Listowel Writers Week 2012

Ten years ago this week I attended this event for the first time, just as John B.Keane, one of the founders of Listowel Writers Week,was breathing his last. He passed away that evening and my introduction to Writers Week was like taking part in an extended wake, as scenes from his plays were performed by drama groups in pubs all over town.Next day President McAleese came to his funeral and all Festival activity stopped for two hours as a mark of respect.

Ten years on, John B. is still very much present at Writers Week. There are portraits or photographs of him in almost every shop window, and people often touch the sleeve of his statue in Church Street for luck as they pass by.The spirit of friendly welcome that he kindled in 1970 shows itself in the kindness of people in Listowel itself, where cars stop to let wandering strangers cross the road, where landladies leave a starter  pack of food that would do you for a week, a vase of flowers on the kitchen table and a big bag of ice in the freezer. The spirit of the Festival now is hard to pin down, an eclectic mix of readers and the writers they have come to hear, a microcosm of world and national literature. For me though it's the kindness of a community that believes in itself and that takes a pride in what it's doing that makes it .

A walk around Listowel confirms that the town is struggling to keep going- empty small shops,and an unfinished shopping mall with only a Gala store and the Revenue as tenants. Yet there is no sense of inflated prices or businesses on the make; sponsorship and support from the local business community and the families of the founding fathers is evident not only in the literary prizes but also in the elegant floral arrangements which grace every venue, and in the voluntary work which has gone on all year to make sure that visitors get their tickets and are safely seated at events. John B. Keane and his friends started something here in Listowel which has developed into a national event and which has managed to retain its distinctive characteristic of welcome and kindness to strangers.

What kind of old?

So much for the publicity given to 'Say No to Ageism' week,which has apparently been running for the last nine years.This is the first time, thanks to Facebook, that I have ever come across this event . If it is really the case that the age of the population is increasing then the political clout of this demographic group will also increase and perhaps life choices and the resources to make them will become more available to older people who for the most part become and remain invisible, it seems. The Bealtaine festival is a case in point - the images of older people swinging axes to wreck images of words like 'inequality' on the Bealtaine web site seemed pointless to me. 'What kind of old do you want to be?' was the question as title of a recent conference in Dublin. Resourced, respected, liked , appreciated, active in public life and in my own community, independent, whole in mind and body- wearing purple or anything else I want to - as little different from my current life as possible,thanks! 

Musings

So how are you today, on what seems to be Freefall Friday on the stock markets worldwide? As I completed my solitary walk on the new walkways in Killaloe this morning there was no sign of the five ducklings I have grown fond of this week,nor of the heron, elegant in his indifference as he stands on the edge of the boardwalk, always poised for take off.

Shall we dance ?

Driving in this morning I heard 'Shall we dance ?' on the radio every word crisp and audible. And I remembered that it was from the musical 'The King and I '. I would have heard that tune on the radio when I was a child and remember seeing the musical starring Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner. It's the realisation of how experiences like that tuck themselves away only to be called up at a moment's notice after years, stay with us. This is how we learn what we learn ,embedded into our sub conscious or unconscious - fascinating.

Talent Bank

When I am old I shall wear purple, and in fact any other colour or style I damn well please. I am increasingly aware of an unspoken but evident ageist agenda out there- what is the reality of a person over 50 for example who has been made redundant or 'let go' ever finding a job again ? What price the invisible woman who holds a family together and gathers her wisdom around her like a shimmering cloak which can be opened to shelter and support but who rarely recieves any acknowledgement?

Where are the women of any age on boards and bodies which make decisions afecting all our lives in this country? What about the 40% of women who should be on the boards of public bodies? Yep it seems to me that what we need is a talent bank of women who are prepared to participate in public life...I wonder how we might go about getting it ...

In search of a blue sky

Summer this year happened in May, for the second year running. I am not usually affected by the weather but I am curious about why we have had a great wodge of grey tending to black clouds hanging around for days even when it doesn't rain. True there is talk of a heatwave this month but for my part I'd be happy just to see pure blue sky one morning getting up.

Spent yesterday in the company of a Buddhist monk who was an unworldly person exuding terrific charisma from the folds of his saffron robe. I was offered the chance to rest after lunch and despite the deep smell of damp in the room I lay down pulled an old blanket over me and fell asleep for half an hour to be woken by a bell. After a day of silent meditation, I felt much more mentally alert in the evening at home.

So the major excitement of the day has been the arrival of a package from Amazon which contains among other goodies the next book club choice a Skandi thriller. Compare this with my poor old chums in Belfast who have to wade their way through Gore Vidal's Lincoln for their next get together...

Looking forward to getting into the garden later - peas and broad beans podding regularly, cream begonias have bloomed into bridal loveliness. Just needs some hoeing and weeding. And watering. And it would look really good under a blue sky so that we could feature the stripey deck chairs imported from Wicklow.

Then and now.

