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Idiotic Injuries I Have Sustained this Week


Posted in: Dublin, Ireland, Twins, Youngest Child

For reasons I won’t bore you with (you thought there was nothing I wouldn’t bore you with, think again), my electric toothbrush charger is on a low shelf in the dining room. My old electric toothbrush died in July after many years of faithful service and I bought a new one. Was the new one working? It was not. When put on the charger it blinked its light rapidly trying to convey a message but what was it? Unclear. When taken off the charger after sitting there overnight, it acted like all life was extinct. I crouched on the ground beside it trying to reset it and explored various youtube videos in vain. Eventually I sprang angrily to my feet in a state of extreme frustration and banged my head on the marble mantelpiece giving myself mild concussion for the weekend (no reading, no screens, some throwing up) and I seem to have jarred my back also and it was quite sore for a couple of days. On the positive side despite not having retained my receipt, Boots gave me a new electric toothbrush instead when I showed them the Revolut receipt (showed location and amount spent but not what spent on, if you see what I mean). Pretty pleased and surprised about that.

Michael had a terrible cold all week which he transmitted to me on Thursday and I felt pretty miserable on Thursday and Friday and, honestly, not too hot today. It’s the first time I’ve been sick since last Christmas (a miracle which I partly attribute to the flu jab which I will be getting again this year) so I’m just not used to it.

I paid a man to rehang all my pictures after the painting job (judge away) and he came a couple of weeks ago (stay with me, this is a bit relevant). He did an amazing job but never have I felt so judged for my very inadequate art collection (mostly a series of prints acquired in my 20s). He said family photos have their place but there was no point using his expensive time to hang them. I was inclined to agree. I hung them myself yesterday, on the landing in a spot a friend of mine once referred to as “shrine of revered ancestors”. It was a long and tedious job involving the ladder, several dusters, some unorthodox hanging techniques (ask me about thumb tacks) and windolene. I did not enjoy. As I was standing on the ladder, hammer in one hand, picture balanced precariously on the top step of the ladder, masonry nails between my teeth (big tip I got from picture hanging man is that to hang almost everything all you need is one short masonry nail) when sneezes began to rack my poor sickly body. I sneezed, I spat nails, the hammer fell, I twisted to save the picture from the same fate and somehow, I hurt my lower back making me incapable of bending for the rest of the day. It is still a bit sore today but better, thanks for asking.

Where, you ask, is the holiday content you came here for? Stay with me, it’s on the way.

Separation*


Posted in: Princess

We saw a lot of herself this summer. On Saturday we saw her off to London where she will be residing from now on. I have spent the past four years adapting to having a daughter who was in college in England. It feels somehow different to have a daughter who is living and working in London. I am glad for her and I hope she has a fantastic time with all her friends who live in London. And it could be much further away (and she might yet decamp to another continent; at least London is easy and quick to get to). But it is sad to see her go; another generation of emigrants in the family. My husband and I emigrated; my parents emigrated; my parents-in-law emigrated; and my grandparents emigrated; but, you know what? We all came back. Keep your fingers crossed that someday she will come home for good after lots of exciting adventures.

Le Crotoy 002 Untitled

*Separation by WS Merwin

Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle.
Everything I do is stitched with its color.

A Period of Unparalleled Hideousness Begins


Posted in: Dublin, Ireland, Twins

We’re getting the hall, stairs, landing and reception rooms downstairs repainted.

Work began on Monday. I have already agreed to buy a new carpet for the stairs and landing and to remove all the anaglypta (probably no loss). The idea is that the work will be completed while we are on holidays. Unfortunately, it started before our departure. The photos below do not at all convey the level of absolute chaos that prevails at home. I went to the bathroom in bare feet the other morning. A painful error.

The painting plan was set up before we realised that one child would not be on holidays but would be at home in Dublin preparing to resit an exam. My brother (agent of chaos) will also be staying in the house. Have we set up our child to fail? Well, we’re not exactly removing obstacles from the path, that’s for sure.

Anyway off on holidays to France now. Back in mid-September with tales from the holidays. Something for you to look forward to.

Sibling Content


Posted in: Cork, Ireland, Siblings

My brother was going to stay Sunday night as he was going to the Oasis gig but then cancelled as the tickets were too dear. I would say that most people had probably secured their tickets sometime in advance of the Friday before the gig. As the children say, “He’s not a tame uncle, you know.” He’s full of surprises. However, he met one of them for lunch recently and parted with €50 as well which was gratefully received by the indigent student fund trustees. Herself is scheduled to meet him in September when she returns from her extensive holidaying. She’s a regular dining companion. I can’t help being concerned that it may all beggar my brother.

My sister hasn’t been in Dublin for ages and the last time she was up it lashed rain and our only outing was a rather grim stroll around the block. However, we have been down to Cork for her not fifty yet party. I have to say, it was pretty good. She had a pizza van parked in the driveway; a magician; a children’s entertainer; and herself and Michael were scheduled to give a historical tour of the area but had to extemporize and give the talk inside instead because of the phenomenal rain which, arguably, follows her around. Still, a pretty impressive logistical feat. I contributed my mite by digging up baby pictures for her to hang up around the house. I think it’s fair to say that, notwithstanding the challenging climactic conditions, a good time was had by all.

It was the weekend of the all-Ireland hurling final and Cork were favourites to win. The city was festooned in flags. Consider this motorway bridge on the approach to the city.

SNOQ6265

On our drive back to Dublin, I said, “Will we listen to this hurling match on the radio?” I have literally never watched a full championship match in my life, let alone listened to one on the radio but my curiosity was piqued after our Cork flag experience.

GAA commentators are known for their quirky style so I was only mildly surprised to hear the commentator opening with the line, “Belinda Carlisle said ‘heaven is a place on earth’ and today she could be talking about Croke Park”. Anyway, to cut a long story short Cork were winning comfortably in the first half and then utterly collapsed in the second allowing Tipperary to win. It was such a collapse that it was noteworthy in all kind of ways. It spawned a series of headlines and none of them flattering to Cork. Apparently there is a phrase indicative of solid contentment in rural Tipp – “the hay saved and Cork bet”. Well they delivered on that on the day.

It was a bad day for the bookies; for the man who got “Cork All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions 2025” tattooed on his arm; and for the woman who decided that now might finally be a good time to take an interest in Gaelic games.

Why?


Posted in: Middle Child, Twins

Earlier in the summer my beloved middle child came home looking like the victim of a shark attack covered in abrasions from the all-weather surface very close to our house where there had been an impromptu basketball game. For added ouch factor each foot was covered in an extensive array of blisters. Apparently there was no grip on the old shoes but, gentle reader were there new shoes at home a 5 minute walk away? Yes there were. Was it better to play on all weather in socks for 3 hours? Apparently it was. My children are such a puzzle for me.

Life Imitates Art


Posted in: Ireland, Reading etc.

A friend told me this story recently about an older gentlemen (let us call him Mr. Murphy) he knows who is in his 80s. Mr. Murphy’s wife of 50 years died last year. At tea with my friend Mr. Murphy announced that he is getting married again later this year; to a woman to whom he was previously engaged 56 years ago. Mr. Murphy made her a ring from a silver shilling. She kept if for 56 years and now it’s her engagement ring. And, if this doesn’t remind you of this short story by William Trevor, it should.