May the Wind be Always at My Back

Merry Christmas and All the Best Wishes for 2012

2011-12-20T12:02:00.002-07:00

I've been very negligent on posting anything for the past few months. I have just been so busy re-starting my American life. On October 11 I shipped my little ball of fur, better known as Flanagan, to Seattle. It was a tearful farewell because I knew she was so very frightened. She hates the kennel and had to be trapped in one for 18 hours. At 6:00am, I bid her adieu at Shannon Airport. I'd planned to go down to Dingle to purchase a gift for Amy but I was so concerned about the pup, that I just headed back to Galway. I kept thinking about the morning she was to be spade but threw up due to fear of the kennel... I was afraid they'd call from the airport and say they couldn't ship her because she was sick. So, back to Galway and a long wait. At 9:00am, I knew she was in the air so I could relax. 7 hours later I checked the tracking and found she was in Newark but connected to an incorrect flight...an overnight in Newark. NOT!! I called and immediately got that changed so she could continue her journey the same day to meet Alex in the evening. She was fine, is happy here, loves the cat (not sure it's mutual!!) and all the birds and squirrels in the yard. She has had to learn to walk on a lead at all times (she's a country dog, not a city pooch!!) but I've found 2 dog parks where she can play off-lead. All is good. I returned to Seattle on October 23. Since then I've been to Missoula, checked out my house and confirmed that the renter wants to stay through the winter, bought a new car, rented a small cabin on Whitefish Lake for the winter and will move there on January 3. I'm really looking forward to time in the snow, walking with my pup, learning a new area, playing my flute in the community band, joining the camera club, helping at Amy's school and just exploring the area. When my house in Missoula is vacant in the summer, I'll return, paint, clean it out and re-rent it for another year. I have a return ticket to Ireland for late August, but time will tell whether I do it or not. I'm not finished with my vagabond lifestyle, but don't know where the next adventure will take me. For now, I'm happy to be with the kids. This is the first Christmas I'll share with all 3 of them since 2008.

I wish each of you who read this a happy holiday season and may 2012 bring you peace and happiness. Every day is a gift, enjoy each one!!

A Pot of Gold

2011-10-20T01:13:00.000-06:00

I'm sure there must be a pot of gold in that Lucey Transportation truck. Since my maiden name was Luosey/Lucey, I just had to capture this photo while driving down the road!! Ok, not always safe, but essential.

I have to remember that very first day I arrived into Dublin at 6:00AM, picked up my rental and headed out to Cork. I was terrified of driving on the left, hadn't a clue where I was going, just listened to "betty in the box" until I looked up and there was a Lucey Transport truck in front of me. It was an omen..."come follow me" The truck was from Cork and headed that way so I tailgated for the first 15 minutes of my freeway/motorway experience... I just felt I was being directed by an invisible hand. So, here I am a year later, comfortable on the left, confident in most any situation...how far I've come in one year...but I'll always thank "Lucey Transport" for guiding me out of Dublin that early September morning and setting me free to celebrate every single day I've had here in Ireland. There truly has been a pot of gold for me!!

Copper Class

2011-10-20T01:05:00.001-06:00

I took a class at Derryaune on felting early on when I came here. It was such a fun day and I learned so much...that I've continued to use. So when I saw the list of new class offerings, I decided to try my hand at working with copper. There were six of us...a real global blend...2 Germans, 1 East Indian, 2 Irish, 1 Irish/American and the teacher is from England. It was just such a fun day. I took Flan along this time since I couldn't leave her at home for the day...she'd get into trouble for sure!! She did very well...sat in the car the first couple of hours (but she sleeps in the morning anyway!!) Then the owner said "bring her in"....so Flanny got to come to class too. I put her leash under a leg of my chair so that she's stay near and not "visit" with the other ladies. She only ate two of the weaving sticks that had fallen under the table before I found out!!!!!! So I substituted a piece of firewood...with apologies to the owner. Then the owner's old, deaf terrier came in....the fun began. The two of them just had a ball. But, needless to say, it was hard for me to concentrate so I only managed to make one item. I was quite proud of it though and learned quite a bit of the technique of working with copper. I'll try my hand at it again with fewer distractions.

Foxford Woolen Mills

2011-10-20T00:52:00.001-06:00

Well, I've made the decision to return to the US so it's time to pick up those last minute memories. One of my favorite places is the Foxford Woolen Mills. I think I've posted about it before. ( http://www.foxfordwoollenmills.com/through-the-years.php ) But the mill was begun in 1892 by the Sisters of Charity to provide employment for the locals. They harnessed the waters of the mighty Moy River to run the looms. It's still a wonderful place to visit and spend a few euros!! I had a wonderful lunch in the cafeteria, walked through the shop and then headed back for home. It's a 1 1/2 hour drive but through some beautiful fields and rolling hills. Another wonderful Irish day!

