Change... Change... Change...

Several things have suprised me about moving to Ireland. The biggest suprise has been how dependent we are upon the weather. In the USA I really didn't give it a great deal of thought... it was just one of those annoying things that you thought about while you were on the go. Life here, however, is slower... and so much of our life is spent outside.... I really find myself watching the weather all day - no matter what I am doing. The people here all talk about the weather as if it is breaking news on CNN... and rightly so - I think. When the weather is good the people come out of the woodwork and everyone is out walking... working in their gardens... playing on the beach (yes - even in winter).

On fine days like today I have to grab my camera and head out for a hike. I couldn't believe it today (and was a bit relieved) when I realized that we are now almost a third of the way through winter here. I am always so relieved to just know that the cold dark winter days are not going to last forever... This winter, however, has been really nice (so far). We have had several weeks of really nice cold weather. We have not had any really bad winter storms... and I didn't see a cloud in the sky all day today. I know that the weather might not last but I am going to make the most out of every day that we get.

The days are getting really short now... The sun went down at 4:30 this afternoon... but I am learning to enjoy the short days... and the countless sunsets & sunrises that I get to see during these months.