Observations


The hypericum flowers in the hedge of Della's bungalow have now died back and the vibrant yellow hedge that lit up the village like a torch has now gone leaving dirty mounds of brown petals on the pavement.
It's a sign we are slowly heading for Autumn
A real breeze is getting up and though the open windows the cackling of crows can be heard as they surf the wind above the trees in the graveyard.
The cockerels are quiet today, and I had to smile as twice yesterday a villager sought me out to say they were bothered by their crowing.
I'm getting better at deflecting moans and gripes than I was
I just smiled and said "You'll have to shoot them !" before moving on.

My Eagle carving by Colin Endres won second place at the show which was nice. Colin died a little while ago and to my knowledge never entered the show when he was alive.
I rested his certificate at the eagle's feet.
Winnie farted from her place on the couch.

Mary and I have already been for a walk and early Sunday morning the village is always deserted, like a film set .Winnie doesn't come for a village walk anymore  as her bulldog years have caught up with her somewhat. She sleeps the sleep of an old dog
One eye open, not against danger
but just in case she misses a cocktail sausage
She knows there is a small supply in the fridge!
I'm prepared for the enevitable now, it doesn't hold that cold shape fear for me anymore as it once did
The old vanguard making away for the new .....
The way of the world eh.....in so many ways.

I've hated Sundays over the past year.
Horrid, empty days
But today I have a lunch date at the Black Lion at the mouthful Llanfair Talhaiarn with a old work friend, then I am training at Samaritans before catching up with Gorgous Dave, who is babysitting his kids later.
Being a single parent can be just as isolating as being a single middle aged old pongo!

Presently it's a bucket of coffee and The Archers

There is some talk of an Under Milk Wood night at the Hall.
With readings and reminiscences
I told Mrs Trellis yesterday as she sipped her tea primly at the Show.
She didn't seem overly impressed, I think she was miffed that she had reached the event late

64 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:01 am

    i listened to the Archers for 40nyears 9starting when at university) but stopped the day they killed off Nigel. He was the best character and I couldn't face the inevitable recriminations, sorrow and sibling fall-out which I knew would come.I haven't missed it one bit.
    So pleased at your success at the show. It must have been a really enjoyable event for you without the organisational responsibilities.
    Hugs

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    1. Like you, I listened to the Archers for 40 years. I stopped for a while when they killed off Nigel but have recently stopped for good. There is just too much angst and strife to be believable,and heaven knows, there's enough of it in the real world to want to listen to it for entertainment!

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    2. PS Sorry to hear age is catching up with Winnie. Hope the purple stuff did the trick and her ear is not bothering her.

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    3. No, it's healed over nicely...even though for a while Mary had a purple tongue

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  2. I like to introduce new blood into the cats so that there is always young stock coming along. Not sure about doing that with these four though. Four seems quite enough and I don't think they would take kindly to an outsider. I enjoyed your observations. I listen to the Archers about once every 6 weeks and seem to be able to keep up, nothing seems to change much.

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    1. " ... introduce new blood into the cats" made me smile. A vision of you as Dr Frankenstein popped up before my inner eye before I read on.

      U

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    2. Rachel , I have the same idea, new blood is normal, especially for adog pack to function

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  3. I wonder what had happened to make Mrs Trellis late for The Flower Show. I bet that devilish Postman Pat had called round earlier to make another "delivery" - the bounder!

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    1. The Hall was nearly empty but she sat tall and straight eating her cake

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  4. Thanks for the glimpse into your morning, have a great day!

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  5. A nice gesture for Colin. Sorry to learn of the slowing down of Winnie. She is a tough old lady. (I played Polly Garter in Under Milk Wood. A large, stuffed toy toad played my baby)

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  6. What a lovely newsy post. Some of our villagers put on Under Milk Wood which was superb.

    I think you could entertain all evening with stories John x

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  7. A delicious little post on a Sunday morning.

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  8. 'A real breeze is getting up and through the open windows the cackling of crows can be heard as they surf the wind above the trees in the graveyard.' one of the most awesome sentences i've ever read.

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  9. I guess we are all slowing down ..... it’s now Winnie’s turn to be a couch potato!!! She will probably go on for years as long as there’s the promise of a sausage ( don’t we all 🤣 ) A lovely picture of village life. XXXX

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    1. The promise of a sausage keeps my chin up

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  10. I love this blog post John. Full of light and shade. You can have me crying one minute and laughing the next.

