Much has happened and much has stayed the same. I went through a Period-of-Great-Interest regarding my bears. I spent almost a week working industriously on them, finishing two, bringing another two or three to near completion, another two to partial completion and cut out seven more. I made a baby blanket for TT's new baby girl, I cleaned off and rearranged my jewelry table. I started walking around the lake with CW, 3+ miles every time! For a few weeks, we were walking at least four days a week. We talked in a 5k marathon together, it was great fun and even though we walked amongst all the runners, we had a good time and seeing the city like that. with all the downtown roads closed off, and people standing at the sidewalks, cheering friends and family on or handing out water to runners, was an experience I will never forget. We got medals, which made me feel simultaneously pleased and foolish, but mostly pleased and my family was all very lovingly supportive when I got home and showed them. My marathon number is still on the fridge!
The biggest thing I have done (not alone mind you) was go to Ireland to work on The Badger's Den, Named for all the Badger's We've Never Seen Nearby. We took ten days and the while family trekked over together. Prima and Primo mostly stayed at the rental cottage doing homework, watching TV and keeping warm. TR and I spent at least three good days at the cottage(s) working on what projects we could to get that dear little house closer to being stayed in. We met with the ESB, which is the entity that deals with electricity, and we should be getting the electricity turned on soon. Bernard, the gentleman signed to our case was very optimistic that it wouldn't be too hard to get it done. We have registered with Irish Water, and also registered our septic tank. We pulled the funky old vinyl flooring up out of the bathroom and hallway, we swept and washed what we could. We bought candles and set them on top of the stone mantle and lit them whenever we were home to lend a little warmth ad cheer to the cottage. We cleared all the blackberry brambles from around the Old Cottage in the hopes that the structure wouldn't be knocked over by creeping brambles. We met neighbors and started forging relationships, sought advice and visited with friends we already know. It was a fruitful trip that plated the seed of hope a littler deeper and firmer in my heart. The landscape there is so beautiful, and even in the cold, drear of the rain we happily chipped away at our tasks, engaged and enjoying ourselves immensely.
On Thursday our cousins came to see it with us and were very enthusiastic about the prospect of accomplishing renovation. We all met for lunch in Co. Longford and then they volunteered to accompany us all the way back to our county to see The Badger's Den...( I did ask a neighbor and indeed, there are badger's in the area, but we were also informed that farmer's do not like them as they can carry TB and spread it to the cattle.)
We had two and a bit days in Dublin and we were all very sad to leave. Dublin is such a vibrant, friendly city and our cousin RC, gave us the pleasure of his company for the better part of one of the days we had there. We went to the National Library to see an exhibit about WWI, we went on an historical walking tour led by a graduate of Trinity College (I think he actually held a more important position that "graduate" but I can't remember what it was.) The tour was very interesting and informative, at least to grown-ups. To the teenagers and little ones in tow I think it was torture, long narratives about names, dates and lists of things that made no sense and didn't fit anywhere i to their universe of interests.
Alas, I was interrupted and failed to complete this entry, but, in the interest of forward movement, I will post it as it regardless. If only I can find an appropriate photo...
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| all paths lead to the future |
