A month of Sundays

Today is the fourth Sunday since my last post. I am amazed that I wrote a daily post for several years. What on earth did I write about? I guess in the early years here there was so much to get on top of, a learning curve with lots of bumps. Then I settled into life and the blog became only slightly more interesting than a grocery list.

I'd say the highlight of the past month has been spending quality time with friends – much easier to do when not playing golf. I've enjoyed seeing Patricia, Eddis, Thea, Sarah, Ann, Marek, Marian, Ryan and Nigel. I attended a funeral for Patricia's son-in-law, who died, age 50, after a year and a half of treatment for colon cancer. Scotti picked the music for his funeral and it was all very upbeat – a gift from him to us to make us smile, not cry.

I also put together a photo album for Patricia, marking her 70th birthday. Here's one sample, from the Shandon away day at Lough Erne.

The other highlight was I finally used the carpet cleaner I bought in November. Emptying the reservoir filled with muddy water made me extremely happy. I've emptied that tank three times and each time feel such joy at having sucked so much dirt out of my rugs.

Above is the culprit, but sure what can you do?

Work has been intense. Our remit has widened but our womanpower hasn't so always lots to do. I'm quite tired in the evenings and have been binge watching Shetland, a 'cozy crime' series.

Yesterday I visited a photo exhibit and an art exhibit in Belfast. The art exhibit included a series of lush botanical paintings – done last year but modelled on 17th century Dutch paintings. Closer to home, I took a photo of this orchid in my sunroom, amazed that it has been going strong since October.

The only film I've seen recently is A Real Pain. Jesse Eisenberg's character very committed to his cousin even though his cousin very much lives up to the title. Which, on second thought, is a double entendre (I process things slowly LOL).

I'm reading Braiding Sweetgrass, about the many ways Indigenous cultures support a living planet. If you trace a path from the Age of Enlightenment until now, you realise we aren't enlightened at all. As a proof point, I offer DT dismantling American democracy. It's sickening to watch the powerful trample the weak and vulnerable.

2 Feb. 2025