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  • It Was Time To Leave India…

    Three and a half years ago, I embarked on an new adventure – moving to India with my husband. I was filled with emotions that typically accompany change.  I was ready.  I had mastered some tough challenges after switching careers and wanted something else, something different.  A new challenge, excitement, a chance to live in a place totally different to what I had known. I had to shake things up and when we were offered an opportunity for a couple years in India there was no question – sign me up!

    A mentor once told me, if you fail to learn from life’s attempts to teach you, life will continue to try – only using a bigger stick.  Setting off for new adventures, I was confronted with the reality of my choice.  My preferred coping mechanism – to direct experiences with precision and planning only brought about harder lessons – in a nutshell, I needed to get out of my own way and relax. 

    Once I stopped trying to control, quibble, and define India on my terms, I fell in love and actually started to experience my new home.  The lens of my perception shifted a bit.  Serendipity began to show itself.  The inconveniences became opportunities to practice learning: about openness, negotiation, sustainability, small pleasures, and patience.  I paused to witness – the people who graced my journey, the amazing sites offered daily, and the occasional extreme situation or experience. Living in India was a gift; stripping away many things I thought I knew for certain, changing my perspective and allowing me to develop a deeper sense of wonder.  For those lessons and more, I am eternally greatful.

    The pictures in India Memories are some of my favorite photos. Designed to reflect the contrasts, beauty and unpredictability of my experience, this is one of the ways I am saying thank you for each moment I was given in India. I hope you enjoy them.

     

    “It blunts its sharpness.  It unties its tangles.  It softens its light.  It becomes one with the dusty world.”                                                                                      – Tao Te Ching  Translation by Wing-Tsit Chan

    Home July 2010 - 0048


  • Back To India…

    There are many, many things I love about India.  

    I am sure I am waxing poetic because we will be leaving soon – on to a new adventure – but everyday I am privileged to see amazing things – a wonderful melange of contrasts that sometimes feel like they only can happen here.  

    I was on the way to the market a few weeks ago.  As was often the case, that meant spending copious amounts of time in the car, stopped in traffic.  Thankfully, I had brought my camera as a distraction. On the way home, I was luckily able to grab the shot below right before the traffic began to move again.

    {As a side note, these horse carts are one of my favorite things on the roads in Bangalore – the paint jobs are fantastic.  They are growing increasingly rare with all the motos and nanos clogging the streets now.  

    Astoundingly,  similar horse carts are available for rent from various places around the city should you feel so inclined.  One potential upside – street wandering water buffalo and cows might be more inclined to allow a fellow quadruped to pass with more ease than something on 4 wheels.}

     

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  • West Point Reunion

    Grandad at WestPoint 

    Family from all over the globe gathered to honor this man, my Grandfather, who graduated from West Point 70 years ago.  

    May 1941 was an uncertain time.  As he graduated, the US had taken decisive steps to end neutrality, having still not "officially" entered the fight – that would come in December.  It must have felt like the world was descending into madness as the maelstrom of war enveloped Europe and North Africa.  

    Looking at this picture I can't help but wonder what he was thinking about – in the halcyon of youth seemingly undeterred by what may lay ahead.  (Given the importance of precision at West Point, I wonder if he was just happy to have made it through the graduation ceremonies without error!)   What I know for certain is this:  his recollections of his life and adventures make for great listening as they are filled with almost unbelievable moments of serendipity and amazing amounts of history.

    I should have said at the outset:  I love my Grandfather to bits, especially his wit and sense of humour.  

    Some of my fondest childhood memories (probably age 5 or 6) are of frequent visits to my Grandparents home in Los Altos.  On most occasions, my sister and I would jump out of the car (no car seats then), run to the door and, standing on tippy toes, use the knocker (one of those brass jobs that was huge in a small child's hands) to rap on the door.  Our grandparents had one of those split front doors – so the top part could open separately.  He would open the top, poke his head out and with a fake glower – a smile glimmering in his eyes – growl "We don't want any!" and shut the door.  But the smile, as he shooed us away, told me all I needed to know – we were loved and he was happy to see us.  A second or two later, he would open the door and we would dissolve into his hug.

