Slán a fhágáil ag Harry

Bím ag scriobh seo inniu, 2ú Marta. Chaith muid ag fáil ár piscín, Harry, ag codhladh. Tá leoicéime aige.

Bhí sé ina stríoc bán ar a driomh dubh. Bhí sé cosúil le scúnc. D'iarr muid air "scúncín."

Bhí sé an-chíuín. Mar sin féin, "purred" sé. Ar maidin, tháinig Harry chun suí agamsa.

"Purred" sé is airde. Bhí Léna ábalta chloisteáil dó ar fud an tseomra. Is é mo chuimhne air.

Bhí sé féin agus a dheartháir Jerry ach ceithre mhí d'aois. Tá brón orainn anseo. Deanfaimid chailleain Harry.

Goodbye to Harry.

I am writing this today, March 2nd. We has to put our kitten, Harry, to sleep. He had leukemia.

He had a white stripe on his black back. It was like a skunk. We called him "little skunk."

He was very quiet. Nevertheless, he purred. This morning, Harry came to sit with me.

He purred very loud. Layne was able to hear him across the room. It is my memory of him.

He himself and his brother Jerry were but four months old. We are sorry here. We will miss Harry.

Image/íomha

Fiosracht faoi na Gearmáine Thoir

Le déanaí, bhreatnaigh mé an scannán "Victoria." Tarlaíonn sé i mBeirlin inniu. Bhi chuimhne liom go raibh mé fiosracht faoi an hOirthear na Gearmáine ar feadh i bhfad.

Thósaigh mé a léamh úrscéalaí agus neamh-fhicsean faoi na DDR. Ach, níl sé leabhair go leor áistriú ag Béarla. Mar sin féin, fuair mé sinn roinnt sa leabharlann.

Nuair bhí mé óg, le linn an Chogadh Fuar, bhailigh mé stampaí. Bhí maith liom ag foghlaim faoi áiteannaí i gcéin. Chónaic mé an séala na Germáine Thoir lena casúr agus compás.

Machnaimh mé a thromchúisi. Bhí mé ar eolas faoi na daoine a bhí ina gcónaí ann. An raibh siad i ndáiríre cosúil le Stalin agus na cummainaithe, mar Gearmánaigh iad féin?

Ina theannta sin, rinne na Seápaine agus Germánaigh mhaith linn, áititheorí Mheiriceá? Thuig mé ag duine mar a bhí in usaid dom go stampa. Maith nó olc, bhí mé cosuil leis ó léi.

Curious about East Germany.

Recently, I watched the film "Victoria." It happens in Berlin today. It reminded me I have had a curiosity about East Germany for a long time.

I started to read novels and non-fiction about the DDR. But, there's not many books translated into English. Nevertheless, I found some in the library.

When I was young during the Cold War, I collected stamps. I liked learning about faraway places. I saw the seal of East Germany with its hammer and compass.

I pondered its severity. I wanted to know more about the people who lived there. Did they really like Stalin and the Communists, as Germans? 

Furthermore, did the Japanese and Germans like us, American occupiers? I realized a person like me had used that stamp. Good or bad, I was like him or her.

Fáilte go dtí Jerry + Larry

Nach beag tri seachtaine ó shin, chuir mé iontas sa bhaile. D'imithe mé ar shiúil le haghaidh ar maidin. Nuair a d'fhill mé, chónaic mé dha piscín thuas staighre.

Mar sin, thuig mé go raibh an beirt nua. Bhí siad dubh agus ban chomh Gary, Mary, agus Malcolm. Ach, bhí níos lú Jerry agus Larry, seacht seachtaine d'aois sin.

Ó shin, bím leo oiread agus is féidir sa bhaile. Is maith liom ag breathnú orthu imirt. Ar ndóigh, is brea leo a codhladh go leor, ar cheile, ar an leaba.

Shíl mé go mbeadh is maith leis ár madra Opie iad. Tá sí ag fás go mall leis seo. Measaim go raibh sí codlaíonn leo ar feadh an h-óiche, fós.

