Heartbroken

Ella passed away this week. The emptiness is vast. I hurt for Andy's massive loss also. He has loved her and had her as a constant companion for 11 years. I have never been privelaged to see such a close bond. She was a blessed part of our lives and her beauty and grace will continue to be missed for a long time.

Beautiful Willow

I walked down by the river yesterday. I love these willowy trees. I also took some film of an amazing flowering camillia.


It had two different pink coloured flowers. One was the lighter pink and the other a darker pink. It was so tall also.

I haven't been for a walk for ages. I really enjoy the late afternoon walks but only manage them on weekends. After school I am always too tired. I need to walk before school on weekdays.

I had full intentions of doing that, this morning but Ella is sick with a cough and I worried and listened to her coughing most of the night, so couldn't get up this morning, despite my plans.

Whippet reflections

She still has a cold. I wonder if it was from skipping through these puddles during the holidays. Watch out for the amazing reflection at the end. Andy is responsible for this clip.

Full Moon Wonderings

Ella has a cold. She is our beautiful whippet and last night she was coughing. I am not very experienced with dog illnesses so I was really concerned. I thought she had something really wrong. I wondered if family leave included pets. In the middle of the night I decided probably not and thought how unfair that is.

Andy's little clip

I love a little movie Andy made about riding him and Ella to Blonde Bay and Waddy's track. It is really cute. It was on revver but I have taken it off.
Today I watched 'O Brother Where Art Thou' with one of my classes. I love that movie. It's great. The opening song 'Big Rock Candy Mountain' is an old American folk song by Anonymous. I love those lyrics. They are so childlike and cute, yet filled with adult longings. We have been reading the book 'Out of the Dust' by Karen Hesse in that class and I have totally enjoyed it all. I hope the kids have enjoyed it half as much as I have. It is another repetition for me of both texts and has deepened by appreciation immensely.

Bunny deprivation.....

Poor Ella... the neighbours have a pet rabbit that she's not allowed to eat.
When we were at Rushworth I witnessed Ella chase and kill a rabbit. I saw toddlers and mum next door chasing the new family pet around the court and the scene flashed back into my mind.
Andy wisely decided he and Ella should go next door and meet and greet. When they returned I heard that Ella wanted to taste the bunny and Andy growled and Ella has been miserable all afternoon.
We will have to keep the gates closed now.....