Patience as a Gift

I have been back in Springfield for almost a month and guess how much I've written! None! Not one little word of my novel. And guess how much worry I have about it! None!

Settling back into the swing of things here in the States was about as unpleasant as I thought it would be, but I know it's all in the way I choose to look at it. So, with a bit of adjustment to the way I was looking at being here again, I feel I can flourish as much as I was in Ireland. Same thing with my writing. I will be seated at my computer and it will all come together and flow out when I create the space for it and I can either worry about when that will happen, or keep doing what I can to settle in at a natural pace and let it happen when it does.

With everything I collected and experienced and learned over in Ireland, I know this is not going to be a difficult book to write. My characters are strong and they tend to write their own scenes. But in order for their voices and experiences to flow through me, it helps to keep myself a clear channel for this to flow. Free of unnecessary negative self-chatter about what I'm not doing that I think I should be or what I could be doing better. I am doing the best I know how and will continue accomplishing that best. I give myself the gift of patience, which I know will in turn give the world the gift of this novel.

cheers

The last Irish post (for now, wink, wink)

Through the magic of the Universe I find myself flying back to the United States four days after my originally planned departure. Sufficed to say, I would have rathered a different tactic in getting me to change my date, but seeing as I would not have done it of my own volition, out of the things that could have happened, I'll take this one. Hiking with a friend, my purse was stolen out of the vehicle after the window was smashed. Trying to be prepared for my upcoming flight, I had started carrying my passport with me, so there it went. And there I stayed.

I was able to get a new passport with little to no difficulty, just added expense, and change my flight with the same characteristics. I don't try to understand anymore why things happen how they do, but I do stand stronger in the knowledge that they all happen for a reason and always in my overall best interest. I am grateful to be swept along in their kind currents. Go with the flow, as they say.

I used those extra days to make a peaceful departure from the land I had come to love so deeply. I knew it wouldn't be a good-bye all along. Just a see you later. I was blessed with the gift of a 12 hour intense writing session on Tuesday and the entire time I kept smiling, knowing that this session never would have happened if my passport hadn't been stolen.

I miss my purse, a loving gift from my sister last summer. I miss my wallet, a loving Mother's Day gift from my daughter two years ago. I even lost that wallet for eight months and found it again! Maybe it will come back in the mail! I miss the little swath of fabric my daughter sewed her first button on with her name in marker scrawled across it. Even so, I hope the money in it was able to help someone in need, and I hope the action of it teaches the thieves as much about gratitude as it has me.

I now know this 6 month plus journey in Ireland was the grand beginning for me of so many more journeys just as profound, rewarding and fulfilling. And when I'm finished with it, I'll even have a wonderful story to share with everyone at the end!

I'd like to draw a brilliant spotlight on all those that have contributed to my accomplishing this monumental feat. My soul's gratitude is overflowing and I am here for any and all of you, and will always be in whatever capacity I can give. Thank you for your encouragement, your support, your love, your belief in me and your willingness to believe in a dream. Now go out there and believe in your own, because the world will rise up to meet you and I'll be first in line to shake your hand.

Such love!
cheers

One Week Left, It's Going to be All Right

I am sitting here staring down my last week right in the face, and it looks a lot like boxes and bits and bobs leftover. How does one accumulate so much over the course of six months?! Oh yeah. Life. And that fact that "one" is actually "three." "Yes," I told my son, "I'm sure there's a way to fit your awesome paper mache castle you made on the last week of school to go back with us! And of course the replica of the WWI trench you made a few months ago. We will definitely have room." (Especially after I go back to the hardware store for more boxes... Nigel is very kind.) It certainly is a different look into your life when you have to pack it all up. Anyone who's moved knows this. Here I thought, yes, if I send my children back with my father and brother on the 30th, I'll have all that time to finish up my research and go to the rest of the places I need to. I've been doing alright in that department (like looking at microfilm reels until my eyes are rolling back up into my head) but I still didn't take into account just how long I was going to take packing the rest of it all. Thank goodness I gave myself the extra time is all I can say!

Now that the children aren't here (I do miss them something fierce, though) I have the evenings and nights to go out. Not in the sense of the word "go out" like party, but just being able to be out of the house after eight or nine. Last night, I went and parked outside Kilmacurragh (the gates were locked at 6pm, I arrived at 7:30) and walked in to have a look around and get a feel for the place during summer evenings. It was lovely. It was a little reminiscent of being there in the winter with so few people around (none last night) and watching twilight drift over the land. Since we are so high on the equator over here, it stays light until almost eleven around this time of the year, and as it was, I wandered in via a route I had never taken and made my way down to the pond where I sat and had a small meal of hummous, crackers, cheese and tomatoes, with a bit of vino to quench my thirst. It was a delightful evening and I imagined if Sophia ever snuck down to the pond at night to try and catch frogs or see some flower that only bloomed at night. There were gorgeous Calla Lillies blooming on the bank in front of me, and since it had rained earlier in the day, everything had a refreshed, crisp clean scent to it. It was heaven.

If I get these last few boxes packed this afternoon, I am going to try and make it for a night hike in Deputy's Pass tonight, so I better get going. I'll be flying back to the States this time next week, and I will be honest in saying that, as much as I am absolutely looking forward to seeing friends and family, I am not all that excited about going back to the country I so easily left behind. So, I'll focus on the people!! Can't wait to see you all!!! Much Love!!

cheers

Latest Novel Synopsis

I notice much has changed in my plot since being here. My post from back in August of last year has some major inaccuracies and I will correct them here. The first major change is the title, which now reads, The Forest Through the Trees. Here is the latest rendition!

We are first introduced to Sophia, an 84-year-old spirited, yet gentle woman, who has lived the majority of her life in the United States, a successful author of many children's stories which have instilled countless young minds with the knowledge they are loved and cherished. Her husband of nearly sixty years has passed away, and she now feels it is time to write the story that has been patiently waiting inside her all that time, respectfully remaining unwritten, according to her late husband's wishes. But as she begins, she quickly realizes this story, though it had recently been aching to be written, was going to take a little further effort on her part to coax out. She knew she had to return to the land of her childhood summers, the years she met and befriended her future husband, and the events leading up to her entire family's exodus from their ancestral estate.

Traveling back to Ireland, she brings with her her granddaughter, who, like so many young people recently finishing college, was a bit adrift and waiting for her life's purpose to pay her a visit. Isabel had always been a source of joy for Sophia, and her international traveling during her senior year made her the perfect candidate of the family to accompany her grandmother on a visit to her homelands.

Returning to find the house in ruin was harder than Sophia imagined, but it was made easier by the care and attention that had obviously been continually paid to the surrounding gardens. While visiting the old estate, they lunch at the new cafe recently opened and meet a keeper of the grounds who surprises Sophia by showing her some old papers found in the basement. Most were ruined over years of damp, but one box in particular seemed to survive just to save itself for Sophia these many years later.

