Poor little mite part ll

On Tuesday 27th November 2012, a baby badger was knocked down by a car and died. On my morning walk that day I found the badger and moved her (as I later verified it was a 'she') away from the road and into the woods where she could rest in peace.

Over the last two months, my hound and I have frequently looked at the badger as she lay intact and undisturbed. The foxes later killed a stag and I recorded in this blog how they disposed of him.

The badger seemed of no interest to the foxes and she lay where I placed her- as the temperture dropped and it snowed, she froze and in the last couple of days, warmish at 8 degrees C, she thawed out.

This morning my hound averted me to the latest. I followed him to the undergrowth, the same thicket where the stag had laid down to die. In it I caught sight of the badger and I recognised her instantly by the placement of her front left paw which I had held as she lay dying.

This is what is left of her.

Photo copyright SvD.

What I eat...

Things I ate this week.
Photos copyright SvD.

Friendship

My dear friend, Yasmin, who has been a rock in my life for so long, is not well. I first met Yasmin in 1988/9 when we worked for the same company. We have stayed friends ever since.

Yasmin is one of those irreplaceable friends who is like my own blood. We have shared our crazy lives, our ups and downs and our laughter thousands of times over 25 years. Every weekend we chat on skype and if we miss that catch up, we get terribly concerned for each other.

I cannot imagine not having Yasmin in my life and I pray that she will regain her health.

Treasure friendship: a true friend is someone who is unconditional in their affection and generous in their indulgence of our foibles.

God bless you, Yasmin.

Copyright SvD.

How many legs?

I am always fascinated by the paw prints in the snow- the four paws follow a straight line yet the hound is not designed that way!

Photo copyright SvD.

The painting of the Duchess of Cambridge

I would agree with the critics who slated the painting. The pose is all wrong for a portrait of a future queen. Those of us who are educated in art would see its flaws straight away. The main problem with this style of painting is that the subject ends up looking like a facsimile of a photograph. Art is about expression and this style of painting subdues expression-both that of the artist and sitter. Please go to the National Gallery in London which is free and look at Rembrandt's portraits. You will see straight away what I am talking about. Kate is not a great beauty and neither do her eyes come across as sparkling, but there is a softness and kindness in her face that would translate well in a portrait (by the right artist).

A hill with a view

This is one route I follow on my daily walks with the hound. This morning it was particularly lovely with the snow, the freezing air and the endless horizon. I am mesmerized by the beauty of this world; nature can be a soothing balm to the loneliest of souls. This vista lifts one up, far enough to hear what the clouds are saying to each other.

Photo copyright SvD.

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama looked quite elegant today at the swearing in of her husband as the 44th US President. I can't help wondering what a great support she has been to President Obama and at times her popularity has even been greater than his. Human beings can sniff out a fraud through sheer instinct and Mrs. Obama seems to attract the best type of publicity plus she radiates warmth with that dazzling smile. It can't be easy being the adjunct to the star attraction but Mrs. Obama seems to pull it off. She hasn't attempted to fight battles that are not in her purview or reinvent herself constantly in order to outshine all previous First Ladies. It would appear that the reason she is so liked is that she is just being herself.

Good luck to the Obamas as four more (difficult) years commence.