I've got the scoop . . .

This morning, while walking our grey-muzzled pups up to James Fort I met the two old gents who periodically show up along the shoreline to scan the sand for lost coins and other metal treasures as they point long, lean metal detectors. Being friendly and nosy, I asked which days brought the BEST of good finds. The response was something like “when the beach is full of people with loose pockets” (I still have trouble understanding a Cork accent.) As my curiosity began to grow about this potentially lucrative hobby, I then asked if they combed the beach after the sand sculpture-making workshop during Kinsale Arts Week. With startled looks, they replied that they did not know of the hundreds of spade toting sculptors who descended on Dock Beach a few Saturdays ago to create sand castles, mermaids, and sea turtles. HHHHMMMMMMMMM. I felt like I scored one point as a local who was able to share interesting and valuable information to fellow beachcombers.
All is well!!!

Colors calling, "HELP!!! Please???"

I was in a pinch. For Kinsale Arts week I was leading two children’s recycled games workshops. The first one was gratefully over and I was feelin’ in a panic as well as exhausted from the pace of the event and the numbers and age span of the kids—who were clever in their carnival-type game creating. As Alana couldn’t help with the second workshop the following day, we quickly learned the hard way that I needed more volunteers to guide the 15 kids through the playing and making of games. I wasn’t leaving it to chance that the event volunteer coordinator could find willing and able bodies within 24 hours. So -- we thought of whom we could ask. Working down the list, I called. AND, two friends, one of our Castlepark village neighbors, and the other—the queen mother from the Christmas Panto-- came to the rescue! Both women easily fell into the swing of playing and helping the 5-10 year old workshop participants. The kids had fun, no one was hurt (THE primary concern I learned from my mother) and I realized that I had people to count on in Kinsale, when in a pinch (another mother saying.)
All is well!!!

Moaning Myrtle hugs Professor ?????

Harry Potter rocks Kinsale!

Hi everyone,

Saturday night at midnight the newest Harry Potter went on sale at bookstores everywhere. Kinsale's Bookstor' was no exception. Lyn, Mike, and Cal (shown with Margie above) hosted 200+ young people and older people, most in costume in the square outside the shop. Mouse dropping cookies were enjoyed by most and the time flew as people in the cue discussed the survey questions. Do you know the name of the Hogwarts' librarian?

Personal PAR Mandala

I've been working to establish the median ground between two areas of work: 1) the eight aspects of living a multidimensional life and 2) participatory action research. Also I have been developing personal mandalas for the four mundane aspects of Self: mental, physical, emotional and intuitive. While not yet inclusive of the four highest aspects: knowingness, archetypal actions, conditioned bliss and unity the mandala above begins to illustrate the energies I look for in my "Reinvent Life" work.

Kinsale arts week starts with a bang

Fireworks on our hill Saturday night started a week of arts activities in Kinsale off with a bang. Finishing up a lovely evening of good food and chats with Kathy Kelly, another JIU professor and our friend Joan from Castlepark, we headed up the hill to see the fireworks up close and personal. Alas it was not to be as a young lad met us and shooed us away for health and safety issues. Joan and I bravely took the car around to the other side and actually it worked out alright. We walked a bit, talked a bit, watched a seal in the water assuring himself or herself that all these spectators didn't have food, and then they started.

Close to what would have been independence day in the states the curly cues, big bombs etc in brilliant colors seemed and appropriate touch to the season. The piers were mobbed but we stayed clear of the crowds, sat on the ledge and had a great time.

Thanks Joan for getting us out!