November 22, 2025 · 1:25 pm

Seasonal Greetings from Carrigaline

No “Movember” this 2025, growing facial hair just does not do it for me, looking in the mirror each morning screaming, “Sweet effing Jesus“. However I am doing the 12 Dips of Christmas. So if you have a fiver (€5) to spare, and honestly that’s plenty, Pieta would really appreciate the support. If you have your own charities then ABSOLUTELY no worries. Please support your local fundraising efforts. In actual fact, I’ve seen so many down in Fountainstown, swimming, I’ll wager I’m not the first to approach you for this cause. https://www.justgiving.com/page/garry-benson-1?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL

A ChatGPT creation after decorating the front porch and taking a snap.

Suffice to say, I’ve made way too many attempts to get a ‘Blog’ completed since May of this year. I’ve just deleted a number of attempts from my drafts folder (May, June, August and September) Now, come hell or high water, this year-end, a seasonal greeting will be published. 2025 was full of so much awfulness, Gaza, Trump, Ukraine, it was impossible (for me) to write a blog without OMG, the rage and the last thing I wanted to spread was a further rant on a blog. So, from us all here in rain soaked, frigidly cold, but getting a bit Christmassy, Carrigaline. My deepest best wishes for a beautiful, contented and loving Christmas

Hence I do year round sea swimming. It does really help the aches and pains. 🙂

To compound things this year, I’ve lost a long held phone in a Pollock Hole accident and a corrupted Laptop which I am very happy to report, have been happily replaced and repaired respectively but I’ve made more than my fair share of mistakes in restoring contacts. A very Happy Christmas to anyone who’s Christmas feels a bit different this year, I think sometimes we use Christmas as a checkpoint, each time it comes around, we see all of the things that have changed in the last year. We are flooded with the feeling of familiarity that comes with Christmas lights and pine scented candles or potpourri. But we are also met the the incredible awareness that everything has changed since the last time we decorated a Christmas tree. Maybe you’ve seen some heartbreak this year. Maybe you’ve experienced some loss, maybe you’ve done some healing. And maybe you’re still working on it. But no matter what you’ve grown, and you should really be proud of yourself for all you’ve made it through, this year. Whether Christmas feels heavy or light, even if your heart is caught between familiarity and change, Merry Christmas, even if Christmas isn’t quiet the same.

I’m going to keep this seasonal best wishes to a minimum. As much as I adore and love this time of year, it is also profoundly sad as we miss those who have left us, the joy’s and memories of times past, the tear jerking stuff on the TV, and as I have, honestly reflected in the past, I can “Cry for Ireland”

Camino Frances 2025. I did a small section of the Camino Frances this year. And, yes, I did do some, but not enough TBH, training over and above my daily walking as there was considerable gradients, rough terrain and fairly dicey ascents on this three day 75KM section and I was seriously doubting myself. (Bricking it, is also a term we use here in Ireland) A buddy was to join me but as with all things in life, shit happens, and so I just got on with it and it was truly an amazing experience. And WHY may you ask was I attempting a walk of more than 90km’s in total over a pretty high mountain range, the Pyrenees, from France into Spain? Well, that goes back to the end of that rotten pandemic, and the decision to finally do something about my troublesome knee, from my illustrious rugby career (not) and took Mr. Right Knee, on his last walk around Kilkee and the pollock holes. Suffice to say that in the four years since my knee replacement, I’ve rehabbed the knee and wanted to challenge myself with what everyone on the bleeding internet was talking about, Camino de Santiago. And so in May 2025 I set off relatively nervously on my small section of the Camino Frances (the first 4minutes of David’s vlog linked here covers the section I happily completed successfully) and it was the most amazing, fulfilling and satisfying adventure I could have imagined, my short intro in May’s blog say’s it all, the incredible people, the walk in nature and the spirituality of the pilgrimage. I have more segments of the various Camino’s (and there are quiet a few) on my bucket list. The people I met along the way, including the most joyous Enniscorthy group one could be fortunate to meet, who took me into their flock, when I was feeling a bit lost and alone. I’ve lost whatever phone numbers and photos I had for them (explained above), so it will only be, by chance that they get to see this wee little blog. If you know them, please pass this along, with my sincerest thanks, as I’d love to reconnect. Thank you Edel Keogh, Hillary Rowe, Kay and Tom Herlihy, Katie Hart and Anne McVeigh for your fabulous Irish Craic and togetherness. Warmest Seasons wishes to each and every one of you.

I absolutely love Ireland, the Irish, our DNA and our sense of togetherness, craic and mutual ‘Oneness’* which I experienced on my wee Camino. I also met some amazing people (more on that below, with the Saw Doctors)’. Irish weather is frustrating, painful, beautiful and inviting all at the same time. I miss the warm sun we have experienced here in April and May which ‘brightened’ Ireland to no end. I miss the Spanish sunshine that is nearly guaranteed which made trekking the Camino such an lovely experience, and the many Spanish holidays, wonderful forever memories.

