The Whole Of The Moon

Life Is No Brief Candle

Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
George Bernard Shaw

To Live Content

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion....In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony. 

William Ellery Channing

Painting by Meabh

Painted by Meabh December 2010

Garden Creation

Created with PhotoShake. Passing some time on the iPhone, I came up with this.

Christmas 2010 In Dungarvan

Christmas 2010: Having had about three weeks of arctic weather, the thaw set in on Stephen's Day here. And very welcome it was too. This year was our first without Sarah's mam and her brother. He had been marooned in Dublin and made the journey south only on December 28th.

Then, having had a really lazy week, I returned to the bike on Wednesday 28th and cycled to Ardmore in a slight drizzle. Good spin, good pace. 35 miles in 2h 15m; just over 16mph average. Today, Thursday, three of us set off to Bunmahon and on to Kill against a stiff wind. This route is tough even without wind, and by the time we reached the N25 to return to Dungarvan, my legs were shot. Afterwards I napped soundly for over two hours. Miles this week: about 75, and we plan a spin at lunchtime on Saturday to top it off.

The Farm Gate

Addendum: There is a wonderful restaurant in Midleton called The Farm Gate. Thoroughly good food in a lovely setting. We had been there about ten days ago. On the subject of fine food, also worth a mention is Crewe's in Dungarvan where we had our school Christmas lunch, and not forgetting our favourite Nude Food on O'Connell Street. I can remember a time when Dungarvan was badly served by good places to eat. No longer, thankfully.

The Beano: Critical Christmas Reading

Now that I've got my annual annual Christmas takes a more light-hearted twist. My friends Denis and others will brighten the darkest days with their fun and frolics.

Christmas 2010 in Dungarvan

Back Garden December 2010

We have endured almost a month of arctic conditions. Fun at first, not so now. However, today the thaw has set in. Temperatures are once again up to normal at about 8 Celsius, and winds have picked up. Most notably, we've had rain for the first time in three weeks!
Christmas here was wonderful, restful and exciting. Today, my efforts to move my blog from its' former home at Wordpress are coming along well. Now, I've just got to keep posting!

Created Using My iPad

Nollaig Shona go gach éinne. Bonne Noel.

Excited Again...

I am once again excited by events. Last night I came upon a pen-pal (well really email pals) website called interpals. It is a fantastic place to visit. Already, 12 hours later I’ve connected with four people whom I feel will be good lasting friends. I am as yet waiting on a specific request to locate a French speaker who will be willing to email me in French. It will happen! I’ve even made myself available to email in Irish if anyone out there had an interest in learning the language. Exciting times indeed!
In other events, I’ve figured out how EASY it is to take and upload video to YouTube from my iPhone. (Forgot to blog that I got myself an new iPhone after nearly 2 years of waiting) Search for me using my email or my username (samrabbit5858). I think this link will work. Yes it will, just checked it. Enjoy.

Limitless Opportunities For Humankind

This time on our glorious planet is the most exciting time in history. We are going to see and experience the impossible becoming possible, in every field of human endeavour and on every subject. As we let go of all thoughts of limitation, and know that we are unlimited, we will experience the limitless magnificence of humankind, expressed through sport, health, art, technology, science, and every single field of creation.
Sent from my iPod

If Historical Events Had Facebook Statuses

This is just SO funny…

If Historical Events had Facebook Statuses | Cool Material.

In The Bath Creating My Doodle Thingy

This is interesting…

 

Created using iPhone app called WeeMee.

Last Of The Summer Wine

Yesterday was another magnificent cycling day! Kieran and Alberto had signed on for the 160k Cork Rebel Tour. Apart from getting lost going out of Cork City and not seeing any bikers, stewards or signs for about 90 minutes, and apart from the fact that it was a terribly badly-organised event, I still consider that it was a magnificent event to cycle. In all fairness, the food at Dunmanway was really good, the tailwind to Clonakilty brought on a fast pace, and the scenery at the Old Head of Kinsale was worth the cycle alone! We laid eyes on a tall slim young lady in green doing her mandatory stretches at Dunmanway, and tried to slow the pace to get her into our group. But, apart from glimpses at several spots later on the course, she was having none of it!
Kieran almost needed windscreen wipers on the inside coming home as the jokes and banter increased in intensity. What a finish!