Is cuimhne linn amannaí alannaí leis Gary, Mary agus Malcolm. Anois, tá Jerry agus Larry anseo. Taithneamh a bhaint as a n-chuideachta.

Welcome to Jerry + Larry.

Almost three weeks ago, I found a surprise at home. I had left for the morning. When I returned, I saw two kittens upstairs.

Therefore, I realized that they were a new pair. They were black and white like Gary, Mary, and Malcolm. But, Jerry and Larry were far smaller, seven weeks old then.

Since then, I have been with them as often as possible at home. I like watching them play. Of course, they love to sleep a lot, together, on the bed.

I think that our dog Opie may like them. She is growing slowly at this. I reckon that she is sleeping with them during the night, too.

We remember lovely times with Gary, Mary, and Malcolm. Now, we have Jerry and Larry here. We enjoy their company.

Jhumpa Lahiri agus teanga ag fhoghlaim

Léigh mé aiste le Jhumpa Lahiri ina h-iris An Nua-Eabhracha faoi deireanach. Tá sé dar teideal "Múin do féin Iodáilis." Tuigim sé go hiomlán.

Mar sin é, ní thuigim i bhfad an teanga Iodáile fós. Ach, tá fhíos agam féin an streachailt os sí féin. Níl easca é a fhoghlaim teanga éagsúil ina cathair ar leith.

Scríobh sí faoi radharc ar an eolas domsa. D'fhoglaim sí ar dtus ó an teanga iasachta ina SAM. Ansin, chuaigh sí go a talamh dhúchais.

Ní raibh sí ábalta iarraidh le haghaidh treorachaí ar an tsráid ann. Ní fheadfadh sí ag insint go fhreastalaí h-ordú. D'fheadfaidh sí labhairt ar éigean ar chor ar bith.

Mar sin féin, bhí sí ar cíos árasán i Roimh. D'fhan sí ar an gceanna Via Giulia go shiúl mé níos lú an mhí ó shin. Thosaigh sí ar scríobh ina teanga difriúil.

Jhumpa Lahiri and language learning.

I read an essay by Jhumpa Lahiri in the magazine The New Yorker recently. It is titled "Teach Yourself Italian". I understand it totally.

That is, I do not understand a lot of the Italian language yet. But, I know myself her own struggle. It is not easy to study a different language in a separate city.

She writes about a view familiar to me. She learned the start of a foreign language in the USA. Then, she went to its native land.

She was not able to ask for directions in the street. She could not tell a waiter her order. She was barely able to speak at all.

Nevertheless, she rented an apartment in Rome. She stayed on the same Via Giulia that I walked less than a month ago. She started to write in a different tongue. (Photo/Grianghraf)

Slan leat, Gary-cat

Fuair Gary bás an tseachtaine seo caite. D'fhán ár cat go dtí go fhill ó ár turas. Ach, chaith sé an h-ám. 

Scríobhím seo leis brón. Ní raibh mé ag iarraidh a clóscríobh na focail seo. Mar sin féin, bíonn mé ag insint orthú anois. 

Bhí dúil mhór agam air. Shuigh sé liom. Chódail sé ar dom. 

Ós rud é go luath i 2002, chúram againn le haghaidh dó agus a dheirfiúr, Maire. Chuaigh ar shiúl a ndeartháir Larry. Ach d'fhán Maire agus Gary le breis agus dosaen bliain ar chéile. 

Tá súil agam go bhfuil ar neamh i n-spéir, dó agus ár peataí atá caite. Is fada liom uaim iad. Is mian liom iad go léir tsíocháin.
 

Goodbye to you, Gary-cat.
 
Gary met his death a week ago. Our cat waited until we returned from our trip. But, it must be the time. 

I write this with sadness. I did not want to type these words. All the same, I am telling you now.  

I loved him. He sat on me. He slept on me. 

Since early in 2002, we cared for him and his sister, Mary. Their brother Larry went away. But Mary and Gary stayed for more than a dozen years together. 