Trekking the Camino alone is both lonely and freeing at the same time, but my next adventure will be Camino Norte from Irun to Bilboa in May/June 2026 will hopefully be with some friends and fellow travellers (I’m far from a pilgrim, just a walker in nature).

The Saw Doctor’s Leo Moran & Davy Carton, joined Tommy Tiernan on the Tommy Tiernan Show. It was a spellbinding show. Dave and Leo were the most gracious people I’ve ever witnessed on TV. They later sang their masterpiece “Same Aul’d Town” accompanied by the magnificant RTE Concert Orchestra. It was plain to see this was an incredible joy for the Saw Doctors. This episode of The Tommy Tiernan Show (Link Below) also included the equally magnificant and brilliant, comedian Kyla Cobbler & composer Bill Whelan. (Full show link below)⬇️

https://www.rte.ie/player/series/the-tommy-tiernan-show/SI0000001918?epguid=IP10010666-09-0014

Found this lovely YouTube record of the boys travelling to RTE in Donnybrook to record this surprise.❤️

Friday 07th. November 2025

Multitasking my arse. It’s a fools game. As I write this blog, I’m up and down from the keyboard to do

A. Organising myself for a trip to the Aviva Stadium in the morning to see Ireland V Japan in the Autumn Internationals, (with Niall, Claire and Adam)

B. I’m also attempting to do a pot of Packet and Tripe as a traditional set-up to a big rugby match. Many a Friday evening or Saturday morning I leave Cork for Limerick city via Crohan’s Butchers in Kileely, Limerick to pick up the Packet and Tripe which Mam would carefully and lovingly cook in order for me to have a good feed before the rugby match in Thomond Park. Follow the link to see the recipe from an earlier blog. Not a lot of folk like the idea of this traditional meal, even less like the look of it but many, many generations in Munster (Limerick and Cork) survived on traditional food such as this.

A few bits, pieces and quotations…..

The life that you want is on the other side of the work you are avoiding, Jimmy Carr

Philosopher George Addair once said, ‘Everything you’ve ever wanted sits on the other side of fear’.

“The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding”― Chris Williamson

Good Luck Andrea and Pat

We lost a lot of good folk this year, and I don’t expect 2026 to be much different as my age creeps up. Two absolutely lovely guys and really good friends departed this beautiful Earth in the very recent past. Andrea and Pat, both good men, both have a place, forever in my heart. I’ll miss them both, but I also know we will share a pint again soon, in a special lounge in the next world, which will truly be a “Heaven”. Andrea, (Castigiolioni) a true Italian, warm, chatty, intelligent and adored an Irish pub, as also my dear friend Pat (Slattery) of my Nirvana in west Clare, Kilkee. Pat, a sharp, traditional, GAA loving conversationalist with great stories of his time on this Earth, in Kilkee, London and New York. Loved the guy for his warm Kilkee welcomes and stories. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

One of the comments (see below) on this video captured all my feelings on seeing this video.

A very topical issue here in Ireland at the moment due to the absolute rate at which pub’s are closing and going out of business. Over 2,100 pubs in Ireland have permanently closed since 2005, a decline of nearly one in every four pubs. The closures are accelerating, particularly in rural areas, with an average of two pubs shutting down every week. 

Key Statistics

Future Outlook: Industry analysis suggests a further 600 to 1,000 pubs could close over the coming decade without government intervention. 

Total Closures (2005-2024): 2,119 pubs have closed their doors permanently.

Closure Rate: This represents a 24.6% reduction in publican licenses nationwide.

Average Annual Closures: An average of 112 pubs closed each year, but this rate increased to 128 annually between 2019 and 2024.

Rural vs. Urban Impact: The decline is most acute in rural Ireland.

Counties with highest declines: Limerick (37%), Offaly (34%), and Cork (32%).

County with lowest decline: Dublin (1.7%).

I am blessed to have one amazing “Local” as we say here in Ireland, and it happens to be a few hundred kilometres from my home unfortunately. Regardless, when I am in the West Coast of Ireland I spend some great evenings from June to November with a fantastic collection of ‘Pure’ locals and a plethora of ‘Blow-ins’ enjoying a pint of Beamish and the best of chinwags in Fitzpatricks, Chapel Street. Check it out, next time you are in Kilkee over the summer. I’ve featured Fitzpatrick’s in previous blogs. Stay well, gang, until we meet again in 2026.

Crikey, the amount of folded arms made me laugh out loud.


Music, is probably one of the most important mood enhancers for me personally and I love to hear new tunes. They played a fantastic piece of Japanese pop music while I sat in the Aviva stadium waiting for the Ireland v Japan game to start. I quickly opened my ‘Shazam‘ App on my phone. Now I have a Japanese artist to watch out for. This is worth a listen. Kenshi Yonezu – Uma to Shika, the most Eurovision sounding songs I have heard in a long while. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptnYBctoexk

Please pass this blog along to anyone you might think would like it. All ‘links’ are checked and safe and you will also find many other ‘Christmas’ related stories if you do a bit of digging here on http://www.findmywhy.blog

Next blog will concentrate on Meditation Practices, Transcendental Meditation, Mindfulness and soothing the noisy mind.

