Author: Heather Robinson

We took to the paths…

…bent into details…

…and let the dogs run free.

No noise, no encumberments. Best to roll my arms in the air and toss my head back…

…to let it all evaporate into the air or cobweb the trees but get it gone good.

And it did. I came back breathing soft and slow.

Wishing you all a change of scenery as well as just a simply wonderful weekend ahead…

Tie my dreams upon a string, lift my arms high in hopes that they will sing…

All right, down to the brass and tacks for those who have been asking: Kipling is doing just fine. The massive smile on Claire’s face on Monday night at the check-up said it all but she exclaimed, “Bravo!” Even though the drain had popped out on Sunday (!), it had done its job. So with a snip came the end of the stitches and the cone was banished to the back of the closet. None to soon for Mr. Ben who was getting mighty tired of being chased around with it, I can tell you. So see that leftover Valentine above that seems to thump in the twilight? It is. Good news is good news.

And yet I am seeking patience. It is dead quiet in these parts. Just take a look at the neighbourhood kids who have set up in the middle of the Place du Forum. Might as well. Nearly all of the cafés are closed with the owners sunning themselves in the Seychelles. With Kipling recovering, we have not been able to dive into our normal discoveries and are quite Arles-bound for the moment.

In the meantime, I hope that you will be patient with me. And I will try to not overwhelm those of you that are not as animal-oriented while we welcome a new member to our family, an understandably important event. 

I am asking patience of me too. That me sitting worrying in the near dark in the photo above. How I want all to be running so smoothly but what an unrealistic wish. There are too many variables up in the air. 

It will all happen with time, that same that builds and tears down and puts up again.

Patience. It is required in negotiating and there is a lot of that going on right now in this household that even with a joyous addition feels topsy-turvy like the sea.

I need to be more quiet and just see and breathe. I am trying.

And doing…

…but what a masculine household this has suddenly become!

Well, I have my flowers and multi-fold sweetness just not when expected, not to mention the joy of discovering a new being. That too requires patience, especially in this delicate circumstance but it will be rewarded ten-fold.

Wishing you all well. So grateful you are here.

Hello there! This will be just a little update, yes, one from the couch where I have been spending quite a bit of time with two wonderful furry creatures, Kipling and Ben. How are they getting along? Now, now don’t be silly, just take a look at the above photo. Ben who is less of a snuggler than one might think, initially resisted but slooowly his head fell down, down, down onto Kipling until he was sleeping with his eyes half-open as he is want to do. It was a first but as you will see, not the last…

Now, I have to say that we have had a little setback with Kip’s recovery. He has developed an inflammation on his abdominal wall, which is producing quite a bit of liquid and blood that are forming in pockets under the skin. Claire, who is our vet and is also a very dear friend, has been taking excellent care of Kip, including putting in a drain yesterday that we hope will do the trick. Already, Remi and I see quite a big difference and hope to get this boy out of any pain as soon as possible!

But, as it is being treated and he is back on antibiotics, it should not develop into a dangerous situation–just in case you might be a worrier as I am. And that doesn’t prevent us from taking him on his walks along the Rhone in the morning and to the Arena at night (for now, I am not varying them as I want to reassure him as much as possible). But we are taking it easy.

And so much sleeping is involved, provoked with “Radio Spa” which Remi has realized has a very soothing action on both puppers. Yes, he often has to wear the dreaded “Cone of Shame” as fellow dog owners will call it so as to be sure that he doesn’t pull out the drain but he is getting used to it. Slowly but surely.

And even with the cone, the couch is not such a terrible place to be when we have such friends to lean on, n’est-ce pas? 

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend everyone…

Love.

A dizzy joy, a tender kiss but also that sneaking warmth at light’s last lark.

Happily, my definition of it has only expanded with age.

Whatever form it takes, may it find you and hold you this Valentine’s Day.

Pass it on.

Today and every day!

Many thanks to the inspiring and inspired Julia in Berlin for sharing this lovely song.

As you can see, I am taking my own advice and passing it along…