Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.
Tuesday January 17th, the page on my calendar, one of those that you get from filling stations or oil suppliers which have a new message for every day, well today it says that its the birthday of Muhammed =Ali. Born in Louisville in 1942, and the caption at the bottom says, ‘Effort only fully releases it’s reward after a person refuses to quit’. As good as any way to start off my report today. Weather wise it’s not looking good, with the snowflakes which have been hanging over us for days are dropping down outside just now. Regardless of weather, children have to go to school and parents have to ferry them, the builder must build and the shopkeeper open the shop. But for people like me who have no real agenda, what do we do? Why go out if it’s too cold or even dangerous in case we fall and get hurt, make more work for our already overcrowded health services. That would be all wrong. But equally the last thing we must do is to sit inside and be bored. Funny how the sayings of old keep coming back and still make sense today. One of our neighbours who worked in America and came home and bought a farm near us before getting married and settling down. He always said that if the day isn’t fit for hay, don’t spend the day in the meadow, meaning of course that no matter what you’re doing if it isn’t right just now, then go do something else. Today it strikes me as a good time to take a leaf out of that old wise ,man’s book. Spring cleaning is on the way, but perish the thought in this weather, but maybe it’s a good time to go through the wardrobes and hanging places and see what can be done about the overcrowding which we all experience. Keep warm by perhaps by putting some hot water in a hot water bottle and keeping it near you or turn on the electric blanket in you bed and it will warm both you and the stuff you’re working on. Be prepared to be distracted, Because no matter what your rush, you will find some items that will trigger you memory. We all have things which have been with us for years and which we are reluctant to part with, even if we no longer wear them or indeed if they no longer fit. Some can take us back to places and events that we’d love to dwell on again, holding it near and recalling the way we looked that day the friends we shared it with and the photos to show for it. While still surrounded by loads of things yet to go through, we can just allow the moment to linger and smile again at the thought. We have things that we bought and never wore. A teeney, teeny bit too tight, but it’s no bother to lose a pound so you pay up and take it home feeling all aglow at your purchase. But alas it never happens, that pound or even an ounce won’t move and by then it’s too late to return it, so it stays put and will continue to be nice to look at. Then what about the lovely thing that you got renovated, left down or up or whatever, but it didn’t turn out the way you wanted it, so in disgust you consign it to the back of the wardrobe for now. Famous last words, you never look at it again. A flimsy number suitable for a holiday in the sun could bring you back to thoughts of a dreadful flight or a smooth one, recall hours basking on silver sands and sipping tequila sunrise, etc. far into the balmy night surrounded by fellow revellers. Even a pin or broach on a garment can give you hours of reminissing as you think back of when it became yours for the first time. Could be one passed on to you by a caring grandparent or beautifully enclosed in a presentation box with a bow by a hopeful beau. Shoes, OMG, When I think of all the space we’d have if we only kept what we needed, or were currently using. Shoes ,boots ,slippers ,high heels, flats, peep toe, fur lined, runners. As your age goes up the heels of your shoes go down if you are to maintain the art of walking with any degree of comfort or safety, and it’s a sobering thought when you go through the press and see the punishing models that we wore in the not too distant past. Again going through them ahead of the Spring Clean, minutes grow into hours as you claw back the memories of how we put the final touch to any outfit, with a matching pair of footwear. Maybe they put blisters on our toes and ruined our posture ,as long as the completed the set ,then on they went. Well for a while anyway, a second pain in the bag at a wedding or so, very often made a hasty appearance as the wearer took on a relaxed and pleasant look of relief. A mere distraction can take you away from your task, and in a moment you could leave it all for another day. But at least you were not bored.
The snow is falling thick and fast here now, a good time for me to leave my writing for now and enjoy the scene outside from my nice warm fireside. Little children and those from warmer climes will love the look of the snow, but when the cold bites they will find that it has it’s down side.
In spite of the rise in prices and the uncertainty surrounding peoples lives coming up to Christmas, our St. V de Paul volunteers were very pleased with the response to their Church gate collections which were taken up at five places and want you to know the figures . The list is as following Ballydaly, €344, Cullen, €488, Dernagree, €403, Dromagh, €808. Kilcorney, €280, Millstreet, €3,528. Total €5,851. The funds raised go to people in these catchment areas and those in charge want to continue to help the needy and they are asking people to let them know of anybody who is in want.
Contact numbers are 086 066 9243 or 087 959 7900.
I know that our St.V de Paul group want to thank all those who supported their fundraiser so well and I in turn on behalf of our community, I want to thank them sincerely for the great work that they do for our people who are in need, all in the strictest confidence, not just at Christmas but the whole year round.
The Weigh-In in Cullen continues every Monday Night. Last night, Monday 50 people braved the cold and snow, to weigh-in and 160 pounds were lost. Well done, more of the same next Monday night.
The Spring Farm Machinery Show will run at the Green Glens for the next two days, Wednesday January 18 and Thursday January 19. According to the organisers it gets bigger and better every time. It is deemed Ireland’s biggest Trade Show.
The Marian Players in Rathmore are rehearsing their annual Panto at the moment. This year they’re going a little on the wild side with a show entitled Dame Anne goes West and opens on Saturday January 28th.
Our Singing group with Marie Twomey resumes on Thursday January 26th. at the Adult Learning Centre.
The weekly Lotto Draw resumed on Sunday Night at the Adult Learning Centre following the Christmas break. Numbers drawn were 5,19,21,31 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Noreen Kelleher, c/o Colemans. The sellers prize of €50 went to Colemans, €50 went to Trevor O’Connor, c/o Mary O’Connor, €20 each went to PJ O’Sullivan, c/o The Bush Bar. Maria Angela Kelleher, West End. Ash Long, c/o The Bush Bar, Kevin & Liam c/o PJ Creedon. Bertie Batt Ahern, c/o The Mal Paso. Ann Ducey, c/o Sheila Lane, John Twohig, Flintfield. c/o Colemans, Ann, Dan,Maggie & Tommy Fitz c/o Denis Twomey. Next draw Sunday January 22. Jackpot €5,200.
The North winds do blow and we shall have snow and what will the Robin do then, poor thing. The fall of snow will make life extra hard for the birds as well as for us humans. Already the crows are trying to break into the birds supply. God love them, they are God’s creatures too so I give them any scraps that I have. I’m just finished reading Anne Glenconner’s book. ‘What Next’. I’m not a great readerbut this I couldn’t let down once I started. Born around the same time as myself, I found we had many equals, similiarities, even though she was born into royalty and Princess Margaret was one of her playmates. Like me she loved the out of doors, climbing trees, messing about in streams, riding ponies, finding birds nests. But not raiding them. One thing baffled me. She said they loved raiding Jackdaw’s nests and taking the eggs. They eat the eggs and said they were lovely , much nicer than any other. Never heard of it. You learn something new every day. Please take good care in this uncertain weather , Be reminded that you can get Eucharistic Adoration today and every Tuesday on line, in the comfort of your own home. And the Rosary before morning 10 am. Mass every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning starting at 9.40.
Slán, Agus Beannacht de leath.