    He is an incredible man who is living an amazing life – a series of remarkable stories – too few of which I have been privileged to hear.  I am immensely humbled and proud of what he and my Grandmother "Buddy" (her nickname says it all) accomplished – partly, I guess because it includes my mom (who was an amazing woman with a sparkle all her own), me – the number 5 grandchild, my siblings, nieces, nephews, and my huge extended family – all spectacular people in their own right.  

    I admire my Grandfather's zest for life, willingness to "get on with it" through hardship and loss, his dedication to principles, and his pride in the family he helped to create. He is, without question, one of my heroes.  I hope he knows how grateful I am to him for all he has given me 

    The pictures in the albums below are from our time together as a family – aunts, uncles, cousins, great grand kids – the works.  Click on the underlined links to see the albums.

    West Point , Storm King and Just Hanging Out

    And Dawn, thanks so much for uploading this fantastic picture!

     

     

  • Fyshkill Reformed Church

    A pretty intriguing piece of history in Fyshkill.  

    Finished in 1731, the church served as a prison and state government seat during the revolutionary war.  A large number of graves recorded the years and months of age but the specific days – maybe each day was precious to the folks of Fyshkill.  The ages of those buried here are amazing – I was struck by how many were over the age of 60.  

    There is a interesting Book with Tombstone Inscriptions from the churchyard. 

    Dutch Reformed Church Fishkill - 7

    Dutch Reformed Church Fishkill - 1

  • Bog Walks

    There are bogs everywhere in this part of the country – the Bog of Allen being a rather large one near to Kells.  Bogs are interesting places – they are amazing preservers of the past – from 5000 yr old celtic sacrifices to "bog" butter stored (in the bog) for hundreds of years.   There is a preservation movement to save what is left…let's hope the amazing biodiversity and archeological importance aren't lost in the pursuit of a cheap power…

    We went for a few long walks in "reclaimed"bogs – here are the photos  - Bog Walks

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  • A Little Slice of Heaven

    There are a few places in the world where I feel totally at peace and in my element.  Ballyteague is one of those places.  The animals, the smell of a peat stove, the family, the flowers and the walks out to Mabes (the fields) are heaven to me.  I look forward to visiting everytime we are in Ireland and carry it in my heart when we aren't there.

    We went out to Ballyteague twice – once to celebrate Dar's birthday with the family and once just Dar and I.  DD and Peter took Dar and I to Donadea Forest Park  - DD and Peter have been going for walks here since they started dating – an amazing place where you can wander for hours in the trees, admire a duck or two, nibble on a choc ice, and see a bit of history.  

    A quick note about the photo below – Peter and DD's house sits right opposite a canal making the picture all the more pertinent.  (I wonder how many times it hasn't been heeded – especially since there is a pub right on the corner)

    The rest of the pictures are here –  Ballyteague and Donadea  - Hope you enjoy the pictures of this very special place and surrounds.

     

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  • Dublin – Three Times Charmed

    While in Kells I headed into the city a few times to see the sights….Dar and I were chuffed when we discovered on our first trip that the National Museum at Collins Barracks was free – so was parking….score!

    The collection was awesome….we also made it to the Irish Museum of Modern Art in time to see a Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exhibit in the carriage house.  Being a bit miffed that we weren't able to see the rest of the museum, I decided I would go back….on a Monday.

    17 euro spent on a Bus Eireann ride into Dublin….a 20 minute walk down the Liffey to the IMMA.  I stop outside the museum and make a phone call to Darren.

        Me – "Hey babe, yep, I am here…quick question…how many countries have we been to"?

        D – "About 25…why"?

        Me – "And how many museums have we been to"?

