My Perfect New Neighbour!

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Gloria

Where I was brought up, everyone knew everyone. The neighbours called to each other regularly. All the kids played together and spent time in each other’s houses. We knew our next door neighbours almost as much as we knew ourselves. When we went to town, it took forever because we had to stop and chat to everyone we met.

Of course, the downside to living in a town like this was that everyone knew everyone else’s business! Some people knew things about us that we didn’t even know ourselves! I think those people had a condition called ‘Boredom Syndrome’ or it may have been ‘Exaggeration Syndrome’. Then there’s another called ‘Nosey Cow Syndrome’.

Times have changed in that wee town over the years. Many of its inhabitants are total strangers to each other. Of course, many are still friendly and communicative but not to the same degree as it used to be.

Where I live now, it’s quite different. It’s a much bigger town with a bigger population. I’ve made a few friends through school and work. One or two I meet for coffee now and then and go walking with. This is how I like it. At 50 years of age, I’m choosy about who I befriend. I like to suss people out before I commit to a serious friendship with them. I have many acquaintances but only a handful of very good friends.

I don’t know my close neighbours where I live now. It’s quiet and friendly and nobody seems to have a desire to invade my privacy. Call me odd if you want, but I like to be left alone. I don’t appreciate unannounced callers. I’m always busy you see.

I hate to be disturbed when I’m writing, blogging, doing yoga, and cooking. After that, I’m chatting with Stephano and entertaining Little Miss Seven. Or asleep!

Don’t get me wrong folks. I do Like people…honestly, I do!

I often see the woman who lives a few doors away. I haven’t actually met her yet but I think she’s odd like me. Keeps herself to herself.

Both houses each side of ours are empty. One is for sale and the one to our left is soon to be occupied. I was a proper nosey neighbour yesterday. People were coming and going all day. I was trying to figure out who the new occupants will be and what they’ll be like. It was easy to spy because my desk is right beside the window – so that I get my RDA of vitamin D.

Will it be the young couple? That would be nice. Maybe they have children who will befriend my wee girl. Or they might be very noisy!! They might have a baby who will cry during the night and keep me awake! They might have loud raving parties at the weekends. Maybe they play the drums like the neighbours in our last house. Oh Gosh No!!

Will it be the woman who went in there at 2 pm? She looked well at home, sitting in her car in the driveway. Not a care in the world chewing away, on what I think was a chocolate bar – the ones that are meant for sharing! Is she moving in? She looks a bit nosey. She might be the type that likes to sit gossiping over tea and cake – for hours. Or she might be the type that likes an occasional Friday evening glass of wine and a friendly chat with her new neighbour. Me! I wonder…..

That middle aged man who was there twice and then again this morning. I wonder does he work for the builder? Haven’t seen him before though. What kind of neighbour would he be? Might be very helpful. Looks like he knows a thing or two about life. Oh….maybe he’s good at DIY and he could do loads of little jobs for me.

Oh crikey…he might be a writer. A REAL one! He definitely looks like one. Speedy on his feet. Straight back, looking ahead like he’s on a mission. Scruffy jeans and blue shirt. Small rimmed glasses and unruly hair – Stephen King-ish. That would be brilliant. We could be buddies.

On the other hand, he kinda looks like one of Stephen King’s crazy villains. Nightmare neighbour!! He might be a peeping Tom either. Eww….no!

Oh well, I’ll just have to accept whoever it is. We can’t really choose our neighbours, can we? I just hope it’s someone who’s friendly, quiet, my age, has one child aged six, wants to join a writing group, likes to go chéile dancing, likes to go for walks (on my terms), enjoys the occasional glass of wine and Guinness, listens to André Rieu, understands good ole Irish banter & sarcasm, and knows how to boil the kettle properly. Am I asking much?

Meet my new neighbours here!

This One Time In Scout Camp. Esmeralda!

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Gloria

The Night I Met Esmeralda.

