Diary of a busyish woman

Summer is coming and in West Cork , we welcome people from all over the world. Some will pass us by on the roads and increasingly, in my view, we spend less and less time going out or indeed going out of our way to meet and speak with people. Perhaps I'm being simplistic by suggesting that from the moment we were able to listen to a radio followed in short order by the television and now computers and telephones, our need to interact with anyone including our nearest neighbours has diminished. Humans are social creatures and one of the reasons that there haven't been more hermits is because we're also curious about what's happening in the world around us. Now the fantasy is touted that you don't have to step outside your front door (or even your bedroom door) for the world to come to you - everything from the clothes on your back to the food you eat to the people you 'virtually' call your friends. I believe this is unhealthy and it horrifies me to watch pe

Hi, Was speaking with a friend of mine recently about food and nutrition. He was telling me that sugar has a huge effect on his mental well being and it's all negative! Into my mind popped the very old phrase, 'You are what you eat' or don't. I've never pretended to have anything other than an ongoing love affair with chocolate. When I worked in Cork City and back in the day when chocolatiers were a rare sight, I remember the first Leonidas shop opening. Friday evening, I would almost always make a detour so that I could buy £1 worth of individual chocolates! These were savoured. Nowadays there are many producing chocolate and the quality varies or perhaps it's my taste that has changed. I'm not too sure if I'm at all unhappy that our bars are downsizing, but even acknowledging the fact tempts me to buy 2 when I really shouldn't. There are a few favourite brands and they're all relatively local: Milseán bars are enjoyed when I need a little

Wedding - 31.03.17 Falling in love was the easy part; planning a wedding - yikes! Niecy Nash Niecy Nash is an American comedian but this quote nails the Wedding Day prep. On our part, it was immediate family only at 8am and all over following breakfast (same day). Willie & I were on the road at 10.30 am to begin 'wedded bliss' and honeymoon at Caherbeg, Rosscarbery, but that's history....  I hadn't been to a wedding in years, but 4 months ago, a long time, very good friend rang out of the blue. She asked us to ensure 31st March 2017 would have no other commitment than attending her wedding.  I looked forward to the day so much and from the moment I walked through the church door at 12:50 (50 minutes early in case of delays on the road), I knew I would have a good time. 39 guests plus the bride & groom is not a big wedding, but for that reason little things can mar the day and are more noticeable.  My friend thought of everything - the church flowers wer