tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11987714183923094112024-03-05T16:28:17.845-08:00My Own Little Womena mom, a dad,
and 4 not-so-little girlsDanaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.comBlogger1290125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-56797359841999518532023-04-19T17:07:00.001-07:002023-04-19T17:09:48.012-07:00The Last Day<p> We started Monday morning out slowly. We had to get our luggage in order to get through airport security and make sure our snacks were stowed away where we would be able to reach them easily during our flight. We also needed to make sure the Kindles were readily available and charged. Ryan and I went on a 45 minute walk along the road where we were staying. The speed limit was typical of country roads in Ireland- 80 km/h. That is 50 miles per hour. Can you imagine? Just a twisty little country road and the possibility of becoming roadkill. No big deal. People walk along these roads all the time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXkPFZscjgTJk9Z9eweVk5PNzzMiQrMlFrFjlYpStPy3o_oknbmaquqUkYvBJRc88WJr9Vqi7aO9lTopZcvx5FDbHlvEMuK-fNV81EThAVR8iiawhL-4f8gqJM63sHPvmCbEkrgUDi33aqIEMxzrdBeV3agVEPVSpZ5_LTLiN6a6laBFxBOADhhnyt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXkPFZscjgTJk9Z9eweVk5PNzzMiQrMlFrFjlYpStPy3o_oknbmaquqUkYvBJRc88WJr9Vqi7aO9lTopZcvx5FDbHlvEMuK-fNV81EThAVR8iiawhL-4f8gqJM63sHPvmCbEkrgUDi33aqIEMxzrdBeV3agVEPVSpZ5_LTLiN6a6laBFxBOADhhnyt=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids opted to stay and play outside. We were going to be stuck on an airplane for 9+ hours, and time outside is always good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhcwW5OirmLYFyszZKVieYwx4d7mASR6hWICeVQVDyorsDCf_uxj86-wOrmUgqiZhWBXSPZDqL0THazvPgA7whdnlSQkIIhpuNLuLCUHPEFDSBkyddLOBFR1SzriUk33lAXyzmf4R7vYL6AUXWb1fmPx2wmz8U1C78gKC3hw42na-z-vqqXEleqeWp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhcwW5OirmLYFyszZKVieYwx4d7mASR6hWICeVQVDyorsDCf_uxj86-wOrmUgqiZhWBXSPZDqL0THazvPgA7whdnlSQkIIhpuNLuLCUHPEFDSBkyddLOBFR1SzriUk33lAXyzmf4R7vYL6AUXWb1fmPx2wmz8U1C78gKC3hw42na-z-vqqXEleqeWp=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />Our flight wasn't scheduled to leave until 3:10 pm, so we took a little detour to see another crumbling tower house. One more ruin, just because.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVx3t_0RzJJDJa8FXLyz5jN7Sel9Jb_nowbYVOfccSHCXZkmsnzzJeT6bfoG-2eil78tVyVbZYUUqfCALuukzz4uI8DxNrjIez1iggm5LTfWtXeKCuLSS2lN_WESzhHup8EjY-zRWuNw9JnOYh9YTizMblaJuI9ITP7sxNtWnlKADM9EgEQXIPw0_s" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVx3t_0RzJJDJa8FXLyz5jN7Sel9Jb_nowbYVOfccSHCXZkmsnzzJeT6bfoG-2eil78tVyVbZYUUqfCALuukzz4uI8DxNrjIez1iggm5LTfWtXeKCuLSS2lN_WESzhHup8EjY-zRWuNw9JnOYh9YTizMblaJuI9ITP7sxNtWnlKADM9EgEQXIPw0_s=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXB7w3YC125HlDMWsvlM3P2SChHusB1Cznhocd861Qft752ycy-MhwhrHpeYDRkpWt9LMCLNaFMwr-3U6OhdCZK9daXPF56T-fHaW8ZhlsGUo9Dqv7rF9KAbhOjZG9DRlTybWS8-NrRSGeZ4n_LYxKDwDn9qLMV_MjiaOGIvZuwH0PxrKo9Qcz7mDl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXB7w3YC125HlDMWsvlM3P2SChHusB1Cznhocd861Qft752ycy-MhwhrHpeYDRkpWt9LMCLNaFMwr-3U6OhdCZK9daXPF56T-fHaW8ZhlsGUo9Dqv7rF9KAbhOjZG9DRlTybWS8-NrRSGeZ4n_LYxKDwDn9qLMV_MjiaOGIvZuwH0PxrKo9Qcz7mDl=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnmZvzIrnPDd1Ige9VTE9DMHyk8uvC0RIeOrtzZ4g5QJFh3UGSWp1vZydi8U_xYNlm4ICX67eHSm5HvM80GT1vIRySWazf9x8a03hj9CUJtQcUCZ_eiQ9vIk0vtHJhTSUSpuPJsM9qOfGD9siXIDtmb1z2nAeLviBKmOQ9hGrzEp_cK1W3DTh0Xc1R" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnmZvzIrnPDd1Ige9VTE9DMHyk8uvC0RIeOrtzZ4g5QJFh3UGSWp1vZydi8U_xYNlm4ICX67eHSm5HvM80GT1vIRySWazf9x8a03hj9CUJtQcUCZ_eiQ9vIk0vtHJhTSUSpuPJsM9qOfGD9siXIDtmb1z2nAeLviBKmOQ9hGrzEp_cK1W3DTh0Xc1R=w300-h400" width="300" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnmZvzIrnPDd1Ige9VTE9DMHyk8uvC0RIeOrtzZ4g5QJFh3UGSWp1vZydi8U_xYNlm4ICX67eHSm5HvM80GT1vIRySWazf9x8a03hj9CUJtQcUCZ_eiQ9vIk0vtHJhTSUSpuPJsM9qOfGD9siXIDtmb1z2nAeLviBKmOQ9hGrzEp_cK1W3DTh0Xc1R" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuAIc7dvfplchWPCtJKMwa0l-y6v0wzEkAvBVX5r9n1x6MKUOh84k34aWJ9dOz14Re4OQ1AHKXYj99gt9jevz4kVzsRoAuKhwE1-v9buUa8WH-5j1RF-RcCl3MJ-JHAxIO6CRRfXahT3w6TPZ28uFe-Jstt-pF57typGhHQpQsx3EzIxtRxyGgUIUK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuAIc7dvfplchWPCtJKMwa0l-y6v0wzEkAvBVX5r9n1x6MKUOh84k34aWJ9dOz14Re4OQ1AHKXYj99gt9jevz4kVzsRoAuKhwE1-v9buUa8WH-5j1RF-RcCl3MJ-JHAxIO6CRRfXahT3w6TPZ28uFe-Jstt-pF57typGhHQpQsx3EzIxtRxyGgUIUK=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>More crazy, narrow road driving. Where exactly is an oncoming car supposed to go??<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKO-_dNfQFGA0ivNc12iZRwnn5mpJTmPPzJIABLGOGGa9ffmMd4QkT089U4NZjI5PivORpneK4A4AZ4LGDTHModaWujWDZd7jmLEABn9ZseSGxyG59XvusdbRm8YSCfW3ViO-IrgA1afuNnS1dENV52eYCnIQcv2g5WNcbES3kQ5dLzGJDmgSspXH4=w400-h300" width="400" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then it was time to start the journey home. Just before entering Dublin, the clouds started dumping buckets of rain. That rain we planned for with our extra pairs of shoes and raincoats had finally made its appearance just in time for us to say goodbye. With Google Maps cheering us on one last time, Ryan wound his way to the rental car drop-off. We got a clean bill of health, grabbed our bags, and wedged ourselves into the shuttle van to the airport.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a nice long wait to check in our passports at Aer Lingus. Finally, we were checked in with our boarding passes, and then it was time for security. I like that we don't have to take off our shoes in Ireland. That done, we follow the signs to US customs and security. Oh, joy. Thankfully we were not required to do security again, but we did have to declare our family status as Americans. We were a kid sandwich, with Ryan first and me at the end. The customs lady asked where we had stayed while in Ireland as she handed me back my passport. It felt almost like an afterthought question. Like husbands can't remember stuff like that? So I rattled off our itinerary, and I was given a nod and we could go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had spent over an hour in lines. We wanted lunch before boarding! There was one little super overpriced sandwich and crisps shop near our gate. Our sandwiches cost more than our pub food lunch the day before. At least we were able to fill our bellies and use the "toilet" (not restroom) before boarding. Ryan thought the backrest was an interesting feature. The women's room had no such thing. Rude!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGJULll8AV2gWbpYJAj7qZFyv8RBJtDCX_LDb1NqaXK6Stbrm4FsrLt8aamQfBUj3Xg_wW6kkfSM2pO9pUNqEZC5eNxUabD8HUkOBnwmQCfD423vQM-CVcrUm-hNcj4LJF1AFHQ71gA-Pnn3vQJKkRa-A_PrPTXDIcRZm42W3TG8TMhZB-31LqSt4K" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGJULll8AV2gWbpYJAj7qZFyv8RBJtDCX_LDb1NqaXK6Stbrm4FsrLt8aamQfBUj3Xg_wW6kkfSM2pO9pUNqEZC5eNxUabD8HUkOBnwmQCfD423vQM-CVcrUm-hNcj4LJF1AFHQ71gA-Pnn3vQJKkRa-A_PrPTXDIcRZm42W3TG8TMhZB-31LqSt4K" width="180" /></a></div>Our seats were really close to the toilets on the airplane. I could lean over and touch the door if I wanted to. (I didn't.) It was super easy to go over and grab a tissue mid-flight. Once boarded, we sat for a good 40 minutes past take-off time. It turns out we were waiting for our food to arrive. But we had movies to entertain us, so that helped. It was about 4 pm in Dublin when we finally took off.<br /><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK4Q6mP9rtohCLrN8pzY_xtZ5iNGSGRoOTCA3SADCSkTULbSDUk27ofqkBrFNJT-ph3Gm3lJCwuSKVHhubjMO4RCPWoh939vlzqBVVnUZNIZA_RdIftYi6J_fGmZQP_NlFtX4vv-N2WfqdkhzYFDMPgxzroPYxzmLd-vM7C4xKfhWhMtl30JR9wbtE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK4Q6mP9rtohCLrN8pzY_xtZ5iNGSGRoOTCA3SADCSkTULbSDUk27ofqkBrFNJT-ph3Gm3lJCwuSKVHhubjMO4RCPWoh939vlzqBVVnUZNIZA_RdIftYi6J_fGmZQP_NlFtX4vv-N2WfqdkhzYFDMPgxzroPYxzmLd-vM7C4xKfhWhMtl30JR9wbtE" width="320" /></a></div>All of us Kannely girls were sitting in a row. Ryan just didn't get Maddie in the picture. Ryan sat just in front of Maddie. On the flight over, Ryan couldn't get any sound from his screen, so we shared my screen and headphones. On the way back, I settled in for the entire second season of Sanditon. No snarky comments from the peanut gallery, ahem my husband. But our flight was only half over, and it was still light outside. I switched to reading at that point. We were fed a lot on that flight. We had pretzel service. Dinner with dessert service. Ice cream service. A fancy version of a hot pocket- I think mine was tikka masala or some such. Plus drinks a few more times. We watched the airplane icon on my screen slowly, ever so slowly, crawl its way to Seattle. Maddie proudly says she watched 13 or 14 episodes of Psych on the way home. Elizabeth watched 5 movies. As we got closer, we heard the landing gear come out. A moment later there was a very loud noise, a bit of a shudder from the plane, and then an announcement over the PA about how to find your nearest exit.<div><br /></div><div>What the?!?!</div><div><br /></div><div>We were fine. Physically anyway. There were no more weird noises and we landed just fine.<br /><div><br /></div><div>We flew so long that it was Tuesday in Dublin when we landed, and when I was finally able to switch my phone off of airplane mode- we went back a day. And it was still light. And still had to drive 3 hours to get home. It was the day that almost never ended.<br /><br /></div></div><div>Ryan got us safely home. There was no relearning curve to driving on the right side of the road. We essentially left our bags at the front door, grabbed toothbrushes and chargers and went straight to bed. It was 9 pm Pacific time and we were dead, dead, dead. Hungry again, but too tired to do anything about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day was a school day. We were all awake early, but Elizabeth chose not to attend seminary. Ryan was at work super early and put in a full, long day, followed by high council meeting in Yakima. He didn't get home until about 10 pm. I was asleep before he got home. I think by Wednesday evening, Ryan had caught up on all of the work hours he missed Monday. I'm not sure what the point of officially taking the day off was. He more than made up for it last week. The girls went to school and looked like the zombies I felt myself to be Tuesday. Pushing through the jet-lag, sometimes you wonder why you did that to yourself. Looking through my pictures and reliving those experiences has reminded me- it was fun. We did enjoy it. It was totally worth it.</div>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-38572431877736069862023-04-19T14:43:00.004-07:002023-04-19T14:45:38.336-07:00Easter in Ireland<p> Confession: After listening to several talks in General Conference just the weekend before about the importance of keeping Easter Christ-centered..... well, we almost completely ignored all of that and absolutely did not keep the Sabbath day holy. Yes, I feel bad about it. We couldn't really brainstorm a way to to see everything we wanted to see and keep to our schedule without blowing off Sunday... Yes, total rationalization going on over here. </p><p>Moving on.</p><p>We drove down to Limerick to attend Sacrament meeting. Our choice was between going a half hour south, or 1.5 hours north to Galway for 10 am church. We opted to go south even though we wanted to see Galway later in the day. We'd been sight-seeing so fervently that we were wearing out. Besides, Limerick has a real church building, and Galway rents a space in a mini mall, next door to a gym. </p><p>The branch was friendly. They didn't have an Easter program like I was expecting. It was a simple testimony meeting with singing the two usual Easter hymns. It is times like that when I miss our ward at home. We do sing with gusto and volume, and that can be lacking in small branches. There was a gentleman who was curious about our family history (I guess only people with roots in Ireland generally visit??) and after sacrament meeting took us back to the family history room. It appears to be combined with the young women room with two computers set up for Family Search. Ryan couldn't get logged in to his church account, so I logged into mine to get into Family Search. I have enough of Ryan's genealogy attached to me that I could find the one ancestor everyone is stuck on, a Mr. Matthew Kannely that arrived in California just prior to the gold rush. The census says he was both born in Ireland and illiterate. (Not a great starting point to find ancestors prior to him.) After getting us all excited to maybe have our big break-- as our friendly Family History consultant saw the estimated date of birth, he looked at us and said, "Nope, there's nothing we can do." Record keeping was pretty spotty around 1830 and before. Boo. </p><p>I wanted to poke fun of our footwear, but in all seriousness these were not the only casual shoes in the building. Probably a quarter of the congregation was in the same shoe situation. I had insisted on bringing a second pair of shoes in case our regular ones got too wet in the Irish spring time weather. Then who wants to lug around a third pair when you are only bringing carry-on bags? I could have saved my worry because the weather was more than decent and we never soaked our shoes. The only day it poured rain was the day we were leaving Dublin to come home. We totally could have brough church shoes. Oh well.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMFhFfxCV6T8W0R6NLE6Q76QRYCyURBKCE6LE7qLbKDZEtf-MBSfwhx0PCB--ivl4cWqXWY6t4QMJpgE0D4ttmBk2I7F_wPyYko2XSrYAK2PWy2EQaev14PF31I_EilRmjeqjmX6O7FYA0nEJjIXnWBAc4fsybD4gTk5nvk0aonH-am-VjEO34n82C" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMFhFfxCV6T8W0R6NLE6Q76QRYCyURBKCE6LE7qLbKDZEtf-MBSfwhx0PCB--ivl4cWqXWY6t4QMJpgE0D4ttmBk2I7F_wPyYko2XSrYAK2PWy2EQaev14PF31I_EilRmjeqjmX6O7FYA0nEJjIXnWBAc4fsybD4gTk5nvk0aonH-am-VjEO34n82C=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aren't we classy?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We were all feeling worn out by this point. But we only had another 24 hours in Ireland and wanted to make the most of them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKGsmK46XO1O_qgiwzW5GOLwk-W_0WQ_p0o4HchBcAcJGQnUtqfiWFcuKuh74M1klOu2-PtnrKJrGUuJvVV_tGqtEWJP680_8l28LwleI2-s0oC75dt1wzHThR35EjVs1sJZ0CLUe2oeTpFEFhhWBeXjeOiuoBjzfPdsrYCkvzq26M8EvDvSi0L7cs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKGsmK46XO1O_qgiwzW5GOLwk-W_0WQ_p0o4HchBcAcJGQnUtqfiWFcuKuh74M1klOu2-PtnrKJrGUuJvVV_tGqtEWJP680_8l28LwleI2-s0oC75dt1wzHThR35EjVs1sJZ0CLUe2oeTpFEFhhWBeXjeOiuoBjzfPdsrYCkvzq26M8EvDvSi0L7cs=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">After church, we made the drive to Galway. We listened to the Follow Him podcast on the way. That was our last effort towards religiosity until the evening.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We parked our car in a parking garage, changed our clothes in the car, and started wandering. We were hungry and found a pub for lunch. It looked tiny, but just kept going. We walked past the bar part (which looks really cool) and over to the restaurant area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGFYarMX6pONA1sDh5l0V5wU9ykz1GN_RbH376uH6YDqykQNMKL_FUebZg_jevSEkWI0kWJoOTPiy7i7A9d79_xoPQqAeFx8BAZxfc0GUDIAqjy8-gjX4LtdzR6vqK56VclFSpGIvsAG0pJi9M2cK1CVN0Fwj6kwxXYUOX8ouJAkM8sBZGdkjQYWUq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGFYarMX6pONA1sDh5l0V5wU9ykz1GN_RbH376uH6YDqykQNMKL_FUebZg_jevSEkWI0kWJoOTPiy7i7A9d79_xoPQqAeFx8BAZxfc0GUDIAqjy8-gjX4LtdzR6vqK56VclFSpGIvsAG0pJi9M2cK1CVN0Fwj6kwxXYUOX8ouJAkM8sBZGdkjQYWUq=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div>This staircase was just behind us, where there was more seating upstairs. I'll say this for our food service experience in Ireland: they hustle! We always got our food fast, and we watched servers jog, if not run, up and down these stairs.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja3c0xnZq41VYUwUtSm0y5zia7LCAHmk9RWbnArDtvgwGcK5_M2fksryoojXd16Dmxc_CSUCQevlhzyg9Uortjhc5xsoEDuOI1e0KyhmxBjABzqUYlYE5UE73rS4hCl2ELU6O3_tzWqNDwF6ukdG0NxFIbwWsjn1qlHtdLnIqpSOZJ_gRwPYzDM6h8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja3c0xnZq41VYUwUtSm0y5zia7LCAHmk9RWbnArDtvgwGcK5_M2fksryoojXd16Dmxc_CSUCQevlhzyg9Uortjhc5xsoEDuOI1e0KyhmxBjABzqUYlYE5UE73rS4hCl2ELU6O3_tzWqNDwF6ukdG0NxFIbwWsjn1qlHtdLnIqpSOZJ_gRwPYzDM6h8=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And we are back to wandering the streets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWFnyYNtMBHJgL35kQNVmenvbzZY0ZeZvXYWLOJJZVS4F_Btm9EKHELNi22onw5At1pUkVV3ilfADxV1GaBsxdUEVDE63JRO8oKXDFbOLOS1ssdzzJfdHWGkulGtHl7mjBsfSwwm1pr9FlAvuInhgJxP-Hk_Ej14DM_16nl5eMNDHPvphwRp8Ns4Tv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWFnyYNtMBHJgL35kQNVmenvbzZY0ZeZvXYWLOJJZVS4F_Btm9EKHELNi22onw5At1pUkVV3ilfADxV1GaBsxdUEVDE63JRO8oKXDFbOLOS1ssdzzJfdHWGkulGtHl7mjBsfSwwm1pr9FlAvuInhgJxP-Hk_Ej14DM_16nl5eMNDHPvphwRp8Ns4Tv=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBR_A7FvQ7Wb0F9mjTiVLHPp2tI0iTJ9dIGyTWXi1W9zFuwxmRCrBoFduXAGc83wFfUTCt8lN72jgIVj83fenocFrd8lTrw_hDPOOcehZXzq6pHMbE3MWVNiTq9kZUad-editxHE-pvnXzdcGAvVVX5WhwkcCmA3kmIlHZ2mtXqUmCOq4g1QDmtDkj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBR_A7FvQ7Wb0F9mjTiVLHPp2tI0iTJ9dIGyTWXi1W9zFuwxmRCrBoFduXAGc83wFfUTCt8lN72jgIVj83fenocFrd8lTrw_hDPOOcehZXzq6pHMbE3MWVNiTq9kZUad-editxHE-pvnXzdcGAvVVX5WhwkcCmA3kmIlHZ2mtXqUmCOq4g1QDmtDkj=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpix8z4dqq7MlKCJHFOMvU13qGKTIgspD_LiTm3jesAoTgxngqRiW8_08sJERVW4DaqiXaIn1KxfF4ZylEZsvf7jRBqUDIt0YhhdWwl4T1of1i-iOlZ8wTZmupniYo-4f0Q9Z_HvPKYC1gZWLPHMeCx2cKblPuPs6v9k4m8WhByeoUw14bD-oq8Wvy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpix8z4dqq7MlKCJHFOMvU13qGKTIgspD_LiTm3jesAoTgxngqRiW8_08sJERVW4DaqiXaIn1KxfF4ZylEZsvf7jRBqUDIt0YhhdWwl4T1of1i-iOlZ8wTZmupniYo-4f0Q9Z_HvPKYC1gZWLPHMeCx2cKblPuPs6v9k4m8WhByeoUw14bD-oq8Wvy=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyl0xIYRQGmM27MgI-8O2ZxGzg3imdBzJFHbUEnpzs310lk5MQEwgIMEZrZjEAloffHdzC3kX2wIDo8KrTpXDoRC9pDiJagxqtHw9BoaW0hWYcY73KKkFix7pcj3nvT6sKXSpiyXYTfrOmbeAe5QHwROSFh7frF5cg-hfulDWIhTP2KOE_dRR5HP49" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyl0xIYRQGmM27MgI-8O2ZxGzg3imdBzJFHbUEnpzs310lk5MQEwgIMEZrZjEAloffHdzC3kX2wIDo8KrTpXDoRC9pDiJagxqtHw9BoaW0hWYcY73KKkFix7pcj3nvT6sKXSpiyXYTfrOmbeAe5QHwROSFh7frF5cg-hfulDWIhTP2KOE_dRR5HP49=w400-h300" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQF4anxOlw8mZTgeXNRwbYNRfbfvj4p0tBQ146kmmYctBELNoMaPuaYCtYQxLWbY70Xp5RTEbNFGLq2lvhPudV_bX2Y7PXyaY99pDKfOkbFfi12h7WT94dCQryXBOFTaTJAGRy4kty3J6NhfPyPwKa349TWU3XKRdINRkLZ-06EAhSgXfZaVYV5hDN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQF4anxOlw8mZTgeXNRwbYNRfbfvj4p0tBQ146kmmYctBELNoMaPuaYCtYQxLWbY70Xp5RTEbNFGLq2lvhPudV_bX2Y7PXyaY99pDKfOkbFfi12h7WT94dCQryXBOFTaTJAGRy4kty3J6NhfPyPwKa349TWU3XKRdINRkLZ-06EAhSgXfZaVYV5hDN=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div></div>We wandered around for an hour or more. About the time we were ready to head back to the car, we found a street performer. I wish I had written this guy's name down somewhere. He had a great voice, even if he wore crocs with his suit.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSan-nN5fGm_HxQbVrwA3fzIjR5dUoc_qMhtgl3_A6wJwSPvGQMaFQRpY_sOsP5YmJq77Z7NgahWU7AUlJ3KfE4RCYSAmAEC0q8g8nZVzg_i9-6PdnmKn-HCb8C3NWkQ8zEArVWD32QsLPiSu0l2xHqpigPph5m6KxMvisFnlnSlYnJGyR7za3Yc0f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSan-nN5fGm_HxQbVrwA3fzIjR5dUoc_qMhtgl3_A6wJwSPvGQMaFQRpY_sOsP5YmJq77Z7NgahWU7AUlJ3KfE4RCYSAmAEC0q8g8nZVzg_i9-6PdnmKn-HCb8C3NWkQ8zEArVWD32QsLPiSu0l2xHqpigPph5m6KxMvisFnlnSlYnJGyR7za3Yc0f" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Funny story: In between songs, he was working the crowd and asked what to me sounded like if they "loved their local Pope?" I thought that was an interesting question especially when he started in on a song about drinking at the bar. I started thinking back on his question and realized he had asked if they had a favorite, local PUB that they liked. There were a few instances where I incorrectly interpreted accents, but this one was my favorite. I wasn't alone though, because Ryan asked me at the end of the song what that had to do with a Pope? I was able help by then.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Our last Airbnb was about an hour west of Dublin, so it was back in the car for another drive. This host was super sweet and had a whole Easter centerpiece on our table, knowing that we were traveling with our kids. The girls gratefully scarfed down the chocolate in honor of the special day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNxveFhRvRtAcD5T1Ip7_ZX2_VKf4Gk6pDbaSriX0QfJmbL3kkN7DpAatUrUuwy7y8cO70jcn8k39yIo1Z69PwC26aOIhVlz2F5pTqkeysnOCb6bLncCzzrM6K6JOU2lMDl0cgINIoftALhwOS5RYLjDwcOGOGJSl6KIyNLo44sM8H-fvkZK2RE62Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNxveFhRvRtAcD5T1Ip7_ZX2_VKf4Gk6pDbaSriX0QfJmbL3kkN7DpAatUrUuwy7y8cO70jcn8k39yIo1Z69PwC26aOIhVlz2F5pTqkeysnOCb6bLncCzzrM6K6JOU2lMDl0cgINIoftALhwOS5RYLjDwcOGOGJSl6KIyNLo44sM8H-fvkZK2RE62Q" width="180" /></a></div></div><br /><p></p>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-73086706276331039852023-04-16T20:52:00.003-07:002023-04-19T17:16:24.260-07:00Ireland Day 5<p> This was our longest sightseeing day. We started the day at Bunratty Castle. Rick Steves' Guidebook didn't have high praise for this attraction, but Ryan and I enjoyed it the first time around. So we brought the girls this time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSwj9miM-SZDa7pyA7F1sLIM_PcuLlIGL0x7ZNRUPpzfXI-oAWGdWPKbeVLsAIWjWsBzGrrhX_iJKbaG9z6cSD7kZW-GHbnIzna3QzxbfwHVSuDj3ZAnxV6O47Brd8rvdH3BsnnsuDlQOnVh-xX9GSJWs1EI7pZL5BZz-11Dlr9cZFgK8PIbw9eN2X" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSwj9miM-SZDa7pyA7F1sLIM_PcuLlIGL0x7ZNRUPpzfXI-oAWGdWPKbeVLsAIWjWsBzGrrhX_iJKbaG9z6cSD7kZW-GHbnIzna3QzxbfwHVSuDj3ZAnxV6O47Brd8rvdH3BsnnsuDlQOnVh-xX9GSJWs1EI7pZL5BZz-11Dlr9cZFgK8PIbw9eN2X=w312-h400" width="312" /></a></div><p></p><p>Down to the dungeon!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNApQ9Vzvqrr8gpy0-uc5Zh31SbYfd_nDqni2jtaBFL5EJTF1dTCElSjC0YiUXlMMhti3rQ5AsyyUAYQcScZniALqaavZid9Ksyp2ZV-YcDjLYPF6zZ2qDzIoaz69kZOToMzVr6i6RF0HFA31GG-nAAzcOqAmsm1mVCY44i4QdJcD9FyT4XNF0UpO7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNApQ9Vzvqrr8gpy0-uc5Zh31SbYfd_nDqni2jtaBFL5EJTF1dTCElSjC0YiUXlMMhti3rQ5AsyyUAYQcScZniALqaavZid9Ksyp2ZV-YcDjLYPF6zZ2qDzIoaz69kZOToMzVr6i6RF0HFA31GG-nAAzcOqAmsm1mVCY44i4QdJcD9FyT4XNF0UpO7=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Great Hall in the middle of the castle.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3bGoUF0skCcPqMrGSdMepWgGrT5PcWciC0-l6ac2wpqmkIb9aUg89O85I7z_7xxhPsSUl_9xOAp7t7l6bc3b6cCaXz3maicUMdbufyvoZp1biGzv_rJROsvqt8xfQxwO1FlfN2JWjJlFVLhb07ela48PLLiqi2p36cAWHmFd1G9Jh2VmkZ1UPC8AO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3bGoUF0skCcPqMrGSdMepWgGrT5PcWciC0-l6ac2wpqmkIb9aUg89O85I7z_7xxhPsSUl_9xOAp7t7l6bc3b6cCaXz3maicUMdbufyvoZp1biGzv_rJROsvqt8xfQxwO1FlfN2JWjJlFVLhb07ela48PLLiqi2p36cAWHmFd1G9Jh2VmkZ1UPC8AO=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div></div>Each of the corners of the castle holds a spiraling staircase of uneven stairs.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPMGwx_1ophs8QWCxIVK2xLm1Uk9ANRdkgb3inObwSEKbiBk7TRcRixgI-XNJt1YYT9E_Po1Op5hski1dvR2taHhuVbbgLWKwYFT0yzOJwYcMFBrux8cC2B0pH3wzpT1vfV5ZwzfQbE3akDh2QnyGmhFy0E626-7GNsR2n576SbUWwvztro3cpUmQ8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPMGwx_1ophs8QWCxIVK2xLm1Uk9ANRdkgb3inObwSEKbiBk7TRcRixgI-XNJt1YYT9E_Po1Op5hski1dvR2taHhuVbbgLWKwYFT0yzOJwYcMFBrux8cC2B0pH3wzpT1vfV5ZwzfQbE3akDh2QnyGmhFy0E626-7GNsR2n576SbUWwvztro3cpUmQ8=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We got to climb out on the roof and look over the landscape.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNmQJ_OKCxDa1DMv9dNL36R9_HEd4e-ZEEW8tWBSrmlJt_E_PuvtRFEjTyYTqm7B7OvG6tCX_KaVF_wqYxmPtxnBe3x4LE_l40sH8YJDwWL05nUU-qetO6mOEwvhac6rBDJOazYK0cDCMIzqeA7Y15fPXp045htTuxK4iEKlzAHb3x7JBxVlFBzgyD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNmQJ_OKCxDa1DMv9dNL36R9_HEd4e-ZEEW8tWBSrmlJt_E_PuvtRFEjTyYTqm7B7OvG6tCX_KaVF_wqYxmPtxnBe3x4LE_l40sH8YJDwWL05nUU-qetO6mOEwvhac6rBDJOazYK0cDCMIzqeA7Y15fPXp045htTuxK4iEKlzAHb3x7JBxVlFBzgyD=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And get buffeted by the wind.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6jVVEWSh35XHemg1gfRxqTKyomMdiDOSr7NfEjtaE7oAh3ndlfZPflJK-ljL2E_ybTFuz4TPrEbSL4Ra8xurmJ3zY5QdajMDi8sSC0smmEQZsv4hCwgjhAcQhLU1VlqNmmihjltmWjVIlc4FSSyVUMGxApXqmugcx9suNFCFN4BgFFEdgzTCeNTxe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6jVVEWSh35XHemg1gfRxqTKyomMdiDOSr7NfEjtaE7oAh3ndlfZPflJK-ljL2E_ybTFuz4TPrEbSL4Ra8xurmJ3zY5QdajMDi8sSC0smmEQZsv4hCwgjhAcQhLU1VlqNmmihjltmWjVIlc4FSSyVUMGxApXqmugcx9suNFCFN4BgFFEdgzTCeNTxe=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG4NzBf36kQ1JbMkv56u9L25lEdoWN1g7_qjlei1Z84wAg0wmd2Io1_7mXxawhkIlmaauCQ6tjFc_lUFmKe115AHp3M4nJHzf1CUpdTRu3yc1fbgNpl-kRdXUQuJ_Y-ZTB0GN90m4t3dfZqHdevb8WApPncKu9Z9Cn_OYZccV_0e0hRBpW7wob0z5T" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG4NzBf36kQ1JbMkv56u9L25lEdoWN1g7_qjlei1Z84wAg0wmd2Io1_7mXxawhkIlmaauCQ6tjFc_lUFmKe115AHp3M4nJHzf1CUpdTRu3yc1fbgNpl-kRdXUQuJ_Y-ZTB0GN90m4t3dfZqHdevb8WApPncKu9Z9Cn_OYZccV_0e0hRBpW7wob0z5T=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />Outside of the castle, there was a whole village of sample dwellings. They range from the super poor with dirt floors to a nice manor house. There is a tiny church, a village street of old time-y businesses, a schoolhouse, a formal garden, etc., etc. I didn't really take pictures of those.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJmZaX-rW5Ie5uuG2LolqBBJCVFvtny9QB_a71j5jvnMPmddgP9CH8PbkFN07OQKJANu0srHk4UiQQTdxobPwy5-YUNj6Xbf8erOyBlaPa7NiXNH3e-bJnb0bD9tq0cmAIriDGEqbeWyijT5FmENZSepEKs3afcp4f1nSPp0xceiWvo2mA1wlXljmz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJmZaX-rW5Ie5uuG2LolqBBJCVFvtny9QB_a71j5jvnMPmddgP9CH8PbkFN07OQKJANu0srHk4UiQQTdxobPwy5-YUNj6Xbf8erOyBlaPa7NiXNH3e-bJnb0bD9tq0cmAIriDGEqbeWyijT5FmENZSepEKs3afcp4f1nSPp0xceiWvo2mA1wlXljmz=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>Just this wooded path and the Mill House.