On my morning walk with Ben, I was taking in the crunch of my feet on the leaves when I realized that I was hearing something else…floating notes of a disjointed tune and they were coming out of…me. It wasn’t even a song, something solid to identify with to place my mood here or there, “Stormy Weather” or “The Man I Love” but just pure, unadulterated randomness. How lovely to find myself whistling. That has to be an example of a simple joy if ever there was one.
My Mom likes to tell a story from when I was about three years old. She was out, a baby-sitter left in charge. Said young lady suddenly became terrified when she heard someone in the next room. She reached for a kitchen knife (ok, maybe I have made that part up in my memory) and burst in to find little curly topped me sitting on the floor, whistling away, totally lost in my music.
Have you ever heard a sad whistler? A tragic one? I didn’t think so.
“You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and…blow.”
And as if this post isn’t random enough already, a teaspoon more of sugar to make the medicine go down. Further along on our walk, Ben decided that he had had enough. I did not agree and, ah-hem, being the supposed leader of the two, insisted he follow. He refused. I pulled. He pulled back. I finally pointed at him and said, “If you don’t get your act together mister, I am going to give you a kick in the pants!” His ears perked up. I added, “Ok, I know that you don’t actually wear pants but you know what I mean.” He considered for a moment and then kept walking. Yes, it is official then. I am the crazy lady who has conversations with her dog in public. Soon I will be making little outfits for him to wear. I think I need an intervention.
Found attached to our new oven filter
Merci pour la visite, Franka! Isn't Sharon's blog fantastic?
Oh good, Dash, at least I am not alone. 🙂
I think I am already considered the mad, English woman of the village by the locals, who always catch me chatting to Crusoe during his morning constitutionals.
I love the label
X
Hello,
just read your comment at *My French Country Home*!
Bon dimanche!
♥ Franka
Oh Francine, I would never do that to Ben–he is the world's most sensitive dog. I tend to make an exception once a year and plop a Santa hat on his head for a photo and that is it.
I am SO excited about the lamp and thank you heartily for getting it back to France. I will definitely let you know when I have received it and will send photos–c'est promis! As for January, I would be truly delighted to meet you and you are most certainly welcome here in Arles… 🙂
<3
Please…do not put your dog in clothes! he will be humiliated for the rest of his life. The Jose lamp is on its way, carried by me on a Delta flight to Bordeaux via Brussels, it will be then handpacked with care and shipped to you from Agen (Lot et Garonne) Wished i could hand carry it all the way to your house. Please let me know how you like it and would love to see a pic in place. I would write a little post about it. I may be in Avignon in january, perhaps i could pay a small visit??
Thank you so much for your honest and thoughtful feedback Joan. I definitely agree that the current layout is not evocative of the region and have been very surprised that some folks with what I consider excellent taste preferred the previous template. I have also seen my readership drop which my be a coincidence, or not! Will think about it.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
I wanted to wait a bit to be sure I wasn't just being resistant to change before I said that I prefer the former masthead. I lived in France for five years and Arles and beyond were one of my favorite places and I don't think the new masthead evokes the region nor, even more serious, your writing and photos. I'm not calling for a return to the old but am hoping for a new one – sometime.
warmly, joan