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May 21, 2025 · 8:44 pm

This Mad May Irish Camino Adventure

Our next blog for May will talk about a short adventure on the Camino Frances. A story of anxious anticipation, tough climbs, treacherous decents, stunning scenery, but most of all, the incredibly diverse, smiling, happy, contemplative group of people participating in this pilgrimage. Thomas, an automation engineer from Sweden, Pamela, HR Professional from USA, Jaco, Electrical business owner from beautiful South Africa, John, also in the Electrical trade from Auckland, NZ, Barry and the missus from Sydney and many more from China, Japan, Canada France and Spain who I just did not catch all names. Special mention to those bringing laughter and joy, the Irish pilgrims, of which there were many. An especially happy crowd from Enniscorthy, Edel Keogh, Hillary Rowe, Kay and Tom Herlihy, Katie Hart and Anne McVeigh. All will be compiled, edited and with the best will in the world, published before month’s end. Watch this space.

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April 7, 2025 · 10:07 pm

April Flowers, Showers and Sauna’s

Sometimes, just sometimes, something very special crosses your path and last Saturday and Sunday 5/6th. April were very special days. First off, on Saturday 5th. the mighty Munster Rugby played the ex-munster superstar, Ronan O’Gara’s “La Rochelle” and came away with a famous win. It was one of those classic Munster days in knock-out rugby, much to the delight of many thousands of travelling fans and also to the hundreds of thousands watching on TV like me in Marrinan’s in Kilkee. The highlights video is embedded below but as always, after what he called a “special day” in La Rochelle on Saturday, Munster’s head of rugby operations Ian Costello said the province are targeting three more such occasions in the Investec Champions Cup this season.

Later that evening while chilling after the spectacular Munster result I was fortunate to watch another TV classic masterpiece by Tommy Tiernan on “The Tommy Tiernan Show”. This was Public Broadcasting at it’s very best and worth every penny of the annual licence fee. Link to the full show below. Fortunately for me, the show featured three really superb Irish artists from the music scene, the comedy circuit and certainly one of Irelands greatest contemporary composers. The line-up, were Leo Moran & Davy Carton from the Saw Doctors, a most amazing Irish comedian, Kyla Cobbler & incredible composer Bill Whelan (Riverdance) joined Tommy. Tommy’s show is a rather unusal concept in that, he has no clue as to who will be appearing on the show, so it’s off the cuff stuff which can sometimes be really amazing.

Davy Carton and Leo Moran were a huge highlight. Two of the most talented and gracious human beings to have ever come out of this little Island of Ireland but the truly amazing part of Tommy’s show was the Saw Doctors rendition of their haunting song “Same Aul’d Town” accompinied by the RTE Concert Orchestra. It was mesmerising and the Saw Doctors themselves were obviously moved by the whole occassion. You’ll have to watch the full show in the link below to appreciate the performane fully. This video is a snippet of the full performance.

The link to the full Tommy Tiernan Show 5th. April 2025.

Opening up the mobile Home in Kilkee is always a special time of the year and the weekend of Saturday and Sunday 5/6th. April was just that. A stunningly beautiful day, a great rugby victory for Munster Rugby, a magnificent sunset on Moore Bay that evening and the most incredible sauna from Inis Cealtra Sauna _ Saunafy, Heat Me Happy on another beautiful Sunday morning at Kilkee Pier

More Details on the sauna can be found here: https://bookwhen.com/iniscealtramobilesauna#focus=ev-s0v9-20250413103000 and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inis.cealtrasauna/. Try this amazing Sauna experience, you will not be dissapointed.

As usual, I always advise, that I have checked all links and they are safe. I hope all readers are safe, well and in good spirits. And remembering a previous blog I did on Charlie Mackesy

Happy April:

One of my mam’s incredible paintings, ‘The Sunflowers’ which greeted me in Connie’s beautiful home in Kenmare. I was on my way to a ‘Dark Skies Event in Skelligs on Thursday 27th. march and popped in to say hello. How happy was I to gaze on one of mam’s lovely paintings.

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March 5, 2025 · 10:21 pm

Europe’s Time to do the right thing? You decide

God, the world is a crazy place at the moment and with the leader of the free world being completely intellectually unhinged, unpredictable and outrageously divisive.

And when you despair that the Trump era will not be opposed, challenged and even stopped, think again, see what Senator Claude Malhuret had to say to the French Parliament.

