A"Mews"ing myself today

Today's journey was to Aldi in my Audi - and that killed about an hour. I made it without having a coffee when I woke up - possibly the first time I've gotten behind the wheel while suffering caffeine withdrawal. 

Actually, if I'd had a coffee for each awakening during the early hours, I would have been hyper-caffeinated. Unlike other visits, I did not fall asleep early, despite being awfully sleepy, nor did I sleep long. I did manage to tack on a couple of hours after being awake from 4 to 7:30. So, after 9, I finally decided to get up and start the day.

Sometime after the third awakening around 6 am, having opened the skylight window a bit, I captured this beautiful sunrise through the opening. The magnificent colours didn't last long so for once my timing during a "golden hour" was spot on.

A beautiful view to start my day for about the third time, then I went back to bed

There wasn't much photo-worthy at Aldi, as I'm not much interested in posting pictures of food. I stuck to the task of buying essentials, and even without a list, I remembered milk for coffee, and enough food for the next four days. You gotta love prepared soups, salads and dinners. AND ALDI'S SIGNATURE MOSER ROTH CHOCOLATE! Yessssssss - they had my favourites. The price has gone up considerably, as has the exchange on the Euro, but sometimes you just have to buy something that's been whispering your name. Hopefully, the price will keep my consumption somewhat controlled. 

The plan had been to play golf with Mary Egan this afternoon, however, I was still so sleepy after the brief sortie, that I begged off and hope we can manage a game another day. Instead, I had a nap. 

After that bit of shut-eye, I did a bit of online research to prepare for meeting with some genealogy contacts, in between nodding off again. Determined to stay awake, a walk outside in the rather fresh air, I wandered around Minmore. Each new season brings new views and new attractions within 100 yards of my current digs. What would I find today? 

It was cool and a bit overcast but dry!!! And there were mushrooms galore of many sizes and shapes. I got quite excited about finding one that seemed to have polka dots. Closer inspection showed that bits of the top "skin" had been removed in a remarkably organized pattern.  I do remind you that my brain was still on "wake up you fool" mode and possibly I wasn't seeing clearly.

But there were a few other gems - like the last rose of summer

And a spot of FUNghi

And then there was this - looking and feeling like a fallen pinecone tree, hiding among the vines. The undergrowth was so dense I couldn't decide if a couple of branches had been cut and dropped there, or if it had really taken root. Do you know what it is? All will be revealed in a later post. But do go ahead and busy yourself with research if you like. Or show off with a comment if you already know.

And this being Ireland - the compulsory photo of sheep, as seen through a holly bush

At one point I glanced at the ground and saw something that looked familiar. It's a shame I don't have an open fire on which to roast my two chestnuts. Then again, it would hardly be worth the effort for two.

Genealogy alert: (read as an insomnia cure)

I made a few possible discoveries online today, using sources I dig into all the time, but just finding the right name in the right timeframe does not mean you have the right people. As it happens, none of my ancestors had unusual names.  In fact, they all seem to have had the most common surnames in their areas of origin. And they all liked using the same restricted list of first names. Surely there's a Thaddeus or a Persephone or an Augustus back there somewhere, along with every Mary, Edward, James, George, Arthur, Eliza and Margaret, just waiting for me to discover them. 

My fingers are crossed that when I meet my Athy connection, he might be able to confirm the information with more certainty. This time, my Whelan ancestors were the subjects du jour. The others just have to wait their turn.

Blame the fatigue for the short post, and thank the familiar roads for the successful shopping trip. The excitement should ramp up in the coming days. One meeting is planned for Sunday to see if we can sort out a Byrne connection, and dates have yet to be added to the calendar for a couple of other lines in Co. Carlow - McDonald and Walsh for the most part. Then there are the .... OK, I'll keep you in suspense and save Kilkenny for another day.

Sadly, I've eaten my allotment of chocolate for today, so I'll just go to bed – after a bit of yoga to promote a good sleep.