Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.
The morning fog turned our day into a fairyland of mystique and wonder until the sun came out and starting with the lowlands, the riverbanks and the marches it continued to climb until it’s veil was melted all away slowly off the high trees and hills till all is clear again. It gives me an air of peace and calm even the sound of morning thunder of the passing traffic seems to be lowered by it, as the sun comes shining through. Alright for me perhaps to glory in it but it can’t be easy for those who have to tolerate the limited view as they make their way to work. Still it’s worth passing comment on it, the weather be it good or bad is always interesting. But even more so this week as we approach St. Swithin’s Day July 15. It was a date that was feared in olden times when man and horse-power was the only means of saving the crops. Because if it rained on that day it would continue to rain for the next forty days. People prayed earnestly that the curse of St. Swithin wouldn’t strike. The story goes that away back in history the said Saint asked not to be buried within the grounds of the church/Cathedral like all those who went before him. He asked to be interred outside the walls with the ordinary people but with the passage of time his followers thought that because of his great fame that he should be in with the elite, so they exhumed his remains with the intention is bringing them inside but the day and days rained and rained making it impossible for them to continue. The task was repeated again many years later but to the same effect. I got this nice story on this week’s Ireland’s own and thought some would like to know the story of St. Swithin. Not may I add that the power of modern machinery can ensure the saving of our harvests today, we still need the help of God to grow our crops just like we always have. Already the first fruits are ready to be picked. I saw a huge bowl of lush red gooseberries from one bush this week. If you don’t want the birds to steal all you currents and gooseberries, be sure and cover them well with some netting. There is nothing as sweet as the first jar of the new seasons gooseberry jam and judging by the blossoms on the briers, this will be a bumper year for blackberries. So start gathering those jars from now.
[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 9th July”