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimcwVwgn9WC0EKdVvRd6Jcph_lwcICrg8YLVa1eu5RPp2A2PzUImypKs1j5a6kOWeevyROf76jg-Cx-eDOhaJvxbCo2lvEgJhhRXNqarWMB0p7qVTYJGv5tcFERqkSvtJaPOpOqMPVIb2ACRauiS5SqNSE1aNxnJccX2WCCXJx3EYA8b42V3sWU_HI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimcwVwgn9WC0EKdVvRd6Jcph_lwcICrg8YLVa1eu5RPp2A2PzUImypKs1j5a6kOWeevyROf76jg-Cx-eDOhaJvxbCo2lvEgJhhRXNqarWMB0p7qVTYJGv5tcFERqkSvtJaPOpOqMPVIb2ACRauiS5SqNSE1aNxnJccX2WCCXJx3EYA8b42V3sWU_HI=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was in the Bunratty village that we found another Irish storyteller willing to wax eloquent on many topics. When he found out that Ryan and I are not beer drinkers, he gave us a plan for how to work up to 5 pints of Guinness a day while we were in Ireland because it is "both food and drink." You start out with a half pint a day, and before you know it, you can hit your 5 pints. Or not, in our case.</div><br />After we were done and in the car, I couldn't help but notice a mom with a toddler having a meltdown. I can't say I have let my child roll around screaming in a parking lot, but hey, we've all been there. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmSqQyFcuPD1H7huPFZ9MHohPeeIOEUeeeuc4P6ZQ_2VOKZn95GnaihtOyuwYK2YDAQIxZsjuTYvS-B5BEQeL-CTYdHjC3s3qjtRUnLIPpprHJyW1BuObRMkbt68SvbiClaOqKbWAX2y7igJKmtLuqBG4ZsLNVQyY63GU_Q4QNSTypnrPnZ7WjvMTS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmSqQyFcuPD1H7huPFZ9MHohPeeIOEUeeeuc4P6ZQ_2VOKZn95GnaihtOyuwYK2YDAQIxZsjuTYvS-B5BEQeL-CTYdHjC3s3qjtRUnLIPpprHJyW1BuObRMkbt68SvbiClaOqKbWAX2y7igJKmtLuqBG4ZsLNVQyY63GU_Q4QNSTypnrPnZ7WjvMTS" width="180" /></a></div><br />Lunch time. Once I spotted a table at the restaurant that was big enough for the 5 of us, I draped coats over the chairs and waited for my family to place their orders and come sit with me. That meant that Ryan chose the side salads for my panini. The carrot salad was... pickled? Just vinegar-y? Definitely on the savory side. The carrot salads I have had in the past have been sweet, so it was definitely a surprise. And the sprout salad didn't have dressing. :( Good thing the sandwich was tasty.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUrQ7SkMVLibj5f71Jz0Yy9mVPSfTzTCH_R-1WaNEZxyuApEWzUYXetuNwfsgoypujfcjSStmvjllcVm0vzIbA3MYZQRDFehlClUi0Am0FmeJZhmrbyLzP6vDWLnhCiA454JIO1X_vwTMprhS1aAYWn_aM0__1jXZm5OaIvkahQN1jG4x62dv6F5dQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUrQ7SkMVLibj5f71Jz0Yy9mVPSfTzTCH_R-1WaNEZxyuApEWzUYXetuNwfsgoypujfcjSStmvjllcVm0vzIbA3MYZQRDFehlClUi0Am0FmeJZhmrbyLzP6vDWLnhCiA454JIO1X_vwTMprhS1aAYWn_aM0__1jXZm5OaIvkahQN1jG4x62dv6F5dQ" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we drove out to the coast. Instead of going straight to the Cliffs of Moher visitor's center, we drove out to Hag's Head for a different perspective.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuIknvXFq4FgezQalLKVho7Ger_JW7CnXeBxPloFfCQ7u69ugL9yFBitii6pwQtiu-2RZV-3yl0gDiQcLmdSgfZR4jeqaY6XBGFXIwrxcPrx7gne1pHb7P23T3ji4TGQknuTHW4JIqvLL1j7v9kS7er1mFtNlpyRaxvZBBvDs0Jijo2sQ7NpCHeP9p" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuIknvXFq4FgezQalLKVho7Ger_JW7CnXeBxPloFfCQ7u69ugL9yFBitii6pwQtiu-2RZV-3yl0gDiQcLmdSgfZR4jeqaY6XBGFXIwrxcPrx7gne1pHb7P23T3ji4TGQknuTHW4JIqvLL1j7v9kS7er1mFtNlpyRaxvZBBvDs0Jijo2sQ7NpCHeP9p=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKAF3vv5JtCfwhFHL3I0SHqhmrByn8BNYFk0ClhUMgLBdKiYjmO3utr3mwW641AD_eMbueJUZteBRuhiKixbObaI1eon8U1hkiqY9drUrmkCHS7Ynn9kfrB4lTxQhvx-FhHc8upDV_iyWFD7Iwicg_ADYELiIlHGu1q6ES-dG1uXVKXPq_oBF0oTy2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKAF3vv5JtCfwhFHL3I0SHqhmrByn8BNYFk0ClhUMgLBdKiYjmO3utr3mwW641AD_eMbueJUZteBRuhiKixbObaI1eon8U1hkiqY9drUrmkCHS7Ynn9kfrB4lTxQhvx-FhHc8upDV_iyWFD7Iwicg_ADYELiIlHGu1q6ES-dG1uXVKXPq_oBF0oTy2=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>It was much less busy here and had some great views.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIEQbH7c2lbSiJg_94rEAI0fk80ojtLCgFY3HCFexdA2a8HxsPMjW8lRR4iZr4HiPw5Nogp1mCdjPhEPZbm1l8PwdCPJAqnZz0ZzWNP-Ev5KV64SNTb9FSQ5VjfoF6wcf6ZJmKuui4Wz4coOSsj79XRXKYfuCrn55Ghqd9Oj6f_NERUjdaCuhju66w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIEQbH7c2lbSiJg_94rEAI0fk80ojtLCgFY3HCFexdA2a8HxsPMjW8lRR4iZr4HiPw5Nogp1mCdjPhEPZbm1l8PwdCPJAqnZz0ZzWNP-Ev5KV64SNTb9FSQ5VjfoF6wcf6ZJmKuui4Wz4coOSsj79XRXKYfuCrn55Ghqd9Oj6f_NERUjdaCuhju66w=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />It was very windy. You had to be careful because a big gust could really knock you off balance. This would be a concern with 700-foot cliffs nearby.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ2P7p4q2PNLz7FM4oRI_WRg1XI-f14DhMiCZzHE6EeV3MNc2_QLm_Kyhr2we6221MERG9L4xznKYXeu-jOu2DG1BtvPiWnwLydgKWVRtjeCHAs-p5etX5TeTrshQRXF8iMe6n04C1MEiWUx1tid3UNicfxSBsAvjm-UI30tlNLTFJq_pFgYTpOXLQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ2P7p4q2PNLz7FM4oRI_WRg1XI-f14DhMiCZzHE6EeV3MNc2_QLm_Kyhr2we6221MERG9L4xznKYXeu-jOu2DG1BtvPiWnwLydgKWVRtjeCHAs-p5etX5TeTrshQRXF8iMe6n04C1MEiWUx1tid3UNicfxSBsAvjm-UI30tlNLTFJq_pFgYTpOXLQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOdApwHbSAcCFLieApBondKXxrlwD0uwn-UUdjF5VJL4MDSG_IX1PNSC9DZFcZtFQFq4tUetedNr-vlshCsYBnzSAkwc1Ax6eLmNdzhiQO0YU0J3ZBctO01gVShGqRUR5TbKtKj7MGEnlBYCGlSZX6lqsHRrrylyHcwGDAwo6QKDzpS9R4cMJ49UR2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOdApwHbSAcCFLieApBondKXxrlwD0uwn-UUdjF5VJL4MDSG_IX1PNSC9DZFcZtFQFq4tUetedNr-vlshCsYBnzSAkwc1Ax6eLmNdzhiQO0YU0J3ZBctO01gVShGqRUR5TbKtKj7MGEnlBYCGlSZX6lqsHRrrylyHcwGDAwo6QKDzpS9R4cMJ49UR2=w300-h400" width="300" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOdApwHbSAcCFLieApBondKXxrlwD0uwn-UUdjF5VJL4MDSG_IX1PNSC9DZFcZtFQFq4tUetedNr-vlshCsYBnzSAkwc1Ax6eLmNdzhiQO0YU0J3ZBctO01gVShGqRUR5TbKtKj7MGEnlBYCGlSZX6lqsHRrrylyHcwGDAwo6QKDzpS9R4cMJ49UR2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRgYcvWDP4kS9SS037GXj63eoQoqSlDgql2fb7Q_Qh9tKYT8RicV0B6ZF8UZMZHI8fzsUOBqcqxSaT83ZGrQsAxnVd8AznZy-fjArjQv3tOy44LrFX0jpWj-e40_d61W27tf19P4u82dirygjQnd2u6_nN0tXC2lT5oichYW2HImWP_M22zu9qRuWR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRgYcvWDP4kS9SS037GXj63eoQoqSlDgql2fb7Q_Qh9tKYT8RicV0B6ZF8UZMZHI8fzsUOBqcqxSaT83ZGrQsAxnVd8AznZy-fjArjQv3tOy44LrFX0jpWj-e40_d61W27tf19P4u82dirygjQnd2u6_nN0tXC2lT5oichYW2HImWP_M22zu9qRuWR=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Then we drove to the "real" Cliffs of Moher. We didn't go into the visitor's center though.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9Y86GphGbJxzhUhPhJi4iFFrZADNMuctnJcRohSVe96Ul4Ma5EsWgxsznER-_H-U3QxRGQnd-KvHbdcV4xpEbYpMBQmcsy-GCet0RebKY_UBgiH0IPWE0ggbwJEr8aZlv2H6SmusQbyRGnEA8JRD_OK4j5v5NEQ566_83EjSWAB9DtJ8KgfdB8TNj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9Y86GphGbJxzhUhPhJi4iFFrZADNMuctnJcRohSVe96Ul4Ma5EsWgxsznER-_H-U3QxRGQnd-KvHbdcV4xpEbYpMBQmcsy-GCet0RebKY_UBgiH0IPWE0ggbwJEr8aZlv2H6SmusQbyRGnEA8JRD_OK4j5v5NEQ566_83EjSWAB9DtJ8KgfdB8TNj=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>I had to climb over the fence to get this photo:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyLHXOJDg45B1Wd4UqSUTOvvYygGwUmwoqVxuBaI8fA5_ynQV_aybsCFmA1KrIeYI9KQSJ8zHrhuzUZcb-d5uP-t5iw2nouiCffLK_GvPEgQ_mhy1pxnr6QWjOSz-iqqo7teMCRCsE_RN8WxqpZNfzDyz8q7uaOevvd5Y2cJ95cg3Rgf4LCvTw1KIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyLHXOJDg45B1Wd4UqSUTOvvYygGwUmwoqVxuBaI8fA5_ynQV_aybsCFmA1KrIeYI9KQSJ8zHrhuzUZcb-d5uP-t5iw2nouiCffLK_GvPEgQ_mhy1pxnr6QWjOSz-iqqo7teMCRCsE_RN8WxqpZNfzDyz8q7uaOevvd5Y2cJ95cg3Rgf4LCvTw1KIC=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />The rock wall below is new from our last visit. But I got a similar shot to the above photo last time, and I was going to do it again. Ryan had really built this story up for the kids. Apparently, I was risking life and limb and practically hanging over the edge of the cliff, blah, blah, blah, and Ryan thought I was going to fall to my death and he'd have to bring home a new wife. I had to prove that it wasn't as bad as all that, but of course, there was this rock fence in the way... Proving Ryan's point that I was being foolish and dangerous. Oh well. Watch Mom living on the edge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQKmNOJxuGs9s8FpLFaSw28g6z0rBD0NfJKU61-GEKUW_CiJTPYIDKvyoRxE2LPfsQsTKos9TcuHTruPSKpY8sf6xTnB9j2N7DO8Km0hXWKAgGOcT0pO_0FrHa9agDKqY8dO2QbA0CwvO079SLj428f5TzSU5lcZiGzywAl5ptwILJoWzspTY0JvRR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQKmNOJxuGs9s8FpLFaSw28g6z0rBD0NfJKU61-GEKUW_CiJTPYIDKvyoRxE2LPfsQsTKos9TcuHTruPSKpY8sf6xTnB9j2N7DO8Km0hXWKAgGOcT0pO_0FrHa9agDKqY8dO2QbA0CwvO079SLj428f5TzSU5lcZiGzywAl5ptwILJoWzspTY0JvRR=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-9c56P54UUb7WJozw0G-d52ALz0QMfxTxUHlEwADCrriINobQQzwKbhM3QMnx32wfXIY7imBIKu16cEj4MpvFBNxpKn9_X7c5QXBTwHQuocwIAhLSzYtw1vJ8D1Prdex55p2BSSBUM3N7tvir64PinPIUBFGDgOXaWR7ndI3_6ohGUVIJ6U7bJpy9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-9c56P54UUb7WJozw0G-d52ALz0QMfxTxUHlEwADCrriINobQQzwKbhM3QMnx32wfXIY7imBIKu16cEj4MpvFBNxpKn9_X7c5QXBTwHQuocwIAhLSzYtw1vJ8D1Prdex55p2BSSBUM3N7tvir64PinPIUBFGDgOXaWR7ndI3_6ohGUVIJ6U7bJpy9=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2GSQi-v8BWD86OGXkEKUcOz79Tl9Nk7gTRn8L-AWYpIjYN5rRzb-60aA6h5WlmKwLqVqIw1u4Qriii3lfE4Mi2QDEAhj2bcv9frXQalATz8ZLqLN9Nw1QdIj6oroCXZFXPcQO_-ORtliepx-GD0w1jZUueZvlSMR_YLoV7obmRQNQx50TaKg_rfYL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="470" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2GSQi-v8BWD86OGXkEKUcOz79Tl9Nk7gTRn8L-AWYpIjYN5rRzb-60aA6h5WlmKwLqVqIw1u4Qriii3lfE4Mi2QDEAhj2bcv9frXQalATz8ZLqLN9Nw1QdIj6oroCXZFXPcQO_-ORtliepx-GD0w1jZUueZvlSMR_YLoV7obmRQNQx50TaKg_rfYL=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />This path is way nicer than the tiny, uneven trail that we walked last time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiDvWytT301jpPhlO-R-g2DpKPduVUUSy5jLgRKjnUew8KxhxpCVwJgXTLFgq0F5UgQSPtw4ElRgwBlMy5Gr9HC0sgqG89sss9ZPHAe93ScRl0vKbiplobLC1u1xyHV_3RhomX7eclksuyR3d9ozsDl7pZpK0xQkHXnoevqRjEH655sTI388jF82fW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiDvWytT301jpPhlO-R-g2DpKPduVUUSy5jLgRKjnUew8KxhxpCVwJgXTLFgq0F5UgQSPtw4ElRgwBlMy5Gr9HC0sgqG89sss9ZPHAe93ScRl0vKbiplobLC1u1xyHV_3RhomX7eclksuyR3d9ozsDl7pZpK0xQkHXnoevqRjEH655sTI388jF82fW=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOqSWDnGHauWiLpSxUUZ3EclWgT3cpW1Qm2KzhdjkawimtZl5YCYLo6YbT-FKTrnZi2LZlJKO4R5DUSStX_LOH6aSVLiIAGfyAHWZxkTg6IAgZNIP0ZK8ujOkAORFGulVp9cAjT5F7JBuc3ZEm-LshGYIvwJNIcGytZCkEomcA7qpET_5sjldelQvJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOqSWDnGHauWiLpSxUUZ3EclWgT3cpW1Qm2KzhdjkawimtZl5YCYLo6YbT-FKTrnZi2LZlJKO4R5DUSStX_LOH6aSVLiIAGfyAHWZxkTg6IAgZNIP0ZK8ujOkAORFGulVp9cAjT5F7JBuc3ZEm-LshGYIvwJNIcGytZCkEomcA7qpET_5sjldelQvJ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYm63CSDODKUtIZLQfTgzuEfFZp0ttq0VJ20w9FGuN2r11O-Yj_0Ta49FrGkll-v6rkbVCT9uqG5f1XKv6xiiAdHt59EhXQXEum3dtLPLk3_yk2vyxt0fT_Md0fmNqkCEedTWdQksJ1kyXU90noX3xAjR4ORQPm06p166B20ntQUCGgk_kxsWUSI0P" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYm63CSDODKUtIZLQfTgzuEfFZp0ttq0VJ20w9FGuN2r11O-Yj_0Ta49FrGkll-v6rkbVCT9uqG5f1XKv6xiiAdHt59EhXQXEum3dtLPLk3_yk2vyxt0fT_Md0fmNqkCEedTWdQksJ1kyXU90noX3xAjR4ORQPm06p166B20ntQUCGgk_kxsWUSI0P=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since we were near the Burren, we had to see the Poulnabrone Dolmen before calling it a day.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2-0FX8ALTFzWzDhNgyjXCWRpDBrV7mWxRKbqOiRsNI-PdfRiZ8KEnJlYJ4FcYghJJkDwl76a81wucXO5rGMu1YSvzvPLSWer0JMDzH21nyTApDPhuMTSmTA8dtBLP1VYk4OwQWLad5MN0LEjAi2Z4VCl6_nQbf7gL34yEWfqPR8yP24gkO6fkxEy6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2-0FX8ALTFzWzDhNgyjXCWRpDBrV7mWxRKbqOiRsNI-PdfRiZ8KEnJlYJ4FcYghJJkDwl76a81wucXO5rGMu1YSvzvPLSWer0JMDzH21nyTApDPhuMTSmTA8dtBLP1VYk4OwQWLad5MN0LEjAi2Z4VCl6_nQbf7gL34yEWfqPR8yP24gkO6fkxEy6=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvt747EvX_TyPBw4Ujs3R0Pk4106H5RTn-36JlRl-DZgkwVlPwgN0-66TA7qnMzSKmiTFoLN2KBP9Lp7-ikdXQWNAVJle_yxu9QzHP9UY05FSTqpGUCZ0VQsIcevnkwqhObB_1I7w8SzDV-2nT7diL_AY_9jkbu1IxuhrR9-SWaHdSDkzh03_v0Uqu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvt747EvX_TyPBw4Ujs3R0Pk4106H5RTn-36JlRl-DZgkwVlPwgN0-66TA7qnMzSKmiTFoLN2KBP9Lp7-ikdXQWNAVJle_yxu9QzHP9UY05FSTqpGUCZ0VQsIcevnkwqhObB_1I7w8SzDV-2nT7diL_AY_9jkbu1IxuhrR9-SWaHdSDkzh03_v0Uqu=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>We stopped at a little pub for dinner finally around 8 pm. This was a dog-friendly place and there were many dogs sitting or wandering around. This dog made himself comfortable under our table. We must have looked like we would drop food. The pub was getting ready for live music while we were eating. They carried out the tables, chairs, and a couch to get ready for the large crowds coming for.... wait for it... a rock concert. That's not what I was expecting. We had a friendly, inebriated man strike up a conversation with us while we were waiting for our food. He had fond feelings for Americans and was excited that Joe Biden was coming to Ireland the following week. He remembered when the Clintons made a trip to Ireland and got teary-eyed thinking about it. We figured it would be best to continue on before the crowds grew and things got even more interesting.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV2XzSZbyuZ2H7l73x3E9TCXqwFGp7ud8teOihCtr3Yahrj9eKuwM2DOi8lnXC37laB5FRsbaoHs9OpqcwhhAINcdXAbWAYmSD6EwCY1KqDn0x-5rNwDYeMlzXu4-Ng53Aez5GR5IGvC72dksFkLFde-Im2OTbHRyWb69g3V3Sy_S2zfOyF7urZ9Rm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV2XzSZbyuZ2H7l73x3E9TCXqwFGp7ud8teOihCtr3Yahrj9eKuwM2DOi8lnXC37laB5FRsbaoHs9OpqcwhhAINcdXAbWAYmSD6EwCY1KqDn0x-5rNwDYeMlzXu4-Ng53Aez5GR5IGvC72dksFkLFde-Im2OTbHRyWb69g3V3Sy_S2zfOyF7urZ9Rm" width="320" /></a></div><br />We didn't get back to our Airbnb until pretty late. This was the evening I spent washing dirty underwear in the sink. For some strange reason, no one else wanted that privileged job. <br /></div><p></p>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-89256185847001387902023-04-16T17:21:00.002-07:002023-04-19T17:18:56.324-07:00Ireland Day 4- Killarney<p> We were up and on our way early once again. It was a short drive to Killarney National Park and Ross Castle, and we were there before Ross Castle was open. So we wandered a little before being let in. Ryan is always a fan of cannons.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYa3xSUwDeTRPBzUANUARMhOf0N-crbUjgHVgdSufDDVBis18-2v2O_lRaN9hQvg8KrVVEm55Ny6JetTG8UK10FU5ltQAPNVMaH3srp0yDlLdJkNMPzK2FgISn05pPaKwRb9hd5HAvVjKpwA2ULyFXII-D3l8g3VPv5yQulMjgkPTDtxHsSbEzbb9W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYa3xSUwDeTRPBzUANUARMhOf0N-crbUjgHVgdSufDDVBis18-2v2O_lRaN9hQvg8KrVVEm55Ny6JetTG8UK10FU5ltQAPNVMaH3srp0yDlLdJkNMPzK2FgISn05pPaKwRb9hd5HAvVjKpwA2ULyFXII-D3l8g3VPv5yQulMjgkPTDtxHsSbEzbb9W=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our tour group was made of entirely Americans. No one is allowed to take pictures of Ross Castle while touring, but I snuck this one below. This medieval toilet was large enough for a couple of people to use at a time. It was a glorified hole that human waste would fall? slide? into a cesspit. That cesspit didn't go outside of the castle like a person might expect. It sat there, fuming ammonium gas into the castle. Blech. There is now a metal grate blocking the hole-- to discourage tourists from using it? Ryan was still tempted to have a go.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbc34Y8Q0cHifbOFK7imJqDvRbBuFZu8N8vyFaa4EnBmD4JhPziOeLkgcw98O5J44_QUgaPjgqgIhD8k6q7d_eRin4HDAKWVqaY8oS1jMvjT4pk5t7Rnje8ZcPNVsPWheGOLW_bVzY0RcyfjVwWr1yrmnlanNbiD2BN0myBUEdPnQWxRoQg2loLkf_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbc34Y8Q0cHifbOFK7imJqDvRbBuFZu8N8vyFaa4EnBmD4JhPziOeLkgcw98O5J44_QUgaPjgqgIhD8k6q7d_eRin4HDAKWVqaY8oS1jMvjT4pk5t7Rnje8ZcPNVsPWheGOLW_bVzY0RcyfjVwWr1yrmnlanNbiD2BN0myBUEdPnQWxRoQg2loLkf_=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also, we learned that a door threshold literally was made to keep a couple of inches of straw inside of a room. The straw could be used to insulate, give a little cushion, and could be discarded as it got dirty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That just sounds really itchy to me.</div></div><br />Onward to more exploring! Some of us might be giants.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9UPDsSPXkc4q75pGDcFea4WRRRI4bWmiMXN4y4qBMYc36awdqlY5FGUEdweBcGlJALanjJNQ5CCVcg6DIThMV77yGZLjJ90NY58yxC7iwMtJOBpwdDBsl0OEprNQ0oP_HHvQaCjXyi0lKQDlR-F2WBkU2fFE24sSztk1YvXQATndVXB_TAFY3oXh6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9UPDsSPXkc4q75pGDcFea4WRRRI4bWmiMXN4y4qBMYc36awdqlY5FGUEdweBcGlJALanjJNQ5CCVcg6DIThMV77yGZLjJ90NY58yxC7iwMtJOBpwdDBsl0OEprNQ0oP_HHvQaCjXyi0lKQDlR-F2WBkU2fFE24sSztk1YvXQATndVXB_TAFY3oXh6=w300-h400" width="300" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd2cHBInQdCLSNOaNDDuneWoU_HPA-_ZvnUycsVhBrv-S4A6l439B5W_briwe03TnWQqoN-ApK197ekZUoIhW99b1Zv-UIxwwfgmIMS5oRe73HjwRYClt4BdPfhsk8QhZPrbGDUriNYCthyCOvheRM_mKMOHFFVH-TSt3bhB0t49iLmkAlVS4_ZJW9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd2cHBInQdCLSNOaNDDuneWoU_HPA-_ZvnUycsVhBrv-S4A6l439B5W_briwe03TnWQqoN-ApK197ekZUoIhW99b1Zv-UIxwwfgmIMS5oRe73HjwRYClt4BdPfhsk8QhZPrbGDUriNYCthyCOvheRM_mKMOHFFVH-TSt3bhB0t49iLmkAlVS4_ZJW9=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5anY7F7nr2r4U81HvFpRK9J4YKK9EeybOu1dCmh1DadR8zOqYW-RRbLGSVzWlLzEyQLS9e-kM9VbYRQ7VKSMMmz6DEV2KLTQ0B7ud1j3udGAFGxCvESK9ABaMm1IBO-a__kJXBO6ianjU3QCBiNq5cOG9mDjh6UsyMid_mzTVgvqYyTkt4f0ds5y2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5anY7F7nr2r4U81HvFpRK9J4YKK9EeybOu1dCmh1DadR8zOqYW-RRbLGSVzWlLzEyQLS9e-kM9VbYRQ7VKSMMmz6DEV2KLTQ0B7ud1j3udGAFGxCvESK9ABaMm1IBO-a__kJXBO6ianjU3QCBiNq5cOG9mDjh6UsyMid_mzTVgvqYyTkt4f0ds5y2=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a good photo of Ross Castle in the back.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixKG64gSXMGnHUXFf0pGQtGhhzixWjN3JYpYk2kTDZVdQ8E618AnDxxAy2GquXoM7PR-g77_2MJZRWft8FZ_lTh9f10Vhr8pUbBefjng93wLWrgYyLwEFaP1V0Y5AEvJc3rXRr5jSPWF6EaT_hFX3On8E4-u9R_8NA6hqroSd_tRDZ6ULj0zPVGB7K" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixKG64gSXMGnHUXFf0pGQtGhhzixWjN3JYpYk2kTDZVdQ8E618AnDxxAy2GquXoM7PR-g77_2MJZRWft8FZ_lTh9f10Vhr8pUbBefjng93wLWrgYyLwEFaP1V0Y5AEvJc3rXRr5jSPWF6EaT_hFX3On8E4-u9R_8NA6hqroSd_tRDZ6ULj0zPVGB7K=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, look. Mom's here too.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm2ZLGealjlaw5spbbNBID_Ws_q2FAvGStI61q9KXm6USVnypNK7Bu2TSJcpuiMhr9xmqn_tFs2rQsJ2tcgjDRpya7ziKUUAqg9L4VOLo6vPl5g3WHVCCRJ86D-Sb0KYuapO8bCTn9XTqSluD21BztghBagpJ37tHmm-GuczDs03bLqarc65_t1-sg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm2ZLGealjlaw5spbbNBID_Ws_q2FAvGStI61q9KXm6USVnypNK7Bu2TSJcpuiMhr9xmqn_tFs2rQsJ2tcgjDRpya7ziKUUAqg9L4VOLo6vPl5g3WHVCCRJ86D-Sb0KYuapO8bCTn9XTqSluD21BztghBagpJ37tHmm-GuczDs03bLqarc65_t1-sg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On our way back to the car to drive to our next destination, we passed a very chatty guide who promised to take us all around the northern part of the park in his jarvey and we "wouldn't have to pay if we didn't enjoy" ourselves. As if. He was very entertaining and was one of those fellows who wouldn't let a little truth get in the way of a good story. We were treated to all manner of stories of misfortunes, hauntings, mysteries, and an accent thick enough to make me strain my ears to make sure I was catching everything over the sound of clomping horseshoes.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4AqdGFKUPAmxANUcMGttVnL09JkI1a4cLu9GfymTin_E80K5OX-66jhDJGxnaQOwv9AdkoqcpZ8vC588p-4PUjBluV_vQQN6OO7ipQRNUDkwAapUlW9Nq_voq348vh_QJr_CWy42-U_5BuUl7UZnc443nc-p86Hkrnf71c71bLzqVUoVgwyWFEoVE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4AqdGFKUPAmxANUcMGttVnL09JkI1a4cLu9GfymTin_E80K5OX-66jhDJGxnaQOwv9AdkoqcpZ8vC588p-4PUjBluV_vQQN6OO7ipQRNUDkwAapUlW9Nq_voq348vh_QJr_CWy42-U_5BuUl7UZnc443nc-p86Hkrnf71c71bLzqVUoVgwyWFEoVE=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And if that wasn't enough, he was our personal photographer for the 45 minute trip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif7-WP5wT8OogUH2yVWHN8zlnqioWZ8qLyLc1WNNM3ogbH_QksDn7GJ0v_E-B4ELdRZovudvVHhBIKC8w7E1V3GBSUN1nvEE8U3QGixPGgqOJHWXRljo2IvshEn6HIKYPU9ebAf8u7mcmT4cI-nKYgPNkD_vPkeZbarfFt5bY9peRMhCizNOFDYTjg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif7-WP5wT8OogUH2yVWHN8zlnqioWZ8qLyLc1WNNM3ogbH_QksDn7GJ0v_E-B4ELdRZovudvVHhBIKC8w7E1V3GBSUN1nvEE8U3QGixPGgqOJHWXRljo2IvshEn6HIKYPU9ebAf8u7mcmT4cI-nKYgPNkD_vPkeZbarfFt5bY9peRMhCizNOFDYTjg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif7-WP5wT8OogUH2yVWHN8zlnqioWZ8qLyLc1WNNM3ogbH_QksDn7GJ0v_E-B4ELdRZovudvVHhBIKC8w7E1V3GBSUN1nvEE8U3QGixPGgqOJHWXRljo2IvshEn6HIKYPU9ebAf8u7mcmT4cI-nKYgPNkD_vPkeZbarfFt5bY9peRMhCizNOFDYTjg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8IP7JxhaeWfzKxwhoxyvZeV18Gn6CpLJVpmBFiUexBLw49Ht5XQlOUQZkfuL09hQHdCK3QDMVoNLSrqc2ybjxcli0V8kNIRTcY9qNRfpTFP97PXlxF60EJVkiVS3vM6QhzV2Thu-wQ-2dopCCkMB9E1rUv5v8EPmstEbOYcGWlCS0qus3jFe65H89" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8IP7JxhaeWfzKxwhoxyvZeV18Gn6CpLJVpmBFiUexBLw49Ht5XQlOUQZkfuL09hQHdCK3QDMVoNLSrqc2ybjxcli0V8kNIRTcY9qNRfpTFP97PXlxF60EJVkiVS3vM6QhzV2Thu-wQ-2dopCCkMB9E1rUv5v8EPmstEbOYcGWlCS0qus3jFe65H89=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMie1J6AU3NnlGjLB-bc-TGthh4S6Ul2-Al56e208C8IKS-IEx-PRfbOr-VUmUMsr3aKUGkJfyJwlOZ5d2LJi7RzqF93PzXbo_l0bIIR-9TAp0r-yewGEN6zWevvrXhzrPtulWDWbkHZKxm_LX0Jt3VlUyWN1X8t0zkdmrefgPls9hEW4xloWcd9RR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMie1J6AU3NnlGjLB-bc-TGthh4S6Ul2-Al56e208C8IKS-IEx-PRfbOr-VUmUMsr3aKUGkJfyJwlOZ5d2LJi7RzqF93PzXbo_l0bIIR-9TAp0r-yewGEN6zWevvrXhzrPtulWDWbkHZKxm_LX0Jt3VlUyWN1X8t0zkdmrefgPls9hEW4xloWcd9RR=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>You can see Ross Castle in the distance.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVJF6Fx0wYVfvw-BqqLn0NZCSVqK2dro2NvRu35-YTaCSfMZdyMNiyp4DGLLFnsqNV8bGH5yYjPmD32SfoqbQQgDjza9gOPCUc_6cgpV0xhJU96xIfOGL7IcTul0-6Pu9RcIU18rmvJiFCGz23V9vZ2ARVbQHXgtLruwj9Ypgwrg_EvRBvAfuxHj3C" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVJF6Fx0wYVfvw-BqqLn0NZCSVqK2dro2NvRu35-YTaCSfMZdyMNiyp4DGLLFnsqNV8bGH5yYjPmD32SfoqbQQgDjza9gOPCUc_6cgpV0xhJU96xIfOGL7IcTul0-6Pu9RcIU18rmvJiFCGz23V9vZ2ARVbQHXgtLruwj9Ypgwrg_EvRBvAfuxHj3C=w300-h400" width="300" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWvy9h1SGnZRUtNEhPtWHSGh4wIc_yAf0EQ9fpW4hbObTCnLuaZRb9gvvRWukbAS4hc64mOvCg9avJbkexGvmGcV0VXSqXwe8LzPM4kXQS6K3BSuQuyp6H6PybqShbA2wKBgVWc5zCy7ysSylen0AOVZF80KoJJFVBctaQn1SpCsW48fgWMxkT9xHc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWvy9h1SGnZRUtNEhPtWHSGh4wIc_yAf0EQ9fpW4hbObTCnLuaZRb9gvvRWukbAS4hc64mOvCg9avJbkexGvmGcV0VXSqXwe8LzPM4kXQS6K3BSuQuyp6H6PybqShbA2wKBgVWc5zCy7ysSylen0AOVZF80KoJJFVBctaQn1SpCsW48fgWMxkT9xHc=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIbR1NqiWM7zBMd60CGL95lWUD_YB2Fq5RtJ8lRwMs3MG28st9YuAT6RXCA1Q8ZKOjaVZgw09T6SCJci5T0-8IFDR2Sn7lZ-7dl93Z6MBlm2PojSwdLzPqkN3NIJVW3IJUNJS_cU_WulfhA0X0vJK56nVo2aRnwc6nWgG3KVZWLRL0IuqQfkPqo4D8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIbR1NqiWM7zBMd60CGL95lWUD_YB2Fq5RtJ8lRwMs3MG28st9YuAT6RXCA1Q8ZKOjaVZgw09T6SCJci5T0-8IFDR2Sn7lZ-7dl93Z6MBlm2PojSwdLzPqkN3NIJVW3IJUNJS_cU_WulfhA0X0vJK56nVo2aRnwc6nWgG3KVZWLRL0IuqQfkPqo4D8=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After our little jaunt around the park, we drove down to the Muckross area and parked before walking down to Muckross Abbey. We passed a lovely arched stone bridge on our way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU4mx1j0HgWdLFHKJt3D92qycrHEBhDE-PAK8Kl3gQTvWECQSaTgo4bzhTBVlctZAMYpjc1ef5bKbVz4zjLAJF_UhMOxWLWjHlgOoMTFmJ5k6GjMi7dTgz7pAZQBKImuJc4dtpbIpX_5ziMpWVF5pik2PhN67b6_ovN-B-Jhae_yHO1f8CRqkeDBLi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU4mx1j0HgWdLFHKJt3D92qycrHEBhDE-PAK8Kl3gQTvWECQSaTgo4bzhTBVlctZAMYpjc1ef5bKbVz4zjLAJF_UhMOxWLWjHlgOoMTFmJ5k6GjMi7dTgz7pAZQBKImuJc4dtpbIpX_5ziMpWVF5pik2PhN67b6_ovN-B-Jhae_yHO1f8CRqkeDBLi=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>The Muckross Abbey was one of our very favorite parts of our trip to Ireland. It is a ruin, but it is well preserved in its state. We were allowed to roam all over, up to a second floor, with twisty stairwells and long corridors. It was so much fun!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjp7qL4jAjog26_LQCSshwTJVRg9pjtIys6rAVPP2LsOhLdPzlyW1Z3yzM2mGtKOk4yq6AXnvva-j1kZ-1XJQQyGFsCGEO7dD4A9DzJX8H5b2CFO8ND_cAwQg4uOmRZ5A_Hcqsnwg5Z47JefTiqU5bOKvdo_6h_txLxm8L-Nqc9h4-QiAycBBYAgPQM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjp7qL4jAjog26_LQCSshwTJVRg9pjtIys6rAVPP2LsOhLdPzlyW1Z3yzM2mGtKOk4yq6AXnvva-j1kZ-1XJQQyGFsCGEO7dD4A9DzJX8H5b2CFO8ND_cAwQg4uOmRZ5A_Hcqsnwg5Z47JefTiqU5bOKvdo_6h_txLxm8L-Nqc9h4-QiAycBBYAgPQM=w300-h400" width="300" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1AcSNi6bX-_zitwHEgHF5Qa1tmDmNAESwrm4svd5BhTqSYIWgvNOy8KpAta-iPqMj1_0XCwnEj_9eaIhrDclaEhR0AnCuFLrDeuQKaC6wdFhijpRjQxEGHPrGKSNIw0QtkqJ4APnqFBIDGkTmvhLUqZVclQpD9tt-k4_7NmEhQivu30XqczeQk6sh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1AcSNi6bX-_zitwHEgHF5Qa1tmDmNAESwrm4svd5BhTqSYIWgvNOy8KpAta-iPqMj1_0XCwnEj_9eaIhrDclaEhR0AnCuFLrDeuQKaC6wdFhijpRjQxEGHPrGKSNIw0QtkqJ4APnqFBIDGkTmvhLUqZVclQpD9tt-k4_7NmEhQivu30XqczeQk6sh=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmV7ACuK3jpKHB35toXmmFVOUrdLXXTcANoCW3HApVmzkppaBWbZEgVXmQM6Eu-Widi5zs9UkxT0SLbNXopH6mbXetD5jJm7jJNKd_QAUJdFZ_ErbRPlm4iQ2uxIyklwZuzfeIywEQCotc8btTvB6c8gjtWLYvJRwFaHLLUhBUs8BuVDQEDf5x2SNV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmV7ACuK3jpKHB35toXmmFVOUrdLXXTcANoCW3HApVmzkppaBWbZEgVXmQM6Eu-Widi5zs9UkxT0SLbNXopH6mbXetD5jJm7jJNKd_QAUJdFZ_ErbRPlm4iQ2uxIyklwZuzfeIywEQCotc8btTvB6c8gjtWLYvJRwFaHLLUhBUs8BuVDQEDf5x2SNV=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgabOVQrQNtc663R91Rv9vv4GeQrm5SPcc5qo2AqlMwZIM-2tJZD_eq3jHx7zkjgn6sDBjvnofrFzR0sVTYapgjFejuBBKVntxdxEHB9dlQz6rIuVjWe14T2wEBs0w58umAOfEhvKvPrl-ioQ8tWJ1NcEUusQFGdCLNASiKH7jkeuslrA0az7rQxq2J" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgabOVQrQNtc663R91Rv9vv4GeQrm5SPcc5qo2AqlMwZIM-2tJZD_eq3jHx7zkjgn6sDBjvnofrFzR0sVTYapgjFejuBBKVntxdxEHB9dlQz6rIuVjWe14T2wEBs0w58umAOfEhvKvPrl-ioQ8tWJ1NcEUusQFGdCLNASiKH7jkeuslrA0az7rQxq2J=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVF4EsbLwhRnrliMtVitRwy3dFHAMUVaYtwiRYyT0ltxLRR0BlQcPZrHjAqPesxVn_eKzsNu8MJ3GDZ6Y2uEUW5HQQ7w_BFdW7gDOJIZ2_T-J0BR664n8NnJ6MSQp3eRz22Y4FRGGxus8WNv0QPuLnMQqaP2LV7LEknPAPBs6J26rLStel4uEvc5H_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVF4EsbLwhRnrliMtVitRwy3dFHAMUVaYtwiRYyT0ltxLRR0BlQcPZrHjAqPesxVn_eKzsNu8MJ3GDZ6Y2uEUW5HQQ7w_BFdW7gDOJIZ2_T-J0BR664n8NnJ6MSQp3eRz22Y4FRGGxus8WNv0QPuLnMQqaP2LV7LEknPAPBs6J26rLStel4uEvc5H_=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The old yew tree growing in the courtyard was a nice touch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0G6-13UxUqdkRomSBlGk_OEzAPgrwecAXceRB4TAZZv-ztU2u-hCfHINi8RbVsgxf2e_qiHF1VTi1YYJso1r9nf9OPyntw9d5KVxnnGkgN_GK85dP2MSBhaUz_J3T5_3Ed59hkgo5c1NZ_c83z1BvC62bp2NIrp-InpXAG27_5hLt2xagKfSlIwG9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0G6-13UxUqdkRomSBlGk_OEzAPgrwecAXceRB4TAZZv-ztU2u-hCfHINi8RbVsgxf2e_qiHF1VTi1YYJso1r9nf9OPyntw9d5KVxnnGkgN_GK85dP2MSBhaUz_J3T5_3Ed59hkgo5c1NZ_c83z1BvC62bp2NIrp-InpXAG27_5hLt2xagKfSlIwG9=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />Up on the second floor was an old fireplace and chimney. It was really a shame it isn't connected to the Floo Network. It would be perfect.