If I have been posting less of late, it is for a very simple reason–it is too hot. My brain is in a state of suspended animation. For those of you from far away, please be patient with your French bloggers who are all in the midst of a canicule or heat-wave, one that has put several regions on high alert. I had already sweated my way through the last in 2003 when an estimated 15,000 people died. We now know to plan, to conserve our energy and to take special care of our furry friend, Ben. But there are still places to go and people to see, visitors to tend to.
On our way home from a recent outing, we took a small country road that we had never travelled before–as we are wont to do–and came screeching to a halt at the sight of a gift from the heavens. A source or spring burbled in a shallow pool that had been created with old stones and lined with a paved gravel by some kind soul for the benefit of all. The water was icy cold, from deep within the earth.
“Do you think Ben can go in?” I asked. He had rolled in the dirt earlier in a desperate attempt to keep cool. A bath would do him good in more ways than one. “I don’t see why not,” Remi replied. Ben couldn’t seem to believe his good luck. He pranced about, lifting one paw then the next…
…and then sank down with a sigh. His eyes glazed over and he became very still.
I cast off my sneakers and sank in my toes. Remi joined me.
We sat like that for some minutes, utterly content. The chill slowly worked its way up from our feet all the way to our brains until we felt completely restored.
Isn’t it lovely that such a small moment is one of my very favorites from this Summer?
Have a wonderful week everyone…
And what a moment it is! The look on Ben's face told the whole story was exactly as you were telling it!
what a treasure to find there!
I adore your blog and all of your posts!
Thank you!!
Penelope
lol…can't spell my name right, maybe because it's not real…anyway, love to you and Ben.
Amelia aka kabayoz
Ben was having a grand ole time enjoying himself in the cool water. Some people said that dogs don't smile. If the look on Ben's face on frame #4 is not a smile, then I don't know what a smile looks like. He's in nirvana by the look of him and so were you Heather. What a magical little place to come upon, on a hot day. Hope Ben had a good nap when he got home.
Thank you for sharing this fun part of your day with us.
Ben is so smart! He knows how to keep cool (and look cool!).
I am trying to prepare myself for the warm Summer days in Ojai. We are digging a pond right now. I have a feeling that I will be sitting in the shallow water, just like you and Ben!
xo
Brooke
I'm so pleased that darling Ben could get some relief (& both of you of course:), it must be so hard for our furry friends in such heat.
take care,
xxx
I am so sorry that you have had to endure such heat. This lovely oasis must have seemed like a mirage when you came upon it. The photographs of Ben and you are priceless…he is in heaven and you are close. My dream is to travel the world with Henry and Bob (and husband Scott), finding and using the best swimming holes. But first…May your heat abate very soon (like tomorrow)! Fondly, Leslie from Portland
Hey there, "contessa"…
"A NOTE:THAT DAVID TERRY is on every new site I go on!!!!!!!!!He must speed type!"
hmmm….the only blogs to which I respond with any regularity are Heather's, Vicki Archer's "French Essence", Dominique Browning's "Slow Love Life"and Ed Ward's "City on a Hill" (he's the rock 'n roll historian for NPR's "Fresh Air" and lives in Montpelier). Just like every other old dog in this world, I have my 3 or 4 favorite spots where I go every morning to do my business.
I do, actually, type like the wind…..the consequence, I suppose, of having studied piano for thirteen years and having typed since I was about seven (my handwriting is ATROCIOUS). Some idiot recently wrote (on "Salon.com") that I "obviously have too much time on your hands"; I publicly responded that she didn't seem as though she typed very fast or, for that matter, thought very fast, either.
Your menu sounds just fine, by the way. I'm just about to change clothes and go to dinner at the house of a friend who (while lovely, smart, funny, and all sorts of good things) makes a POINT of letting folks know "I can't cook, and I don't care about it".
We'll see how this evening turns out….
—-david terry
Isn't it amazing what such simple pleasures can bring? Great photos and great story – I can feel your heat from here. Sending you cool wishes from Sydney. Fx
It is hot here too. Terribly, cruelly hot this year. I have reached the point where I can't bear it anymore and I totally understand your state of mind. It is a struggle to sit and write. Ben is such a darling. I grew up around retrievers, labrador retrievers, but they are closely related to the golden retrievers. I know they love water, no matter how cold 🙂 Ours would swim in December.
Sweet Heather,
So wonderful!Love love these pictures of your darling Ben and of you!!
What a wonderful place!!
A great week for you also my friend!
xx
Greet