Jan. 16

Jan. 16

Set dancing just about did us in. It reminds me of square dancing, but I am told (by Michael O’Neil, the instructor), that actually square dancing came from set dancing. Umm. Anyway, it was great fun. All the students were very happy with the event. We had to walk beyond Tully – thankfully a number of students remembered their flashlights. The walk home was heavenly as we were all so warm, and the cool winds were a welcome for a change. Two hours of aerobic exercise. Even about an hour after we stopped dancing, Tom’s cheeks were still bright red – I’ve never seen his cheeks red!!! My feet hurt at the end from so much swinging around.

During the night it was incredibly windy. Rain pelted the windows like ice pellets. But we awoke this morning to hail GOING SIDEWAYS. Now, we were warned that there would be rain going sideways, but hail!!! And there is snow on the mountain tops – even Mweelrea – So, Miriam, is that what you meant by “majestic in shimmering white”? I’ve taken pictures for proof, and knocked on the cottage doors to make the students come out and look. My greeting is “It looks like Colorado.”

For all the poets, here is Miriam’s poem:

Mweelrea

This morning she stretches lazily across our vision,

whispy boa of cloud against white shoulders,

a tease, blushing slightly with dawn’s attention.

Restless by noon, she powders her face and begins to pout,

shadows ranging across her sensuous curves.

Sulking by now in the glowering cloud bank of mid-afternoon,

she may emerge before sunset, crowned,

majestic in shimmering white,

or as a tent of darkness, a cut-out

against the Irish sky-scape.

Dusk finds her steadfast, a sister

saying her goodnights all around

before night takes her in his glittering arms

and carries her away.

Miriam Pederson