Cemeteries Around the World

Dennis and I are very good travel companions. On our very first trip, a wonderful week spent in Bermuda, we discovered that we both loved visiting cemeteries. Sometimes the cemeteries contain headstones that are fun to read. I remember a headstone in Scotland that rambled on about a man who deserved to die from the drink that killed him. We have stumbled upon cemeteries where everyone is buried above ground because the town existed below sea level. Hours have been spent reading and revering our fore-fathers in Boston.

In Ireland, the Celtic Cross dominated every cemetery we visited. Often, the nature of a cemetery made it impossible for Dennis to get a close look. He viewed the stones through the pictures that I took. I hope you enjoy viewing a few of them as much as we did.

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These crosses were in a large cemetery in Kilkenny.

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This one, while not Celtic, is very famous. It is St. Kevin's Cross. It is said that five visits to this site equals one visit to Mecca. At least that is what the literature stated.

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Until later,
Ann and Dennis

Post Vacation

We are home. We are also tired, surrounded by dirty laundry and hungry. We ate too much food, and way to many potatoes. We both gained weight; Dennis is happy with his gain, and I am very unhappy with mine. But, it is all part of the vacationing process, I suppose.

Vacation is always a great indicator of how Dennis is doing. I use the last vacation and compare it with the current vacation. He is definitely slower than last year. Last year, in Paris, we would be out and about late at night, eating dinner at a fairly appropriate European hour - between 7:30 and 9pm. This year, our days were done by 7 pm and we were often in bed by 8 pm.

Last year, he was still able to eat a full meal in a timely manner. This year, he needed a couple of hours to eat a meal. We were not able to indulge in late night meals, rather we ate a larger breakfast and at large, late lunch. We ate quite a bit of pub food, which resulted in us saving a few bucks on food, but drinking way too many Guinness beers. Is it true that a Guinness a day keeps the doctor away?

Now, the final indicator of his health, will be the amount of days he needs to recover. This is our second day home, and while I am feeling lazy, the jet lag has pretty much passed. Time will tell when Dennis is back up to speed.

More on the vacation, and a few pictures, over the next few days. Until then, Cheers!

Ann and Dennis

Looking Back

I put my last day in at school today. Sigh. I am exhausted. I can't believe how much has happened since last year at this time.

Dennis has been in the hospital twice
Dennis has gone from a walker to a wheel chair
We moved into our condo
We went to Paris and London and are planning our trip to Ireland
I lost a best friend due to Dennis' illness
I gained a bunch of friends and buddies due to Dennis' illness
My father died suddenly and unexpectedly
My mother needs more of her children's care than before
My sister married and moved to London

Whew. I get tired just writing this list.

I am in the process of reading a book called The Diving Bell and The Butterfly. It was made into a movie a couple of years back. I have never seen the movie, but I purchased the book for my mom a year or two ago. When we were staying with mom, after dad's death, I found the book and read it one sleepless evening. I am re-reading it now for an online book group. It's inspirational, touching, and reminds me that life could be so much more difficult. And it could.

This has been a difficult year, but also a year filled with love. Some days, love is all we have.

Until later,
Ann and Dennis