Sophia carefully opens the box to find her old journals and notebooks she had to leave behind. This, she instantly knows, is why she came back. And so she begins her adventure of rediscovering the youth she once was, before all innocence was stripped away and the mystery of family never existed within her comfortable walls of naive ignorance. Not yet knowing what is to become of it all, she begins to write.

Setting Sail into the Last Month

One month left. Even knowing this time would come hasn't made it any easier in it arriving. Regrets lurk in the shadows waiting to pounce as soon as my spirits waver, falter in trying to keep themselves abreast in the tumultuous waves of my soul they ride upon. My spirits are strong. Courageous even. They have brought me this far and they will continue to carry me on, but they are still rooted, right now at least, in my very human existence. And it is here that the shadows are cast and regret and doubt stake their claim.

A pressure sits heavy on my chest this morning. Like a cruel cat, tail switching with every ticking second that lapses, counting down the time until I am boarding a plane back to the states and this experience is over. Could I ever have done enough to satiate this feline ferocity dominating my sacral chakra? Do I even have the power to tell it to leave? How can I banish something I cannot see, only feel with such a sinister weight?
I can remind myself of a dear friend who helped alleviate some of the pressure many many months ago, before I stepped into this grand adventure. I can remember what she told me and how it felt. I can remember to spring right on up and over the wall, with one great beat of my wings. But most importantly I can remember who was there to show me my wings.

I will be scared I did this all wrong, that I could have done it better, that I should have done more of this or less of that. But I will remind myself that I can coexist with this fear, acknowledge it but not let it overtake my days. Not let it steal these remaining few days, a fact that lends to its strength of dominance in my soul, from the well deserving vessel of my spirit cascading ahead in the ocean of my soul. Fears, regrets or doubts may rock the bow, but they will never capsize this beautiful sleek little ship, forged from years of rough waters and hurricanes raging across the seascape of my soul.

So it is on to calmer waters in this last month of this first trip. It is on to continued discoveries of the depths and intricacies of Sophia's story. And it is on to continual thanks and praise for the Magic of this great world that can make all things possible, if we just dare to set sail.

The Coffee The Chocolate

So, I've been writing. Yeah, I've been writing the whole time. But until recently, everything I wrote felt like little (or big) pieces of a puzzle, snippits (though lengthy) of the same story, but not often with a beginning-to-ending momentum or intention. And not on the computer either. It was all handwritten in notebooks. I don't know what has changed recently, but something has. I have turned into a bit of a writing machine on the computer, and my fuel is coffee and chocolate. I'm not kidding. I'll sit here and stare off, thinking, and then go in and get a square of chocolate off the microwave and lo and behold my fingers are flying again as it slowly melts in my mouth. And don't even think of expecting one key stroke in the morning if my coffee hasn't been brewed. (I would like to take this moment to thank the goddesses at Grab-A-Java for knowing what to send with the goddess who sent me a care package last month. I don't use the term goddesses lightly, you are awesome!) And I've stopped putting sugar in my coffee! Huh?!? Maybe it's the great cream here, or all the extra sugar I'm getting from chocolate, ha!  But all joking aside (momentarily), the layout of the story has morphed and grown along an intentioned and meaningful path. I'm loving this! And it feels so right.

I will be the first to admit, however, the healthy eating habits I developed from being over here, like eating more than twice a day, have started to suffer, but what else am I supposed to do? When you have the story flowing through you, you don't stop.

So, now with this drive, there is a battle within me waged between A) the side that's like, 'you can write back in the States, but you can't do the same research back there', and B) the side that's like, 'Write, bitch!' in that cute way someone who loves you very much can call you bitch and actually cheer you up by doing it.

But I know what I'll do. I'll continue to straddle the line of that battle field, because I think they're both right. It'll all work out for the best and it's kinda like a win-win because when I'm out researching, I can make sure and stop for a quick bite places, trying to maintain, um, eating, and when I'm writing, I get coffee and chocolate!

Today, my son and I took the time to hike along the Avonmore River, the river I believe I can base part of the story on. I recorded some of the sounds of the water rushing by and got quite a few pictures. He is often an inspiration for me in my writing, or just a soundboard while I think out loud. I bet he's only listening half the time but that's okay. He'll chime in at the perfect place and say something really great and then go back to what I assume he had been thinking about before he happened to tune into my words for a minute or two. Like today, he even inadvertently pinned down the new title (I think), and of course, the first thing he says, smiling widely at me, is 'I want credit for it.' Lol He's such a strong thinker and an interested, caring person.

And my daughter has started her first typed story. It is almost one page long so far, and I am so proud of her wanting to write out all these wonderful ideas she comes up with! And on the computer no less! Granted, it keeps me off of the computer, but that just means I still have time to do those useful things around the house a mom gets to do, like cook and laundry and clean. I might be living on coffee and chocolate, but they still expect, ya know, food. I suppose it should be assumed anyway that I don't get quite as much done on the weekends with them here, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

...And there's always headphones. "Bye kids, mommy can't hear you right now" ;)
cheers

The Process The Progress

As I spoke with one of my dearest friends on skype last night, I was telling her about the new revelations I have come to in working on the book. As I was telling her, it dawned on me that this would be a great place to jot them down as well, since this is the place I created to follow and archive, if you will, my process and progress.

I have realized that during the first few months I was here, I spent my time following the whim of my explorers soul, seeking out and excitedly discovering new places while fairly successfully fending off the guilt monster who wanted to ambush me at any weakness of conviction for "not working." I somehow maintained my conviction that I was not always going to understand the process, but I would keep my focus on trusting my instincts and listening to that little voice of intuition that somehow always guides me right. And in doing so, I shockingly did not visit a library for the first month and a half at least, always telling myself not to worry about it and that I was following the way I felt and still very much moving forward in my research process.

With the departure of my first visitor in the end of March, the guilt monster snuck in while I was distracted and wreaked havoc on my poor soul for a few confidence-shattering, courage-ravaging self-esteem-destroying days, and after the dust had settled and I remembered it was essentially only me responsible for the thoughts I was thinking, I picked myself back up and found after all the havoc had been wreaked, I was standing in entirely new terrain. And not only new terrain, but with a wholly new perspective as well. I am humbled and brought to tears by this process I have been allowed to witness unfolding before my own amazed eyes and heart, and I have charged right into this new terrain, complete with brand new vantage points and discoveries to be made.

I now feel I am on to the second chapter of my research over here. The books. The archives. The gracious librarians. The vast ocean of knowledge and information recorded before me and for me to traverse in my little sailboat of a novel plot. I told myself I wanted to sail in a sailboat over here more than anything, and I suppose I could count this as that voyage.