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January 5, 2025 · 1:29 am

Bookend 1 – January, February 2025

Dedicated to those ‘Mná’ closest to me, Mary, Elaine, Louise and Jessica. For 2025 I’m only going to notify you of two blog publications, the First (January / February) and the last, December 2025. Feel free to wander back in throughout the year and explore what is posted. As with all my blogs, follow the links (all safe and tested) to very interesting places. January and February 2025 (even typing 2025 is gobsmacking, as it was only yesterday when we were all waiting for the world to disintegrate for Y2K, January 2000, scary time. And, yet we’ve managed to see 25 years beyond this unknown step into the naughties.) At the bottom of this blog is a small selection of snapshots taken in January and February 2025. Two months of serious sneachta, báisteach agus gaoth. (snow, rain and wind)

Lá Fhéile Bríde

St. Brigid’s Day 2025. I adore this time of year. The passing of January into February. A special time of year but more specifically a truly special celebration of the ‘Womans’ role in our lives. In many of my blogs I have referred to the influence, impact and inspiration that Mná na hÉireann have had on my spirit. From my beautiful Mam, my towering rock sisters, Kay and Helena, the inspirational women in my life Mary L, Elaine B, Lousie B and Jessica B and the countless wise women who have coached, guided and counselled, inspired, advised and warmly accepted and embraced me along the way, Annette S, Anita L, Alice R, Brenda R, Caroline C, Catherine S, Connie C, Christine H, Dorothy R, Emear F, Julie Mc, Linda R, Lorna F, Mary T, Maire O’L, Mary O’S, Marita B, Nadine Mc, Ruth G, Sonia C, Ximena A, and so many, many more. The Feminine Strength.

One, very moving piece of music and powerful lyrics that resonates with me and my admiration of the journey of women, is written for the musical ‘Waitress’ by Sara Bareilles. The song is sung by the lead character, Jenna, in the musical. It comes near the end of the second act when she has hit rock bottom, dealing with an unwanted pregnancy and an abusive husband. She is completely lost and her sorrow and despair have made it almost impossible to remember who she is inside. She’s mourning her lost self, but gains confidence as the song progresses. Below, is this magnificent musical moment, where Sara Bareilles the songs writer and Rufus Wainwright, duet this simply incredible and emotional piece so perfectly, It moved me to tears. Thank you both, so much. Sometimes we forget to be grateful that we live in a world with voices such as these

It’s not simple to say
That most days I don’t recognise me
That these shoes and this apron
That place and its patrons
Have taken more than I gave them

[Verse 2]
It’s not easy to know
I’m not anything like I used to be
Although it’s true
I was never attention’s sweet centre
Still remember that girl

[Chorus]
She’s imperfect, but she tries
She is good, but she lies
She is hard on herself
She is broken and won’t ask for help
She is messy, but she’s kind
She is lonely most of the time
She is all of this, mixed up
And baked in a beautiful pie
She is gone, but she used to be mine

[Verse 3]
And it’s not what I asked for
Sometimes life just slips in through a backdoor
And carves out a person
Who makes you believe it’s all true
And now I’ve got you

[Verse 4]
And you’re not what I asked for
If I’m honest, I know I would give it all back
For a chance to start over
Rewrite an ending or two
For the girl that I knew

[Bridge]
Who was reckless, just enough
Who got hurt
But who learns how to toughen up
When she’s bruised
And gets used by a man who can’t love
And then she’ll get stuck
And be scared of the life that’s inside her
Growing stronger each day
‘Til it finally reminds her, to fight just a little
To bring back the fire in her eyes
That’s been gone, but used to be mine
Used to be mine

[Outro]
She is messy, but she’s kind
She is lonely most of the time
She is all of this mixed up
And baked in a beautiful pie
She is gone, but she used to be mine

New Years Day – some random day in February, For those who know me well, February also means my New Year celebration, (never start a new years resolution with a birthday late in January, failure guaranteed), new beginning, springtime. And how do I celebrate same? The joy of a celebration breakfast with Duck Eggs, Gourmet Sausages from O’Flynns or even sausages from my childhood, Mattersons Streaky bacon (Rind On), Toamatoes, Mushrooms, Brown Bread with lashings of Irish butter, thick cut marmalade and either the best coffee available in Cork, Three Fools Flat White, or a strong cup of Irish Black tea (Barry’s or Lyons). Jesus, I’ve died and gone to heaven.

January and February also a month of tough moments for many people. Whisper a prayer for those.

FINALLY – Those who know me well also, will have my “Exercise is Life” mantra ringing in their ears. One of my new years resolutions is to shut the fu** up about exercise. Me pontificating about getting the daily exercise can do more harm than good. So for now, I’ve compiled this 5 MINUTE clip in case anyone is interested. Enough Said.

Talk again in December, but remember if you want to be notified if I publish a post between now and December, just FOLLOW ‘findmywhy.blog’

https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0124/1492705-gallery-in-pictures-storm-eowyn/

https://www.independent.ie/weather/in-pictures-snow-blankets-some-irish-counties-after-weekend-of-freezing-weather/a1916481598.html

As for January Birthdays….. this mock-up Kilkee Times (Courtesy of Lou) from a couple of years back still brings me joy and a few chuckles.

