How to get from one end of town to another when you are carrying cargo is the question for today.
One who observes and thinks about what has been seen, what has passed by my way, what greater meaning lies behind and beneath life's small events.
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Methods of Getting from one place to another
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Superman, how I loved you.
Friday, March 26, 2021
Where is it now?
Man. I tore apart every possible spot, every logical location that he might have placed my music tote bag.
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
2009 award winning: The Book of Kells
This is an introduction to "Book of Kells", an animation 2009, "The world of the film pulses with the lush greenery of the island, populated by fairies, giants, magic and mystery." academy award nomination 2009
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Tales for Ireland and Wales
Ireland is rich in its stories, art, history, mythology, and tales. No typing for me, so this fairy tale is for you. It is longer than I would have liked.
"Tis not easy to catch me",and then ran off laughing to the lake.
Next day he took with him bread not so well done, and watched for the maidens. When they came ashore he offered his bread as before, and the maiden tasted it and sang:
"Unbaked is thy bread, I will not have thee" and again disappeared in the waves.
A third time did the shepherd of Myddvai try to attract the maiden, and this time he offered her bread that he had found floating about near the shore. This pleased her, and she promised to become his wife if he were able to pick her out from among her sisters on the following day.
The years passed happily, and three children were born to the shepherd and the lake-maiden. But one day here were going to a christening, and she said to her husband it was far to walk, so he told her to go for the horses.
"I will," said she, "if you bring me my gloves which I've left in the house."
But when he came back with the gloves, he found she had not gone for the horses - so he tapped her lightly on the shoulder with the gloves, and said, "Go, go."
"That's one," said she.
Another time they were at a wedding, when suddenly the lake-maiden fell a-sobbing and a-weeping, amid the joy and mirth of all around her.
Her husband tapped her on the shoulder, and asked her, "Why do you weep?"
"Because they are entering into trouble - and trouble is upon you - for that is the second causeless blow you have given me. Be careful - the third is the last."
The husband was careful never to strike her again. But one day at a funeral she suddenly burst out into fits of laughter. Her husband forgot, and touched her rather roughly on the shoulder, saying, "Is this a time for laughter?"
"I laugh," she said, "because those that die go out of trouble, but your trouble has come. The last blow has been struck - our marriage is at an end, and so farewell." And with that she rose up and left the house and went to their home.
Then she, looking round upon her home, called to the cattle she had brought with her:
Brindle cow, white speckled, Spotted cow, bold freckled, Old white face, and gray Geringer, And the white bull from the king's coast, Grey ox, and black calf, All, all, follow me home,
Now the black calf had just been slaughtered, and was hanging on the hook - but it got off the hook alive and well and followed her - and the oxen, though they were ploughing, trailed the plough with them and did her bidding.
Myddvai actually is Welsh, but oh well. I enjoyed seeing how the tales and legends weave through the British Isles. However, here is St. Patrick's well in Clonmel, Ireland. Clonmel is a lovely place to visit.
I am able to use most of left hand index and thumb, but in a limited fashion. I have a removable brace. just have to be careful. The right hand is threatening to get even. Baby steps.
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Dancing in the Rain
My gr-daughters are Irish dancers. It is possible that our photos and dance recordings of the two of them could overwhelm you. Instead, you will see a world record of Irish dancers performing across the bridge, with the line wrapping down along the street.
Riverdance on the banks of the Liffey
Here is a write-up about that day:
"Riverdance World Record Longest Line 21st July 2013 - What a fantastic day on the banks of the River Liffey. A sincere thank you to all who made it happen - .. but most especially all the 1693 record breaking dancers from 44 countries whose enthusiasm and energy made the day and broke the record! Thank you!
Lead by Jean Butler and Padraic Moyles and over 115 Riverdance dancers in costume, the Riverdance line stretched for 1km along the north and south banks of the river Liffey, Dublin. The dancers were watched by an audience of thousands cheering them on as they danced for 5 continuous minutes in an unbroken line into the record books.
Over a 1000 of the dancers mastered the Riverdance step and these fantastic dancers danced Riverdance for 5 continuous minutes with the professional Riverdance dancers then after a short rest they joined the other dancers to dance for another 5 minutes to break the world record.
Thursday, March 11, 2021
And may the strength of three be in your journey. Sláinte’.
(Scene opens in Heaven, at David's Pub. Seamus and Patrick are sitting at the bar. Patrick is asleep, with his head on the bar counter.)
Monday, March 8, 2021
Cancel the Words from my Mouth, or Else
New York Times columnist Charles Blow, tweets: “Once more THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CANCEL CULTURE. There is free speech. You can say and do as pls, and others can choose never to deal this [sic] you, your company or your products EVER again. The rich and powerful are just upset that the masses can now organize their dissent.” The rest of his views can be accessed.
But this cancer has deepened. "The situation has deteriorated to the point that one no longer needs to say anything to be targeted by cancel culture. At Skidmore College in New York State, a professor is being boycotted for merely attending a pro-police “Back the Blue” rally."
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Blow out the candle already
· 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
· 2 1/4 cups sugar
· 4 large eggs
· 1 1/4 cups Triple Cocoa Blend or Dutch-process cocoa
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon baking powder
· 1 teaspoon espresso powder
· 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
· 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
· 2 cups chocolate chips
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9" x 13" pan. Line with parchment paper, optional.
2. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and cook until mixture is hot (about 110°F to 120°F), but not bubbling.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, cocoa, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla until smooth. Add the hot butter/sugar mixture and stir until smooth. Add the flour and stir until smooth.
4. Let the batter cool in the bowl for 20 minutes then stir in the chips. Spread batter into prepared pan.
5. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the brownie edges are set and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Remove them from oven and cool completely on a rack before cutting.
Or, if you are like my 15 year old, use a spoon while the brownies are still on the warm side. Don't be ashamed. You deserve it.
Have a new cast on! can one finger type, but it is exhausting.
Monday, March 1, 2021
The Need for Spell Check, as relayed by unknown postulant