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Snow Snow Snow!

Sing the above title to the melody of the song with the same name from the movie "White Christmas" ’cause it’s snowing outside, baby!  It started last night about 10:30 and may have during the night; right now it’s coming down at a pretty good rate.  Of course, this is Scotland and the temps will be above freezing today, so it will soon melt and turn to slush, but right now it sure is pretty!  Guess this is good training for Minnesota, eh?   It is wet snow here; one can hear it exclaim "SPLAT" as it hits the ground. 

 

We have plans to get some supplies at Tesco’s for Hogmanay and then will probably spend some time up town, really just hanging out, walking, prowling shops, just playing.  Later this evening we are to have dinner at a very nice Chinese restaurant in town with Dave’s long-time pal Stef and his wife, Wilma.  I’ve heard Dave’s stories of times he and Stef have had together over the years and am looking forward to meeting this childhood friend of Dave’s.

 

I spent some time last evening changing the format of this site.  The links are in a more prominent place and I hope you enjoy prowling them.

 

It’s just becoming whiter and whiter out!  Guess I’ll sign off for now, sharing with you the December 26th entry from "365 Days of Walking the Red Road," a nifty wee book I picked up a while back.  There are teachings and items of historical note for each day of the year.

 

"Develop your body, but do not neglect

your mind.  It is the mind that leads a

man to power, not strength of body."

     — Crow teaching

 

Today!

Yep, still have Madonna echoing in my ears while I compose these entries.

 

This morning gave us a continued white landscape and it has been very cold today; however, I think there is a warming trend on the way.  We should be above freezing the next few days with rain (go figure  ) and/or snow showers.  Directly across the car park in front of the flat there is a wide open green area where folks take their dogs for exercise.  I had the pleasure this morning of seeing two different folks with their dogs come out for a frolic.  It was so fun watching these dogs ruuuuun around and around…seeing them stop…their breath steaming in the frigid morning air.   I also had my first conversation witb the white-and-black kitty who passes through regularly in the morning.  A short visit, as we were just getting acquainted, but pleasant enough.

 

In the early afternoon, we were up town to make copies of documents we have to take with us to London.  That’s all organized and we’re ready to rock ‘n roll in that regard.  Wednesday will be here soon…then comes Thursday and the interview…it should just be a formality, but I’ll be so relieved when Dave comes out of the interview with news of visa approval! 

 

A couple of upcoming events on a personal level.  I’ll be spending a little bit of time with a Celtic shaman on an afternoon in January.  I am very honored that she will see me during my short time here and am looking forward to working with her.  The people who come into my life…I am constantly in awe of them…whether it be those from whom I am learning, students of my own, clients, those who become my dearest long-term friends, and those who walk the same path with me for a brief moment in time.

 

A few days after that, I’ll be headed to the quaint fishing village of Lower Largo, where I have rented a cottage right on the beach for a few days.  This is one of the places that touched my soul during our tour of the East Neuk of Fife.  Who knows?  I may explore my writer’s soul and attempt a start on writing that story so many of you keep nudging towards. 

 

As mentioned before, I had not realized how much I miss the seashore/beach until being near the water again.  My one regret in leaving Texas is that I did not get a chance to spend time at the beach again.  I long to walk the beach…yes, even in winter…used to do that in college, you know.  I’d drive down to the beach in the dead of winter and walk…and walk…and walk….

 

I also feel the need to have a wee adventure on my own…here I am in a foreign country…not just passing through on a two-week tour, but actually living here…can’t really explain it, so I won’t try…but I feel I need to go experience some of it on my own.  What better place to do so than Lower Largo, the birthplace of the real-life Robinson Crusoe? 

 

In researching this little adventure, planning for it, and talking it over with Dave, I again realize how very lucky I am that this man found me…this amazing man who loves me for who I am, who shares my passion for cycling and love of life…and lets me be me.  I’ve worked so hard the past few years to get where I am…I can’t lose that…and I treasure him for understanding me.

 

This is long enough already, so I’m outta here!  Ciao for now!