This was our season finale, and we celebrated in the Lady Belle with Sarah and Olivia late into the early morning. Brilliant stuff! I had teased the lads about going to Lismore this morning, bit to no avail. I went just to loosen out the head, 33 easy easy miles. Again, here’s a loose transcript of texts to and fro:

P: Can I borrow your ankle bandage…I need it for my head?

K: No, it’s on my head.

P: Not a problem. I’ll put stabilisers on bike. Same thing!

Afterwards, I called in to Kieran’s for another breakfast, and then did the dog on it again in the afternoon as we shared several Budweiser with friends at home.

All in all, a WONDERFUL biking season. 85 spins, 4400 miles January to today. We will probably take it easy until Christmas, and have plans for bigger and better next year. Maybe slower, but better.

Please Everybody?

I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. Cosby

You Are Right

The Secret: Daily Teachings
When Henry Ford was bringing his vision of the motor vehicle into our world, people around him ridiculed him and thought he had gone mad to pursue such a “wild” vision. Henry Ford knew much more than the people who ridiculed him. He knew The Secret and he knew the law of the Universe.

Whether you think you can or think you can’t, either way you are right.
-HENRY FORD
(1863-1947)

Sent from my iPod

After last Sunday’s 100 mile bike-spin, this week was appropriately devoted to rest. Well, rest from the bike anyway! We completed our extensive school renovation at 8pm on Tuesday just in time for Wednesday kick-off. We had a TERRIFIC reaction from all pupils and parents. Many in the local community also came in for a look and were impressed! Three days of teaching went very smoothly, and then the weekend again!

I did cycle to school and back on Thursday, and my legs were HEAVY. I was quite surprised. Today, we had a beautifully-paced spin to Bunmahon, where I turned to Kilmac and Mahon Bridge with a first-timer. Just over 35 miles, at an easy 14mph pace. Slept soundly for the afternoon, and missed the All Ireland hurling final. Tipperary beat 4-in-a-row Kilkenny by 4-17 to 1-18. The five-in-a-row dream (Drive for 5) proved impossible. I’m delighted for many many Tipp fans, including Mam and Tim, Eddie and others. Their first title in nine years.

They said it was 100 miles…they were wrong!

Today must rank as one of my BEST days on a bike. The Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford attracted a massive 3670 entrants, and everything about it lived up to the billing! After a slight hiccup because I couldn’t find the pins for my jersey number, the problem was solved as Kieran stapled it on (carefully) We set off at 7.30am in cool conditions, and met up with the Kilmac Dogs and others after just 5 miles. Thereafter we enjoyed a lovely flat spin to Carrick and on to Clonmel. Coffee & sandwiches were enjoyed at Kilmanahan just before the serious mountain sections ahead. Power’s the Pot was hard but manageable, with a cool westerly tailwind assisting us. By now our group of 8 really helped each other along, and we reached the official food stop at Rathgormack in good condition. A quick coffee and some food here, and off we set again for Mahon Bridge and the ball-breaker to Mahon Falls. This was TOUGH TOUGH TOUGH. 25 minutes of 100% effort, before the wonderful descent to Kilrossanty where bananas awaited us. Certainly at this point the legs were crying out for rest, but none was coming just yet. After a hard drag to the bottom of the final climb, we settled in to more hard work, and all the chatting stopped. I realised half-way up the four mile climb that my sugar levels were dangerously low and I needed to back off from the group along with many others. A gel sachet and two bananas took about 10 minutes to kick in, at which point I had crested the top and worked hard on the downhill the catch the lads again. Finally, as we turned for home at Beary’s Cross with 10 miles to go, the wind was behind us and we ROARED home. Our very strong pace brought many more into our group and we finished with about 15 in all. Great day, great weather, great food, great everything!

