Author: boomingbanter

When we moved from Europe to the USA in 2010 we left a lot of things in storage in Switzerland.

Originally my assignment was for 3-5 years but eventually it became 8 years. In the end we decided that we would stay here in Ohio.

Yesterday our things that were in storage arrived! We are boxed in!

As we unpack it is so good to see these lovelies again. After all, they were part of our lives for so long.

The really interesting thing is that they seem to fit right in. This gives a feeling that this was meant to be.

The most amazing fit is a sideboard that seems as though it was made to measure for our kitchen.

Most touching in what we have unearthed so far were some lovely photos of our first fur babies Darcy and Bingley.

They are now sitting on an old Chinese cabinet we bought in Shanghai that is also happy to have found its family again.

Blessing # 121 – Reconnecting with Old Treasures

In Ireland you are never too far from the sea. On a good day everyone heads to the shore.

Being hardy stock we’ll sunbathe at temperatures less robust beings consider frigid. We just can’t resist the urge to dig into the sand.

No wonder! Our beaches are amazingly beautiful and a post yesterday of a beach in Donegal brought a longing to my heart to be in the homeland to see the sea.

Rain, hail, snow or blow, each time I’m back I just gotta go to my very own favorite beach in the whole world at Newcastle County Down.

The view from the promenade to the left gives a picture perfect view of the sand dunes at Murlough Bay while a look to the right takes in a sweep of the Mountains of Mourne right down into the Irish Sea.

Magnificent and C.S. Lewis’s inspiration for that magical Kingdom of Narnia.

Blessing # 120– Storybook Beauty

Just yesterday three quotes of Benjamin Franklin were making the rounds on social media. He sure was phrase prolific that Ben and could turn his hand to many things.

All three of yesterday’s quotes were new to me but one of The Best of Ben, about bedtime habits is very familiar. My Mum used this almost on a daily basis. Think it might be wise if Aaron started to hear it from me too as he almost fell asleep yesterday during maths tutorial.

Just think what the outcome might be with a few good nights of sleep! He’d do all right if Ben is anything to go by!!!

Blessing # 119 – Timeless Truth

Years ago, when we were living in Switzerland, some friends came to visit from Belfast.

It was January and with lots of snow on the ground I took them on a drive through the mountains.

As we arrived at the village of  Chateux D’Oex we had an amazing experience..

As we turned a sharp bend we happened on the international hot air balloon festival. We had no idea this was taking place so it was even more special as it came as a complete surprise.

Yesterday all this flooded back when I saw a post on Facebook about a festival taking place right now in the USA.

These objects floating in the sky have a timeless quality like planets floating in our universe.

Magical!

Blessing # 118 – Light as air

This morning my friend Kourtney posted a funny little message  about bread.

It gave me a good giggle that is a blessing in itself.

It also made me think how wonderful bread is. Such a simple thing but transformational.

There are some people who unfortunately can’t eat bread but do you know anyone who really doesn’t like it?

Bread gives us ties to our homelands even to our cities as is the case for me with the beloved Belfast Bap.

My Granny Barr who lived with us would bake traditional Irish soda bread, wheaten bread and potato bread on the griddle every Tuesday.

She got me a little rolling pin when I was about three and when she baked she’d have me stand on a little stool beside her. She’d give me a little piece of dough to roll out and we’d bake it too. When it was done we’d put a big lump of butter on my little piece and share it. What a lovely life lesson she gave me.

That smell of bread baking or toasting evokes so many good thoughts of warmth and cosiness and so many good memories. What would the world be like without it.

Blessing # 117 – Bread in all its glory

Today is homecoming and Aaron is taking his girlfriend to the dance.

There has been great excitement getting flowers and candy and getting ready and all dressed up too.

He sure looks handsome and his girlfriend looks so beautiful.

They are going to have a little dinner first can you imagine.

Each milestone makes new memories that will last a lifetime as those of us who have past them can attest.

Blessing #116 – Always Enjoying the Dance

Yesterday my Ph.D supervisor Dr Kelvin McCracken who lives in Northern Ireland received the British Empire Medal from the Queen. This was in recognition of his services to the community.

This morning on Facebook I saw the photo of Kelvin and his wife and daughter just after the ceremony posted by their son.

The next post was from a friend here in the USA about the meaning of leadership.

The two posts go so well together. Kelvin gave his heart and soul to all his students and there were many of us over the years.

He also did so much for those in need in the community as the Queen herself endorsed. All this was done because he wanted to make life better for all that he came in touch with.

Well done Kelvin and thank you for your leadership!

Blessing # 115 – Those who invest in others

Photo by Tookapic on Pexels.com

Photo by Sivakumar B on Pexels.com

All around us the critters are running around like crazy. The squirrels and chipmunks in particular look like they’re on roller skates.

They are all working out in view as singles but there may be a leader directing operations back in the den.

You could say they are “going nuts” and it is entertaining to watch unless, as they did a few days ago, they start squirreling in our garage.

We are close to being able to say or sing that “all is safely gathered in ere the winter storms begin”

Blessing # 114 – Harvest Home

I got carried away yesterday and posted a title rather than a story.

The day was spent with my dear friend Lori in her hometown of Jackson about two hours south of Columbus.

We had such fun seeing the town because Lori was showing me all the shops and places that have been there for generations. It is the US as you’d see it in the works of Norman Rockwell. Simply lovely.

Lori had driven through pouring rain most of the way from Columbus to get us there. We thought our plans for the visit were in jeopardy but just as we arrived in Jackson and parked at The Tea Caddy for lunch the sun came out.

After lunch, we saw the old movie theater that the people of the town have lovingly restored and that now shows feee movies. They are running a series of Boris Karloff classics at the minute!

We went to the pharmacy that has been in the town since the 1890s and to the store where Lori got her wedding dress. We admired the homecoming and prom dresses sold there too and then moved on to the jewelers and music store.

Finally, we drove around the neighborhood where Lori grew up, visited her Mom and then we all went to Michaels ice cream parlor to indulge in their traditional BUBBLE sundaes.

The old saying surely rings true that « A sweet friendship refreshes the soul »

Blessing # 113 – Walking Around Memory Lane

Our dog Dibley loves his favorite human so much.

The boys have grown up together. They have played together and had the occasional fight too.

There is no place Dibley likes more than snuggled beside Aaron especially when he has taken off his socks.

Aaron’s feet are a source of delight and are licked like an ice-cream.

Socks are also considered a treat but only if they have been worn by a brother.

This show of affection and attachment might seem strange.

Just imagine though that you’re a caveman home from the hunt with raw and sore feet. Wouldn’t this be such a good reason to let that baby wolf come close?

Blessing # 112 – Observing Companionship