Saturday.    I went to Ceil Du Prey's Meal this morning.  I baked scones and corn bread to share.   It was well attended.  She does these free meals from the UCC on Bluff in Sheboygan and has been doing it for years.

This was breakfast and was SO good.  I met new friends and met some old friends that I had not seen in quite a long time.

The scones and cornbread were ALL gone.

Tonight I sang with the choir for the first time this year at Mass.   It felt good.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was a bit warmer today but next week it is supposed to jump back up into the 60s.

I kept busy today.   Friday I always catch up on the wash.   So that is all done.

Tomorrow I am going into Sheboygan For Ceil's Meals.   My frien Ceil Du Prey puts on these free meals at churches periodically.  I have been unable to attend for one reason or another but this Saturday I AM free so told her I sould come.   I am bringing scones and clotted cream and corn bread to share.

The cornbread is a new recipe it is quite simple:

1 cup flour
1 cup corn meal
1 T baking powder
1/4 cup melted butter
1 cup milk (any kind you have)
3 eggs
1/4 to 1/2 t. maple extract
1/3 cup brown sugar.

blend the dry ingredients.   Then mix the wet ingredients, including melted butter, and add to the dry.   Pour in a greased 8X8 pan and bake at 425 for 20 to 25 minutes.

I forgot to add the butter and realized just before putting it in the oven so added it then.  It came out fine and is really good.

The engine light came on in my car.  I took it in but we think it was just a loose gas cap.  If it happens again, I will go back.

Had lunch with the bank ladies.  There were only three of us.   Everybody had other things to do.

So I am trying to get Nicky to sleep a little longer each morning because tomorrow we turn the clocks back.


It is working, I think.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Well, a good day.   It was COLD outside though.

Shanna, my cleaning lady, came this morning so everything is spotless again.  After she left, I went to the Exchange Bank for coffee beans.   I only had enough for a half of my usual portion this morning.   So I picked up a pumpkin spice latte to have with lunch.   I had marinated a round steak in teriyaki sauce and made fried rice and steamed rutabaga to go with it for lunch.  I had rutabaga because I carved one out for a jack o lantern again - Just for me.   I am worth it.

I decided to go back to choir as the condo does not have an offer yet and I probably will be here for Christmas.   I like to be a part of that.  It is fun ti be singing and I need a night out now and then.

I packed up all my cds and have a box that I really don't want to take with me if there are any takers.

Dia DHuit

Mary

We MAY get some flurries tonight.   Not a welcome event and not for sure.   Nicky and I walked in a misty morning.   He was quite wet by the time we got home.    I rub him off with a nice towel when that happens.  He is tolerant.

I was busy all morning.   Can't tell you exactly what I did?   Went to Van Horn at 1PM and bought three new tires.   I had been told that the tires were very worn and decided to replace them before winter and before a long drive to Oklahoma.

I am watching a scary movie tonight and then will go to bed.

The nights are very long around here.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Whew.  What a day.   I got a lot done.

Am working on some things for Mom.   Hopefully this will settle everything.

I went to the grocery store this morning and when I got back, cleaned the garage as best I could without water.   Too many boxes stacked up against the wall. 

I wrote a news letter for the Sheboygan County Branch of CWI.   We had such a great Samhain dinner ant I told them about the upcoming events.  Want to see?   You have no choice.

Sunday, October 25th, 14 members of the Sheboygan Branch of CWI and their friends and significant others, met at the First Congregational UCC for our 5th (at least) annual Samhain Dinner.   Again, we entered into the dark season enjoying the many fruits of the harvest.   Soups to take your breath away, potato dishes, chicken and desserts to die for.
For those of you who don't know how important this feast is, here is a summary:  Samhain is the end of the harvest season, the beginning of the dark season.  The Night (our Halloween) was the time that the veil between here and the other world was the thinnest and ghouls and goblins roamed the world.   The dark season is actually a season to regroup, much as sleep is a time to replenish the soul.   This is the time of year to repair, to renew, to begin again.   The trouble with our world is that there is no time for just being.
So it was a wonderful evening.   I thank all who came,  for your company.  Please don't let this feast die if I am gone.   I will start another Samhain in Oklahoma.  OK!.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 14th at 1:00 PM. We are meeting at the First Congregational UCC at 1405 South Milwaukee (Hwy 67) in Plymouth. This CWI bi-annual Literary Exchange includes tea, members may bring a treat to pass, we learn about author Leon Uris and discuss his book: "Trinity".
Joan Kramer