 

Winter Wednesday

Okay, it’s still Thursday and I’m catching up on my entries here.  I’ve got earbuds in and am listening to Madonna’s new CD, which Dave gave to me for Christmas.  I do love her music; many of her songs speak to me.

 

Dave’s down to The Pitbauchlie pub to hang with friends for a wee while.  I’m glad; I know how special my time was with my friends in Texas before I left and how I just wanted to soak up their presence, to carry with me into my new life.  I enjoying meeting his friends and all…but it’s a different kind of visit…just "the guys"…him and his pals….without me.  So, I’m glad he’s having some time like this before leaving.

 

Okay!  Enough philosophy and on to recounting Wednesday’s activities.  Nothing terribly exciting to report, I’m afraid.  We did go up town for a while, running a few errands, and just prowling about the town and shops.   I needed spare batteries for my camera.  I’ve taken probably close to 400 photos so far and seem to go through batteries fairly regularly.    Thank goodness for digital!  It has paid for itself over and over when you consider film and development costs.  The quality of the pictures is absolutely outstanding.  Thanks, Jim, for the recommendation; this is proving to be a wise and very reliable purchase.  I’m glad I got one with a good optical zoom on it.

 

Um…Wednesday….um…after prowling…Dave beat me swiftly and soundly at two games of chess.  I am definitely still the apprentice.  He’s such a good and patient teacher, and the game is fascinating. 

 

In the early evening, we walked to the neighborhood pub, The Barley Sheaf, to see if we could catch another friend of Dave’s for a visit.  Sure enough, John was there…very nice gentleman…and I enjoy visiting with him.  He’s another who has made me feel very welcome here in Scotland and I sincerely thank him for that.  Again, I feel I’ll be leaving friends behind when I depart this lovely land.  I had my half-pint of Guinness  but managed to keep my silly self in step with Dave on the walk home. 

 

We had a nice cozy evening at home, snuggled on the couch watching a bit of TV.  Oh yeah, slept like a dog!  No counting   for me this night!

 

Toodle-oo through to Thursday…

 

 

Tuesday Trekking

Okay, I’ll try this again!  Just about had the entry completed and then, "Computer says no." 

 

Tuesday saw us venturing to Edinburgh again!  Dave had cycled in the morning, so we headed to the Inverkeithing station after 1:00 PM.  The jeweler was right on Princes Street, which was absolutely teeming with people.  Just like in the States, this is the time of sales and lots of shopping.  We were in and out of there fairly quickly and then on our way to The Grass Market and a vintage clothing store called Armstrong’s I wanted to check out. 

 

I so love Edinburgh…more so with each trip there.  This was a totally fun excursion…we weren’t having to do Christmas shopping or anything…really just playing.  The buildings…the age of this place…the castle keeping watch from its majestic perch on the hill…it is so amazing.  I am so in awe of this place…and even feeling at home in it now…I could make the trip over there, wander about, and feel comfortable.

 

After shooing Dave away for a little "girl shopping" in two vintage stores – Armstrong’s and The Rusty Zip – we set our sights again on Princes Street and finding someplace to eat.  It was just about dark by then and the lights associated with the Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) carnival and rides were soooo very festive.  We bypassed getting a ride on The Wheel, as the line was incredibly long.  I did get some photos of it and the festival area in general and will get those up here soon. 

 

One of my fave pasttimes these days is walking hand-in-hand with Dave…doesn’t matter if it’s Dunfermline, Hibbing, Edinburgh, in the wilderness someplace…it’s such a special time….so comforting, so fun…my heart is so content these days being with this Scot, whether in his country or mine.

 

We strolled through the carnival area, stopping for a while at the ice skating rink to watch the skaters – who ranged in age from the elderly to the very young children.  I think we had as much fun watching as they were gliding ’round and ’round.  The lights…the atmosphere…it was, well, special.

 

After we had looked around there to our fill, we trekked off in the dark in search of something to eat and, ultimately, the lads’ flat.  We ended up snug in a restaurant called Franky and Bennie’s, which boasts NYC style Italian food.  We ordered a cheeseburger each…I know what you’re thinking…but it was REALLY good and very American.  Just the ticket after holiday feasts!

