All Hallows Eve

Tonight the air is crisp and you can smell winter coming. The moon is not full but it is almost full so the sky is lit up and you can see the clouds shining like blue shadows. They don't celebrate Halloween here in Switzerland and that's not really a problem for me. Someone always organizes a little party or some trick or treating. Sometimes we go and sometimes we don't. As Holidays go, I don't love Halloween but for some reason, I find it special when I see my kids doing something that I did when I was little. I do have many fond memories of October 31st from when I was growing up. My favourite memory is the feeling I got when I was out on my own AT NIGHT. The world looks so different at night and even now, as an adult, I forget to go out and enjoy the stillness and the wonder of the night.

Rainbows and Chips

"Ireland is where strange tales begin
and happy endings are possible."

-Charles Haughey

To be sure, to be sure 'tis grand in Ireland;-)

We just got back from our Autumn break, which we spent near Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland.

Things that are true about Ireland:

1. It is really, really green.

2. The weather changes constantly.

3. The Guiness flows like water.

4. There are rainbows EVERY day...(we never found the pot of gold;-)

5. They have chips (fries) with everything, even pasta and/or potatoes.

Things that are annoying about Ireland:

1. They still have many, many sinks that have 2 taps so in order to get warm water, you must turn on the hot tap AND the cold tap and then run your hands under the cold water (filling up your palms) and then quickly run them through the hot water to make warm water in your hands. Alternatively, you can put the plug in the sink and mix your water there but when washing your face, it soon gets filled up with soapy water and you are then rinsing your face with soapy water which defeats the purpose of cleaning your face in the first place!

2. I found the sweater of my dreams at the woolen mill but there wasn't a single one in my size.

3. They have chips (fries) with everything!!!!!! Enough already. If I see another fry...

Things that are amazing about Ireland:

1. The air is so fresh and clean that it smells sweet.

2. The scenery is so breathtaking that your heart aches to look at it.

3. The scones are delicious.

Things I wasn't expecting about Ireland:

1. It is really expensive.

Will I go back? Definitely. I didn't get to Cork or Killarney. Must do Christmas in Killarney! (with all of the folks at home, naturally;-)

I leave you today with an Irish blessing that although common, is nonetheless heartfelt.

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Stones and Memories

So here it is again, October 12th. Two years ago today my wonderful, clever, funny, gentle, loving Dad passed away. How do I even begin to mark this day? How could I possibly do anything that would somehow signify the importance of him in my life. The truth is that I can't. Nothing I do will ever seem enough. And so, I will just be sad. I will let my day be filled with memories. I will laugh and I will cry. I don't know what else to do other than stand here and feel it, down to my very soul, the absence of him. He was a storyteller and a dreamer and I loved him so much.

Stones

"Touch a stone and you'll find a story,"

The storyteller said.

"The hopes and dreams of lives long past,

The chronicles of the dead."

"They leave behind a whisper

Scarce heard but to those who try.

Quiet your mind, open your heart

You'll hear them, by and by."

"Let rest your hand on the cold granite wall,

Your fingers brush the grave.

The stones stand strong, as we all fall down,

bearing Witness, history saved."

"As you drift past the stones on your journey,

Will you linger or carry on?

For only those who consider

Will hear the voice that is gone."

"Touch a stone and you'll find my story,"

The storyteller said.

"Remember my words and I will live on,

For soon I too will be dead."

by Lesley Armstrong

Lebkuchen vs Gingerbread

Josh came home from his annual Oktoberfest boy's weekend on Monday and he brought these fun Lebkuchen necklaces for the kids. They were so happy to have a treat BUT I'm going to let you in on a little secret. What nobody tells you is that Lebkuchen is absolutely, undeniably AWFUL. It looks like gingerbread, it smells like gingerbread but it does not taste like gingerbread. I believe it is an international joke played by German speaking countries. Kind of a ..."let's see if we can get all the foreigners to eat this..." sort of a thing. Trust me, stick with gingerbread. You'll thank me.