Category Archives: Family

Don’t Forget Your Wellies

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Not many “what to pack” guides mention the wellies, or wellingtons, or mudboots, or whatever you choose to call them.  But we wore them almost everyday in Ireland, and turned what could have been a “look at those shoes” moment into “so what, it’s just your mudboots” kind of thing.

This is Amy’s first day exploring in the fields of County Kerry, and the lovely green field is also filled with deep oozing mud holes and many reminders of the previous cow visitors.  My older two children had already made it to the castle ruin in record time, leaving Amy & I in their dust, as we carefully tried to pick our way onto any relatively dry grass.  After we had sunk into about our fourth deep mud pit, we gave up, and were thankful for those wellies.

Enjoy your one-of-a-kind day!  Slainte, Lisa

Waiting for the Wind

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Facing the wind near Tir na Nog

You don’t have to wait very long in Ireland to feel the wind.  Yes, there are calm still days.  But the weather in Ireland changes rapidly, and these changes are usually brought about by the wind.  My family and I were attempting to walk Rossbeigh beach and reach the fabled land of Tir Na nOg,  According to local legend, Oisin and Niamh rode their white horse into the sea to reach the land of eternal youth on this strip of wide beautiful sand.  The wind was blowing so fiercely on this particular day that we could not push our car doors open when we arrived.  We thought about giving up the adventure and going home to our nice warm cottage, but we were here, and there was the beach.  So we pushed again and made it out of the car.  Amy, my youngest, held on to my hand tightly as the wind buffeted us.  Bundled up in hats and coats, we leaned into the wind and tried to walk.  We made it about five or ten minutes, and not very far, when we finally surrendered our quest for Tir Na nOg.  Turning around, the wind pushed us VERY quickly back to the car.  It was comical, but showed us all the power of the wind.

Wind brings change, wind can be clearing or terrifying, sometimes both.  After being in the wind, shelter seems more precious.  Wind can propel you quicker or push against you harder, depending on whether you fight it or not.  I wrote a song a long time ago about God’s Wind, the wind of His Spirit that carries me, that sustains me.

“Please hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry come to Thee.  Do not hide Thy face from  me; I need You.  I lie awake nights, like a lonely bird in flight waiting for the wind that leads him home.”  (“Waiting for the Wind”, c 1996 Lisa Lyons, based on Psalm 102)

Have a blessed day.  Slainte, Lisa

Soak It In

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Yesterday I wrote about joy catching.  How to cultivate and encourage joyful moments in life.  Today I’m thinking about the reality of joy snatchers…the circumstances or people that try to grab and steal that joy as soon as you think you’ve found some. I don’t want to dwell on that too long, because, well, that’s a real downer, and yes, a joy snatcher!  🙂  Instead I want to focus on ways to regain your inner peace and joy after the attack of the snatchers.

1.  Read God’s Word.  Best medicine and advice and love ever.  Period.

2.  Sit in the sun for a few moments.  Soak in the warmth, close your eyes, and breathe.

3.  Call a good friend or loved one.

4.  Do something physical.  Vacuum the house, run, take a walk, pet your dog.

5.  Create something.  It doesn’t have to be a new Rachmaninoff or anything, just have fun drawing, coloring, writing, doodling, singing, playing an instrument.

6.  Put on your favorite music and dance in the kitchen.  Or in the living room.  Or outside in the driveway if you’re really daring.

Here’s a great toe-tapping song to help in that regard.  Performed by the High Kings, who by the way just performed for the White House St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.  They’re awesome and so talented.  Check out their website at www.thehighkings.com.

Slainte, Lisa