Sunday, August 24, 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
There is so much happening...
This is one of the fields:
This is our woods along the road:
And this is our road:
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Home again, home again jiggity jig
The people are really not friendly; although that is understandable. There is just not much charm in the city. Also, it was odd seeing statues erected to someone as if they were a hero, when I was raised considering them a villain. At any rate, we ended up not even eating there; we just moved on up the road. On to Carrigfergus.....
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Wedding
I do not have anywhere near the time to do the wedding justice as we are just about to be picked up by family to meet even more family.
In all my life; Irish parties, huge family celebrations, Nebraska week-end long spectacles; I have never experienced anything close to this. It was solemn, joyful, wild, crazy, food, drink, speeches, toasts.....
The actual parties went on from being picked up by motor coach at 12:30 on Sat. to being dropped back off at the hotel last night at sometime after midnight this morning (Monday).
So let's start with the ceremony. It was beautiful in a wooden church built in 1798, and the bride and groom were glowing.
more to follow....
Friday, May 16, 2008
I am therefore I have proof.........
We went and spent a little time at his family farm (we were scheduled to do this Sunday), and just dropped in. We were welcomed and spent an enjoyable hour or two visiting and walking through the old orchard and very vibrant garden that his father used to speak of.
Later we returned to the hotel with the Brit side of the wedding. It was fun & we all had dinner.
The groom's dad is named Pete. Both got on quite well with each other & the younger crowd started calling them "The Petes".
I saved the best for last...I pressured Pete into walking to the church; it was locked. He wanted to leave, but I went & found the priest. We were able to get an official copy of Pete's baptismal certificate. He really does exist; its official.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Family, Family, Family....
Best news; she said we will meet about 40 more members of the Dambrauskas Family, Sat. at the wedding. He is beside himself with joy. He said he may end up with more family than me....I don't think so.
Tomorrow morning we leave for Vilkaviskis. So leaving Vilnius I had to do 2 things; see the Vilnius Madonna and sit at my favorite corner.
I did both. The Vilnius Black Madonna, the Mother of Compassion, takes my breath away. I still can not get over that I saw the original once in my life, let alone twice! She is widely renowned for her healing power and a symbol of harmony. I need all in my life at his moment.
There is a corner in the old town, that I just love. I was standing on the cobblestone last visit & a strange sense of having been there before washed over me. This time, I had. Pete & I had a drink and the rye bread & cheese snack that I love & can not get in Chicago. Well good-bye Vilnius, till we meet again.
mb