They said it was 100 miles, but I made it just over 104. Details: 104.26 miles in 6h 57m Average 14.9mph. Sense of achievement: Unmeasurable! Roll on 2011…

I have has been with the builders at school for 10 days. It’s certainly different from teaching!

Must rest up now for 100 mile bike tour on Sunday. More later… Check the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford website. The Kelly Comeragh Challenge is the tough, tough part of the tour and not for the fainthearted. Almost 160 km (100 miles) in length, it includes two Category One climbs (Seskin Hill and Mahon Falls) and is suitable only for very experienced and very fit full-time cyclists. It follows, in large part, the route of the Kelly Legacy but dips into the Comeragh Mountains on a couple of occasions to fully test the strength, perseverance and stamina of the riders.

National Pony Championships

August 2010 in Wexford. Lori was DELIGHTED and EXCITED to come 4th. More later.

Lori on Knockroe Master

Very Bold I Was, But It Was GOOD

It’s not easy to write today. Head is sore, I’m severely dehydrated and needing to return to rest after a good (great) night out. Celebrations are an important part of family life; however, gluten-free eating goes out the window. Thankfully, Guinness is not wheat based!

Yesterday, after a long day with the builder at school, I grabbed a double burger with chips. Earlier I had had a chicken salad bread roll. So today will be all about recovery, in more ways than one.

Great fun trying to text the lads earlier this morning. Here’s a sort of loose transcript of some:

Me: Did u keep the used matches? Or are they gone forever? (I ALWAYS do this)

M: Planted a new tree for every one I used on the way home. Gonna call it Maguire & Patterson avenue.

Actually, I have to stop now. I tried a quick copy and paste from my mobile but I can’t get it to the pc screen. Cannot retype without air break every 10 minutes. Thus endeth the texting

Beauty and Bread

“Everyone needs beauty as well as bread, places to play and pray, where nature heals and gives strength to body and soul alike.”
John Muir
(courtesy of my friend Eileen)

Apache Blessing

May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being.
Apache Blessing

Eco Direct Dublin

My online shopping for gluten-free products is through Eco Direct in Dublin. I have been pleased with their products, their customer service and their next-day delivery. Of course, a small gripe it I have is that they do not operate PayPal yet. However, all in all I am happy to be a return customer. Tonight I ordered Genius Gluten-free Brown & White bread in bulk for freezing. A batch of 10 will last quite a while, I think!

Red Letter Day

Sarah’s mam, the mother, entered into independent living care at CareChoice. Big step for all concerned.

Greatest Discovery

The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.
William James

And here’s another variation on the same idea:

You can create for yourself a garden of bliss if you believe in it. And you can create for yourself intolerable suffering if you believe that it is necessary.

Broccoli And Sprouts

Got this interesting information today from my nutritionist friend… Hi Pad, you know the reason you have allergies to brussels sprouts, broccoli and cabbage is because your gut is so damaged right now and these are all sulphur vegetables and right now you don’t have the gut health to digest them but as you heal you will again -possibly in 60 – 90 days if you stay away and then reintroduce them slowly one every week to watch for reaction. I have the protocol for healing the lining of the intestines and L glutamine is the star along with flax seeds (ground). The rule of thumb is start with 500mg.of L glutamine in the morning 1 hr before you eat (so it does not compete with other food) and then you either make a gut goo combining flax and L glutamine together as a paste with a little apple sauce first thing in the morn or you could flax on your food at every meal if that works better for you. Just so you know flax oil is not the same as ground flax and it is not recommended for men at all (the oil). L glutamine is food for the lining of the gut and helps repair the villi which has become damaged because of allergies attacking it. Also the mg of L glutamine can be raised to 1000snd as you tolerate it. I hope this was helpful – good health to you.

Acceptable Road Rage?

After a week off the bike resting and relaxing, it was time again to return to my summer training. Lovely it was too! We cycled to Old Parish, and enjoyed a wonderful tailwind down to Ardmore, before heading uphill once more to Tallow and home via Lismore. Easy pace throughout. 60 miles in 3h46. Pace 15.9mph.
What was remarkable today was the number of motorists who displayed sheer anger towards us. It did make us feel very vulnerable, and definitely very annoyed. Why do they do this? It almost seems to be a venting experience for the poor sods. Acceptable road-rage, it seems. However, it makes me all the more determined to take the car number and make a report to Traffic Watch. Usually, by the time we have had a chance to ensure our safety, the offending male has sped off in the distance, and the opportunity is lost.