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFx58ns0or_r2vqW0ekHG7TAW2F1EgulGSlzbMcA2FEVlg8-TyNbVpP7xydq9TTMQWRqmCA9NC98PR6TVe4yWoT0v2pKl7n6I-pqpvnIvWpGnFC_mgdi1BWZwt5xifbZa0wQx9xHjxTgXMO3MS1_rgsZRugBSPliBErD59YHkOXvQIJk_LXdCJobCl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFx58ns0or_r2vqW0ekHG7TAW2F1EgulGSlzbMcA2FEVlg8-TyNbVpP7xydq9TTMQWRqmCA9NC98PR6TVe4yWoT0v2pKl7n6I-pqpvnIvWpGnFC_mgdi1BWZwt5xifbZa0wQx9xHjxTgXMO3MS1_rgsZRugBSPliBErD59YHkOXvQIJk_LXdCJobCl=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Other tourists liked my idea of taking my family's picture in the fireplace. One offered to take our picture so I could be part of it. Their idea wasn't quite the same as mine...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVh69Ik5dpCppn8vDPUXvxtAv579oAF_Pv_0QkGiol-gTvZKKE9jik2bzKoXkrYI3ET1IOCqTOWOjHsarLKMjyzSjd6ES9HluH1F7x42IYS8DKI_Vsa0pOaIQrMGrJoFkUDxvK1alRMWeG8z9YzVWuSKfZyIhtfM5GafTHI49iOBewoNdTvJHrWwoV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVh69Ik5dpCppn8vDPUXvxtAv579oAF_Pv_0QkGiol-gTvZKKE9jik2bzKoXkrYI3ET1IOCqTOWOjHsarLKMjyzSjd6ES9HluH1F7x42IYS8DKI_Vsa0pOaIQrMGrJoFkUDxvK1alRMWeG8z9YzVWuSKfZyIhtfM5GafTHI49iOBewoNdTvJHrWwoV=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You could look up and see the sky through the chimney. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were several staircases to traverse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm-XrsdsgxMofsTF2skuVaarcDwvLoRrp-q-zHDvJcKrMaGZ9UB9HubcrZ9VS5-X21XlG43V0JZ8IhFN4SLlAPTvUH9Kqht5mXyTUwcvi_6k9v1-YvuVm42N4NQF2XkQW-gUklIVemZPnh3MmXMM717hOpZ_ba2qjgz5YQhsbu8Epstm7Jxo7yUvOf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm-XrsdsgxMofsTF2skuVaarcDwvLoRrp-q-zHDvJcKrMaGZ9UB9HubcrZ9VS5-X21XlG43V0JZ8IhFN4SLlAPTvUH9Kqht5mXyTUwcvi_6k9v1-YvuVm42N4NQF2XkQW-gUklIVemZPnh3MmXMM717hOpZ_ba2qjgz5YQhsbu8Epstm7Jxo7yUvOf=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEials7y2mY4l0sfHQvxlRkIFd9JSWf5_LhqvdVVbRQXhLwylsAExC3dhGEO94gtTWFLysu0LVLbhX-TJ5aSKNPOiWX9Nu3y1iQY2cuiQ-J0hpQs7PFdY1iVzBUIzn4PzJmk3dg7IzMR7Za6a7WpjZ-YXN6tN1FmythtfNnjErAXV7XWI9sEr6UHIBE_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEials7y2mY4l0sfHQvxlRkIFd9JSWf5_LhqvdVVbRQXhLwylsAExC3dhGEO94gtTWFLysu0LVLbhX-TJ5aSKNPOiWX9Nu3y1iQY2cuiQ-J0hpQs7PFdY1iVzBUIzn4PzJmk3dg7IzMR7Za6a7WpjZ-YXN6tN1FmythtfNnjErAXV7XWI9sEr6UHIBE_=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />A view of the yew tree from the ground level.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVa_7HFInB5SiyyYck3usczZ6F2AEePIJWkdMMAT0R10l4FiidmTM4UbrRzuFCNVQsYIVf1wQYarIbwboYRDN0N14MJvpY-kG_3Yy7FHZcHfrACUd8BDKQU5DlIefJfJJuTuuHjnRhMTj6OqF5zl7hMdjABv2JRBqdQlKbe7CzwsW8vqWcDbmKzIwH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVa_7HFInB5SiyyYck3usczZ6F2AEePIJWkdMMAT0R10l4FiidmTM4UbrRzuFCNVQsYIVf1wQYarIbwboYRDN0N14MJvpY-kG_3Yy7FHZcHfrACUd8BDKQU5DlIefJfJJuTuuHjnRhMTj6OqF5zl7hMdjABv2JRBqdQlKbe7CzwsW8vqWcDbmKzIwH=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB6M3CC926rEeOfnhTPoWE-igbbgUA7GZRsHZKFaSww4-G83v6wuBeQ-DsT8RpV7i89J5AjX96PUphmNDErXiZgsfQkEDcF3iFrvVTSwQA-ZVQ5y-JWdjxBepowMFNDLdv06bE0SsKpm4dsxvV4w1E6BQpbU6oWIftdPYeN7516L-cgYkNGNIsBJjc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB6M3CC926rEeOfnhTPoWE-igbbgUA7GZRsHZKFaSww4-G83v6wuBeQ-DsT8RpV7i89J5AjX96PUphmNDErXiZgsfQkEDcF3iFrvVTSwQA-ZVQ5y-JWdjxBepowMFNDLdv06bE0SsKpm4dsxvV4w1E6BQpbU6oWIftdPYeN7516L-cgYkNGNIsBJjc=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRlHsW-eP4wgKmfKQkN3I6PYz0slwP7sdzkOiA21VSV6Mv-BGUZoLS1YLgKQ4MyrNpk87DCAFxcuVuAE-aIcPDm7Qy6OKgnpv7onE9v4SFvaR86tcxWprAyW5Ajc9uw0z27iuU0hQajY2Ql_ICS_DnaB3siT4fXWeyeGal00zxttHfytOmYuuQy0pX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRlHsW-eP4wgKmfKQkN3I6PYz0slwP7sdzkOiA21VSV6Mv-BGUZoLS1YLgKQ4MyrNpk87DCAFxcuVuAE-aIcPDm7Qy6OKgnpv7onE9v4SFvaR86tcxWprAyW5Ajc9uw0z27iuU0hQajY2Ql_ICS_DnaB3siT4fXWeyeGal00zxttHfytOmYuuQy0pX=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYBMhNzFgJOx1qXKje0nkpNVRrT_OnLPkNFkWYzOFRI_eWB8x038JS_TD68SE0icYDjH9mAHhkGKySU1vWj97QcpdpH4YRnHeZvxeTNQOfvj43MN3k-edUDeAVkLe0R7M9QRnxQxOqk3_uVA0rUDh2SG81GKTVA_hHZlbmJ5tS9HZwPI-IbhBmzS6P" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYBMhNzFgJOx1qXKje0nkpNVRrT_OnLPkNFkWYzOFRI_eWB8x038JS_TD68SE0icYDjH9mAHhkGKySU1vWj97QcpdpH4YRnHeZvxeTNQOfvj43MN3k-edUDeAVkLe0R7M9QRnxQxOqk3_uVA0rUDh2SG81GKTVA_hHZlbmJ5tS9HZwPI-IbhBmzS6P=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9dGO5xd__6019CoGtMXCaSY5mgiATBL9pbRADv47TLudsICc8vYxSEIK8PHrXur05a08auJdlc134xFBE0yWS7byAAYnD1d5PAwuBjFoe2SiZ7XJJZZec90A8Smax6eP5-c__7O7D4fLjsBB0mUlsCEHvAMwmVCLczVKKdeeAqeIQso3vXmD5FzHu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9dGO5xd__6019CoGtMXCaSY5mgiATBL9pbRADv47TLudsICc8vYxSEIK8PHrXur05a08auJdlc134xFBE0yWS7byAAYnD1d5PAwuBjFoe2SiZ7XJJZZec90A8Smax6eP5-c__7O7D4fLjsBB0mUlsCEHvAMwmVCLczVKKdeeAqeIQso3vXmD5FzHu=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>Next, it was back to the car for the drive to Torc Falls. It was an itty, bitty hike to see the waterfall.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHIfr4UCumB-rEbWVHi8VK1dK8JdNMICaSRHHTHX-OC97rJ0iqC0MdaNvg_kHT7iARJm5zAjG88Mc5cX9wW6RSkWFXDsYmeiRxGHj2iq4YAj0ZkhvOIseLmHuBInv6P8DySNubL8c0gSKcC9aEI93OIaH3DykeX7wgwl6IOGucqjqD74o947wldSjk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHIfr4UCumB-rEbWVHi8VK1dK8JdNMICaSRHHTHX-OC97rJ0iqC0MdaNvg_kHT7iARJm5zAjG88Mc5cX9wW6RSkWFXDsYmeiRxGHj2iq4YAj0ZkhvOIseLmHuBInv6P8DySNubL8c0gSKcC9aEI93OIaH3DykeX7wgwl6IOGucqjqD74o947wldSjk=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The walk to the waterfall only whetted our appetite, so we walked up the hill to the first overlook.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Many.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stairs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuVFoqqnSmhB8_7f3Mv8reIsOsT437jxJORXHa0KtsFWnOaWjmgfIMvNf9RocO9a9dHle0WLm3jONiKvGfU0J7VZliOFyRyqGw1w_OWkfnjI-mSrpm0aNRTiONdXtmj9pn1X5pblI9YltTQnmNBBn9cleWOMwJLQROROr3eaVsuqd-KW2JoxFRSSbS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuVFoqqnSmhB8_7f3Mv8reIsOsT437jxJORXHa0KtsFWnOaWjmgfIMvNf9RocO9a9dHle0WLm3jONiKvGfU0J7VZliOFyRyqGw1w_OWkfnjI-mSrpm0aNRTiONdXtmj9pn1X5pblI9YltTQnmNBBn9cleWOMwJLQROROr3eaVsuqd-KW2JoxFRSSbS=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>Our quads were on fire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ta-da! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiccvaY5s9TmCS0N22A65D7RiRvhhcTupKvbW9GBg_C0EXvaepRJhOUPKVuDCXiouyfiAprUzay7M8kZIeUOR4zgnTkckDrisMq2WRATUWTHDDh7IvHdUX9WUKDT7OJbfpzZpL6hEAKvxpE1TY_X_1lrresRtTCxFuilpNYOS7HBr8yExqe7HHMoh3Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiccvaY5s9TmCS0N22A65D7RiRvhhcTupKvbW9GBg_C0EXvaepRJhOUPKVuDCXiouyfiAprUzay7M8kZIeUOR4zgnTkckDrisMq2WRATUWTHDDh7IvHdUX9WUKDT7OJbfpzZpL6hEAKvxpE1TY_X_1lrresRtTCxFuilpNYOS7HBr8yExqe7HHMoh3Q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was a pretty spot too.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYRL0KD0IxrbsP2Sg0xiBDNXcKl4lo8GgYypWQTC9zOZ3k9QEsAwHR5Vjyix9VD1_t3cL9ZAwDi2-Jk0-eXqg9_1lmC5g-7Rmemsb5_bCDvl6bya-NtPAWewUepRz4iPFG9X5EP3XpgL4J1yAeJGwRmZvom2bHupqbaX50zanpVXH_Pq2mW8geST_H" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYRL0KD0IxrbsP2Sg0xiBDNXcKl4lo8GgYypWQTC9zOZ3k9QEsAwHR5Vjyix9VD1_t3cL9ZAwDi2-Jk0-eXqg9_1lmC5g-7Rmemsb5_bCDvl6bya-NtPAWewUepRz4iPFG9X5EP3XpgL4J1yAeJGwRmZvom2bHupqbaX50zanpVXH_Pq2mW8geST_H=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's me taking the above picture. Thanks, Ryan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0O3DhlqjUSHmrkSuQaEYnLl6SGlt2kxKzPtFJdD-Zu8HaCLLKd2KoR7yxaf80Z1JtSFKJxdkER6SE5CFEh0qpNbPTt6fh_Yonz0m4taxP5LJC3MG39c6hOmOGVcuCfYugg-XYwEfdqH7_91E5_U8hlYzAkR3OEDOQZJpEi3I3Q8o3e8uuhEdkgMhg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0O3DhlqjUSHmrkSuQaEYnLl6SGlt2kxKzPtFJdD-Zu8HaCLLKd2KoR7yxaf80Z1JtSFKJxdkER6SE5CFEh0qpNbPTt6fh_Yonz0m4taxP5LJC3MG39c6hOmOGVcuCfYugg-XYwEfdqH7_91E5_U8hlYzAkR3OEDOQZJpEi3I3Q8o3e8uuhEdkgMhg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />My complaints led to a better photo being taken of me.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidGZdzcVj35g8ntxqLmfXBNAxJ68WGjrbx7427qTXP1ZHExkjTKRh756xooLZqScFMEzTbb2c6YIprX0dzqmsxo2eaZbgCQRQqGoqb2wbmVF9U8PkVMzrySjaCtXnXlLCIYOk0KS4ZQtI-LaafpiEGGtycSD4-HuYZ6y8r5N2Qn_gYQTiWq5zZEVEH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidGZdzcVj35g8ntxqLmfXBNAxJ68WGjrbx7427qTXP1ZHExkjTKRh756xooLZqScFMEzTbb2c6YIprX0dzqmsxo2eaZbgCQRQqGoqb2wbmVF9U8PkVMzrySjaCtXnXlLCIYOk0KS4ZQtI-LaafpiEGGtycSD4-HuYZ6y8r5N2Qn_gYQTiWq5zZEVEH=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before we left Killarney for Limerick, we stopped by a grocery store and picked these chips up (among other things). They were only ok. But as non-drinkers, it was our best option to try Guinness in Ireland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijwHOH0CpRBtfqvP4kyGWrzaiAtGGsYa29zyQlhceUFuriN1O5en77EhGyr_zMMgOB8P1xCIGZg40HDYoY_VoEVYuTDfWIHHDAKxkI4xxX2faWa2-abxw65gjdokVs8xibVFIh0-CwEiPVVU-NettCniNF82yNaxpRolnZ8vpYkjB3vFT8e8dY8Tdj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijwHOH0CpRBtfqvP4kyGWrzaiAtGGsYa29zyQlhceUFuriN1O5en77EhGyr_zMMgOB8P1xCIGZg40HDYoY_VoEVYuTDfWIHHDAKxkI4xxX2faWa2-abxw65gjdokVs8xibVFIh0-CwEiPVVU-NettCniNF82yNaxpRolnZ8vpYkjB3vFT8e8dY8Tdj=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Interesting fact: When Ireland became independent from Great Britain, they wanted the harp as their national symbol. Sadly Guinness trademarked this harp about 200 years beforehand, so Ireland uses the mirror image of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIpAH_nwL_4vqtMQdBu1U8F8FuliN0NQUy70bZb77BBhSl-nfrOQai3WLY2CJReUVRoSdlbpbaJEd4tFnJAa5o9Y2_mNJe396EnFTIlxYyqHjoOZbkFkTtqsShZ3AtlODe9IUQgeqxIczxWhjuILyO9YcJh8Xx6yQ6tLz0K5mBxCK8MwHNHdjl4j_c" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIpAH_nwL_4vqtMQdBu1U8F8FuliN0NQUy70bZb77BBhSl-nfrOQai3WLY2CJReUVRoSdlbpbaJEd4tFnJAa5o9Y2_mNJe396EnFTIlxYyqHjoOZbkFkTtqsShZ3AtlODe9IUQgeqxIczxWhjuILyO9YcJh8Xx6yQ6tLz0K5mBxCK8MwHNHdjl4j_c=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Which couch above would you guess to be the extra bed? I had thought the one on the left was, but I was wrong. It was the L-shaped one on the right. One of the sections hid a compartment for the extra bedding for Elizabeth. We had to message the host to figure that out.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">We stayed in this Airbnb for two nights. It was meant to be our laundry spot. It would have given us two nights to let our clothes dry because the Irish do not believe in electric dryers, as far as we can tell. But the washer was not responsive. We tried all of the switches in the laundry room and the ones outside of it. Pulled out the washer. Did anything we could think of to fix the problem. The host never got around to fixing that problem, so the second evening (when we were all out of clean clothes) I washed a couple pairs of underwear for each person in a sink. I had even planned ahead and brought a couple of pods of laundry detergent, so I popped one and used some of the soap as I swished our dirty underwear around in cold water. Seriously, why can't you have hot water anywhere besides the shower? I had to wash dishes in cold water too. Anyway... Between me and Ryan, we did the best that we could wringing out the water but our underwear was not dry the following morning. And it is quite a lovely sight- everyone's underwear draped over the backs of chairs and over the cold radiator. So, we put all of those wet clothes in a bag for Sunday and finished drying them during our last night's stay. Don't even ask about our other clothes. Yes, we wore dirty clothes for the rest of the trip. Good thing we were only tourists that no one was going to see again. At least those couple pairs of underwear smelled clean.</div></div></div></div></div>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-81495338710081645062023-04-14T15:31:00.000-07:002023-04-14T15:31:10.817-07:00Ruins, or Ireland Day 3<p> We were off to an early start. When you travel and are 8 hours off your usual schedule, sometimes your body isn't quite sure when it is time to sleep and when it is time to wake up. We arrived at Rock of Cashel a good hour before tours started. There was a film we could watch in an indoor space about the history of the Rock of Cashel-- how it started out as a castle for kings and then was granted to the church. It became a mishmash of buildings jumbled together and has the only Romanesque frescos left in Ireland after Cromwell came through. The film seemed like the best choice since the wind was out to play and the sunshine was playing hide and seek. We were told later that they have a lazy wind at the Rock of Cashel. It refuses to go around, so it'll go right through you. And it does, way up there on the limestone outcropping.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNTrWwGTQNiy3lvxCgtgtwbrNyPVFv58LHiZq9SvTtYOxaJL8KGj6gA6rFiFiBbUWiO3MbytTfb1NlXeVRCxjQ3WXMPQ7NyyRBz2_pv-rS0wmazkYWSc_oXYCCZPh-_n63YmvDh27rklblJ75U_C6q4YPNZCxylRXO49Tcyqq0BMIbmGc12009GG7q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNTrWwGTQNiy3lvxCgtgtwbrNyPVFv58LHiZq9SvTtYOxaJL8KGj6gA6rFiFiBbUWiO3MbytTfb1NlXeVRCxjQ3WXMPQ7NyyRBz2_pv-rS0wmazkYWSc_oXYCCZPh-_n63YmvDh27rklblJ75U_C6q4YPNZCxylRXO49Tcyqq0BMIbmGc12009GG7q=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Cormac's Chapel: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqJjQ3MSoImnmWGT3BpJNeEY6H_8lk4eZqIitI1XczIkInE18XWjPo97uWiPqTJY0mBIndxTFekBJPFkwZN42seINPcqgraciB8blCEmOVbINduayKL4rmbidCs9KFK1WnkNSTJ0DjK4KxrIDe_zs3imuTnpmZ4OKnjXtaLafrn7JP3ifHWgA_GV3F" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqJjQ3MSoImnmWGT3BpJNeEY6H_8lk4eZqIitI1XczIkInE18XWjPo97uWiPqTJY0mBIndxTFekBJPFkwZN42seINPcqgraciB8blCEmOVbINduayKL4rmbidCs9KFK1WnkNSTJ0DjK4KxrIDe_zs3imuTnpmZ4OKnjXtaLafrn7JP3ifHWgA_GV3F=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With what is left of those original frescos:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgujvHZtVxWvYUC3dixsvH8w2VzrxNXVPwsodf8lEjNY7TQskPQMtzAkTwxVvIJ26TeoszNl45Gsk257QHgCrKbzZAh6KEZV89rmM7L5XF8mRECNGpQlpORfytsDvyjQEyuXVCcqrZyItynC30EIALvVT_Ym1vFLmncrvnWRPUNOFoUXL9sCzEweaBX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgujvHZtVxWvYUC3dixsvH8w2VzrxNXVPwsodf8lEjNY7TQskPQMtzAkTwxVvIJ26TeoszNl45Gsk257QHgCrKbzZAh6KEZV89rmM7L5XF8mRECNGpQlpORfytsDvyjQEyuXVCcqrZyItynC30EIALvVT_Ym1vFLmncrvnWRPUNOFoUXL9sCzEweaBX=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqz8V-iOwpBHoWlcUsqkW2esO7ODaKNn6cYCTUEi0bz8o6eEbbOR_2Qx2tt_whEl2z5mmEP3gPxuyqtvn4WRHPa2esFNBxiZSl2wceMgxQcjm-vk47mo5lOiuJfIggclim03cFHAOp_BvjV7MJNubwIOi4TPRveSLGStTgCzLFvLU0JldZHISQLy8K" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqz8V-iOwpBHoWlcUsqkW2esO7ODaKNn6cYCTUEi0bz8o6eEbbOR_2Qx2tt_whEl2z5mmEP3gPxuyqtvn4WRHPa2esFNBxiZSl2wceMgxQcjm-vk47mo5lOiuJfIggclim03cFHAOp_BvjV7MJNubwIOi4TPRveSLGStTgCzLFvLU0JldZHISQLy8K=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once we had been around those ruins, we walked down the hill to Hore Abbey. This one was free, but you risked stepping in cow pies to get there.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixlu5_NUasMlqtvY4zMQQw6uGoYZ7ln35WwyI-K5FOftUbuZhpB_8xYY1FDJ5uSTI9lsrw14P8e_bb7gck2izTsOk14BPwatfnlXVbP0akor0RptR_2-5Q2YeevRGne1Ewf03hIsssvtdayefPq56OdAOQk69NjeDBP3-bEU6tnnv68a8EHmJNIGEU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixlu5_NUasMlqtvY4zMQQw6uGoYZ7ln35WwyI-K5FOftUbuZhpB_8xYY1FDJ5uSTI9lsrw14P8e_bb7gck2izTsOk14BPwatfnlXVbP0akor0RptR_2-5Q2YeevRGne1Ewf03hIsssvtdayefPq56OdAOQk69NjeDBP3-bEU6tnnv68a8EHmJNIGEU=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinS4HSLYBA3hzJlejrNdQx3vtxhKNc0AuNAZY0xJ4AN_DmvbPbQqAp1zeOqZbFKvrclkB6TW0-ODin3b5vtZPTEnsiTKIv9-yldpSnnTUMCi7Rlv88TcOtrOO65XdJye3Wu7YJFYpdV2KMZUjse42d8zKSI3FuhTZk13OBJL-Dtvh6phq0vpK4Wtdu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinS4HSLYBA3hzJlejrNdQx3vtxhKNc0AuNAZY0xJ4AN_DmvbPbQqAp1zeOqZbFKvrclkB6TW0-ODin3b5vtZPTEnsiTKIv9-yldpSnnTUMCi7Rlv88TcOtrOO65XdJye3Wu7YJFYpdV2KMZUjse42d8zKSI3FuhTZk13OBJL-Dtvh6phq0vpK4Wtdu=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ryan was the only one who had to bend to get through this doorway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3M8VmzwTc24LBedRmIg74HjtEbbhi0gribSZR1rzMm8zTf5hjKm9cS8UaG2P0xvw-9k6OPhzwMLLwxl99kYTsRCyDqHmLsH2M6ActuAV4RHnWqriAQ0VVibQWEq1xUr-6S8bng1xMibYyX77U19UrfnvtBJoHvoZglAp3TKtOjrgwlJJCruzcneGG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3M8VmzwTc24LBedRmIg74HjtEbbhi0gribSZR1rzMm8zTf5hjKm9cS8UaG2P0xvw-9k6OPhzwMLLwxl99kYTsRCyDqHmLsH2M6ActuAV4RHnWqriAQ0VVibQWEq1xUr-6S8bng1xMibYyX77U19UrfnvtBJoHvoZglAp3TKtOjrgwlJJCruzcneGG=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can see the Rock of Cashel in the background.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8BfVi0Z5pBMErYOXWlvItoCinm4BRLHKOM0O2WvWzL31UdS7sByTwLQkK59CJlZsVkc-i7yzCJBbfUZVdxjWp-tutFxwWnJT9jSihIlmAj2K2wrfjDZBE8Mm2ysmLCky66nuBBu6-PMqMiN6ZjqnZiWRdLl0qttLmTItUgz9d2yrOVJTQpbOyCzY1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8BfVi0Z5pBMErYOXWlvItoCinm4BRLHKOM0O2WvWzL31UdS7sByTwLQkK59CJlZsVkc-i7yzCJBbfUZVdxjWp-tutFxwWnJT9jSihIlmAj2K2wrfjDZBE8Mm2ysmLCky66nuBBu6-PMqMiN6ZjqnZiWRdLl0qttLmTItUgz9d2yrOVJTQpbOyCzY1=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeC7o86FfpWJ5boWzWpnUUY8ZYJ-P_mZVz1F0ekc5SXwT7QxYHVu-LV8TMYI3Mm3joxtj7s6T0QUX6B2VUdelKMHDlWo-fT8cDMwRj4mYUdcEp4rzH0Y6KhRctlov_tYLIBuuJLRt43FuQxWBD-RoNgd_N4_SPmRDbIttH6Dv1tGAk6clz6oO4MCKF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeC7o86FfpWJ5boWzWpnUUY8ZYJ-P_mZVz1F0ekc5SXwT7QxYHVu-LV8TMYI3Mm3joxtj7s6T0QUX6B2VUdelKMHDlWo-fT8cDMwRj4mYUdcEp4rzH0Y6KhRctlov_tYLIBuuJLRt43FuQxWBD-RoNgd_N4_SPmRDbIttH6Dv1tGAk6clz6oO4MCKF=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXS6hATOtdn6m5q7Rd941LcpXkCv0_2aIe2qzEgvQz0DaH9yUDQdvIDS0MHsKKdAuuuxnh_hdv6hYirLvOx71q551zWEnxGmMlPdsF4jzGho6Rx3NJV6UhihuTS1siC97g-EO9cB81D7sKDbZ8pakulcQY7nNH0_m0bQYqZKIYZO5N-xFEDIR2LBAJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXS6hATOtdn6m5q7Rd941LcpXkCv0_2aIe2qzEgvQz0DaH9yUDQdvIDS0MHsKKdAuuuxnh_hdv6hYirLvOx71q551zWEnxGmMlPdsF4jzGho6Rx3NJV6UhihuTS1siC97g-EO9cB81D7sKDbZ8pakulcQY7nNH0_m0bQYqZKIYZO5N-xFEDIR2LBAJ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>Once we'd had our fill here, we drove to the Athassel Priory. This is a tricky place to get to. If you plug in "Athassel Priory" into Google Maps, it takes you to a nice view of it from the wrong side of a river. But, once a tiny piece of information clicks in Mom's brain about "Oh this is the one you have to type 'Athassel Priory ENTRANCE' into Google Maps to actually get there," then things go more smoothly. After that pesky 10-minute drive to go around.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtBTuBVZSYB343Hai3mXhywAWdyv5UCorzFTqol_Gk6i-YjY24s5zTQyJRpvRCl9bRJ60yRumhB6tyTq8cIuz8_g_Vx2x6wKQmkuI5_aaKLdCsztNDCxk0oPWJc14chRCtmEqkB9O6SXd_WCxPJziMkYBJASfoxI3SliNPnC7oCiRX7UuPUww7badc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtBTuBVZSYB343Hai3mXhywAWdyv5UCorzFTqol_Gk6i-YjY24s5zTQyJRpvRCl9bRJ60yRumhB6tyTq8cIuz8_g_Vx2x6wKQmkuI5_aaKLdCsztNDCxk0oPWJc14chRCtmEqkB9O6SXd_WCxPJziMkYBJASfoxI3SliNPnC7oCiRX7UuPUww7badc=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />Then it was through another cow pasture we go! There was a metal gate to latch to make sure the cows don't get into the ruins.<p></p><p>I think I want a cool stone castle ruin in my pasture...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifuqdcT7yzSUAxvmyz0Wkr1_Dj7ajj2XTiF4NQoppabok9EcaIu5ScLFCWbP3WNvXuD2PxhR3QOrfMKkaLAZ1k1kkksUDQEY-qPY5h2iXAyFd5DpBU2_Jl6u80oTRLzONiyq-KtsIM07Hiu9oG1MMxu9f58jiH8gm6tOSB8rXoMSe7B_FpaHTyEfm0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifuqdcT7yzSUAxvmyz0Wkr1_Dj7ajj2XTiF4NQoppabok9EcaIu5ScLFCWbP3WNvXuD2PxhR3QOrfMKkaLAZ1k1kkksUDQEY-qPY5h2iXAyFd5DpBU2_Jl6u80oTRLzONiyq-KtsIM07Hiu9oG1MMxu9f58jiH8gm6tOSB8rXoMSe7B_FpaHTyEfm0=w300-h400" width="300" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaj3872GuE7sQM70D1SX7508NR1WCtIEac7_D3bZNI1DMlBaepNQ2xL58fTMDBrew0W8lgIgLDwZIvesdfKTy0wMdjL06ZNFXQP05CNKRiCeukdw75yCuYfv1uPXFQzJbmRtyOVmkZZXEMD9TgRLmsNa34nK3O3PjoelJR13ql_Hm0etzAE9PNSO5t" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaj3872GuE7sQM70D1SX7508NR1WCtIEac7_D3bZNI1DMlBaepNQ2xL58fTMDBrew0W8lgIgLDwZIvesdfKTy0wMdjL06ZNFXQP05CNKRiCeukdw75yCuYfv1uPXFQzJbmRtyOVmkZZXEMD9TgRLmsNa34nK3O3PjoelJR13ql_Hm0etzAE9PNSO5t=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdyG8lKYdavsS-WozUN_p-xF3bR8gheGP0lzP-RGUNiYKwAzNikwMissE0Kotp29pbn0prC7ADeIuYRtQCqc41qI5sUwDToyH3P9ptv9QQEaCdT9gMCo8qw2wNJdLdB8kKDfXlq6A4deXbrxQYm6KXr7JUIYCMzyzxT1vTf0lxvJwMvVyHQUydbnRk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdyG8lKYdavsS-WozUN_p-xF3bR8gheGP0lzP-RGUNiYKwAzNikwMissE0Kotp29pbn0prC7ADeIuYRtQCqc41qI5sUwDToyH3P9ptv9QQEaCdT9gMCo8qw2wNJdLdB8kKDfXlq6A4deXbrxQYm6KXr7JUIYCMzyzxT1vTf0lxvJwMvVyHQUydbnRk=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXSgNttrQwDLl3MkCvN9Fge-6apfTqbV26sY4kFPQmDuPEUIKLLsNbAu4gWeXORxRcLvy68vNwexWb9ZgjKhpOkUCY3NP4liIZjb8cqmJ9saakXJeIQot-o4tvEsWKr2tbDuj96eAaldPSoltUkD2UoBxLGkUUMqM8QJfFf7C9xcgMh27XKj_wC9oQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXSgNttrQwDLl3MkCvN9Fge-6apfTqbV26sY4kFPQmDuPEUIKLLsNbAu4gWeXORxRcLvy68vNwexWb9ZgjKhpOkUCY3NP4liIZjb8cqmJ9saakXJeIQot-o4tvEsWKr2tbDuj96eAaldPSoltUkD2UoBxLGkUUMqM8QJfFf7C9xcgMh27XKj_wC9oQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5eWVvGWn6vOV3jwieqLuaZe89Rh_R9L8hUvsjPDBt-FhY3UDGwHI8eknRGT7-a8elfQmF8ZywooPWHxObzSFjE_Mse_nTpXmMcW8pIJX5yEbr8WbsdGxBx7KtKEkOQVZExUa8jhApE6TWTe6ZyfozK0Tz-_FG2Tl4YkXtMz-F9F0cZqyY0zr7jz1m" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5eWVvGWn6vOV3jwieqLuaZe89Rh_R9L8hUvsjPDBt-FhY3UDGwHI8eknRGT7-a8elfQmF8ZywooPWHxObzSFjE_Mse_nTpXmMcW8pIJX5yEbr8WbsdGxBx7KtKEkOQVZExUa8jhApE6TWTe6ZyfozK0Tz-_FG2Tl4YkXtMz-F9F0cZqyY0zr7jz1m=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>I find all of the ruins littered around Ireland haunting and sad. So much history crumbling all around! The Irish and poor British in me shakes my fist at the aristocracy in Britain for their terrible idea to tax roofs and windows. If a landowner had a building they no longer wanted to pay taxes for, they would pull off the roof. One Irish gentleman we talked to said they had a saying in Ireland about "stealing daylight" or "daylight robbery" because you had to pay to have window space (with or without glass) in your home.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY8Od29090frqUSXGSIdm0qBXbkPkkABqzqfY53FFDqx1tknW1kgWfy4ZL0d5tb_DDxyyxbpKd5VLDyak87JfAY6ZPLHhJqoaSK3GZmpUb3eL0tQwMCoX8GJS01tRhabSz9k0aGn08D05EQK_qHYGkecvI3Epnmdqr0K-cZEfbrhQjFpdgVEDIxR5L" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY8Od29090frqUSXGSIdm0qBXbkPkkABqzqfY53FFDqx1tknW1kgWfy4ZL0d5tb_DDxyyxbpKd5VLDyak87JfAY6ZPLHhJqoaSK3GZmpUb3eL0tQwMCoX8GJS01tRhabSz9k0aGn08D05EQK_qHYGkecvI3Epnmdqr0K-cZEfbrhQjFpdgVEDIxR5L=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />Then it was about a two-hour drive to the town of Killarney. Ryan was worn out from driving at the end of the day.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaT-A3zMFhIJWSp1GwT12q1_iD-s6QoQ3dh2-rAkIzTfpxIwnvJsg0uENsfXgpEU83Q4FUIIHLsB86DpGj9ScVVYhlFCV8dBhBjeN-q9eOfHX8WOWx7yhkb8wqVW_xLdCpcU2HhPw-JRqe34J9GoWTT9oKMq-WQP6VHnbQztw1YTC2BtIc4JbGqZzp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaT-A3zMFhIJWSp1GwT12q1_iD-s6QoQ3dh2-rAkIzTfpxIwnvJsg0uENsfXgpEU83Q4FUIIHLsB86DpGj9ScVVYhlFCV8dBhBjeN-q9eOfHX8WOWx7yhkb8wqVW_xLdCpcU2HhPw-JRqe34J9GoWTT9oKMq-WQP6VHnbQztw1YTC2BtIc4JbGqZzp=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p></p>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-81322424190808587682023-04-13T18:56:00.000-07:002023-04-13T18:56:05.143-07:00Ireland Day 2 continuedMoving on from Dublin.<div><br /></div><div>We stopped at Duckett's Grove on our way to Kilkenny. Once upon a time, it was a massive estate belonging to very rich, influential people. Sadly, it was burned in the 1930s.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjargxYwuh5vVRWeC4hcwPydm7wfd8VXIMqEOcGkDxvQK1XukE8CNly0l5PpFdgVmS5c_kYRCPXDJ8TLYc2mkwRm7tfe5LeutlvVyxSMI6dxg4bEinD0ysAZ0CTaN8KPLQE3mGO29kas1o_wL1JdY3HvVGJQwAi1hM0B0ze7FCUQdKMJy7Bw6I7xuqZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjargxYwuh5vVRWeC4hcwPydm7wfd8VXIMqEOcGkDxvQK1XukE8CNly0l5PpFdgVmS5c_kYRCPXDJ8TLYc2mkwRm7tfe5LeutlvVyxSMI6dxg4bEinD0ysAZ0CTaN8KPLQE3mGO29kas1o_wL1JdY3HvVGJQwAi1hM0B0ze7FCUQdKMJy7Bw6I7xuqZ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnwyTbnwMIpoUs-yYZADGdAMSzo7JEKTkCf7Oln1y1YNYFnJWtpW3D9713k25Egtz5vc_QJUKYKaazi6YTz7nQ7kPcrfo9orqnXVEY9QeMLhqw00l1zUZFpEPz67gIkhKAO0pTPxrmm1Ajwfm5LDRb_z0VNi8cA5B5aJAji6yLQbUC5t8W2QHI3lk7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnwyTbnwMIpoUs-yYZADGdAMSzo7JEKTkCf7Oln1y1YNYFnJWtpW3D9713k25Egtz5vc_QJUKYKaazi6YTz7nQ7kPcrfo9orqnXVEY9QeMLhqw00l1zUZFpEPz67gIkhKAO0pTPxrmm1Ajwfm5LDRb_z0VNi8cA5B5aJAji6yLQbUC5t8W2QHI3lk7=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitVcXk37Pe40hSigd3hWhaHEfUbvdC91-R7cNDn1I9ozFkv7xi11NmjrZRQZfxwoRzXQ0Mxso1tYTnUCpCD1y4TGdgVSLr5B7HUfNEPElv7vHuShb3J_1yT6GyZLS--3P5ItFrj_K6AfrLHGmrZSKNWR1ZjV2F6psVYlFVgHkBJ6MRyGRwFc4tqsDz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitVcXk37Pe40hSigd3hWhaHEfUbvdC91-R7cNDn1I9ozFkv7xi11NmjrZRQZfxwoRzXQ0Mxso1tYTnUCpCD1y4TGdgVSLr5B7HUfNEPElv7vHuShb3J_1yT6GyZLS--3P5ItFrj_K6AfrLHGmrZSKNWR1ZjV2F6psVYlFVgHkBJ6MRyGRwFc4tqsDz=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>The gardens are still kept up, but sadly not much to look at in early April. At least they are green.