Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde, and welcome to my weekly report.
Here comes the sun, we can hardly believe that we have our very own heatwave. They say be careful of what you long for, in case you should get it, and I suppose that about conjures up how we are feeling right now. Goodness knows we love the sun and the fine weather but as we were always told that too much of anything is good for nothing we would like our fine spell to be a little less h o t . However it’s here and we have only to find ways to cope and work our way around it. A heatwave affects different age groups in different ways, the oldest and the youngest surely being the most vulnerable, I imagine, but of course there are exceptions to every rule. But it’s not just the humans who are affected, all manner of life feels the heat and have to be protected .and with all the regulations about hedge cutting and fencing kept a distance from fences in the interest of wild life it can’t be easy for stock to fine shade from the midday sun. Water, God Bless it, is a great cooler and there is nothing better to placate a few young children on a hot day than to give them access to it. Dressed in their oldest garb, n o need for a dangerous tubs or pools, just pans and perhaps a dripping tap where they can douce one another to screams of laughter and fun. It is something which is sure to turn over-heated tears into high jinks making everybody happy, including parents.
The lovely picture taken from the top of Bealach, reminds me of when I lived in Liscahane and we had that panoramic view of many parts on our own County and lots of Kerry. The scene of the setting sun and the sunrays beaming down brings me back to the days when our climate was more predictable and we looked to the familiar signs which were needed to plan the work for the days ahead. The sunrays used to appear hazy and opaque which were the sigh of the sun soaking up the moisture from the ground, filling the clouds with water which in future rained down on the land. Looking west on a summer’s day often brought bad news at hay time. Darkening clouds on Kerry mountains sent shock waves to a task half done. Sometimes there was time to get a few more winds of hay made before the unwelcome drops began the fall and put an end to haymaking for that day. But there was always other things to be done, An old man who lived across the way from us had an adage which said, ‘If the day isn’t fit for hay don’t spend the it in the meadow’ meaning it was time to do something else. A shower or two did not prevent the task of thinning the turnips or mangolds being done. This tedious job required great precision, where the surplus plants had to be pulled and the best one left to grow, leaving a very a certain distance of some inches between. Thinning was mostly done by men, but that doesn’t mean that women never did . I never did because after a few attempts I found it impossible to save that final little plant and wound up by pulling them all. Workers had to don some protective gear. By covering their knees with bulky old hessian bags tied by binder twine. In the times before the dawn of trousers for women, they had they added inconvenience of dealing with a skirt while involved in the job. As far as I can recall, nobody liked thinning, it was just something that had to be done. Many crops were grown in large quantities and it was not an encouraging sight to start in at the beginning of drills which ran from end to end of a big field. Work went on across the farming world at the same time and looking around to see how the neighbours were doing was in a way, encouraging because it was the same for everybody.
My roses were never better than this year. Goodness knows I’ve had more than a few disappointments in my garden this year, but my beloved roses are making up for them in a big way. I can’t say that I gave them any extra care or attention, but the year just seems to suit them and now that they are being ‘good’ I’m giving them more care by way of dead heading and trimming other branches to give them all they space they need. I was talking somewhere recently about ferns and how I’d love one for my garden as I had none and to my pleasant surprise I came home one evening last week to find some fine plants on my doorstep. Not only that but found the kind giver and was able to say a sincere thank you. Ferns we are told were to first plants to grow on earth and while they can often take over large areas, a single fern can look very elegant with its lovely soft green fronds uncurling at the top making it look so delicate and calm. It’s funny how we have grown to cherish plants which we fought hard to extinguish all our lives. For no reason a Rush plant came up in one of my planted containers this year. This is another enemy plant of the old days but now standing beside the variety of ground hugging colourful ones, it looks beautiful, so tall and dignified and protective of the others, in its dark green coat.