Thoor Ballylee

2011-10-20T00:44:00.000-06:00

William Butler Yeats wanted a place in the countryside, where he could be rooted. I stopped by the tower after another walk at Coole Park with Flan the other day. A beautiful setting along a river far off the main roads and tucked into the rolling and wooded hills. My kinda place!! A river, woods, and fields all rolled together. WB Yeats lived here from 1919 to 1929 with his wife and daughter. Then it fell into disuse. In 1965 it was re-opened to the public as a visitor center. A flood last year damaged the tower so it is presently closed for restoration work. But it was still fun to stop, walk and photo... great day. Although the light isn't good (looking into the sun!!) I still made the effort. Flanagan loved being able to walk along the river too. Just a wonderful day.

Grocery Shopping

2011-09-23T12:31:00.000-06:00

For years I've been saying that we should NOT pave over all of our land just for cars... why not put parking under the store!! Well, they've done it here in Oranmore where I do a majority of my grocery shopping. I love it!! It is very clean, bright, safe, easy to get to and quick. You just pull down into the parking garage, park your car and ride the "travelator" up to the store. So easy, no different than a parking lot. You get your "trolly" at the top of the escalator and enter the store. One thing that is different here is that you always pay to use a trolly...stick in a euro, release the little chain and go shopping. When you finish, take the trolly to the stand, push it in, push in the little chain thing and your euro pops out. So basically, you don't pay anything, but are rewarded for returning your trolly to the proper spot. Works well. So, after getting my groceries, putting them into my own re-usable bag.....EVERYONE brings their bags... I take the trolly out of the store, go to the travelator and push the trollyl on... I have no idea what is on the wheels, whether it's magnatized or just sticks, but it doesn't go whoosing down the ramp,...just stays with you. When you get to the bottom, just shove it off, unload at your car, return to the stand and get your euro back. Soooo easy....love it. Ireland is way ahead of the US in environmental issues. Wind, solar, no plastic bags, outlawed smoking in pubs long before many places... pretty progressive in a lot of things...

So....here is my store: Tesco

Tin Whistle Class

2011-09-16T04:28:00.002-06:00

OK, there is a God... I've always wanted to learn the tin whistle (you know me, "I'm a jack of all trades, but a master of none" because I have so many interests!!) So when I moved here, my landlord/lady told me of a person who taught music in the village...in the pink house with the thatch roof...well, there aren't too many that answer to that description so I had no difficulty finding it. I signed up and started last night with a group of lovely women who have been taking for awhile. Sheet music is forbidden, which makes sense since you certainly don't see folks in a Trad session stop to pull out their music...they just have it all stored in their being. Music is just part of them. It is like watching a poor flute player and a good one. They may both have the notes memorized, but the good one just feels the music, can't help but move with it. Well, I'm going to move with the jigs this year. It's very hard to get out of visual and into audio mode but I'll keep working on it. We are working on "Scatter the Mud" for this first week. My teacher's name is Una ni Fhlannagain...yes, her last name if Flanagan...further confirmation of the humour of a higher being!! I'm just so excited...the house is amazing, the family is creative and inspirational... I'll enjoy.

Photos: House, Una, other ladies in the group.

Another Day on the Burren

2011-09-15T10:37:00.002-06:00

Since I live so close to the Burren, I'm going to explore as much of it as possible. I've been "around" it many times, but today I decided to "over" it. From the sea, you look up to the tops of the many rocky hills but on the map it shows some very small roads that go over, through, around those hills so I set out to find a few.

ACromwellian general remarked that there was not a tree on which to hang a man, or enough water to drown him, or enough soil to bury him when speaking of the Burren. He was pretty close to the truth. "The north-west corner of County Clare is one of the most interesting and striking landscapes in Europe. It is an area of naked sheets of limestone running into the sea as low cliffs on rocky shorelines, and re-appearing as the three Aran Islands at the mouth of Galway Bay. The Burren is interesting from the points of view of geology, archaeology and botany, as well as being strikingly beautiful in it's bareness." http://www.irelandmidwest.com/clare/features/theburren.htm

This rather daunting landscape truly reinforces my respect for those who settled in the area. How difficulty it must have been to survive. There are pockets of fertile land but a majority is rock, rock and a bit more rock. Covering the rocks are hazelnut trees and a few hawthorn. But, strangely enough, this is also an area known for a most diverse flower population...from orchids to gentian to primroses and common knapweed and daisy. You can see it all. There are over 40 varieties of orchids on the island and many of them grow in this area. I look forward to spring and searching for them.

Flan and I walked in the wildlife reserve near the top of one of the mts then worked our way through a cut and down the side, stopping at St Fachnan's Well, then the Burren Perfumery to see what they had. Very interesting. They used to source their needs from the locality, but since much of the land has become "protected" they now have to import their oils. It was still a very interesting place with a fabulous 10-minute slide show of area history and flowers. Great stop mid-day. A nice little tea shop adjoined the gift store, but since Flanny had been cooped up so long, I didn't think I should take any more time.

Photos: Collage of rock walls...no shortage of supplies!!; Ft Fachnan's Well and surrounding area; mountains, abandoned houses.

