Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde and welcome to my report.
What did you do on Monday, the first day of this week, could I be forgiven for saying that I did very little, other than watch the Queen’s funeral on telly. Not everybody’s cup of tea but I just couldn’t resist it. For years the life of the Royal Family has been something of an open book. Their family squabbles, their fall-from-grace times, their good times had all come into the public domain and we followed them with interest. Their way of dealing with life’s challenges was of interest to the rest of the us a place where we could ask ourselves, “what we would do in a similar situation?”, on a lesser scale of course. No matter how the years pile up, we are never too old to learn because the world around us keeps on changing and we must remain abreast of it or lose out. We have a lot to learn from those who have gone before us be they rich or poor and Queen Elizabeth was no exception.
Joy of joys, I got some real wild mushrooms this week. A kindly neighbour found some in his field and shared them with us. I should have mentioned last week that the weather was ideal mushroom weather and let you be on the lookout for them. It was rainy and damp and warm, real mushroom weather and I’m glad that at least one person found some. It’s hard for people today to imagine that when I was young there was no such thing as cultivated mushrooms and were never available in the shops. So we had to wait for the soft warm damp autumn time of the year to get some and even then it was only a gamble. There was something elfian about them, a sort of now you see them ,now you don’t. They grew best in fields that were not tilled for a long time and they seemed to spring up through the ground. You could search and find nothing and an hour or so later they’d be there, bursting up through the grass still partly covered by it. We’d gather them in our apron, a man of the land, on finding some would arrive home with his hat or cap full and they were always met with surprise and welcome. If the find was a small one, they would be put on the hot ring of the range, given a little share of salt and when the pink lining turned colour it was time to enjoy to succulent morsel all in one. Other times if the find was better and we’d put them in a saucepan cover with milk and give them a short boil and enjoy them with homemade brown bread and butter. There were times when we’d get a bumper crop and all kinds on recipes would be bandied about such as mushroom ketchup but as we had no woman in our house to make it, it remained a dream. There are few things nicer than mushroom soup, but to bring out the best in it you’d have to add a good dollop of cream but that luxury had to go on the milk to the creamery to boost the price. So keep an eye out in your fields at the moment, mushroom time isn’t over yet and you may just be lucky enough to find some. The morning dew is heavy on the grass every morning and who knows what you may find.
The season of mist and mellow fruitfulness goes on and gardens and roadsides are awash with fruits and berries, many many, good to eat. We have to thank the Lord for the recent rains which turned the land into an oasis of lust greenery at a time when our longest drought was threatening everything. On a drive out on Sunday with a friend, we couldn’t but be impressed by the richness of the world around us. Not a puff of wind and the running streams dancing over the rocks made me stop and say a quite prayer for those in who did not get rain in other parts of the world. Rosy apples, pears, rose hips and wild plums light up the nearby gardens. Plus wild raspberries and the now fading blackberries. We are all advised to preserve as many as we can of these fruits of the earth, so please do not let them go to waste. Like the mushrooms of old, we no longer have to use them while they are fresh, and they can be stored, or preserved in many ways to see us through the long winter ahead.
While on the subject, let me say that the Department of the Environment in hosting Ireland’s first Sustainable Development week starting here in Millstreet today September 20 to 26th. On Thursday at the Adult Learning Centre in the Main Street from 3 pm there will be information on seeds and seed harvesting plus the delights of foraging for food with the popular Norah Kane. All are welcome. Hope to see you there.
Be reminded that Norah Kane conducts a chair Yoga session at the Day Centre every Friday from 3 to 4.
Please contact our Pipe Band if you missed their registration night last week. Ring 086, 8966163.
Keep an eye out for the many new things for young people that come on stream from time to time. There was mention of Girl Guides recently and lots more. Meeting new people is a difficult legacy left in the wake of covid, but there are lots of clubs and voluntary organisations starting up and most are looking for more members.
It’s that time of year again when our Community Council start to compile our Millstreet Calendar for the year to come. They are inviting people to put forward ideas for a theme for this popular edition. If you would like to have a say contact any member as soon as possible.
Aubane are about to renew their Text Alert project for the coming year. Contact their secretary.
Set Dancing resumes in Aubane on Monday nights from 9 pm.
Items from Cullen – Cullen Community Centre Meeting tomorrow Wednesday night at 8.30.
Cullen Community Centre Chair Yoga classes on Wednesday September 28th at 11 am.
Mass in Cullen on Thursday at 7.30.
Coffee Evening at Ballydaly Hall this Friday September 23rd, from 8 to 10. Proceeds to MaryMount Hospice. Please support it well.
A notice from our Day Centre to say that they are hosting Life Saving CPR and use of an AED course on the following dates September 21 or October 5 or October 19 from 7 to 9 pm. Cost €10. Ring 029 70926 for details.
Mass in Millstreet church every day at 10am. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and 7.30 Monday and Friday, subject to change in case of a funeral. Please be reminded that morning masses are preceded by the recitation of the Rosary and more prayers with Mary from 9.40. Parish Office 029 70043.
Confession every Saturday from 12.30 to 13.00.
Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday after 10am Mass. Sign in for an hour or drop in any time. Please support it well.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were,2,3,20,29. And the Jackpot was not won. €100 went Denis O’Connell, Lisaniska. The seller was O’Regan’s Mills and they got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Michael O’Mahony, Bush Bar. €20 each went to Anita & Sean c/o Corkery’s Bar. Annmarie Kelleher, Murphy’s Terrace, Derry Morley, c/o Sheila Lane, Ann Burke, Murphy’s Terrace, A&M Murphy, c/o Guys & Dolls, Trish Carroll, c/o Tom Carroll, Ann Cowman, c/o Sharon Lane, Aoife Moynihan, c/o Robert and Lehane. Jackpot for next week €2.400 the draw on Sunday September 22nd.
Don’t waste the beautiful weather, try and get out to places new and admire the beautiful countryside from the top of a hilly road, great if you can drive your own car but if not those who do may be glad of your company.
Agus sin a bhfuil, a chairde, have a good week ,Slán.
