“When the goose honk high, fair weather; when the goose honks low, foul weather”
Jo is male, a gander. He is a goose, about 15 years old. He is not viscious, but he is a good guard. He honks when he hears the motorbike, he can distinguish the sound of ours, possibly because it is a Honda and he knows his japanese bikes. He also knows the sound of our cars and always greets us with a honk!
The picture you see in my profile is not Jo, but one of his former loves, Peggy. This was an oil painting I did one day when Peggy decided to pose for me outside the kitchen window. I had never used oils before and was finding it difficult. When she stood there I knew it was something I could paint as I knew the subject so well, unlike the flowers in the text book I was following. No sooner had I finished, Peggy walked away. I did not add anything more to the picture, I felt I had captured her just right...the big blue eyes always staring through the window and the long orange beak. Jo was named after Jon's grandad. Peggy, after Jon's grandma and Dolly after my nana. Sadly Peggy and Dolly are no longer with us and Jo is a widower. He leads a very content life, his eyesight isn't too good as he has cateracts so he is familiar with the garden and paddock. He dislikes the church bells and honks away when they are rung on a Sunday.
Anything I have missed out, please shout up and myself or Jo will answer any further questions.
Love this post about Jo your faithful gander. Terrific pictures too.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I am the first to post after you.
Have a great week.
You must have a lively place - honk-honk! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! Love your pictures! How fun!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week!
Sylvia
what a joy Jo must be to have around
ReplyDeletebeautiful photo and post!The photo is like a painting!
ReplyDeleteI took a gander at your joyous picture; nice.
ReplyDeleteI love this!
ReplyDeleteI love that painting! Absolutely beautiful
ReplyDeleteJo sounds like a good watchgoose. Must be nice to have him honk for yoyu.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting.
Amazing that the goose recognizes the sounds of your car and bike. Just goes to show how smart animals are.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful photo, has a very clean and gentle feel about it to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story! And a beautiful goose, that Jo is.
ReplyDeleteAlways such a joy to read of your everyday tales. The image is just so delicate too. I'm with everyone simply beautiful both.
ReplyDeleteLinky is down. Can't sign in.
You must be a lucky charm it's back up.
ReplyDeleteHi Denise,
ReplyDeleteGreat to see Jo again I love sweans and esspecially because its my name-mate, Yehhh JoAnn is my name and we celebrate "Jarig"and More J's , come see my blog:)
JoAnn/Holland
Jo is so gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely picture! My daughter kept geese, but one of them became demanding, following her around the yard snapping at her legs, so she got rid of them all. Your goose looks much more amenable.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture of a beautiful creature!
ReplyDeleteHe's so gorgeous !
ReplyDeleteThat is a gorgeous photo and what a pose!Stop by Flamblogger and see my new painting of Flamborough.
ReplyDeletegorgeous shot & your painting came out wonderfully for never having used oils before, wow!
ReplyDeleteJo is absolutely beautiful! What a stylish pose this guy has! You captured him so well...gorgeous photograph.
ReplyDeletethat indeed is a superb painting! a perfect portrait!
ReplyDeletemay jo live many more healthy honking years!
Hi Denise, Just a bit slow in catching up with the fact your blog had moved! YOu know I'm absolutely with you in your love of geese. My 3 are very dear to me & I hope they live to the grand of age that Jo has. Your painting is beautiful! Will be up in the Skipton area later this year - anywhere near you?
ReplyDeleteGreat post of letter 'J ':)
ReplyDeleteThanks & have a nice day.
Loved the description of the family. Poor Jo!
ReplyDeleteIsn't he gorgeous? Beautiful photo, too! I'm guessing this is a typical pose?
ReplyDeleteI had no idea how long geese would live for, so you've educated me today. Since he has cataracts, I assume he's an old fella. I bet he's had a long and very contented life with you!
What a handsome fellow! And a wonderful photo, as well. I enjoyed the poem by Whitman on your last post--spending time with animals certainly helps one to forget the cares of the world.
ReplyDeleteJo is such a cute goose!!! They say gooses are better than dogs when guarding a house!
ReplyDeleteI'm back to BAC, hope to stay long this time! :O)
Kisses from Nydia.
Ops, I meant ABC!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty goose. I had a goose and a gander when I lived in Belgium, they were my bodyguards :-))
ReplyDeleteJo seems to be a dear friend.
ReplyDeleteHe is a gorgeous goose too!
Happy ABC Wednesday...it is a joy each week to visit everyone. I look forward to Wednesday.
Thank you!
Sherry
What a gorgeous bird. I'd always heard that geese were marvellous guards and would love to have a gaggle but there's no room here . . . sigh . . .
ReplyDeleteJo sounds very loyal and faithful. Do all geese have blue eyes?
He is so gorgeous, Denise!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous.
ReplyDeleteJo the gander, funny to have a gentle nature. When we were young, our geese and ganders used to snap at us. May be we didn't feed them enpugh.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that they could live to 15 years old. He is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky to have these wonderful pets in your life. Jo is gorgeous and amazing how he can tell the different sounds of the bikes, etc.
ReplyDeleteYa gotta luv all gods creatures...big & small! :)
What a wonderful photo of Jo! He is very handsome. Have been following your blog for some time.
ReplyDeleteHis feathers look soft like a white satin and such a beautiful contrast to the orange beaks.He is a perfect one. Am glad you shared his snap..thank you.
ReplyDeletePass on a gentle pat from my side. Hello Jo.