My walk

2011-09-14T13:39:00.002-06:00

Every day I take Flan for a walk. Remember, part of my reason for getting her was to force me to walk each day...rain or shine....cause a puppy needs it...even when "mom" doesn't want to go out!!

So..take a walk with me through my world.

We had a terrible storm, edge of hurricane Katia, two days ago. So today, I decided to see what was going on in my woods. Interesting, the name of the woods is Myode...so it's sort of "my own" place to commune with my God while Flanagan explores every inch of it with her nose. She doesn't miss a beat....be it horse poop, animal tracks, mushrooms, moss, pee from some other exploring pooch, racing squirrels...she loves it all!! After a quick survey, all seemed fine, a few things were obviously ruffled with the wind, but mainly everything was as it should be. A lot of horse chestnuts were down, pods from the beech trees scattered, and many hazelnuts were on the ground, but no damage that I could tell.

I love to walk through any deep woods but Ireland is the best because there is very little understory...just moss...it is so wonderful.

The blackberries are ripening, the mushrooms are amazing. Although I don't pick them because I don't know wild mushrooms, I love to find them on the forest floor. Oh what a wonder... the woods could provide quite a diet for someone....fruits, nuts, meat, mushrooms, herbs, life is good. I'd like to be a little critter running through it all.

I read something the other day about the woods at night. If we are afraid, we must ask ourselves...is it "fear" or "danger". I thought how true that was... often we are afraid when we should not be.... There is nothing dangerous about the forest here in Ireland. No cougar tracking you, no grizzlies or wolves. I LOVE it. One day I found a shelter made from limbs....someone had been living there....Although I felt uncomfortable myself..invading such a private place, I thought later, how special that somebody found the woods so comforting that they stayed... I like that.

Photos: My walk through the woods with Flan, remember I said I felt that it was possible that knights on horses could come around the corner at any moment!!; the remains of an ancient rock wall, now covered in moss; a collage of mushrooms; berries (blackberries, sloe berries, GUELDER ROSE [Viburnum opulus]berries.

Happy Birthday, Flanagan

2011-09-07T08:18:00.000-06:00

My little bundle of fur is now officially 1... I can't believe that I've had her for 10 months already. Time sure flies. And she has been great company and entertainment.

Well her birthday was a miserable day here so we couldn't even get out for her walk. The wind was howling and the rain pelting down. I was sure a tree would fall on us if we went into the woods!! We just had to stay put!! I went upstairs to make sure all the drains had water in them, open the windows on the leeward side of the house to let out the humidity....ha, ha, ha...not sure where it was going to go....it was more humid outside, but with the warm interior I sure don't want mould developing in the house. As I stood at the window I noticed Flanagan just strolling around in between the bullocks...she just loves them and most of them have gotten smart enough to ignore her. Just couldn't pass a photo. So here's Flanagan with her new best friends!! Life's a party every day for her.

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel and Lazyman Fishing

2011-09-02T13:05:00.002-06:00

Well, yesterday was SUPPOSED to be a good, bright day...ha, ha, ha. So I started out early to find Ballynahinch Castle/hotel and fishing grounds. The neighbors had told me about it...how beautiful it was, how good the food was in the pub and how much fishing there was along the river... so I set out. Well, it didn't take a genius to realize that the sun was quickly disappearing and the rain was coming on... oh well, this IS Ireland for heaven's sake and I won't shrink if I get wet, so onward. I made it through Galway and headed to Oughterard where I kept on for Maam's Cross and Clifden. It gets so bleak as you leave Oughterard for the coast... so many rocks, so little ground to use for animals or crops. I've been reading a lot of Walter Mackin, who was from Galway. So many of his novels take place in the Connemara and north west portion of Mayo. I can just slip into the times and imagine a very small one-room cottage, heated with turf, potatoes for dinner with maybe a bit of bacon thrown in on Sunday...so poor were the people and so much was cast against them by the protestant land owners. Just imagine having to give most of what you made to the landlord...and when the landlord decided your rented acre was more valuable as grazing for his animals then for you to grow crops and raise a family, he just razed your house and sent you packing....without any advanced notice. Very sad. Anyway, I was headed to one of those old protestant castle (built in the 17th century by the Martins) called Ballynahinch. See :http://www.ballynahinch-castle.com/ It was a beautiful setting, tucked in against the 12 Pins and above the Ballynahinch river and lough system. The hotel is known for its sea trout and salmon fishery...everything was about fishing... but what a lazy way to do it. You buy the permit for a certain beat or section which allows you to fish that area only. You just walk the paths along the bank, step out onto man-made jetties where you don't even have to get your toes wet, and cast your line. I've read and heard of this type of fishing, but was appalled at the lazy method. Well, I guess it means when you can no longer cut your own path, wade into deep rivers that threaten to wash you away like some of those in Montana, you can still fish...just bring an easy chair and give it a whirl. I'm not too impressed with this, but it was fun to see. So, after taking lots of photos, flan and I continued on to Roundstone. This is a great little village on the sea. We walked a bit, looked in some studios and then headed home. It was a long day, but fun to see.

Photos: Hotel, grounds, interiors; fishing beats.