And the most revolutionary part of this is, without having allowed myself to entertain and honor my explorers soul, who I was able to recognize as needing to have a look around first, I would have no map for this incredible voyage across such an expanse of information. I now, in myself, have reference points. When I am reading about places, I know those places. When I am reading about the people of this country, I understand them on a far deeper level than I ever could have hoped, had I not spent time with them. The kind people of the wonderful towns in County Wicklow, eager to help and more than accommodating to sit and have a chat, have helped me to this end.

I have unwittingly given myself the tools I needed to extract the most from the research I am now compiling, and I could not have dreamed of planning it better had I tried. Which I didn't really, and maybe that's why. Maybe that's why I felt so safe in not having things planned to a "T", and when I would start to hem myself in by scheduling things out too far in advance, it sometimes created an apprehension, an unease, in me. It would come from the intention behind my scheduling. When my intent was me wanting something to happen, it felt good to have it scheduled, still knowing the plans could change at any moment. But when I scheduled things because I felt like I wasn't getting enough done, so I had better hurry up and schedule something, anything! (guilt monster) I would be left feeling panicky and not sure if I had done the right thing and wondering if I scheduled it wrong, or any number of uncomfortable feelings, not always easily recognizable at the time.

When I let myself be drawn forward by following the lighted path of my guidance (sometimes lit so dimly I have to stop and wait), still always attentive to my world and being a willing participant in its activities, I know I am travelling along a path that will take me to where my dreams are real. Where this book is complete and honors those whose story it tells. I do feel like finishing this book will be a bit of a quest for me, but not in a scary way, in an exciting way. With not thinking, will I ever get it done, but instead thinking, I am so excited that this will be finished one day!

Thank you for these insights. Thank you for this awareness. Thank you for these human traits I am blessed to manifest. And thank you for the divine spirit that manifests itself in me (is me).
cheers

The Quest

As life settles back into a fairly normal routine again of school for the kids and research ventures for me, the feeling of serenity has slipped back into my heart. Sometimes the things we most want are the very things that can seem the most daunting and I experienced that in a wholly new degree of late. The level of which I experienced the doubts that came to me can possibly be explained by the level of which these accomplishments I am working to attain exist. In short, the higher the expectations and goals, the higher the intensity of doubts and fear.

I remain proud of myself for keeping on in the forward direction, even though there have been times I have wated to pack it all up and call it quits. I know the detriment of halting an unfinished task based on fear of the outcome. And I have always tried to live a life without regrets.

While my daughter was away at a slumber party, my son and I watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy (after her slumber party turned into a whole weekend affair) and I was brought to tears more than once over the wise words of those on that remarkable quest. Granted, I am not carrying a ring that has the undead following me to take it and return it to their evil sorcerer master, having to traverse through treacherous terrain while being hunted by any number of creatures, with the fate of the all that is good in the world resting in my hands. But I think that no matter how big or small your task is, no matter who you are or what you have gone through, you can exponentially benefit from hearing encouraging words and being reminded that there is always hope, no matter how small, of success on any endeavor you put your heart into.

And so I must remind myself, my heart is in this quest. And there is a hope of success. And whether I am daunted or not, I will continue moving forward in it, taking small steps when I am too fearful to take any at all, and leaping over vast valleys and flying over tops of unbelievably high walls when I feel the strength of courage burning deep in my soul, carrying me along. Thank you for my strength.
cheers

Illumination

Having the ones you love come visit you in a foreign country creates emotions that are unforeseen and raises issues you could have previously been unaware of. And by "you" I mean me, of course.

What am I doing? Why am I here? Why am I dragging my children around on this crazy half-cooked "adventure" to try and accomplish something I am not even sure I am capable of. I have never written a book! Renovating a house? Sure. Took me forever, but I did it. Raising kids? Never wanted to before I had them, but now can't imagine my life without them. Leaving the security of a blossoming life to follow my heart halfway across the country? No problem!

Yet maybe, just maybe, leaving the security of not attempting a dream of enormous proportions is a bit too much. Plunging into the unknown has often seemed more sane to me than safely sticking to the predictable known path and it has undeniably brought me to many of the most treasured moments and people in my life.  But was this plunge just too much? I feel I am desperately unprepared and am groping for one single light switch dangling on a thin wire from the ceiling of a huge pitch black national museum, just hoping I'll happen to stumble upon it before my time runs out and I am kicked out before ever having a chance to find the light and see the treasures held within. I am afraid it will all be for nothing. I am afraid I will fail. I am here, feeling very much alone, and knowing full well I am the one responsible for putting myself here.



And yet, even as I am writing these words, I hear the same little voices in my head that helped get me to this point, amidst this amazing and remarkable opportunity. Kind voices resonant with my belief in a loving power that supports us all. They whisper to me through the rantings of my self-sabotage, reminding me of the strength and courage I already possess and the unyielding love that unites us all on our common goals of wanting to live the best lives we know how and to help others along their paths.

So now, after this moment of acknowledging my very human based fear of misdirection and utter failure, I am faced with the decision to share this fear or delete the post and start a new one. I choose to hold off and go on Facebook instead. Here is what I found making its way up my newsfeed almost immediately.

"I know we want it all happy and positive, but that's just not where much of humanity is. Many of us are overwhelmed with pain, undigested sadness, unexpressed anger, unseen truths. This is where we are at, as a collective. So we have two choices. We can continue to pretend it's not there, shame and shun it in ourselves and others, distract and detach whenever possible. Or we can face it heart-on, own it within ourselves, look for it in others with compassion, create a culture that is focused on authenticity and healthy emotional release. If we continue to push it all down, we are both creating illness and delaying our collective expansion. But if we can just own the shadow, express it, release it, love each other through it, we can finally graduate from the School of Heart Knocks and begin to enjoy this magnificent life as we were intended. Pretending the pain isn't there just embeds it further. Let's illuminate it instead." Jeff Brown, author of Soulshaping and Love It Forward

Okay. I got the point. I will say, I am luckily far from being overwhelmed with pain, undigested sadness, unexpressed anger or unseen truths, although I have lived there in my life. But I do possess them within myself. And Jeff Brown's post seemed to hit at the very reason I went on Facebook instead of finishing and posting the truths I had just allowed to surface on this page. Not the bullshit I was telling myself about my inability to achieve this dream, but the acknowledgement of the bullshit existing in my psyche. Maybe one can argue it needs to be there so the stronger, true voice can have a place to chime in, I don't know. But what I do know is that this passage from Jeff Brown this morning is the direct reason I am leaving this blog post as it is, to illuminate a fear I know I have, but that I also know does not control me.