Thoughts on Eating

Blood type O’s are more likely to be wheat intolerant. That’s me! My challenge now is to eliminate wheat completely from my daily diet. I have managed pretty well for the past two weeks, save for three wonderful days in the luxurious surroundings at Mount Juliet. The nutty brown bread was simply irresistible and I enjoyed it immensely.
Managing without milk and dairy produce will be more of a challenge. Today I ate my usual oat cereal with soya milk and to my surprise I liked it. Butter alternatives are available also, and I will probably use Olive Spread. Tea and coffee will not be a problem either, but cheese is a real favourite of mine. It will be very important now to be clear on shopping lists. I will begin to work on this immediately.

Milk is for babies. When you grow up you have to drink beer

My blood test results were waiting today upon my return from Mount Juliet. No real surprises. My foods to avoid are wheat, cows’ milk, gluten, coconut and mustard. It’s a shorter list than I had forecast, and interestingly there is no mention of my beloved orange juice.

Bread and gluten are challenges I can face. Milk is the surprise on the list. Alternatives? Perhaps soya milk or rice milk. The journey continues…

I did notice that my favourite coconut “Bounty Bar” (coconut & chocolate), although lovely, seemed to sit in my tummy, and certainly did not agree with me. This one will not be a problem at all.

On Monday next I will complete the testing process by scheduling an appointment with the York Test nutritionist, from whom I will get some further advice to enable me to successfully adapt my food intake.

I did some googling and found these:

• Physicians say that coffee without cream is more wholesome, particularly for persons of weak digestion. There seems to be some element in the coffee which combined with the milk, forms a leathery coating on the stomach, and impairs digestion.” The Buckeye Cookbook’ (1883)

• “Milk is for babies. When you grow up you have to drink beer.” Arnold Schwarzenegger (1975)

Relaxation

My last post mentioned RELAXATION and our visit to Mount Juliet later today. Well, would you believe it? When I pulled one of my angel cards this morning, something I do from time to time, here’s what came up…
You can only connect with your magnificence and full potential when you relax deeply for this allows your latent gifts and talents to emerge. In a state of calm relaxation you can also handle your day to day challenges more easily for you are able to flow through the seemingly impossible. Wisdom suggests you prioritise time for yourself. Breathe deeply. Do something you enjoy as you are due a spiritual, emotional and physical recharge. Remember that relaxation goes hand in hand with vibrant health and peak performance.
Affirmation: I take time to relax today. So, as I type, here I am breathing deeply…perhaps this post strikes a chord with you too.

Mount Juliet: Long Drive…But Pampering Ahead!

Today was wonderful. Isn’t it nice to be able to say that? Good weather, good company, work completed… After checking the building works at school briefly in the morning I was able to nap for a while (that’s another plus!) Lori & I drove to Bray in County Wicklow for her final session of her BHS Level 2 course. Round trip was about 300km but roads are good and traffic was light. We arrived early at 6pm for 7pm start and after I dropped her I headed into Dublin to meet up with M & P for a catch-up. Also met Sarah’s brother there. Good chat about lots of things, returning eventually to bikes and the forthcoming Sean Kelly Tour in two weeks time. P & I are entered for the 160k and Peter is joining us also.
Course finished at 9pm so I took my leave and collected an excited Lori and we arrived home tired just after 11pm. Not to worry, because after a good night rest and a further check at school in the morning, we are off to Mount Juliet for a few days of pampering! Looking forward to these luxuries is almost as good as the experience itself. Had pasta with M & P this evening… first wheat to pass my lips for almost two weeks…well no, actually I lie…I enjoyed some apple tart yesterday!