August arrangement and neighbor's house

2011-08-22T11:13:00.002-06:00

Can you believe it... I've been here almost a year. I know I was delinquent in putting arrangements together this summer (ha, ha, ha...we haven't had summer!) because I just couldn't pick flowers. They were so amazing...so instead, I took a lot of photos. But, today Flanagan and I went for a walk in our "new" forest. It's quite different, but equally as beautiful as those I've explored this past year. I'm living in a area that has tons of horses so my walk is along trails with plenty of horse doo doo. A large portion of it is through a very deep forest with overarching branches. I just keep thinking that a flock, pod, posse, troop, school, or whatever you call a bunch of horses with knights aboard will come storming along the trail. I can often hear dogs howling in the distant woods. The neighbor said that they do fox hunts in those woods so I must be careful that Flan isn't mistaken for a very strange fox...the dogs could kill her in an instant...she might think she's a big, tough girl, but she's a real woose in reality. Today she headed off into some brush, but got stuck and "mom" had to come to her rescue. I was sitting on a rock waiting for her to return (ha, done this before haven't I!!) and I heard her whimpering in the brush. Well, she was just too little to jump over the brambles and needed help. Guess I'm good for something, sometime in her book!!

Anyway, my August arrangement is wild current berries and turning leaves. Can you believe that "summer" is coming to an end and fall will be upon us in no time. I'm just not ready for it yet!!

Photo: August flowers and next door neighbor...isn't the thatch beautiful!

Connemara

2011-08-21T13:07:00.003-06:00

Well, today I decided to take off and start my explorations of the area. Although I've been out to Connemara before, it's been years and on a whirlwind tour with Amy when she came with me to Ireland after her uni graduation. So, now I have all the time in the world to stop wherever I want for as long as I want!! Such a luxury.... Today we went as far as Ros an Mihl where you can catch the ferry to the Aran Islands. I had no intention of going out there at this time since I want to wait until the "tourists" go home so it won't be crowded. But at least I now know how long it takes to get there and just exactly where it is. As usual, I missed the exit off of a roundabout so ended up taking a completely different, 1 lane route over a mountain... I'm always glad when this happens because you see places you'd NEVER see otherwise. I went along Lough Corrib en route to Oughterad but turned up away from the lake, following a river. It was beautiful. Then down the other side to An Spideal where I picked up the coast road that I'd wanted initially. About 10 K along, I decided to head down toward the sea. We were following Galway Bay complete opposite the Burren which I'd been to yesterday. We found a place to park the car and take the camera for a walk. I had purchased a new, very sturdy tri-pod for the camera so was ready to try it out. My new camera is very heavy and when you add the good lens, it's almost impossible to hold it steady enough to do low-light photography. The shutter has to stay open too long and everything gets blurry...so, off we went with all the equipment. The sky was perfect...rolling clouds with brief moments of sun shining through. It was just such fun to walk along and see what the day brings. I had a nice visit with a couple who arrived on their bikes.... he had been born in the area, but lived in Boston for 50 years. Had returned to his homeplace about 5 years ago. Still feels like an outsider since it's a gaelteacht region totally. And I don't believe his Irish was very good. So, he still doesn't feel very welcome...the locals call him a Yank.... I understand!! After a bit, I realized I didn't know where Flan was... Well, she'd found two horses...a mom and a youngster and was barking and darting at them. She refused to come to me and I was so mad. This alpha dog needs to get tougher. I finally walked back and got the car...brought it up thinking when she saw it she'd "pop in" as I say. No go!! I was trying to figure out how to climb the gate when she decided she was thirsty and went down to the sea to drink...not the brightest pooch!! Anyway, I got the leash on her and literally lifted her by the neck on the leash and threw her into the car..... I didn't care if I hurt her or not...... mom had had it!! She seemed to know I was angry and slunk down on the seat. I gave her some fresh water and then let her sleep. We set off for further adventures, saw the travelers with their wagon coming up the road, then got to Ros an Mhil and found the ferry landing. Finally it was time to head home. Along the way I made one more side-trip to a sandy beach where I could walk with Flan on a very long lead. She is in the "dog house" with me for a bit!! Then it was onward to the house with a stop at Tesco in Oranmore for some wine!! I needed it. The Tesco is so cool here... as I've said for years,"why pave over the land for cars" This one has an giant parking garage under it and you just ride the moving sidewalk up to the store. When you leave, just take your trolly down the moving sidewalk and put it in the stand in the parking garage just like you would in an outdoor lot. GREAT use of land.

Photos: The sea, gorse and heather, rocks, beaches, all in Connemara.

Already August

2011-08-21T01:55:00.007-06:00

Wow, I can't believe I've not posted anything since June. It's been such a busy and crazy summer...or June, July and August...can't really call it summer since it's never been nice. The wind started in early May and has never let up.....