 As much as I like to focus on the positive, and happily do so, I cannot deny that these insecurities exist within me. They are a part of me and I acknowledge them. I do not, however, dwell on them nor let them take root within other truths I know to be real, such as the unabated belief that the Universe conspires on my behalf and that I am a strong, capable being able to accomplish anything. It is a daily effort on my part to remind myself of these things, and what is even more exciting to me, is that I am not unique. It is true about each and every one of us. Remembering this makes me feel not alone anymore, but in the company of the most amazing souls on the planet: Us. Thank you for sharing this day with me and thank you for shining your light. I won't need to find that museum light switch in the dark if I remember I've had a flashlight in my pocket the whole time.
cheers

Visitors make the blog take a vacation, too

Or, at least that's my excuse this time;)
I had the wonderful delight to have my children's grandmother come for an almost two week visit. The adventures we went on were positively fantastic and superb, however they did little in the way of furthering my research endeavors. I could have gone and worked, but I wanted to hang out instead. :) C'est la vie. I am not bothered by it. On the contrary, it has developed in me a shifted focus in the dedication and direction of my research. It may be said I now feel a different type of heat put on. Pressure is the world's best motivator. Well, it's mine at least.

Two new libraries in the past four days and a hearty acknowledgement that there is a lot here I still need to look at. Traipsing around in the woods and aimlessly (but never without purpose) discovering new places for inspiration were absolutely necessary for the first half of this trip, but now it is time to put the pedal to the proverbial metal and reach high gear in the scouring over books part of it. Now that I have a feel for the land, I can apply the words I read at a deeper level of understanding within myself. The complex texture of the fabric of societal and political threads during the time I am researching keeps warping and twisting in my mind and I feel sometimes I will never be able to wrap my mind around exactly what was going on in the hearts of people in this area during the war. Each time I think I have something concrete figured out, some other bit of history comes along to upset whatever belief I thought I had just so firmly grasped. Nothing to do but to keep going.

I feel farther away from Sophia than I think I've ever felt before, but it may be in part to how hard I am struggling to understand her. Like I am trying to force her to divulge things about herself to me when, more often in situations dealing with wanting someone to share their deeper beliefs with you, the best course of action is to be patient yet vigilant to when it might be their right time to divulge and share their emotions and thoughts on the situations. I know already how she feels about Tristan's leaving, Saul's arriving and Daniel. But I want to know why. And that's where I suppose I am going to have to be patient.

And while I can be as patient as I like about waiting for Sophia, I cannot exercise the same patience about exploring the annals of history at the local libraries here. I am looking forward to my discoveries and revelations and am hoping my mind will finally be able to make sense of the motivations behind the actions of my characters, making absolutely sure each character is created and kept in honest accordance with the history of the time.

cheers

Thanks be to Blessings!

Yes, yes. It has been awhile. Lots happening, though! I posted last time about a place called Kilmacurragh and since then I have gotten the fortuitous chance to meet the last personal owners, thanks to a very kind chap I have been having the pleasure of sharing breakfasts with on Tuesday mornings before my pottery class. After a phone call from him, I got to drop in (along with a fantastic fellow mother from the kids' school who was the first to walk me through Kilmacurragh) and visit a very kind couple called Bill and Kathleen Dolan, from whom I heard some wonderful stories about the history of the house. I also had the honor of getting to see a book Bill had personally made (only one in existence) about the house and the famous trees that populate its property. It was a joy to be welcomed into their home to share in their knowledge of the house's history, and I am grateful for their kindness in taking time to see me.

That evening followed with an attendance to a book launch about the Kilmacurragh Gardens with Joanna, the same fantastic fellow mother from before. We went down to Gorey, not quite knowing what to expect, but each with our own reasons for wanting to discover more about this place; me for my story and her for a deeper understanding of a place she has been connected to her whole life. We were not disappointed in what we found and both left after the event feeling quite elated by what had transpired.

The beautifully made book, Kilmacurragh: Sourced in the Wild (click to learn more) was written and photographed by local photographer and writer, Megan O'Beirne, over the past five years, and serves as a lovely tribute to both the plants and world-renown trees at Kilmacurragh, but also gives an informative history of the house, which has now been in ruins for years. Hearing her speak about the connection she forged with Kilmacurragh since the first time she saw it, in 2009 while looking for an outdoor venue for a gallery showing of her work, brought surprising tears to my eyes. As I listened to her speak, I felt a chord of resonance struck within me. I have immensely enjoyed meeting her and pouring through her book, as it is now a permanent fixture in my collection.

Introducing Megan at her launch was the former Keeper of the National Archives in Dublin, Ken Hannigan, a very kind gentleman whom I most fortunately got to speak with at some length. Knowing I had definitely gotten the blessed luck of speaking with the right man, I left him with my email after he recommended I read over some transcripts of interviews conducted several years ago of anecdotal quality from the local elderly to try and capture some of the history of the area as I'm sure only a local could tell it. They are amazing to read. I am grateful for his interest in my project and for taking the time out to send good information my way!

I am running out of time for this one, but sufficed to say, progress is charging wildly ahead and I remain thankful and blessed for all that is bestowed upon me!!! Sending love and big hugs to all!!

St. Paddy's is this Tuesday....WOOT!

Kilmacurragh, Powerscourt and our adventures on the West Coast

**All photos in this post are from the internet, not taken by me**

Goodness gracious! I didn't count. but that may have been the longest stretch of no blogging so far. Excuses, go!

1. My kids had a week long mid-term break from school. It sure is a lot more hectic having those two little angels home from school every day! (Redemption: They did chill in a coffee shop twice with me while I wrote. Good kids.)
2. Umm... Yeah... Still no wifi at the house. (Redemption: I finally got the piece of mail I need to fill out and mail back in to get the piece of mail I need to go open my bank account and go and open my wifi account. Like Alice down the rabbit hole this wifi adventure has been!)
3. While my kids were on break, we traveled across the country to the West Coast and tried to check out Clare Island, where the Pirate Queen of the 16th century, Grania O'Malley was from. Atlantic swells prevented us from catching the ferry to go on the island, but we did get to see it from afar. Why this prevented me from writing my blog, I don't know. I just wanted a number three on this.

While I went a while without posting, the kids and I did get to go on a few great adventures. We went to the Museum of Country Living in Castlebar (for my purposes) located next to a beautiful old house, restored and functioning as offices for the museum, called the Turlough House.

In this photo, the museum is off to the left of the house.

After making a record breaking fast trip through the museum we took the trail around the grounds and decided to go see the ocean. We drove out to Achill Island and saw beautiful coastline and crashing waves. The ocean was a deep teal color and the rush of the waves colliding with the rocks threw a magnificent spray, creating a dynamic visual display. The mountain goats didn't seem as impressed, but they did impress the kids, who did impressions of them. It was quite a spectacle. 

