It really is. An hour ago it was 75 degrees and 60 percent humidity. The sun is intensely brilliant. It takes me roughly ten seconds to become completely soaked upon stepping out of the door. A breeze will often come up, which then turns me into a human swamp cooler – but it’s better than no breeze. I’m sitting with a fan blowing on my neck as I write. The Irish love it. Tomorrow many of them will be sporting shiny new sunburns. As I was walking back from the laundry, I saw a neighbor on her balcony stretched out on a chaise and doing her best impression of the Irish flag: green shorts, white arms and legs, orange tank top. Those arms and legs will look like tomatoes tomorrow.
Small victories: I managed to get a matching duvet cover and pillow case! Gavin Doorly, our apartment manager brought over some linens so that we could set up a room for Miceal Ross who will be arriving on the train this evening. He is scheduled to tell and lecture in my class tomorrow morning. With what Gavin brought and what I found in another room of our apartment, I got a matching set. Before this great decorating boon occurred I had an orange bottom sheet, yellow and brown duvet, and turquoise and blue pillow case. Not restful.
The Front Page Experience: Turns out the Westmeath Independent is a weekly newspaper. Yesterday several of us were walking to the farmer’s market at the castle and we stopped in a little market. There was the paper in a double rack, both racks with the front page facing the door. Later Danielle and I stopped at another market and they had a triple rack, all with me on the front page facing the door. I got recognized in the Athlone Crystal and Gift Gallery while purchasing a large ceramic mug with a spiral, and as the owner’s five year old daughter demonstrated her step dancing. I invited them both to come to the library for the storytelling.
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