IRELAND 2023

Our first morning home has greeted me with bright and happy sunshine, excessive heat, and the harsh sounds of the four-lane highway down the road from our home, replacing the tranquil morning music of the Irish countryside and I miss it already. My thoughts are a jumbled mess as I am exhausted from the journey…

After two hours of deep sleep, I am awake in the darkness watching slight pockets of illumination light the fields with a silver glow, as wispy clouds move slowly across the moon. Today is the day I have dreaded since our arrival and apparently, as I am up a full three hours earlier than I…

The gentle hoots of the woodland pigeon have woken me early this morning and I am grateful for it; tired but grateful. I once thought the bird song I heard as daybreak begins to spread over the lush green hills of this countryside was the sound of owls, but I have learned. The sun is…

Outside the kitchen window above the sink, adjacent to our cow conversing window, a small rose bush with a single vibrant pink bloom has greeted me every day since our arrival. I do not typically have a fascination with roses. They are beautiful but do not usually spark extreme interest for me. I view them…

I have concluded the morning after a great party where one has enjoyed wine, exceptional food, laughter with friends and family, and live music ranging from the slow and serene to the quick and lively, appears to be the same in any country, at least for me. Complete contentment, satisfaction, and perhaps a well-earned, thankfully…

Dark grays and varying shades of white fill the views out the cottage window this morning standing in stark contrast to the previous few. The town of Youghal, across the river, normally so easy to view, can barely be seen through the thick blankets of fog that cover everything in its path. The abundant brightly…

I had thought to sleep late this morning; however, when the sun rises bright and cheery in Ireland, one must get up to greet it in thanks as its joyous mood may be brief. There are rain clouds in the distance, perhaps to spill some water this afternoon, but as for now, the sun’s happy…

I am amazed by it all. I have pondered many times, especially in the early mornings when I have a bit of time to myself, my favorite part of the trip, a town or city that sticks out the most, or activity I have done thus far. I replay the scenes in my head like…

The sun is a fickle lady and seems confused as to what she is all about today. Her complicated attitude, contagious. I have woken this morning to bright streaks of light pouring in the windows through the gaps in the white linen curtains, only to fall back asleep as she returns behind the clouds and…

It is quite cool, dark, and about to rain any time outside our little stone cottage. Morning broke a few hours ago but on this type of dreary morning, I am not rushing to get out the door, clamoring at the girls to get a move on the day, or even getting ready myself. Instead,…