The Disappearing Hills, and Looming Lockdown, uh, Largeness …
Plus visible bonfire scars. But what about the invisible?
This little park, or green area, is just behind the road I live in. It’s nice to have it there — an oasis of green in a warren of concrete.
Dogs aren’t allowed in. PupperJack, being a dog, takes this dog-personally.
What the photo is actually about though, is that scarred patch in the middle of the grass — evidence that a bonfire was enjoyed there.
That’s fine, but what this is leading up to is one of my annual rants about fireworks. No one ever said: “Let’s go to the firework display to LISTEN to the fireworks.” No, they did not. They go to SEE the fireworks.
Fireworks get louder every year, which is entirely inconsiderate of those humans who can’t cope with sudden, loud noises, of pets of all descriptions, and of any wildlife we’ve been lucky enough to still have around the place despite all humans’ efforts to send it packing.
Once again, social media is full of terrible stories of animals who have panicked because of a firework, run away and not been found.
More places are selling quiet, and no-noise fireworks. More people should be buying them.
Okay. That’s it. Until the next time.
This week we visited my person in Malvern, and I decided I’d definitely stop this time far enough away to get a photo of the Hills. There are not many places to stop. Then I spotted this layby, swerved in, snatched up my phone, took the pic, and then drove off.
Later, when I downloaded it, I realised the hills had virtually disappeared in my shot. They’re that grey line at the back of the photo that vanishes behind the hedge.
Here is a photo of a closer Malvern Hill (there are several in the range) with my previous dog — the Late, Great Jeff-Dog.
On the right above is a more painterly depiction of the Malvern Hills.
This week PupperJack had to have his annual vaccinations and check-up, and we were informed by the vet that he’d put on weight during lockdown. (Like some others we know.) **looks shifty**
So, of course, I regaled our person with tales of the vet saying PupperJack was ‘a bit chunky’.
He didn’t think it at all funny, while we rolled about laughing hysterically.
Then he was forced to pose with the plaster dogs. There used to be one, which he took violent exception to, but now there’s another. PupperJack thinks it’s getting beyond a joke. He’s afraid of being outnumbered by a whole gang of plaster dogs.
Don’t worry. No PupperJacks were harmed in the making of this photo. He knew he was going to get a bone-biscuit as a reward so he consented to do it. He just did it with ill-grace.
November 8th is ‘Abet and Aid Punsters Day’.
Q: Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom? A: Because its pee is silent.
Q: Why did the dog chase his own tail? A: He was trying to make both ends meet.
Okay. I’ll stop now.
Last year, Dennett started the Photo-a-Day Challenge to help combat the pandemic blues. She takes photos during the week, chooses the best ones, and adds some narrative.
Other practitioners who share their week with us:
Erika Burkhalter, Eileen Vorbach Collins, Anne Bonfert, Sasha Meyer, Tracy Aston, Lisa Bolin, Juan O. Aguilera, David Wade Chambers, Susan Alison, June Nguyen, Mia Verita, LensAfield, Barbara Radisavljevic, Diana Lotti, Barb Dalton, Kim Zuch, K. Barrett, Penny Grubb, Ellie Jacobson,
(If your name should, or should not, be on this list, please let me know.)
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