The electronic gate has been up to its mischievous tracks again this past week and claimed another victim – Mumo’s new car. Coming back from the doctor, she turned into the driveway a touch too much to the right and scraped the back door on the metal post. Actually more of a paint removal job with a fair size dent added for extra measure. The sainted Nick and I watched the whole scenario unfold but couldn’t stop her in time, bizarrely we were talking about bedroom wall paint at that very moment. Poor Mumo, she was so upset, more so because the Yaris didn’t do its usual ‘beep beep beep’ when it gets close to anything. To make matters worse, her dental crown decided to drop out that same evening – really wasn’t her day. But hey, almost everyone that has passed through the portail has been punched by it at least once and I know exactly what its like to lose a front tooth (I am assuming you’ve all got to that chapter in The Book by now). Luckily for her, I have an appointment at the dentist next week as my implants are almost ready to be attached so I’ll take Mumo with me. That way, she will be back to her beautiful self before her apero dinatoire (bit like a cocktail party with a bit of finger food) next weekend.
You will be thrilled to hear that the pool is just about up to temperature now, that is to say the gauge is reading 26 degrees. Mind you, I took the plunge yesterday and the depths are definitely a few degrees lower – my toes were traumatised. Unfortunately for my digits, such daring feats of bravery are of necessity as the only way to remove the last grains of sand from the bottom is with the hand held pool vacuum. On the plus side I did buy some solar lights for the steps leading to the deck and a few others to replace those that Mo mowed down in her cart last summer. Sturdier ones.
Between the pool and the potager, I’ve managed to keep myself busy which is just as well as I’ve barely seen Denis over the last seven days. He’s been busy getting everyone else’s gardens ready for the season, getting up at dawn and working flat out until dusk. We did however manage to get together last night, albeit with a few of his family, for an impromptu barbecue over at his. Over fabulous food (my D is an amazing cook) and several bottles of wine, we debated politics, complained about the current climate and discussed the best ways of getting rid of migraines until the sun was way over the yard arm. It was the sort of evening I love the most except for the fact that my back started to seize up so I had to make my excuses and reluctantly leave the party. I blame it on all that vacuuming. Swimming is good for sore muscles though and since the rising heat means no running until at least September, I need to do something to keep mind and body fit.
With Spring leaving us at the beginning of last week and Summer arriving hot on its heels, it’s hard to believe that 2 years have already passed since Alice had her pups. And despite the “absolutely no way Sophi” dictates from my family, I kept the best of the bunch – my Sherman. The first of the pups and born literally in my hand, Sherbs has grown up to be the sweetest natured terrier and adored by every one of the pack. Especially Arry. The two are joined at the hip or more commonly, by Sherb’s teeth attached to my German Shepherd’s back leg. If they aren’t interrupting my attempts at Book photo shooting as they chase each other across the garden appearing just as the camera clicks, they are laid out on the deck together complete with synchronised panting. Love you to pieces my darling bit of scruff.
I shall finish once again with a huge huge thank you for all the five star reviews and touching comments on The Book. I still find it hard to believe that it is selling, weirdly the hardback more than the kindle. Next week, I’m hoping to launch the paperback version and start appealing to book stores. Who knows, you might pass it in a window display as you pootle around the airport lounge waiting for your flight number to be called? A girl’s got to dream big…
“One benefit of summer was that each day we had more light to read by” (Jeannette Walls)
Widow plus woofs 