The second day, we winded along the coastline south from Westport, where we had stayed, and explored more coastline on our way down to Kylemore Abbey. I guess it can be said that keeping your eye on the gas tank isn't as important as interpreting and doing something about what you see. I watched it descend, and I did stop at a station, but without an ATM around and only fifteen euros in my wallet, I decided to just wait and fill up after we found an ATM. So, in the next town, I found the ATM, but not the station. Eh, I figured I'd just do it at the next town. And away we went, the kids contentedly listening to C.S. Lewis on an audio book, and I expertly trusting we'd make it. It was then we were presented with driving down through the exquisite Dough Loo Pass with the gas light on the whole way. It took everything I had to not stop and take pictures at every turn out, knowing that we were going to be quite lucky if we made it to Leenane, the next town, and hoping Leenane had a gas station! The voice in my head went on about how silly I had been for not turning around in the town that had the ATM to find petrol, but I kept drowning it out with a mantra of, "We'll make it to a service station. We'll make it to a service station," willing the car to take us safely to a pump, its reward being a full belly upon arrival. I am happy to report my mantra worked! We coasted through Leenane twice on fumes until I realized the one petrol pump was on the curb in front of a pub. We pulled over and got petrol and a bottle of water and were on our way to Kylemore Abbey!

We stopped at Kylemore and had a wonderful time exploring the expansive Victorian Walled Garden and the parts of the Abbey open to visitors, The Abbey is still being used by Benedictine Nuns, who moved in after their Abbey in Ypres, Belgium they lived in since the 1600s was destroyed early in WWI. Down a bit along the lake, stands a Gothic-style cathedral we visited, also. The carvings inside were intricate and breathtaking. We each lit a candle at the prayer alter and then made our way back along the lake. Stopping at the cafe, we enjoyed some of the most delicious soup I've ever had, served with gluten free rolls! It was a magical day and a magical holiday! I can't wait to see the West Coast in the spring. With how beautiful it was now, I can only imagine what it will be like after everything blooms! 

The highlight for the kids: the swimming pool at the hotel. Period.

So, as you can see, it has been a busy week and I am glad for the first time that the kids are back at school. (sorry guys, no offence) I can go back to my schedule of following wherever I feel the urge to go for my research each day and it feels great. Like coming to Halperin's this morning to sit at my computer and type this. I've been excited to do this for two days now!

Like I said in Excuse #1, I did get to write a bit over the week which was grand. I came across an exciting envelope in the story, but we left the coffee shop before I got through writing what was in the envelope and I forgot. So that'll come back to me, I'm sure. At least I can remember who the letter in it pertains to, so that's a start. 

Last Monday, we went up to Powerscourt House and Gardens and ran into some classmates of the kids and their mom. We had a lovely day walking around the gardens with them and I even got a sketch done!

The gardens at Powerscourt were listed as one of the top ten gardens to visit in the world recently, and it could easily be seen why. The gardens began in the 1730s and have been cultivated and loving cared for throughout the lineage of the residents of the gorgeous Powerscourt House overseeing their maintenance and updating over the years. The gardens are a little too splendid to be the basis for Sophia's family's gardens, but they did show me a fantastic walled garden area that was promising.

The Friday before, however, I got to see a ruined house and triumphant garden only fifteen minutes from where we live. It is all and all very promising and I am excited to go back on Wednesday for another look. I am speaking of a place called Kilmacurragh, now a National Botanic Garden and home to one of the most important collections of mature exotic trees in the world. 

Walking through the land, it felt familiar, as if I could almost see Sophia walking around there, with the forests creating themselves far behind the house and gardens for my purposes. And even the house spoke to me of her home. As I said, the once gorgeous house unfortunately fell to ruin when most all of the men who either owned it, or oversaw it died in WWI. The remaining family did not have the means to care for the house. It was ran as a Hotel for a bit, but was eventually taken over by the Land Commission after disputes of land ownership. Still, looking at old pictures of it and seeing the ruins myself, I feel like they are pieces of the puzzle I am collecting. Here is a link to an article about its present condition, including a picture of what it looked like in 1932. 

Well, by now I'm sure the lovely ladies at this coffee shop are wondering if I'm moving in, so I better be off. It's been nice to get caught up. I think I even kinda missed you, blog. Hope all's well in your world, whoever is reading this. Much love!

cheers

writing the shadows with the light

It's quite uncomfortable having to write the characters you really love as being human and having moments of, shall we say, cruelty. I understand it's part of the process, but it is still upsetting nonetheless to have to portray the ugly side of someone you have come to love because you know that person winds up having such a beautiful side, it shines beyond any ugliness that was once there. But I suppose it's just as much my job to paint the ugly as it is to paint the beauty. And just as important to truly portray an honest arc of growth throughout the storyline. Sigh... It still leaves me uncomfortable.

And what this cruelty creates for the others in the story is rough as well. I want to comfort them. It's like having kids and you want to tell them, it's okay, it's all going to be okay! I know it all works out in the end! But it wouldn't help telling them because they have to learn it on their own. And honestly there's no way for me to completely know if it does all work out for my characters in the end until the end is written. I sure hope it will work out. It's much easier in real life because, as a wise woman once told me, "everything works out in the end. so if it's not working out, it's not the end." Not as true for a book. I certainly hope it all works out. I have faith in my characters, but they too, are still just human. Nothing to do I suppose but to keep writing and hope for the best.

cheers

Wherefore, wifi? And discovering empathy

I am beginning to seriously question whether we are meant to have wifi in our place or not. I definitely do not mind the excuse to come to the lovely coffee shop, Halperin's, but I know the kids and the fam back home would like to communicate on a more regular basis. Let's get this taken care of already!

I decided next week I will go and investigate a place called Sally Gap that takes you up and through a central part of the mountains. It seems like a wild place that Sophia and Saul may have traversed though, so that makes it a definite trip for me.

I also have been kindly given a few local contacts by another mom at the school and I will begin to reach out to people next week as well. I'm surprised it's taken me this long to feel comfortable enough to start calling up and emailing people over here to discuss my book. I would assume finally getting settled in our home has a lot to do with it, but it is certainly interesting that I have been here over a month now and have not set up anything official yet. I haven't even set foot in a library! Don't mistake my surprise for anxiety or worry at this point, however. I'm fully comfortable in trusting that the cadence of this research is in perfect rhythm with my writing process.

Speaking of writing, I have good news! Tuesday morning Sophia and Tristan made up, and did so beautifully. As soon as I finished writing their conversation, it was remarkably obvious to me why they had to get in the fight in the first place. It was a good reminder that even when things seem to be going in a rocky direction with a friend, sometimes the rocks are exactly what we need to break through walls within ourselves that keep us from seeing others with empathy and trying to understand another's perspective. We need to remember we have the power to be empathetic of others, whether we fully understand or agree with their decisions. Boy, I love these characters!