Finally:  Our last event for 2015 will be our annual Collaborative Irish Christmas Tea, celebrated at the Plymouth Historical Society. 420 E. Mill St., Plymouth WI,  along with the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center, Sheboygan Falls, (thank you Beth Dippel) will be held on December 5th, Saturday, from 1PM to 3PM. 
Enjoy musical entertainment, Christmas Treats, traditional Irish Brown Bread, tea and coffee in addition to good conversation.  Bring your special holiday treats to share with all the guest that come to share this time with us.
Begin your Christmas season with joyful sounds of this program.

Hope I didn't bore you.   This is my life (part of it anyway.)   I have decided to go back to choir at St. John's.  Maybe I will be here for Christmas.  If not, I will be able to sing a couple of times at Mass anyway.

Tomorrow, someone from Milwaukee is coming to look at the condo.   Pray!!!

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was a relatively busy day today.  

Last night on my way home, I saw the low air signal on my dashboard.   As I had been told that some of my tires are getting very low on tread and that it is recommended that I replace them, I called the dealer.   I stopped on my way to Bible Study and they filled the tires to what they should be and I ordered the tires and set an appointment for the installation.  With winter and a trip to Oklahoma, I might as well start off safe.

Bible study was really wonderful.   We were 9 strong and finally finished talking about the Wedding Feast at Cana and are now on to the time that Jesus chased all the vendors out of the temple.   That got us on to a discussion of how much donating and how much soliciting for even good causes should be done in the church proper.   And interesting dilemna.

Home again, I was tired, but I did get some things done (including a nap which I must have needed because I REALLY did sleep).   I got the newsletter out to my Celtic women too.

So we are supposed to be getting rain.    We are behind on rain, so I don't care.   It is hard to walk Mr. Nicky though.   Not for him.   He doesn't seem to care one way or another. 

Dia dhuit

Mary

Tonight was the Sheboygan County CWI annual Samhain  Harvest Dinner.   We met at Dorothy Rose's church.  The First Congregational UCC over on 67.   There were fourteen of us there and what a time we had sharing stories, eating super end of summer food and just "being with".

I was able to hand over much of the CWI branch and International things that I have been storing here to Joan and others.  Now if I could just get an offer on the condo.

Bless you all and pray for an offer.

Dia DHout

Mary


In order to discover new lands, one must be willing to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.
- Anonymous

A good Friday.

I baked some No Knead Bread today.  Boy was that good for my supper this evening.

Then I worked on sweeping out and organizing the garage so that it is easier to stack boxes in there and if my brothers have to take down the ramp, they will have room to move a round in there.

I had a "double date" for lunch today.   I met my friend Sonya at the Diary Queen just before noon.  She had an appointment in downtown Plymouth at about one and had to leave at 12:30PM.  This is when I meet my Bank Ladies so it seemed like a natural.   I had my meal with Sonya and my dessert with the ladies.    Sonya is so good to me.  She brought me apples and raspberries.

It was also good spending time with Betty, Marlene, Ceil and Barb again.   Lots to catch up on. 

Home again, I finished my garage work and have been kind of relaxing and catching up on finances and correspondence.

The person who came back to see the house, has now asked for the average cost of utilities.   I wish he would just get off the line and either give up or offer.    No other leads just now.    I just have to hang on.   As you all know me.   Once I get something in my head I am not patient.   So I hope something happens soon.   I just keep packing and cleaning.   Actually I am sick of having to keep everything all picked up and scrubbed.

Dia dhuit

Mary

It was a beautiful day today.   The sun was shining, no wind and a nice comfortable temperature.

I got a lot done too.   I went to see my chiropractor this afternoon.   I feel pretty good right about now.

