Excuses, Changes, and The Cutest Story Ever

I have been a terrible blogger. Here are my excuses.

1-  my computer is AWFUL!!! I could fill this line with exclamation points and still not get my point across. I spent over three hours last Saturday trying to do something that normally would have taken a few minutes.
2- my printer is just as awful as my computer. I struggle with loading the pictures. I like to post pictures.
3- it's hard to find the time. I still haven't finished posting my trip to Britain.
4- the time excuse would probably not apply (well, still some) if I didn't have to spend so much of it in frustration at the computer.

Okay. I've vented. I shouldn't.

We have experienced a lot of changes in our family in the last last couple of weeks. Caitlin left on her mission (this would be a good time to mention that I'm not on the computer... I'm typing this on the iPad I acquired when Caitlin left), I was released from my stake calling, Mike was released as Bishop, and I received a new calling in my ward. I am the Primary chorister  and yesterday was my first day... which leads to the cutest story ever.

After church I changed into my sunday-afternoon-at-home-attire. This is what I refer to as my "cozy clothes". Usually a complete mis-match consisting of a t -shirt, flannel pants, and socks. My hair is in a ponytail and my bangs pulled to the side. About an hour into my cozy clothes phase the doorbell rang. I opened the door and a young boy was standing there. For a moment (however briefly) he stared at me, then he asked "is this the music teachers house?" I realized that in my sunday-afternoon-at-home-attire with my hair all askew, I didn't look like the primary chorister he had seen for the first time just two hours earlier. As quickly as he said  "music teacher" he corrected himself and said, "primary music teacher." I smiled and told him that was me. Once he had established that he was at the right house he left the porch only to return a few seconds later with a beautiful purple flower in his hand. It was made of paper, cut into the shape of a tulip and formed into a circle and taped together with a green paper stem taped to the bottom of it. He held the paper flower out to me and said so sweetly, "I'm David." I don't know when I've been given a more beautiful flower. I thanked him and he left. I couldn't help but peek out of the window to see where he went and what helper (parent) might be hiding in the background. But David stopped at the end of my sidewalk, picked up his scooter from the ground, and scooted away.

I think I already love my new church calling.

All Things Denote There Is A God

I just discovered this post in my drafts. It was written several weeks ago. We are no longer in the ysa ward but everything else still applies.

As part of a young single adult (ysa) ward we attend ward prayer on Sunday evenings. This usually consists of a short message/activity and then we close the meeting with prayer. It's a really nice way to finish off our Sunday and a good way to start our week.

Several weeks ago our instructor taught on the subject of "all things denote there is a God", even things that we may not necessarily think of as religious or spiritual. To illustrate, she shared her feelings about some of the things that she loves... exercise, abstract art, history, and Disney. She then gave us the opportunity to share some of the things we love as well. Several people participated. Although I didn't share anything, there were a few people that mentioned things that made me want to shout, "Yes. Yes. I know exactly how you feel." So I will share a couple of those thoughts here.

1- The ocean. I.Love.T'ocean!! 'nuff said. No. Not 'nuff said. This person said that she grew up a few blocks from the ocean and could hear it every night (lucky). In response someone said that if you listened to the sounds of the freeway it could sound like the ocean. Everyone laughed. I immediately remembered an experience I had a few years ago as I lay in my bed one night. I could hear the sound of the wind through my open window. We had a row of poplar trees in our back yard that were quite tall and close together. As I lay there in the quiet darkness, I became aware of the sound of the leaves as the wind rushed through them. In an instant I was at the beach and could hear the sound of the waves as they crashed on the shore and then were drawn back into the ocean. I will never forget hearing the sounds of the ocean in my trees.

2- Disneyland. I LOVE Disneyland. It makes me happy. On more than one occasion tears have filled my eyes while visiting the "happiest place on earth". I'm not a Disneyland "pro" but I love it equally as much.

3- Springtime. I smiled when this was brought up. Every year when the snow has melted away and the temperature starts to warm, I am amazed as I see the bits of green peeking out just above the dirt and the buds appearing on the trees. It may seem to most that It is just simply... spring, but to me it is a very real reminder of the resurrection. 