 In a week, the kids get a week off school and I want to find some places to take them around the country. A few day trips and maybe one overnight, depending on how far we want to go from home base. The kids and I will probably go check out Clew Bay over in County Clare during their break because it is the location where Grania O'Malley, the famed Pirate Queen, lived. We had a great interest in her (still do) about a year ago and her story was the chosen bedtime story for many a night. I was pleasantly surprised when my daughter, talking to her pottery teacher when I mentioned trying to check out that area, rattled off the most informative facts about Grania's life. It must have sunk in!

Heh, Hello!

Yes, well, ahem.... Okay. I'm late. Super late. Even later than Becky-time late. It certainly did stretch out longer than a week since the last time I wrote, but in my defense, a lot has happened. I know. That is just all the more reason I should have written more often to keep up with it all, but, ya know. So, biggest news is, We moved into our place!!! It's a lovely little condo thing (never would have seen that coming) and the space is perfect for us! It's two stories with three bedrooms and two baths upstairs (one bedroom has an en-suite, which will work perfect for visitors...hint,hint) and the downstairs has a nice entry, hallway, half bath, cosy living room and perfect kitchen/dining room with a balcony off the back we can even see some of the ocean from, after looking over some horse pasture! I'm very pleased I waited. Because most importantly, it feels right. And the location is fantastic. Five minutes from the kids' school, five minutes from the main motorway, and ten to fifteen minutes from the mountains. So grand!!!

The delay moving came in the form of a stomach virus that had me out of commission for a day and  had me feeling like I wanted to be out of commission for three. But, no one else was going to lug the 50+ lb. suitcases from the hostel to the house for me, so I sucked it up and made it happen. (Can you hear the tiny violins now?) Lol I am just glad the bug I felt skipped the kids. They are loving the new place, and are pleased to be able to unpack finally. I will get the wifi running tomorrow and all my posts will soon grow pictures! Yay!

Over the weekend we went up to Glendalough to celebrate St. Brigid's Day and made St. Brigid's crosses out of reeds and had the most beautiful harpist play the most beautiful music during a meditation that was truly enlightening. The robin that visited us the first time we went there came back to welcome us as soon as we pulled up and it was a lovely, though bitterly cold, day. I intend on spending more time up in those mountains once it gets a tad warmer!

My daughter and I also started our pottery classes last week, and I am so pleased she loves it. I also enjoyed a comfortable return to the wheel after not having been on it for over a year, and came out with a lovely mug (which I will pull a handle for tomorrow) and a small bowl. It is quite important when instigating large changes in your life (like moving to another country where you know no one) to cultivate familiar links to the parts of yourself you enjoy experiencing. Pottery is an old friend and I am so thankful we can visit here. And I am thankful I'm only allowed two hours a week to do it, for it easily becomes something that I will spend most of my time doing. So, these limited little voyages into the potter's space in my brain will remain unobtrusive to my main purpose here, but will be respected as a cherished part of my weekly schedule.

Well, time for me to go take care of some things, like opening a bank account. signing up for wifi, and buying lightbulbs for the kids' bedrooms. Let there be light in all of your days, as well! Sending hugs!

cheers

What?! Friday again? (Part two)

Here I am with another week under my belt and no posts to show for it. Ah well. Such is life. I'm Happy to announce that on Monday we will be moving into a lovely little place. It is (very) surprisingly the top two floors of a townhouse in a section of townhouses, but seeing as it is the first place that has felt all around "right" to me, it is perfect. Plus there's a lot of kids around so, mine will have friends to play with. And it's well under my allocated budget, so that means a lot of opportunity for travel expenses to be where they need to be to fully appreciate this remarkable country.

We are off to Galway City early Saturday morning for a Lego League event my son's classmates are involved in and we are staying over night to explore some of the countryside over there. It is a two and a half hour drive due west, so I figured we'd make a weekend out of it!

More great news! I think I found the river in my book yesterday! It is called the Avonmore River and since the kids have a half day at school today, we are going to return there (I was there yesterday) and have a picnic on its banks. I am already excited to be back by it. It flows by the house I thought to be Sophia's which, to my utter disappointment the day I first saw it in person, is not the house of Sophia. But now I understand the house was there to lead me to the river I needed to see. It is so ingenious the way this all works out in life, don't you think? :)

Well, I must be off to gather picnic supplies before I pick up my fellow adventurers, so until next time (hopefully in much less than a week) take care and keep smiling. It lightens your soul.

cheers!
Becky

Friday again?

Well that week went quickly!

Science fair was a big hit and I think it was an afternoon well spent. Once again, pictures will eventually make it. Lol The house I had thought we might be in by now got rented while we were in Dublin, but it was my fault for waiting until we left the city to call the renter back. The kids were a bit bummed, but I told them that just means there's a better place for us out there! So, we're still at the hostel. We've made friends with a traveler from Poland who has been living in Ireland for the past ten years. He is a globe trotter but is helping the owner a bit around the building.

It's been a grand week. The first swimming lesson was on Monday, I returned the rental car and bought a cheap used car (that I am going to hopefully trade in for a better car soon) and we looked at another great house on Tuesday, finally got all the correct school books sorted out and found a tie (!) on Wednesday and I discovered Devil's Glen outside Ashford and discovered a Paulo Coelho in a thrift shop I had never heard of on Thursday. My favorite part of the week I'll disclose was on Thursday morning when I put pen to paper directly writing on the book for the first time in almost a month! I had been using my writing time to make preparations before we left, and here, I had been using it running around trying to "get stuff done" and it felt so lovely to hang out with my characters again. Even if it was for an event that ended with Sophia storming off from a conversation she had with Tristan before he leaves for the war. I think I missed them. I wrote four pages in the time I had and it felt great. All in all a productive week despite winds of gale force yesterday and the day before. Remnants of the hurricane, I suppose.

So, here we are on Friday again and I am happily perched on a leather chair next to a window making me fondly reminiscent of my writing days at Wm Van's in Springfield. I randomly drove down roads this morning I hadn't driven down before (always a great idea when looking for a place you're not quite sure what place you're looking for) and saw a coffee shop at the end of a "T," saying, "Hello." Ahhh, the luxury of strong wifi and a full-sized keyboard at my finger's disposal to type out this blog! Pair that with a tasty Americano and I'm a happy camper!

Well, I am going to sign off and finish the rest of my wifi necessary work before my battery leaks dry. I forgot my converter at the hostel, so there's no recharging the juice until I get back up there.

Have a beautiful day and remember the magic!
cheers

Hello, First Relic!

First ruins sighting today!!! I sure wish I could figure out how and on what device I can post pictures to this blog from ... Bet you do, too... Well lucky thing there's an edit button! The pictures will make it eventually.

