Now to catch up a bit

The weather has not been wonderful but there have been some bright spots. I finally warmed up after the Glasnevin tour. We've had a few days with the same temperatures but without any wind they seemed much warmer.

On Tuesday I had a brief phone call with Andy Kehoe. He showed up at the cottage with a few photocopied papers of his known family history. I simply can't get over the amazing lengths to which the Irish go to be helpful. Unfortunately there isn't enough information to make the link with his family. Any possibility of tracking down this line seems to be fading fast.

Wednesday I invited family members to come over for supper. It was a wonderful evening. Although at first planning to make a hot dinner, I settled for a cold supper as not everyone could get here at the same time. There was plenty for everyone, topped up with a couple of bottles of wine. Only two of us had any of it - I didn't have to drive and Tom had Ann as his chauffeur. I did manage to have some food make its way home with the guests. As I write, I'm waiting for a casserole to cook to use some of the remaining leftovers.

Thursday morning I was hot on the trail of the fairies. Actually there are some who may think that I'm "away with the fairies" most of the time. Outside of Monaseed National School, the edges of the parking lot have been converted to Caroline's fairy trail. I was greeted by Caroline herself.

Many a fairy door, all individually and meticulously painted and decorated, are hiding the lives of the occupants on the other side. Their stories are almost ready to be told. Besides the fairy houses there are also painted rocks. What a lovely place for children to see on the way to school. 

In the evening I picked up Kathy Doyle, drove to the RockTavern to collect Ann and Tom and we all headed to Craanford community centre to see the play Don't Tell the Wife. It was a hilarious comedy, a farce really. The acting was terrific. For me the scene stealer was Seamus Burnell. That man does more acting with his facial expressions and body language than many actors do in three acts. Of course, as a farce, there was always mistaken identity. There were only two jokes I didn't catch because of the accents. All in all a fabulous evening for 10 Euro. That's about $16 Canadian dollars. Talk about a bargain.

They even served tea and sweets at the break but we refrained. We did buy raffle tickets and were, strangely enough, not winners. The wine and chocolates all went to other people. Perhaps I'm saving up for a big lottery win one of these days. I guess I should consider getting a ticket.

Friday I had a short visit with John McKenna and if all goes well we'll have one more visit to Kilkenny to meet and talk with his sisters. Amazing how you just hit it off well with some people and these are related to me. We have the DNA test results to prove it.

I have been devouring Louise Penny's books for the second time. And in the process discovered one that I had either completely forgotten or had never read at all. It's hard to put them down. I won't be able to re-read all before I get home, but hopefully won't have to wait too long before a copy is available at the library. I'll keep checking the express read section too.

This afternoon the weather looked iffy but it wasn't wet. I strolled into town to the library to attend a creative writing workshop by Sheila Forsey, a local author. I have to try to find a copy of her book Mending Lace. Along with excellent handouts, were several book recommendations. I don't think they are all Irish so hopefully I'll be able to get them at home.

And now my dinner is ready and it's time to dine and then perhaps to write. There is nothing planned for tomorrow but if the sun happens to shine I'll be on the road to somewhere.