Ballinamore – sighting of big red ball in sky

Woke up this morning and saw something completely unexpected for summer in Ireland … big red ball in sky … the sun.

Skipped out of bed and shared a bowl of earl grey tea with Coco … then off for a 2 hour walk along Lock 5.

Sun shining … sheep baaaaing … butterflies flitting … water shimmering … perfect simplicity.

Coco loved it and went running back and forth … she keeps me in sight and has a blast sniffing everything.

She runs back whenever I call her … ahhhh

Then I found some wild berries … yum … and Coco found grass to chew … happiness comes in so many ways.

We walked back through town and Coco stopped to say hi to all the little children who want to pat her … it’s a bit of training Coco and training small children.

Ran into Maggie’s mum Mary … who loves animals as much as Mags. I love seeing Mary as she always makes me laugh and has such as dry wit.

I took this photo quickly and I missed capturing her great smile … another time.

We then dropped in on Mags and then the garden shop … Noeleen and I had a great chat … then to Dee in the Forge.

Last night I took some photos of Coco lolling on my bed.

I’ve had her for 4 weeks tomorrow and look how she’s grown.

She jumps on the bed and I try to get her to stay at the end of the bed … and as you can see … she sidles up inch by inch … whispering in her doggy voice …

‘ I’m really at the end of the bed … I’m really at the end of the bed…’

Yeh right.

And like all puppies she goes at a million miles an hour then crashes asleep.

Having Coco has certainly changed some of my lolling ways (I’m walking about 6 hours a week) … and we are getting to know each other … both bright and stubborn creatures … so at times it’s very interesting.

And later today I am having a busy bee at the sunny funny garden … weeds are winning … so is the rain.

Then I’ll be doing some other work for a client.

A lovely day … simple and content.

Slan

Liz

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So … how’s your week been?

an irish litter bin – bruscar (bin).

Let’s see … sick in bed for 3 days … did years accounts … walked Coco yesterday for 2 hours … mad busy today … sipping white wine right now … oh yeh … wrote about 5 posts for the blog and resized/uploaded photos

And … trained Coco … fed Coco … washed linen Coco had peed on … loved Coco … big hugs to Lynda for walking Coco 2 days in a row (you’re a star).

On my walk with Coco yesterday we went to the Lock 5 walk where she can run free … see her run …

So funny watching her gangly legs get in her way as she thumped along the lane … and she comes back to my call now.

And dear reader … this is a traffic jam in Leitrim.

Yeh … tough life

And as I took Coco out at 2am and 3 am and 5 am on some nights …I just looked up at the sky … no clouds and full of stars.

Leitrim is one of the least polluted (particularly light pollution) Counties in Ireland … so star gazing makes your heart sing.

Before the Famine Leitrim had a population of 150,000 … we have now got the highest population since the Famine … about 29,000 people.

We are the least populated County in Ireland per square whatever…

Today was busy for me … up a few times to let Coco out.

Morning visit to Maggie in Smyths Shop … saw some nice new souvenirs there today … very stylish salt and pepper shakers …and gorgeous crystal.

By the by … did I see Greg Smyth trying to walk Maggies mum into the traffic? … while he was pretending to walk her across the road?

Always watch the quiet ones.

After Maggie … I went to the Credit Union and got chatting to my ‘teller’ … you can do that here.

She is Mum to Niall … who did the photoshoot for the Moo Bar Sex and the Country Ladies night next Thursday … and his girlfriend Lisa was one of the models.

Anyway … she told me she went on the walk I had recommended to Lock 5 and the hikers walk … and walked … and walked … and …

Got home and collapsed with the dog.

I told her that I just walk for about 30 minutes and then walk back … not the whole miles and miles.

Bought a pile of fruit and vege from the truck in front of my cottage.

Got a tray of tomatoes … want to make some passata over the weekend for me and the neighbours.

Then I had a meeting with Brent in Moo.

We are working to develop the Experience Leitrim programme for April 2009. Some good ideas and a lot more to do.

Then Miriam from Eirbyte came into Moo for our meeting.

We recently decided to meet every 6 weeks to ‘make’ each other do our accounts … talk about our businesses … support each other … have a laugh … have a great bagel …

I love acronyms and we liked the one I developed … WEB … women entrepreneur buddies.

So … if there are women running their own businesses … find a buddy …and go to Moo for a fun lunch meeting.

And no … I have no wish to organise any kind of WEB … I’m allergic to formalised groups.

I’m all for the motto … small but perfectly formed.

Then it was time for the Sunny Funny Garden ... and the sun was shining … at last.

Maeve and I thought it would be a good idea to fix her Grandma Therese’s window box … and plant another big planter … and we wanted to make some planters as a gift to Derek and Lynda.

Did all that and ate chocolate … life is good.

Maeve and Eoin and me worked away on the land behind Derek and Lynda’s cottage … that’s where the sun was.

Maeve said to me…

‘ This all sounds hard but making up window boxes isn’t that hard.’

I love watching the kids build their skills and confidence.

And then we placed the finished planters in their new homes.

My window boxes and planters are looking great.

And then I popped down to get some wine and chocolate … and sorted photos and am now writing this post.

Also took a photo of 2 of my favourite people – Eoin and his Grandma … my wonderful neighbour and friend … Theresa.

So … goodnight dear reader … have a great weekend.

The Festival starts over the weekend.

And … the posters for the Sex and the Country Ladies Night @ Moo will be around town tomorrow.

I had a preview and they are fab … will post the poster next week.

Slan

Liz

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And the day goes on…

Been in bed with a bit of a cold all day.

Found out that I was a day late in getting Coco into the puppy competition in the Ag Fair next week … so here are some photos I took yesterday … she’s a wee star.

Notice the gorgeous corsage Maggie bought her. Mags also got her a present of an inscribed dog tag.

In my last post I mentioned I was part of a photo shoot for the Moo Bar Sex in the Country themed ladies night next week.

I hope the gentleman that left a comment asking for my photo was kidding.

It wasn’t that kind of photo shoot sir.

But here’s a photo of a pretty lady.

The man who owns the land where we have created the Sunny Funny Garden – Conor Smythe – has left some lovely comments … thanks Conor.

I’m looking forward to showing you the garden when you visit … it’s a bit bedraggled with all the rain … but … it’s still lovely.

Conor was telling me about the different places around town that are in John McGaherns books.

I’m thinking of doing a post with photos of those places and references to his books.

If you’ve never read John’s books … do.

They are like Giacometti sculptures … pared back to the essence.

Lynda and Derek have just popped in to take Coco for a walk. Mags also offered.

I really love having such great neighbours … they’re very funny, bright and kind …and love a glass of wine and laughter late into the night as much as I do.

Hope your day has gone well.

Liz

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