Dublin's Grafton Street Area

Vince,  from Deabler, VT....resident extraordinaire....has encouraged me to post more of my Ireland photo's.

It really is not a rumor, the sun does shine in Ireland!

Mother Natures Fury on Natural Bridge

Right before my computer was zapped, I had embarked upon a series that I call the "Ghosts of Summers Past."  Always lots of fun going through my box(es) of photographs and my Moms.  Photos are such a great way of waking up memories.

This photo will cause me to remember a day several weekends ago when Joe and I and his nine year old daughter ventured to the Red River Gorge area of Eastern Kentucky, in the Appalachian Mountains, to have a picnic in Natural Bridge State Park.

The day was picture taking beautiful.  Not too hot, but brilliant sunshine.  The Red River Gorge area has been a favorite of central Kentucky natives.  It is about 45 minutes max from Lexington and has the most spectacular sandstone arches imaginable.  "The" Natural Bridge is about 80 feet high and 65 feet across.  The hiking trails are suited for beginners and the wondrous views are worth the exertion of climbing to the top!

In spite of this we took the Sky Lift up to the summit.  Once on top, we ventured off on a trail to the right and ended up hiking about a mile!  We came upon Devils Gulch!  A slimy descent.  The sandstone rock steps were squashed on both sides by cool, wet, moss covered rock walls.  Once down, you worked your way back up.  It was a humid climb back.   We arrived at the plateau and encountered a family happily taking pictures.  "Can you point me in the right direction for the Arch?" I asked.  The guy looked at me quizzically and pointed up!  My gosh!  We were standing under it!   

Once on top we admired the view and walked across the arch where I silently thanked God it was about 20 feet wide and I would not have to get anywhere close to the edge!  Looking out over the beautiful kaleidoscope of the valley of mountain tops......coming in fast from the West, was an ominous wall of black clouds!  Complete with lightning.   We rushed to the Sky Lift only to be turned away. "There is a structure on the East side of the bridge.  The storm is about 10 minutes out. Lightning is bad."  

 Ha!  The rain drops began to pelt us as we raced back across the arch (Thank you God!) alerted the nice family, from under the arch, who joined us in our sprint to the shelter.  

Then it hit with fury!  It was magnificent in its scary, thrilling intensity.  The sky turned black and the lightning cracked all around us, the rain came down with such force that it ricocheted from the ground.   Then they began to come.....all the hikers from the numerous trails close to the Bridge.  Running, laughing, soaked to the bone.  They came in droves!  One group of about 30 hikers, all young teenager, who took a head count and the most courageous of them all went back to rescue the lost....who ended up to be two very cute girls.  

We all stood packed together, our clothes steaming.  Every so often someone else would emerge from the woods, run frantically to the shelter,  jumping over the rails to escape the machine-gun rain!  75 soaked souls sharing together this dramatic moment, this sensational Sunday afternoon.  Odd in a wonderful way, we were all laughing together. When a crack of lightning would hit, collectively we would all shout "WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" , "AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" as if we were attending a Fire Works show.  

The storm lasted about 15 minutes, then just as quickly as it came, it cleared up.  Tentatively we poked out heads out. Slowly we headed across the Bridge to descent from the mountain, the arch and the fury of nature.  

This was the best experience I have ever had at the Bridge!    

Elvis in Dublin

I will let you all come to your own conclusions.

Using this computer is like learning how to walk again. 

Traumatized

I think I was in love with my Dell...at least 2 and a half years old..much faster, this E-machine will be a bear to learn...And yes!!!!! I did see Elvis..pictures to follow as soon as I can get my scanner loaded....and my "old" digital software (Oh gosh, I can not find it anywhere.......)

P.S. When they send you the email that you are one of the  editors picks, they do not tell you anything else.  I had to read it from JukeBox Woman (thank you).  once again, blown away. Thank God I didn't write that LSD entry ..(hahahah). I am totally astonished!

Before I learn that I am disqualified.......The sweetest blogger on AOL is  (y"all know who) Robbie from Robbies Ruminations...and the next best journaler is Gary from GVP's Way...please check them out.