The building was an old church and it was on my way to Arklow to find a tie for my son's uniform. (No, he still does not have a tie) I came upon it after a curve in the road and (of course) doubled back for a closer look. The way it was overgrown was stunning and the wind shared little secrets with me as I followed a faint foot path around its exterior.  Remarkable and so inspirational. Thanks for the lovely surprise on my drive!

Tomorrow finds us driving into Dublin so my son can support his classmates at their science fair. Should be a good time. I'm looking forward to entering the city center for the first time! I better get some rest. Loves!
cheers

Crossing fingers and winking for our new home

I neglected to post last night, but I assure you, you were all in my thoughts while I lay under three blankets and couldn't convince myself to type out a post using the usually functioning keypad on my phone in the chillyness of our hostel room. I knew you'd understand!

I am very expectant and excited to see what is in store for our new house and I am sure I will be posting the results by the beginning of next week if not sooner! For now, I will post a picture of the beautiful view from the car park of the hostel as I was leaving to take the kids to school this morning. Last night's menu was pizza for dinner and tonight will be.... Leftovers!!! Good thing I like spaghetti so much :) I don't think any of the gluten free pizza crust will willingly be shared with me. I am just happy to have found it for him.

Tomorrow I go to look at a car. It's not diesel, but it sounds like a good car. And it has other perks, like seat warmers and a moon roof. Sounds good to me! And it's manual, which was nonnegotiable in my mind. These hills are very fun to drive through, but I wouldn't want to approach some of the inclines without a dedicated first gear I can independently shift to, to rely upon. There's also something called NCT that a friend told me I should make sure is current for the whole time I'll have the car, and this one has one valid til October.

I enjoy feeling myself taking steps closer to be able to actually go out and get started doing what I came over here to do. The hostel is very near the Avondale House, which I found pictures of back in the States of the house reminiscent of Sophia's home, and I am glad it is so close. I am reserving the time to drop by and check it out for the first time until it feels right. I'll know.

One more really fantastic thing before I go... Right next to the coffee shop I've enjoying an Americano in every morning is a pottery shop! I stopped by yesterday and they are beginning classes again at the end of the month, so now I will have the opportunity to remake a bowl of mine that sadly did not survive the trip over here. My daughter is very interested in classes as well! The two talented artists I've met there are extremely kind and lovely girls. I feel so blessed for the opportunities given and care taken in making my life so wonderful. Thank you thank you thank you world!!!

Much love!
cheers

Well, not a good wifi here at the hostel, but the kitchen at our disposal allowed me to make some kickass spaghetti! So yummy! I cooked dinner in a kitchen so cold you could see your breath while the kids got their homework done. Hot tea helped the process... Well, since the radiators kick off in our room soon, I'm calling it a night to try and conk out while it's still decent in here. Kids are buried with blankets. Thinking warm thoughts!!!
cheers

The Best Bowl of Soup Ever

Today I got to meet a few kind fellas that I feel were brought along my way quite intentionally in a seemingly unintentional way. I was getting a bowl of soup and writing in a delicious little cafe while my clothes dried in the launderette next door and five of the most pleasant gentlemen sat down at the table next to mine. In need of a little extra elbow room for their breakfasts, they scooted their table up to mine and what followed was the most informative and delightful conversing I feel I've done since I've arrived. It was enlightening and each of them had well wishes for my endeavors. I feel blessed they sat down at that exact time in that exact cafe, and grateful I followed the rather sudden urge to eat soup while my clothes dried! What's more, when we got back to the hotel tonight, I got dinner fixed for the kids and went down for a cider on our last night's stay here, and who should be sitting down in the hotel pub, but one of the fellas from the cafe! It was a treat to get to see what, according to me, was a familiar face sitting in the pub. We didn't chat too long as he had a meeting (with another kind chap from the café and some others) to attend and I had two children eating dinner up in my room. I would like to have stayed and hung out, but was pleased just the same. 

Of course the other exciting news of the day, both kids did wonderfully on their first day at their new school! I am a proud mama. It'll still take a little adjusting I'm sure, but they both came home happy today, and that's all I could ask for. That and the permission to remain students there. ;) They are both looking forward to tomorrow, too, so that's a huge plus!

While they were in class, I got to investigate Wicklow Main St. a bit and found a place to get a decent Americano! Yay! (Sorry, its been almost a week and the whole instant coffee schtick is getting old. Not that I have anything against a delightful pot of Irish tea, but hey, old habits die hard. It's a lovely town and I can't wait to see more of it! On to tomorrow's adventures!

cheers!

Ballygannon Wood aka Murk Wood

After enjoying our delicious breakfast buffet this morning (Yes, I accidentally put porridge on Shiloh's potatoes thinking it was sausage gravy) we made our way down to the rocks on the beach only to find that the secret cave C & S were going to explore were quite filled with water! It appears the tide had risen sufficiently enough to submerge them. Methinks the full moon is to blame. So, we each got an ice cream instead and ate it in the 39 degree weather on the windy beach and laughed the whole time. After ice creams were eaten and our bodies were shivering, we hopped in the car to go checkout where the hostel we are moving to in two days is located.

The drive was wonderful and when we somehow missed a turn, we found ourselves turning around at an entrance for the Ballygannon Woods. The logic voice in me said, "No, let's turn around and finish finding the hostel. We can always come back and hike it after." Then, luckily enough for me, my heart voice (sounding an awful lot like my seven year old daughter) piped up with, "Or we can just hike it now." So, we left our car in the carpark and went on an impromptu hike through these gorgeous woods. C & S got to have an adventure of a different kind after all! They found a river, a trail of light, and even a rugby match that we kept enough distance from so as not to be seen. And then we magically still found our way back to the car and after some help from a kind man at a playground, our way to the hostel.

The adventure of school begins for them tomorrow and seeing as I am the fire under that endeavor at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning, I think I shall retire this evening. Pictures will be added of the woods, because my words would fail its beauty. But hey, that's what I came here for. To find the words that will succeed.

cheers

The Loud Typist

I have now become well acquainted with the hallway outside our hotel room, as it offers me the perfect place to write my blog since, apparently my son can sleep through rock and roll concerts, but not the sound of keystrokes on a keyboard. So, here I sit, listening to the Amelie soundtrack (it was Debussy last night...) through headphones and am glad they actually got to bed at a normal(ish) bedtime tonight for the first night since we've been over here. This morning I meant to begin our getting up at an earlier time than one in the afternoon but circumstances beyond my control took hold and we can try again tomorrow morning.