Tallow And Camphire cycling Route

Today’s 50 mile spin had a really big crowd, 22 in all. After a leisurely 14mph to Lismore, some of us went on further to Tallow and home by Camphire Bridge and Cappoquin. Very strong pace from Cappoquin all the way home. Delighted, but tired legs after yesterday’s fast one to Ballyduff.

Garden Heaven

A garden is a place of rest, a managed miniature of the beauty of this world, a place to return to whenever that beauty fails to shine in my life. This year, our major project outstripped all that we have created for many a year as we built our long-awaited garden room. Completed in April, it enabled us to re-landscape by the end of May so it is now returning naturally to its former state.

Garden 2010: A place to sit and look, or sip a red wine.

A place to sit and look, or sip a red wine. This year also we placed several bird-feeders. This was a wonderful decision and now various species of birds come to share it all with us. Finally, and unrelated to feeding, a pair of swallows had nested in the wooden shed. I have attempted to photograph them with their brood of four, but succeed only in frightening the little ones to fly before they are ready. Better it seems to sit and watch rather than to attempt again to get too close.

Wine? Oh yes please!

Winter 2010. Building in progress.

Thought I’d add this, taken back in late January.

A Feast Fit For A King

Breakfast: apple juice, cereal with sultanas and pumkin seeds with milk. Also decided to have slice of Gluten free Nude Food bread with butter and jam and a boiled egg. A feast for a king.
Lunch: bar on the bike. Slice of cheese. Dinner: Sausages, rashers & corn with milk to drink. Probably some wheat in the sausages, but they were TASTY. Yum yum. Wheat-free progress? Doing just fine, thanks. Sarah even had the packet of chocolate digestives out, but I managed fine without.

Don't You Just Hate It When...?

The cyclist’s enemy is the wind. Not rain, or cold….wind is the number one enemy. It can make a pleasant day very hard work on a bike. And today, it was gusting aplenty. Kieran & I cycled into a very stiff headwind to Lismore and on to Ballyduff. We had pushed on hard all the way, in the certain knowledge that we would be blown home with a terrific tailwind. But the wind was listening! As soon as we turned on the road back to Lismore we noticed that the wind too had turned. Not quite a headwind, mind you, but certainly not behind us. Even with a wind coming over a shoulder, slightly behind can be of benefit, but this time it was very much across us and even slightly coming at us all the way.
Pace was 17.3mph for 46.5 miles, so we were indeed tired at the finish. Big ring all the way. Legs feeling strong. Stretched for a while after finishing. Napped for a while after showering.

Wheat-Free Eating Week 2

I am now well into my second week without the dreaded wheat, and lo and behold I’m still here! In fact, although it is still much too early to see a definitive change, I am happy to be on my journey. I still have extreme fatigue, and my chronic ear eczema is worsening by the day. However, I console myself by saying that this may be some strange sign that some of the toxins are leaving.
What major eating changes have I started? Certainly, the biggest for me is that I am staying away from the biscuit barrel. In years and months past, we have decided to be very limited in buying biscuits, because when they were there I ate them voraciously. They are still there now, yet I am determined to remain wheat-free, and so the temptation isn’t tempting me. I was guilty also of buying biscuits at times as I looked upon them as a comfort food. In their place now, I have a variety of wheat-free bars. These are very filling, and very tasty too.I’ve also continued to eat more fruit. Certainly an apple and a banana most days…these too have helped me to stay away from the grain-based carbs. In addition I love sultanas and nuts, good healthy alternatives to the biscuits. Meat? Well, only today, I cooked mackerel while Sarah had breaded chicken. It was no big deal. I suppose it will be necessary for me to just be a bit more discerning in planning meals. Last weekend, I had smoked herring and very tasty it was too.
I have sourced several wheat-free items, especially gravy mix, pasta and pasta sauce. So, all in all, exciting times! My blood test results are due on Tuesday but I feel that I have made a very good start even before getting them. I am curious to know what other foods will show up on my no-list, and how easy / difficult it will be for me to adapt. Above all, however, I am going into this whole-heartedly and am determined to embrace change. Look forward to change, even love it!