I first met Esmeralda in August 2008 at a scout jamboree in Punchestown. We were both scout leaders back then. Over 10,000 scouts from countries all over the world attended this jamboree and I befriended a few Italians and Spaniards but the only one I kept in touch with was Esmeralda.

It was during one of my late evening walks around the campsite, that I first laid eyes on the talented and attractive Señora. The clicking sounds of her castanets stopped me in my tracks. I acknowledged the inviting glances from the Spanish scout group, by joining them in their circle of merriment.

Esmeralda was performing the Flamenco for the troop, while her husband Fernando sat on a Cajon slapping the life out of it! Their daughter Ginella also accompanied them, playing her flamenco guitar. “What a talented family!” I thought.

Esmeralda’s passion for the music and dance was mesmerising. She clapped her hands loudly but gracefully, and stomped her feet rhythmically on the dewy grass – the only available stage on our campsite. Her ruffled red satin skirt swished around her as she spiralled around the campfire like a wild gypsy woman. The darkness was lit up by the fierce amber flames that danced in unison with Esmeralda. She possessed the fiery energy of a raging bull during her dance that night.

After her performance, she sat by my side and welcomed me to their campfire. We chatted for a while and I was happy when she accepted my invitation to join our troop at our campfire singsong the following evening.

She performed many dances for us during the jamboree and not only did she teach our scouts some serious dance steps, she gave them some unforgettable memories.

And that was the beginning of our friendship. Esmeralda and Fernando bought a holiday home in Cavan three years later and they have been part of my circle of friends ever since. I have many stories to tell about us!! If she allows me to do so!

Murder, Lies and Too Much Gin. Let’s Have Dinner!

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Gloria

After Saphirra’s ‘Come Dine With Me’ a few weeks ago, I must say that my confidence at hosting amazing dinner parties has somewhat waned. Read about that HERE.

Saphirra excels at entertaining and leaves nothing to chance – especially when there’s a prize up for grabs. She loves going out too and is always the last person to leave a party, which is usually the following morning! That’s okay though, because she always does the cleaning up before she leaves. (This is possibly the reason why she gets invited to so many parties!)

Mohotma Coatalay never fully got over not winning our last dining competition two years ago. Whenever it gets mentioned, she utters through her teeth how Saphirra deserved it. But there’s no mistaking the bitterness in her voice.

She may not have won, but she really did host an excellent dinner party and her efforts were outstanding. Her theme was Halloween – even though it was still September – and she pulled out all the stops. Here’s where she excelled on the night:

She sent out custom made Halloween invitations which displayed the menu for the night.
We began the evening outdoors on the veranda where we enjoyed drinks and canapes. The garden is magnificent and Mohotma had it sprinkled with tealights nestled in little glass jars.
Her food was outstanding. Made with fresh and mostly homegrown ingredients. Eyeballs and fingers floated gruesomely in the soup – because of the Halloween theme. Her blancmange was a pink and wobbly brain!
Entertainment for the evening was a fun Halloween quiz. I won that!! 😊 Ghoulish hits such as Bat Outta Hell, Monster Mash and Thriller had us dancing the night away! Oh… t’was a fantastic dinner party indeed! My party night was very boring in comparison.

It was unfortunate that she lost points on very simple things like this:

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Just Another Book Club

Posted on July 2, 2017 by Gloria

Just Another Blog From a Woman

Books-IFOA-2016-Tanja-Tiziana

Yes, my beautiful friends, I have set up a book club on these here pages for anyone to join in with this book worming fun.

I’m finding more and more often these days, that I’m reaching for my smartphone to entertain me rather than a book. Reading used to be my favourite pastime, but now it seems to be doing ‘If you were a cheese, which would you be?’ type quizzes. FFS (I’d clearly be Wensleydale & Cranberry btw) or looking at slideshows of celebrities who remarkably look a bit older, now that they are -you know- older.

So, I’ve started this book club as a way to motivate me to get back to my regular reading habits and I’d love you to join me.

Here’s how it will work.