I hope that he and our past pets are in their heaven. I miss them. I wish them all peace.

Léim na tSagart

Thiomaint muidsa go Cill na Líos in aice leis An Muinchille go dtí an ionad eile ag imeall ansin. Thaisceadh linn ansin i gContae Monaghan leis ár chairde Tony agus Sinéad i Líos an Fidléir in aice leis An Carraig Mhachaire Róis ar fheadh an Féile Shamhna. A thóg siad duinn a fheiceaíl Inis Caoin leis an uaigh na Pádraic Ó Caomhánach, agus Chairlinn. Thar a teach an oíche sin, chonaic muid le chéile an geall leathach thar an cheo thar an réimhse

Labhair muid go lán, ach ar maidín dar gcíonn, chaith muid ag dul go hÁth Dara i Luimhneach. Chonaic muid an coill níos alainn i gCill Mhainaim ag imeall An Ceannanas. Tá fómhar fós anseo.

Bhuail muid chugainn ár chairde Brídín agus Seán go a n-teach tábhairne cairdiúl in Áth Dara. D'fhan muid i n-óstán béal dorais freisin. Ansin, chuaigh muid go Dún Chaoin i gCorca Dhuibhne.

Chuala mé na duine áitiúlaí ag ra as Gaeilge ina siopa i gCeann Tra. Bhi athas orm. Mar sin, labhairt mé cúpla focail ag an siopadóir. Dá bhrí sin, tá mé ag úsáidtear 'an teanga beo' sna trí Gaeltachtaí beagán.

Thiomaint muid go An Mórchuaird Chiarraí riamh. Gan amhras, bhí sé déas, ach is maith liom is fearr an bóthar is scannrúil triu an GPS. D'inis sin duinn ag dul an bealach taobh, Léim na tSagart. 

Tá sé anseo. Tú ábalta foghlaim faoi le Victoria Glendenning agus Gerard Lyne. Aimseagh athbreithnithe níos le lucht síuíl scanraithe!

Anois, bím i nArd Ó bhFicheallaigh in aice leis Cloich na Coillte. Amárach, beidh muid ag dul triu an cathair na gCorcaigh go dtí mBaile Ätha Cliath ar ais. Agus seo chugainn, feicfeimid an Iodail go luath.

Priest's Leap

We drove from Killyliss near Cootehill to another location near then. We stayed then in Co Monaghan with our friends Tony and Sinéad in Lisnafedeely near Carrickmacross during the feast of Samhain. They took us to see Inniskean with the grave of Patrick Kavanagh, and Carlingford. At their house that night, together we saw the half moon over their house, above the advancing mist in the fields. 

We spoke a lot, but that next morning, we had to go to Adare in Limerick. We saw a very lovely wood in Kilmainham around Kells. It is still autumn here. 

We met next our friends Bridie and Sean at their friendly pub in Adare. We stayed at their hotel next door too. Then, we went to Dunquin in West Kerry. 

I heard the local people talking in Irish in the shop in Ventry. I was happy. So, I spoke 'a bit of Irish' to the shopkeeper. Therefore, I've used 'the living language' in all three Irish-speaking regions now.

We drove the Ring of Kerry after. Sure, it is pretty, but I liked more the terrifying road via GPS. That told us to go a side road, Priest's Leap. 

Here it is. You can learn about it from Victoria Glendenning and Gerard Lyne. See more reviews  from terrified travellers !

Now, I'm in Ardfield near Clonakilty. Tomorrow, we will be going through the city of Cork to Dublin again. And then, we will see Italy soon. (Photo/grianghraf)

Oíche Shamhna ag imeall an Brú na Bóinne

Tá Lena agus mise in Uladh anois. Thug muid cuairt go dtí ár mac is óige ina Colaiste na Bhaird ina Stáit Nua-Eabhrac ar feadh ag deireach na tseachtaine seo caite. Ansin, eitil muid go dtí mBaile átha Cliath cúpla lá ó shín.