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  11. 'Under Milk Wood' sounds like a terrific notion. Considering where you are, don't know why nobody had thought of it before, including me. 'Tis certain that fun would be had by all, both audience and readers - and, of course, you'd just HAVE to take a star turn as Captain Cat - nobody else could pull it off as well you! And a further plus is that no one need know their lines off by heart. Reciting from straight from off the page is perfectly acceptable, as I've seen it done myself. Hope it's followed up.

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  12. You are a very good writer John and I enjoyed this post. Especially Winnie farting:) My spirit animal apparently.

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  13. Winnie has an admirable appreciation of art matched only by my own. I once let out an enormous fart in the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam) whilst viewing Rembrandt's Nightwatch. As I wandered off I laughed hysterically at the muddy echo I gifted a muddy picture.

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  14. Barbara Anne2:09 pm

    Your carved eagle is lovely and am sorry its maker is gone.

    You're a gifted storyteller and make a wonderful tale of a normal day and your musings. It makes for lovely reading on this Sunday morning. Ta.

    It is sad to observe the slowing down of our beloved pets but as you say, it's the circle of life. Bless Winnie's big heart.

    Hugs!

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    1. Having said all this she's just moved quick enough to steal Mary's dinner tonight

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    2. Barbara Anne4:17 am

      Enticed from her comfy bed, food is still #1 in Winnie's heart! Hope Mary was given a second dinner. :)

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  15. Oh John, I can't tell you how much I NEEDED to hear your musings today. I am sorry to hear of Winnie's need to slow down but she has earned her resting on the couch.
    Reading your blog today has helped my twisting and turning thoughts about things that I cannot fix, I can only "just be" for the moment. I need to find my contentment again.
    Thank You,
    Joyce in Indiana

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  16. I love your beautiful post today John.Your words are so touching I have cried.You are where you belong and you have a wonderful life x

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  17. The scene beyond your window is just beautiful.

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  18. So sorry he is fading. Bulldogs do that a little earlier than other breeds. He is still much loved, I know.

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    1. Anonymous7:08 pm

      HE is a SHE! Keep up!

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  19. Your posts are works of art too.

    It's lovely that you gave Colin's carving the showing it didn't receive while he was alive.

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  20. It's still nice and green outside your window. Unfortunately here the rain came too late and was too little, many places the plants are dormant brown or yellow. On the plus side I haven't had to mow the grass for two weeks and the weeds have accepted defeat in my garden battle with them.

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    1. Unfortunately the olour has gone from the flower beds

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  21. Pongo has more than one definition.

    Yes it's army slang for an ex RN or RAF.
    It's also a ravine in Peru.
    But also it's a term used for apes, especially an orangutan.
    Not sure how John sees it but he's definitely not a ravine in Peru!

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    1. My definition is an ungainly rotund nurse

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  22. John, just a gentle reminder that when dads look after their children it's not babysitting. It sounds like they are doing a favour for their partners when that phrase is used.

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    1. There was more non biological kids there

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    2. And he has part custody and no partner xx

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  23. One eye open in case she misses a cocktail sausage, no there's a girl after my own heart. lol
    Briony
    x

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  24. I love this post as your writing ability makes it easy to see and feel your life. I don't remember seeing the carved eagle before. It is wonderful. Congratulations on your success at the show!

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  25. John - I never think of you as an 'ungainly, rotund nurse' - in my eyes you are always' a slim, svelte charmer'

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  26. I feel for you and Winnie. We are at the same stage with Laddie. 13 and slowing down. Has the white around his eyes now.

    Hearing appears to be variable. Doesn't always answer to his name but open a zip lock bag and he's at your side in a flash! His favourite dried sardines come in that type of packaging and hope springs eternal.

    nose rubs to the grand dame.

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  27. Your tone certainly evokes a calm and useful weekend.

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  28. It sounds like a quiet and relaxing weekend. I think we all need those. Isn't Sunday traditionally a day of rest anyway? You deserve it just relax and enjoy the calm around you.

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  29. If you don’t get a second career as an author, you could always be a dog guru. Your take on life everyday life is a must read of all of our days. How I’ve stopped myself from emailing you for advice on my new rescue dog I just don’t know?

    LX

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  30. A good post. Its sad to see summer slipping away so soon, with cold wind and rain

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  31. You are an excellent observer.. and writer. What a beautiful post.

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  32. Memories roll down my cheeks almost daily but so much more on Sundays....

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  33. Lovely post John reads like a book, sweet Winnie content to stay home and be waited on the life of an old dog not to shabby I reckon,

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