DREAM

“Nothing happens unless first we dream.”

HOTEL LIVING

I've always thought a hotel ought to offer optional small animals. I mean a cat to sleep on your bed at night, or a dog of some kind to act pleased when you come in. You ever notice how a hotel room feels so lifeless? 
-Anne Tyler

HELLO CANADA

We've landed in Ottawa and close on the house today. By the end of the day, I'll be in our pool?!  I wish; this is really just the start of a very busy admin week. We are living at the Marriott until our container arrives from England which hopefully won't be too long, I know we are all looking forward to get some normality back in our lives. Unlike yesterday, today is going to be a good day. We got up at 4:30 and started the laundry. ;)

I'm watching Euan roll over on his mat, back and forth, back and forth, waiting for Canada to wake up.  Love it!

MADNESS

"You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it."
– Robin Williams

GOODBYE ENGLAND

BALLOON FIESTA GOODBYE

 Our last weekend in Bristol we will be enjoying the 2012 Balloon Fiesta. It's been one of my favourite things about living here; last year Steve's band played in the center of the night glow and we were able to get up close to the balloons. What a treat it was.

I can't think of a better way to say goodbye! 

PACKING FOR PORTUGAL

Time to break out the suitcases, again. Tomorrow evening we are flying to Portugal- our last stop in Europe before moving back to Canada.

 I booked the flight a while back but only finished booking our hotels a minute ago. I'm hoping to have found a hidden gem in Carvoeiro.

Fingers crossed for a great holiday with nice sunny weather. It's been pouring buckets since our return from Scotland.

 Our house is a disaster getting ready for the move so I'm looking forward to leaving it all behind and enjoying some quality time with Hubby and Euster!

STRIPES OR SPOTS

MAEVE

I was in my early twenty's when I read Tara Road and was instantly hooked. Maeve Binchy's writing style of intertwined characters kept me intrigued throughout her books and my life. I have enthusiastically read all of her books and was quite saddened today when my husband emailed me this article sharing of her passing this week. BBC NEWS  She made me want to travel to Ireland; she made me want to travel everywhere. I, like many others, are emotionally drawn in and connect with every character. Even though I read some books years ago, I still remember these characters when she cleverly reintroduces them in her new books. 

I came across this interview on bookreport.com that perfectly sums up why I love her so much...

 "Maeve talks about themes common to many of her stories. She underscores the huge importance family has in the Irish culture and how families have a strength that comes from caring about each other. She also tackles class-consciousness, feeling strongly, since everyone in Ireland was a peasant at one time, the Irish have no right to be snobbish about position and class.

           

She also has a lot to say about courage and taking a stand:  “I also wanted to embrace the notion that courage is what makes people win. It’s not beauty or wealth, but simply people being courageous and strong in the face of adversity. That’s really the main theme of an awful lot of my books. . . and I think that’s why people seem to like them.”

            

A theme that runs through all of Maeve Binchy’s books is the power of love: “We’re nothing if we’re not loved. When you meet somebody who is more important to you than yourself, that has to be the most important thing in life, really. And I think we are all striving for it in different ways. I also believe very, very strongly that everybody is the hero/heroine of his/her own life. I try to make my characters kind of ordinary, somebody that anybody could be. Because we’ve all had loves, perhaps love and loss, people can relate to my characters.”

A beautiful person with such a wonderful outlook on life, love and courage. I will miss your stories Maeve Binchy. xox