No Words Can Even Describe It

I don't have words...I don't have pictures...I only have feelings...soon I will write a post about the last few days...have you ever felt so inside an experience that you can't get outside it enough to even talk about it....

Picture if you will an old Irish pub that hasn't changed in over seventy years. Picture the place packed to the walls with people...a small dance floor...a wee bit of unexpected dancing with your friend...talking..laughter...

Picture knowing you are leaving for home in the morning....you look at the clock and it is 1:00 a.m. and you don't care...time has lost all meaning...you want to be in the moment and yet you know if you are in the moment you will feel the good byes that will come all too quickly....

The Penny Drops

I need to make a correction! The information I gave you yesterday about the anniversary mass being for Joe's son was not accurate. We were driving along to the church and I was double checking with Joe to make sure I had remembered correctly. He rubbed his forehead and said.."I gave you the wrong information, Judy. The anniversary mass is for Ann's first husband, not our son. The penny dropped!" I said, "The penny dropped?" Joe said, "Yep, the penny dropped. It is when you realise something, the penny drops!"

I spelled realise with the "s" because that is also how it is done here. I have noticed that ever since I have been talking with Joe. He uses the "s" often where we use the "z".

Both pictures today are from Lookout, the beautiful spot just fifteen minutes outside Nenagh.

Today, we are going to a place called Cobh, pronounced Cove. It is the place the emigrants emigrated from. Since I have been to Ellis Island and have seen the destination spot, we thought it might be a nice experience to see the other side. A long time ago Joe did a post on the american wake. The american wake is a time when the families of those who were emigrating to America gathered. It was a time given to the young people who were leaving their country to say good bye and mourn the family members, parents, siblings and so forth that they might never see again.

I can't even imagine.....

I love you and miss you! xoxo

More Of Ireland's Beauty

Today is Sunday and we will be going to church with Joe and several members of his family. We will be attending a special anniversary mass for one of Joe's sons who died at age 34. It is a time to remember his life. It is a lovely custom here. I like it and feel honored and privileged that I get to share this day. Following the mass we will be having a meal with any of the family that will be able to attend at the Hibernia, a local restaurant.

We will visit the cemetary then, come back home for a bit and then off we go to Joe's sister, Biddy's house, to share a meal, some talk and as we have found, lots of laughter with his sister's and brother-in-law.

Joe's family has welcomed us into their homes and hearts. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Heaven Or As Close As You Can Get To It

This picture was taken yesterday, September 1, 2006. Little did I know I would get this close to heaven. Joe's friend, Patt, talked about this being about his favorite place on earth. He said there was only one other place that even comes close, and that is in New Zealand.

The part that you you see here is about one third of a grand panoramic view. When we drove up to it I couldn't even get out of the car for several minutes. My eyes were flooded with the beauty and majesty.

I thought I had seen beauty on our other travels, but this one literally...and I mean literally....took my breath away.

Judy Cooooooking

We had good fun in the pub. The three menfolk decided Judy should do the cooooooking. So, here I am lifting the lid of a pot that would have been used for hundreds of years. I accomodated them so long as they agreed to do the dishes.

For Joe's sake, I must explain that I am just having a little fun with him. I say cooking...he says coooooooooking.

Please do not read Joe's blog.

Out And About In Nenagh

Here you see Judy, Patt (Joe's friend and now ours), and Joe at the pub where we ate lunch. Once again the meals made my eyes get big as saucers as I tried to imagine eating my whole plate of food. Tom and I both had real Irish stew. It came on a plate rather than in a bowl. And, I am not talking a small plate. Nope! The stew was delicious and I was sorry to leave much of it on my plate.

After lunch, we went on to visit a place that Patt called as close to heaven that he knew. I will write about that in my next post. I can only say right now that I couldn't even get out of the car because it was so beautiful!! I just had to sit and breathe and take it in in small bits. I can only hope the pictures will do it the justice it deserves.

The Castle you see is Nenagh Castle and it is from the 1200's...the 13th century. The church is St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nenagh. It is exquisite in its beauty. The only other church that has taken my breath away is St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

More tomorrow!!

I love you and miss you! xoxo Mom

The Three J's

We had a great day today! Joe's friend, Patt, came over and the four of us toured Nenagh. We discovered we didn't have to travel for three hours to find history and beauty.

This is a picture of the pub where we had lunch. If you look at the two pictures on the wall you will see two of the J's...Jesus and Jackie. When you add me to the whole lot you have the three J's!

Jesus..........Jackie............and Judy!!

(The Irish say "The whole lot" when we say all of us)

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Oh Happy Day! It Worked!

I got three pictures on this afternoon. It is 1:41 p.m. here in Nenagh and as luck would have it I chose three pictures that may not make the travel guide, but they are representative of our day yesterday. We enjoyed our driving trip to Dingle Peninsula. The weather was varied. We had some rain, some sun, some cool and some warmth. We did not go out to see the dolphin, but in a sense he did come to us. When I get a chance I will share a picture of the dolphin on land. You may have to use your imagination, but that might almost be more fun! Guess who had a little bit of fun with the dolphin. You will see when I am able to get the picture on.

I am having a wonderful time no matter what we do. Our days go by so fast. We wake up, do stuff or don't do stuff, and before you know it it is time for bed. I know that sounds kind of funny, but that is how it is.

For the picture of Dad, Joe and me, I put Dad's camera on Joe's car as we stood by the edge of the road. I had to get a picture of Dad in his photographic stance. (And you kids think I stand funny when I take pictures) I love the sheep picture. We were driving in the mountains and the sheep were so close to the road. It was so cute. This sheep just kept looking right at me, so of course he and I are on a first name basis now! Yes, I am laughing and I hope you are too.

I love you and I miss you!