Go tapaidh, d'fhág muid an t-aerphort. Thiomaint muid go Droichead Átha. Chuir cuairt leis ár chairde, an chlann Mac an tSaoir.

Mar sin d'fhan muid in aice leis a dteach, fheadfaidh muid ag caint leis an teaghlach níos mó. Labhair mé leis an fear chéile agus an bean chéile le chéile, mar shampla, agus bhuail Lena na paiste go léir. Bhí mé ag plé leo as Gaeilge beagán, freisin.

Inne, d'imigh ár chairde. Bhí brón orainn, ach is gá duinn chun freastal air ár chairde eile i gCorrdubh i gContae Muineachán. Dá bhrí sin, bím ag scríobh an aiste seo an óiche roimh na h-Oíche Shamhna ina Teach Mór na Coill-a-Lios i Liosnalong, idir na bhaile na Muineachán agus Cabhan.

Bain sult as againn an faoin tuath anseo; chuaigh muid riamh go mBrú na Bóinne ach bhí an turas dúnadh ann. Is ciúin é thart anseo agus níos dorcha faoi an gealach beagnach lán, gan amhras. Amárach, beidh sé an lá roimh Samhain; b'fhéidir, is féidir liomsa féin a fheicéail ar an bhearna isteach na Saol Eile.

Halloween's Eve near the Boyne.

Layne and I myself am in Ulster now. We visited our younger son in Bard College in New York State during last weekend. Then, we flew to Dublin a few days ago.

Rapidly we left the airport. We drove to Drogheda. We paid a visit to our friends, the McIntyre clan.

Because we stayed near their house, we were able to speak to the household (family) more. I spoke with the husband and the wife together, for instance, and Layne met the children all. I spoke with them both in Irish a bit, too. 

Yesterday, we left behind our friends. We were sad, but we have a need to meet our other friends in Corduff in Co Monaghan. Therefore, I write this entry on the night before the night of Samhain's eve in Killyliss Country House in Lisnalong, between the towns of Monaghan and Cavan.

We are enjoying the countryside here; we went to Newgrange but the tour was full. It is quiet around here and darker under the nearly full moon, for sure. Tomorrow, it will be the eve of Samhain; perhaps, I may see the gap into the Other Life. 

Go Dakota Thuas ar ais

Beidh mé i nDakota Thuas aríst go luath. Chuir mé cuairt mo priomh-turas an bhlian seo caite. Bhí sé ina Deireadh Fomhair, fós.

Cén fath? Tá mé ag dul go Dakota Thuas a thabhairt ar an caint. Tá sé faoi an clár "Clann na h-Aonrial" agus téamaí Éireannachaí air.

Measaim go beidh mé an h-am taitneamhach ansuid. Bhí maith liom ag feacháint an Chnoc Rushmore, Te Spriongaí, na buabhaill ina bPairc Stáit na Custer, Adhman Marbh, na Tailte Dona, agus na Cnoic Dubh an h-uair deireanach, mar shampla. Ach, ní maith liom a fhilleadh go an Síopa Drogaí na Bhallaí.

Chuala mé go raibh dhá teach tabhairne ansin. Tá áit amháin an ainmithe Ui Néill. Is é eile an dara ainmithe Ui Murchú in aice leis.

Mar sin, tá fhios agam a beidh mé ag dul go dtí i gCathair Tapa. Tá súil agam go raibh an leann dubh ceart ann.  Tá mé ag do is fearr, ní i gcónaí na hAonghusa.

Back to South Dakota.

I will be in South Dakota again soon. I paid my first visit there the past year. It was in October, too.

Why? I am going to South Dakota to give a talk. It is on the program "Sons of Anarchy" and its Irish themes.

I reckon it will be a pleasant time up there. I liked seeing Mount Rushmore, Hot Springs, the buffalo in Custer State Park, Deadwood, the Badlands, and the Black Hills last year, for example. But, I do not want to return to Wall's Drug Store.