I do not feed the birds at the moment. The year is moving on and many plants in the wild have reached their goal in the continuation of its species and have gone to seed. For example the humble dock is a tower of seeds all ready to be devoured and there are so many others which will keep our feathered friends in nourishment for a long time. Soft fruits are also at their disposal and if I’m to get any of my own raspberries I have to take my place in the queue with the thrush or the Blackbirds. Peanuts will be very welcome in winter, when all of these gifts of Mother Nature are gone. But we must not forget the importance of providing a constant supply of fresh water for our wild life in these over-heated times and the cooling birdbath is another must but bearing in mind at all times not to waste water. This dry spell is putting pressure on the supply and we must all play our part to preserve it. I’m glad to say that my supply of rainwater is still to the good and enables me to give my plants a descent watering every evening.
Many people who had plans for a staycation, are having second thoughts. Not just because of the rise in Covid cases, but also because of the intense heat. There is no place like home when the heat is on, where you have all your needs at hand. The fear of getting caught in traffic jams or other road hazards is more than some are prepared to take on. The hot spell is giving some people the opportunity to celebrate out-of-doors at evening time and it is edifying to hear the distant sound of laughter and chat as they partake of enjoyable barbeques, here and there.
The turf in the bog is never very long out of the conversation. The bumper crop this year is almost guaranteed to make its way home after this hot spell. Enthusiasts are in no great hurry to move it because the weather is doing their work for them. Further up the country, they are getting ready for harvesting the grain and by all accounts the crops are favourable Buíochas le Dia
Our sincere sympathy goes to those who lost loved ones in recent times and in spite of Covid or perhaps because of it, our funerals can be attended by families all over the Globe. This morning it was unusual to have a funeral Mass at 8.30 which was for the late Ann O’Riordan, Minor Row. Widow of the late Timmy, a man we grew up with and knew so well over the years. His father Tim was a carpenter who imparted his trade on many a young lad in his time, at his humble workshop at the end of Minor Row. I’m recalling the time when a young lad had no place to serve his time and learn a trade, and unless his Dad was one or they knew some uncle or family friend who was one he was out. So you can imagine how grateful some people were when Timmy O Riordan took some on. From such humble times did we ever think that one of their boys, Tim, would be in far away Australia for his dear Mothers passing. But our Canon John put it so beautifully at her streamed Requiem and made Tim and his family as welcome as if they were present with his siblings Michael and Maura, It was the middle of the night where they were and our hearts went out to them. May their gentle parents Tim and Ann rest in Peace.
(It took years of lobbying to get various Governments to recognise the importance of providing a schooling where a choice of trades could be learned and we fought it all the way.)
Our sympathy also goes to the family and friends of Jerome Healy. Late Of Keim and Carriganima, who passed away before the weekend, We offer them Our Sincere sympathy, May the gentle Jerome R.I.P.
Our attendance at Masses continue to be impressive and the other ceremonies in our church continue almost unnoticed. Weddings and Christenings are held regularly and confessions are available by appointment, ring the parish Office for details 029 70043. Holy Water is also available. Collection boxes are placed at the end of the church where people can contribute to the running of our place of prayer.
The flowers in our town are showing their best at the moment and newly painted houses look very well. Stop off at any one of our rest places in the town. Or the new one on the Macroom Road. Share a cooling ice cream with a friend or perhaps a fresh drink.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday night, Numbers drawn were 7,14,20,29 and the Jackpot was not won.€100 went to Dan Culinane and Mary Rose c/o the Bridge Bar, €50 went to Jerry ORiordan,Ballinatona. €20 each to Paul O’Connor, Lackabawn, Jerry ODonaghue,c/o Clyda Rovers, Mary O’Sullivan, Station Rd, Mary O’Connor, Keale, Olivia Pomeroy, c/o Nana Coole. Mairead O’Sullivan, Dromagh. M&P O Tuama, Carriganima, Chris Hickey, Mount Leader. Jackpot for next week €14,000, the draw on Sunday night. Tickets at €2 each on sale at many outlets in the town and at Guerin’s Shop in Ballydaly and from Community Co. Members. Many thanks for your continued support which is doing so much for our Community.
Many thanks to those who have refrained from littering our roadsides etc. Please keep up the good work.
Slán agus Beannacht libh go léir. Have a good week.
