the grass beneath our feet

ireland is beautiful

she really is

sometimes we forget

we don't see what's around us

without stopping to think or to look

we just live and get on

but sometimes

just sometimes

she takes us by surprise

we see the green

we remember

her endless horizons

her wide open energy

her bleak beauty

she is a wonder

I am inspired

I want to make

I am filled with creativity

 I am happy

romeo and juliet

As a student Anna went to South Africa on erasmus. There she met Ryan, the small American dude. A romance blossomed. He invited her to Chicago, where they fell in love. The next year he came to live with her in Ireland, where they both finished their studies. Life took them back to Chicago for many years. Then on to Barcelona. I was lucky enough to visit them in both places. Next they moved to London. I was also lucky enough to spend time with them there. Lovely. Friends. Good times.

Last year, as tradition would have it, they got married in the area where the bride's family is from; her father comes from County Louth. Invited to their wedding, I visited the midlands for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. The Big Day itself took place in a castle. Of course. The Big Cake was a carrot. Of course.

Hello Ryan. Hello Anna. Hello Cake.