tho' an old man I am but a young gardenerThomas Jefferson I’m not sure if I will ever truly claim to be a gardener. By that I mean some sort of expert, someone who actually knows what they are doing in their garden space. Gardens have a way of consigning even the most knowledgeable of … Continue reading Listening for Weeds
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Changing Forever – Short Stories
This collection of stories records ordinary events and extraordinary experiences that all have one thing in common. The events effect changes in the lives of those involved.They vary from the seemingly trivial to tragic events and stray from ordinary life happenings to other worldly experiences. Together they provide a varied sample across the generations and … Continue reading Changing Forever – Short Stories
A Touch of the Ordinary – Memoir
I left Ireland in 1976 to undertake nurse training in England. My first training was, as it was then known , to become a Registered Nurse for the Mentally Subnormal. Thankfully we have moved on from those days and increasingly treat people with more respect and focus on their abilities rather than disabilities. My 3 … Continue reading A Touch of the Ordinary – Memoir
Escaping God – Memoir
In 1966 and at the tender age of 12 years I left my home in Clogheen, a small village in Co. Tipperary, armed with a small brown suitcase, the blessings of family and friends and a solid conviction that I had a vocation to serve God as a teacher in the De La Salle Order … Continue reading Escaping God – Memoir
Beating the Devil
(States of Fear revisited) The unfit mother fitting out her daughter in frayed Sunday best. Watching through salt streamed eyes and smoke stained windows for the childless priest's visitation of her sins on the head of her puzzled innocent. Standing alone in the court, hands clasped, head bowed in tutored obeisance to her betters. Left … Continue reading Beating the Devil
Coffee Break
The IT savvy Costa patrons sprawl at silent tables, ignoring each other while reaching out to hundreds of strangers with thumping opposable thumbs. Lip spreading smirks map the ether's returned signals. An older Connemara man runs a finger round the collar of a sensible shirt. He spoon coaxes strength from a teapot for one. His … Continue reading Coffee Break
Loneliness
An important part of my retirement is my role as a volunteer with Samaritans. Having worked for forty years in various human services it was hard to walk away completely. Having the opportunity to take on the role of listener as opposed to manager has added to my life. Unfortunately one of the most common … Continue reading Loneliness