The Crow's Nest
It’s great to be home! We had a fantastic time in Ireland. It was so much fun having our son, Mike and his wife, Lea with us. We enjoyed every minute of the trip. We flew in an Aer Lingus Airbus from Chicago to Dublin and back again. They are so roomy and also very quiet. We flew in a “regular” plane from Kansas City to Chicago. The weather was cloudy and rainy with temperatures in the 50’s. I am sure there are 100 shades of green on the Irish landscape. The heather was also in full bloom so it was beautiful. It is rather scary that I actually got used to Chuck driving on the left hand side of the road. The west coast of Ireland is very rugged with lots of sheep. The “Cliff’s of Moher” were beautiful. I didn’t walk too close to see them as I have such a fear of falling over edges. The cliffs are the cliffs I envisioned in all the Victorian historical romantic novels I read where the damsel in distress would stand on the edge of the cliff bemoaning her sorrow just before throwing herself over the edge. Each area of Ireland was unique in its own way. We enjoyed the little village pubs. I made it my mission to order as often as possible a staple on every pub menu—fried brie cheese on a bed of baby greens with a dipping sauce on the side. Every dipping sauce was different, but wonderful! I ate enough cheese to send my cholesterol upward. Fortunately, cholesterol is not a problem for me.
I totally enjoyed visiting Waterford and touring the crystal factory. We watched Waterford Crystal being blown, molded and etched. They never, ever sell 2nds and their “Master Craftsmen” are paid by the piece rather than by the hour. Each piece of crystal goes through 23 different inspections before it gets an approval of meeting the standards. If a piece does not meet the criteria the craftsman does not get paid and the piece is crushed to be reused. I spent a little money there! I couldn’t keep up with my daughter-in-law though.
We came back to cold, cold weather. We even had snow on the ground the other morning. For Pete’s sake, this is the middle of May! The orioles and hummingbirds landed in our back yard Thursday, May 12th. I will have to keep plenty of oranges and grape jelly on hand for them. I remember going through lots and lots of grape jelly last year. The orioles are so pretty to look at with all their bright orange feathers. Now if only a cardinal would come into our yard. Doris Haugs daughter, Cindy Gross had a cardinal on her patio the other day. Cindy lives up by Milton. So I guess there is hope that cardinals could come to Edinburg also.
Ron Ulberg was here when we returned from Ireland. He came to empty out his folk’s home and get it ready to be sold. Ron made hundreds of trips up and down the basement stairs. All of the agates and rocks Marvin worked with were in the basement. Ron carried lots of heavy stuff up those steps. It is not an easy task going through 60 plus years of memorabilia.
Trinity WELCA had their annual Spring Breakfast this past Thursday morning at 7 AM. I know the breakfast has been a tradition for at least 35 years and probably longer. We had about 70 ladies in attendance. There were visitors from Adams, Gardar, Mountain, Park River, Hoople and Grafton. It is really fun to have them come and enjoy breakfast with us. Now the next “big event” at church will be the annual Fall Turkey Supper. I already am tired just thinking about it!!
One morning I opened my email and found an email from Jan Kersten of the Netherlands. Now you are probably asking who is Jan Kersten? I don’t know!! Anyway, he emailed me to say he had come across the Edinburg website while browsing the internet. He was fascinated with our small town and way of life. He has his own website at www.jkersten.topcities.com You can listen to music while looking at windmills, tulips and canals. It is a nice website and he has put a link to our website in the American Tour part of his site. You can view it directly at www.jkersten.topcities.com/hollanpage/northdakota1.htm
Field work is in full swing around here. Halls started planting potatoes this morning so I am home alone for a few days. Just wish it would warm up so I could enjoy being out in the flower beds.
Graduation is this Saturday for Edinburg. I am looking forward to the ceremony and the open houses that follow. Just seems like yesterday Heather Foseide was in grade school. Time flies. Have a great day.
