on a very healthy regimen.


Some of you asked earlier in the week if the local Sapeur-Pompiers calendar was full of 'Hunks'. This may answer your question. 


This toy is an immediate collectible :https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/mobile/walmart-pulls-children-s-toy-that-swears-and-sings-in-polish-about-doing-cocaine-1.5678364

A question I had never asked myself :https://theconversation.com/why-do-frozen-turkeys-explode-when-deep-fried-168933

The Toulouse radio stations summery offering on this cold, damp morning. I'm tempted to put the windows down so Sophie's ears can fly up ; but don't :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVxawLsN48s
 

9 comments:

Stephanie said...

Good morning, Sophie! Of course, in California it's still November 25 and Thanksgiving evening. I thought of dearest Bob today; can it be two years? Though that seems almost impossible. The countryside pictures are lovely.

Angus said...

Yes, it is two years since he ran on ahead. But what an eventful 2 years it's been.

WFT Nobby said...

Perhaps enough distance from the event now to recall how, two years ago yesterday, news of dear Bob's death rather spoiled my birthday. And yes, who could have predicted events over the subsequent two years?
Cheers, Gail.
PS I'm sure the gentlemen in the photo are hunks to somebody.

The Life of Riley said...

With super spreader events, there are times when a "Sorry we got the time wrong" or 'We got delayed while we were out and are so sorry we missed your special day" note sent with a bottle of something really nice works. Alternatively saying to the old mayor "we have something on that morning, but would you love to have a few drinks with you before you get your medal" could work if you and the Font don't want to be inside with a crowd. Someone could make a fortune writing the correct C-19 etiquette now there is apparently a new variety worse than Delta and people all around the world are expected to attend Christmas and family functions!

Lisa in France said...

I have also been thinking of Bob. When we lost Cherry last year, our decision to adopt a male puppy was inspired in no small part by all your tales of the "family fellow." Charlie is our first male dog, and I realize now that one thing I never fully grasped was the importance of "christening." We are down at our house by the ocean this weekend, and Charlie is busy reclaiming his territory after being away for several weeks. He thankfully has not thought of christening tires yet, but everything else is fair game. I find it oddly endearing. Thank you for sharing Messrs. August and the wonderful song.

Coppa's girl said...

Earlier this week I thought about Bob, and re-read the touching epitaph you wrote to him at the time. The world has changed so much since the splendid family fellow left you, but thankfully Sophie has managed to enjoy life without her little brother by her side.
I plan on going out to lunch on Christmas Day with friends, as I normally do, but last year I cancelled because of the emergence of the Delta virus. I didn't want to risk being infected at a time when the promised vaccines were still in the pipeline. In spite of being thrice vaccinated, it looks as though I may have cause to reconsider my celebrations yet again. I'm left wondering if yet another worrying variation will be a normal event every year?
Were the anciens sapeurs-pompiers all hunks at one time!

Diary of a Nobody said...

At least the calender we get they are in their uniforms even if they are not very sexy .

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
And I am yet another who had thought of Bob this week! I like Riley's suggestion of your addressing the old mayor directly regarding his honour-show... OR you might be surprised to find arrangements get altered - which I am sure you will report in due order! YAM xx

Travel said...

A wise girl, knows then to give chase, and when to watch the deer prance away. I can think of poses in helmets with hoses that would make the most of the local brigade. Showing them in heroic action. Still a good cause, it is usually more about the money than the calendar.