I heard that there are two pubs there. The first is called O'Neill's. The second is called Murphy's nearby.

Therefore, I know where I am going when I go to Rapid City. I hope that there is the right stout there. I look for the best, not always Guinness. (Photo/Ghriangraf)

Ag dul go bPairc Sequoia

 
Chuaigh Léna agus mé go bPairc Náisiúnta Sequoia Dé Ceardaoin ar feadh an tseachtaine seo caite. Bhí an Lá de Leorghnímh ann. Mar sin, níl obair aici.

D'iarr sí ag imirt go an teorainn nua. Ní raibh feicthe againn an ceantar faoi na Sierras Thiar ag imeall an Gleann Lárnach. D'fhág muid ár baile ag méan lae.

Thiomaint muid leis ár madra, Opie. Chodlainn sí sa suiomh ar ais. Ní raibh sí ag iarraidh chun breathnú amach.

Ach, rinne mé. Is maith liom ag feacháil na úlloird de liomóidí agus ológaí in aice leis an bailte beagaí. Rith muid tri Bakersfield (ró-te, in aice le 100F), Terra Bella (bhaile dúhais sean-chara), Porterville (eaglaisí go leor), Lindsay (ag fháil bhais ológái), Exeter (an-deas), Lemon Cove (ag fáil bhais), agus Three Rivers (sprionlaithe--aon leithreas phoiblí). Faoi deireadh, tháinig muid an Pairc.

Is maith linn na crannaí rua, agus na móineír Halstead, glas agus ag tabhairt cuireadh le mo radharc. Thít trathnóna nuair d'fhág muid uair an chloig ina dhiaidh sin dhá. Ëist muid go dtí an leabhar "The Secret History" a léamh ag a údar, Donna Tartt, ar an mbealach abhaile fada; d'fhill muid aice le méan oíche.

Going to Sequoia National Park. 

Layne and I went to Sequoia National Park on Wednesday during the past week. It was Yom Kippur. Therefore, she did not work.

She wanted to get out to new territory. We had never seen the region around the Western Sierras around the Central Valley. We left our house at noon.

We drove with our dog, Opie. She slept in the back seat. She did not want to look out.

But, I did. I liked seeing the orchards of lemons and olives near the small towns. We passed through Bakersfield (too-hot, near 100F), Terra Bella (hometown of an old friend), Porterville (lots of churches), Lindsay (dying olives), Exeter (very nice), Lemon Cove (dying), and Three Rivers (miserly--no public restrooms). Finally, we came to the Parc.

We liked the redwoods, and the Halstead Meadow, green and inviting to my sight. Dusk fell when we left two hours later. We listened to the book "The Secret History" read by Donna Tartt, on the long way home; we returned near midnight. (Grianghraf/Photo)

Bradan agus Salman

Chuala Léna agus mé scríbhneoir cáiliúil an tseachtaine seo caite. Chuaigh muid go dtí ar lar ina gCathair na hÄingeal. Chonaic muidsa Salman Rushdie ag an leabharlann lárnach ansin.

Go nádurtha, tá leabhar nua aige a plé. Ach, d'iarraidh muid ach a fhéiceail air ag ár cathair. Go fírinne, ní raibh breá "Na Veársaí 'Ghaire Ghalar Dubhach" go mór. Shíl mé go raibh sé ró-scaipthe.

Mar sin féin, bhi maith muid ag breathnú Rushdie. D'inis sé dúinn faoi an dith de chaint saor in aisce. Chuir sé i gcoinne 'rabhaidh spreagadh' agus géilleadh na chinsireacht san Eoraip 's Méiricea Thuadh.

Thít sé go leor aimnreachtaí. Mheas se go raibh Bob Dole an-leadránach. Chinn sé Bill Clinton an-deas. agus Seoirse Ö Chluaine an-dathúil, mar shampla...aon iontas.

Níos luaithe, d'ith bradan agus gnocchi ina bialann fineáil, "Industriel" ag 6th agus Grand. D'ól leann dubh-bainne ó Longmont i gColorado. Beidh muid ar ais ann nuair atá againn níos mó ama.