We actually got started with a bright and early wake up call this morning at six when my daughter got sick in bed. I rushed her into the bathroom to finish up there, and she was feeling much better after it was all out. She was even singing in the shower, so I figured, as I was cleaning up the spots on the carpet and rinsing out clothes, she's fine and we just got an early morning start to be able to make it down to our one morning of breakfast buffet we're partaking in during our stay. The buffet did not start until seven-thirty, so we had a half hour to kill. We decided to read a book together and after about fifteen minutes of reading, her tummy hurt again. And I got up, thinking oh yeah, I was going to move the waste basket by her, ya know, just in case. And as I am empathetically saying, "Oh yeah? Your tummy hurts again?" she manages to get out, "Hurry!!!" It is at that point I realize I should have had the bucket there. Oh well, I got it there for most of it.

No breakfast buffet today. She kept some apple juice down, then fell back asleep. I was working on convincing myself my stomach didn't hurt and I was fine, but to make sure, I put myself back to bed, too. I'm glad I did because when we finally awoke at half past noon (oops!) my stomach was fine and she had toast and later a dinner with no repercussions. So, it may be bold of me to say, but I think tomorrow will be the day for the breakfast buffet. I'm looking forward to it and their walk on the beach to film The Adventures of C & S: Caves in the Rocks by the Ocean Episode. I'm sure they'll come up with a much snappier title. It is their last day before school starts and I want them to have a great day.

I will now quietly sneak back inside the room and silently lay down to sleep, because we are about to begin on early mornings once again. And sleep is vital. Sweet Dreams!

cheers

First things first

As I sit here at the end of our third day in this fascinating country, I am beginning to be nudged by the guilt bug. As we walked around the beach and they found hidden caves under the boulder piles and we drove to Wicklow to see their school for the first time and have some dinner, I was having great trouble in seeing how any of it had to do with the furtherance of my book and the main reason for these travels. This guilt bug is no new visitor at my side, which is a good thing. Having encountered it enough times throughout my life, I have successfully discovered powerful methods of detaching it from my side and watching it drift away, while it wonders why it has lost so much power over me.

I simply remember that I trust.

It helped me today, alone in this country, to not dwell on what I wasn't getting done. Instead it helped remind me to live in what I was doing and trust that the things that need to happen, will. I am addressing the concerns I knew I would have starting out here. Finding a home. Finding a car. Setting up a phone (check!) and I needn't be worried about what is getting done for my research quite yet. I still have my outlines and I still have my comfortable layout of the historical archaeology I aspire to unearth while I am here. I am in great shape with what I want to accomplish. The story came with me and it didn't weigh an ounce on the flight. It was more accurately the wings with which we flew over here and its fruition is a guaranteed outcome. I am blessed with the creativity and knowledge of these amazing characters and their story.

I'm sure in a couple days I'll be right back to wondering what I'm getting done "wasting my time" getting school set up for them, and driving around looking at houses. But Again, I will look at myself in the heart and remind myself that there is no room for worry when its all filled up with trust. (And a healthy dose of realism that we HAVE to have a house. Lol) These things right now are the unknown beginnings. That when they are known, pave the avenue for the superhighway of information to flow over during my time here. After visiting a historical society or museum or with a librarian, I will want to come HOME and put my newly gathered tidbits in a dedicated space. That is what I am making the time to find now. And there is not one second ever truly wasted.

So worry, be gone. For these unknown steps are taken with great certainty. Here's to the superhighway construction crew, gettin it done.

cheers

Dashin to Bray Beach

This morning we successfully made our second mad dash down to the ocean (Irish Sea to be exact) since we arrived yesterday. Each year, the town of Bray has a charity event where citizens go for a noontime dip in the ocean. We had planned to meet up at the playground pre-swim with the friends we met yesterday, but alas, the exhaustion of the trip seized hold and I did not wake until 11:45. I rubbed my eyes and squinted at my watch, hoping I was reading it wrong, but no. So, wrenching open the curtains, I gently woke up my two companions and informed them that the swim was happening in approximately twelve minutes, so if we wanted to see it, it was time to dash! These two remarkable souls, sitting up and rubbing their eyes, each took a deep breath and mobilized! I wasn't quite sure if that would happen, but it did. I helped them by finding clothes from suitcases to throw at them and getting them into their socks like some sort of dressing ninja. We had clothes on and coats and scarves on and shoes on and were out the door!

Bray New Year's Swim 2015

There were flocks of people all going to a centralized place on the beach that was practically in front of our hotel and I quickly realized we had almost gotten ourselves swept up with the parade of swimmers themselves! Some had costumes that were colorful and a few had wings. They all made it down to the crowded beach where the main throng of people stood parted by a passageway demarcated by blue rope. We made our way down towards the edge of the water and saw that there were many people who had already taken the plunge. It was a relaxed atmosphere with bouts of laughter here and there. I realized many could have been doing this as a tradition since when I was a child. Put on by the Bray Lion's Club, the event has had great success in raising money for local charities. Shiloh was not interested in going back to the room for her suit, however.

Now, our first successful mad dash was spurred the night before by a wistfully made comment of mine about wanting to be dancing on the beach shouting Happy New Year to the ocean when the time came. "So, let's do it," was the matter-of-fact reply I received to my wistful comment. It was something that seemed so out of place when I said it back in the states, a hare-brained idea that only a mad woman would suggest. Something to laugh off, like, yeah THAT'll really happen. And here I had the completely calm tenor of a seven year suggesting it like she were discussing bananas for breakfast.

Quickly we bundled into our layers over our pajamas, for of course it was fifteen til midnight when the idea was mentioned, and rushed our excited selves out the front door of the hotel, past the pub which was active with revelers and the wonderful Irish music still being played from when we were gifted its presence at the tail end of our delicious dinner earlier, and across the street, the grassy lawn, the ocean walk and the beach full of smooth large pebbles til we were standing breathless at the edge of the rushing ocean.

We were early! Seven minutes early! But I suppose when you grow up with a mother who constantly forgets things until the last minute you become very adept to throwing something on and getting out the door at the drop of a hat. My children are EXPERTS apparently. So, we had time to walk a bit on the beach and each find a smooth stone to remember our night. Then our countdown began and when we reached one, by golly if we weren't all dancing on the beach shouting Happy New Year to the ocean! They were armed with flashlights (Thanks Gramala!) and had a blast dodging the surf that never comes up to the exact same line twice in a row. It was a fantastic New Year and a perfect ending to our first night in Ireland.

Hotel Esplanade, Bray, Ireland

Our hotel, The Esplanade, looked beautiful as we made our way back in and up to our room to message New Years greetings to family, then finally curl up and go to sleep. Because you know, we had friends to meet in the morning.
(Good thing I have her number. Now to just get the phone set up.)

I hope you all had a magnificent New Year's Eve and have a magical 2015, where all the harebrained ideas you come up with that make your soul sing happen, each and every time. Much love!
cheers