In this past week an old obituary of my grandfather was republished in the Irish News a Belfast daily paper. He died in 1942 eleven years before I appeared on the planet so I could never have known him. When he died my dad was 22 just finishing his medical studies. The following day in the same paper an account of his funeral was published and it was notable how the female family members didn't rate a mention among the mourners.

I sent the piece to my nephews and nieces in Canada- so far no reaction at all.

Tractor meets Golf on a country road

So there I was driving home from Ennis to Killaloe over the mountain road from Tulla to Bodyke in the townland of Ballynahinch. Just coming on to dusk with the fog lights on indicating as there was a clear road and I'd be past the small tractor in a couple of minutes. I had pulled out but just as I started to speed up to overtake him I noticed something from the left hand side then felt the impact as the tractor engaged with my car.The shock brought me up short and I stopped dead. Back and forth, back and forth he drove trying to disengage the tractor from my car tearing off my front bumper as he did so. Eventually he succeeded and drove the tractor into what I presume was his own field just past me. He was surprised that I wanted to phone the Gardai I think. I couldn't find my phone and had to flag down a passing car to borrow one. A Garda on his way home to Tulla came along the road and took all the details. The tractor had no lights and no indicators. Its owner was a man of few words but he did give me his name and details confirmed by the Garda. My own car a black Golf was drivable so I slowly drove home escorted from Tuamgraney by my husband. As I made my way a queue of traffic built up behind me and many of them frustrated by my moderate pace 'flashed' their lights. I reported the incident to the insurance company. After a hot shower I went out to my book group meeting and enjoyed the evening.

Monday,Monday

Yes a brand new week starting with Valentine's Day - a huge bouquet of roses, and a romantic dinner to look forward to next weekend! Lots of challenges this week starting with five appointments today if they all turn up which is an ongoing issue.

Perhaps we should text reminders to the Monday appointments on Fridays, as I find this helpful for other types of appointment. Must mention this at work meeting.

China is about to overtake Japan as the world's second largest economy but as older people are I believe valued in China perhaps this is no bad thing. Is it time to learn Mandarin I wonder?

Speaking of which reminds me that this Wednesday evening the Hunt Museum will feature a lecture on Istanbul which I'm hoping to attend with Heather and Melissa.

Time to start party planning for June 2011. And to attend a pre retirement course in April!

After Venice

It's been non-stop since I got home on Monday evening. The friend I travelled with had serious luggage issues and I felt like a pack horse getting through Stansted, laden with coats and an extra bag. It was all worth it though - the light on the canal as we sat up front in the vaporetto, the beautiful mysterious decaying facades of the buildings as the remarkably clean looking water ebbed and flowed round them, the arch of the Rialto bridge...and the warmth of the people especially our evening hosts in the lovely restaurant Al Convento.

What a horrible shock to learn of the plane crash at Cork Airport yesterday Thursday morning - six people from Belfast flying into Cork gone in a few minutes, in fog so dense the plane couldn't be seen from the terminal building. And two people walked away from it. My friend Jo uses that airline to fly back and forth from the Isle of Man. God rest the victims.
Today Friday I have spring cleaned my office and opened the windows and this afternoon the sun is pouring in. In spite of everything sad and bad at the moment Spring is here. 'The world is charged with the glory of God - it will flame out like shining from shook foil'- Gerard Manley Hopkins remembered.

Birthday thoughts

It's been a week of celebrations and it's not over yet! I have really enjoyed this significant end of a decade birthday and given myself up completely to celebrating it !
It's been particularly good hearing from old friends I haven't see for a while and from family members who don't usually contact me - thank you Facebook.
Still cold out there but I am noticing new shoots and realising that the days are getting noticeably longer so Spring is about to be sprung.
In the Hunt Museum at lunchtime saw Jan Morris' book Venice on sale so immediately bought a copy as I am looking forward to going there next week and seeing Padua, Venice and Verona - also listening to 'easy' Italian tape in the car, not so easy when it goes beyond repeating single words.
Bought muscari bulbs in the supermarket last week and brought them in - it's great to see them losing their green and moving gradually into blue every day at the moment.

Another Monday

So it's another Monday afternoon and I really can't wait to go home today because it's so cold in this building. I am really glad that my afternoon clients haven't turned up as they would be frozen! Thank God I am working in Ennis tomorrow and will have a new dynamic and energy to move me up there.

The story of how things have reached the stage that they have in this economy continues to unfold and perplex as it does so. How can people who have major debts in this country for which we are all now paying begin a new life as entrepreneurs in the U.S and get a U.S Visa for so doing - without prejudice as it appears.How can it become daily more evident that there was collusion between the politicians and those ruining the economy without at least causing the resignation of the politician concerned?

On the upside as I get more used to it I like using Facebook to communicate especially with distant family; it seems friendlier than email although I guess that is just perception.

What will the New Year bring? So far it's been a quiet start, back to work and full of good resolutions. What keeps us from keeping them? The comfort of old habits even if they're bad habits is surprisingly strong. It's easier to stay on the sofa than to face up to challenges that take an effort- yet that's where new energy comes from. The joy of throwing out clutter, of letting go of legacy items, of feeling lighter because those heavy old 'things' have left the house for good-even letting go of friendships that no longer fit- all of these things create space in which we can feel free. The simple power of breathing, of stepping back from impatience, of forgiving oneself for mistakes...it all feels good.

