No Computer. No Compute!

My PC died a  while back.
And with it went a lot of my stuff, which I hadn't backed up.
Photies, stories, songs.
All my favourite things.
And then the lappy I was using died last Saturday.
That's why I haven't been about so much.
I'm on borrowed time, or to be more precise, borrowed computers.
Daughter No.2 moved out yesterday into her first apartment.
It was a sad day. She took her laptop with her.
I will miss them both.
(It's just for the summer, the moving, not the missing!)
I need a computer of my own.
Please send donations.
In return I will sing. Or not.
I will try to get to all of your blogs whenever the opportunity arises.
Remember, I love you all.
And I have been drinking, so excuse all spelling mistakes.

Sláinte.

(Lenny will be in Dublin with the silverware on Tuesday, HH!)

Gary Made Me Sing!

Strangely enough, THIS is the person who gave me the confidence to get up and do my thing. Look him up, what a story.

Baby

21 years ago today a lovely wee girl came into my life.
And it changed me as a person.
She turned my life upside down.
I took one look at her and instantly fell in love.

We called her Kate.

Happy birthday to my beautiful, talented baby.

I love you more than you will ever know.

I will always be here for you, as will your doting mother.

She Mad About The Boy

When I was a wee lad, (yes even wee-er than before the Chef knew me!) Ma used to sing this to me at night.
And when I heered it on the radio every time after I just presumed it was Ma singing it to me.
I just thought it was her.

Because Ma sounded just like Dinah when I was a wee Map.

And to me, she still does.

We Can Rule The World

Took the bus into town today.
There was only one other person waiting at the bus stop.

Says he, "Do you know what time it is in Tokyo?"
Says me, "No idea pal."
Says he, "It's twenty past four."
Says me, "Thanks for that."
Says he, "Not a bother pal, any time."

He smoked his rollie.

Say he, "As a kid, I dreamed of being a world leader when I grew up. I suppose the best I can hope for these days is to rule a small country."
Says me, "I wish you well in your endeavors."
Says he, "Thanks for the chat, let's do this again soon."
Says me, "No problem Pal."

And off he went back across the road, into the hospital.

Noelie.

This is Noelie, one of my younger brothers.
He is, without doubt, the most congenial, bubbly, friendly and downright happy person I know.
This photie was taken last Saturday at the MilkMarketwww.milkmarketlimerick.ie in Limerick.
He runs a 'Pig-On-A-Spit' stall, and you will not taste better pork anywhere!
The photie was taken by local photie-grapher Dermot Lynch, and it encapsulates my wee bro's personality completely!
For those of you in America, particularly NJ, my wee bro and Buddy Valastro are twins!
And I love him dearly.
And for some reason he also reminds me of another pal, Eddie, KONYH!


All good people.

Whistle Down The Wind

When my phone rings and it's a strange number it's either someone looking to book a gig or someone looking for money. Guess which is my favourite?

Earlier in the week I had one of those 'strange' numbers calling me, but it was neither of the above. It was a cousin of mine. I haven't met him since his Da's funeral a couple of years ago. His Ma was my Da's sister.

''Máirtín'' says he, "I was given a voucher for a music store, I have no use for it, and as you are the first person to come to mind  when it comes to music I would be delighted if you could use it to purchase something in the store that would be of use to you in your work. "

Of course I was delighted, not only with the gift, but with the thought. We are about the same age, and though I meet his younger sister at least a couple of times a week I tend to meet him only at weddings and funerals.
And strangely, I had just come from visiting his parents grave a few hours previously.

It's been a very strange week. Strange dreams, interrupted sleep, coincidences.

I'll visit the music shop this weekend, I have a wee something in mind. My favourite instrument to play is the whistle, usually only a few euro's to buy... but there's a tuneable wooden 'D' I'd like, (The Tony Dixon DX022 Dual Head Low Whistle & Flute) a bit more expensive for such a simple instrument. I hope they stock it.

'Annie Laurie' (Or, Aye, I'm A Wee Daftie!)

I was moved.

Such voices.




(A version of this song was used in the 1945 movie 'A Tree Grows In Brooklyn')

Went to the cemetery today. Da, wifes Da. My big Sis, Two aunties. Couple of uncles. Pal. Other pal..Other pal.. .... .......  ...

None of them were there. My Da, my sister, my aunties, uncles. Not one of my friends!

• It's great to go to a memorial stone. To remember. 
• 
  
• But, I don't need a stone to remind me of the ones I love, or have loved. I'll probably go back again, I don't know why, but I will. I like graveyards, history. 

For Your Sister My Friend

For Me & Jimmy