Sunday, March 27, 2011

Of course you did.




Loic, the bifocaled gardener, arrives at the front door waving a monkey wrench. The irrigation systems not working. Loic talks in a rapid, impenetrable, mixture of highly accented French and Occitan so it takes me a little time to work out why he's so animated. We try the pump, which Loic for good effect hits three times with the monkey wrench. Followed round the garden by Wilf we then check for leaks, faulty connections, or non-functioning timers. Everything in perfect order. Finally, we check the well. Quite, quite dry. Due to the lack of rain the local farmers have started to irrigate the fields drawing the water table down and leaving us without water for the garden. The new lavenders and roses desperately in need of a downpour. Loic taps his nose and imparts the secret knowledge that " we shall suffer a terrible heatwave this year ". That's cheerful.

The clocks went forward an hour last night. Wilf thought about sleeping in but after feigned indifference opted to follow me on an early morning saunter down to the stream . The ramsons are in full bloom, carpeting the lane white and filling the air with their thick garlic scent. I laugh at the sight of five young fox cubs, fresh from their earth, zestfully exploring the world outside for the first time. They're oblivious to our presence, tumbling over each other in mock fight . Their watchful mother peering from the shadow of the hawthorns , catches our scent, barks at us and they disappear back to safety. Delight in life. The joy of springtime. Wilf nestles into me as if to say " I knew they were there ". ' Of course you did ' , I reply, tickling him behind the ears. The sweet uplifting optimism of an old, blind dog.

20 comments:

  1. 'The sweetness of an old dog', such a perfect observation.

    Those fox cubs sound delightful, how wonderful to have caught sight of them.

    x (for Wilf!)

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  2. Enjoy this sunny Sunday sweet Wilfee, lots of bisous from me. AmitiƩs to you Angus.

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  3. Hey there Mongoose...
    For some reason, I was so uplifted this morning with your phrase, "I laughed...". It struck me that this is something new which you have chosen to share with us. It might have been a slip of the keyboard, but it was refreshing anyway. Thank you for this new, but small insight. :) (If you know what I mean...)
    Remember, if you laugh, Wilf will be filled with laughter too...
    Sending lotsaluv
    MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  4. Enjoyable post to start my day!

    I can respect and understand why some people don't like foxes, but I find them captivating and enjoy watching them. And even though I don't see them very often, like Wilf, I know they are around.

    I hope the rain comes soon for the farmers and your garden.

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  5. Thank you Wilf and Angus for a wonderful start to my day.

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  6. I feel like I just had a stroll in the French countryside.

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  7. Wilfie - you and Mongoose laughing in the fields - could a day start better - with little foxes playing around - your nose just knew it I am sure. I am sure today there is something special on the menu for you.
    Love from all of us from sunny Southern Italy - Susanne, Daisy and Foxiie (sunbathing and ballplaying....)

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  8. Keeping our fingers and paws crossed that the heavens send some rain your way...we could gladly ship you some if only we could figure out how to get it there quickly and with dehydration! Darling Wilf, we leave tomorrow early morn for a quick mid week vacation, keep sniffing the air, listen for those baby foxes and Kelly and keep on going! We will catch you on our return...

    Stay safe and well until then...

    With love your Canadian pals,
    Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker

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  9. Wilf - my very jealous Foxiie has found out that I am secretly in love with you - I am not kidding - he jumps on my chair an sits and watches the screen - he feels something is going on there... I am so amazed how our animals know everything about us.... Secret love from Susanne

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  10. Fox puppies??? Our fox terrier hearts start a thumping. We've never seen any, but we know that's where our genetic instincts lie. What would we have done when we sniffed them? Qui sait????

    Jake and just Harry

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  11. That sounds like a perfect day in my book -- except the part about losing an hour.

    Will you be able to get water somewhere to fill in the well? I grew up on an old farm, and for the most part, our well never had a problem, but one summer I recall a terrible drought that had us going to the town with a big borrowed water tank that we filled and dumped into the well. It was one long, hot summer! I can still remember us all going out on the front porch to watch the rain when it finally happened.

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  12. Your posts always make us smile, thanks

    Wyatt's Mom

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  13. Wilf
    Sowwy about youw watew..I hope that changes soon.
    I know you knew about those foxies. of couwse you did. Hoomans awe not as well equipped as we awe.youw nose is wifout paw
    smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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  14. Wow, real live fox cubs? I wish I'd been there!
    Toodle pip!
    Bertie (who might have forgotten all about being a boffin....)

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  15. I will happily send you some of our rain. I spent the night as the center part of a furry dog sandwich, the result of a horrendous thunderstorm. It did have the desired effect of washing away some of this dreadful yellow pollen, but Edward simply cannot abide lightning and Apple hates thunder, so there you go.

    I loved coming along with you on that morning walk. I could almost smell the garlic scent and see the baby foxes. Love to the boy.

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  16. Hope Loic is wrong and you get some rain and not too much heat.

    Foxes are considered pests here; but all baby animals are captivating......and we still like to see the adults, too.

    XXXOOO Daisy, kendra & Bella

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  17. There is not much better than a sweet old dog. :)

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  18. Yet another Circle of Life moment. Even though commercialized by Disney, it's an important, and sometimes comforting, concept. And you all got to enjoy another day.

    How much would it cost to hook up the hose to the house water supply and just water the new plants enough to keep them alive?

    Jed & Abby

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  19. I suppose it's really stupid of me to think this but I always just presumed that everyone changed their clocks at the same time around the world. Don't know why I thought that. And now I know better.

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