Salmon and Salman

Layne and I heard a famous writer this past week. We went to the downtown Los Angeles. We saw Salman Rushdie at the Central Library there.

Naturally, he had a new book to discuss. But, we wanted to go only to see him in our city. Truthfully, I did not love "The Satanic Verses." I thought it was too scattered.

Nevertheless, we liked watching Rushdie. He told us about the need for free speech. He stood against "trigger warnings" and capitulating to censorship in Europe and North America.

He dropped many names. He thought Bob Dole was very boring. He found Bill Clinton very charming and George Clooney very handsome, for example...no surprises.

Earlier, we ate salmon and gnocchi at a fine restaurant, Industriel, at 6th and Grand. I drank milk stout from Longmont in Colorado. We will return there when we have more time.

Ghrianghraf/Photo: Tá muid ag suí ar bhealach ar ais anseo! We are sitting a long way back here!

Ag an Babhla na Choillte Chulleain aríst.

 

Ar feadh an tseachtaine seo caite, thóg amach Léna agus mé leis Niall agus a chailín Áine. Chuaigh muid ag an Babhla na Choillte Chulleain aríst. Chuala muid ceithre saothair ceile.

Bhí siad téama na Fraince ann. Bhí maith liom an príomh-piosa is mó ann. Bhí sé an shionsacht daicheadú le Mozart. Tá sé ainmithe "an bParas,"ar ndóigh.

Ach, bhí sé an-ghearr ann. Ansin, bhí sé an dara piosa le Saint-Saens. Bhí se reasunta mór, ach go gearr, tháinig dordveidhle óg agus rinne sé go-hiontach.

Bhí sós ann. D'ith ceapaire cáis leis arán maith. D'ól leann Indiach geal "Loser" le Elysium i tSeattle agus leann dubh "Black Rhino" ó Grualann Adelbert i hAustin.

Sheineamh siad piosaí le Ibert agus Haydn. Bhí an priomh-piosa chomh ceol im "Bugs Bunny"; ní fheadfaidh go chuimne liomsa le Haydn is mó ach oiread! Mar sin féin, bhain sult as againnsa suas na rialtaí mar i gcónaí.

At the Hollywood Bowl again.

During the past week, Layne and I took Niall and his girlfriend Ann out. We went to the Hollywood Bowl again. We heard four musical works.

They had a French theme. I liked the first piece most. It was the fortieth symphony by Mozart. It is named "The Paris," of course.

But it was very short. Then there was the second piece by Saint-Saens. It was all right, but suddenly a young cellist came and made it wonderful.

There was a break. I ate a cheese sandwich with good bread. I drank an IPA "Loser" from Elysium in Seattle and a dark ale "Black Rhino" from Adelbert Brewery in Austin.

They played pieces by Ibert and Haydn. The first piece was like music in "Bugs Bunny": I cannot recall the Haydn much either! Nevertheless, we enjoyed ourselves under the stars as always.

(Ghriangraf/Photo.)

Is chlé-libraíoch mé

Measaim go mise a gcéanna faoi deireadh. Nuair bím ag smaoineamh faoi chúrsaí polaitíulái, ar an laghad. Thúg mé tráth na gceist an mí seo caite, mar shampla. 

Mar is féidir leat a fheichéail, is chlé-libraíoch anseo. Bhí léite agam go leor faoi ainrialachas ar feadh na blianta beaga anuas. Go hairithe os rud Occupy i 2011. 

D'fhoghlaim mé go bhfuil mé idir libraíochas agus sóisaleachas ar an iarmhéid. Roimh seo, thuig mé go bhfuil mé ar an chlé. Ach, níl me ar an thaobh na láimhe deise de réir na libraíoch, gan amhras.

Go teoiriciúil, seasamh mé i measc iad siúd nach bhfuil bhfabhar ceannairí tofa. Go fírinne, is maith liom ag staonadh ó vótáil d'iarrthóirí i dtóghcháin móra. Níl maith liom an dá phríomh-páirithe i náisiún seo.