So, let's backtrack. A fishing friend arrived in mid-May to help me catch that elusive brown trout on the anticipated Mayfly hatch. Well, the trout is still unknown to me and the Mayfly hatch tried its darndest, but just couldn't become much. I saw them hatch in small amounts, but the wind was so bad and the fish weren't interested so I think the swallows swallowed them all. Flan was introduced to a day on the water in a boat and she did very well...still wasn't the good-luck charm needed to entice the trout though. Finally after 10 days of nothing, the fisherman moved on...in a bit of a snit...not sure if it was anger at me, the dog, the fishing, the rain, the fact I won a lot of backgammon, the over indulgence of whiskey on his part, my lousy cooking, or what. But, it was a bit of a hurt. It's hard to lose a friend of 45 years without knowing the cause. But I guess it's kinda like a good book...there are lots of chapters; maybe a little romance, or adventure... a little mystery or sadness but you finish the book. A few you re-read because they were favorites, some you forget what happened and read again and others you close and say, "why did I waste my time?

The long-awaited visits of my kids began on June 20. I drove into Dublin and picked Amy and Leo up at the airport. We drove into Dublin, found their hotel, parked the car (they couldn't check in until 2:00), walked down Grafton, had a bit of lunch, walked back to the car and I dropped them at their hotel. They wanted to spend the first 2 days in the city. I returned on June 23 and picked them up at the hotel. We headed south toward Glendalough, over the Sally Gap in the Wicklow Mountains. This is a strange area...very raw, rough mountains. Desolate....lots of heather, boggy, wet, still......alone-like. We stopped at the top of one mountain to walk Flan and it was so strange to have wet bog so high in the mts. Had to stop to investigate a stream...Leo the fisheries biologist was immediately looking under rocks for signs of what kinds of bugs we have here. He was fascinated with the brown, peaty water. Then it was down to Glendalough with a walk through the grounds. Back to the car and off to the coast. We spent the night at Courtown on the sea. A beautiful beach. I took the pup for a walk in a beautiful forest park, then it was fish and chips along the sea. Woke to a beautiful, clear morning so walked down to the beach and took Flan for a long walk. She's afraid of the waves as they rush in....not used to that living on a lake!! We had a great breakfast and headed out for the west. Stopped in Kilkenny in the rain, toured the old castle in town, then on to Cashal and a tour of the Rock of Cashal......in a terrible storm. At one point both Amy's and my umbrellas blew inside out. Finally the tour guide just said "enough". People were leaving the tour because it was so windy and wet and most of the tour was outside, on top of a huge "rock" or hill. A wonderful place though. Then it was on to Cork to stay at the Travelodge cause I knew they took pooches!! To bed and up early to head further west. We stopped at Blarney for the kids to climb the tower and kiss the stone while I visited with a very nice older lady from
England... also waiting for her family. I love getting older, you can just sit and wait!! flan is a hit with everyone. She is so friendly and cute that everyone wants to greet her and she loves it. From Blarney we drove to Dingle, found a place to stay and then went out for the evening. Great dinner and fun to walk the town. We found that it is a destination place for "hen" parties....or bachelorette parties as we'd call them. Lots of drunk gatherings of costumed ladies. Fun to see different traditions. In the morning we set off for a tour of the Dingle Peninsula. It was raining and misty so there were times we had no idea that the sea was right below us...couldn't see a thing. I'll have to go back to see what I missed!! We still managed to see beehive huts, old forts along the sea cliffs, amazing stone structures...what a talent the very early people had of fitting stones together to keep the wind and rain out....such patience. But again, they had many rocks of many sizes to work with...never a shortage!! We bid the peninsula goodbye and headed toward the Cliffs of Mohr and home. Stayed the night in Lehinch and then up early to tour the Cliffs, the Burren, Galway, where Leo visited the Irish Fisheries Department and talked with another scientist, watched the men fish the weir on the Corrib, then into town for a bit of shopping and sightseeing, back to the car and homeward bound. When we got home, Alex, Andrew and Liz arrived. It was such fun to have us all gathered together. The next day Amy, Andrew, Liz and Alex went to Foxford for some blanket shopping and Leo and I went fishing on the Boyle. We stopped at the sportsman shop and he told us how to access the stream. Wow...it was beautiful. As Leo said, it reminded us of the Beaverhead in Montana. But, alas, no fish for either of us. Still a beautiful river and soooooo nice to walk a river. I realized that I really don't like fishing on lakes. It's boring... I like to wander, see what I'm doing, not just sit and float....The next day we all explored Carrick and Boyle, looked around the area, hiked to Carrowkeel, etc.. Amy and Leo then went back into Dublin with Alex, et al, and flew out the following day. It was such fun to have them here, but all things must come to an end. Then Alex, et al, took off and went much the route that Amy and Leo and I had done, and came back up the following week to stay for 4 days. We toured more in the area, went up to Sligo, We had a great BBQ on the 4th of July...just like in America. Burgers, dogs, potato salad, beans, etc. No cherry pie though!! Before you knew it, it was time for them to head back to Dublin for a flight out. It was such fun to have family around. In fact, it sort of put me in a funk when they all left. I had to really re-think my life.