Something to dance to from the SWITCH Disco Roadshow. (Next Blog) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4N7JBWgG6z6IyKGJqxJifB?si=8a3934f3974d4110

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December 31, 2024 · 11:46 am

Happy New Year 2025

***May your year and life be fillled with contentment, gratitude and luxury. (click banner above for a New Years resolution)***

The real luxuries in life:

health,

a quiet mind,

slow mornings,

ability to travel,

rest without guilt,

a good night’s sleep,

calm and “boring” days,

meaningful conversations,

home-cooked meals,

people you love,

people who love you back

Crosshaven Railway Walk on an autumn evening

Joy does not arrive with a fanfare
on a red carpet strewn
with the flowers of a perfect life
joy sneaks in
as you pour a cup of coffee
watching the sunlight
hit your favourite tree, just right
and you usher joy away
because you are not ready for her
your house is not as it should be
for such a distinguished guest
but joy cares nothing for your messy home
or your bank-balance, or your waistline, you see
joy is supposed to slither through
the cracks of your imperfect life
that’s how joy works
you cannot truly invite her
you can only be ready when she appears
and hug her with meaning
because in this very moment
joy chose you
Donna Ashworth

Mindfulness is not easy, but it is simple. Hello Readers, just back from my Mindful Exercise, it’s the highlight of my day, every day, and I have my Mindfulness teacher along with me, via the power of my smart phone, guiding me wisely. An insightful and amazing Teacher and if you can get on one of Catherine Sutton’s courses, you will be blessed.

The following paragraph is from an unpublished bolg in January 2016, 9 years ago. The speed of life is frightening sometimes. Remember I spoke of the ‘Fork in the Road‘ well I have only just signed the contract for a new exciting position, starting next Monday 18th. and then off for my first global meeting, on the 20th. All go and stomach knotting just the same. I’m making 2016 my mindful challenge. Then I’ll write about it. On the blog. Got this video clip last night and it’s perfect. You may have seen it already. It’s a brilliant animation that gets to the heart of what mindfulness is about. Mindfulness is not easy, but it’s simple

It doesn’t come naturally, that is why it requires a lot of practice.

Mindfulness, for me, is all about stopping and focusing on my breathing, that in itself, takes a ton of practice as the ever chattering mind intrudes continually. It will take time and practice to learn to focus on your breath, while accepting that the chatter will always be there. The difference, is that over time, you will be able to live with, and acknowledge the chatter without jumping back into its emotional malestrom. You will be noticing what’s happening, while all the while staying with the breath. Mindfulness is a practice for the whole of life. It’s about finding a different way to respond to experience throughout our day.

It isn’t about emptying our mind. Our minds produce thoughts, it’s what they’re built for, and our mind keeps on producing them even if we do happen to be meditating. We can become calm and settled by learning to accept our thoughts, making room for them or letting them go. It is always good to remind ourselves that thoughts are just that… thoughts. No need to dwell on them, fight with them, act on them or try to avoid them with drugs or other distractions.

It isn’t a technique. Mindfulness isn’t something you do. It’s a way of being. It isn’t a way to fix our problems. Mindfulness can help eliminate depression, anxiety, stress or chronic pain, but not by fixing them. We learn to relate in a new way to the things that trouble us, rather than trying to make them go away. Having a mindfulness practice is about re-training our minds so that we can cope with whatever comes our way.

It isn’t scientific. Research into the effects of mindfulness and its impact on the mind and body are impressive. It is helping to bring mindfulness into the mainstream. Science can measure what mindfulness does, but it can’t measure what it is. Measuring mindfulness is a science; practising it is an art that requires presence, awareness, connection and living in the moment.

It isn’t a fad. Our communities are becoming more distracted than ever before. Mindlessness is rampant and there is a growing epidemic of mental suffering. Modern culture seems to be focused on wanting more, getting more and having more. Mindfulness is about being grateful in the moment and is here to stay!

Our warmest and sincerest best wishes to everyone reading this blog for a peaceful, contented and healthy 2025.

And one last thought:

Laziness kills ambition

Anger kills wisdom

Fear kills dreams

Ego kills growth

Jealousy kills peace

Doubt kills confidence

Now read that right to left.”

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December 4, 2024 · 2:14 pm

❅🎀Christmas is upon us. Have a loving one🎀❅

Quarter 4, October (Deireadh Fómhair), November (Samhain) agus December (Nollaig). This blog has many Hyperlinks which are tested and safe. Do click and explore these, as they compliment the blog content.

Alright, I have published a few more blogs in 2024, than I have in the past, but alas, not the monthly frequency I had vaugley hoped for in my “New Years Resolutions“. So just to compound things, here I am publishing a Quarterly blog to end what my softening brain perceived as the fastest most breathless year I have ever encountered. The year of my retirement from work has been as busy as I ever could have imagined. I’m not complaining, mind you, just gobsmacked at the pace of time as I get older. Just before you hopefully meander through these ramblings, I want to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to those of you who made this year another wonderful year in my life, Sure it had its ups and downs but for the most part, 2024 has been a super year. I have other “thank you’s” below so do read on please.