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs-AxDrAT8qaM-fSJjfHH8f8NFqcPg_chwjjbL1XEbyzTfu5qpJ-GQnuDfB4VL333Y-E8jrnKhZKAM8XFF2g6VuebMDySQxkyZUhdmb2ZVV-ikL0H6UgcPs3jv8s2rE2SkdVeyCyCC79VN20sPFzZ1nwvaR-u1vEECcMpP_K7cIm4eA1EE7h6DdEgG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs-AxDrAT8qaM-fSJjfHH8f8NFqcPg_chwjjbL1XEbyzTfu5qpJ-GQnuDfB4VL333Y-E8jrnKhZKAM8XFF2g6VuebMDySQxkyZUhdmb2ZVV-ikL0H6UgcPs3jv8s2rE2SkdVeyCyCC79VN20sPFzZ1nwvaR-u1vEECcMpP_K7cIm4eA1EE7h6DdEgG=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi4Tq_C39hoM5YxZjaDKEuJY51DpjuLEYk6N5OZcZZgGvZbyi8Q7J5Sh6TXy7nufL9XqTMVO4vPRVpaCSj99MdPMhGOKgiMOC6CUWuZ3AjGn5I5UvMAWoZB2NCO91-Qr_iratBnaWjq4X8Fjou2ihL9xR6BeEJLweHdKDl9ax2BqtSSmRwrI3dGIaV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi4Tq_C39hoM5YxZjaDKEuJY51DpjuLEYk6N5OZcZZgGvZbyi8Q7J5Sh6TXy7nufL9XqTMVO4vPRVpaCSj99MdPMhGOKgiMOC6CUWuZ3AjGn5I5UvMAWoZB2NCO91-Qr_iratBnaWjq4X8Fjou2ihL9xR6BeEJLweHdKDl9ax2BqtSSmRwrI3dGIaV=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />We arrived at Kilkenny to tour the castle there. It was the longest continuously occupied castle in Ireland- around 800 years. It did sit abandoned between 1935-1967, with all of the contents auctioned off so anything in the castle now is not original. But with hidden scraps of wallpaper, paint, and records of carpets and drapes purchased have allowed the restoration people to get close to the Victorian version of the castle.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYBxPgcYIPl0t6nLWF0axUVkEMV4PQ76WYKZpdTRDPWJMYPAlszw9xTnbekR1IycFKZQmBUyh11NYZAIrebsOI90iyByEapYx6q9Js4agzqmcgcpfDO7lRv-4-5Y5bh3AuZCTQrALboIqtxqJV1eplqTtUgWhVkMj2EhFuEDERxWLbytAcerb7r5kB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYBxPgcYIPl0t6nLWF0axUVkEMV4PQ76WYKZpdTRDPWJMYPAlszw9xTnbekR1IycFKZQmBUyh11NYZAIrebsOI90iyByEapYx6q9Js4agzqmcgcpfDO7lRv-4-5Y5bh3AuZCTQrALboIqtxqJV1eplqTtUgWhVkMj2EhFuEDERxWLbytAcerb7r5kB=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5MM_8FmTGSX8Bnpiw0fcB3BSnyVS9LA0yoM4aSIyOHozRy5hpei5kgyfjZ91RKvbz-27bNWDrMMnqu0vnCF2PXbmQ9aRVRRXpxWWtm0XJ98ZFTxfmgGI8KfKv5vhe8hyz2-xcK5bw3X3v3hqMkGqKhSoJNOZcGSHQLRxjyFenjUdNPTSInMACNJez" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5MM_8FmTGSX8Bnpiw0fcB3BSnyVS9LA0yoM4aSIyOHozRy5hpei5kgyfjZ91RKvbz-27bNWDrMMnqu0vnCF2PXbmQ9aRVRRXpxWWtm0XJ98ZFTxfmgGI8KfKv5vhe8hyz2-xcK5bw3X3v3hqMkGqKhSoJNOZcGSHQLRxjyFenjUdNPTSInMACNJez=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOQZZODzbxYsa2TxO5UWLCtufUcUz1IPxD_gworhTWHW5-E9ff904GCPHj4tx8hV5S1fXh-VV9dxrDFlPCKJWiIv3RFBJ3YKb5cBL9pBT5gk1tA0dugz1Vd9B3l1lO9KtJKPztcMgvR5h0V_lt-bryiYdxDpJgpAeldJFX6f3w4TzZ8yn6Xbva_vB0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOQZZODzbxYsa2TxO5UWLCtufUcUz1IPxD_gworhTWHW5-E9ff904GCPHj4tx8hV5S1fXh-VV9dxrDFlPCKJWiIv3RFBJ3YKb5cBL9pBT5gk1tA0dugz1Vd9B3l1lO9KtJKPztcMgvR5h0V_lt-bryiYdxDpJgpAeldJFX6f3w4TzZ8yn6Xbva_vB0=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>This toilet was installed before a visiting royal's sojourn. The tour guide called it the Royal Flush.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiT5lTuy2kHAB8xoI1TXNIHnygpIITtCxFlUcN82Oy0LyKUIGWSS2bMo9essyAi2SUYkIZQ1tCDtUGfKkt4TJH2PqqkWvB082allL3baPHNBstVpVjFt3eJaiiBW5FF7mStPYNlDyEbH1UoDQF8hLsiGsjYe72QxAAMUsRBzLu7u7HiGQV8rz4RMpCA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiT5lTuy2kHAB8xoI1TXNIHnygpIITtCxFlUcN82Oy0LyKUIGWSS2bMo9essyAi2SUYkIZQ1tCDtUGfKkt4TJH2PqqkWvB082allL3baPHNBstVpVjFt3eJaiiBW5FF7mStPYNlDyEbH1UoDQF8hLsiGsjYe72QxAAMUsRBzLu7u7HiGQV8rz4RMpCA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thought this stair case was both colorful and different.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB67b0l_JADyo5gWAlZ6kBYdkykDoHd8fm7jAV0ZcSBPgcsI0ET6v6FbpLIkFDvbxeisXXpUckimQGL1h3ZzZ_E8EVdHqhYUyO1k630XFiJJWnNnk-MF4JPjqB0BJceoF3mI8KbFdNv8-QKhTezM-xm-s_wyF3qdxMkaO1FVnL7SKuw03_agD9qixX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB67b0l_JADyo5gWAlZ6kBYdkykDoHd8fm7jAV0ZcSBPgcsI0ET6v6FbpLIkFDvbxeisXXpUckimQGL1h3ZzZ_E8EVdHqhYUyO1k630XFiJJWnNnk-MF4JPjqB0BJceoF3mI8KbFdNv8-QKhTezM-xm-s_wyF3qdxMkaO1FVnL7SKuw03_agD9qixX=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijGtVrKC_XrDUGH420M3e9j5wPH6ItkwB84U_c4CQW5s9PupsDNFM79tmEVytgWaO-o3AnGpZvEQBBbbDFjiawBewK2Q18XfM9FImxzpl0V097QzePVxMgXOOf0eJRrtMywwzNfMoGYLs_pq89WE0Vc3gfPKMOwbBjgCx8n6-5XIsVkS9pJ3VpADiu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijGtVrKC_XrDUGH420M3e9j5wPH6ItkwB84U_c4CQW5s9PupsDNFM79tmEVytgWaO-o3AnGpZvEQBBbbDFjiawBewK2Q18XfM9FImxzpl0V097QzePVxMgXOOf0eJRrtMywwzNfMoGYLs_pq89WE0Vc3gfPKMOwbBjgCx8n6-5XIsVkS9pJ3VpADiu=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now THIS is a gallery wall. In its heyday, the walls had so many more paintings.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT6dmHBgSurJUrVhbTeCYxr0w00TBgAB3GVwCUdJlwnG5B5urRNsjwerTiRchOztjLwrDMmzf2Aqv3_GLj4F5RnFinGaK_Wj0MNRQpui02Z0w2Tf82fVYVeI_ydqmFF4G4-SAto1BvXa2OuVx_YKAlW9Mbd4QdsgFBMRRKeswM2o_B_k0NudapWL6I" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT6dmHBgSurJUrVhbTeCYxr0w00TBgAB3GVwCUdJlwnG5B5urRNsjwerTiRchOztjLwrDMmzf2Aqv3_GLj4F5RnFinGaK_Wj0MNRQpui02Z0w2Tf82fVYVeI_ydqmFF4G4-SAto1BvXa2OuVx_YKAlW9Mbd4QdsgFBMRRKeswM2o_B_k0NudapWL6I=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>This was a fortress castle in Norman times, but then remodeled in Victorian times to make it feel less... fortressy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiU5PLYi1Yh2v3qO9uLqubZ4QWaGi-wjvUS-8KHRxdskhmXNkb4gknBuK-BIIfZWHmZfSfOOpaYIAju_43tVZ9T_aIT0CEut942uB3zwuyWnMcsTFSdS6IBDL-y_mo2ZG4FIqVvDj6VzrB1T4YEOxT7fsCsRXzhTytSIQ2r0ZU0cR3IggVuZxGasdzA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiU5PLYi1Yh2v3qO9uLqubZ4QWaGi-wjvUS-8KHRxdskhmXNkb4gknBuK-BIIfZWHmZfSfOOpaYIAju_43tVZ9T_aIT0CEut942uB3zwuyWnMcsTFSdS6IBDL-y_mo2ZG4FIqVvDj6VzrB1T4YEOxT7fsCsRXzhTytSIQ2r0ZU0cR3IggVuZxGasdzA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgGXIoX1OfMroIyrfyfSru-4xKEw2owY6zJpcnAmfCCKQ8b_VdvFzH3Yt2ESe0dF8OLbPz3e8x1pDF_G4J6kxkQTY0TNgHYK25S6DeZgYzbDLeeE5_o3xkyO7OsZ1dz32urCp-f0D9tPS_Lr9p9E0bivWj_XrKqVNi-coFfAuUZd0oiXK_-kLLIKaO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgGXIoX1OfMroIyrfyfSru-4xKEw2owY6zJpcnAmfCCKQ8b_VdvFzH3Yt2ESe0dF8OLbPz3e8x1pDF_G4J6kxkQTY0TNgHYK25S6DeZgYzbDLeeE5_o3xkyO7OsZ1dz32urCp-f0D9tPS_Lr9p9E0bivWj_XrKqVNi-coFfAuUZd0oiXK_-kLLIKaO=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>I have a close up photo of the kids on the stairs below. However the sun was positioned in the best way to give the kids squinty eyes. So, we'll stick with the broader view.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN4jDk-la9OQbv92YDwr1Y74yvUDkzlGx_-iiB0BZd0H8YW7g-kkH8vWkXfJMqM8rWXWoXeX3hfjUeo8xtCBCiBEhpJ1NkX52dr3wN_NchKFLGKJ-chYGDJfFDKlU_4Z4e8VO0nF8G26pd0_b5NdcOklGKPAsSgAx00jy5qdeRHsJAEdDNXl9idNju" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN4jDk-la9OQbv92YDwr1Y74yvUDkzlGx_-iiB0BZd0H8YW7g-kkH8vWkXfJMqM8rWXWoXeX3hfjUeo8xtCBCiBEhpJ1NkX52dr3wN_NchKFLGKJ-chYGDJfFDKlU_4Z4e8VO0nF8G26pd0_b5NdcOklGKPAsSgAx00jy5qdeRHsJAEdDNXl9idNju=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>Then we traversed the city streets. We found the medieval Butter Slip Street. It looks like it belongs in a Dickens or Harry Potter movie.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhayVRkfPDp9lmp2s0zDn4h3MfhdIaSzRMSkLcR8ThHW_acrgLSdT34iYf1pnpDKa9cdjHpeiiYSUmQ5vgaYG4g4i5jrdTcH2TTJhhlu84PfCQNU89GQR56iqeI_mWiWipJ76TnkwZRHP0AFFYEmY2RQtg7cTws2LnSr_rXWHeCioX24hVgMI-lE8eq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhayVRkfPDp9lmp2s0zDn4h3MfhdIaSzRMSkLcR8ThHW_acrgLSdT34iYf1pnpDKa9cdjHpeiiYSUmQ5vgaYG4g4i5jrdTcH2TTJhhlu84PfCQNU89GQR56iqeI_mWiWipJ76TnkwZRHP0AFFYEmY2RQtg7cTws2LnSr_rXWHeCioX24hVgMI-lE8eq=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />That fancy wooden door is totally fake. It was painted.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBtHL2c-VuoCV-B4s_wPKRnnR8mSqmvejPHIA6u3lS6MxDQM3P8EEWTVzolqXHccBE2aZyv7rjZ07tOgyqdTZ6xGwMaBe8nm-5FVksYDJvNKbK8SXENDZ0WDRs01ytSOpu_J-meKZtkcJ4EyMa00N1n9Is8KqdT2gsbuQLiIZaCuAYpvWoCs-BYZig" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBtHL2c-VuoCV-B4s_wPKRnnR8mSqmvejPHIA6u3lS6MxDQM3P8EEWTVzolqXHccBE2aZyv7rjZ07tOgyqdTZ6xGwMaBe8nm-5FVksYDJvNKbK8SXENDZ0WDRs01ytSOpu_J-meKZtkcJ4EyMa00N1n9Is8KqdT2gsbuQLiIZaCuAYpvWoCs-BYZig=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />This, if I am remembering correctly, is St. Mary's Cathedral.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg3EWkUIX3uI4SOAS9nh4N5vPJob9dhBktRZHQXejY0DonyAC_evrlwJPNGLEcSBI2C2rHufBOgKYncaNnn7Glztf0Zy6LJ9XAlFz8wFlhJPHpipC92tsLwB9IOY-ltnM4UAANV1HQ1SsQKY4z9bzQlg-iPsU1DwbocJxu1iQoBkEfhYbB123i8gyt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg3EWkUIX3uI4SOAS9nh4N5vPJob9dhBktRZHQXejY0DonyAC_evrlwJPNGLEcSBI2C2rHufBOgKYncaNnn7Glztf0Zy6LJ9XAlFz8wFlhJPHpipC92tsLwB9IOY-ltnM4UAANV1HQ1SsQKY4z9bzQlg-iPsU1DwbocJxu1iQoBkEfhYbB123i8gyt=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>More ornately carved, tiled, and painted spaces, with gorgeous stained glass windows.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-ubxB3xqQ7uM2lqd5Qvfbfn5ItV9jd4RURlUnLE4qQMp8ydcdhp5Dux0xuQUgI0IEtmSLm8hkW-g6apTElUBMUc6l_asERp9ynkZePLcRfo8uPreD93xkdae-ML7AknOg_5KP8AmZdGOX7m07NtDoFEwvhYffjRESg5wRBxWytYeDvXjNa3jSQQkV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-ubxB3xqQ7uM2lqd5Qvfbfn5ItV9jd4RURlUnLE4qQMp8ydcdhp5Dux0xuQUgI0IEtmSLm8hkW-g6apTElUBMUc6l_asERp9ynkZePLcRfo8uPreD93xkdae-ML7AknOg_5KP8AmZdGOX7m07NtDoFEwvhYffjRESg5wRBxWytYeDvXjNa3jSQQkV=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>The sanctuary was walled off. But when a church worker noticed I was enthralled, he lead me around to the side and let me in so I could take pictures. He was so kind! It was stunning. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijjyDXjBcMGaaUnrazs02j1PC3_ovGlvXRbmSDHX6zN2el04gUskj-jG-uM95Wn25PRjS0DKRZfoQtLoz86stc_x_zb816xfET4xNZvi5x_7AMNOxOP7QdWof1YJ6R2dyaxzg-u0AXv-0PgbW1WxZP3OiiIm_5Hb0SD9nj7Jx_ZI0p9lWSn2xr1B7K" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijjyDXjBcMGaaUnrazs02j1PC3_ovGlvXRbmSDHX6zN2el04gUskj-jG-uM95Wn25PRjS0DKRZfoQtLoz86stc_x_zb816xfET4xNZvi5x_7AMNOxOP7QdWof1YJ6R2dyaxzg-u0AXv-0PgbW1WxZP3OiiIm_5Hb0SD9nj7Jx_ZI0p9lWSn2xr1B7K=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>We ate dinner at a pub, then headed to Rose Cottage for the night. All of the old buildings have THICK walls. I insisted someone stand next to the wall for perpective. The outside walls were a good 3 feet wide.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQM-eQzApPaIk_mjsT5TOdESrh9b197oFb_C1J9oUxt8vr_LiG56DQj39FxtdxtE0bGLXOd06opG1dE9xtjtQihaiqguDMVq1j3oK2Cwsn-ZvPK3B_fGtkJd1WNYERhVCyLJPOcMQTT7KCz-PmZ-1PP9-AduSDugF5fwhJKwM_-O0DzR-SDNfSJePT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQM-eQzApPaIk_mjsT5TOdESrh9b197oFb_C1J9oUxt8vr_LiG56DQj39FxtdxtE0bGLXOd06opG1dE9xtjtQihaiqguDMVq1j3oK2Cwsn-ZvPK3B_fGtkJd1WNYERhVCyLJPOcMQTT7KCz-PmZ-1PP9-AduSDugF5fwhJKwM_-O0DzR-SDNfSJePT=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't it cute?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH04qB3XiIR5G3UUcEwAjybnT13ewQYwUvCDoJzHckpO9n_QTkGyCY1NwvL9NSYYCRtWcaFoNqnTSb_C6U9RFBeuobbWgxLDD_wyQk-SEAmh0eBYgPWqSax1bDUKqKHwTB9_mtPiU1izUKtS632HOtLTHNwzUZWuvB2HWNmUX7k04EBLSBzbzhoNmR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH04qB3XiIR5G3UUcEwAjybnT13ewQYwUvCDoJzHckpO9n_QTkGyCY1NwvL9NSYYCRtWcaFoNqnTSb_C6U9RFBeuobbWgxLDD_wyQk-SEAmh0eBYgPWqSax1bDUKqKHwTB9_mtPiU1izUKtS632HOtLTHNwzUZWuvB2HWNmUX7k04EBLSBzbzhoNmR=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>The center section was the original cottage. It was remodeled before becoming an Airbnb. This one had the most interesting bathroom situation. The shower was tiled on two sides, there was a glass wall on a third, but the 4th side was just... open. The shower head was pointed at the glass wall, but the toilet was well within spraying distance on the open side. It was a small bathroom (like all bathrooms that we saw there). But at least we had hot water. This was a major improvement.<br /></div>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-19369816449613258972023-04-13T15:19:00.004-07:002023-04-16T15:33:19.144-07:00Dublin, days 1 and 2<p> Once we landed in Dublin, we got into the "queue" to get through customs. It took a long while to get through the line. We were deemed acceptable to enter the country. We picked up our rental SUV, which was a Ford Kuga. How do you pronounce "Kuga" anyway? KOO-guh? Koo-GAH? It was a hybrid, so we were electric in town and gas-powered other times. The sad part is that the radio/back-up camera/phone charger/screen and console was somehow rendered completely blank and useless. A backup camera would have been really, really nice. We couldn't play anything over the speakers. It was a really good thing I purchased an external battery charger so we wouldn't bleed Ryan's phone dry when using Google Maps. Google Maps is a MUST.</p><p>Driving away from the Dublin airport is a trial by fire. You drive on the wrong side of the car, on the wrong side of the road, with narrow roads and tons of traffic-- straight into your first roundabout going the wrong way. The fact that there isn't a monument to bad driving right there at that intersection is a miracle.</p><p>We drove right to our Airbnb to drop off the car. We were super tired from a mostly sleepless night, but the rush of being in Ireland and wanting to make the most out of our trip had us traipsing the streets of Dublin to St. Patrick's Cathedral.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdPoSX8xR3duS398DPwz3l4CaY8ah1iYtlYVLgLjrkbb4EajOvdZ6a7FaDh1_1XO8yZeJALknE2jNqmQj2NJLPnR4qpFlgKq_1ByPiwyAanbK-KdSOeR553_t9AH2CPWtPvvsNofxPbsA9ZYaO3P_zEYFOtz8JheB-m4uR5FRV4quX27Olg3Gm52Kk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdPoSX8xR3duS398DPwz3l4CaY8ah1iYtlYVLgLjrkbb4EajOvdZ6a7FaDh1_1XO8yZeJALknE2jNqmQj2NJLPnR4qpFlgKq_1ByPiwyAanbK-KdSOeR553_t9AH2CPWtPvvsNofxPbsA9ZYaO3P_zEYFOtz8JheB-m4uR5FRV4quX27Olg3Gm52Kk=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>Now we head into a picture dump of gothic architecture because I am in love. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOGaMU1v1Ed0yRmFxm1s8QRnxEwqhFX9bnEfooNcO-7URS9EEjSY9YWWljktBcTyvzeXSlE0xBnGUigIugoTgcdAOVwYWqSBjSOXPpDbJUu6uisSO-JMPXMMmYzgt14ACh2ITOKpqUr6cdD7yQq3IrAeFCWYSWmpDR8EwAVeQ_yqZEVgBKI1BaYZ-F" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOGaMU1v1Ed0yRmFxm1s8QRnxEwqhFX9bnEfooNcO-7URS9EEjSY9YWWljktBcTyvzeXSlE0xBnGUigIugoTgcdAOVwYWqSBjSOXPpDbJUu6uisSO-JMPXMMmYzgt14ACh2ITOKpqUr6cdD7yQq3IrAeFCWYSWmpDR8EwAVeQ_yqZEVgBKI1BaYZ-F=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids did some brass rubbings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN1fLbMZyedt8nfC3B49p69wsJ2dq3OtrPeHJnqudkcEkB4iPjtLJPxFOZIhYJcOsAxIqdq6fuABOZs_V_2vu2MxKd3C3YgmkycufGfjUCXkSOOn7OKa_KR2kUkr7gViVfLcvh1UBNImNumNv6DA3kF1J3Y_CsiWCIZVG8PwZ2ATqJOjr9Q6H_2N2_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN1fLbMZyedt8nfC3B49p69wsJ2dq3OtrPeHJnqudkcEkB4iPjtLJPxFOZIhYJcOsAxIqdq6fuABOZs_V_2vu2MxKd3C3YgmkycufGfjUCXkSOOn7OKa_KR2kUkr7gViVfLcvh1UBNImNumNv6DA3kF1J3Y_CsiWCIZVG8PwZ2ATqJOjr9Q6H_2N2_=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>Our tour guide told us a story about Jonathon Swift, author of Guilliver's Travels. He preached sermons at St. Patrick's Cathedral, going on for 4 hours. He had a mobile pulpit, and if he saw someone snoozing during his sermon he would have someone wheel him over so he could shout down at the sleeping parishioner to wake up. Maddie liked his death mask. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbwhgLZwuc6WHDttwTe2PG2EIeRAvr4DY8k5pVKWcsFZEhwYN-X_-SUOyZInMne3AyhfePxrM9OMrI_XBEjLS0NOekAL6TCf8-BUDr1DBPtzN3zXPpKQZ--d12k9yTrRTq8s17iBLncdM4iRwfs3FHpCLw0yUK0ViLqlClISO8Yx-GjlYut-iOKaew" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbwhgLZwuc6WHDttwTe2PG2EIeRAvr4DY8k5pVKWcsFZEhwYN-X_-SUOyZInMne3AyhfePxrM9OMrI_XBEjLS0NOekAL6TCf8-BUDr1DBPtzN3zXPpKQZ--d12k9yTrRTq8s17iBLncdM4iRwfs3FHpCLw0yUK0ViLqlClISO8Yx-GjlYut-iOKaew" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBKbMVd7Csj9iyswD0RjkuhU1M6zhIA1IkhBUUTWh-r3Bg7Un2GAW475R8YNtRjlDujZYBAit4JOpmUzWsy7e-qp7VWg3tTXWFN135iLEep0FAo1_hDvnGITnpOsWXLH57O-UU4HGdJGFUqIsz_BZvKaj0jr88a04n2wrIijekQf3ZOptn1EHhCeGh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBKbMVd7Csj9iyswD0RjkuhU1M6zhIA1IkhBUUTWh-r3Bg7Un2GAW475R8YNtRjlDujZYBAit4JOpmUzWsy7e-qp7VWg3tTXWFN135iLEep0FAo1_hDvnGITnpOsWXLH57O-UU4HGdJGFUqIsz_BZvKaj0jr88a04n2wrIijekQf3ZOptn1EHhCeGh=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-Irq3KeAVdFReWTMVqaaM8PAMYraaBGvw3ObYEcNaGcoHr9fldNnAtxDoV96oV0HYBbgiTfItvOX5zxCeHG_75ktxlk5BLw38KZ5kCAcJBYGIp8CvvltSewYVxBx7zST2ZeNL8zCA_P3HQTj0KhtBsKoBWkb6q4WXKjsvXOEY4dR8DNuahJf5EVId" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-Irq3KeAVdFReWTMVqaaM8PAMYraaBGvw3ObYEcNaGcoHr9fldNnAtxDoV96oV0HYBbgiTfItvOX5zxCeHG_75ktxlk5BLw38KZ5kCAcJBYGIp8CvvltSewYVxBx7zST2ZeNL8zCA_P3HQTj0KhtBsKoBWkb6q4WXKjsvXOEY4dR8DNuahJf5EVId=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi162ceyZDDNQqIe-hRdnDuPPHwZyTUiF_eqbfhsNtKUN3547XglXZidzVHRvli7dL0uk4d6YDSTorL1X8tsgslg6oGzash6rawn_GRs-1uT2ch7rbr7yVAwPxOF-PFp_-z0byIO48cmeXO5ShBYM46NBv62CKgn5YxVh4Wqyp3FBsk5Rsu-8WQjBX9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi162ceyZDDNQqIe-hRdnDuPPHwZyTUiF_eqbfhsNtKUN3547XglXZidzVHRvli7dL0uk4d6YDSTorL1X8tsgslg6oGzash6rawn_GRs-1uT2ch7rbr7yVAwPxOF-PFp_-z0byIO48cmeXO5ShBYM46NBv62CKgn5YxVh4Wqyp3FBsk5Rsu-8WQjBX9=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />This was a Fitzgibbon. Not a relation, but he did have the same surname as I did once upon a time.<p></p><p>Also, I embraced the fanny pack. I kinda like it. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgda_027eRf9nk9UqIz99SND28PkiS8W0msFZe7JZ59ECn9xOyDuZaKjabXiMGyEneK_pEmAXTLtP52ex2AX_bBAt1eE_zEwS3M6KDedkWxO6l3DCJKSCWAKcVbXiIzXXQe1B9Xn7xx5MT3xOklxovLPToJMlJ4b56rOTklJXdmMTsfo-QMhP2Xd4iZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgda_027eRf9nk9UqIz99SND28PkiS8W0msFZe7JZ59ECn9xOyDuZaKjabXiMGyEneK_pEmAXTLtP52ex2AX_bBAt1eE_zEwS3M6KDedkWxO6l3DCJKSCWAKcVbXiIzXXQe1B9Xn7xx5MT3xOklxovLPToJMlJ4b56rOTklJXdmMTsfo-QMhP2Xd4iZ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We walked by Temple Bar on our way back to our condo for the night. I had to take a picture even though we had no intention to drink.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu5n07n-4e7J_kDM7oJdzUZgg2NUwuY9OdHyrQfnZIAbog8f3QUzyHYhKSb5mYCTULiLv1k5A_TKp1ZxqHzz7KYjrJdwv-eR89P7byX1S9ID6qgHbNmPdTT7u0Dd-MISZGc03w2mbhQGsy5vb37Ya9tpdGtcG_NzWAcx7Lxoxp5lWu--ywuMfFWaon" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu5n07n-4e7J_kDM7oJdzUZgg2NUwuY9OdHyrQfnZIAbog8f3QUzyHYhKSb5mYCTULiLv1k5A_TKp1ZxqHzz7KYjrJdwv-eR89P7byX1S9ID6qgHbNmPdTT7u0Dd-MISZGc03w2mbhQGsy5vb37Ya9tpdGtcG_NzWAcx7Lxoxp5lWu--ywuMfFWaon=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was a Georgian house. It has all of the moldings and fancy things.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHUoPTLB2gVe6TSbwxSOrh3zG1BmJTXWh0ZF2qlgv5-i4TL0gzMvFXj8eYy-IkLr6AwcO7GmTtgZylGmXvYGXq8ehQCqnhhEfAVQCaZmf6RURV4X2G6wTXdutjPW3CD27Spa0D04p8-bDCjfOjLPoUFVbsTFnjGR3TTijdn0PVeVnirF5_-UtI5IY1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHUoPTLB2gVe6TSbwxSOrh3zG1BmJTXWh0ZF2qlgv5-i4TL0gzMvFXj8eYy-IkLr6AwcO7GmTtgZylGmXvYGXq8ehQCqnhhEfAVQCaZmf6RURV4X2G6wTXdutjPW3CD27Spa0D04p8-bDCjfOjLPoUFVbsTFnjGR3TTijdn0PVeVnirF5_-UtI5IY1=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our apartment was on the top floor. 5 flights of thigh-burning stairs up! (Only 4 if you came in through the front door.) Speaking of-- floors are numbered differently. A floor at the street level is the "ground floor" and the one up from that is the first floor. That's a little different than the US.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8LTTjh4FGrGX3bTA5FyW6ps6CPOFYb7bj8zAlr_8QwbtpPJqHu33MasgVY5FoqNcDq13Q0k8wRGDhvpW0cWWeUway4_VYRYhAhjILlY1EgvHPtbob1QbFsrEnvW4CT4AyNv8RZHsoG0KmerIw_ufqjQdoXv4CNCQeeIAS4GlPvtO_efgGw3ZDjet5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8LTTjh4FGrGX3bTA5FyW6ps6CPOFYb7bj8zAlr_8QwbtpPJqHu33MasgVY5FoqNcDq13Q0k8wRGDhvpW0cWWeUway4_VYRYhAhjILlY1EgvHPtbob1QbFsrEnvW4CT4AyNv8RZHsoG0KmerIw_ufqjQdoXv4CNCQeeIAS4GlPvtO_efgGw3ZDjet5=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />Elizabeth got bounced back and forth between hide-a-beds and a twin bed in a bedroom shared with the twins on this trip. She started out on a hide-a-bed.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV516QDOciSDIKfAcXOFvYmJd4ZGObTmenH38ngPBJufQWSLDBMHKSGUWxBFJf0BRRPXpXsCJXG5jC51VEhqVXMdF2tX6jxxwXg1y1NEyj1Tvuqppwf_IVVe0O6MfH8ZSB-sX3fIgPsPcq302IK-OqaFvxNUOitEDcbyXgBiWIw6IYAmByCDOTfEcP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV516QDOciSDIKfAcXOFvYmJd4ZGObTmenH38ngPBJufQWSLDBMHKSGUWxBFJf0BRRPXpXsCJXG5jC51VEhqVXMdF2tX6jxxwXg1y1NEyj1Tvuqppwf_IVVe0O6MfH8ZSB-sX3fIgPsPcq302IK-OqaFvxNUOitEDcbyXgBiWIw6IYAmByCDOTfEcP=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />Elizabeth's view of the kitchen.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmDm9wIc7YxURQgT-7WstVTCwurnRxj_jHi8W55uxVXq6bk3VVc_aXKOurNABqDK2Lj2wPaLr0uHhAVj9Wn0FBpm80NfzlSvj37132wOTff8-Z56K7Bj9OtYE6YzCMr9pB8KSzoluWfn55NU3lAX30Dy189ZVS_YtjkYLuAClNFAfMf7y55P7WmoQI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmDm9wIc7YxURQgT-7WstVTCwurnRxj_jHi8W55uxVXq6bk3VVc_aXKOurNABqDK2Lj2wPaLr0uHhAVj9Wn0FBpm80NfzlSvj37132wOTff8-Z56K7Bj9OtYE6YzCMr9pB8KSzoluWfn55NU3lAX30Dy189ZVS_YtjkYLuAClNFAfMf7y55P7WmoQI=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>I want to talk about the electricity situation in Ireland. Every single outlet has an on/off switch. And each appliance gets switched off when not in use. But it is a guess which switch goes with which appliance. In this place, we could not figure out two things: Which switch would turn on the dishwasher, and how to turn on the hot water heater. We had no hot water. Annie and Maddie opted for super quick, icy showers, but the rest of us opted for a wet washcloth "bathing." Every single place we stayed in had complicated showers involving string pull switches from the ceiling, power buttons, sometimes no shower doors or curtains, or other odd things.<div><br /></div><div>We slept pretty well, and then it was off for more sightseeing!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZHWSqkRBO4BzfCxzOpb7CyIhvQEZCzSpvp9e_iTBKw8G0zjeI9SLgl6Baw08xGBJWILzsXiacfg-JDspme80iGJgT7U7p_7o7fPftrOqjH3s3JGughhKQbe1jkpJ6VlsXq7pPMUQFb62of1ikVkhC1OarJFXb5esTz3st1Obp-NCykejyF61Ccb14" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZHWSqkRBO4BzfCxzOpb7CyIhvQEZCzSpvp9e_iTBKw8G0zjeI9SLgl6Baw08xGBJWILzsXiacfg-JDspme80iGJgT7U7p_7o7fPftrOqjH3s3JGughhKQbe1jkpJ6VlsXq7pPMUQFb62of1ikVkhC1OarJFXb5esTz3st1Obp-NCykejyF61Ccb14=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />The view from our apartment.<br /><br />The Ha'Penny Bridge over the river Liffey.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0Szk97T_1oYlQKJnPX_L6Ev1IgAZdJtVN3L2ALi04iUUkriCMG4-KXW3S_J3wFHo2hmiIpf8j1ihxnvpIuqHdK3Na_62I1RPfAbLBtq-ggmllA4gI5KFlLla7uM4LrHCWNpOLhByJucfJDUV7HEIQEVXcVhhvzhf-Rpnz9HHQbBENfR1PQA9RvFHq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0Szk97T_1oYlQKJnPX_L6Ev1IgAZdJtVN3L2ALi04iUUkriCMG4-KXW3S_J3wFHo2hmiIpf8j1ihxnvpIuqHdK3Na_62I1RPfAbLBtq-ggmllA4gI5KFlLla7uM4LrHCWNpOLhByJucfJDUV7HEIQEVXcVhhvzhf-Rpnz9HHQbBENfR1PQA9RvFHq=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>We walked to Trinity College to check out the Book of Kells and the Long Room library. We couldn't take pictures of the actual Book of Kells, but there were plenty of displays to check out before seeing the actual book. The amount of work into each picture and line of text is astounding. Many of the capital letters in the text are illustrated beautifully. The lines of text are so, so even- something well out of my capabilities.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzpDIfJGSIiCHt0zmF09ts8XZT9R472vGrSDdt-Hwzn7TEFhvNIKZTkxEsq78RKLFbT-bpgPKSLTxsotmGpsN483Wx3V5xw3JpzRJaO9wldcrESsmmK3x5Q2Gk3ecEizyimy4fSbYsSQwSGY3znFaFD_MVwn7J_1P1_oiii7m6-ac9Qeba6pKIZvEX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzpDIfJGSIiCHt0zmF09ts8XZT9R472vGrSDdt-Hwzn7TEFhvNIKZTkxEsq78RKLFbT-bpgPKSLTxsotmGpsN483Wx3V5xw3JpzRJaO9wldcrESsmmK3x5Q2Gk3ecEizyimy4fSbYsSQwSGY3znFaFD_MVwn7J_1P1_oiii7m6-ac9Qeba6pKIZvEX=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXn1_Nr0GnyLqlrRNwIshTMAXXwcX6MSlt2GejIv18rIiIGIChinN5K8Ef-ZXzQRRdpB0MojU273PpXsQpLB_GuuhupCUbr_f8hF_exf3-wK9hxAYRU_5NTxsSOadNQyoUoRPTlodhtpNQB547eZ_50dbZCuohqrYXXnYxojM128kYoqeGLDZgyb2e" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXn1_Nr0GnyLqlrRNwIshTMAXXwcX6MSlt2GejIv18rIiIGIChinN5K8Ef-ZXzQRRdpB0MojU273PpXsQpLB_GuuhupCUbr_f8hF_exf3-wK9hxAYRU_5NTxsSOadNQyoUoRPTlodhtpNQB547eZ_50dbZCuohqrYXXnYxojM128kYoqeGLDZgyb2e=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then to the Long Room library. It was pretty amazing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCwJzA9p-GTRiCbB5bWe_eMvcTGEb77vz8bQnyeB1ctPcjHr_E3KpIp9kXcbZicbB55s5PuwIwtzucRHaqnBEQDynjag_clk5aUki8NMtU0DrB3vA4nF_qZcN-4MZjMfmgyus8wC4nsm52Se9nQxdaCbOmeCJ9UB-DGtBZrzaJe21oex1GBi6buCmZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCwJzA9p-GTRiCbB5bWe_eMvcTGEb77vz8bQnyeB1ctPcjHr_E3KpIp9kXcbZicbB55s5PuwIwtzucRHaqnBEQDynjag_clk5aUki8NMtU0DrB3vA4nF_qZcN-4MZjMfmgyus8wC4nsm52Se9nQxdaCbOmeCJ9UB-DGtBZrzaJe21oex1GBi6buCmZ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>Trinity College is in the process of boxing up all of the books and statues to get ready for a 3 year long renovation beginning in October. It was still spectacular. