Agnes is a name that comes from Greek and means "pure." Dog-ma and I feel that the two women named Agnes whom we admire are pure — purely wonderful!

Agnes of Sonoma lives in Oakmont, California, an over-55 community in Sonoma Valley wine country. Agnès of Paris, whom we know through film, lives in France, a place too far away for me, un vieux chien, to visit. (C'est dommage, because I long to go sit with French people and les chiens at café tables. I picture myself blogging and talking to cute poodles while dog-ma sips wine and talks politics.)

Agnes of Sonoma is a dog and cat lover. Her husband, Frank, is too. Frank is turning 96 this month (and having surgery — we pray for the best). But Agnes does not reveal her age. We met Agnes and Frank in 2003 in the parking lot of Whole Foods in east Santa Rosa. Agnes introduced herself to us because she wanted to meet me, charming corgi that I am. Before we went our separate ways that day, Agnes had charmed us into letting her be my dog-sitter during the winegrape harvest season. Unbelievable. Though dog-ma liked the idea of my having fun with Agnes and Frank while she worked long harvest hours, she has never allowed me to be anywhere other than safely at home or out with her. I got to have a great time all summer and fall with Agnes and Frank. I know Agnes liked the way I patroled her backyard for predators, and her cat liked having me around, too.

Agnès of Paris (born in Belgium) is a cat lover and a filmmaker, and probably a dog lover 'cuz I can't imagine her not loving all of Nature. Mme. Varda turned 80 this past May 30. She has been called the mother of New Wave cinema, but some call her leader of Rive Gauche cinema. I don't know because I haven't asked her. Dog-ma said Agnès Varda has made many great films, but her film we watch repeatedly is one of the greatest documentaries of all time: Les Glaneurs et la Glaneuse (documentaire de 82 minutes, filmé en 1999/2000; en anglais The Gleaners and I). I'm not going to do a canine review here. You must get this amazing film and watch it yourselves! Watch it because the people in it, and also the dog, will touch your hearts. Watch it because it conveys an impawtant message about recycling and about society's wastefulness.

Big woofs out to Agnès Varda and Agnes of Sonoma. We think the world of them and wish them the best toujours. Wooo-woof!

Dog-ma says Harmony Festival 2008 ended on June 8th with a kickin' performance by the passionate world-class songstress Angelique Kidjo.

If that weren't Harmonious enough, the all-time great songwriter/singer Paula Cole performed at the festival on June 7th.

Woof! Congrats on 30 years of Harmony! Special TX WOOF to Debra Giusti, festival founder! Big TX WOOFS to Randi Rembe, exhibit management, and Betty Biodiesel, announcer extraordinaire, who made dog-ma's announcement asking people not to leave dogs in cars 'cuz it's too hot.