One of the other highlights of the local show was an exhibition of chainsaw craft. It was a bit nerve wracking to watch though. I always worry about toes and fingers. So it was a joy to discover some videos on youtube. This one results in a fine eagle and I can assure you there are no accidents along the way.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ielf2zXGM6k&NR=1]
The day dawned bright and fair for our local agricultural show. Misty joined hundreds of humans and dogs to trail round the stalls, look at the livestock and haunt the food tents. She was on the alert for dropped hot dogs. My favourite was the Lochaber Flyers. No – not a local flying team, rather a team of mainly collie dogs in the agility flyball event. They were putting on a demonstration and inviting onlookers to take part. There were some takers, but Misty chickened out. She would never have caught the tennis balls anyway. A great day and lots of smiles and fun.
I have to confess that I have been getting a bit fed up with American politics. It will happen and then we simply have to deal with it. But I have found myself fascinated with the McCain – Palin idea. Having been a fan of Northern Exposure, it becomes all the more interesting. That whole programme reminded me of living in the Western Isles, many moons ago. People get more interesting when there are less of them and more country. So Sarah Palin appeals to something in my psyche. I don’t like guns and abhor shooting animals for sport, so even I am puzzled as to why I pay attention.
Perhaps it is to do with someone daring to stand up for what she believes as well as believing in herself at the same time. Anyway, I should plead the caveat that I am only seeing what the party machine wants me to see. That is the way the press and media work. Blogs are different though. Here, people ramble on about how they feel and what they think. That is what is helping to change the world despite rulers, leaders and politicians.
Yesterday was a beautiful, early autumn day with some sunshine and a hint of something cooler in the air. Wildlife watch yielded: swallows frenetically stocking up on insects before the long flight south; monarch butterflies; and too many dozy wasps resulting in one irate human trying to bat them away so that she could enjoy an afternoon sit out in the sun.
Oh yes – and a little dog leaping through the grass. Magic.
Catching up on some recorded TV yesterday, I watched the episode about Jerry Springer. It made me cry seeing his journey to trace relatives killed in the Holocaust. You can still see the programme on BBCi player here. Not for entertainment but to help us to pray for a willingness to build a world without prejudice.
The latest news from The Good Life farm is that they now have two turkeys to fatten up for Christmas. They are called Sage and Onion. There is a lesson in real life you.
Every little raindrop eventually joins the wide blue ocean. And ends up where there is sun.
Well, you have got to try to be optimistic.
This is to remind me that the sun really does still shine somewhere.
Misty had another visit to the vet yesterday – this time to our home surgery. She shivered and was all pathetic despite being petted and reassured, but it turned out it was just as well she was seen again. One of her eyes is apparently not producing enough tears. (They do a special timed test with litmus paper.) So now she has a fortnight of twice daily application of a sticky cream, then a return visit. Her skin is slowly improving with the soothing baths. What a tough time for the little dog.
And for the adults too!
It is a while since I have recommended a film. Last night I watched Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in The Bucket List. It has all the right ingredients as far as I am concerned: what makes life worthwhile; a question of faith; living life to the full …. and so forth. It happens to be about two men who have a terminal diagnosis. Come to think of it we all have a terminal diagnosis…….. only most of us don’t get to know when or where we will die. So that makes the film all the more poignant.
Oh and by the way – it is a very funny film too.
