JOKE OF THE WEEK
This ine was sent to us by Bridget’s brother, Terru O’Flaherty. Thanks Terry!

Two Kerry men were looking at a Mail order catalogue and admiring the models. Sean says to Seamus , 'Have ye seen the lovely girls in this catalogue?' Seamus replies, Yes, and aren’t they are all gorgeous. And look at the price!' Sean exclaims , with wide eyes, 'Will ye look at that - they aren't at all expensive. At this price, I'm buying one.' Seamus smiles and pats Sean on the back. 'Good idea! You order one and if she's as beautiful as she is in the catalogue, I will get one too.' Three weeks later, Seamus asks his friend, 'Did you ever receive the girl you ordered from the catalogue?' Sean replies. 'No, but it shouldn't be long now. She sent all her clothes yesterday
_________________________________
LEAVE ‘EM LAUGHING
Children's Views on Love

HOW DO PEOPLE IN LOVE TYPICALLY BEHAVE?

"When a person gets kissed for the first time, they fall
down and they don't get up for at least an hour." (Wendy,
age 8)

CONCERNING WHY LOVE HAPPENS BETWEEN TWO PARTICULAR PEOPLE

"One of the people has freckles and so he finds somebody
else who has freckles too." (Andrew, age 6)

"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something
to do with how you smell. That's why perfume and deodorant
are so popular." (Mae, age 7)

"I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or
something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so
painful." (Manuel, age 8)

ON WHAT FALLING IN LOVE IS LIKE

"Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life."
(John, age 9)

"If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell,
I don't want to do it. It takes too long." (Glenn, age 7)

ON THE ROLE OF BEAUTY AND HANDSOMENESS IN LOVE

"If you want to be loved by somebody who isn't already in
your family, it doesn't hurt to be beautiful." (Anita C.,
age 8)

"It isn't always just how you look. Look at me. I'm handsome
like anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet."
(Brian, age 7)

"Beauty is skin deep. But how rich you are can last a long
time." (Christine, age 9)

REFLECTIONS ON THE NATURE OF LOVE

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball
is pretty good too." (Greg, age 8)

HOW DO PEOPLE IN LOVE TYPICALLY BEHAVE?

"Mooshy ... like puppy dogs ... except puppy dogs don't wag
their tails nearly as much." (Arnold, age 10)

"All of a sudden, the people get movies fever so they can
sit together in the dark." (Sherm, age 8)

CONCERNING WHY LOVERS OFTEN HOLD HANDS

"They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because
they paid good money for them." (Gavin, age 8)

"They are just practicing for when they might have to walk
down the aisle someday and do the holy matchimony thing."
(John, age 9)

CONFIDENTIAL OPINIONS ABOUT LOVE
"I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when
'Dinosaurs' is on television." (Jill, age 6)

"Love is foolish ... but I still might try it sometime."
(Floyd, age 9)

"Yesterday I kissed a girl in a private place ... We were
behind a tree." (Carey, age 7)

"Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it.
I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the
girls keep finding me." (Dave, age 8)

"I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth
grade hard enough." (Regina, age 10)

PERSONAL QUALITIES YOU NEED TO HAVE IN ORDER TO BE A GOOD
LOVER

"Sensitivity don't hurt." (Robbie, age 8)

"One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even
if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot
of bills." (Ava, age 8)

SOME SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU

"Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores."
(Del, age 6)

"Shake your hips and hope for the best." (Camille, age 9)

"Yell out that you love them at the top of your lungs ...
and don't worry if their parents are right there." (Manuel,
age 8)

"Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might
get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love."
(Alonzo, age 9)

"One way is to take the girl out to eat. Make sure it's
something she likes to eat. French fries usually works for
me." (Bart, age 9)

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF TWO ADULTS AT A RESTAURANT ARE IN LOVE?
"Just see if the man picks up the check. That's how you can
tell if he's in love." (Bobby, age 9)

"Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food
will get cold. Other people care more about the food."
(Bart, age 9)

"Romantic adults usually are all dressed up, so if they are
just wearing jeans it might mean they used to go out or they
just broke up." (Sarah)

"See if the man has lipstick on his face." (Sandra, age 7)

"It's love if they order one of those desserts that are on
fire. They like to order those because it's just like how
their hearts are --- on fire." (Christine, age 9)

WHAT MOST PEOPLE ARE THINKING WHEN THEY SAY "I LOVE YOU"
"The person is thinking: Yeah, I really do love him. But I
hope he showers at least once a day." (Michelle, age 9)

