Sunday, February 13, 2011

993





Scotland go down 24 - 6 against Wales in the Six Nations Rugby. The team lethargic, error strewn and pacifist. Not even a 2005 Chateau Montrose can salve the pain. 'The font' emerges from the kitchen to ask if this ' is the thirty fifth or thirty sixth year in a row they've lost ?' . " You forget 1992 " I reply.

Volume 2 of the ' Life in Italy' blog arrives from the printers in the States. Better binding on this one. For some reason the comments are included . They weren't before. If you knew what to ask for and had the time and skills to format properly, you could end up with a really professional product.

A quick calculation shows that this is Wilfs 993rd post. One every day with a three week gap when we moved from Italy. Some days it's been a chore, other days the muse has been absent, but there hasn't been a day when laughter hasn't been present.

No workmen yesterday. Time to ourselves. With all the furniture in the hallway pushed to one side Wilf was able to play some touch rugby. He tired after eight throws of the ball , but boy, he gave those eight throws his all. Head down, top speed engaged, ears streaming behind and then a puppy like pounce. One happy fellow.

His carefree antics had the old floor tiles rattling away. The tiles were made here, on the farm, two and a half centuries ago. Maybe, one in four of them have a dogs paw print or a hens foot pressed into their surface. You can't help but imagine the frustrated farmers wife chasing the dog away with her broom, swearing profusely as the curious beast wanders across the racks of wet tiles waiting to be fired. Small, every day things of no interest to a historian. Long forgotten but still present. I'd like to think dog blogs are a 21st century version of those floor tiles.

Wilf is learning a different sense of time. One that depends more on small amounts than big ones. We're aiming for that fun filled thousandth post.

36 comments:

  1. Seven posts to go including the 1000th; Wilf can do that without losing a step. He has proven tenacity! Sometimes, life IS a cabaret.

    Jed & Abby

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  2. Should have had Wilf playing for Scotland. We love the foot-printed tile!

    XXXOOO Daisy, kendra & bella

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  3. Oh my, that's dedication... daily blogging. Congratulations. 3 is a great # and obviously a multiple of 993! 1000th will be great celebration? what will he GET for that 1000th post? cuz you know, he should be paid for leveraging his good looks all this time...

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  4. Wilf's story has brought many people enjoyment tinged with sadness. He has great dignity, which is something we all wish for ourselves as the years progress.
    As a Welshwoman, the match yesterday also brought a smile to my face..............
    I still think about the great Welsh teams of the 1970's!

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  5. Your daily blog posts are such a delight and I have an enormeous admiration for you doing this, and giving lots of people so much pleasure.I know how hard it is !!! And my dog blog which I do aside to my crafty/design/arty blog has gone from three to two to once a week- it all takes time.
    May you have many more laughter filled ti,es with your precious Wilf.Have a great Sunday.

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  6. Angus, A very unexpected victory for Wales... Sorry I had to bring that back up, but you know we haven't had a win in 8 matches!
    Heres to post 1001 and many more. Wilf you are the brightest shinning star in the world :) love you lots,
    Bev and ROO xx

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  7. Maybe somewhere in the house where a tile is in need of replacement and if the proper craftsman could be found, Wilf's paw might join the prints of those who have gone before.

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  8. and i look forward to that 1000 post too Wilf!....and many more.
    xoxo

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  9. Good morning sweet Wilf. Nice of you to play a bit of touch rugby to help lift Angus' spirits. Caring goes round and round in that home.

    Angus, thank you for your daily sharing of Wilf.

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  10. 993 posts are a great milestone. Of course, when you have characters like Wilf and Digby, material is always available! I love your writing and the character development is priceless. Home improvement stories are always enjoyable too. Keep up the good work, 1000 will be no problem, please aim for 1050, I need my daily "Wilfie fix". Hugs from Iowa.

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  11. Sorry about the Rugby game, but I love hearing about your floor tiles - I adore things that others have loved and lived with - an apron that is worn and stained by some farmer's wife, a child's footprint in the concrete.....

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  12. Good Morning Angus! Rugby was on 'NBC' here yesterday and I thought of you. Maybe if Wilf can't play for Scotland then perhaps they could use him as their inspiration!

    I remember your telling about the tiles awhile back--Knowing how dogs are woven into the history and fabric of your home, no doubt makes it seem more like one.

    Congrats to you and Wilf on your milestone posts!--An inspiration to all of us who blog!

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  13. What a great thought about the floor tiles. Frankly, that is the history that I find most fascinating - the small things that make life so grand.

