Morning Thoughts…

I awoke this morning to the sounds of screams and whistles. I laid there listening to the all too familiar sounds of banshees playing outside of my house. Their taps on the windows only increased… and the sounds only made me want to bury myself farther in the warmth of my covers…. The dark grey sunlight didn’t make them stop… nor did the sound of my alarm beeping quietly in the grayness.

The last few days have been wild here. The winds and rain lashing down upon us – from some remnant of a hurricane – are an all too familiar occurrence in the winter months… these three days are the type days where only the large crows and magpies dare to fly – soaring effortlessly in the updrafts and gale force gusts… the small cuckoos have returned to Africa and the tiny smólachi take cover in the arms of the gnarled trees.

The heat from this summer seems like a distant memory as we sit next to our peat fire and drink our coffee and teas…. But I love it. I love how this place is constantly changing. Season after season in one day… Mountains disappear in cloaks of clouds – the sea spills over the rocky coast and sprays up in the air… only to give way to sunshine and rainbows. I love the way people gather together in homes and shops talking about the weather… I love the way when the weather breaks everyone spills out of their shelters and into the streets – as if they are soaking up the last rays of summer sun. I love the sounds and smells of a soft morning… and the smells of last night’s fire still lingering on the air…

Today's Random Pic...

Today's Random Pic

My favorite road sign!

Lost Dog Found

Just a quick update (see Sept 9th entry) that Joey (formerly known as 'speedy') has been found. No one really knows where he as been this past week... but he is now safe at home.

Wow...

I can't believe it.... but our little website has crossed an important marker. We just had our 10,000 visitor! My mom (Kaye) just sent me an email to let me know that she hit the number this morning. Thanks mom.... and thanks to all of you that check in with us from time to time... it means a lot to us to know that there are people out there interested in us and in Ireland.

Lost Dogs....

We are so glad to be back in our home in Ireland. It took about three days worth of traveling to get here…. but it only made our arrival all the better. Our house is much like we left it… and we are so grateful for neighbors that were willing to watch it and water the plants. We did just find out one bit of sad news……………………… one of the things that we love most about our little road is the gang of dogs that playfully roam up and down it. There are three, in particular, that we really love. We first met Joey, Peig, and Bailey out on the beach long before we moved to our current house. The three friends spend much of their summer days down on the shore chasing rocks or birds and entertaining the tourists… and they were inseparable. We often saw them walking down the main road together or playing in a field together. Once we moved on our road they would run alongside (or in front of) our car and then would be so excited for us to get out of the car…. Their excitement was contagious to say the least.... Well…. The neighbors across the street (and owners of Peig) just came over to tell us that Bailey had been stolen off of the beach this summer and Joey has been missing for almost a week now…. They fear that the friendly pup was also stolen. What a bummer!

From Ireland...

Hi all... Just a quick note to say that we made it here without any problems..... We even made it with all of our luggage! Dee and I are feeling a bit jetlagged and are staying with some friends overnight tonight.... but we should be back in our house tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for remembering us while we were flying.

"Happy Hellos & Sad Goodbyes"

About three and half years ago someone warned us that our life was about to be a life of 'happy hellos and sad goodbyes'. This is so true...... I feel as if every time we turn around we are embracing someone in excitement and in sadness....................................... We have been in the states for three and half months now... And we are leaving today to travel back to Ireland. I don't know where all of our time stateside has gone................................... But I am so grateful that we had the opportunity to be here this summer................................ So grateful that we were able to be a part of the ordinary life of our families. It is the moments like swimming in the pool.... Going out to dinner.... Taking a long walk around the block.... Or talking over breakfast that I treasure most............. to be honest with you the whole time seems like a dream now... I really can't believe that it is over.

We have all of our bags packed.... and we are walking out the door to go to the airport.... goodbye everyone.... I am so glad that I got to see everyone that I did... and I am so sorry if it didn't work out for us to spend time with you.......... to all of our family.... thanks for making this summer awesome........ we love you all..... and are already counting the days until we see you again.....

we love you!

Next post from Ireland.............................