Dungarvan To South Africa: A Swallow's Tale

The garden shed has been home to a pair of swallows since early June. At first, they checked it over simply by flying in and out dozens of times every day for about a week. The door is left open at night, and the dogs sleep there. Obviously however, they decided that it was suitable as a summer home. The next step in the process was simply for them to roost there. They selected a good vantage point on the top of a suspended fluorescent light, and stood there for about 3 days. Upon finally deciding to proceed with building a nest, they collected all required materials, and work was completed in about a week. Three eggs have hatched, sometime about the first week of July, and now the three are ready to fly. We have been amazed that they seem quite at ease with us walking (gingerly) in and out at various times of the day and late evening. They sometimes shrink back into the inner coziness and only their little beaks or tails can be seen. Only yesterday, one adventurous little one walked the length of the light and back again. Mam and dad take it in turns (we think) to go get food, and there’s always a noisy chattering on their return with the goodies. It is also quite amazing to watch the adult swoop down and enter the nest, only to depart again about five seconds later and dart in and around garden trees as they forage once again for airborne insects. Nature is quite amazing…and then just think of what’s ahead as these three young swallows accompany their parents abroad to South Africa! Never fear the future, they might say, or even if the fear of the unknown is within, do it anyway. It’s either that or freeze here next winter.

Gluten Intolerant

First step results just back from York Test, indicating (as I thought) that I AM food intolerant. Next step is to hand over a bunch of money to determine detailed food-specific food-intolerance ratings. This will be back to me within a few days. Here’s my prediction: I am SEVERELY intolerant to gluten, orange juice and probably half a dozen more. Based on my “hunch” I’ve eliminated wheat, and have been managing ok. Got a tasty local gluten-free bread and some different morning cereals. So far so good. Update in a few days…

No Wheat Today

No wheat today. Breakfast for me was a banana and a wonderful gluten-free cereal bar with milk. It was tasty and packed with nuts that I love. I had ordered it during the week, and now will get lots of them!

Great bike spin to Ballyduff, Tallow and Camphire Bridge in the afternoon with Kieran. We had a stiff wind against us for the first hour, but really enjoyed it after that! Wonderful spin home. We used the big ring most of the way, and it was just lovely.

Even had some energy left to do the shopping…got a gluten-free bread that I had ordered from Nude Food and it looks good. The local Garvey’s supermarket also has a good selection of gluten-free stuff: lemon biscuits, Australian muesli and bars…looking fwd to trying them out.

Dinner was good-quality steak burgers with our own garden spuds with salad. A feast…

Ardmore In Summer

With two others including POS to Ring, Old Parish, Ardmore and home on N25. I pushed hard on all the hills then waited. Pace 15.9 for 36 miles. Very enjoyable. Windy out by Old Parish.

Cruachaun Mountain In Wonderful Sunshine

Bank holiday here in Ireland. Everyone looks forward to these special days off, but I’m off for July and August so for me it’s just another day! It’s a day for family, though, and nice to be able to have time together. Sarah’s mam is unwell so she spent time there and with her brothers to chat things through. Myself and Gemma climbed Cruachán mountain during the am, and it really was fantastic up there. Got some phtos and may put up some online. Birds didn’t take long to notice that the feeders had been filled late last night. I could sit all day and watch them. Sure, maybe I will!

Be A Hero

“Be the hero to the next one in need. The hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well and be happy to serve.” Efren Peñaflorida

Mother Teresa

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Mother Teresa

Wealth

Wealth consists not in having great possessions but in having few wants.
Esther De Waal, Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict

Courage

“The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.”
- Ralph W. Sockman

cited from Erin’s Blog with permission

Also from this lovely blog:

“I’d rather fall than never to have flown at all.” by Erin

Copella Apple Juice

Oh, this is wonderfully tasty stuff: Copella Apple Juice Had some for breakfast, and again just now 10pm. Wonderfully filling, wholesome juice.

African Saying

Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken and your purpose when you are confused. African saying.

No Wheat Today

No wheat today. Breakfast for me was a banana and a wonderful gluten-free cereal bar with milk. It was tasty and packed with nuts that I love. I had ordered it during the week, and now will get lots of them!

