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I was sitting with the girls, looking out the lounge room windows, when I spotted a deer about to cross the road. It had come from behind the house and appeared to be checking for any traffic. After a short wait, it confidently trotted across to our neighbours across the road. In the deer’s wake came four others. Each of them stopped, made sure it was safe, then proceeded.
Fortunately, the dogs were asleep, otherwise there would have been an explosion of Emma yapping.
Speaking of which, she has started to recognise Mathilde. Although Emma starts her alert ear-piercing barking when she sees the car pull in, she stops when Mathilde is almost at the door. And, when I let her out of the house, she just goes straight up to her and says hi.
That was just before 4pm when Mathilde turned up to walk the girls. I’d taken them for a post-lunch walk, but they weren’t complaining. I have decided that I need to get out. Not just for indulging in the pleasures of the outside world but also for the benefits of the exercise. I feel in danger of atrophy.
There was no sign of atrophy on the ice rink today. It was the much anticipated (by me at least) Sweden v USA meeting in the women’s ice hockey. I sat, glued to the screen, as the women biffed and bashed and skated like crazy things. Well, the American team did. The first period saw the Swedes outclassed, as they were bruised, forced into defence.
The shots on goal in the first period were an indication of the US dominance. As well as a single goal, the US recorded 13 shots on goal to the Swedish paltry two.
The second period saw great improvement in Swedish attacking. I’m guessing that their coach gave the rousing speech about taking the game to their opponents. Sadly, however, it didn’t make any difference to their scoresheet. The Americans, on the other hand, hurtled towards victory with another four goals.
It was heartbreaking, but the Swedish team did not wilt. They kept fighting. In fact, late on, they showed a bit of the skills and strength that got them to the semi-final in the first place. But it wasn’t enough.
In all fairness, the Americans were the better team, stringing passes together and creating opportunities out of sloppy play from the Swedes.
In the other semi-final, Canada beat Switzerland 2-1, meaning it will be USA v Canada for the gold and silver, while Sweden battles it out with Switzerland for the bronze. That will be on Thursday. Looks like another afternoon spent glued to the telly.
In other sad news, Robert Duvall died today, aged 95. A long and very busy life in entertainment.
