Toward the east -

Yesterday morning brought an amazing sunrise.

The start of a very warm day. We were out by mid-morning to 

drive a friend to the airport and able to leave jackets at home.

Today is much different, awoke to thick fog, but there's a promise of 

some sunshine around noon and 75F so warm again.

March is such a fickle month, and this year with all that's happening

due to the Corona virus, this March is particularly unnerving!

A few store stops on the way home yesterday found me somewhat nervous - for

 the first time I did not feel really safe shopping!  

The LADIES room in Target, although empty and spotlessly clean, found me

 perhaps overly cautious regarding hand washing and then having to touch things

 again - such as the drier and exit door. Noting the long store shelves totally devoid 

of anything antibacterial felt strange. I haven't stock-piled anything yet!  Now, after

 yesterday's official pandemic news, and the huge changes regarding international 

travel, even cancelations of all the St. Patrick's Day parades (we have a huge 

one here and always attend), I'm feeling life is changing quickly.

We must all be alert and careful, especially those of us who are elderly and

have compromised immune systems.

I realize 'gloom and doom' is not a good way to think, negativity doesn't get

you anywhere. . . . . . but blowing caution to the wind is perhaps not sensible

 in the current atmosphere.

So, for me, the house and garden will become my 'Staycation' location!  

I have plenty to fill my hours and keep me busy here!  My thoughts go out

to several dear friends who are having to cancel overseas travel plans, 

hopefully they will still be able to take those long awaited trips later.

Take care dear friends and readers.

No place like it. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . when you're feeling ill!

HOME, even when requiring some TLC because you've left it to collect

dust, dirty windows, and a dead mouse in a trap (I apparently forget to take

 one up prior to leaving), is the only place to be.

So I've played with my hydrangeas, bringing many in the house, moving them about, 

to brighten up these days when I've had little energy to do much whilst coughing my

 way into oblivion. 

I've tried to start organizing the many photos (and the stories to accompany them)

  taken in Northern Ireland and Ireland in order to start posting here. 

For some reason PicMonkey editor is causing me many problems - I'm

 still using the old version - so am thinking I need to spend time learning to use

 the new version which just has to be better. Or, I my have to just forget about editing,

and post lower quality photos taken with my iPhone used on days it was raining (often)

when I didn't want to lug a bulky camera around.

I hate change when it comes to using the computer - I'm afraid I no longer have

 patience or skills necessary for technical challenges - and am always nervous I'll

totally mess up and never be able to keep my poor old blog going!

But then I met an interesting published author in a lovely

 pub in Kilkenny and, after exchanging stories, he said I might

 well have a book in me. . . . . . . . . . . but that's a story

for another day!

Even Blogger appears to be having constant hiccups since getting back. 

That said, I must just mention that Internet/WiFi in Europe is so awesome compared

 to here in the US. The speed, even in hotel rooms with so many guests using

laptops, tablets etc. blew me away. I had no connection problems and was able

to do things so much faster. 

"HOME SWEET HOME" and "Singing the Blues"

WHY?

My dear cousin in England shared sad news last night.

Her sweet, brave, daughter has struggled with MS for many years.

Confined to a wheelchair, but always with a bright smile and a positive

 attitude, she has now been diagnosed with breast cancer and will soon

 be undergoing surgery followed by radiation treatment.

Please say a little prayer, or think a kind and positive

 thought for Denise, and our family, and send it across the pond.

Thank you so much.

Sunday used to be a day of rest. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . and actually today, this Sunday, I'm planning one of those for a change. 

Whether it will happen I'm not certain, things have a way of creeping up unexpectedly.

I still have the cough I brought home from Europe and don't yet feel really well.

Last night's terrible London attacks have been so upsetting yet again.

Today I don't want to hear any news. I may just stay here in the guest room away

 from all the sadness of the world.

 As cowardly as it sounds, today I am burying my head in the sand. 

What's on my table?

Today the rain falls making the view from the window here in front of me dark and dreary. 

It's warm and muggy now but tonight the temperature will plummet. Still we've had no snow.

I will have a lot to contend with this week regarding a health issue, more on that later. 
Today my heart will be checked - hopefully it's healthy and beating well!

My old French table. To think I tried to sell it here when I had a booth at 

SuzAnna's Antiques - then thankfully I brought it home to be transformed by my 

lovely friend Vanessa, from blah brown to beautiful distressed grey using 

Annie Sloan's chalk paint in French Linen.

Wishing you a good start to your week.