 

Warmed through-and-through, we were back into the night; by now it was SNOWING!  Well, mostly snow with a bit of sleet.  Like a couple of teenagers, we were off hand-in-hand at a good clip to the flat, where we spent a while with Paul, Ian, their roomie, and his g/friend.  Nice place…high ceilings…very cozy…and nice windows!  Our visit was short but good, and before long we were hoofing it to the rail station.  By then, the snow had pretty much stopped….but it was still very magical.

 

During the train trip back to Inverkeithing, it was snowing off and on; when we alit at the station, we were greeted with a winter wonderland…a nice covering of white everywhere…our boots crunching the pristine snow as we walked a short distance to the car.

 

Nice day…nice…even when we’re just hanging out here in the flat doing nothing in particular, the time together is so special, so precious.  I’m such a lucky gal!

 

Okay, on to Wednesday and Thursday!

 

Boxing Day and Doggy Time

It’s Boxing Day here in Scotland, the day after Christmas.  We’ve gone from cloudy/cold to rain, to sunny/cold and now back to cloudy/cold…all in the matter of just a few hours! 

 

Yesterday was such a nice day!  We opened our presents in the morning…our first Christmas together…so special…the first of many to come.   We went to Queen Margaret Hospital to visit one of Dave’s cycling pals who took a nasty spill on Christmas Eve, resulting in a broken leg bone with emergent surgery.  He was doing very well…we popped in to let him know we were thinking about him and perhaps help the time pass a bit faster.   When we got back home it was time to get dinner in the works.  At about 3:00 PM, we sat down to a very nice dinner indeed….stuffed chicken breast, roast potatoes, carrots, broccoli salad, little pork sausages wrapped in bacon…quite a feast between the two of us and, I’m happy to say, there’s leftovers for today!   Paul and Ian came by in the early evening…we visited here for a bit and then went down to the pub at the Pitbauchlie Hotel, where we spent an hour or so just visiting.  Jim and Pamela had invited us to drop by sometime, so the boys took us by there.  We had a lovely visit with Pamela and Jim…thank you for another pleasant evening in your home and for making me feel so welcome!  I’ll not only go back with memories of this country, but also with friends here. 

 

And Pamela, I’m "in training" for lunch, whenever you’re ready! 

 

Today we took a little trip up the road to Culross, which is actually pronounced "Coo-russ."  This is a very quaint little village on the Firth of Forth, one of the places Dave wanted to show me during my visit here.  I’ve put some photos here on the site for you to peruse…for you cyclists out there, check out the cobbled streets.  They are the real deal, guys…like in the Classics…and very treacherous-looking.  There is one narrow, very steep lane that Dave has cycled down…it’s verrrrry skeery-looking, standing at the bottom looking up.  It was a trick just walking on these roads and I can’t imagine cycling them.  Gives one a new appreciation for the Classics riders!  It was a very, very pleasant outing…

 

Walking the path along the waterfront, other folks were strolling…including two different parties with dogs!  The first was a mottled black-and-white pooch on a lead who strained on the lead and headed straight for me.  We greeted one another…him standing up for me to pet him…getting my jeans all "doggy" kinda wet and muddy…it was sooooo great, as I’m sure missing my Baby-dog.  A while later, a lady and her daughter came along, with their black dog Puppy off the lead.  Puppy was about Baby’s size and again romped right up to me for a joyous greeting!  She was quite playful and had some of those "crazy dog" moves just like Baby!    Apparently these two friendly pooches sensed I was needing some doggy time.

 

Well, we’re snug at home, having just finished dinner consisting of leftovers from yesterday.  YUM!

 

Tomorrow we’re headed to Edinburgh with a few things to do and it should be a relaxed, fun day.  My wedding band has been resized and is ready, so we’ll pick that up.  There’s an area of shops known as The Grass Market and there’s one in particular I want to prowl for a bit.  It’s called Armstrong’s and is a vintage clothing store.  We also have plans to go see Ian and Paul’s flat and I may have an irresistible urge to take a spin on The Wheel  …we’ll see.  It’s the HUGE ferris wheel I’ve mentioned before.  It’s set up in the carnival area in Princes Garden for the Hogmanay party.  I bet the view is incredible from the top…it so reminds me of the ferris wheel one sees in Paris at the end of the Tour de France.