Facinating words from a facinating African-American writer, James Baldwin The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love — whether we call it friendship or family or romance — is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light. Gentle work. Steadfast work. Life-saving work in those moments when life and shame and sorrow occlude our own light from our view, but there is still a clear-eyed loving person to beam it back. In our best moments, we are that person for another. I am absolutely blessed with friends and family who constantly act as that ‘clear-eyed person’ for me. To you all I am eternally grateful and I will try very, very hard to pay it forward.

October

is our mystical transition to the beautiful Autumn/Winter season. With harvest celebrations, fruit preserving, apple tarts, Halloween celebrations and much much more. We’ve even had Northern lights in Carrigaline (and my first time seeing them). This time is a return to October Soups and fresh rolls, Kilkee goodbyes, frosty mornings, autumn colours and falling leaves, and in other parts of my world, there is October Lemonade and Horseriding. What a world. Below is a small collection of snaps for October 2024.

October arrived and, whoosh, it was over.

My October Playlist – Much as I know music, is so personal, individual and emotive, I tend to make playlists for different months of the year. A selection of my October Songs for 2024. A few of them were recalled while watching the new ‘Shrinking’ TV series which get to see if you can. It’s funny, quirky, left field and stars a sprightly 82 year old, Harrison Ford. There is hope for us all. Many others are songs that relate to October just for me. Feel free to listen and chop and change to your personal taste. 1hr.17m.

October, Deireadh Fómhair, End of Harvest

November, Samhain, Celebrating the end of the Harvesting season.

December, Nollaig,  Originating from the Latin for Christmas.

November

Jeepers, what can I say about November, apart from the fact it also went by in a blink. But, something wondeful did happen. I didn’t shave for the month, and jumped on the Movember crusade. I am so grateful to everyone for their patience and huge generousity.

Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of Men’s Health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.[1] It is a portmanteau of the Australian-English diminutive word for moustache, “mo”,[2] and “November”.[3] The Movember Foundation runs the Movember charity event, housed at Movember.com.[4] The goal of Movember is to “change the face of men’s health.”[5]

Let these words below live rent free in your brain

Fear doesn’t stop death, it stops life.

If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.

People only see the decisions you made, not the choices you had.

Never take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.

“No.” is a complete sentence. You don’t have to justify yourself.

The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding.

Ships are safe at harbour, but that’s not what they’re built for.

If you don’t sacrifice for what you want, what you want, becomes the sacrifice.

Ambition without action becomes anxiety.

“Obsessed” is what stuck people call ambitious people.

To live a life most people don’t live, you have to be willing to do what most people don’t do.

You really can do anything, but not everything. Focus

If you want to make the wrong decision, ask everyone.

Those who do not move do not notice their chains.

If you can be in a bad mood for no reason, you might as well be in a good mood for no reason.

It’s okay to live a life most don’t understand.

If someone could only see your actions and not hear your words, what would they say your priorities are?

We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.

No risk. No story

Christmas was the primary reason findmywhy.blog came into being. At its best, It’s a season of hope, reconnection, reflection, joy, smiles, laughter, reaching out, saying thanks, reminising and much much more. We all know, it is also a time of sadness, lonliness, heartbreak and a whole lot more, but the absolute beauty of Christmas is that it is all about connection. Stay connected, stay in touch, even if it is only in your heart. There are many, many Christmas publications if you care to deep dive. Have a loving one.

A hilarious funny Christmas Time Story from Paul Howard, AKA Ross O’Carroll Kelly I am very lucky to have had a few day’s with one of my best buddies in the absolutely amazing Spanish city of Malaga. Direct flights from Cork and Basel in Switzerland, so it suited our ‘meet-up’ plans. The Christmas lights of Malaga were a stroke of good fortune and timing, which we got to witness. Both me and Leon worked Pharmaceuticals / SAP projects together and we have remained the best of friends for the past two decades. Our beautiful Australian Fam were on the beach at 8am in the morning in 28deg. heat this weekend for some seasonal shots. Elaine and Rory celebrate Christmas in the scorching sun. While we brave the Christmas Day Swim but in our hearts ‘they are with us’.

Donna Ashworth (is one of my favourite modern day poets. Here are some of her beautiful words for the time that is in it.

Lastly, June 2025 is my aim to do a small bit of the Camino Santiago de Compostela. I’m planning on doing the (a difficult enough trek) St. Jean Pied de Porte to Pamplona, Camino Francés. In training ATM.

