What do you miss?

I'm enjoying catching up with friends, including dinner last night with former neighbors. One asked me what I missed about the U.S. while in Ireland. I stared blankly for a while before saying I miss my friends. Which I do. Which is why they all have to come visit me in Northern Ireland.

I think everyone, including me, thought I'd miss my old farmhouse and gardens. I don't. I think they brought out the worst in me. I like a challenge and the non-native invasives covering the property presented challenges aplenty. I was clearing them until the day I left. And every patch of ground I cleared had to be defended. So every year there was more land to protect as I cleared invasives (vines, autumn olive, multiflora) and planted native trees. It was a bit like Mickey Mouse in the Sorcerer's Apprentice trying to bail water out of the basement.

I'm sure when I've been in Ireland longer, I will have a better answer to that question. Like a particular food or event. Northern Ireland and I are still on our honeymoon, so I'm only seeing the greener grass on the other side (and I have to say, it's very green).
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