Greetings from a fair day in Cranleymore

Saturday 5 May’12 Good day to all, family and friends, After a week of all the weather patterns possible, making their appearances here in Cranleymore, we are having a good day little sun, every now and again, but it is DRY and little wind! Temperature outside 12°, inside the cottage at least 2 degrees less as we have not been lighting the fire this week, I worked the whole week and Barry cover himself with a fleecy blanket and stay warm that way at night. The garden is still looking fine but the tulips were battered by high winds which caused them to loose their petals and the colours are now somewhat diminished. The rhododendrons are in full bloom and make up for the lack of colour, warm red and bunches of flowers too beautiful! We are waiting patiently for some warmer weather so that the roses can open up, the buds are there, many of them, but they are all waiting for some heat! I counted on one branch of the pear tree a hundred fruit-may it stay! even if ten develops, it will be a bonus and we will have our first fruits this summer. The apple tree is still in flower and we hope that the fruits will be just as plenty –there is a lack of bees are present as it is far too cold for them- they do little work when it is freezing outside. The nasturgium seeds that I planted nearly 2 months ago are making an appearance and we hope it will give us a great border for the summer. My cordless keybord that I have been using for about 7 years has given notice – it will not print the ‘n’ . I have the laptop now on my lap as the desk is too high. We are back from a roundtrip most importantly to LIDL to get something into the fridge, vegetables, dairy products, vegetables and fruit. God willing we will have the children visiting tomorrow and as always we find time dragging , we hope the weather holds, Barry cut a good pathway round the perimeter of the bottom field which give a lovely walkway and there is so much to observe , all the insects in the grass , the veld flowers new leaves and the birds giving warning signals that they have their nest in the vicinity and we are intruding! From there we went to the hardware shop who very kindly have ordered for us the specially mixed oxide paint to paint the roof with. The manufacturers only do the paint in red and green but have agreed to specially mix black for us- the only people in Ireland using it! Painting requires a sunny day and that is on our request list! Bypassed the town and went to Ballinalee where we visited the butcher. When he saw us, even before we were inside the shop, he already had out lamb out- he knows now how I want it cut up and that there must be very very little fat on it. The butchers here have their own abbatoirres in their back yards, we have found this butcher’s meat the best quality in Longford. Via Costcutters where we buy the newspaper and bread for Barry, home. Washing has been done, the house cleaned and now it is only the grass cutting left. The new lawn mower is a front wheel drive and takes you on a run and you have to keep up with it- you have to mentally and physically ready to do it otherwise you fall behind. The canvassing for the YES and NO votes for the Fiscal Treaty is on the way and we have decided that we will not be entertained by this lot- one reporter said it is like a popularity contest and the whole meaning of the sincerity of the problem has been lost because people might vote ‘NO’ because they are cross with the government about the house, water and septic tank charges- which might cause the country a problem according to the ‘yes’ people as the EU International Monitary Fund might not lend us any more money if we vote ‘no’. In England the Labour party is making progress to oust the LIB-DEM’s Gerlof will be able to explain that better as he lives there! Tomorrow is the best day of my week and I will be in front of the organ as I will be working the next 2 weekends. The food for our souls are precious! The kindergarden of wild animals are an experience. Professor arrives now even in the middle of the day and will eat anything you give him, Blackie looks thin but his coat is shining and he does not eat just anything, I think he is spoilt rotten and he loves Barry, does not run away from him anymore but still very weary of me. He sleeps in the shed or the donkey house and sometimes on the windowsill. We have seen the foxes and they look very good! The porcupine has been scarce. We have baby starlings and young red robins, the ring neck pigeons are beautiful birds and on Monday morning we watched them mating in the back garden and then they continued to build their nest with sticks in the hedge. We hope they stay! Birthdays: None in my book! If any-one are having a birthday and I am not aware of it Enjoy the day! Those who are studying for exams-everything of the very best. At work things have turned sour- this man whom I have not trusted from the very beginning has left us nearly on the brink of bankrupsy- We are still being paid but many people have been let go and he owns thousands to providers and where all this is going to end , is worrying. I trust that the Lord will provide and are praying for a buyer and a good outcome I think and hope that the doctors will step in. I enjoy being back on night duty, have been working very hard but I do not mind as long as it is at night! Last Sunday’s special service was spiritually inspiring! The roof lifted with glorious song and music all to the glory of our wonderful Saviour and God! ....and that brings me to the end of my writing for today! Be always careful and security conscious. Take care Regards form Barry and Christina