Mar sin féin, caithfidh mé a chinneadh ag déanamh i 2016. Bíonn iarrthóir nua ó na Sóisialaithe anois--ach tá sé ag rith mar Daonlathaigh. Ní aontaim le roinnt na chuid ardán, ach aointaim le go leor de na sé. Beidh mé a feiceáil go luath má mhaireann sé an bliain seo chugainn.  

Left-libertarian me.

I judge that I myself am the same lately. When I think about political matters, at any rate. I took this
quiz last month, for example. 

As you can see, I am left-libertarian here. I had read a lot about anarchism during the past few years. Especially since Occupy in 2011. 

I learned that I am between libertarianism and socialism on the balance. Before this, I understood that I am on the left. But, I am not on the side of the right-hand regarding the libertarians, no doubt. 

In theory, I stand among those who do not favor elected leaders. Certainly, I like abstention from voting for candidates in major elections.  I do not like the two major parties in this nation. 

All the same, I must choose what to do in 2016, There is a new candidate from the Socialists now--but he is running as a Democrat. I do not agree with some of his platform, but I agree with much of it. I will see soon if he lasts the next year.

Iasc betta anseo

D'imigh Caisaide go dti Prág le déanaí. Tá iasc "betta" aici. Mar sin, tá dith uainn chun bheatha é.

Ní raibh mé a chothú iasc riamh. Bhain mé triail as dhéanamh seo. Ach, ní raibh mé ábalta a mheas nuair a chothú an t-am ceart, fós.

Ní raibh a fhoglaim an uair nuair Leon nó Caisaide chothú é, freisin.
Ní raibh a fheicéail siad go minic ar feadh an tsamraidh. D'obair muid agus ní raibh fhios againn chéile.

Bhreathaim an iasc rua. Snamh sé thart. Mar sin féin, nach bhfuil sé in ann maireachtáil leis an iasc eile. 

N'fheadar má tá sé sásta nó feargach anseo. Bheul, tá fhios ag Leon an uair agus an méid bea anois. Measaim go beidh a chothrú aire a thabhairt do an t-iasc.

A betta fish here.

Cassidy left for Prague recently. She has a "betta" fish. Therefore, there's a need for us to feed it.

I have not taken care of a fish before. I tried to do this. But, I was not able to judge when to care for it at the right time, still.

I did not learn the time when Leo or Cassidy cared for it, also. I did not see them often during a week. We worked and we did not know when we'd be together.

I watched the red fish. It swims around. Nevertheless, it is not able to live with another fish.

I wonder if it's happy or angry here. Well, Leo knows the time and the amount of food now. I think that he will take care of the fish. Photo/ Grianghraf.

A bheith Gaeilge

Scríobh Anna Hoffman faoi an dúshlán a shábháil ar ár teanga ársa. Duirt sí ina Huffington Post go

raibh an lucht na Gaeilgoirí go mbeadh i dtrioblóid. De réir UNESCO, tá Gaeilge "cinnte i mbaol" anois.

Sainmhíonníon Cuan Ó Seireadáin ó Conradh na Gaeilge an faillí seo mar "béal grá." Mar sin, tá focaíl ach gan an ghníomh ann.  Aontaíonn Cian MacCárthaigh ó Raidió na Lífe go tugann An Rialtas na hÉireann ach "seirbhís liopa" leis an teanga oifigiúil.

Mar sin féin, cabhríonn an staísiún sin i mBaile Átha Cliath foghlaimeoirí. Tá gá le pobal a labhríonn an teanga le chéile, ar ndóigh. Measaim faoi mó chairde i nDroichead Átha ag fás leis Gaeilge.

Ar an lamh eile, ina Gaeltachtaí, tá an scéal gruama ansin. Nuair chuaigh mé go Dún na nGall ina tsamraidh 2007 a foghlaim Gaeilge ar feadh a coicís, ní raibh a daonra áitiúil a labhairt Gaeilge liom. B'fhéidir, dith orthu a labhairt Gaeilge ach amháin eatarthu féin. ach tá sin chuid den fhadhb, cinnte.

