It has several few weeks since the grand Ireland trip and I am slowly settling back in. However, there was not much time for settling as right on the heels of Ireland came a trip to Monterey for my PhD residency conference. Erica and I always travel together and this time we took a side trip to Sacramento on the way there to get Sebastians hands checked on. It has been a year and half post burn and he is doing amazing.  He will be facing an operation to correct one graph that has left his finger bent, but he has full function and feeling in both hands!  A blessing indeed!

While I always enjoy time with my Saybrook peers and all the deep learning, connecting, and growing that takes place, this year I really just wanted to be home.  I am sure it was due to recently being away to Ireland and being that I am the biggest homebody EVER!  I did have an amazing time though.  This is the last RC in Monterey as Saybrook has moved campus to San Diego….so in January San Diego it will be.

In my last blog I didn’t share any of the treasures I brought back home from my trip.  I was completely in love with the Atlantic and brought back a few shells and rocks to add to my Altar of Sacred Things.

So very very touristy, but who can pass up a thatched cottage turf burner?  I really knew nothing about turf and was surprised at the smell.  You can smell the oil in it as it burns.  It puts out a great deal of heat, as well!  We had a turf fire most nights I was there to take the chill off!

Everyone needs to return with a piece of Belleek when they visit Ireland.  I found this lovely vase for a steal at a charity shop in one of the nearby villages.

This little leprechaun is from Shamrock Pottery.  He is such a cute little guy and is set to bring the luck o the Irish to my home.  He was also one of a pair I found at a charity shop.

While in one charity shop I saw this darling Grandma cup.  Imagine my delight when we got back to Christina’s and Erica handed me a bag with the cup inside!  I will treasure it!! I adore anything that says grandma on it!!

I have long wanted a tree of life necklace intertwined with Chakra stones.  This was another gift from Erica!  I love it and only take it off to sleep!!

I love Celtic crosses…absolutely love them.  This little cross is made from bog turf and found a perfect home on my Altar of Sacred Things.

County Mayo does not raise sheep for yarn, but for food source.  Yet I wanted to bring home a bit of yarny goodness and found these lovelies at a local needlework shop.

These are just a few of the goodies I returned with.  But best of all was the memories I returned with!  Ireland was so very lovely and I cannot wait to return!!

Back into the fray, life continues on.  Work has been a bit of a pill and I determined to once again accept another opportunity.  It is an exciting change and I look forward to it.  The change will not take place until early next month and at that time I will share more.  This term of my PhD program has me busy as ever.  Always weekly assignments due as well as reviews and research papers…..never a dull moment.  But the learning….oh the lovely lovely learning!  I am thinking about a change of course however.  Ayurveda Medicine (my summer course) resonated so deeply with me.  I found it to be a holistic common sense approach to overall wellness….including all spokes on the wellness wheel.  I am considering studying to become a practitioner.  I am not certain yet, but it keeps coming up as something of such value to my life.  Hmmmm just don’t know….

I have been reeling with the news that several of my siblings have been stricken with a genetic disease that we didn’t even know existed until recently. hATTR Amyliodosis is a disease in which abnormal proteins build up in tissue (in our case, most often the heart).  There is no cure and only a few FDA approved treatment drugs.  My older brother has been approved for a controlled trial, my younger brother was just diagnosed, as was my older sister.  All siblings are being tested for the gene and I am awaiting the test.  It is unsettling to say the least.  I waiver between not wanting to know and yet knowing I must be tested for the sake of my own children and grandchildren.  It is fatal, but more and more drugs are being developed and tested and if identified early progression can be halted. I know that only God is in control and trust that all will be well.  Thankfully I have not exhibited any of the symptoms.

As I contemplate this test and the impact it could have on my life, I realize the importance of gratitude and counting one’s blessings and I have a myriad of blessings indeed!

And now, there are a bevy of estate sales out there calling my name!

Blessings abound,

Patricia