“Nodding the head does not row the boat.” That’s an Irish proverb tweeted by writer/farmer Martin McConnell (@spottedgeckgo) that has stayed with me. I nod my head and say to myself that I better get to writing. How about you? Are you rowing or nodding these days? It's St. Patrick’s Day, which is a holiday around here. I know many people celebrated last Saturday when the parade marched and the river flowed green. I am not much for green beer or green tchotchkes these … [Read more...]
More on Ireland and a poem on death
Happy Monday. In the States it’s Columbus Day, a holiday. In Chicago it is bright and crisp, a beautiful fall day. This weekend I did some work on my photos of Ireland. I’ll share some with you; I took too many. Unsure of my abilities, I often took the same shot twice or three times to make sure I got one good photo (I guess that’s what happens when you are still learning). Ireland still calls to me. I don’t think that was my last trip there. But before I can return, I … [Read more...]
Glimpse of solace: Wicklow and Glendalough in Ireland
I recently had the pleasure of traveling to Ireland. We headed south from the airport in Dublin to Wicklow and Glendalough. I had been there 36 years ago and it rained and rained. The weather was much better this time. Here are some of my photos from our first day. Thanks for looking at my photos -- Ireland is so beautiful that I took a million pictures . . . Peace, love, and solace … [Read more...]
Ireland calls
Can you be homesick for a place that was never your home? I don’t know, but that’s how I feel about Ireland lately – that it is calling me. The feeling was intensified this weekend when I attended iBAM!, the festival of Irish Books and Music at the Irish American Heritage Center. Mary Pat Kelly spoke about her books, Galway Bay, and especially the latest Of Irish Blood. She said she learned from the McCourt brothers to talk about her book, rather than read from it. She … [Read more...]
What’s new with SISMW contributors? Rodley, Boyle, Hilbert, Mahan, Swist, Bass, Meno
Supposedly it’s spring. Last night we had a dusting of snow and today the temps are in the 20s. Most of the mounds of snow that accumulated over the winter are gone except for the waning piles that remain in the shady spots. I’ve seen robins and blue jays and all kinds of birds in the yard. Today’s photos in Glimpse of Solace are from a new contributor, Lisa Comperry. Today's Guest Post is a poem ("Seed Catalogs") by Laura Rodley. BTW, did you read Laura's poem for … [Read more...]