Camino de Santiago from St. Jean Pied de Port
Nice Video from ‘Days we Spend’ on the section of the Camino. St.Jean to Pamplona

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September 30, 2024 · 9:36 pm

Lúnasa agus Meán Fómhair 2024 (August/Sept)

August and September (Lúnasa agus Meán Fómhair, Meán meaning middle and Fómhair meaning harvest.) here in Ireland are a very special time for a myriad of reasons, not least, the fact it signals the harvesting season as the end of the summer season approaches, and returning to school, the return of the sporting season for all our sporting fans. It is a time of the year that is rich in mythology and foklore.

I’m going to bookend this blog with two very traditional and niche activities. Throughout summer we harvest ‘Dillisk’ here in this part of the world. Links on this post will help readers to research this incredibly interesting and healthy seaweed. Learning to harvest dillisk is probably best done on the shoreline with someone experienced but failing this I hope this small video will help.

A (sort of) David Bowie Story

Dedicated to my Dad. An extrordinary Man.

True story, a fouteen year old, mesmerised by the night sky, having witnessed a ‘perseids meteor shower’ while lying on the sea wall in Kilkee July/August 1972 and convinced we are definitely, not alone, when along came David Bowie and Starman, probably getting lots of airplay as it climbed the british charts, which blew my little mind. I spent what savings I had on a David Bowie poster, likely the first one in this collage and proudly played ‘Starman’ to death, believing the song (and David, of course) was talking directly to me. (See 1.36 of the original ‘Top of the Pops’ appearance). I now know he was, he changed my way of thinking, my way of seeing the world. I’m dedicating this little snippet to my dad, Cyril. Who calmly, disappeared the said poster in an effort to re-wall paper the boy’s bedroom. I did have long hair for a while, never the roaring red mop of David Bowie, never the ‘flash’ decal across my face but I’m still completely awestruck by this unique human being and his art. Saved from a life less ordinary by a new roll of wallpaper. Good man, Cyril.

What an Olympics. A 4.49 video produced by RTE to celebrate this extraordinary 2024 Olympics, especially for our little island, bravo to all , every participant, every olympian. The blood, sweat and tears over the decades culminating in an Olympic Dream. You will get a lump in throat, you will well up and like me shed a few tears. Go on, every participant deserves our emotional response. Sport can be so uplifting, while equally emotioanlly shattering and heartbreaking. With the incredible music of, Clair de Lune, La Vie En Rose, and Outro. Well done to all of our incredible Irish Olympians.

And one final tribute to the olympian effort that Celine Dion managed to open the 2024 Olympics with L’hymne á L’Amour (another Édith Piaf masterpiece). Celine, who is struggling with a life altering illness, Stiff Body Syndrome (SBS) made an extraordinary effort to get herself capable for a committment she made many years ago before the illness gripped her being. I am: Celine Dion. This short 2:18 video produced by Paris 2024 is … just have a watch

And to finish this August / September Blog, I did say I would bookend this blog with very traditional, niche, activities. Below is Mam’s recipe for the traditional Packet and Tripe dish we were reared on and continue to absolutely adore. I will let Wikipedia explain the origins of this delicasy, Packet (also known as ‘Drisheen’ ) and Tripe, suffice to say it is not to everyones tastes. I get my Packet and Tripe in the English Market in Cork now, but in my youth, the walk to Tracy’s, off Athlunkard Street, of a Saturday morning, was part of the fabric of my life. Later, it was Crohan’s in Killely. Only recently I got a gift of six ‘Eye bones’ from John Purcell that he got in ‘Jack Spratt’s’ Master Butchers in Janesboro, Limerick and I am reliably informed that he is still selling the ‘Packet and Tripe’

Cut tripe roughly in similar size pieces. Cover in cold, lightly salted water, bring to boil, then simmer for 20/30 minutes. If tripe, is still very firm, continue to simmer until you get a nice soft consistency (every body has differing textures tastes, so, please yourself)

Cut packet and place in pot, add boiling water, bring back to bubble and ONLY then add salt. Turn off and let sit for 10 minutes.

Chop a large yellow onion and add to a separate pot, add 3/4 Ltr. of milk, add butter and seasoning. Bring to simmer and add strained tripe and only then add salt to taste.

Thickening: Mix 1 tablespoon of corn flour / corn starch / thickening, with a tablespoon of milk in a cup and make a cornflower slurry. Add to Tripe and milk pot, and bring back to heat. Add strained Packet (Drisheen). Thicken further if required.

Fresh Batch loaf (called a Cottage loaf in Limerick) with lashings of salted butter and enjoy before any Rugby match and a second feed after coming back home full of stout and merriment.

Done

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July 18, 2024 · 11:12 am

Meitheamh agus Iúil, 2024 (June & July)

Summer 2024 has been a very mixed bag here in Ireland, suffice to say, a wet, cold, damp June has run well into July as I write this note on 15th. July. It is 14 deg, celcius here in Carrigaline this morning which is below normal ( this is below the Sydney mid-winter average). The rain is belting off the roof and it is surprisingly dull, grey and dark for 11am on a Monday morning. Luckily we managed a few weeks in Ondres, South West France, by ferry from Rosslare. Incredible part of France, warm temperatures, incredible beaches, sunsets, cycle paths, towns, food and wine. Picked up my Camino Passport in St. Jean Pied de Port, and it is hanging on the wall in front of me as a motivation for 2025. There are two passports, one for me and one for ????. If you dare to ‘YouTube‘ Camino Frances, you will enter a wormhole of content on the whole Camino movement. Enter at your peril.