This afternoon, I also went through the dvds that Dick and I had accumulated and picked out about half of them to take with me.   There are just too many and lots of them I know that I realistically will not look at.   Anybody want any old comics or old musicals,  I have them.  Otherwise, they will be donated to St. Vinnie's next week.

I had a slew of phone calls to make today too.  I am almost all caught up.

Friday is kind of busy.  Didn't start out that way. 

Until tomorrow

Dia dhuit

Mary

I did a lot of sorting today.     This morning, I took Great Grandpa Bowser's Wedding coat to Aunt Kathleen's house.     Christine, my cousin, Kathleen's daughter, is going to look it over and see if the Wisconsin Historical Society wants it - otherwise, we will check with the Fond du Lac, History center as that was where they settled, way back then.

Then I cleaned the garage windows.  The window cleaner must have missed them and (note this Jim) there were those ladybugs (beetles) trying to get in the garage.   They were on the sill and at the entrance to the garage door.    I cleaned then sprayed the entrances.  Hope I am on time.

I went through the VHS tapes today.   I am keeping some, but am donating a lot of them to St. Vinnie's.  I have so many DVD's too.  Will also sort through them.   Perhaps some of you would like some of them as they don't get old like the VHS do and most of us have the DVD players.   Not necessarily the VHS players.

Tonight I am going to the Poets at Mead meeting.   Might as well go as long as I am in the state.  I will be picking up Sy.   He is always glad to go and he cannot drive, as he can't see well enough.

So until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another beautiful day without the wind.   The leaves are mainly gone now.   Could not hang on in yesterday's wind.

Busy day.   I had an appointment with Dr. Sokhi, my tummy doctor.   I am still having some difficulties so am waiting for results from some tests he ordered.   As I say, I am in great shape for the shape I'm in.

Nicky and I had to leave the house just before 1PM as someone was coming to see the house.  We ran a bunch of errands..  I mailed presents for my new great grandson, Matthew.   We went grocery shopping and a couple other odd chores while we were out.   He seemed to enjoy the afternoon and it is good practice for our drive to Oklahoma some day in the future.

We got home after the potential buyers left.    Nicky always comes in the house after a viewing and barks and checks the house out for me.   What a guy.

Alison called and said that they are interested.   Only time will tell.

Please pray for an offer.   I am so tired.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

What a weird day.

Went to Bible Study first thing.   We were nine strong.   It is good discussing John's Gospel.    We are still on the 2nd Chapter and stuck on the Wedding Feast at Cana.

Home again, I straightened up the house, had lunch and then went over to the neighbor's house at one o'clock because there was supposed to be a showing.  Nobody showed after 35 minutes, so I called Alison.   She called the realtor that was supposed to be bringing the potential buyer.   He had forgotten?   So rescheduled for three PM.   What a wasted afternoon.     Turns out that the potential buyer is allergic to trees:)   More Weird.


It was a pleasant day, though very windy.    I think Nicky is starting to wonder what is going on around here.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Home

I had a whole day at home.   Apparently my neighbors did not have this luxury.  I want to share some scones that I baked and nobody is home.

The Packers won.  Yippee.  I seem to be holding my position in the fantasy football league. (Except for the survival league which I blew all by myself.)

Someone came back to see the house for the second time today and they stayed for quite a while.   That is encouraging, but no cigar.  The offer is what I need.  Someone will be viewing the condo tomorrow afternoon too.  We are getting interest.  We just lowered the price by $4000.   Hope that will reinvigorate the interest.

Until tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I just got home from a delightful evening.   My friends the Hoftiezers - Lynn, Jena and Hope, invited me to a Sound Celebration performance at the Plymouth Arts Center.   The tickets are free but limited.   Jena had 5 and as her Dad was unable to attend, they invited me.  

The music was from the 50s and also included some gospel and country.   My kind of music.  I also won a door prize and a raffle prize.   I gave the door prize to Jena, Hope and Lynn to fight over.  It was a super combination of bath stuff.   I don't need anything else to haul around.   The raffle was a baby basket.   I will send that to Matthew.

So.  Time for bed.   A lot to do tomorrow and Sunday.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A picture from the trip.   I am trying to remember exactly where it was,  can't right now but it is a nice picture of the Atlantic from the shore of Cornwall.

