Cosy Irish greetings

18 December’12 Tuesday Good day to all family and friends! Everyday something happens- just something small and I think- I would like to let the family and friends know about this but...time catches up with me and the moment is gone and I did not get an opportunity to write it down, From there this letter on Tuesday- Barry called me to the window and when he calls I usually have to make speed in getting there to see what he sees. And there on the power lines in the field behind us sitting on the line are hundreds of birds, the entire line full – why? They are waiting for the fairly thick fog to lift it is an amazing sight- the light is so poor and my camera not able to cope with such weather conditions means that the moment passes and it is then only in your memory. We have had several such experiences during the last week of which this one was surely the best. The hedge facing north and west consist of pine trees fairly high at present, as we did not have an opportunity to have them cut in the last couple of years and it has become the haven of hundreds of birds big and small. Both the kitchen windows give us wonderful views of the back area,( I cannot call it a yard as it is much bigger than a yard and that sounds so city like and we are very much country), while having breakfast, which is now not early, as I only arrive from work after 9.20am and most times even later- we look out on to the area where the bird feeders are- wild bird seed and peanuts. Suddenly Barry pulled his breath in and he touches my arm in urgency – I first thought he is having a heart attack – but no! It was the pheasant, majestically walking in on the feeding ground from no-where- all the smaller bird made way for this king of birds so that he could fill himself with the wheat on the ground! He was abit careful in the beginning and very weary of a truck passing by and would run into the shelter of the pine trees but came back every time until such time that he had his fill and eventually wondered off into Jimmy’s field. Since that morning he has been back every day- even running up to the feeding area it has brought us great joy and excitement to have him visiting now for a full week. The light has been bad during the last week at that time of the morning and as mentioned before, my camera is a ‘cheapy’ and no light meter or slow shutter facility causes the flash to go off every time I want to take a photo from the kitchen window and then he is on the run! My phone camera is better but still not ideal- I will include the best of the pictures so that you can share in our joy! Nine just to let you know that the foxes are well fed and are not interested in this beautiful bird and live in the forest about 250 meters to the south of us! The cat is as fat as a pig and waddles down the pathway – keeping Barry on his toes! The garden is bleak and uninteresting- the evergreens are the only things that brighten up the dullness of winter. The bulbs have made an appearance and we will have daffodils and tulips very early next year. To be very honest- the winter has been very mild so far and we fear for the true cold and horrible weather to arrive- temperature for today predicted to reach 10° which is ominous at this time of the year! The few cold days we did have are long forgotten! The budget is over and every- one is in despair. I do not understand the thinking of the government- it is as if they live in a land far removed from here! There are members of parliament which have been previously ministers and prime ministers and now receive pensions from those post they occupied and still earn now the salary of their present post – double payment and it is us the stupid people who has a job that is paying for that- The Social Welfare department has over the years- to get votes made promises, which has now caught up with them and they cannot afford it anymore-3,500 new Irish citizens got their papers last week of which 75% are from Nigeria living off the state may be a few of them legally working but most of them on Social Welfare and demanding what they regard, as their rightful payment. The working couple with 3-5 children that is just about making ends meet were hit with House tax- which was abolished in the nineties to get votes, Septic tank charges, water charges-which has never been paid for by any-one in this country before, car tax and fuel prices out of this world. Years back, also to get votes the children’s allowances were increased and now it has been cut- these people have been used to receive and extra amount of money every month to pay for the car and mortgage and now they are losing that privilege. The worst of all is- it is not means tested and every-one –even the member of parliament who earns 2 salaries received this children’s allowance- to them is does not matter that it is cut as they never ever needed it but the family that does need is – has been severely and unjustly punished! People are truly in trouble losing their houses and going hungry. That is the budgets effect on people and then the Indian woman who died, after the law prevented the obstetrician to save her life by allowing a termination of her pregnancy, has caused the X Case to surface again and today is the day that it will be discussed in parliament. Every possible pro life supporter is outside Leinster house to object to what possible outcome there is going to be! Anyone can just get into a car and drive over the border to a Mary Stopes clinic and have an abortion on demand but they forget that, as long as you do not interfere with the life of an unborn foetus on this side of the border- no matter how dangerous it is for the mother to continue with the pregnancy or the possibility that the child might be born dead or to be a liability to the state- because every child born with a problem is the states problem- also part of the enormous amount of monies paid to parents that demand carers payment because they have to look after these children with disabilities. It is just too much to comprehend! I really am sorry that I have been moaning so much – I suppose what the heart is full of the mouth run over with I have private health insurance and Barry is on HSE – thankfully he is not a burden on the state yet! The possibility that he might lose his medical card is 99%- that is all he receives from this government – no pension or any other benefits because I work! We are ever so thankful that I have a job and are still healthy enough to work! The whole world is upside down , suicides, youngsters 2 girls,13 & 15 in one family, the murders in America- where are we on our way to? Thank you to all who so regularly made the effort of writing a letter or just a note – for me it means a lot! The weather forecast of reaching 10° got lost somewhere- the fog never lifted all day and the temperature never moved higher than 5° with us! It is just after 4.30pm and it is dark -but not for long – on the 22nd the promise is there that the days will become longer! The hospital is closing 2pm on 22nd and I will be on leave until the 4th Jan’13- wonderful to be home over the festive season- I am on call in case some-one needs to be looked after though! Finbarr and family will join us on the 26th and therefore our Christmas meal will take place on Wednesday! Our Carol service is taking place on Sunday 22nd and with our own minister back it promises to be a very festive occasion! I scandalously forget to mention the birthdays in my last letter but rather late than never: Marie Reinecke 14th, Helene (Zam) 17th, we sincerely hope that your days were perfect! Karin du Toit will be older on the 21st. Paul and Jacob(Br Mendel) will be older on the 24th Nine (Haya) we very specially remember you! On the 26th! To those who are visiting SA from afar- hope you enjoy the fellowship with the family, drive safely when you are on the roads. Those staying at home like we are- stay alert and be watchful! Barry and my -self take then this opportunity to wish each and every-one a very special Christ-like time over Christmas and just the very best for the New Year. Cosy greetings from a cottage in the fog, with a small tree in the window with friendly lights for passers- by and a stove-fire in the living room, warming us up! Take care till next time Barry & Christina