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitbqYBvhzNHVOawIwpCRiFDynQbQLCfYTGTIQCJPQh0SLdxfxDuJPHhkAvohrfwlpozkHuaDKAA_OPp-9JJjo_IO77VOXLp-kjeIkjsroDi0VkRMFKA8A2urzuV7kyxJFWhN5GWTS1pBBh5uxVr-FPTUC6yQv73Cm30gQojbFKqA7JsgzkzHFg6iVT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitbqYBvhzNHVOawIwpCRiFDynQbQLCfYTGTIQCJPQh0SLdxfxDuJPHhkAvohrfwlpozkHuaDKAA_OPp-9JJjo_IO77VOXLp-kjeIkjsroDi0VkRMFKA8A2urzuV7kyxJFWhN5GWTS1pBBh5uxVr-FPTUC6yQv73Cm30gQojbFKqA7JsgzkzHFg6iVT=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsfhKUSYTFQGSPJ22Jw8cCXXRlxLfqHMGK3uYT_I1XjgqxdhNv-ldpGa5OtNtDty3kFnRE9Qy5w4VHdqwejWKnkXIzicLa8JuIIYkPoqp4rUrUdDenCRoRc04V1zlH8KSRccPALo1M_ZkfyM90GOggfBmI2y4wPesD7whcL_CrJ4Kn2XPFDMQuNK6L" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsfhKUSYTFQGSPJ22Jw8cCXXRlxLfqHMGK3uYT_I1XjgqxdhNv-ldpGa5OtNtDty3kFnRE9Qy5w4VHdqwejWKnkXIzicLa8JuIIYkPoqp4rUrUdDenCRoRc04V1zlH8KSRccPALo1M_ZkfyM90GOggfBmI2y4wPesD7whcL_CrJ4Kn2XPFDMQuNK6L=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>I found a tweed "Grandpa hat" in the gift shop. I couldn't convince Ryan to buy it, but at least we got a picture.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJUzK-Q-cdtPI8twHhRVPc1EW99TQvGzkPvyu_DTNAIgHGf0prcJ-6H6TxUGHxelhLi7pbrLKoxYQrSL-rjiRc5qtaPfmO2q8k2gRIx3Hejcd5a42zB5eJN6TNKNBADTh_doxOfUUVov71Q2l5-mMTevURdKqcaPnF32rl1x1qfP2TsTEU5YoW6K91" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJUzK-Q-cdtPI8twHhRVPc1EW99TQvGzkPvyu_DTNAIgHGf0prcJ-6H6TxUGHxelhLi7pbrLKoxYQrSL-rjiRc5qtaPfmO2q8k2gRIx3Hejcd5a42zB5eJN6TNKNBADTh_doxOfUUVov71Q2l5-mMTevURdKqcaPnF32rl1x1qfP2TsTEU5YoW6K91=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we were off to Dublin Castle. We took the guided tour, so we could see the medieval parts and the chapel. More gothic revival style... I would love to go to church here. The organ pipes are even painted.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHRI_mOLCzBVAY6SHb9pO5aW4kOoPM0EKd0HBV-wHrzzVJu3idCfRGENChWe7eolqOI-h6UNZ1F_rBxvX84-zCT1f7JoTgbOuYvy0Gl4B0xdscMVKtZGk2jcELuXoKjh_WOEU4hYdfmjzIBTGde1L-LaGVO-wW4lXYFnUpa5q4Axe1Ah3Gc66sXMNB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHRI_mOLCzBVAY6SHb9pO5aW4kOoPM0EKd0HBV-wHrzzVJu3idCfRGENChWe7eolqOI-h6UNZ1F_rBxvX84-zCT1f7JoTgbOuYvy0Gl4B0xdscMVKtZGk2jcELuXoKjh_WOEU4hYdfmjzIBTGde1L-LaGVO-wW4lXYFnUpa5q4Axe1Ah3Gc66sXMNB=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course, I may not ever pay attention in church if my eyes are constantly taking in the decor.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi13Q8kBCILFKagnKYOIsxebh_EVcD4w-G7n7driAby2lqlVthMJAUCSYln2rmUn49Iv79Brz458b9Gqmo9KQxePCwq3QBvJYQOEOKIiQ5K15KooCypqQUT_i02xJMLsZMwyPKyL0UfTw2fJxDoBnjX86LCeapa74te7hHboD-A3BVWtgO_-uBEnBc7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi13Q8kBCILFKagnKYOIsxebh_EVcD4w-G7n7driAby2lqlVthMJAUCSYln2rmUn49Iv79Brz458b9Gqmo9KQxePCwq3QBvJYQOEOKIiQ5K15KooCypqQUT_i02xJMLsZMwyPKyL0UfTw2fJxDoBnjX86LCeapa74te7hHboD-A3BVWtgO_-uBEnBc7=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />Then we were let loose to enjoy the self-guided portions of the castle.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwKazySeNaZW_IiHgY3FqM9jY_HW-IxOIItqNbYFJnbX2HlENcAwWBwdaYOGZnE3IfUmQiahYtf-ihdrxi0o07VptxdX7L19oQIa97qMI9djQrEuRfavU2yKS10RSVHEiWVWEVu5DQgEimg36UuZA4yddWLit0uMXzIBZGDhYjStsFNRWgWfDC7hlZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwKazySeNaZW_IiHgY3FqM9jY_HW-IxOIItqNbYFJnbX2HlENcAwWBwdaYOGZnE3IfUmQiahYtf-ihdrxi0o07VptxdX7L19oQIa97qMI9djQrEuRfavU2yKS10RSVHEiWVWEVu5DQgEimg36UuZA4yddWLit0uMXzIBZGDhYjStsFNRWgWfDC7hlZ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkSlYUAgavBmrHaSWVlrFZRDCUyEQk7213n4L310h4UVhxUpf-hRkkNVfWNfyaad6f6lk7YVKTEm7FOU1f4cdOPcB5J2o6egZ3HIkVOLQshsbHmUufXzy9UvZDKSuXqT-jxAYBBF19hR2k-60VMbZjW0hjayvj7qdTc8cTZ96q97mWgRp-ls9_sM9Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkSlYUAgavBmrHaSWVlrFZRDCUyEQk7213n4L310h4UVhxUpf-hRkkNVfWNfyaad6f6lk7YVKTEm7FOU1f4cdOPcB5J2o6egZ3HIkVOLQshsbHmUufXzy9UvZDKSuXqT-jxAYBBF19hR2k-60VMbZjW0hjayvj7qdTc8cTZ96q97mWgRp-ls9_sM9Q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />You can see the Lady Justice statue above Annie's head. There are a couple of interesting, non-traditional features about this statue. One: She faces towards the castle, not the community. Two: She is not blindfolded. Three: The scales she holds will tip literally towards the tax office when it rains. Our tour guide told us the saying about this particular Lady Justice: "The Statue of Justice, well mark her station, her face to the castle, her [hind end] to the nation!"<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiNXoGRIhPw797HGR1adzLEzXTkfaXftHYRh6GpcijrnsuDx4OeX2j7Lo2c249q4ixl_b-5b2VyLKofFSqvHJZb0jLEXjBY603uRh8-HmKl-KBZh2hvu3wgtFG6IoM0ykWZ4ilkm3kLwCAT6eVrt8yUcifZ4YUyZV55auAOmcgpC5l4WzE7nSJST8e" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiNXoGRIhPw797HGR1adzLEzXTkfaXftHYRh6GpcijrnsuDx4OeX2j7Lo2c249q4ixl_b-5b2VyLKofFSqvHJZb0jLEXjBY603uRh8-HmKl-KBZh2hvu3wgtFG6IoM0ykWZ4ilkm3kLwCAT6eVrt8yUcifZ4YUyZV55auAOmcgpC5l4WzE7nSJST8e=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>We picked up sandwiches for lunch at a SPAR corner store, and then stumbled across this little Turkish bakery and grocery store. They had really yummy pastries that were way better than our premade sandwiches.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT6HpoKRQKwgP5Vw06OHaT5x6VCYd-vjBRFeKJl6zc-m6KWrmp1LQtUhm_iyP8wy8KXC1V036NAnKrm_v_7WOqBJ0-cv6cHx5K4p-cHvUcyqOt5J2tD3bQndbkdHc-fUDQMDUpVop0S625sGlfxK8rmAOhSJSo40pduA_rt5ReZYniKMMsm6Il6bw1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT6HpoKRQKwgP5Vw06OHaT5x6VCYd-vjBRFeKJl6zc-m6KWrmp1LQtUhm_iyP8wy8KXC1V036NAnKrm_v_7WOqBJ0-cv6cHx5K4p-cHvUcyqOt5J2tD3bQndbkdHc-fUDQMDUpVop0S625sGlfxK8rmAOhSJSo40pduA_rt5ReZYniKMMsm6Il6bw1=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then it was time to leave Dublin. We got back to the place we had stayed the night as we had permission to leave the car there even though we had checked out officially. I think door knobs in the middle of doors are hilarious. But not out of the ordinary there.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_m45ZSPJ6rg0eYxM_iZVVdhakp2fRhcduW9yYHJNPbLyN7hfqWTznQC-oxwobluzTDhdbHFjeVP-TCRCAyViYt_8isalKMptwtqg9_qLvYADB_bsMH1ORin4A3iViC2iOHt8DdMysxT42N41chEsGQ2l9u88inXIoMyPHe_eYOWXX6iQE4BTu-nxd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_m45ZSPJ6rg0eYxM_iZVVdhakp2fRhcduW9yYHJNPbLyN7hfqWTznQC-oxwobluzTDhdbHFjeVP-TCRCAyViYt_8isalKMptwtqg9_qLvYADB_bsMH1ORin4A3iViC2iOHt8DdMysxT42N41chEsGQ2l9u88inXIoMyPHe_eYOWXX6iQE4BTu-nxd=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our street was quite busy. We wandered down to see what all of the fuss was about and lo and behold, they were filming a movie. Word on the street was that Anthony Hopkins had been spotted the day before and they were filming a movie about Sigmund Freud in his later years. I don't know that we will ever watch the movie, but hey, we were there!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc2jLSE6PS4l3xuIk9-GHeBOrJfeI7BRgOBP4Sw9XNgwaOR1Um0P4NzseGVpHlwxbJU0uVMNcrBxg5d6u2TjNPWQ3HOXIsaci0tJbKpAn4xgaJgJPyUcbvgMAIx5TZQPrFTQsjfgppvoAGhRc2kMAoUrcghP0sDwUnxaL-zC-gvESyKvq3XY7nJi73" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc2jLSE6PS4l3xuIk9-GHeBOrJfeI7BRgOBP4Sw9XNgwaOR1Um0P4NzseGVpHlwxbJU0uVMNcrBxg5d6u2TjNPWQ3HOXIsaci0tJbKpAn4xgaJgJPyUcbvgMAIx5TZQPrFTQsjfgppvoAGhRc2kMAoUrcghP0sDwUnxaL-zC-gvESyKvq3XY7nJi73=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div>One of the old vehicles being used for props didn't actually work after being unloaded from a trailer on our alley way. To get out of our parking space, Ryan had to help push it out of the alley and into the street so we could get out.<br /><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIEN0mQoeh1boeQsOV-Q9QhMz39LmgHFnDqhcp8ra2DpHY_iN-9l-Iy4BkDinBbzURcZMPJfGNCWh6ww3ym5gEPojxIX9SpLTwZuGB8pG7D9C3W_6uN9W35aPc-nfMfPnMR_2mxTRQ06IVOYOej2ZU-akPdT0dc9SzOip3R4XwiBgC9Iv0_KXPz6mM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIEN0mQoeh1boeQsOV-Q9QhMz39LmgHFnDqhcp8ra2DpHY_iN-9l-Iy4BkDinBbzURcZMPJfGNCWh6ww3ym5gEPojxIX9SpLTwZuGB8pG7D9C3W_6uN9W35aPc-nfMfPnMR_2mxTRQ06IVOYOej2ZU-akPdT0dc9SzOip3R4XwiBgC9Iv0_KXPz6mM=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>I left all of the driving to Ryan. He was a trooper and we took the car back to the rental place unscratched. I played the part of navigator on this trip, which is a less difficult job but also pretty demanding. We even sprung for the way more expensive automatic transmission. Ryan made do with a standard on our last trip, but the automatic was so much better.</p><p>One more thing about Dublin. The smell of cigarettes, cigars, and vaping pens is EVERYWHERE. I have never seen so many vaping devices. They were all shapes, sizes, and colors. And I am not sure what was in all of them-- some smelled a bit funky. I'm so glad the good ol' US did the whole campaign on the health effects of all that because it seems so much less prevalent, at least where we live.</p><p></p></div>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-40610372950508971082023-04-12T17:54:00.000-07:002023-04-12T17:54:44.842-07:00The Trip That Almost Wasn't<p> Last November I had a mild maternal freak-out. Emma was moving across the country, and Elizabeth was a mere few months away from reaching that magic age of 18 that proclaims adulthood. I decided that distracting myself by looking at possible trips abroad would be how I was going to cope with this particular near meltdown. But looking at those trips made me realize that it was entirely doable to go as a family. In the summer before Emma's senior year, we took a family trip to Kauai. We could do a similar thing and take the family to Ireland during the Spring Break of Elizabeth's senior year. I have been carefully adding to my savings account, aptly named "Travel Fund," for a while and it was sizable. </p><p>So, we bought plane tickets and made a rental car reservation. It was really going to happen!</p><p>Over the next two months I researched places in Ireland I wanted to go. Some of the places would be repeats of the trip Ryan and I did in 2017 to share with the girls, and others would be new to us as well. We made reservations of Airbnbs around the southern region, and two hotel nights in Dublin- the night after we arrived and the night before we leave. I bought two plug adapters with enough outlets to charge everyone's phones every night. Found the neck pillows. I made lists. Made plans. Made a calendar. Made back up plans depending on the weather. Got someone to feed our animals. I even purchased Ryan a new Jansport backpack to replace his 15+ year old one. (I searched for a backpack nearly exactly the same as the one I wanted to replace. Ryan doesn't like change once he finds something that works. So I bought him the backpack and didn't tell him about it until he was faced with the replacement in real life and he knew we could send it back. Once the backpack was in hand, he totally was on board with having a new, functioning bag.) We were set to leave the day after Ryan got out for Spring Break. (This was different for him versus the kids because of Parent Teacher Conferences at the elementary school level. Ryan had an extra day past when the kids were done.) And most of all, we were excited and mostly packed!</p><p>26 hours before we were due to leave, I got a text update from British Airways that our flight to Dublin was canceled.</p><p>Cue spiraling freak out.</p><p>I desperately tried to reach Ryan and of course he was busy. I logged into Travelocity and sure enough, the flight had gone kaput due to the London airport workers strike. We had wrongly booked a trip with a London lay-over because it was cheaper than a direct flight. Travelocity had a chat feature to contact them, which I started. It took a long while to make it from computer generated responses to an actual person. I had finally gotten a hold of Ryan and he understood the gravity of the situation and came home so we could talk because it was around lunch time. Eventually I was transferred to a call with a thickly accented real-life person, which was not as helpful as I had hoped. The best they could offer was a flight that was over 24 hours and routed us through Istanbul.</p><p>Seriously?</p><p>And if that wasn't enough, if I canceled the flight then all of the plans booked through Travelocity were also canceled. Not that it mattered regarding the hotel stays because those were non-refundable.</p><p>The computer chat-turned-phone call had gone on a long time. Ryan had returned to work and when things got interesting, I called him on Annie and Maddie's phone so I wouldn't have to make all of the hard decisions alone. And we made the hard decision to pull the plug on the whole thing. For whatever reason, Travelocity couldn't contrive of any way to make this trip happen without doubling the price and shortening the stay. They said all of the good flights were booked. To say that I was sick to my stomach and disappointed would be an understatement. Multiply that by three teenaged girls and you might understand how we were feeling. I cried while canceling our Airbnb stays. This whole sad process had sucked a solid 3 hours out of my day.</p><p>Once Ryan got home for the evening we talked about what we could do with our Spring Break. What kinds of activities could be dream up? We could surely try and resusitate something. Ryan gave each of us a pencil and paper and told us to think of ideas of things to do. Annie and Maddie had zero things written on their papers. If we couldn't go to Ireland, there was not a dang thing in this world that could replace it. No bowling, no Tulip Festival, no eating at restuarants could make up a fraction of what we were missing. We talked about when we could rebook the trip. Ryan was unwilling to miss more than a day of work at a time, and Elizabeth needed to get a job at least by the end of her senior year which would prohibit a summer trip. Ultimately, we figured out that if we wanted a family trip then we needed to just do it. The best prices I could find had us leaving 3 days later than Friday. It was more, much more, than we had originally planned. But it was now or never.</p><p>So we bought new tickets- ones that were straight from Seattle to Dublin. Reserved another rental car. And prayed I could find places to stay this close to the trip. We got everything booked over the next 24 hours. </p><p>I was only cautiously optimistic about the upcoming trip. I kept feeling like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop and we would really be out of more money because a lot of those places I booked were non-refundable. But on the plus side, we could watch all 5 sessions of General Conference at home, and on Friday- attend a baptism and host the missionaries, the new member, and another family for dinner. 'Cause why not. We were only supposed to be winging our way to Ireland then. </p><p>Finally Monday rolled around. We were all packed early and then waited around, watching tv until it was time to leave. Our flight left Seattle at 6:50 pm and it is a 3 hour drive to the airport. There was no reason to leave until after lunch. At the last moment as we were loading our bags into the car, my van had a low tire warning come up. Ryan had just filled up the tires that morning, so to have a low tire again so soon was not promising. He filled the tire up again and then loaded our air compressor into the back of the van, then away we went. Once at SeaTac, there literally were no spaces open at our favorite car park. The attendent said she didn't know of any car park that had space. (NOOOO!!! This trip must be cursed!) This was news to us as we had never had an issue before; not that we take many trips... I guess we looked pathetic enough, because the lady had us pull over to the side and she checked reservations. There was someone who hadn't shown up and she kindly let us go in. I was worried that someone might recind that offer all the way until we got dropped off at the airport. (Can they do that?)</p><p>We took the escalaters down to go get our passports checked and tickets printed. I was feeling semi-confident at this point that we were really going to Ireland. What I failed to notice was that one of my shoes had come untied. One of my shoe laces got stuck in the escalator and I did not realize this until I was trying to get off and I couldn't. This boat was going down. I had visions of the Escalator Monster eating my shoe and then my leg, and then we really couldn't go because I would be maimed... etc. etc. Maybe I was feeling a little melodramatic. I was able to extract my shoe lace with only a little trouble. Ryan didn't even notice I had gone down.</p><p>We had a solid half hour wait to go through security. But in the end, we were able to board and take off, and it was finally real. We were going to Ireland! Wahoo!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFMdLdw6_bnfiZSDyk4ZiVNowIG1vqXk4aWO2t5cpMvWxVNuzWxk6dRRjgjogipyrrgYiD9cgMiLzi1gsu9MbTX10ZUenUDP6JrEG76iXpER0R3af8AbxOKLxMqFsv1luSLiTpytR8-aJwX6BF7eiyATUrXql6B2AkZLsEzhIJJ40OchXMH3vaOHvN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFMdLdw6_bnfiZSDyk4ZiVNowIG1vqXk4aWO2t5cpMvWxVNuzWxk6dRRjgjogipyrrgYiD9cgMiLzi1gsu9MbTX10ZUenUDP6JrEG76iXpER0R3af8AbxOKLxMqFsv1luSLiTpytR8-aJwX6BF7eiyATUrXql6B2AkZLsEzhIJJ40OchXMH3vaOHvN" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a really long line for security.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEOjKTTPMFPqJiavqUgMeUUC5mE1GMmtVlgW2u90VYPQn9vnySYG737_HJYP35FOy48IQWN-rbY8RIMbrs5xMbTtss6h1PFmDKVMsxxL22kkicuv3XuMwX4ZTWZxJ22wxNwdVg5-1WRv2hAgSPvg946YLDjaoHPLn4nCBvZjJoJwYyNFvTyjlqFY3p" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEOjKTTPMFPqJiavqUgMeUUC5mE1GMmtVlgW2u90VYPQn9vnySYG737_HJYP35FOy48IQWN-rbY8RIMbrs5xMbTtss6h1PFmDKVMsxxL22kkicuv3XuMwX4ZTWZxJ22wxNwdVg5-1WRv2hAgSPvg946YLDjaoHPLn4nCBvZjJoJwYyNFvTyjlqFY3p" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ready to go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTGiyiQqGjheXAXlh13NRSj8hzBGLKGsxS9g2SAN7RxJSs1-Oiv6AqNdsg0uMO74kHd1PTaaGVKnq_HC0lqNzp6qRek_E7CBYlLHlJEzr__DZ0IywZvL1gVqR8Qb_a1GcVIoO3brG8mq1B0BeUNTvgSwmtNJMuKdoqqk1m8BPgnjn3nybVMoRu6_U8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTGiyiQqGjheXAXlh13NRSj8hzBGLKGsxS9g2SAN7RxJSs1-Oiv6AqNdsg0uMO74kHd1PTaaGVKnq_HC0lqNzp6qRek_E7CBYlLHlJEzr__DZ0IywZvL1gVqR8Qb_a1GcVIoO3brG8mq1B0BeUNTvgSwmtNJMuKdoqqk1m8BPgnjn3nybVMoRu6_U8" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leaving Seattle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUdWBj0o0e6IEwqaDZviyrFRH_5lv6axVqDi_AzDlSebw9OCfyeo48jwi0gJmEo3RgA3ztUgbQBmK2gu3QtovHRSJFbuNlcBiiOyHJIcfF46xQ5i0j_OvnWBUVoDp2dZbJyY9blliCVf8YZeHI-Gyyhead_5oEKwn63naBqkejWdSLMn-ewKsznBby" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="469" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUdWBj0o0e6IEwqaDZviyrFRH_5lv6axVqDi_AzDlSebw9OCfyeo48jwi0gJmEo3RgA3ztUgbQBmK2gu3QtovHRSJFbuNlcBiiOyHJIcfF46xQ5i0j_OvnWBUVoDp2dZbJyY9blliCVf8YZeHI-Gyyhead_5oEKwn63naBqkejWdSLMn-ewKsznBby" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">After a long night of little sleep, we landed. Hello Ireland!</div><br /><br /><p></p>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-50885115453621056502022-12-23T15:46:00.001-08:002023-04-12T15:47:53.464-07:00Christmas 2022<p> Greetings!</p><p>As our year winds down, it’s good to take a moment to reflect and relish the good in 2022. Firstly, our dishwasher made it a whole 4 years before dying due to our extremely hard well water (this is about average for us- we’ve purchased 3 dishwashers in the 11 years we’ve lived in this house). Secondly, we are completely done with braces. For everyone. (Oh glorious day!!) And lastly, I was ahead of the game and when Ryan lost half of the sole of his shoe at work, we already had a new pair of exactly the same type of Keen shoe waiting to replace the dead pair. Go me!</p><p>We had this fabulous idea to remodel the downstairs bathroom in February when the plumbing in the wall behind the shower broke, requiring a hole to be sawed into the fiberglass wall of the shower to cap the pipe so we could turn on the water to the whole house again. To replace the shower, the vanity and toilet needed to be removed… so why not just rid ourselves of the vintage 1990s golden oak vanity and the cracked toilet? Easy peasy- we could do it over Spring Break. We had all of the major pieces purchased and delivered by the end of March. Demolition Saturday came and we removed the toilet, vanity, shower (in pieces) and warped Pergo flooring. But that was as far as we got for many weeks. Ryan did something to his back during that process, and spent the whole week of Spring Break moaning on our bedroom floor. By Friday of Spring Break, he was well enough that I drove him to the chiropractor and he was on enough medicine that he did not remember visiting our chiropractor friend. When our chiropractor friend and his family came to check in with our family that evening, Ryan was surprised to learn he and I had already seen George that day. We went about 2.5 months without a toilet downstairs, but that bathroom is done and working now, and looks good! And even better, Ryan got to the point he can put on his own socks in the morning. That was a long process.</p><p>Emma (19) decided college wasn’t what she wanted at this point in her life and came home at the end of winter semester. She got a job waiting tables for a couple of weeks before settling in to work at our local library. Once she had her car paid off, she decided she was ready for a big change and moved to Florida the day after Thanksgiving. We’ll see if she still likes it there after hurricane season.</p><p>Elizabeth (17) is a senior in high school. We bought a 2003 Jeep Liberty as the household teen car we found on Craigslist, and she can be found driving herself to early morning seminary and playing chauffeur to her younger sisters. She still loves her art classes, sometimes taking 2 at a time, she enjoyed her creative writing class, is plugging away through pre-calc, and survived her 3rd and final year of cross country running. I’m pretty sure she only ran cross country because the girl’s coach is a friend of her mom’s, it is familiar by now, and Elizabeth has friends on the team. She still makes a face when people ask if she likes running.</p><p>Annie and Maddie (14) are not at all the same despite being identical twins that most people have a hard time telling apart. Just ask them. In fact, they are offended that I grouped them together in this letter. It’s not like they are in the exact same 8th grade classes, or participate in the same after school activities, or have the same 4.0 GPA, or hang out with the same group of friends, or both are avid readers- getting into murder mysteries lately, or both got their braces off, or anything like that. Puh-leez. Annie plays the clarinet and Maddie plays the trombone in middle school band. Also, Annie always beats Maddie in cross country races, and refuses to finish the Harry Potter series. See? Completely different. They still share a cell phone and so no one is ever quite sure which twin is texting.</p><p>Ryan stays plenty busy being the principal at Pioneer Elementary School. Every day is an adventure there and he brings home stories of “Poo-casos” (think “Picaso” but in the bathroom), kid vomit the color of Pepto Bismol just inside the front doors of the school, recess duty, angry or indifferent parents, and other daily larks- like schedules, teacher evaluations, and endless meetings. At church he’s been put to good use as the Spanish Branch clerk (doing the computer stuff) and stake high council. But we still get to sit with him most weeks during Sacrament Meeting where I can give him the Stink Eye as much as I do the kids for being irreverent. </p><p>I keep myself occupied. I get to teach Sunday School Old Testament lessons to 11-13 year old teens at church (hence my need for Old Testament podcasts- it takes a doctorate to make sense of some of that). I volunteer a few days a week in a first grade class to get my little kid fix, and started working in the Columbia River temple one day a week back in August. I am also the Reminder for Forgotten Things, Pep Talk Giver, Finder of Lost Things, Proofreader, Teacher of Basic Skills, and sometimes The Reality Check. (“Nice try. Putting your socks behind the couch pillow so I can’t see them anymore is NOT taking care of them.” Seriously, my youngest kids are 14. FOURTEEN, people. Why do we still need this conversation?!?!)</p><p>July was a busy month. Elizabeth, Annie and Maddie spent a week at church Girl’s Camp, a week at Grandpa Camp with their grandparents and cousins, and then a week at For Strength of Youth at U of I in Moscow, Idaho. The girls got to experience dorm life with no air conditioning during a week of high 90 and 100 degree temperatures. They were not a fan. Ryan and I managed to sneak off by ourselves to Kauai while the girls were at Girls Camp. Kauai is so incredibly beautiful and fun, and we decided we still like each other when the kids aren’t around. Even after hard, sweaty hikes when we smell less than good. In other words, we smelled like humid, adolescent armpits left unwashed for way too long at the end of our hikes. Snorkeling, a catamaran trip, good food, swimming, and sightseeing were all less odorous and all of it was an enjoyable way to spend a week away. </p><p>We are so grateful for this time of year, to remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are grateful for all of you in our lives, and for the love and service you have given our family over the years.