Thursday 16 February 2012

SPRING has Returned !


It was seeing these delightful daffodils blooming on the north side of our garden the other day that renewed and refreshed my energies.

The financial doom and gloom that still pervades this country has not lessened, for our government is trying very hard to squeeze the last brass cent from those of us who inhabit
rural areas with mad-cap schemes.

However Mother Nature buoys us all up by providing an increase of verdant growth and the lawn mowers will soon be heard for the grass is lengthening, the crows are nesting and their young will soon be seen, as will those of smaller birds and we shall soon be taking our early morning coffee on to the patio to sit in glorious sunshine.

At the start of the last winter I made a promise to myself that I would replace the name sign of our cottage and so I visited a local joinery firm to look through their off cuts and provide my self with a suitably shaped sign.

On having found a semi-circular piece I then planned the layout and drew the letters by hand
showing them to Mrs H for her artistic approval [I know my lowly place :-) ] and so my friends
below is the work in hand, eventually the letters will all be filled with enamel paint and then the whole board painted with several coats of UV Yacht varnish before hanging on the front wall.


Our name board

Tuesday 7 February 2012

My February Moan

an afternoon nap


There are times when in the warmth of a good fire I sit in an easy chair with a cap pulled over my eyes to cut out the light and take an afternoon nap. The images that flow into the front of my mind

are nought but an omelette of thoughts mixed with memories. The half to one hours relaxation or rather recuperation from this insanely troubled land energises me.


There are negative things happening on this island for our political servants are behaving in ways that increasingly create conditions that are socially subversive.


Medical services have been cut to the bare bones, lots of people on trollies and many operations delayed.


Unemployment is currently 439,600 out of a population of 4.5 million plus the shocking news is that 15% of the population are suffering from food poverty.


Emigration is currently running at about 3,000 per month.


I was dismayed to learn the other day of an "under the radar" increase of 62% to the dog licence rising from €12.50 to €20.00 per annum. Now we are penalised for having guard dogs or pets.


I am seriously wondering how much more deprivation the people here will accept.