When I returned from ward prayer I picked up my scriptures to do my daily reading. I opened my Book of Mormon to Alma chapter 30 where I had left my bookmark and this is what I read in the chapter headings... all things denote there is a God...

Yes. They do.

The Antrim Coast

I have loved the ocean for as long as I can remember. After spending the day driving along the most beautiful coastline that I have ever personally seen, I am confident that much of that love comes from the knowledge that I was born on a beautiful Emerald Isle surrounded by the sea (my Facebook status on April 20, 2013).

Driving up the Antrim Coast was something I had looked forward to as I anticipated our trip to Ireland... But I was also a bit nervous about it. Other people had talked to me about the incredible beauty of the drive, but also mentioned the conditions of the roads. I interpreted that to mean narrow roads, sharp curves, and thousand foot sheer drops with no guardrails into the sea. I actually had a nightmare before my trip which made those concerns seem very real. My drive along the Antrim Coast actually turned out to be one of the highlights of my entire trip.

The mountains do indeed sweep down to the sea as you can see in the first picture, and if you look closely you can see the road and that there is land on either side of it, no steep cliffs... at least not by the road. It was a road with two lanes which were narrow and winding. I wasn't used to being in a car which was driven by a driver who sat on the "wrong side"of the car, and said car being on the "wrong side" of the road, but my cousin Barbara was a conscientious and safe driver and I soon felt at ease.

Anywhere along the road when we stopped to take pictures, we could look back over the miles of coastline and see the road we had just traveled winding its way up the beautiful mountain. We saw little farms with sheep grazing on the hills and the farmhouses that made me want to stop and stay for a week. We saw beautiful sandy beaches that looked as if they'd never been stepped on.

We stopped at a little park in the town of Ballycastle to eat our picnic lunch. Caitlin planned to buy a claddagh ring (Margie told us that she and Megan bought their rings in Ballycastle three years ago) so when we finished eating the two of us walked up the road and into the town where the shops were. Caitlin quickly found the ring that filled her hearts desire and we headed back to meet Barbara and Fred to continue our drive.

Our next stop was the Carrick A Rede rope bridge. Barbara and Fred waited as the two of us hiked to the bridge. It connected the mainland to a small "island". When we crossed the bridge we found a grassy spot where we sat down and enjoyed our conversation with each other as we looked out across the sea at the coast of Scotland.

Next, we stopped at the Giant's Causeway. We both enjoyed climbing the causeway (and Caitlin was wearing a skirt). All my life I've heard stories of how the causeway was created... follow the link and see what you think about it.

Our next stop was Dunluce Castle. This is the remains of a castle that does sit on the edge of a cliff. Centuries ago there was a terrific storm as a dinner party was being held in the castle. Part of the kitchen broke off from the house and fell into the sea... and some of the kitchen help as well.

At the end of our drive we arrived in Portrush which is a resort community. As we approached Portrush I saw something that really surprised me... surfers. Surfing and Ireland? Not something I'd ever imagined. But why not? 

The Antrim Coast is beautiful and I hope someday to spend a week there. Maybe in Portrush or Ballycastle. Preferably in a farmhouse B&B along the coast road, after all... I do love t'ocean.

That is Scotland in the background. 

                                                                         

This is a view from the road above, of the little island which is connected

 to the mainland with the Carrick A Rede rope bridge.

Caitlin crossing the rope bridge. It is an 80 foot drop to the sea below.

You can see the people lined up on the "island" and waiting for their turn

 to come back. Only a few at a time can cross.

The Giant's Causeway.

If you look near the edge of the water (middle of photo) you 

can see Caitlin bent over and touching it. 

It was very windy. As she climbed all over the 

causeway I was worried that the wind would catch her skirt

 and she would take flight.

This is Dunluce Castle. You can't see the sheer cliff... but it's there.

The Emerald Isle

We arrived at Belfast International Airport on the afternoon of Friday April 19. We departed from Belfast City Airport on the afternoon of Monday April 22. Two full days and two "bits" was not enough time, but I'm so grateful for what time I had. I look forward to, and plan to go back.