</p><p>With much love,</p><p>Ryan, Danae, Emma, Elizabeth, Annie, and Maddie Kannely</p><div><br /></div>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-16605417949763639752022-03-05T15:07:00.000-08:002022-03-05T15:07:07.039-08:00Beady Eyes<p>While Ryan is out of town visiting Emma in Rexburg, I am in charge of feeding the animals and watering Ryan's seedlings. Elinore (mama sheep) needs extra calories as the pasture grass isn't growing yet and she has two babies she is nursing. My feeding instructions are a scoop and a half of grain pellets and a "half of a flake" of alfalfa hay. Our one hay bale is wrapped up in a tarp near the pasture, so I figured my first order of business was to grab the hay. I grabbed the tarp with my left hand and began to lift the tarp and reached my right hand in for the hay. My hand did not feel the usual pokey straw as much as something warm and kind of.... fluffy? It did not feel menacing as much as surprising, so I didn't drop and run. I did pull my hand back and carefully lifted the tarp higher. One beady little eye peeked back at me. A beady, chicken eye. </p><p>Whew, I can handle a chicken. </p><p>My mind had already conjured various scenarios, and this wasn't too bad.</p><p>As I wiggled my hand around in the hay trying to find where my next flake would separate, the hen got fed up with me and scampered. That's when I saw the nice, circular nest and two warm eggs.</p><p>Girl, you shouldn't feel broody when we don't even have a rooster around to make those eggs viable. So I only felt a little bad stealing her eggs and bringing them back inside with me.</p>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-89541496268321361432021-12-19T16:36:00.009-08:002021-12-19T16:36:59.386-08:002021 Christmas Newsletter<p> Greetings Fellow 2021 Survivors! </p><p>Another year has wobbled by. I don’t know if our theme song for the year should be “Tubthumping” (the “I get knocked down but I get up again...” part, not all of the drinking), or “Keep Holding On” by Avril Lavigne. I vote for “Keep Holding On” just because I like to turn the volume way up to sing along and pretend I have a powerful voice instead of my soft, wimpy one. In any case, we are still mostly on our feet and pressing (inching?) forward. </p><p>Emma spent her senior year of high school entirely online. If there was ever a way to make a senior year drag on to make a person lose all enthusiasm for school, that would be it. In February all of the seniors were allowed back on campus to… wait for it… do virtual school at school. Yep, sit through the same boring thing you were doing at home, now in a classroom. But, getting out of the house must have held a certain amount of appeal, because she was so outta here. At least it gave her a reason to change out of her pjs and brush her hair everyday. Emma had a friend who really wanted to do cross country her senior year, but to do so there needed to be 5 girls to make a team. That friend convinced Emma, another friend, and sister Elizabeth to all come out to run starting in late January. The “fall sports season” ran the month of March, and so Emma got to spend her 18th birthday running a despised hilly 5K race. She persevered, graduated, worked the early morning cherry season to earn money for college, and at long last made it to freeeeeeedooooooom, whoops I mean we dropped her off in Rexburg to start classes at BYU-Idaho and adulthood in September.</p><p>Elizabeth (16) is our lone high schooler this year. Her mother strongly “encouraged” her to choose any kind of extra-curricular activity, and she opted for cross country again. She was even convinced to embrace running shorts! As another non-enthusiastic runner in our family, she has managed to “letter” in cross country twice this year. Once in March for her sophomore year, and then again this fall for her junior year. This is what happens when there are only enough dependable females to make up a single team, which we then call “varsity” regardless of actual speed. Elizabeth has managed quite the cushy schedule and is a teacher’s assistant 1st period (this is more of a sit around and read a book situation than helping out in a classroom), followed by two periods of art. Chemistry and Math, along with 6:15 am Seminary, round out the rest of her school day. Now, if only we could convince her she would like to get her driver’s license… She is not a fan of driving, but loves her art classes.</p><p>Annie and Maddie (13) are in 7th grade. They have all of the same middle school classes and with their faces half covered by masks, none of their teachers seem to be able to tell them apart. There is one significant difference between the two, but it is only a help in one of their classes. Annie plays the clarinet (both instrument and music book handed down from two previous sisters) and Maddie plays the trombone (handed down from her dad to her uncle and then to her). They both joined the newly formed middle school cross country team this fall, and were able to set school records in their races even though they can’t (or haven’t yet put their minds to) run an entire mile without a walking break. (Did I mention this is a new team sport for their school….?) They also kept a 4.0 GPA for their whole 6th grade year, making them the first and second Kannelys to get their pictures on the middle school 4.0 Wall of Fame. They may have gleefully mentioned it to their older sisters once or twice. </p><p>Ryan and I celebrated 20 years of marriage this year. We did fun things this summer to celebrate, like painting our two-story house like the “do it yourself”-ers we are. Why pay someone else to do a job that is an utter pain in the rear, when you can do it for the price of paint, supplies, and a big ol’ paint sprayer that we then get to store somewhere forever more, with the added bonus of being hot, sweaty, and facing your fears of tippy ladders and slanted roofs? The week we worked on that project was the week we experienced one heck of a heat wave. When you paint outdoors, the paint is supposed to be dry by the time the temperature reaches 90 degrees. That was at or before 9 am every day that week, which meant we were up with the sun and could paint again as the sun was setting after 9 or 9:30 pm. It was a glorious experience I tell you. </p><p>We made time for plenty of hikes this summer. I decided I was fully ready to embrace the outdoorsy lifestyle vibe, and I have the hiking shoes, wool socks, and a hydration backpack to prove it. Ryan and I hiked around Mt. Rainier a few times and up by Leavenworth once. As a family we hiked in Oregon (Punch Bowl Falls), Utah (near Kanab), Wyoming (Little Bighorn and Martin’s Cove) and South Dakota (Badlands, Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore, etc.). It is good to leave behind the computer screens, and soak up the glorious fresh air and vitamin D. The girls usually go along with their parents’ hairbrained shenanigans with only the minimum eye rolls and complaints, as long as we bribe them with audiobooks in the car and good snacks on the hikes.</p><p>Animal life continues as normal at the Kannely farm. The cat population grows and shrinks, even with two fixed kitties. They are great at keeping the rodent population out of our house, and so they have earned my undying gratitude. One of our furry friends, Soot, likes trophies from his kills. There are a lot of squirrel tails and bird wings left in various areas around our house. Vinnie even brought us a partially mangled garden snake once this year and left it right in front of our door. The mice, gophers, and baby chicks (uh sorry neighbors….) are easy mid-day meals that do not leave left-overs luckily. Eleanor the sheep gave birth to twins last spring. Both of the lambs grew really well and now are in family meal-sized chunks of meat inside our freezer. (Sustainable farming, you know.) The poultry population is huge, and Annie and Maddie have a side business of selling free-range, mostly poop-free eggs. The garden, as ever, produced plenty. Ryan achieved another farm dream- this time growing and harvesting oats. He asked for and got a sickle for Father’s Day so he could harvest his crop “old-school.” (Cue the banjo music.) </p><p>We wish you all peace and love and laughter this Christmas season. </p><p>All our love, </p><p>Ryan, Danae, Emma, Elizabeth, Annie and Maddie </p><div><br /></div>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-64845422880561346122021-12-01T16:37:00.001-08:002021-12-19T16:38:49.364-08:00Credit Problems<p> For the first time ever, we had our credit card info stolen just before Thanksgiving. The credit card company alerted us fairly quickly. Black Friday started out with Ryan asking me, “Hey, did you buy me something really expensive from [insert random company name] for Christmas because the credit company is asking about it?” That’s a negative. After a lengthy phone call, we were assured we wouldn’t be liable for the many fraudulent charges. We would, however, be getting new cards and a new account number. Once the new cards came, I grabbed the card on the right of the paper and called the number to activate my card. Once my card was ready to go, I activated the card on the left as well and we were done! I grabbed a ballpoint pen and signed my name. This is when I finally looked at the bottom of the card and realized the name on the card was Ryan’s. Oh fudge. What was the credit company doing? Ryan has always been the head of household, putting his cards and information always on the left side of the mailing papers. Why change after all this time? So then we had two cards with my signature and I had to call and report a damaged card, being sure to ask for a new one for my husband. But please don’t ask how we managed to damage a card in less than a day after our new cards arrived by two-day mail... I plead the 5th.</p><div><br /></div>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-30619770543414144512020-12-20T18:30:00.002-08:002021-11-30T18:32:29.620-08:00Christmas 2020<p> Bah Humbug!</p><p><br /></p><p>In keeping with the general spirit of 2020, I am channeling my inner Scrooge as I write this year’s newsletter. We greeted the new decade with bright eyes and bushy tails, only to have our whole lives upended by Covid mid-March. Emma (as Wendy) and Elizabeth (as the Ostrich in Neverland) had just finished their performances in the high school play “Peter Pan” the weekend before Washington state’s stay-at-home order went into effect. And then, life as we knew it came to a screeching halt. I took the girls to the library on the last day it was open and we checked out 45 books and 3 movies. That lasted us about a month. We got to try a drive-in version of church for one Sunday before that too was shut down. At that point, Ryan and I succumbed to pressure from our kids and started a subscription to Disney+. I did organize some measures to keep the girls intellectually engaged until either school would resume or… something else happened. Annie did sneak home on the last day of school the book the 5th graders were reading, so both Annie and Maddie were able to find out how “Chains” ended. Otherwise, they would have been left in mid-story purgatory. Emma’s College in the Classroom classes resumed online fairly quickly, and by that time Ryan was in nearly constant online and phone meetings. It was at this point we realized how truly awful our internet was and that it was time to spread our internet wings beyond what the rural, local phone company could provide.</p><p><br /></p><p>Some kind of semblance of school resumed at the end of April for the kids, and one day rolled into the next in a monotonous hum of “stuck at home.” Things that stand out from Spring are: </p><p><br /></p><p>1. Ryan having Zoom meetings in a porch chair outside, with his computer sitting on a Disney princess card table that somehow we still have from when the girls were small, with Dickens the cat laying on Ryan’s papers.</p><p>2. Going on bike rides around Sunnyside and Grandview. Going on long walks. Gardening. Lots of Gardening.</p><p>3. Family game time- Twister, Ticket to Ride, Cover Your Kingdom and Antiquity Quest, Life, Five Crowns, Splendor, SkipBo, Jenga, and Split. (Among others…)</p><p>4. Annie and Maddie finishing 5th grade by picking up their belongings in a school drive-thru, their things pre-scraped into black trash bags, 96 days after the last time they were able to be at school.</p><p>5. All of our baking projects. Our favorite was the Giant Cookie Challenge put on by Our Best Bites on Instagram. Those were BIG cookies we made and ate.</p><p><br /></p><p>Spring progressed into Summer. We got to pick up Elizabeth, Annie, and Maddie’s dance costumes we paid for and never used. Emma got her first grown-up job as a cherry checker for a local farm. She had to be at work at 4:30 am, 4-7 days a week for a few weeks. She came to the conclusion that this kind of agricultural work is not her dream occupation. The Zoom meetings for the kids were at an end, but Ryan was the Energizer Bunny who just kept going and going and going. Generally, his workload eases for the month of July, but not this year. The administration of the school district had to reinvent the educational wheel during this time of plague, based on rules and guidelines that come and go and changed on what seemed a weekly basis. We managed to steal Ryan away from work for one week and we drove 987 miles in one day to southern Utah. While driving that far in a day can be done, we do not recommend it. We enjoyed the sights of Bryce Canyon, National Reef, Arches, and Moab. We experienced some of the hottest hikes ever known in the Kannely family. We gained an appreciation for early morning hikes before it was over 90 degrees and the swimming pool in the evenings. Naps, games, and movies are appropriate for afternoons in Moab. We enjoyed all the family time on this trip, actually stopping to see extended family members. We managed not to be the harbinger of sickness, so that’s a plus. In August the girls and I went to Ryan’s family reunion, but without Ryan in tow. It was half at Ensign Ranch near Cle Elum, and half at his parents house. Somehow or other, one of the girls got the stomach flu at Ensign Ranch in the middle of the 2nd night. A word to the wise, you don’t want to have to clean up puke at a rustic, non-plumbed cabin in the dark. It’s not a pleasant job. Inexplicably, the family wanted us back after 24 hours at home. We also experienced virtual Driver’s Ed class with Elizabeth. Honestly, is a boring, monotone voice a requirement for teaching teens how to drive?</p><p><br /></p><p>And then it was Autumn. School at home began, and what a wild ride that was. Every teacher had their own way to post links to either Zoom or Google Meet classes and how to turn in assignments, and it took us a solid week to figure it all out. I felt like I was parenting young children again. I couldn’t even use the bathroom without a shout of “MOM!” urging my quick assistance. I became the Awkward Extra tromping through webcam classes, walking by in pjs or exercise clothes, hauling baskets of laundry or doing other household chores. Annie and Maddie started middle school band, playing the clarinet and trombone respectively. Their favorite place to have band class is in my bedroom. We’ve all heard of garage bands, but bedroom middle school bands are something else entirely. Elizabeth took Painting (which used not one whit of paint in reality), Biology (lab-free), and Yoga (my favorite day was when she learned Corpse Pose and was just horizontal on the floor). Emma took 4th year French (which included doing Yoga explained in French), AP Calculus (she says this is when math gets fun and interesting….), and is having the saddest excuse of a Senior year (no plays, no seniors strutting through the corridors, and as Junior class vice-president- they didn’t actually get to put on the Prom they paid and planned for). Early morning seminary actually got moved forward an hour to 7:30 am, so that’s not so bad. The school district is transitioning to hybrid learning (part in-person, part online) and Annie and Maddie have attended a whopping two days of in-person classes so far. The high schoolers are indefinitely postponed, however. You can guess how well that went over in this house.</p><p><br /></p><p>Ryan is keeping busy. He has left most of his usual gardening and yard work to his wife (any excuse to leave the confines of the house!) with all of the hours he spends at work. He was finally released from the Bishopric at church last month. Recently Ryan forgot to take one of his reusable masks to work with him, and ended up using one of the blue disposable kinds. Unfortunately this happened on a day he also forgot to shave, so he had a nice amount of rough stubble on his face. That whisker stubble rubbed constantly on the mask and shredded the mask on the inside to the point he had fibers the consistency of cotton candy floating around, waiting to be inhaled, eaten, or snorted. </p><p><br /></p><p>I discovered merino wool this year. It sounds like such an odd thing to be excited about, but there it is. I bought wool socks, shirts, and now one of those super thick Irish Aran Island sweaters for my birthday. It’s the first time I’ve been warm in December in years. Out of a year like this one, we take the wins when we can. I’ve also tried to teach myself how to play the piano. I’m making progress.</p><p><br /></p><p>In this year of ups and downs we have definitely had some silver linings. Family time has been (mostly) great. We went on some beautiful hikes. We learned that passing wind doesn’t make you lighter- the opposite is true. We’ve made a record height Jenga tower before it fell. We learned how to insult each other in Shakespearean English (You churlish, beetle-headed foot-licker!), we’ve read a lot of books, and done a lot of crafts. We’ve had time to be thoughtful, and our family scripture study is the best it has ever been. Adversity has a way of making us appreciate our blessings. During these dark days of winter, we can focus on the light of our Savior Jesus Christ shining into our lives, and feel His peace. Let us press forward with faith and hope (and a sense of humor), and we can be glad 2021 isn’t an election year.</p><p><br /></p><p>Signing off with a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year.</p><p>Love, </p><p>Ryan, Danae, Emma, Elizabeth, Annie, and Maddie</p><div><br /></div>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-30059410710517387922020-12-16T20:32:00.001-08:002020-12-16T20:32:23.709-08:00Pandemic Adventures<p> Sometimes stories are too funny not to record.</p><p>Elizabeth came up to me one evening and mentioned in a low voice that she only had one bra that fits comfortably and could we please go shopping sometime soon? Sunnyside has a very limited selection of shopping options (I'm looking at you, Walmart) so I opted to take Elizabeth with me to Yakima. The high school had "Grace Week," which is 5 school days with no new work assigned and a chance to turn in past-due assignments in a last-ditch attempt to bring the number of students passing their classes up, around the time of Thanksgiving break. It felt like a lot of free time for the high school-aged kids, but it did mean that I could take Elizabeth shopping during the before lunch hours of the day. </p><p>We went to Target and headed straight for the underwear department. We had an idea of the sizes to find so that Elizabeth could try several on and see what would work best for her, comfort-wise. She is pretty particular about things feeling soft and not restrictive on her body, and bras can be a bit fiddly. The options for wire-free and scratchy lace-free weren't fabulous but we found some options in some different styles, regardless of the color. Online ordering can come to the rescue once Elizabeth finds a style she likes. </p><p>We made our way down to the fitting rooms only to find carts parked in the walkways and a sign that said "Closed." Then I remembered that the governor had put restrictions on public places again and dressing rooms were out of the question due to the rising Covid case numbers. </p><p>Well then.</p><p>Sunnyside doesn't have good clothing options and Yakima is only a little better. Dressing rooms are closed anywhere we might go. It's a solid 35 minute drive home from Target and I didn't really want to drive all the way back to Yakima another day to return what didn't fit. So I asked Elizabeth if she'd be ok with using our minivan as a dressing room. Mind you, this wasn't a "shirt off, shirt on again" quick change. It was down to the birthday suit in a public parking lot. She did not look excited about the suggestion, but I promised I would drive the van over to the outer reaches of the parking lot and Elizabeth reluctantly agreed. I reminded her of the times we've changed into swimsuits in our car and told her it wouldn't be so bad. This would be a story she can tell her kids someday.</p><p>I think she rolled her eyes at me.</p><p>So, we got in line and paid for the 5 bras. We moved the minivan to the back of the parking lot by an out of business shop. Our van has built in shades that we pulled up in the middle and back rows of seating, and Elizabeth sat on the floor and settled in. I sat in the driver's seat, facing forward, and gave Elizabeth as much privacy as I could. </p><p>In the end, only one of the bras suited her. Another fit fine, but burgundy was a little too much color for underwear in Elizabeth's opinion. (I would happen to agree.) So I returned 4 bras and we resolved to do some online shopping for the rest.</p><p>Why is shopping for underwear so complicated?</p>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-71881148003831782782020-09-01T13:45:00.000-07:002020-09-01T13:45:00.773-07:00Distance Learning 2.0 Begins<p> The lead up to school starting has been very different from all of our other years. Considering this is Emma's senior year, we've had a bit of experience. We've done almost no back to school shopping. No new backpacks. No clean, sharpened crayons. No highlighters. I did order some headphones and a battery-powered pencil sharpener, and we've picked up some composition notebooks. But if we are just at home, I see no reason to buy pristine new pencils when we have lots and lots of used ones and no one is going to see them. I have a decent amount of lined paper stocked up. We did go pick up a couple of Chromebooks from the school district, so we are one-to-one devices and ready to go. I also got a whiteboard to write reminders on.</p><p>This is a completely staged picture but seemed to represent our thoughts on the first day of school.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjlvwU0Epwj2ZeadcmxeQi5r0wsgG8-TYusy7BDP-nY25KmaPvXcKMqc7qpGic7aj_53M7sOtoqH7P57XE2lUDQe1vMorML0PoXMT0WgrYgcDZRxiPSlyqPUeXLzypYm9imcyOYar4vk/s3024/IMG_3917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjlvwU0Epwj2ZeadcmxeQi5r0wsgG8-TYusy7BDP-nY25KmaPvXcKMqc7qpGic7aj_53M7sOtoqH7P57XE2lUDQe1vMorML0PoXMT0WgrYgcDZRxiPSlyqPUeXLzypYm9imcyOYar4vk/s640/IMG_3917.jpg" /></a></div>The kids don't actually use my bedroom and bed for doing school work. It's <i>my</i> space! Besides, we have chairs and tables downstairs that work much better. I decided that the craft table (our old kitchen table), being close to the wifi router, would be the best spot for schoolwork, and the kids can spread out to the couch, or floor, or whatever floats their boat. I've cleared off a shelf of a bookcase so the kids can store their composition notebooks and/or binders there. There was a small part of me that was in denial that this distance learning model was going to be a significant portion, if not all, of our school year so I didn't really get things set up until school was starting.<p></p><p>The first day of school went pretty smoothly. The high schoolers had a single class with their advisory teacher, and my middle schoolers had a "Welcome to 6th Grade!" online assembly and then a class with their new advisory teacher. Annie and Maddie are in the same classes and are pretty excited about it. They've wanted that since kindergarten. However, they each need to be on their own device, on their own Zoom meeting with the same teacher, each using up precious bandwidth space on our limited rural internet. Hopefully, all 4 girls won't need to stream their faces for all of the meetings. </p><p>Thursday, the second day, was a little more eventful. Annie and Maddie had the mistaken assumption that they would start right off with their regular schedule, printed and taped to the wall. Thursdays are "B" days, starting them with PE and not Band. However, the first week of school had its own schedule with 15 or 30 minute sessions with all of the classes and by the time we figured this out, Band was done. The second day of school, and already they had skipped first period. Not off to a strong start. This was partly my fault. I had wanted to get my exercise in before school started, and I hadn't given myself enough time to deal with interruptions and finish before 8:30. ("Just 5 more minutes!") But this was just the beginning. Each teacher gets to choose Google Meets vs Zoom, and everyone has a different place to store the links for the online class. Sometimes the best link is found in an email (with sometimes three different emails from a teacher proclaiming "Zoom Link" and "Updated Zoom Link" and a 2nd "Updated Zoom Link." Goodness, where to start?). Sometimes the link is found on Google Classroom either in "stream" or "classwork." And sometimes the link is found on Schoology, easily visible, or hidden in an attachment. Emma and Elizabeth had headphones, but Annie and Maddie didn't yet so the middle school teachers voices distracted my high schoolers. Emma was self-sufficient, but Elizabeth needed my help a couple of times to find her links in addition to Annie and Maddie, and high school and middle school classes start at different times. I did not intend to hover, but I didn't feel like I had a choice! I got a few of my own responsibilities done during this time, but it was heavily interrupted and stressful, and<i> couldn't this just be done already?</i> We all heaved a sigh of relief when the scheduled meetings were done. Homework the kids could handle, and there really wasn't much.</p><p>Friday was much the same. Hidden links, was this the right meeting?, and Emma ended up missing one of her classes because she was never "let in" to the Zoom meeting. Was it because Zoom was having an issue? Was it because she clicked the wrong link? We'll never know. Annie and Maddie, having no issue getting to PE the day before, struggled Friday. They got into TWO Google Meets with students in each, but no teacher. After 12 minutes of waiting and trying to figure things out, another student dropped a URL in the chat, and that was the one that took them to the right meeting. Whew, 3 minutes to spare.