 

Speaking of Paris, Pamela and Jim mentioned last night that Paris is only about 2.5 hours by from London by train.  Can you imagine being so close?  I can’t.  Wow.  To be so close…to go there just for a cup of coffee would be sooooo amazing….ah well…gotta save something for a return trip, eh?  It’s so different here….from Scotland one is so close to Spain, France, etc.  Again I say WOW! 

 

Ttttthhhhat’s all folks…for today!  Cheerio!

 

 

 

 

A Sunny Christmas Eve

This morning I’ve been attempting to add music to this site and so far the best I can come up with is the following link for you.  You should be able to click on it and hear Moira Kerr singing "Loch Lomond."   I have come to love this country – her beauty, history, and people – and Moira captures that affection in her music.  I may leave here soon, but Scotland will always be in my heart and soul;  I’ll carry her with me always.

 

http://www.moirakerr.com/audio/loch_lomond.mp3

 

Dave is out on the bike this morning and should be back in just a bit.

 

While sitting here at the computer, a florist’s van parked out front, and the gentleman came to the door with a stunning Christmas floral arrangement for us!  Thank you, Mom, for your thoughtfulness!!  This is quite a surprise and really touches me.  It is an absolutely beautiful arrangement and will add holiday cheer to the flat.  We’ll enjoy it so very much!

 

We have no real plans today, just chilling, I think.  Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend!

 

I’ll leave you with the following:

 

"Treat the earth well:  it was not given

to you by your parents, it was loaned

to you by your children.  We do not

inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,

we borrow it from our Children."

         — Ancient Indian proverb

 

Twas Two Nights Before Christmas

"May the warm winds of heaven

blow softly upon your house.

May the Great Spirit bless all

who enter there.

May your moccasins make

happy tracks in many snows.

And may the rainbow always

touch your shoulder."

   

  —– Cherokee Blessing

 

Winter Solstice Plus One

Dinner will be ready in just a bit, but I’ll see what I can get done here until then! 

 

Yesterday morning we went up town to do a little bit of shopping.  WOW! is it crowded these days…especially in Marks & Spencers…a high-end department store.  I go kinda nuts in the crowds…Dunfermline’s population is over 50,000 and I’m used to living in smaller towns for the past several years…Brenham and Hibbing both being about 16,000.

 

We then took a little road trip to just outside the village of Dunning, where there is a monument marking the spot where a witch, Maggie Wall(s), was burned at the stake in 1657.  No one really knows the story that goes along with this; however, the monument is well-maintained and marked with flowers and candles left in her memory.  A little research reveals that, like our Salem Witch Trials, there was quite a witch-hunting era here in Scotland.  Maggie’s site is out in pastures and rather a peaceful place scenery-wise.  Such a sad thing to think of what took place there…

 

We made another trip over to the hospital in Edinburgh to visit with Dave’s friend who underwent heart surgery last week.  He’s doing quite well and I know he appreciated seeing Dave again.  Hey, this time we didn’t get lost!  Whoohoo!! 

 

You know, I never will tire of looking at all the buildings in this country.  Such marvels of architecture…such ancient buildings, monuments, and castles.  I never will tire of the language…the differences in the way words are pronounced versus the way we talk in the States, the sound of a Scot speaking…it’s still so pleasant to hear and so familiar to me these days.

 

This morning found us (yes, folks, that’s right…) back in Marks & Spencers for some holiday groceries.  M&S has a gourmet-type market and we got a few things from there for our holiday weekend.  Oh yeah, and another bottle of port. 

 

We spent a bit of time straightening and cleaning the flat in anticipation of the holiday weekend and then this afternoon took a nice long stroll down Aberdour Road, past the King Malcolm Hotel, and then back through the neighborhood home.  It was probably two miles or so, and sure felt good to get out in the cool air for some exercise.   It hasn’t been particularly cold today, just cool and lightly raining off and on. 