The flight from Leeds-Bradford to Belfast International was the shortest of our entire trip. It was a beautiful day and the flight was perfect. I sat between Caitlin and a business woman who I shared a friendly conversation with . Caitlin sat by the window and I leaned over frequently in anticipation of my first view of the land of my birth. Just as we reached our cruising altitude we began to descend. I couldn't stop looking now, knowing that at any moment I was going to see Ireland. Suddenly there it was. Beautiful. Green. The Emerald Isle.

This is me and my cousin Barbara in 1975... the last time we saw each other. And here we are nearly 38 years later. I had messaged Barbara shortly before the trip and asked her if she thought we would recognize each other at the airport or if I needed to send a photo. She said of course we would recognize each other. We did. Barbara and her husband Fred were very kind hosts to Caitlin and I for the entire weekend. Caitlin LOVES Barbara! She has a big soft spot in her heart dedicated just to her. 

After taking us to our B&B to check in and freshen up, Barbara and Fred took us to Carrick Fergus Castle and to dinner. You can barely see Belfast Lough (pronounced Lock) near the bottom right corner of the castle.

After dinner we went to visit my Mother's cousin Marilyn. This was an especially tender moment for me. You see, Marilyn remembers me as a little four-year-old girl (see the picture on my sidebar). As she greeted me with an outstretched hand and the words, "it's nice to meet you", I could see the emotion in her eyes. I felt very aware of the love she must have had for me when I was a child. I put my arms around her and said, "we have met before." 

I was also very excited to discover that Marilyn's younger brother Bill and his wife Mina were visiting from Canada. Mina's mother has passed away and her funeral was the next day. Now the reason I was so excited to meet Bill and Mina was because they live in Canada where Jeremy served his mission. Jeremy became acquainted with them during his mission and saw them again when he returned to visit Toronto a few years ago. The first thing they said to me was, "are you Jeremy's mom?" We enjoyed our evening visiting with them and some of Marilyn's children.

I've promised to write a post about a B&B where I stayed in England in 1997 (which I will when I finish writing about this trip), but on this trip Beechgrove Farm, where we stayed for 3 nights, was my favorite B&B. This is a beautiful view of Belfast Lough from my bedroom window. In fact, this picture doesn't even do it justice. Every time I looked out of my window and took in the full view of the length and breadth of the lough, I imagined what a sight it must have been to see the Titanic sail away from this very lough over 100 years ago. And since the B&B is much, much older than the Titanic, I also imagined that someone must have been standing at that very window more than 100 years ago watching that magnificent scene unfold.

I loved our cozy room, with the beautiful view of the lough from the window. Our room had a keyhole with an old-fashioned key which we had to use to open and close the door. The doorknob and keyhole were lower than the knobs on my doors at home... more than once I had to get down on my knees with key in hand, and peer into that keyhole to find the location of the mechanism to get that key to work.

I loved the breakfast room where we dined every morning. The same place settings were prepared for us each day. The white tea/coffee pot was filled with hot chocolate just for the two of us. It was delicious. Every evening, Mrs. Barron the elderly lady who owned the farm asked us what time we wanted our breakfast served the following morning. Usually it was just Caitlin and I, and sometimes one or two other guests who sat at a different table. On our last morning Caitlin didn't come down to breakfast, so I went alone and visited with a young couple from America who were road tripping through Ireland. I loved our stay at Beechgrove Farms.

Yorkshire Family

On our way home from Whitby we stopped at Castle Howard. Castle Howard is not a true castle, but is a stately home 15 miles north of York. This is where "Brideshead Revisted" was filmed. I have never seen that series but I was familiar with the title. The home and grounds were absolutely beautiful. There were very few people around which was a perk of going in the "off season"; we didn't have to deal with huge crowds (of course we hadn't been to London yet). The Howard family are not "titled", it is not the Duke and Duchess or the Earl and Countess...  just Mr. and Mrs. Howard. Many upper-class people open their homes to paying tourists. This is a good way to support the maintenance of the vast grounds and enormous houses. But... enough of Castle Howard and the Howard family... I want to write about my family.