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  14. I love the history of the tiles. They've been around for a long time and lots of dog paws have graced them.

    A happy Pon, playing a short round of rugby with his human! A smile here...

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  15. Angus just consider yourself fortunate not to share a house with an Englishwoman. Especially one who says patronising and smug things like 'what a shame your team didn't win Bertie. Of course I always support Scotland if England are not playing....'
    Congratulations on the 993!
    Toodle pip!
    Bertie.

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  16. My gosh, a 1000th post! Maybe I've read that many but I am far, far from your accomplishment. The book is gorgeous. I have often thought about doing something similar and then I notice that the floor needs washing or the lawn needs mowing and I get distracted. I'm thinking that this is something that must be done! Who did you use here in the states for printing?

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  17. Here's to the next 1,000! reading your daily post is how I start my morning each day, like so many other faithful readers. You've given us 993 wonderful/ poignant/ inspirational starts to our days. Thank you!

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  18. Angus: with the subject matters you have, you'll make it to 2000 easy. Love the history of the tiles and hearing of touch rugby..maybe you can loan him out?

    Zach's mom

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  19. As i said yesterday, many thanks to you Angus, for sharing with us your life with Wilfee, the little heroe.
    Each day, i open my computer and read your post, that's the first thing i do, even before reading my email box ! Wilfee, you and the Font are now a part of my family even if we don't know each other.
    So, please Wilfee, 1000 posts and more, why not 2000 ? and more...
    Love you sweet boy, lots of bisous for you beloved Wilfee.

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  20. I love the history of the floor tiles. I wonder if the farmer and his wife imagined all those years ago that the footprints in the tiles would still exist. I grew up in an old farmhouse (not nearly as old as yours, built in 1914) and there are dog footprints in the barn cement. As a child, I spent hours pondering what that dog must have been like.

    That is dedication! I salute you for the dedication to write daily! We will be celebrating you and Wilf next week!

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  21. I am looking forward to your 2000th post :) I am sure it will still be filled with laughter and wonderful PONderings. Our love to ole fluffy one.

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  22. Thanks for your commitment to post every day. Since we discovered Wilf last year we have enjoyed your blog so much - a cherished dog, some words of wisdom + witty encounters with the locals - what could be better, not to mention the lovely photos of Wilf.

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  23. Edward and I will be here for the 1000th, raising a glass!
    Our city is busy rearranging our front garden for sidewalks, which should be poured sometime this week. Dog paw prints? A distinct possibility.

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  24. M'Ongoose:

    With your blog, you have set both Wilf and Digby as shining stars in the heavens. Bearing that in mind, we implore you to capture Wilf's pawprints in fresh clay tiles.

    That mystical pilgrim was right -- all sheepdogs need shelter from the thunderstorms. You (and all of us) will need those tiles...

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  25. What a wonderful accomplishment - another day with Wilf -

    Will the celebration be large? Please give Wilf a tousle of his topnot...

    XxoooXXooxxoo

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  26. have you thought to make a wilfy tile? loves and licks xxxx and happy valentine wilfy we thinks you are so furry special!

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  27. Looking forward to celebrating with you next week!

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  28. I will be hewe waiting to wead that wondewful 1000th post
    You awe a tweasoowe
    smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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  29. We agree with Mr. Campbell and Kari -- a Wilf tile would make a good addition. We'll be here with you all next week. Cheers!

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  30. we love the imperfection of the tiles.

    what an accomplishment - to post every day for 993 days (not counting the moving break - totally understandable). we are looking forward to 1,000. the book is a nice way to preserve the blog.

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  31. Perserverence and dedication! You are a star! Looking forward to your 1000th post and to many more happy days with Wilf.
    Lotsaluv
    MAXMOM IN SA

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  32. We are looking forward to your 1000th post it has been a glorious time following your blog.

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  33. Great dedication(or too much time on your hands???? ha)For the daily blogging. But thank my lucky stars for it. Both Italy and France have been read in toto, tho have had to catch up as of late..
    Dear Wilfee. You live in this very moment without regard of the past or future. But that we humans could do the same.
    Remember Angus, we asked for the long, endless summer....tho as a human I know that is for no living creature. For Wilfee, i think he is living it, day by day, minute by minute. Soldier on Dear Braveheart.
    Hugs to Angus, the "font" and our boy who has become so many folks' boy.

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  34. I keep meaning to say that I love your new header! I also love the dog paws in the tile.

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