Well, a few things I'd learned: 1) I needed to find a cheaper place to live and 2) I'd explored the heck out of the northwest part of Ireland. I love it dearly but I'd promised myself that I'd get to know Ireland and by staying put, I was only concentrating on one area. 3) I needed to get rid of my boat cause I wasn't using it. I'm getting too old to row all day long, or maybe I'm just too impatient and want to get from point a to point b faster. Maybe a pontoon boat with an electric motor....???? anyway, this one was going and I could use the money. So, I put an ad in DoneDeal and sold it immediately for a bit more than I had into it. Not a bad deal. It now plows the seas off Arklow.

So, I started looking for some place else to live and found a perfect place near Galway.. It's a huge farmhouse, just recently completed, but the family works in Abudahbi 10 months of the year. They needed someone to "housesit" for them. I pay a small rent to basically pay for the oil it takes to keep the house warm through the year. I have my own quarters when they are here, but use the kitchen/family room when they are not. It's lovely, overlooking 30 acres of farmland. Since they want me to be on site most of the time, I decided I'd better do a "reality check". and take a trip back to the US. I was still missing family and wondering if I'm doing the right thing by staying in Ireland. I'll always wonder that, but have made the decision to stay another year. I returned on July 19 (God bless my neighbors for offering to watch Flan) and returned to Ireland on Aug 4. It was good to see the kids, get warm, see Pat's new house, visit with Dee Dee, get my teeth cleaned, etc. I then returned and immediately started packing. It took me 3 trips to get everything moved (hard to imagine all the stuff I've accumulated for a 4-bedroom house) and finally settled on the 11th of August. On the 12th I took the family (mom, dad, and 3 great kids) to the CityLink bus at 6:00pm and saw them off. They flew out to UAE on Saturday and I settled into a new year in a new area. So much to learn for both Flan and me. She loves the 40 bullocks that roam the fields around the house, learned that sheep are stupid and run...oh, what fun...but off limits...she could be shot for messing with them. So, she is learning her boundaries while I meet the new neighbors!! We are finding new woods to walk in , new beaches to explore, new castles to visit. Each day is a new learning.

Am I doing the right thing by staying. I'm still not sure, but I know I can afford to be here since I won't have the unknown of utilities. I can get along without food, if need be, but I can't go cold....so, for now, I'm home in a huge house. I may just set off for Connemara today to see what the day brings. The flowers are blooming in the courtyard, life is good. I'll try not to be so negligent in the future about keeping in touch, but this was the summer of discontent and contentment. Wonder what the future brings... I know it will be more lunch dates, dinner dates, walks, flowers, photos, new friends, old friends, kisses from a pooch, books to read, sewing and knitting, Internet backgammon, music and................................? time will tell.

Felting

2011-06-20T12:14:00.000-06:00

I'm a bit delinquent in sharing my adventures, but I've been too busy to sit down and write!! On Thursday, I drove over to Westport (on the Atlantic Coast) to Derryaune Crafts. This is the place I went to early in the fall to purchase some roving and other supplies for felting. I've loved working a little with the wool...making flowers, etc. But, now I wanted to learn how to make vessels....in other words, I wanted to learn how to work with resists. Our task of the day was to make two bowls. It's really very easy and a lot of fun. We watched Suzie make one, then we each had our hand at the process... we were finished by lunch. We gather in a wonderful conservatory in the bright sun and enjoyed a great lunch. Then it was back to work...if you can call it that... it is such fun to put colors together. We were an international group with a lady from France, near Geneva, a lady from Ireland, me from the US and the instructor from England. Good fun, great day.

Photos: Croagh Patrick, the workshop, our efforts, and the results. Some of the wonderful work that Suzie does.... such fun.

June Flowers

2011-06-13T06:55:00.000-06:00

The weather hasn't been real encouraging lately... still rain and wind. I don't mind the rain, it's a proven fact that I don't shrink, no matter how wet I get...but I'm tired of the wind. It was so bad yesterday that I decided it was probably best to stay out of the woods. I'm sure there are some "widow makers" just waiting to drop... I guess that wouldn't make anyone a widow or widower if I was killed, but I'm not ready to meet my maker...still too much to do and atone for...tee hee hee. Anyway, Flan and I took off to find a safer spot to tromp. We chose the cow fields not too far from the house. I've had fun watching the changes in these fields. First they were totally dormant, then I found some daffodils blooming (I just wonder who planted them and why) and now the grasses are tall and there are things along my walk that are blooming. I'm attaching just a few photos of some of the flowers. Some you'll know and others...?? So many things are blooming now...daisies, rhodys, wild roses, etc. but the ones in the attached photo are just a few in the fields. I also took Flan for a spring cleaning and shearing. I swear he thought she was a sheep and took her down to the skin. Won't need to do that again for a bit. She seems quite happy with her new dooooo..... But still itching as the bare spots toughen up.

Photos: Flowers, Flan and rock wall....

