Photo credit: Chris Grayson in The National Park, Killarney, October 2024
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Moments of Reflection
My granddaughter, Cora, reading my book. I’m truly grateful to all the people who have bought it so far. It really is the ideal gift for young and old.
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Formica
There was a time when we thought plastic was a marvellous discovery. It was strong, durable, easy to clean and store and virtually indestructible. Of course this indestructibility has lead plastic to fall out of favour.
Formica was a tough, glossy surface, easy to clean and disinfect, didn’t splinter or stain. It was ideal for tables where spillages could be easily mopped up and there was no need for a table covering of any sort and no polishing and protecting. I wonder if anyone still has a formica kitchen table.
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Ah, so sad!
from Discover Duhallow magazine
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The Farrier
When I called home recently this sight met my eyes, the farrier’s van complete with an array of horseshoes. Horses, like people, have different shoe sizes.
My brother holding the horse and the busy farrier working away.
The farrier works his way from hoof to hoof and the horse waits patiently for the job to be done.
Pat’s grandchildren came to take a look at this age old skill.
Now, it’s the turn of the stable companion.
The rasp, the equivalent of our nail file, evens off the hoof’s edges.
This trade is no longer carried out by blacksmiths. It is a skill all of its own now and the farrier travels around to pay home visits to his equine customers.
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Brehon Laws
A few more sensible rules to live by…
The Brehons who were the judges were not above the law.
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Date for the Diary
This usually books out quickly.
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A Fact
A cat will clean itself with tongue and paw after a dangerous experience or when it has fought with another cat. this is an attempt by the cat to soothe its nerves by doing something instinctive and natural.
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