This is my Uncle Derek's castle. Unlike the Howards, I am welcome at this castle anytime and at no charge. You may be surprised to know that there are seven residences within this one building. Derek and Dorothy live at one end of the house. As we approached the house Derek turned into a driveway that seemed to appear out of nowhere. It was a dirt drive that led right along the front of the homes and came out again at the end of the row. One way in... the other way out. The pictures show the back of the houses which face the road. Derek has a beautiful garden which he maintains himself. In England they use the word garden like we use the word yard. Don't you think garden is a lovely word? Much nicer than the word yard. Even the word lovely... is a lovely word. Fortunately for some of the other residents, Derek's garden allotment is larger than just the front of his house. As you can see by the photos, he maintains about half of the property. I mentioned to Uncle Derek that he could come visit us in America and I'd be happy to let him spend some time in my yard, I mean... my garden.
In the close-up picture you get a better view of Derek and Dorothy's house which is on the right. The chimney is the dividing point. The bay window is in the living room. It is actually quite large. At the back of the house is a small kitchen. The window above the bay is the master bedroom. Derek and Dorothy generously gave their room to me and Caitlin. They slept in the spare bedroom (you can see the window to that room and the bathroom in the photo above). The little lean-to-ish part of the house that you can see is where we enter. The entire home is spotlessly immaculate and so cozy. I was impressed that Dorothy dusts and vacuums every day and Derek cleans the church every other Thursday all by himself. The church is spotless as well. Even though they are retired and could sleep in as long as they wanted to, Derek and Dorothy are up and about their day by 6:00 every morning. Derek, who is a tease, renamed Caitlin. Instead of Caitlin Rose Leger, he now called her Caitlin Rose Eventually, as she was the last one up every morning. Dorothy has a small washing machine in the kitchen. When we returned from York on Tuesday Dorothy washed all of mine and Caitlin's dirty clothes. We hung them on a drying rack and when we returned from Whitby on Thursday they were ready to pack.

I love these stone walls that you often see lining the roads in England. That is a farm exactly across the street from Derek and Dorothy's. This is one of the cows that you see at that farm. Very different from the cows we see in America.

My Auntie Mavis and cousin Yvonne came to visit us. Through the years I have only seen Yvonne four times (I'm really grateful for facebook where we can connect with our distant family). Yvonne is a lovely person and I enjoyed our visit. Auntie Mavis has been to visit us in America a few times. Caitlin was so excited that she got to see her in England. When Caitlin was a little girl Auntie Mavis visited our home one day. Caitlin invited her into her bedroom to see her dolls and toys. When Auntie Mavis was ready to leave Caitlin barricaded the door and wouldn't let her out. Although Caitlin doesn't remember that story... Auntie Mavis and I do.

Amid the joy of coming to visit Yorkshire and seeing our loved ones, there comes a time when we have to say goodbye. I am not fond of goodbyes. In the picture at the top of this post we are getting ready to leave for the airport. My eyes were filling with tears, although no one knew it. Saying goodbye to loved ones that we rarely see... or, wonder when we will ever see again is painful. I am so grateful to Uncle Derek and Auntie Dorothy for their goodness. They are great examples to me. I'm grateful that all of my children know them. All three of my boys and now Caitlin have been in their home. They treat us so well and we all love them. They have visited us a few times over the years (you can read about their last visit here). I hope they will come again (after all... my garden awaits). If not, I plan to go back to beautiful.... beautiful, Yorkshire.

Whitby By The Sea

 Twenty-one years ago I sat on a grassy hillside in Whitby over looking the sea. Derek and Dorothy were there on that day, as well as Michael and my parents. My Dad was so happy to be there. He shared memories of his boyhood and coming to Whitby on a school trip (field trip). That day twenty-one years ago is a priceless memory for me. Whenever I remember my visits to Whitby... I will always think of my Dad.

We arrived in Whitby after our day in York. No B&B complications here. We stayed at Number 5 B&B (interesting name) where Derek and Dorothy have stayed before (and have been back since Caitlin and I were with them). Caitlin and I stayed on the top floor in the room where you can see the iron railing around the window. Derek and Dorothy were in the room directly underneath us (that is the room where Alan, Marivic, and AJ stayed 2 years ago). The breakfast room is the one at the very bottom; two floors below Derek and Dorothy.