New Year's Day

It's been a mild day with the sun trying to break though as we walked from Killaloe to Ballina Marina and back. There has been no 'development ' of multi storey apartment blocks at the Marina so far but it all looks run down and on the verge of dereliction. Looking down on the river and upwards towards the lake was magical, and strange to see ice still floating on the surface of the canal. Waterways Ireland seems to be constructing a walkway along there although the work is proceeding very slowly.

This evening we will pay our last respects to Frida who after a long and heroic battle with cancer finally came to rest on December 30th. May she rest in peace, and may her courage and thought for others inspire us all. Remembering death is a good way of inspiring us to live life to the full and not to waste the gift. My wish more than anything for all of us this year is to enjoy good health, both mental and physical.

Life as someone has said starts at the end of your comfort zone or perhaps when you move out of your comfort zone. I saw that in Belfast last week and the thought has stayed with me - not sure how it will manifest just yet. Blessings to anyone who reads this today.

New Year's Eve

On the brink of 2011 which feels good. Looking forward to a year of positive developments including more travel and getting more involved in the community here. I am not sure what will happen this year a little more than usual but know that if I want things to happen I need to be in the driving seat. Will we continue to live in Ireland as the heavy hand of the IMF begins to make itself felt ? Where would we go instead? How would I set up and manage a portfolio career? What new usful skills do I need to acquire? How can I better understand moneyand how to use it ? So lots of questions and the answers will be interesting. Happy New Year to anyone who reads this.

Book group

Meeting of 8 tomorrow evening to discuss "Room" which I haven't made time to read. Started it but couldn't get into it. However have also suggested that we might talk about 'Claiming our Future' which seems to be a popular/populist? movement of people who want a new way of doing politics in this country. Talk usually drifts onto other things anyway after a hour or so.

The there's the whole 'supper' issue. One of our number goes crazy and produces the likes of lemon meringue pie when we visit. Someone is making me a pumpkin pie which would clash colour wise with my proposed offering of chicken korma so I'm having to rethink this. Is it time to get back to cheese and wine? Maybe I'll bring it back there so and start a 'simple' movement, first cousin of the slow movement.

This is a kind of morning page blog today - there's a pneumatic drill going outside my window putting in new bicycle racks and inside I'm only waiting for the racket of the new lift being installed, but what a godsend it will be when it's in.

Meandering on and into the day. Gospel choir practice with Kathleen tonight which is usually good craic.

The music of what happens - not

I've lost count of the number of emails about the psychic show coming to UL which may 'damage' the reputation of the University. It strikes me that there may be other serious issues to worry about in this respect - poor attainment of funding for research recently, high drop out rates, bttom of the list of Irish third level institutions not just universities on some indices of world class performance for a start - yet none of these issues have elicted any comment from academics or anyone else.



Really like my new office and the new work set up - light is flooding in and the trees outside are heavy with crisp golden leaves as I walk along the river- I could (almost) be in Paris. Today at lunch time I plan to go to hear a poetry reading in the Hunt Museum, Catherine Phil McCarthy reading as part of this year's Cuisle Festival. Last night as part of the same event I read my poem 'Thirteen Ways of drinking Bull's Blood' in the Daghda space at John's Square which was really exciting - and I got a few laughs.

New home for the Downtown Centre

Starting again with 23 things - got behind last year when we went into RSS feeds! It's hard to get to UL for the lunchtime workshops. But my personal goal is to improve my knowledge of technology so here goes. I'd like to think of myself as an early adopter but feel really behind in this domain.

About to move into our new offices in George's Quay and as always with change there's excitement and apprehension. It's a beautiful building 'on the list to be listed' and it's been refurbed especially for us so the Downtown Centre will have a definite locus of its own in the city at last. My office faces out onto the river so I am looking forward to having light flooding in.

I wonder if Google Street View will have a pic? Must look later.

1 December

Have stopped breast beating and taken action, so as ever that feels better.

Kitchen suddenly making very good progress - floor may be down today, painting finished off, light fitting ordered to be in next Tuesday,new doors and architraves to be fitted.

Just realised that the point of all of this is to participate in 23 things -RSS feeds kind of passed me by, so I must find out about Podcasts and hope to be able to use my Ipod afterwards. Bought it in Canada and let someone set it up for me there so I am now finding it difficult to use here .However technology is my friend although extensive reframing is required ...

TECHNOLOGY - friend or foe? Can't use my new kitchen until I get the instructions and read them ! Locked myself out of my car this morning! Started a new blog yesterday in an effort to master some new 'technology' skills. So what is all of this about ? I guess it's about taking the time to find out and understand, about being patient, and experiencing a brief period of 'disempowerment.' Tomorrow's another day! although hope to get back into my car before then...