Charlie’s Summer – The bugs, worms, butterflies, crabs, jellyfish, sand, the endless wonder of nature to a childs imagination, combined with a nuclear generation level of energy and appetite is truly epic, exhausting, joyous and heart filling. Donna Ashworths words put these days into perspective.

There will come a day
when you will glance
at your child
and be met by an adult.

And it will wipe the very floor
from under your feet
when you realise
in that moment
that you were only ever minding them
until they fly away.

Because back then
when you were so consumed
with the daily grind of parenting
you felt like this was forever.

Yet we know
nothing truly is forever.

Just a handful of years
you will know them as a child
and if you are blessed
many many more
you will know them as an adult.

Drink it in
if you can

drink them in.

Donna Ashworth
From Wild Hope

Small selection of images from May, Jun and July. Kilkee, Skellig Michael, Ondres, France, Fountainstown
Today’s, 18th. July 2024, heat map of Europe and Ireland remains in the relitively cooler side of the Jet Stream (17-19 degrees). As opposed to temperatures of 32 to 42 degrees across the rest of Europe. Now, I’m as much in favour of a sunny day as anyone, but I’m VERY greatful, I’m not melting and am getting relitively good night’s sleep. August will be just smashing, especially as the kids just return to school. 😦

Finally, I’m reposting a link to a previous blog, the 2020 ‘Covid’ Summer Solstice Blog as this June’s solstice passed in a drizzly, damp anti climax, and it is good to look back on a very tough time for so many of us.

https://wordpress.com/post/findmywhy.blog/912

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May 28, 2024 · 4:21 pm

Bealtaine ’24

Bealtaine (May) 2024 has all but passed. The speed of time can be VERY scary. May is the transitional month for most of us. Cold, rainy, chilly with sporadic ‘amazing’ summery days that hint of the June, July and August potential for our souls. I stress potential, as we all know, those potentially incredible ‘Summers’ are not always realised. A silent prayer is always welcome. :-). As with ALL my blogs, I have tested and checked all links and they are safe and, I think anyway, worth exploring.

For sure, this is science based blog, but I promise, is easy to understand ‘Science’ that will improve your life.

“BIG Fat Fluffy Brain” and “Why we got such a BIG BRAIN“, are just two takeaways from these 2 Podcasts. For the Month of May 2024, I’m going to offer you a glimpse of ‘Potential’. Truth be told, you will have heard ALL of this in so many ways, before reading this blog. The only thing I can offer is that the two Podcasts included in this May 2024 blog will probably make significant improvements across your life and ‘COULD’ likely extend your life significantly, but guaranteed it will make you feel better, enjoy better health, mood and provide a financial bonus with the reduced medical and pharmacological expenses.

For both of these Podcasts I am giving you both a Spotify Link and also a YouTube Link so hopefully you will have access to the Podcasts in one way or another. And, folks all I can say is they are truly worth the Listen. Daniel Lieberman’s Spotify Podcast, https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zx4McH7KfdjLke10HPDYv?si=e865f340ed474273 and Wendy Suzuki’s Spotify Podcast, https://open.spotify.com/episode/03rMVoXiRooF37nsaZRvy4?si=2366f3aa3e424d9f and YouTube follow.

Ignoring the ‘click bait’ headline, Dr. Daniel Lieberman, Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology is easy listening, I promise. Might be worth having a pen and paper for making notes.
Again, ignoring the ‘Click Bait’ headline for this YouTube video, Dr Wendy Suzuki is a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology at New York University, and helps you to get to a BIG FAT FLUFFY BRAIN.

Finally for this May 2024 Blog I want to report a startling fact, that I have just become aware of, the “Kingdom of Kerry” is stunning. Was very lucky to get a most incredible two days for a trip from Carrigaline to Portmagee in Co. Kerry to visit the ancient monastic settlement of Skellig Micheál, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 11km of the South West Coast of Ireland. What a trip, what a memory.

Skellig Micheál, Luke Skywalker and that Ring of Skellig and Kerry

This was a bucket list trip, a once in a lifetime experience that will live long in the memory. I will compile a ‘YouTube’ video of my experience and post in a later blog. I met some amazing people on this short journey, including Felix from ‘Sweden’, an avid Star Wars Super Fan, who was appropriately attired in an elaborate ‘Luke Skywalker’ costume, truly fitting for a Super Fan. And our incredible guide for our trip, Ken Casey of Casey’s Skellig Island Tours. If you get even the remotest chance of taking this trip, go for it. May the force be with you.

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