Puppy instinct

2011-06-09T01:39:00.001-06:00

No photos because I hadn't taken my camera along. But on yesterday's walk the cutest thing happened. Flan had bounced off into the woods as usual to follow whatever her nose was telling her about. In no time at all, she came trudging back out with a big, dead bird in her mouth. I'd say it was a wood pigeon...about as big as her head and not easy for her to carry. She stopped several times along the trail to readjust the load as she proudly pranced toward me to show her trophy. She was very gentle with it... I really wasn't sure how to handle this cause I wasn't bringing a dead bird home in the car!! Again several times she had to set it down to find a better way to waddle along with her load. At one point she had a whole mouthful of grey feathers...so funny. We turned off the wide trail into a little trail through the deep woods. She putted along behind me still carrying her find. She finally headed off into the deeper woods so I sat on a log to see what she would do. She was looking for a place to hide/bury her prey!! She waddled deeper and deeper into the woods.... after about 5 minutes, she came bounding out of the woods sans bird. Somewhere in those trees is a neat grave.... You can tell her breed was bred to be hunters...not necessarily birds...more rats, fox, badgers, mink, squirrels, etc. but if a prey is sitting on the ground, why not reap the rewards. I just loved watching instinct take over. She was so gentle with the critter..no tearing it apart or playing with it. Quite a fun learning for both of us. I do so enjoy watching her grow. As we speak, she is upstairs sound asleep on my bed... She learned that after a pee, it's really cozy to curl up with mom.... but even if mom's not there, it's still nice and soft. Ugh, my bed looks a bit like the floor of the woods.... dirt, moss, debris, sand.... Oh well, since I sleep alone, no one else needs to know how bad it is!! tee hee hee.

Bloom

2011-06-03T04:18:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I took off for Dublin to experience "bloom"...the "Chelsea Flower Show" of Ireland. It was a grand, glorious, warm, sunny day!! Long awaited. After the terrific winds we've had for the past 3 weeks, my spirit just soared with the sun!! I'd gotten good directions from the web as well as a friend so set off on my first sojourn back to the city since moving here...other than as a passenger with a neighbor one time!! All went well. I made good time into the fringes of the city, but then traffic just clumped to a stop... Clumped...because there were lights on the M whatever it's called. Why was I spending 3 euros to drive on a road that didn't go any faster than a lurching snail? Anyway, I began to see signs to bloom along the way so decided I'd follow them rather than my satnav... I think they wanted to channel folks through a certain area, so who was I to argue. Into the city, through small lanes, and finally into the Park. I found a parking spot got my running shoes on and set out... but.... I had no idea where the venue was... The first people I asked didn't know...Now this is a huge park, I'm told the largest in Europe and certainly every park in London could fit in it. There are herds of deer rambling, a zoo, polo fields, GAA games pitches, the president's home and I'm told the American ambassador even lives in the park. It's amazing. So..... what I'm saying is, I didn't want to just start walking without knowing if I was going in the correct direction. You can't just follow folks because the park is so big that you wouldn't know if they were going to Bloom or the bathroom... it's amazing. I finally asked a fellow gardener-looking lady and she directed me... I walked about 25 minutes along the main road before coming to the entrance. From that point I just ambled through exhibits, design gardens, food venues, veg gardens, flower gardens, craft offerings, music venues, outside dining areas, etc. It was a wonderful way to spend a beautiful day. It was very hard to not acquire some lily bulbs since they were 9 for 10 euros and the freshest, most perfect bulbs I've ever seen... but, no dirt for this old girl. I must find a place with dirt to dig in...

Photos: Flowers, flowers, designs, misc. Just a bunch of wonders of the day

May Flowers

2011-05-28T10:03:00.000-06:00

Wow, it's been awhile. I know I haven't done an arrangement for a bit but the flowers have just been too amazing and I hated to pick any...photos were enough.

Today Flan and I went for a walk on an overgrown road/path/tractor trail along a cow field. Just exploring. I get tired of the same area so needed to "branch" out looking for flowers. Today's offering is in pinks! Have no idea what they are, but very bright and cheerful. I have this terrible feeling I'll get myself into trouble soon by picking something that is either poisonous or I'll be allergic to... oh well, until then.

I've decided that God really has a plan....when we are so tired of dark winter he gives us yellow flowers....buttercups, dandelions, gorse, primroses, etc... then it's blues and pinks, with whites all along the way. The bluebells are mainly gone, the wild garlic is nearly gone, but now new things are coming along... iris, fuchsia, oh, too many to list. I finally got a book from the library showing all the flowers... this is an amazing place.

Photo: Cow parsley, fern, clover, and ???

Cousins

2011-05-09T07:10:00.003-06:00

I've been away for a few days. Went down to Kinvarra to meet Gail and Mary Lou, my cousins from California. Their mom was my dad's sis.... it was such fun to spend 2 days visiting and exploring. I took them to meet a distant cousin, Martin Flanagan, to the family grave and finally to the old house where grandma was born. I think for Gail it was hard to see it abandoned because she'd been there 30 years ago when Delia and Edward (Grandma's niece and nephew) were still living in it. We had such a good time, sharing memories and family history. They lived nearer to grandma and grandpa (nana and dada) so got to know them.