"Some lovers might be real nervous, so they are glad that
they finally got it out and said it and now they can go
eat." (Dick, age 7)

HOW OR WHY WAS KISSING INVENTED?
"I know one reason that kissing was created. It makes you
feel warm all over, and they didn't always have electric
heat or fireplaces or even stoves in their houses." (Gina,
age 8)

HOW A PERSON LEARNS TO KISS
"You can have a big rehearsal with your Barbie and Ken
dolls." (Julia, age 7)

"You learn it right on the spot when the gooshy feelings get
the best of you." (Brian, age 7)

"It might help to watch soap operas all day." (Carin, age 9)

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
"When they're rich." (Pam, age 7)

"It's never okay to kiss a boy. They always slobber all over
you ... That's why I stopped doing it." (Tammy, age 7)

"If it's your mother, you can kiss her anytime. But if it's
a new person, you have to ask permission." (Roger, age 6)

"I look at kissing like this: Kissing is fine if you like
it, but it's a free country and nobody should be forced to
do it." (Dave, age 8)

HOW TO MAKE LOVE ENDURE
"Spend most of your time loving instead of going to work."
(Dick, age 7)

"Don't forget your wife's name ... That will mess up the
love."
Bunús na Gaeilge - Basic Irish Language
There is no other way to revive Irish than for a crowd of people to spread it.
- Douglas Hyde

The first Uilleann Piper who performed with the jewel in the Celtic Tiger’s crown - Riverdance - and here he is, tucked into the back cover of the book on a cd. Ronan Browne, now 16 years since his emergence on that show, as one of Ireland’s most talented musicians on woodwinds and elbow driven instruments. He is here to complete your picture. The glorious sound of the Pipes bursting through the clouds. Tin Whistles and Wooden Whistles swirl the wind and the trees. I never left twenty five years ago...... I hear "The Flower of Magheralley-O" on here on this cd and I am home again. Ronan's sense of accompaniment compliments richly Louis's lines and is such a benefit to these offerings. I would say his playing equals the lush majesty of the poetic landscapes. The true mark of a master musician, I have always heard, how they can carry the work of their counterpart but never overpower them. Ronan is that man. His mastery of his instruments is second to none and evident here. But his empathy is what stands out. I don't pretend to understand the words in the poems. In essence, we don't need to, because the English translation is on the opposite page to the Irish in the book. But maybe it's the air that Browne breathes through whatever he is playing, that brings the words and thoughts of Ireland to life. The Ancients walk the fields once more, boat the seas, stand overlooking the cliffs and centuries of these elemental surroundings cast us into the frame. This is as much a work of fine art as that it portrays the language as a purveyor of dreams, love, wit and devilment.

The music is the partner that breathes the life into this work. There are many gifts to enjoy here. Some traditional airs and some original, there is also a Scottish tune that is given a new lease on life, "Ailein Dhuinn," Scots Gaelic for “dark island.” Sung here by the powerful Sean Nós singer, Naisrín Elsafty. There is another sung by Zahrah Elsafty and how talented this family is. Emanating from on the one hand their Mother, Irish singer, Treasa Ní Cheannabáin and of course they get their last name from their Egyptian Father, and have inherited his family’s rich deep musical roots. Although there is nothing dark about the final product, I dare say, we all take something different from the poems, the music, the way we feel a certain day. This is indeed "another thing". A very special thing that I will certainly treasure as it transports me to the old fields I trod. The ways of old Ireland, the people and the places. Sure it is a leap of faith for you, as the words are foreign, but you will get the reward. The reward - "and another thing", agus rud eile de
Book & CD is available from Cló lar-Chonnachta
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Whoever wed in August be
Many a change is sure to see

We’ll ’ll take our leave with this lovely old blessing:
O Brigit, bless our road,
that calamity may not overtake us as we travel;
O veiled one from the laden Liffey
may we reach home safely by your intercession.

And, as they say in Ireland, mind yourself.

Slan agus beannacht,
Get down on your knees and thank God you're still on your feet!
Celtic Blessing - sung by the St. Coca's Choir, from Kilcock, Co. Kildare
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrS3kYW6du4

And this is for our dear friend Mary O’Hara who asked us to bring this phrase back:
May you be seven times better, a year from today!!
in the Irish
Go mba seacht bhfearr a bheas tu bliain o inniu!!
https://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/