        D – "Tons….honey, why are you asking me this"?

        Me – "And how many of those museums have been open on a Monday"?

        D – "O crap….sorry babe".

    Yep – there I was, standing in the rain in front of a closed museum.  Thankfully, the cafe was open and they had killer vegetable barley soup and bread for 5 euro.  Full belly and warmed, I left the cafe to wander around down town for a bit before heading back to Kells.

    The 17 euro Bus Eireann trip was repeated on the Friday with more success…and I was able to add in a trip to the national library…where I saw to my great surprise and excitement… W. B. Yeats' very own handwriting….and it was one of my favorite quotes….for your pleasure below.

    The album from my multiple trips into town are here:  Dublin

     

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  • Birthday Surprise!

    The super stealth secret surprise was out – no, not that Darren was turning 40 – that is still "secret".  The surprise was that his best friend from Uni had come from the UK with his family to celebrate….This of course was revealed once Peter called Darren to ask what his plans were and if he could pop over to the next village for a drink to celebrate.

    The plan –  to hang out for the weekend with a fantastic dinner at a super duper place sandwiched in between.  

    We had lots of tea, conversation, looked at a megalodon tooth, visited Trim castle – read the "don't climb on the castle sign" a few times for clarification.  We even went to the Dunderry Village Fair (think county fair with Irish accents)  which was fun – we got to play on tractors –  however, sadly, the youngest Heyes was robbed of a bonny baby contest win.  

    The dinner was great – Dar's brother, parents and the Heyes clan convened at the Bellinter House.  It was a fantastic dinner  - evidenced by the clean plates at the end of each course – the best part was having everyone together.

    Here are some pictures from the night – Birthday Surprise

     

    This is a picture from outside the Bellinter House… I loved this tree – so incredibly grand.

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  • Bushmills and Boom!

    Up early, tea and toast, then into the "jeep" heading 3 hrs north was how we started the day…

    Goal:  the oldest licensed distillery in the world – or to some, whiskey mecca.  The distillery was put on the back of the Irish Sterling note – that is how serious this stuff is people!

    Arriving a bit after 11 and after averting disaster (someone..ahem…had managed to break a bit of the only working key to the car but luckily with the loan of an all purpose tool from a friendly Bushmill's maintenance employee and a bit of skillful metal manipulation by yours truly, the key was sorted, if only for the short term), we decided it might be good to fill our bellies before indulging in the local fair.

    A steak and kidney pie (with chips), veggie soup, and banoffee pie later, we started our tour….ending of course where all good tours end – the tasting room…There was no skimping on the portion and you could pick from their entire range – including the super exclusive stuff….nice.  Dar had the 21 yr old malt and I tried the 1608 special reserve.After our tasting (no, we didn't finish it but it was only 2pm), we headed out to find the Giant's Causeway…even if it was spitting rain.  It is Ireland of course.

    Amazing….Stunning….Super Cool.  Basically, that was what we were thinking after a 30 minute walk down when we turned a corner and got our first glimpse of the causeway.  Scottish giants aside, I can completely understand why this place is associated with myths and legends.  

    Also legend…and lucky was Dar's amazing fall down from the beautiful basalt columns…it is what happens when rain meets the slippery shoes of someone taking photos.  Lucky for us both, he was fine even though he landed on his head.  The camera – not so lucky but thankfully that is replaceable.

    Here are the photos from the day:  Bushmills and Boom!

     

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  • Ol’ Irish Metal

    What to do on a blustery Irish day in May?  Country Car Show!  A farmer's field outside of Kells was let out for the day to facilitate a fine gathering of cars, folks interested in them and a few vendors with bit's and bob's to sell.

    "The Negotiator", Dar and I headed out to see what was what.  It was a lovely day out – even stopped in at the local for a pint and a packet of crisps….how Irish am I?? 

    Here are the pictures from the day – Country Car Show

     

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