Photos: Kinvara, Gail/Mary Lou, Flan and house we stayed in...such a great 2 days.

Bluebells

2011-04-21T12:20:00.007-06:00

I've been watching, waiting, tracking the bluebells as they grow in my forest. You've seen photos all winter of the beautiful forest floor covered with russet beech leaves, then as a hint of spring began, the russet floor turned green with little bluebell plants...promising a wonderful surprise. I had no idea when this would occur, some said May, some said April... But, I guess that all depends on the weather. Well, it's here!! And it is amazing!! I walk for a good 5 minutes through a deep carpet of bluebells, under a wonderful canopy of new green. Even Flan stays to the narrow path through these flowers. She seems to know they are delicate and she has to be careful.

I've also been tracking the wild garlic from bulb, to leaf, and now to full plant with flowers just beginning to open. The entire plant is edible and I'll have to try my hand at wild garlic soup.

Another plant that I've been watching isn't quite so harmless. It's called Lords and Ladies and is highly poisonous. I won't be trying that one, but it is very interesting.

Photos: Bluebells, white garlic flower, Lords and Ladies with bracken fern and ground ivy, first rhodys

April Flowers

2011-04-15T07:45:00.010-06:00

I went for a long walk today through my usual forest. Flan is such a trooper. We are kindred spirits when it comes to the woods. I stop to take photos and she just sniffs her way through the bushes, trees, grasses, ditches, etc. We get along just fine. Neither of us are in a hurry. She never complains about not getting a fast walk (that will never happen with this old girl!!) but just putts around searching out whatever may come her way. She sure wishes she could fly though because she's flushed out several pheasant, and other birds, but darn, they take off and she just runs in circles. Anyway, today it was flowers... the bluebell are beginning to bloom and they will be magnificent with just a few more days of warm weather. They've put a little sign up asking people to stay off the flowers...duh...they are too pretty to walk on!! So, it's bluebells, fuchsia, ferns, wild garlic, shamrock/oxalis, primroses, violets, things I don't know what they are...all coming along beautifully. The rhodys will be next I'm sure. The larch/tamarack is all "needled" out (I doubt you can say "leafed" out) and the hazelnut and birch is starting to leaf out. The horse chestnut is fully out and some of the very few maples are out. No sign yet of Oak, ash or plain, but who am I to say...I don't know anything about those trees. I'm finding what looks like red-twig leafing out too... No arrangement this month yet because I keep thinking there will be more and more to add to it when I start picking...or not!! I hate to even disturb all the beauty that is exploding around me....

Photos: flowers

Fishing

2011-04-15T01:29:00.004-06:00

I've learned that with a little effort I can get my entire pontoon boat into the car. All I have to do is remove the shelf on the back and detach one side of the frame...then the entire thing fits in the car. I release part of the air from the pontoons and they go on top. Add the oars and my gear and I'm ready for any event. Yesterday I went down to Longford to the pet store where I've gotten great treats for Flan. I stocked up on what will be puppy bribery for the fishing season. I'll put her in her fenced yard, toss in a few chewy things (tripe, pig's ears, etc.) and she's good for a long while. I then take off to a lake. Last night it was Arrow. The duckfly hatch has begun in earnest and I was told the best time was in the evening. I could not believe what happened about 7:30....I was covered with them as they rose up out of the water...the birds were buzzing across the water gobbling the fly as they hatched... I just sat in awe. The fish are always safe from me cause I never catch, but I rowed around, tried my luck, and just enjoyed a perfect evening. About 8:30 things got quiet and I headed back to shore. 2 hours of rowing is about all my shoulders can take...

Photos: Lough Arrow

Cottage

2011-04-13T14:11:00.004-06:00

Each month when I pay my 450 euros I think it would be nice to have my own place... I know that is a pipe dream, totally unrealistic, but still, I dream. Every once in awhile I even look at the ads to see what is available. The prices have really been dropping here, but so has the value of the dollar to the euro. It puts even a modestly priced home out of my range. The attached photo is of a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, beautifully maintained and upgraded cottage on 1.5 acres. It stands at the top of a hill overlooking Lough Key. It is within a stones throw of Lough Arrow so there is fishing in several directions. It even has a new detached garage which is a rarity...perfect for a boat!! There is no one living in it so I just walked the grounds, relished the view, dreamt of the possibilities and then got in the car and drove away. It is "only" 120,000 euros but with the current exchange that is $180,000. WAY over my limit. I must be smart, practical and conservative... I'm an old pensioner now....ugh................

Library

2011-04-13T04:09:00.004-06:00

Just thought I'd share with you one of my favorite places...the Boyle Library. One of my goals while living in Ireland is to read the wonderful literature written by the amazing Irish authors. So few of these works are available in the US, be it library or bookstore so now's my time. They know me well at the library in Boyle because I'm there so often. They have a great section dedicated solely to Irish authors so I'm in heaven. I've slowed a bit as the weather improves, but over the winter, I just read and read..... The library is in the basement of the King House... I've talked about this great building in earlier blogs.....

Photo: Boyle Library