Diary of a busyish woman

Maybe it’s a good thing that  Advent & Christmas happen at the end of our calendar year. There is very little if any reviewing and critiquing like for example New Year when we’re expected to review the past year and make resolutions for the coming one. I honestly believe that the number of people who have no idea of the reason for celebrating the Christmas season is increasing in Ireland. I suppose it hit home when I realised that the Advent calendar with a different Biblical thought for each day is now a chocolate a day or for the adults a bauble or even an alcohol minitature a day. Does anyone have any comment, I wonder. Is Christmas a stand alone commercial event loosely based on a pretty story or does anyone note there is a very old tradition and belief on which it is based. Sure, the Christian Church has taken over many a pagan tradition from the season timing to the feasting but now the tables are turning and it is increasingly a commercial opportunity to encourage c...

Yesterday was a long day for us starting with production, then customers arrived to collect their orders and we did a few deliveries.  I had the unusual experience of being in the City in the late afternoon. Hayfield Manor kitchen was preparing Afternoon Teas - I felt like asking if 'there was any to spare, Sir', it looked so so good - variety, presentation and colour on a plate.Mouthwatering! Perry Street Market Café was absolutely buzzing and the aromas that wafted around were entrancing, but I couldn't stay. Another time, for sure. As I drove along from Half Moon St. and onto Academy St., I had to stop at the Paul St. pedestrian crossing. I looked right onto Paul St. and driving a van allowed me to look across the heads of most people. It was a moving mass - like an anthill that's been disturbed! Within yards, there was another sight - that of a man with a frown on his face standing just outside a restaurant, which appeared to be empty. But it's the empty rest...