It’s Getting Close
It’s getting close now. Sunday I depart. Yesterday my dear friend Barbara, who travels on the cheap six months out of the year, which I think qualifies her as being a well-seasoned practitioner of the craft, comes over to share with me her hints for packing. After a thorough once over of what I plan to take, she kindly makes some sage suggestions–what to leave out, what to add, and, most importantly, how to pack it all. At the end of our two-hour session, I step on to the scale, first without my pack, and once again wearing it. I am delighted to see that my fully loaded pack comes in at slightly under twenty pounds. I truly believe she must offer a course on packing smart.
Almost overnight I feel I am morphing into that twenty-something-year-old single girl, circling back to take the other fork in the road from which I turned away when I was that age. Back then I chose education, work, and family, all of which I have no regrets about in the least. At the age of 24, I returned home to Santa Barbara to care for my terminally ill mother, married at 25, gave birth to Sara at 26, and worked five full and part time jobs to contribute to the family pot that my young wuzband and I needed to fill. The thought of travel…well, it never crossed my mind.
I did travel to Ireland with my mom when I was 16 in 1970, six months after the sudden passing of my dad –he died 10 days after being diagnosed with leukemia. Mom and I joined a tour put together by Loyola University Rome, where my brother was taking his junior year abroad studies. It was one of those “If It’s Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium” type tours, and our last stop was Ireland where I had my first taste of beer, Guiness served at room temperature, kissed the Blarney Stone, bought Waterford crystal (six gobblets and decanter in the Royal Tara pattern) of which I still have three of the gobblets and decanter.
I also have the woolen shawl she bought while there; a memento of the land of her huband’s ancestors. More than once I remember hearing her say that “as light as it is, it provides just the right amount of warmth around my shoulders.” Nearly fifty years later, it is warming mine as I return to Ireland with it wrapped around me.
My Mother’s Shawl
I’m missing the spring planting time in my garden, to plant new seeds in this garden of discovery, without any idea of how, or into what they will grow. It’s getting close, and I’m ready to find out.
Happy travels!!!
Thank you Irene!
Safe and happy travels!
Thank you so much, Muguette!
Brought sweet tears. To happy travels and warm shoulders! Ginny
Thank you, Ginny, and warm shoulders to you!
You gave me all kinds of feelings with this post. I hope you have a wonderful time.
Thank you for your kind words, Vicki. xo
Hi Kate – I have followed your blog for a while now, and have given your pie book to several family members! I am a big fan 🙂
I was inspired to become a pie-baker by my Irish Grandmother! Every summer she would bake an apple, blueberry, and a butterscotch pie for my family when we came to visit. She also had a variation on a soda bread that was pan fried in bacon grease. I hope you find some Irish pie treasure as you wander…
Safe and happy travels to you!!
Dear David- Thank you so much for your kind words! How wonderful to hear about the inspiration of your grandmother. Did you visit her in Ireland? Kate
Have a great trip Kate! My family is from Ireland, and I went there in 2016 at the age of 61 for the first time. I loved every minute of the trip.
Thank you for the great post. 🍀
With a name like Kathleen, how could you not be connected to Ireland.🍀 Thank you for your kind words about the post, too.
Tóg go bog é! (which means take it easy!) I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with adventures and it goes without saying excellent food discoveries!
An old Irish recipe for longevity: Leave the table hungry. Leave the bed sleepy. Leave the bar thirsty.
Blessings for safe travels.
Yes, everything in moderation, and so well said in this Irish recipe. Thank you Deborah!
Have fun….. take risks!!
😉
Say Hello” to the Emerald Island for me Kate. I wish I could meet ya there‼️
Safe travels, …and may the wind be at your back…
Kellen
Indeed I will and thank you, Kellen!
Have a wonderful adventure!!!
Thanks Stevie!
Dear Kate,
Safe and fun travels to you 😊
Newly into retirement with my hubby, we are experiencing many similar feelings. We married young (like most of our friends), focused on career and family as you mentioned, and now —walking into the ‘pack light’ phase. It takes courage!!!! New paths take the willingness to live with ALL the accompanying emotions so — HAPPY WALKING 😊
I hope we can meet some time. Not only do we share a name but similar life experiences. My mom died when I was 17 and that situation required some life changing decisions — none that I have regretted either. At this age however, I admit curiosity about the turns not taken.
Thank you so much, Sue. I’m looking forward to whatever comes next. I’ll say hello to all our relations in County Roscommon while there.
Oh Kate I hope you have safe travels and a wonderful time. You worked so hard all your life to become an awesome person. You deserved it😍🙏👍👏
Ute- Thank you so much. Your words are so very kind. Kate
Bon Voyage! What an adventure. I can just see the spring in your step and the smile on your face.
Amazing share on so many levels !
A pack😵 That is just a bygone memory.
My cousin is section walking the AT if you return with more hiking ambitions She loves pie
Have a wonderful trip. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
And if ye would be agoin’ by the Blarney Stone, do be planting a right smart smooch on it for me, now?! Safe travels, happy new adventures!
xoxo
omma