Wednesday, April 13, 2011

See you in the morning.







The builder phones at seven o'clock last night to say he'd like to start work on the upstairs kitchen. Today ! Hardly the most opportune of times. The first thought is to delay but 'the font' says that after waiting nine months it would be serendipitous to waste any more time. It's been so long since the builders were here that I've clean forgotten what they look like. Stage 1 involves the replacement of the old staircase that leads up into the attic from the morning room and the insertion of a new insulated ceiling. After that's done we'll get on with building a new kitchen and getting rid of the increasingly temperamental, flame spouting, range. This is going to be major, dust and stress creating, building work. Our first real battle with the structure of the rickety old farmhouse.


Down to the stream for a calming walk with Wilf. A beautiful sun bathed, early evening, ramble. As we clamber out of the car, a huge square headed owl brushes past us, a chick in its mouth, followed by a flock of angry,cackling, starlings. Ten seconds later the owl returns , chick devoured, flying straight towards us only feet from where we're standing. The first time I've ever seen a grown owl flying in daylight.



Wilf has a long drink from the stream. A place he knows and feels safe visiting. He's sleeping most of the day now. A noticeable change in his behaviour over the course of the week. Apparently, this is something that blind dogs do. His weight's still falling and he's developed a saddle back but he's enthusiastic and happy. Life at this stage is a series of commas, not periods.

25 comments:

  1. I imagine he's feeling very safe with you right now!

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  2. I think Wilf will be needing frequent calming walks to the stream once the kitchen builders get going. As might his owners...

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  3. More disruption to the household coming your way. The stream looks likes a good, peaceful place for escape.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  4. I see that he's thinner and thinner.. but at least he's happy. That's most important. Our love to Wilfee.

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  5. Oh fun times ahead with the builders. Amazing about the owl I have only a couple times ever spotted an owl. It's funny the one large gray owl I saw was just sitting around here in broad daylight on a post. I wonder if Wilf was aware at all of the owls presence as he flew by you?

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  6. Dearest Wilf has certainly changed shape... but good that he is happy. Well done to you both..

    No idea how many kitchens you need - or what your plans are - as I thought you had just finished your own kitchen.. is this a separate flat?
    Anyway - your home is gorgeous and I want it - can't afford it of course, but always looks so beautiful and warm and inviting, and not in the slightest bit rickety!

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  7. Good luck with the builders!

    Dear Wilf is looking so thin, but his trips to the stream look lovely for him. Great description of the owl.

    x (for Wilf)

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  8. Hope the builders won't disrupt Wilf's Vanilla Trail so lovingly created by the font. And that he continues to have more good nights than bad.

    Jed & Abby

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  9. That's right, Wilfee seems to be thinner than ever, but life and pleasure go on. Hope the workers do not disturb too much his mind.
    Have a beautiful day together.
    Bisous and câlins to him, amitiés to you Angus and the Font.

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  10. Dearest wise Wilfee seems to deal with whatever comes his way, but builders?! Definitely an escape plan is in order there! DBH

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  11. I hope that the builders don't stress Wilf out. I can imagine that all that activity and moving around will necessitate him snoozing outside in the sunshine and going to the stream for drinks with his devoted humans.

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  12. My heart is in France with you and Wilf as the two of you travel down a road that no one wants to traverse but all of us must.

    I've been away from visiting blogs for a few weeks but please know - the two of you are never far from my thoughts and my prayers.

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  13. He might be tired from all the excitement of visitors, too. Our old girl is getting thinner and thinner, as well. It's a bit hard on the heart.

    Why do I suspect that there are no builders there today, despite the phone call?

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  14. I feared the meaning of your entry title. Difficult to see happy Wilf so thin and good to yet be enjoying his spring. Lesson for us all from all of you. Good luck with the builders.

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  15. Your "rickety old farmhouse" looks like something this tired Canadian prairie girl could easily settle into. Does it have beams on the ceiling anywhere? If so, we must move lock, stock and barrel immediately to France!!

    Wilf is looking very majestic by the stream today! Handsome boy...and yes, any life should be all about commas, never periods. Well put!

    Keep going Wilf!

    With love your Canadian pals (who lucky for them encountered snow today)...can you hear the sarcasm?,
    Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker

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  16. We hope the workman will provide Wilf with entertaining new scents rather than stress him with the new sounds and voices. It must be all about Wilf now. His happy state must be maintained if only for the sake of maintaining stability of blood sugar levels.
    We love you, Wilf.

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  17. I read your construction update, quite frankly, with this happy thought: Glad it's not me!

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  18. We wholeheartly agree with Kari....it MUST be all about Wilf now. Hopefully the builders will not disturb him and he will have extra tires to christen. If he is stressed, a walk to the stream is definitely in order. I noticed he is thinner too. Seems to happen to all older dogs even if they don't have serious health issues.

    Hugs & kisses to Wilf and family,
    your friends in CT...
    Skye, the Moondance Huskies, kitties and mom Joan

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  19. Wilf looks so happy at his stream...

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  20. Wilf will do a great job of "snoopervising" those workers. :) Hugs for the sweet boy from us. :)

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  21. I am glad Wilf has a stream nearby to keep him content. Whenever Salt gets upset, she goes into the library & peruses the paperbacks on the lowest shelves. Eventually she finds one that strikes her fancy, pulls it out, and eats it. Streams are good for dogs...

    Julianna & PON grrlz Salt and Pepper
    Louisville, KY, USA

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  22. You can chart his weight, how his illness is affecting him, but he will ignore it all and just live everyday he can surrounded by love (and builders!) What a sweetheart our Wilf is!

    Kisses,
    Stella

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  23. your little stream looks so pretty and refreshing. who wouldn't feel at peace there?

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  24. Are they the same builders who went awol last summer?

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  25. Those pictures of Wilf drinking from the stream look so peaceful.

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