Home all day again.   Today I took a shower though.    I suddenly realized that I had not ordered the Christmas ornaments that I give for presents every year (you are probably all tired of it but one can't stop a tradition:) )   As the Hallmark store in Sheboygan is closed, I ordered them all online.   They had free shipping anyway so it worked out.

I finished my coat closet and cleaned out a drawer in the file cabinet.

I may have someone coming to look at the condo for the second time tomorrow.    And there is another showing on Monday.

Til tomorrow.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

One of my pictures of Stonehenge.   We passed it on our way to Cornwall.   I am learning how to use the Windows program that somehow or other saved my pictures when I lost them in Picasa.

I am pretty excited that I have them.

Today was a super day.   I did not have to go anywhere today so I did not even SHOWER.

I packed a couple of boxes, cleaned out the coat closets except for stuff I am using and make several phone calls and took care of my finances.   Tomorrow I get to be home again and intend to continue with what I did today.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Boy was it windy today.  

I had a dentist appointment.  Cleaning.   It went well.  No cavities.   Dr. Tim ground down a couple of sharp edges for me and I got them cleaned.

On the way home, I went grocery shopping and dropped some stuff off at St. Vinnies.   It was trash day too so lots of stuff went out of the house today.

Made a lot of phone calls.   Got my banking caught up and packed two boxes. 

So altogether a profitable day.


Til tomorrow.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Well, today was a busy day, but I did get a nice nap this afternoon before I went to see my chiropractor.   I had Bible Study this morning.   We were nine strong and had a lively discussion about the wedding feast at Cana and the fact that Jesus turned about 180 gallons of water into the best wine served at the wedding.   Must have been some party, even if those weddings apparently went on for several days.

Home again, I got things put away and sorted from the weekend.

What a weekend it was.   My talk went well.   It was well attended and everybody seemed to have fun.

I met the most interesting people.    Sitting in the lobby of the hotel waiting for my ride to the Irish Center on Friday night for the Gala Awards Dinner ( which is always an adventure.   Bobbie - Sharon Shannon was the musician of the year this year.)  I met two other presenters who came for Dublin.   The theme of iBAM this year was the 1916 Rising.  The people I met were Pat Waters and his wife Ann.   Pat does a dynamic musical poetry concert called the Signatories about the 7 signers of the Irish Proclamation.   They are Tomas O Cleirigh, Sean Mac Diermada, Tomas Mac Donnchadha, Patrick Pearse, Eamonn Ceannt, Seamas O Conghaille,  Joseph Mary Plunkett.  I had to see it over two days as my talk started in the middle of his.  I have his CD. 

The third was James Connolly Heron, the great grandson of James Connolly, one of the rebels that was executed at Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin after the surrender of the rebels in the 1916 Easter Rebellion.  Connolly is famous for his patriotism and for the fact that he was injured and was taken out to the execution site and placed in a chair to be shot.

I also saw so many good friends.   All my Celtic sisters from Celtic Women International to beging with.  I am sated.

Well.  The best news of the weekend is that our Sara, Leslie's daughter, gave birth to Matthew Rowan Howes on Saturday.    He is beautiful and perfect and went home today.    So I am a great grandmother again and happy as can be.   Congratulations to  John and Sara on a job well done.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I'm Home!!!

 The weekend was WONDERFUL.

Dia DHuit

Mary

What a good day.   It was a bit cool and we had two rain showers during the afternoon, but I don't mind cool.   Cold is another story.

My neighbors, Larry and Mary Ann, had organized a lunch adventure at Black Wolf Run for any of our residents who wanted to come.  We had a nice crowd of about 20 people who carpooled to the restaurant and enjoyed a good lunch together.   Larry and Mary Ann are leaving for Florida soon so it is nice to spend time with them before they leave.   I will probably be gone before they return so this was a nice good by.  

You will not be hearing from me until Sunday evening.   I will be in Chicago at IBAM.   Wish me luck with my talk on Saturday.   The rest of the weekend is a breeze.

Love you all

Dia dhuit

Mary