I loved our room at Number 5 B&B. It was spacious, clean and homey; the bathroom was fully equipped and big enough to move around in; we each got our own bed, there was a fireplace, and packets of Cadbury hot chocolate and lovely biscuits. Most important of all (at least to Caitlin) was the free wi-fi. I admit... I liked the wi-fi too. Caitlin always shared her ipad with me so I could message Michael and post updates on facebook, which was a lot of fun.

The houses and shops in Whitby start at sea level and wind their way up the hill to the cliffs on top (depicted in the last photo). That evening we walked down hill through narrow, winding streets and past the shops (every thing closes early) towards the sea. Being April, the streets of this seaside community were not filled with many people. We found a nice restaurant to eat in and then walked to the pier. It was cold and windy. I was afraid we would be blown out to sea. Uncle Derek teased Caitlin with stories of Dracula (Whitby is connected to Dracula), especially when a strange looking character with a long black cloak kept appearing. Caitlin was sufficiently spooked.

The next morning we again walked the streets of Whitby, this time popping in and out of the shops. I loved the homemade sign on this store window indicating that they were closed on Sunday "Not Sunday The Lord's Day". I liked that.

I couldn't get enough of the streets and houses in all of the little English towns and communities we visited. When we'd seen all we could in Whitby we drove to the ruins of Whitby Abbey which are situated on the top of a cliff.

I was disappointed that even the ruins of an abbey cost money to get into. We decided not to go inside, which in the ruins of an abbey are actually... outside. The abbey is an impressive sight from any direction. The picture at the bottom I swiped from the internet. Isn't it beautiful? Anyone know what famous sea Captain learned seamanship in Whitby?

The Noble Duke of York

I love York! And now Caitlin loves York, and I'm happy that she does! It is always a must to visit York whilst in England. I was so pleased that as we drove into the car park (parking lot) that it was familiar to me. I knew that when we left the car park we would walk along a river and in which direction we would walk. Familiarity feels good.

We had come to Britain with winter clothes... at least I had. The weather in England was beautiful, often quite hot and I wished I had brought lighter clothing. The temperature in York that day was much cooler (actually cold) and the wind blew.

Our first stop was the open marketplace which was an immediate hit with Caitlin. Afterwards we went to my favorite eating place in York... Petersgate Fisheries. But it was no longer Petersgate it was now called Drakes. The fish 'n chips were still fabulous. Afterwards we headed to York Minster. Caitlin and I went into the Minster which is one of the largest cathedrals in Northern England. You used to be able to go in and make a donation if you chose, now, you are required to pay to enter. It is not cheap. Every hour on the hour a prayer is offered. We stopped as did everyone else and reverently listened to the prayer (I said "amen" but I'm not sure anyone else did... oh well, that's what I do). There is something stirring about being in a catheral in England and hearing the one offering the prayer asking God to bless the people of Boston. This was just two days after the tragedy at the Boston Marathon.

Christmas Angels is another favorite in York. I remember telling a dear friend years ago that she must go into Christmas Angels when she visited York. I remember her telling me when she came back from her trip, that while in the shop she thought, "Lesley was here." It's an interesting thought process to consider while thousands of miles from your home... this time I remembered, "Janet was here."

Doesn't this look just like a Dickens village? I love the shops, the cobblestone streets, the windows and doors, the signs, those three people in the picture.

My mother told me to have a cream donut while in England. Caitlin and I were standing on the street and turned around and there was a bakery right in front of us. There is no bakery like a British bakery and no cream like the fresh cream in Britain... at least none I have ever tried. I can now cross while-in-England-eat-a-cream-donut-for-your-mother off the bucket list.

When we returned to the car park after a wonderful afternoon in York, we found a duck sitting on it's nest. We watched it for several minutes. Derek and Dorothy are real animal lovers and enjoyed it. I actually didn't mind and took a few pictures. Caitlin I fear, may be more afraid of birds than me. Just look at the picture at the top of this post (birds in the background) and the look on her face. There are a lot, and I mean a LOT of birds at some of the touring sights in England.

Just for fun! 10 pts. if you can tell me who the Duke of York is (no googling).