A Birdie Said It's Time for the Hodgepodge

 

Joyce asks the questions, we provide the answers. See how others answered at From This Side of the Pond.

1. What do you never get tired of? 

Watching the birds in the background. Yep, I'm officially old.

2. My mother made the best ________________________________. 

Homemade candy. 

3. What machine or appliance in your home aggravates you the most? Why? 

This one is easy: the washing machine. If you don't have the clothes in the drum just right, they'll be soaked at the end of the cycle and I have to reload them and run the drain/spin cycle.

4. What are three things that brighten up your day when they happen? 

1. Seeing a cardinal

2. Visits from hummingbirds

3. Texts/calls from my boys "just because"

5. Thursday (May 12) is National Limerick Day...write a limerick about relating to spring weather, spring blooms, or a spring event (five lines, the first two lines rhyme with the fifth line, the third and fourth lines rhyme together)

Spring weather doesn't last around here

It turns hot too fast, I fear

The cold temps are gone

The air has to come on

But school's almost out so cheer!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I saw my first hummingbird about a week ago. It flew right up to my office window like it was announcing itself. I put up a couple of birdfeeders but I broke one (operator error) and the nectar ran out. Last night I saw one fly to it, then to the kitchen window to let me know she's hungry.

Driving Through Killarney National Park

Our next stop was the Beara Peninsula. Getting there was a little bit of an adventure; CH would probably call it "nerve-racking"! We had 2 options leaving Killarney: drive part of the Ring of Kerry or head east and then west. We I chose the Ring of Kerry since that took us through the Killarney National Park. It was definitely more scenic and since I was the navigator, I chose it. 

I can't imagine the tour buses actually drive on this road; parts of it were pretty narrow and curvy. I just know I was glad that we didn't meet one when we were there! One of the reasons I opted for this route was because of the recommendation of a lady I met at the Killarney campground. We couldn't believe the view from Ladies View:

Ladies View on the Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park

There is a gift shop and cafe/restaurant with rooftop seating. I didn't go in, but CH said the view from the top was beautiful. 

A little further down the road, we came across Molly Gallivan's Cottage and Traditional Farm. Well, actually, what caused us to stop with this guy across the road:

Druid carving across from Molly Gallivan's Cottage and Traditional Farm

The Druid is looking over the valley to the highest peak of Barra-Bui, which is where an ancient chieftain's final resting place is located. 

We stretched our legs a bit and walked over to this field:

Oh.My.WORD! I was in heaven seeing all of these mama sheep with their new babies! I could have sat and watched them all day. 

Back to Molly: She was a single mom with 7 mouths to feed so she did what any good mama would do: She sold her farm produce at the local market and also sold some "poitin" in her illegal pub. Poitin is "Irish moonshine". Galway Girl told me to make sure we at least tried it, which we forgot until we were already at our next campsite. 

Molly Gallivan's Cottage and Traditional Farm

Poitin Still

A descendant of Molly's lived here until 1997, then it was turned into a visitor's center. They have live music, theater, craft shop, tea rooms and a restaurant, and historical walks. It would be interesting to be able to spend more time walking around the farm, taking part in the historical walk, and experiencing the traditional entertainment. What I found really interesting was the toilet:

Seriously. Using the toilet in Ireland can be an adventure: You don't know what kind of toilet you'll get! 

The rest of the trip to the Beara Peninsula was uneventful...mostly.

One of Turners Tunnels showing the entry to County Cork

We found our campsite without any trouble. I think CH was feeling pretty comfortable at this point. Especially since we drove through the mountain roads in County Killarney! As you can tell so far, getting there is an adventure in itself. We would stop when we saw something we wanted to see which made it really nice to not be on too much of a time schedule. We didn't know what we were going to see on the Beara Peninsula. What we saw just blew us away.

Beginning of May Hodgepodge

 

1. May Day! May Day!...last time you shouted for help? Or maybe just asked? 

Just a couple of days ago, actually. Our women's group at church is without a secretary at the moment. It's a pretty big job so I asked a young woman if she would be willing to take on half of the job because I'm having trouble finding the time to do that part. I love it when people say "yes" and mean it!

2. What's something you may do this month? 

I may go camping. It's perfect weather for it. Hopefully, we can find a campground that has openings.

3.  'April showers bring May flowers'...is this true where you live? What's blooming? What's your favorite springtime blossom?

April was drier than I remember it being in past years, but the flowers are just beautiful! Honeysuckle is blooming and the azaleas are fading away. I don't have any in my yard, but 1 of my sisters has a couple of huge ones in her front yard. The irises are in full bloom and they are just lovely! I don't have a favorite blossom. At the beginning of spring, I like the jonquils and Lenten Roses and then the tulips, followed by the wildflowers in the park, honeysuckle outside of our side windows, and the irises.

4. What's something you learned at your mother's knee?

What didn't I learn at my mother's knee? She taught me so very much: how to be compassionate & kind; how to not take yourself too seriously; and how to be a good mother.

5. Share a thought about motherhood. 

It's hard, and it doesn't get easier as your children grow into adults.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I love this time of year: it's cool enough to not need the air conditioner yet and doesn't get cold enough at night to need to close the windows. We have our windows wide open with cool breezes coming through. It won't last long, probably just another week or 2 and then we'll have to turn on the air.