</p><p>Please excuse me while I go beat my head against the wall. </p><p>But the first week is done, and that is a reason to celebrate.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypOFx0iIX7WhqfVN8oXasH3_J4Z_aKqcuQewm1DpOEFnDuLS6aFzqy1FY2VIpEXu1N9Uz1fCC2oYThUrdZNK7xH47S5MsLs5Beo1vMRk8c6LHeohiPTNUzLLJFX2UqyRejarMfckJSko/s3032/B3ECBAC4-0FC9-4FCA-9DEB-A148BE138D66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypOFx0iIX7WhqfVN8oXasH3_J4Z_aKqcuQewm1DpOEFnDuLS6aFzqy1FY2VIpEXu1N9Uz1fCC2oYThUrdZNK7xH47S5MsLs5Beo1vMRk8c6LHeohiPTNUzLLJFX2UqyRejarMfckJSko/s640/B3ECBAC4-0FC9-4FCA-9DEB-A148BE138D66.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>We miss regular school so much!</p>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-33236765470779195492020-08-22T21:33:00.000-07:002020-08-22T21:33:05.430-07:00A Time To Barf<p> It was Grandpa Camp week. A time of togetherness, as the extended family gets bigger and the cousins get <strike>larger</strike>, um older. After the girls and I spend an enjoyable couple of nights at Ensign Ranch earlier in the summer, I suggested that we take Grandpa Camp on the road. Nature! Kayaks! Trails! Mosquitos! What's not to love?</p><p>My in-laws rented a couple of rustic cabins, and I rented one for myself. Ryan was unable to join at all during the week, working practically from sun up to sundown. Even if he is home before dinner, his phone chimes constantly demanding his attention. If I was attending Ryan's family reunion on my own, I was going to have my own space. I have the introvert's decided need for quiet down-time. And a place of my own to sleep. I have been known to complain about sharing a sleeping space with my kids, but sleeping in the same space as my brother and sisters-in-law? I'll take my own kids any time over that. They are just more comfortable, especially when my normal bed-buddy isn't there. The rustic cabins didn't have running water, but they did have a refrigerator, lights and electricity. There was a downstairs bedroom with a full-size bed and a bunk bed. The upstairs was just an open loft. My kids opted to sleep in my cabin. Annie and Elizbeth shared the bunk bed, and Emma and Maddie spread out in the loft. </p><p>Now that the stage has been set, here's the interesting story. </p><p>The second night of our stay just as I was drifting off to sleep, I heard footsteps going down the stairs (ok, not a problem) and then the front door opening (more troubling). I loudly whispered the question of, "Where are you going?" and Emma answered back, "I'm going to the Biffy." (That is Ensign Ranch's nice name for the Porta-potties.) She closed the door behind her, and then I heard loud coughing. My half-awake brain wondered if she had swallowed a bug or something as she exited the cabin, but I didn't wonder very hard. The more pressing issue was hoping she took a flashlight and how long before she got back, so I could relax and try to sleep again?</p><p>After a minute or so, Emma opened the door and groaned out, "Mom, I need help."</p><p>Uh oh. That doesn't sound good.</p><p>"I threw up," she continued. </p><p>Oh great. I crawled out of my sleeping bag, grabbed a flashlight, shoes, and sweatshirt before heading for the door. </p><p>Yep, she had thrown up alright. All over the porch, the welcome mat, and her shoes. Why couldn't she have made it to the bushes??!?</p><p>I guided her by the light of my headlamp to the Biffy across the road and waited for her to finish her business. While I waited, I processed how I was going to clean up the mess. Come on brain, think! I had worried plenty about having to camp by myself; how could I not have a contingency plan for this? I have no soap. Plenty of hand-sanitizer, but that won't help any. The nice sister missionary who checked us in gave me a 5 gallon bucket in case we wanted to have a fire. That bucket would be useful for carrying water from the water spigot down a ways back to the cabin to wash the barf off the porch. The senior missionaries are sticklers for cleanliness when it comes to checking out of the cabins, and they aren't going to like those bodily fluids (plus chips and chili) one bit.</p><p>We returned to the cabin, and I helped get Emma's sleeping mat, pillow, and sleeping bag down the stairs. She left her shoes outside. I grabbed the barf bucket from the van, lined with a plastic bag all ready in case of motion sickness, and left it beside my shivering daughter cocooned in her sleeping bag while I headed back outside to deal with the mess.</p><p>I got my 5-gallon bucket and walked down to our source of water. There is no way my wimpy girl arms are going to haul a full bucket all the way back to the cabin, so I filled it until I thought it was good enough. And thus began my trips back and forth hauling water. I wanted to sit down and call Ryan so I could whine about "all the things I have to deal with when you aren't around." But I resisted the urge. It took many trips for water, as the mess was surprisingly clingy to the porch and mat. At last I prevailed, checked on Emma, and then crawled back into my own nylon bag.</p><p>It was not a restful night. Thankfully those prayers heavenward were heard and Emma was not sick again. That girl is not known for her aim when she has the stomach flu, and I worried in and out of sleep that she would be sick again but this time inside the cabin. </p><p>At last, the sun rose and it was time to get up. I then called Ryan to tell him about our night, and maybe whined a little about "all those things I deal with," and then called my in-laws to tell them the news. I didn't want to make everyone else be around our germs, so we were going home. But could we still come by their cabin so we could get some breakfast? Most of us were hungry.</p><p>The whole family was breaking camp that morning to go to my in-law's house. I have a sneaking suspicion my in-laws would have been ok with us taking our germs to their house, as they were most insistent that the kids should come to their house the following day. But I really wanted to just go home, and the girls were fine with that plan. So we packed up, cleaned our cabin, cleaned the Biffys, and did not mention the splash stains on the porch when we were checked out. I could not rid all of the evidence from the porch with plain ol' water. </p>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-32812888105475130922020-07-22T16:21:00.000-07:002020-08-23T16:54:49.787-07:00Rub a dub dub<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the almost 8 years we've lived in our house, this is the 3rd time the well has gone out. No working well means no water for us. We have some stored water, but it isn't quite the same. At the end of the day, Ryan wanted to be clean. So he bought a new garbage can from Ace Hardwear, took it to our neighbor's house, and filled it with water from the hose. Nice, fresh, very cool water. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdKQB1ktqK7TcTRvhTXG0phlIb76TV2BqOfkFSCUUeredWFceK6-OTu7ljULvZ1yBYc0DL85Fi_8qIjxbEdyGWouxYOxzgP6IORjA3SGs18zGmgQq5LWBfzxA3VcTmFNP3rfwGdytq4s/s4032/IMG_3736.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdKQB1ktqK7TcTRvhTXG0phlIb76TV2BqOfkFSCUUeredWFceK6-OTu7ljULvZ1yBYc0DL85Fi_8qIjxbEdyGWouxYOxzgP6IORjA3SGs18zGmgQq5LWBfzxA3VcTmFNP3rfwGdytq4s/s640/IMG_3736.HEIC" /></a></div> In the end, we couldn't goad him into taking an actual bath. The water was too cold for sinking into, even for Ryan. He decided he would let the garbage can sit in the back of his truck and soak up all the sun rays it could, and then he could take a soaking bath tonight if the well wasn't back up and running by then.<p></p><p>We were able to get someone out to fix the well. I'm pretty sure the well died because I mentioned to a friend that we never hire people to do projects around our house. Ryan is pretty handy and we DIY nearly everything to save our pennies. And thanks to this lovely circumstance, I am thus proved wrong: sometimes we do have to hire things out.</p><p>The fellow that came remembered the previous owners and lectured ME about all the reasons why putting the control panel inside of the well was a bad idea. Cutting corners is the reason why the control panel died and we didn't have water. And, as he reminded me, a house is almost nothing, barely civilized, without running water. </p><p>Thanks, I'll remember that the next time I'm putting in a well.</p><p>But our water is running again, and life is good.</p>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-50022743361379137762020-07-20T15:32:00.000-07:002020-08-23T16:19:37.740-07:00Paradise<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After returning from our sweltering visit to southern Utah, it was time to enjoy the beauty of Mt. Rainier. The girls were not sold on another high altitude hike, so Ryan and I took off on our own adventure for the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizWYQ4VuId-cCgyX_Or5Vj4DPixTCPdGMM7dDhp7R_2EatTHWyNNFs9NKaB37heuQHCsYKD-EW70176DAwlMrQwecTKwWsTw5jBPv7d0g-YagXltBhK8DqinnbgTW2GZL1pF-CMm_TqY/s4032/IMG_3717.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizWYQ4VuId-cCgyX_Or5Vj4DPixTCPdGMM7dDhp7R_2EatTHWyNNFs9NKaB37heuQHCsYKD-EW70176DAwlMrQwecTKwWsTw5jBPv7d0g-YagXltBhK8DqinnbgTW2GZL1pF-CMm_TqY/s640/IMG_3717.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh hello there, beautiful pine trees and wildflowers. As far up the mountain as we were, there weren't a ton of flowers blooming yet.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqXUQ_yKVUSGcDWIX8PxQW0E4hvty0IBZYultb_fOqRJdAw_d_wtmkPVZlaUDvneopgvwstHswt8gj7XXVLv0PB49AILJ9Sf0ILBbPcEiRZMtqCvZDETo7zuL9B639181NcY8VeqleKM/s4032/IMG_3716.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqXUQ_yKVUSGcDWIX8PxQW0E4hvty0IBZYultb_fOqRJdAw_d_wtmkPVZlaUDvneopgvwstHswt8gj7XXVLv0PB49AILJ9Sf0ILBbPcEiRZMtqCvZDETo7zuL9B639181NcY8VeqleKM/s640/IMG_3716.HEIC" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhh1A1uk-1Cvwn7TSzLySaF5p48oGs2HoMxm5FhCJ0LU-6-zxp1kZbYA6O5NTulmX_AFNHhJxw-e0sI7uGzYmlYKv_jaO2qBZc7KDJQXp3EyJMPg_6JiqZhPEc2ZL8RawXj2Zb4JKbno/s4032/IMG_1909.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhh1A1uk-1Cvwn7TSzLySaF5p48oGs2HoMxm5FhCJ0LU-6-zxp1kZbYA6O5NTulmX_AFNHhJxw-e0sI7uGzYmlYKv_jaO2qBZc7KDJQXp3EyJMPg_6JiqZhPEc2ZL8RawXj2Zb4JKbno/s640/IMG_1909.HEIC" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Google reviews said there was still snow on the trail when I was researching where we should hike. I just didn't realize there would be this much. So long trail!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmQa3C6D_k5HkBrYwj3VC2EF89PYj1O86WwvU-Vz0zN2mugKZptXGJsqFkQiTlUAtUT56X5rTIH7lv0w6xSyWZn2iCU_UK4ESpMGTyly3d_kLKw7XZW7WHKLFy1AQl5NiA7G3as12XAA/s4032/IMG_3692.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmQa3C6D_k5HkBrYwj3VC2EF89PYj1O86WwvU-Vz0zN2mugKZptXGJsqFkQiTlUAtUT56X5rTIH7lv0w6xSyWZn2iCU_UK4ESpMGTyly3d_kLKw7XZW7WHKLFy1AQl5NiA7G3as12XAA/s640/IMG_3692.HEIC" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Hiking in the summer snow was a different experience. I've walked in the snow plenty of times but I usually avoid a lot of walking in hilly, super slushy conditions. And obviously, I was not as prepared for as much snow as there was.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5xdPSseLoAGY-6jZFk7D59zF1S4uidYbTzzqB4xvtEvtJFVdqlOt_KdnkNhhqWCw-fSCXCYr4STf_eH3QCutPMG573RtpZgZDh7ZNVrSEpN1sTDulqVpCMjfqIm7_oX9x6cVWdVdOLs/s1440/0F1891D0-F198-488C-94E6-50D0DCCD9F6A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5xdPSseLoAGY-6jZFk7D59zF1S4uidYbTzzqB4xvtEvtJFVdqlOt_KdnkNhhqWCw-fSCXCYr4STf_eH3QCutPMG573RtpZgZDh7ZNVrSEpN1sTDulqVpCMjfqIm7_oX9x6cVWdVdOLs/s640/0F1891D0-F198-488C-94E6-50D0DCCD9F6A.jpg" /></a></div>Remind me never to wear cotton socks with tennis shoes in the snow ever again. My feet were damp the whole day. The good news is these sporty capris were absolutely perfect. When my feet slipped out from under me and I landed on my behind (in front of some people heading uphill), the snow brushed right off and no wet marks were left to show off my shame.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVIrJU4o6Xz7tCtkbIXFahOoL01JASn0BPRYcIe8FiN_s2YAP6b4rHQxKp63XMzRgxGJIz77wv7nyW9rz_uiEvHLgDexEuiPA1vgMuRfO-wq8IhMkQDTaxJZJ73SAYlvqJhZ8XtduIYw/s7869/IMG_3703.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2033" data-original-width="7869" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVIrJU4o6Xz7tCtkbIXFahOoL01JASn0BPRYcIe8FiN_s2YAP6b4rHQxKp63XMzRgxGJIz77wv7nyW9rz_uiEvHLgDexEuiPA1vgMuRfO-wq8IhMkQDTaxJZJ73SAYlvqJhZ8XtduIYw/s640/IMG_3703.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gYfQ-NlRMNhzso4UBRX0-CezuOXyv4mOeQqYGoNC7TSKCsbt2Btvk1rsI2OPIGst4y1VqeADI8rTrnqt2vGhQv2cJcNH-zQopk2X34dEiSK-vAzlsk6w_aoMwtpDVGPbMK62F_h-oK8/s3088/IMG_1898.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gYfQ-NlRMNhzso4UBRX0-CezuOXyv4mOeQqYGoNC7TSKCsbt2Btvk1rsI2OPIGst4y1VqeADI8rTrnqt2vGhQv2cJcNH-zQopk2X34dEiSK-vAzlsk6w_aoMwtpDVGPbMK62F_h-oK8/s640/IMG_1898.HEIC" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY0gdfBcCwzTr3ukgOki_6tMfIRPcYVtcftOIfLFNBbdE9q7JnPNwhidPNHCzdcOsBMq0EhYTxywpGIbuPlr3LZ2ew-r_owxO4mf7-c5Cq7f-sJKuwmgFhVXrU0Ta0lr9-Yz97jdoqm4/s4032/IMG_3694.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY0gdfBcCwzTr3ukgOki_6tMfIRPcYVtcftOIfLFNBbdE9q7JnPNwhidPNHCzdcOsBMq0EhYTxywpGIbuPlr3LZ2ew-r_owxO4mf7-c5Cq7f-sJKuwmgFhVXrU0Ta0lr9-Yz97jdoqm4/s640/IMG_3694.HEIC" /></a></div>After our Paradise hike, we headed down the mountain and ended up stopping at Grove of the Patriarchs. It's been years since we've been there. Ryan remembered the river and thought it would be nice to visit it, after looping around the big trees. We peeled off our shoes and socks and listened to the calming sounds of the river.<p></p><p>I admired the great tan lines I was developing while dipping my toes as little as possible. That snow runoff was too cold for me to stay in long. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZauvANyVjuB4JxsEigN3PwnS_gv6fNDzfM8AQnkkXUg8U2Xl1zT67l5h4KHWnUzUEn8eaxBXfR5Jq4RBL5Y88FPTegrqSU0cGWpTUBaj1y3cUtnuzNyCi8aSVlN5sign_74lw9XTSNRw/s4032/IMG_3720.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZauvANyVjuB4JxsEigN3PwnS_gv6fNDzfM8AQnkkXUg8U2Xl1zT67l5h4KHWnUzUEn8eaxBXfR5Jq4RBL5Y88FPTegrqSU0cGWpTUBaj1y3cUtnuzNyCi8aSVlN5sign_74lw9XTSNRw/s640/IMG_3720.HEIC" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ryan lasted much longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AMfUJ9v9wPbk8ILSZPT4XJVybCPjHPw0VroakggAWwuu5m53ejaxiqh_z-jFca4Ryk3HmIH3ozkQ7aQLja4fAutXL3VsLx6Bveri3NKlwzarZ7YTfLnnkgzWHVc8XfF8zUcM-faI4Vk/s4032/IMG_3719.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AMfUJ9v9wPbk8ILSZPT4XJVybCPjHPw0VroakggAWwuu5m53ejaxiqh_z-jFca4Ryk3HmIH3ozkQ7aQLja4fAutXL3VsLx6Bveri3NKlwzarZ7YTfLnnkgzWHVc8XfF8zUcM-faI4Vk/s640/IMG_3719.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>I ended up sitting on the dry rocks out of the water and letting my feet air out. I didn't reach fully dry, but it didn't matter because I was putting on wet socks and shoes again anyway. <div><br /></div><div>It was a great day for a mountain adventure, and the company was even better.</div>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-9099465279286061802020-07-18T15:17:00.000-07:002020-08-23T15:32:23.506-07:00Not-so-Little Lambs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our luck continues to hold. Of course the year we decide to be "all in" for raising lambs for the Grandview fair would be the year of the COVID pandemic and shut down of all fairs in our state. But seeing as we already owned the lambs that the girls picked out, we fed them and watched them grow in our pasture. Our 4-H leader happens to be a personal friend, and their family decided to have a 3 family version of a livestock show so at least our kids could practice their show skills. Or lack thereof, in our case. But before the show, we had to tame the sheep in a week's time. We hadn't done any taming prior to this, due to a lack of motivation from having no show in which to show off. Ryan's solution was: capture each animal, drag it on the sheep stand, and wash the poor things with cold hose water and Dawn dish soap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPEQnN79Ed-WLHOpA-EeY1ECchUDCPOSDzJEFh4h5kcSb1Tsgcy_w0ehSk1t-GqInPIoTcszKW5qBowF2nmrkOEnId9MX9jzhdKOkMGfBt23EuNDYgtf8AJ9d-5dN18LT3Gk9mBhUokY/s4032/IMG_3689.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPEQnN79Ed-WLHOpA-EeY1ECchUDCPOSDzJEFh4h5kcSb1Tsgcy_w0ehSk1t-GqInPIoTcszKW5qBowF2nmrkOEnId9MX9jzhdKOkMGfBt23EuNDYgtf8AJ9d-5dN18LT3Gk9mBhUokY/s640/IMG_3689.HEIC" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCdKt7MgOOpeua7qyTXmOND-IUQtEXnzXpby1VA9Vi8SzzD2hsoM6wddA31IJOkWVK2kyUeyzS703T3e1rl2b0czjdN-I3y-x8Qtn_IR6LyLhfiz_CVocBKE3DRiTuIl8uq-27GmQCuQ/s4032/IMG_3688.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCdKt7MgOOpeua7qyTXmOND-IUQtEXnzXpby1VA9Vi8SzzD2hsoM6wddA31IJOkWVK2kyUeyzS703T3e1rl2b0czjdN-I3y-x8Qtn_IR6LyLhfiz_CVocBKE3DRiTuIl8uq-27GmQCuQ/s640/IMG_3688.HEIC" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtL9R-dSVFI1fczb1PDJonIRlbnpuPTKENIvyJ8ymE2FAxSExAdFmZ65RPhIcmktoBI41pKLasD7-VipkkU_4MQjKbDquGY2LXew3Ja5Ku5gDrUI5K5mG7DrJqD2r_MfoEs9MFWBVLyyw/s4032/IMG_3687.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtL9R-dSVFI1fczb1PDJonIRlbnpuPTKENIvyJ8ymE2FAxSExAdFmZ65RPhIcmktoBI41pKLasD7-VipkkU_4MQjKbDquGY2LXew3Ja5Ku5gDrUI5K5mG7DrJqD2r_MfoEs9MFWBVLyyw/s640/IMG_3687.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi320GgaJ0lXVThMUicz2SgB1eJHfGrDiM2iee-pA8iNUNwGjvXGTyDY8txjA4_BYAcM0NYMio973GXh6X5YVdbuKxABaqSVFZL3dHKy_ohRPdfZbp5Re7bhPU7LdH3V2_n2T2lMLiHTMI/s4032/IMG_3686.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi320GgaJ0lXVThMUicz2SgB1eJHfGrDiM2iee-pA8iNUNwGjvXGTyDY8txjA4_BYAcM0NYMio973GXh6X5YVdbuKxABaqSVFZL3dHKy_ohRPdfZbp5Re7bhPU7LdH3V2_n2T2lMLiHTMI/s640/IMG_3686.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWDg4sqWGpZB9t_MqADvirRmUQYxdTBZMGDZiEZZXHjHBOvgJypmAPObCqVEv-sDTMeHU0AyvZJDdl4vaCnmpXc-jzAUFnM8MhX6yNQBCcAzn5AR7xoVwLmG6ykjVgc5UnSJndPOXI4Y/s4032/IMG_3685.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWDg4sqWGpZB9t_MqADvirRmUQYxdTBZMGDZiEZZXHjHBOvgJypmAPObCqVEv-sDTMeHU0AyvZJDdl4vaCnmpXc-jzAUFnM8MhX6yNQBCcAzn5AR7xoVwLmG6ykjVgc5UnSJndPOXI4Y/s640/IMG_3685.HEIC" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_g1h-mZ0rxOcsw7aKOt0hA_vttJAZqaw284tOOV-8Y3_7If0PYm6KzDOCFZBw4KiPm28i0Fo7bFmyqGcvCUpWiTHInz1QI49Apdjd0Itn5jLfs8W90KeH8Z8MHuQR91cIPxmY4OfopWQ/s4032/IMG_3684.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_g1h-mZ0rxOcsw7aKOt0hA_vttJAZqaw284tOOV-8Y3_7If0PYm6KzDOCFZBw4KiPm28i0Fo7bFmyqGcvCUpWiTHInz1QI49Apdjd0Itn5jLfs8W90KeH8Z8MHuQR91cIPxmY4OfopWQ/s640/IMG_3684.HEIC" /></a></div> Ryan had the chance to show off all of his sheep skills he developed from raising his own herd way back in his high school days and further used as a teacher of agriculture. Evidently, those skills are just like riding a bike- once learned they don't leave you.<p></p>Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-8875173920829947922020-02-09T14:01:00.000-08:002020-02-12T14:05:29.674-08:00Sacrament Meeting talkBeing a teenager in the 1990s, the yearly trip to the temple to do baptisms for the dead was somewhat of a pilgrimage. I lived north of Spokane near a town called Newport, and it was about a 5 ½ hour car ride to the Seattle Temple from our meeting point at the church in Priest River, Idaho. Due to the long hours spent in the car, the trip was always in the summer and was always expected to be overnight. We would stay at Ensign Ranch, with a few hours of outside adventures like rope swings or floating down the river in an intertube, followed by a dutch oven dinner and a fireside, before enjoying our pioneer-like sleeping accommodations. The morning found us fasting breakfast, slipping into rumpled church clothes pulled from our backpacks and journeying the last hour to the temple (or more, especially if your driver decided to drive east to Cle Elum for gas before driving west to Bellevue). It was always a happy relief to see the golden Angel Moroni high above the trees, proclaiming we were just about ready to get out of the car. After baptisms and confirmations, our ward leaders would turn the whole lot of us starving teenagers over to an all-you-can-eat buffet before the long journey home. Needless to say, a trip to the temple was an event.<br />
We are blessed to live in a time and place where temple attendance doesn’t require as much time and physical preparation. I can attend the temple with a friend during the hours my kids are at school or make a date of it with my husband for an evening. This doesn’t mean that temple attendance is any less important by being more readily available. The prophets and apostles have stressed over and over the privilege and sacred responsibility we have to attend the temple as often as our circumstances allow. We still do need to prepare physically to attend the temple. Time must be scheduled for temple attendance, babysitters to arrange, and even small things such as wearing our Sunday best to enter the Lord’s holy house. We are guests in the House of the Lord, and as Boyd K Packer stresses in his book, “The Holy Temple” that we should "comport ourselves with dignity and refinement in such a way that we would feel comfortable should our Host appear."<br />
Even more important than physical preparation is spiritual preparation. President Russell M Nelson in his April 2001 talk, “Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings” states that “As temples are prepared for our members, our members need to prepare for the temple.” We are definitely living in an age when so many temples are being prepared for our use. Every General Conference brings an announcement of new temples to be built. Each temple has the words “Holiness to the Lord” engraved on the outside. This can remind us that both the purpose of the temple is holy, and an attribute we need to earnestly seek is holiness. President Nelson in the same talk said, “The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant—the heart of the plan of salvation—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house. Our efforts to proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead all lead to the temple. Each holy temple stands as a symbol of our membership in the Church, as a sign of our faith in life after death, and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families."<br />
From a very young age, we should teach our children the importance of the temple. Some ways we have done this is to have pictures of the temple in our home. We’ve taken our small children to the temple grounds, and while there, snapped a picture of our girls there to display in our home. We’ve talked about the blessings of the temple. And of course, we try to attend the temple regularly as an example is the best teacher. We are lucky to live in a time where temple open houses sporadically happen within driving distance. We’ve been to three as a family, and are eagerly awaiting the temple in Moses Lake.<br />
Just last month we were able to able to attend the temple as a family for youth baptisms. With the age adjustments for Young Men and Young Women announced at the end of 2018, we realized that our wait to go as a family was considerably shortened. Annie and Maddie were just two months past their 11th birthdays in January. It was an amazing and joyful experience to be in the temple as a family. The changes are exciting. I loved watching each of the youth cycle through being witnesses before being baptized. There is a general air of excitement when the youth bring their own family names for baptisms. We have done so, and also passed off some of our family names to some of the young men in our ward for baptisms, as we are lacking in the young men department in our home. We were able to watch, if not always participate in, the baptism and confirmation of 3 of Ryan’s grandparents and his uncle who have passed away.<br />
Baptism for the dead is not the only ordinance done in the temple. Another ordinance received in the temple is the endowment. The word endowment means “gift,” and the temple endowment truly is a gift from God. The ordinance consists of a series of instructions and includes covenants to live righteously and follow the requirements of the gospel. The endowment focuses on the Savior, His role in Heavenly Father’s plan, and the personal commitment of each member to follow Him.<br />
Another temple ordinance is celestial marriage. In this ordinance, husband and wife are sealed to one another for eternity. For many centuries it has been the practice all over the world to use an official seal to certify that a document is valid. The word seal in that context becomes synonymous for endorse, to license, to ratify, to authorize, and to bind. To seal, then, is the right word to be used to represent the spiritual authority from God to man to bind families together. Binding or sealing families together into an unbroken chain can be comforting to those who have lost loved ones, or those like me who come from three and four generations of broken families. I have not met all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. And yet, one of the times Ryan and I were doing sealings, I had an “aha” moment. These ancestors of mine, who I have not met in this life, are still my family- a part of my eternal family. This may not sound like anything life-changing for some, but for me with not many close family relationships, it was a balm to my soul. President Eyring put it this way: For some, that [hope of] eternal [family] joy may seem a faint or even a fading hope. Parents, children, brothers, and sisters may have made choices that seem to disqualify them from eternal life. You may even wonder whether you have yet been qualified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. A prophet of God once offered me counsel that gives me peace. I was worried that the choices of others might make it impossible for our family to be together forever. He said, “You are worrying about the wrong problem. You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine.” --I am both lucky and blessed that Ryan took a chance on me, in spite of a rocky family history and some traumatic experiences in my past. Together we can work towards our own Celestial family through consistent time and effort of putting the Savior first in our lives. Not that we are anywhere near perfect in this. This mortal life may be our test to prove ourselves to Heavenly Father, but through the atonement of Jesus Christ, it’s an “open book” test with chances for repentance to fix mistakes and many opportunities for help along the way- if we live worthily. And it isn’t easy. Challenges always come. One of my favorite quotes from Jeffrey R Holland is this: “Expecting a trouble-free life because you are a good person is like expecting the bull not to charge you because you are a vegetarian.”<br />