Technical Difficulties. Please Stand By

I feel like the understudy who has patiently waited and when she is finally given the nod, she jubilantly runs to the stage, trips and knocks herself out!

All my Kentuckian journaler pals are well aware of the series of violent thunderstorms that have hammered Kentucky the past several days.  Joe was blissfully unaware, on the computer, "Lalalalala, life is wonderful, look at all the great motorcycles!"   When suddenly the computer was zapped, apparently through the telephone line.

Woe is me!  It is to Best Buys I go this afternoon to see if I can get someone to wait on me so I can purchase a replacement!  This is a blessing in disguise, since my crippled Dell did not have a CD burner, audio ...any of that cool stuff!

I was notified that I have been chosen this week to be one of the five Editors Pics!  Yea!  I am thrilled.  I am totally blown away.

I have to admit that recently I have been thinking about the DISPLACEMENT theory.  That I have spent so much time reading and writing in AOL Journal land that a lot of my usual activities have been neglected.  I do not run anymore (no time).   I walked out to the back yard and was astonished to see the remnants of the vegetable garden I planted in late April (Did you all know that broccoli will sprout flowers?).  A usually voracious reader, I have only read about 10 books so far this year! Joe has pointed out that I seem to have turned lazy on him! Fact is, I don't have time to cook and clean! I was thinking of putting Alphawoman to bed for awhile.....I guess it is not going to happen now!

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge several people who have touched my life through AOL Journals.  

I never learned to hyperlink, and God know its impossible on the computer at the University of Kentucky library! Most of the journals are in my favorite's.

My first friend In AOl, Lisa, Coming to terms with Middle Age.  We muddled through adding pictures together.  Her journal is terrific, well thought out and articulate.

My second AOL friend, Michael, A Spiritual Journey...well, you just have to go there.  In my humble opinion, the best journal in AOL land.

A big thank you to the Blogfather, John Scazli for highlighting my journal several times over the months making me believe that I could write.

And one apology. I had a journal that I used to experiment and teach myself things.  No one ever read it, or so I though.  I hurt someone with my opinions and pompous attitude and I would like to apologize.  I should understand that no one knows anything about anyone unless you climb inside their skin and walk around for awhile.

Thank you AOL, you have made my day!

Stay tuned...don't turn the dial, I promise more Ireland stories since the theme is Travel!

Am I Mental?

Last year Joe and I ran in the Bluegrass 10,000.  It was with some trepidation that I signed us up to run in this years event.  I have not tied on a pair of running shoes since participating in the 10 miler in Louisville...in April!  The Bluegrass 10,000 appears to becoming a tradition in our family.   

It was hot at 8am...just like last year. Thank God this year I did not have a small hang over like I did last year.  Estimates would put the field at 4,000.  At least I was confident I would not come in last.

Joe has not run much either. So, he decided he would walk/run with me. That lasted until mile marker Three.  He took off and I was relieved.   Why is it that once he was on his way, I felt able to just find a steady slow pace that did not require me to walk?  I finished the race slow, but running. 

I had it in about a little less than 13 minute miles...which is not bad for an old chick!  

I am mental.    

More Summer Memories

Having a child is like having a second childhood.  At least in my case that is the way it was.

Fast forward a few life times and I am a single mother with an almost school age child.  That summer, right before her sixth birthday, we went to Florida!

This was my first trip to Florida.  I missed all those wild Spring Breaks while pretending to be a college student.  I missed running away to Florida when I was a disgruntled teenager.

I had never been to Disneyland.  I had only seen it Sunday evenings when it was featured on the Walt Disney Show.  I longed when I was a child.  Wasn't it every child's dream?  Then and now?

Bridget and I were on the monorail into the Park after parking the vehicle.  As soon as I saw the Castle I had a feeling of unrestrained joy swell up inside of me!  I could not for the life of me wipe the silly grin off my face.  Bridget and I both...giddy with anticipation.

In addition to visiting the Magic Kingdom, we  wandered into Weeki  Wachee land and the Mermaids.  This picture is of Bridget, chosen out of the crowd, to have a bird perched on her head.

She was so innocent at this age.  Never before and never after has she allowed a bird on her head