 

Later this evening we’ll be headed out to Tesco’s to finish our grocery shopping for the weekend…hoping to get to Tesco’s at an hour when perhaps it’s not quite so busy.  You wouldn’t believe the crowds of people…it’s rather amazing, actually!    

 

Dave has some last-minute shopping to do tomorrow; I think I’ll stay here and do some laundry and some other things that need my attention.  Then it’s the holiday weekend, which should be fun! 

 

Once Christmas is behind us, we’ll be making preparations for our London trip!

 

Cheers for now!

 

 

 

Tuesday Again!

It looks really early out…is still pretty much dark…but it’s already a little after 8:00 AM.  The birds are waking up and it’s actually rather nice out…cool but not raining!  Whoohoo!  That’s a plus for Scotland!

 

I love this country and this man of mine whose home this is.  I have about a month left here, I would imagine, and feel I’m not doing her justice…feel I should be out exploring and perhaps having a little adventure on my own.  Guess I need to plan something for January…I’m toying with the idea of getting a wee cottage on the water in Elie, a picturesque waterfront village.  Perhaps sequester myself there for a couple of days and explore my writer’s soul…wander the village streets…and take long walks on the beach.  I hadn’t realized how much I miss the beach/ocean until being in that environment again. 

 

Let’s see…Dave had a rip-roaring grand time with his dockyard pals Friday evening.    I’m glad he did…it seems they showed the soon-to-be-leaving future groom a good time….teehee!  Kinda needed  and  the next day….

 

We met Paul and Cat up town Saturday afternoon for a late lunch at The City Hotel.  Very nice restaurant and the lunch was really quite good.  I’m grateful to be spending time with Paul and Ian, getting to know them a bit, before Dave and I head back to the States.  Cat is a lovely young Irish woman, quite a delight.  We seemed to fall in together right away and even share some mutual interests.  Cat and Paul make a good couple and it was truly a pleasure spending the afternoon/evening with them.  I hope to see both again before we leave.

 

I actually managed to down a half pint of Guiness with lunch…it is reminiscent of Shiner Boch for you Texans out there…only more so.  YUM.  I know…I’m a wussie…just a half pint…but it’s a start!

 

Oh!  After lunch/dinner we strolled over to this groovy little pub…The Creepy Wee Pub.  It is VERY wee…just a few tables…less than a dozen, actually…and it is kinda "creepy," the decor being decidedly Halloweenish!  I just loved it!  Lots of wood interior, dim lighting…lots of atmosphere!  HA!  It’s definitely my favorite pub so far!

 

Sunday afternoon Dave and I drove up town again, where I picked up a couple of Christmas-related items and we checked out the farmers market that was set up at the Glen gates.  There was a smokie vendor…smokies being smoked herring, rainbow trout, or a similar fish…and a Scottish delicacy/treat.  The fish is split open long-ways, shown ("presented") to you, and then wrapped in butcher-type paper for you.  You’re then given a fork and napkins and away you go!  We got one to share and strolled into the Glen, taking bites of fish now and then.  A bit messy, but oh my delicious!  There was something about strolling along in the Glen on a brisk day, nibbling steaming hot fish…  We meandered down into the Glen and fed peanuts (in the shell, they’re called monkey nuts here) to the squirrels.  These are gray squirrels and sooo cute.  Some were brave enough to take the nut from our hands…others were too shy and would pick up the nut from the ground.  All in all, a leisurely Sunday…but it was good to get out and about a little bit.

 

Had a hair appointment yesterday, so I’m all ready for the holidays and our London trip.  Found a groovy salon within walking distance called Chestnut Browns.  I had seen the place when we would be driving about and just love the name…they did a great job with my mop of hair!  Aaaaaahhhh….feels sooo much better!

 

Dave continues to be a patient and skillful chess instructor…I even won a game last night!  Fascinating game, chess….

 

So that brings us to today; I think the washing machine is calling my name, so I’ll get after that in a bit.

 

Thanks for the Christmas cards and for the emails…everything is so appreciated!

 

Cheers for now!