Great bike spin to Ballyduff, Tallow and Camphire Bridge in the afternoon with Kieran. We had a stiff wind against us for the first hour, but really enjoyed it after that! Wonderful spin home. We used the big ring most of the way, and it was just lovely.

Even had some energy left to do the shopping…got a gluten-free bread that I had ordered from Nude Food and it looks good. The local Garvey’s supermarket also has a good selection of gluten-free stuff: lemon biscuits, Australian muesli and bars…looking fwd to trying them out.

Dinner was good-quality steak burgers with our own garden spuds with salad. A feast…

Universal Wealth

You draw from the limitless universal pool according to how much you believe you deserve. Wealth can indicate financial prosperity, however true abundance is knowing that your physical, material, emotional and spiritual needs will always be met. With this a richness of spirit, feelings of generosity and a sense of deep fulfilment develop.

Wisdom suggests you question what form of wealth you truly seek – experience, satisfaction, happiness, love or money. Open up to wealth-consciousness by aligning your thoughts with your desires and expect good things to flow into your life.

Affirmation: I am wealthy beyond measure.

(Taken from Angel cards, unknown)

Ardmore In July

Thursday last I headed off with Kieran in beautiful sunshine to Ring, Old Parish and Ardmore. What a beautiful spin! We cycled hard uphill to the top of Old Parish (K. in big ring all the way…what’s he trying to prove?), even stronger downhill into a very strong headwind to Ardmore, before deciding to back off a little bit on the 4 mile section back up to N25. The spin home was really good, as we had a lovely fresh tailwind! Boy, am I so glad that I’m off the smokes!

My downhill confidence is sky high for the past number of months, all because I finally went to Cycle Superstore in Tallaght and was measured & fitted. These computers can do magic…bike was adjusted accordingly, and I’ve never looked back. Max coming down the Sweep was 42mph, and I loved the “wind in my hair”. Just fabulous.

MPH 16.4 Rating: Excellent.

Darn Blast!

Darn blast! No internet connection here for the past 24 hours. I had switched providers for phone and broadband only last week. Phone end was no problem and is switched. But it looks like eircom broadband has been disconnected before my new Vodafone one is connected. Feels really strange not to be connected. Sat and watched lots of tv instead! Typing this on my trusted openoffice wordprocessor, and will publish whenever.

My gluten-free bread arrived by courier this am. Company is called Ecodirect in Dublin, and they’ve been very helpful. Ordered a brown bread and also brown soda bread among other things. The bread arrives from England with a 10 day shelf life. It arrives only once a week, so they needed to delay sending on the other bits and pieces till it arrived.

What’s it like, you say? It is very tasty…I was surprised! Will write more after a day or two using it…

Gratefulness

I subscribe to a wonderful website called gratefulness.org Here you will find some of the quotations that I find interesting.

Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.

Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now)

Food Intolerance Testing

I sent off blood test the day before yesterday to a gang called York Test. They’re going to tell me the story! I’m expecting results to confirm that I need to eliminate wheat, orange juice and probably some other stuff too.

And of course, I set up this Blogger thingy to continue the journey. My feeling is that as soon as I get the hang of it, I will be able to link to other folks who are writing of similar experiences. At the moment, this blog is PRIVATE and is only seen by invited eyes. That’s so that I can try to figure out any pitfalls before my story goes out public.

btw, I am MALE, so I figure my posts will be short! Hopefully, many…but SHORT.

And now, to celebrate my new beginning I’m off for some pampering. A massage should do the trick!

Slán………..

Dungarvan Blog Ramble

Why now? It’s very simple really. Now is my time for change. My eating is making me sick, and my changes will make me better. Isn’t that so simple? Yes, of course it is!Why here?

Not so simple, this one. I’m here, partly because I am unsure where to begin storing my journey. I came across WordPress years ago, but was unsure of its purpose and indeed unsure of my purpose. Blogging for the sake of it seems quite pointless. However, now that my purpose is clear in my mind, I’m here to document my journey. And, who knows where it will lead?

I just read “Who moved my Cheese”. It’s a short little tale, but for me it hit the nail on the head! More later…