Before entering the temple, one needs to be already keeping the commandments and be ready to make and keep sacred covenants with the Lord. Once we receive our own ordinances, we can go back and act on behalf of our ancestors and others who did not have the opportunity to have these saving ordinances. We are blessed when we go to the temple and those blessings are not limited to the time spent in the temple. We are blessed in all aspects of our lives. Our labors in the temple strengthen and refine us. President Thomas S Monson in his talk “The Holy Temple- A Beacon to the World,” says this: “The world can be a challenging and difficult place. We are often surrounded by that which would drag us down. As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary, we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified.”<br />
I love to go to the temple. I love the peace it brings to my life and the guidance I can find there for my life. I also appreciate the spiritual “sunshine” boost I get from going during the cloudy and dreary winter months.<br />
I’d like to end with this quote from President Nelson’s talk: “With each ordinance is a covenant- a promise. A promise made with God is not restrictive but protective. Such a concept is not new. For example, if our water supply is not clean, we filter the water to screen out harmful ingredients. Divine covenants help us filter out of our minds impurities that could harm us. When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness, we lose nothing of value and gain the glory of eternal life. Covenants do not hold us down, they elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective.”<br />
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.<br />
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Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-85551361985083575262019-12-20T13:58:00.000-08:002020-02-12T13:59:06.013-08:00Christmas News 2019Greetings one and all! <br />
As the year is drawing to a close, I must take up my pen (figuratively speaking) and compose the annual Kannely newsletter. It’s a time to reflect on our accomplishments and triumphs. I got all of my kids to do their own laundry for the duration of summer break. It was pure bliss. Plus, the momentum of all of that laundry has somewhat continued and the girls often still wash their own laundry. Folding, on the other hand, still needs continued guidance. But then, so do the dishes. And putting shoes away. Maybe let’s scratch that “triumph.” On another note, Ryan and I managed to convince our children we really do mean what we say when we say, “We love our children more than stuff.” This previously had been challenged by broken dining room chairs, jammed cd and dvd players, un-washable art on our kitchen table, and other general child mayhem. This year the stakes were raised to a broken car…<br />
Emma (16) is a junior in high school, taking three College in the Classroom classes through CWU and Eastern. She is also broadening her horizons by taking pottery, yoga, and French 3 classes, and is the junior class vice president. She has performed in three plays this year and is currently cast as Wendy in Peter Pan, debuting early next year. Emma has taken on some chauffeur responsibilities and groggily drives herself and Elizabeth to early morning seminary. (Cue parental fist bump.)<br />
Elizabeth (14) was this year’s recipient of the gift of orthodontia, just as Annie and Maddie were getting their first round of braces off. As a freshman in high school, our reluctant reader was placed in Honor’s English and is doing quite well. She thoroughly enjoyed her drawing class at school, enrolled in Irish Dance, and is doing Peter Pan with Emma. Elizabeth still loves art in many, many forms, and is not above cooking dinner. She is following in Emma’s French class footsteps and can be heard singing “Vive le Vent” around the house. (That’s Jingle Bells.)<br />
Annie and Maddie (11) are in 5th grade, and final year in elementary school. They love having their dad as their principal, and frequently make jokes about going to the principal’s office. (“May we go, pretty please?”) Annie and Maddie are avid readers, and each has read over 2,000,000 words in AR just since the beginning of school. Annie’s competitive streak is keeping her ahead of Maddie in the race for Most Words Read. They joined the Irish Dance class with Elizabeth (the three of them making up exactly half of the class) and are still taking AcroDance. Annie and Maddie wanted to get a head start on learning to drive at their tender age, so Ryan taught them to use the ride-on lawnmower. They do a decent job mowing the sheep and chicken pasture, and an even better job of shedding hair to obstruct the vacuum cleaner and sink drains.<br />
Ryan, The Master of Un-Clogging Sink Drains, is in his second year of being an elementary school principal. He was again the mastermind behind our garden. We were able to give away about 100 pumpkins and have stored more onions than any one family of 6 could possibly consume in a year. Ryan gave making his own sourdough starter another go and was finally successful in making really yummy sourdough bread, through much trial and error. We purchased rising baskets to give the bread dough cool patterns as it rises, and the end product is professional looking. No one at work believed that Ryan had made the bread.<br />
Danae has been deposed as the primary bread maker of the house due to Ryan’s enthusiasm for sourdough. (Not really. The kids still like mine best.) Unfortunately, no other family members are looking for the dinners-every-night title, which is the job she’d prefer to give up. She is the Keeper of Everyone’s Schedules and Appointments and the one who makes sure the library books go back on time. Danae volunteers at a couple of elementary schools 3-4 days a week and teaches a church class of 9 and 10-year-olds every other Sunday.<br />
This year we took our first airplane transported family vacation, and we spent 9 days in Kauai. It was everything we hoped it would be: lush foliage, the most fragrant and tasty pineapple, sunshine, snorkeling, splashing, hikes, smiles, and sandcastles. Ryan’s favorite part was the kayak trip and hike to a hidden waterfall, which in Danae’s mind was filed away under Character Building Experiences. Steering and paddling a kayak with a child in the front seat just did not come naturally to her. At. All. Wading through the mud in Waimea Canyon was infinitely preferable. <br />
Our cat Merlin met her demise early this year following a dog attack, so we welcomed a couple of new kitties to keep the rodent population down. Dickens and Vinnie are well-loved and well-fed.<br />
We are so thankful for our many blessings, and cherish our time with family and friends. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. <br />
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Love,<br />
Ryan, Danae, Emma, Elizabeth, Annie, and Maddie Kannely <br />
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Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-88319870289070459412019-09-03T12:02:00.004-07:002019-09-03T16:09:31.512-07:00It's Gonna Be OkayOur dryer died. I feel fairly certain this is the final appliance in our house that hasn't been replaced since we moved in 7 years ago. Seriously. We have replaced SO many things: stovetop, double ovens, microwave, dishwasher (keeping our fingers crossed that 3rd time is the charm), washer, refrigerator, well pump, pressure tank, a/c and heat pump.<br />
<br />
I insisted this summer that the kids DO their own laundry. They already knew how, but it's good for them to do all of the steps. It's one more skill that they can master in our effort to raise independent kids. I was expecting some backsliding heading back into the school year, but there really hasn't been. Annie and Maddie noticed they needed to wash their shorts last night, and so they started a load of laundry. I can't say enough about what a lovely reprieve it has been not to have been the recipient of, "Hey, where is my [article of clothing]? I put it in the laundry room last night right before bed and mentioned in passing when you tucked me in that I<i> needed</i> it today..." This morning Maddie switched over last night's wet clothes into the dryer, cleaned out the lint, put in the dryer sheet, and started the dryer. An awful noise immediately rumbled out of the laundry room. I asked if there were rocks or shoes in the dryer, and with eyes wide in confusion Maddie answered that she didn't think so. We gave it 30 seconds or so, but the noise didn't stop. I stopped the dryer and shook out all of the clothes and towels, looking for any kind of culprit.<br />
<br />
Nothing.<br />
<br />
Hm.<br />
<br />
I started the dryer again, and again the loud noises rang through the laundry room and kitchen. I stood next to the machine trying to identify what on earth would be making that kind of racket. My best guess what the band thingy spinning the drum of the dryer sounded... off? So I did what all non-handy wives do, and called Ryan. I wanted to know how serious of a problem this was. Can I still run the dryer?<br />
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Ryan said sure, as long as I keep the door to the laundry open and watch for a fire.<br />
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I'll take that as a "no." One of my childhood reoccurring nightmares was a house fire. Thanks, but I will pass.<br />
<br />
Annie still wanted her shorts, so I set them out with a fan blowing directly on them. The rest of the items were draped over chairs and benches at the table to air dry. It's not glamorous, but it gets the job done.<br />
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After I dropped the twins off at school and made it back home, I was feeling rather sorry for myself as I was surrounded by this:<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=a8b7c538fb&attid=0.1.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1643680957794746582&th=16cf871f5d6e00d6&view=fimg&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ8NouZlnKX7YzoW8INYw--s_TeBnpgpXwTJgvtzviSO356umhFb5UioTB_IBaMEi-DKA-8CZFmjaupnzZMRQFL4-nOWa0YODtTN9eUG7rQdvxDgkT_VeanEG6g&disp=emb" width="240" /><br />
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Isn't that cute?<br />
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I remembered a text message from my mother-in-law from early this morning (yippee, seminary started this morning...) with a photo of the sunrise through her bathroom window with the reminder to watch for the beauty in life because sometimes it is fleeting. At 6 am I am rarely appreciative of anything besides my bed and sleep, and I'm afraid I rolled my eyes because, you know, early morning seminary is a sacrifice for students and parents and blah I still strongly dislike early mornings. But as that message ran through my mind again, I realized I did find something beautiful. Ryan and I were very, very blessed with a check to buy that dryer (along with a washer we replaced 4 or 5 years ago) from his grandparents when we moved to Sunnyside 15 years ago. We were as poor as church mice with a one-year-old, and that first paycheck from working was a solid two months away. We had an itty bitty rental house and because of that gift, I could do laundry at home as many times as I have needed since that day. Trust me, with as much laundry as we have done since, with babies and toddlers and stomach flu and a husband who had a dirty job and the general filth of every day, that was an enormous gift. And now we are in a place financially where we can take care of this type of thing ourselves which is no less of a beautiful thing.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong. Not having a dryer is the pits. Likely having to buy a new one- that stinks too.<br />
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::Cue the Piano Guys: "It's Gonna Be Okay."::Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-51944013934333687832019-08-28T12:46:00.000-07:002019-09-03T12:56:20.978-07:00First Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Desired and Dreaded Day finally came: school begins. The older girls were up early and ready to go in enough time for me to snap a couple of photos before heading off to school. Seminary won't begin until next week, thank goodness, so we can ease back into these early mornings. Elizabeth had Grizzly Academy and Freshmen orientation last week, so she has had a little bit of exposure to the high school, but she is still extremely nervous about everything. Her biggest worry? Getting lost. I would be too. It's a high school of just over 2,000 students. The commons area at lunchtime is crowded and loud; not an easy place to be. Ryan made sure he walked Elizabeth to each of her classes yesterday, so hopefully, she has an idea of how to get to where she is going today. Emma is a junior this year with a driver's license, and she's totally ready for this. She's a bit nervous about AP and college in the classroom classes, but I think she is going to do well.<br />
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I guess I should say, Emma has a driver's license<i> and</i> a car to use. My heart gave a bit of a painful squeeze watching them drive away, all big and independent. Sniff.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaP5h7HIS1X7yn36JlVbWdDCZicYxweO5hPWIgeksn5pJN0TlU-CoLBPRYu8iyISZIJ7ozqqm__r2OtAsibbt_8skhyphenhyphenIBZtNdx7o4dYEGqJD5hJ3VZRRkJTCAvamWDK9bNqO8o6IRcpuM/s1600/IMG-1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaP5h7HIS1X7yn36JlVbWdDCZicYxweO5hPWIgeksn5pJN0TlU-CoLBPRYu8iyISZIJ7ozqqm__r2OtAsibbt_8skhyphenhyphenIBZtNdx7o4dYEGqJD5hJ3VZRRkJTCAvamWDK9bNqO8o6IRcpuM/s320/IMG-1228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Annie and Maddie were excited about school- not nervous in the least. They are 5th graders, and their dad is the principal. Worry is for lesser mortals.</div>
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I took the girls shopping last week for their new, back to school t-shirt. Emma opted for new slip-on shoes instead, so they are all wearing at least something new.<br />
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One of Ryan's students won a ride to school in a fire truck from National Night Out. It was newsworthy, so here's a screenshot of the district Facebook photo of Mr. Principal, student, Mr. Superintendent, and a fireman. I don't know why the photo quality is so terrible, but c'est la vie. This little photo shoot had to be discussed in advance, with Ryan and the fireman having a discussion about where exactly would be a good place to park and turn around in the confusion of the first day of school. The student appeared to have brought all of his near relations to school. There was a party of about 14 who all wanted a photo with the firetruck, and then they all walked the student to class. I glimpsed the party when I brought Annie and Maddie to school.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY-1zeCzH2ocTibViFR-RkPUz4bWF33xjVJi2cU_aBOZt9Y0aQPl7F0BqevtB-QW_61tEGh52JD_mBg9ewNYnLQwGSuqnr2n3H7m0wLggp32HcuHD7OKKfAvzHx1ExcZfWcT63LELo_k/s1600/IMG-1236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1334" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY-1zeCzH2ocTibViFR-RkPUz4bWF33xjVJi2cU_aBOZt9Y0aQPl7F0BqevtB-QW_61tEGh52JD_mBg9ewNYnLQwGSuqnr2n3H7m0wLggp32HcuHD7OKKfAvzHx1ExcZfWcT63LELo_k/s320/IMG-1236.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
What a zoo though. I had to park across the street in our church parking lot because there were no parking places at all in the school parking lot. But I didn't know that until after I drove through the parking lot. Consequently, Annie and Maddie made it to class <i>just</i> after the first bell. We've never been that late on the first day.Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-61722569573232748832018-12-12T16:49:00.004-08:002018-12-14T11:53:07.342-08:00Christmas News 2018<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Greetings one and all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">As another year draws to a close,
it’s time to look back and bask in our many accomplishments over the course of
this year. No broken bones or stitches- check!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A plumbing disaster resulting in us replacing
our dishwasher and kitchen floor <i>by ourselves</i>, and just for the heck of
it, our front room floor (a process still not completed)- check! A
million and a half loads of dishes and laundry- check!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family dance parties in the kitchen- check!
A summer vacation to the Oregon Coast with sewage coming up into the
bathtub of our rented condo during Elizabeth’s shower and therefore leaving us
without a working bathroom for several hours- check! Man, we are <i>crushing</i>
this thing called Life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">The biggest change we saw this year
was Ryan <s>giving up his summer to do summer school</s>, or rather, <s>buying
a “new” car and no longer driving his truck the Sunnyside Police Dept. call the
“Warrant Wagon</s>,” I mean, feeling like he was ready for new challenges
job-wise. He applied for three different jobs in our school district during
the summer, and after several nail biting, sleepless weeks, he got the
principal job at Annie and Maddie’s school. He’s enjoying it, and Annie
and Maddie think it’s the Coolest Thing Ever to have Dad as their principal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I go places with Ryan, it’s almost like
being with a rock star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids wave, shout
“hi!”, give him high-fives, and occasionally try to hug his leg. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Emma (15) is a sophomore in high
school. She is<i> that kid</i> who is taking two math classes and Honors
English, and is thoroughly enjoying after school drama. Emma landed the
part of Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz and did a great job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did have to laugh off the many jokes
about her being brainless, and finally reaching puberty to get that man-ly
voice she talked and sang with during the play. (Her character voice was
pretty epic.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emma goes to her early
morning seminary class, is taking French 2, has her driver’s permit, pesters
her sisters as only an oldest sister can, and would rather read than clean her
room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Elizabeth (13) is in her final year
of middle school. She loves to rattle off science facts for my
edification, but loves her art projects even more. Our old kitchen table
has been repurposed as The Place For Crafting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Elizabeth decided this year to follow in Emma’s footsteps and has traded
her clarinet (the one we are still making payments on- hope one of the twins
will want to play it someday) for the bass clarinet in band. She also
performed in the high school play with Emma, but as a Munchkin, a poppy, an Oz-ian,
and a flying monkey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also enjoys
4-H, decorating her room with her art, and pretending not to hear her parents
request to collect eggs and feed the sheep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Annie and Maddie (10) are in 4th
grade this year. They made the mutual decision to give up shin guards and
soccer cleats at the end of the spring season, and so they were enrolled in
Acro-Dance this fall to impress one and all with how flexible we… aren’t.
But they are enjoying it and work hard to acquire new skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was also the year to tackle their
cross-bites (when the upper and lower teeth don’t meet up the right way), so we
paid the big bucks to have the orthodontist install Torture Devices, aka palate
expanders<i> and</i> braces. Annie and Maddie love to try to trick
people, as only identical twins can. They also think it’s great that
their growth spurts hit earlier than their older sisters, and they can borrow
certain clothes and shoes from any other female in the house, much to the
dismay of their mother and sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">As for me, I keep things running
around here- getting kids to and from their various activities, making sure
everyone is fed and has clean clothes, a listening ear for life’s woes,
refereeing hormonal teens and preteens, and attempting to teach “adulting”
skills to grumbling children so that someday they can strike out on their own
(a thought that actually makes me want to weep. Well, most days.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I volunteer 3 days a week at school, teach
the 11 and 12-year-old kids at church on Sunday, and feel like my life is a
spelling bee. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(“Mom, how do you spell
[insert word here]?”)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We
are thankful for so many of our blessings and cherish our moments with family
and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wish you a very Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">With
much love,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Freestyle Script"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ryan, Danae, Emma,
Elizabeth, Annie and Maddie Kannely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198771418392309411.post-13361744675777343132018-11-01T12:04:00.000-07:002018-11-05T12:09:12.482-08:00Happy Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Halloween was a busy day. I had a costume to finish (making Maddie's pop star dress with no pattern and only vague idea of how to make a dress is not an experience I wish to repeat anytime soon.), shoes to pick up from Walmart (they all wear about the same size shoe and so NO MORE HAND ME DOWNS and it's no longer sandal weather. Waaahhhh.) went to Maddie's classroom party, took all four girls home from school (since Emma and Elizabeth had performed in the play all day and missed the bus home), curled Emma's hair (when is that girl going to stop being afraid of curling irons???), found white shirts that Annie and Maddie didn't hate to wear with their dresses, made the girls put on their costumes early so we would have good outdoor light for pictures, rounded up the trick or treat baskets (why can I only find 3?), grabbed the candy and away we went to the church dinner and trunk or treat.</div>
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But the girls looked pretty darn good. I made everyone's costume, except Annie's Cinderella dress. That came courtesy of Amazon. Also, all of the girls are wearing something of mine. Annie and Maddie wore my white short sleeved shirts, Emma wore my black tights and flats, and Elizabeth is wearing my black leggings. I just have to take a step back and shake my head. How can they be this old already?</div>
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Emma is Little Red Riding Hood. The cape is held together by fabric glue and ribbon.<br />
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I made the crayon top out of green foam and hot glue and two hair clips. I printed off the Crayola logo and made the shirt with black fabric and the heat and stick stuff from the craft store. Voila.<br />
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If you are unfamiliar with the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VH8lvZ-Z1g">The Crayon Song</a> from Studio C, you will miss why being the green crayon is funny.<br />
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Miss Annie as Cinderella. I had to BEG Annie to leave her hair down just long enough for these pictures, but then it had to go straight back into a ponytail. That girl is a little particular about how things are and feel on her body.<br />
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Maddie is Keira from Barbie Princess and the Popstar, and she is "singing" into her purple hairbrush, I mean microphone. Her dress has two safety pins to get it to lay (mostly) right. Did I mention I made this thing with no pattern? At all? It's in three pieces: the skirt was easy enough, the belt is its own piece held together with velcro, and the top is well.... not too bad if you don't look at it closely.<br />
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It wouldn't be a proper Halloween without some silly pictures. I'm glad they still like to be silly.<br />
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I made M&M shirts for Ryan and me. I had no idea that M&Ms were going to be a big "thing" this year. When I was at Maddie's class party, I saw 4 or 5 M&M shirts, and I heard there were several at Ryan's old building. Huh. Who knew?<br />
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<br />Danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10123516143971258222noreply@blogger.com0