Monday, August 10, 2009

Over the Rainbow, Where Coffee Flows Like Wine. That's Where You'll Find Me.

Listen, folks. There is a reason the legend of leprechauns' gold at the end of rainbows originated here. Or about here. I'm not technically sure where it originated. But all that aside. It's a land of opportunity.

I don't mean job opportunities, by the way. No. I may be unemployed for a while. It's a recession, people. But check this out:



This. Is an apple pie. I made it. I even made the crust.

I never had the opportunity to do that before. I never had time or will. The foil is around the crust to keep it from burning before the pie is done. Did you know you could do that? I didn't. Nope. But I do now.

Last weekend there was a fair in the town next to my husband's homeplace. It reminded me that this country was mostly a rural, agricultural island not even 50 years ago. In the 60s, when America was landing on the moon, 3 out of 4 homes in rural Ireland didn't have running water. I heard that on TV the other day. And though I don't think anyone would want to go back to a lifestyle of poverty and communal water pumps, the fair reminded me of the sense of community that lifestyle created, and the consequent reputation Irish people have for warmth and personability.



The main street was blocked off. People everywhere. Goats, even--on one occasion we had to dodge goats being led down the sidewalk. This gentleman drove a horse cart into town to sell vegetables. Very dapper, no?




People were selling all kinds of things: old-fashioned tools, baked goods, homemade jams and marmalade.





I don't mean to turn this into my own virtual photo album, but maybe this will give you an idea of what I'm talking about, while saving me all that silly typing. Carpal tunnel is a killer, you know. I just mean to say that I have gotten to experience so much since I've been here that I never would have seen otherwise, not even if I came on vacation. But that's what you do when you make a home someplace. You see things and find things, and import cans of pumpkin and learn how to make tortillas. You surround yourself with things that make you comfortable, and make sure you have internet access. You take a chance. You buy a shipping crate and wait in a half-furnished apartment for the next opportunity.

I'll just finish with one more thing. Maybe you are moving to Columbus for a job, or Cambridge to study, or New Guinea for the Peace Corps and the golf courses (just kidding). But YOU NEED CAFFEINE. I'm just saying. And caffeine is all well and good, but tea and soda and (heaven forbid) Red Bull will only get you so far. You can't half-ass it. You need COFFEE. And if the place you move seems to only sell INSTANT COFFEE, like so:



Then you're going to need to find yourself a doctor. You don't have to trust him, just as long as he writes you a prescription for Prozac. Because I'll tell you now, I don't know what that crap is good for. It looks like brown kitty litter.

But I happen to live in the only place on earth where treasure is found at the end of rainbows.

2 comments:

Mrs. D - Momcat said...

I really enjoy your blogs! We were in a small Irish town for St. Patricks Day a few years ago. It was just like your pictures. It is a family affair - with parades -children dancing, etc. I am not sure people were even drinking! Do you need coffee? You can grind coffee, and it smells so good - may even cover the bad smells in the early am. lol

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Alyse, on becoming the proud owner of a beautiful coffee maker. Did it come with non-instant coffee? LOL

I also wanted to tell you the apple pie looked amazing. Bet it was delish. :)

Hugs to Edmund too -- Keep bloggin' kiddo; we're lovin' it here.
SDH