Meabhríonn Hoffman dúinn go labhairt "a bheith Gaeilge." Tá sé níos mó ná labhairt. Oidhreacht muid stór ríluachmhar a choiméad beo.

"To Have Irish"

Anna Hoffman writes about the challenge to save our ancestral language. She tells in the Huffington Post that the share of Irish-speakers may be in trouble. According to UNESCO, Irish is "definitely endangered" now.

Cuan Ó Seireadáin of Conradh na Gaeilge defines this neglect as "mouth-love." That is, there are words but no action. Cian MacCárthaigh of Raidió na Lífe agrees that the Irish government gives but "lip service" to the official tongue.

Nevertheless, that station in Dublin helps learners. There is need for a community to speak the language together, of course. I think of my friends in Drogheda growing up with Irish.

On the other hand, in the Gaeltachts, there is a dire situation there. When I went to Donegal in summer 2007 to study Irish during a fortnight, the local people did not want to speak Irish with me. Perhaps, there was a wish to speak Irish only between themselves, but that's part of the problem, sure.

Hoffman reminds us that we speak "to have Irish." This is more than speaking it. We inherit a priceless treasure to keep alive. (Photo/Grianghraf i mBéal Feirste Iarthar/in West Belfast; {"Labhairt cibé Gaeilge atá agat/Speak whatever Irish you have"})

Ag cheannaigh leann úll aríst

Is breá Léna leann úll. Mar sin, cheannaigh mé buidéil éagsulaí le déanaí. Bhí chomoráidh éagsulaí an tseachtain seo caite againn.

Chuaigh mé go an siopa in aice leis mo láthair oibre. Díolann é fíon go leor. Ach, tá beoir freisin ann.

A bliain ó shin, fuair mé ceirtlis difriúil ansin. Bhí maith linn "Quercus" le Bonny Doon. Anois, iarraidh mé a aimsiú bhrandaí eile aríst.

Roghnaigh mé Apple Pie agus Razzmatazz le Julian ag imeall Naomh Diego, agus Slice of Life le B. Nektar i Michigan. Fuair mé Pitchfork ó piorra le Sonoma agus An Naomh le Crispin, an beirt i gCalifoirnia Thuas. Ar deireadh, bailíodh mé Petritegi ina Tír na mBascach leis lipéad galánta fós.

Rinne mé an bailíuchan ar mo gluaisteán. Bhí an-te i Fada Trá an lá sin. Tá súil agam go mbeadh an deochannaí níos fionnuar nuair iad taithneamh a bhaint as le céile go luath.

Buying cider again. 

Layne loves cider. Therefore, I bought various bottles recently. We had celebrations this past week. 

I went to a shop near my place of work. It sells lots of wine. But, there is beer there too. 

A year ago, I got different ciders then. We liked "Quercus" by Bonny Doon. Now, I wanted to aim for other brands again. 

I chose Apple Pie and Razzmatazz by Julian near San Diego, and Slice of Life by B. Nektar in Michigan. I got Pitchfork from pears in Sonoma and The Saint by Crispin, the pair in Northern Califoirnia. Finally, I got Petritegi from the Basque Country with an elegant label too.

I gathered the collection for my car. It was very hot in Long Beach that day. I hope the drinks will be cooler when we enjoy them together soon. 

Grianghraf/Photo: Teach leann úll/Cider House ó/of Petritegi from/de 1527 i/in Astigarraga, Euskadi.

Tír na mBascach

Tá súil buaine agam faoi An Bhascais agus an Tír na mBascach. Foghlaim faoi na Bascaise fadó, ar ndóigh. Léigh mé an leabhar le Mark Kurlansky, "An Stair Bascais ar an domhan" agus an úrscéal le Bernardo Aztaga, freisin, ina dhiaidh sin.

Go fírinne, is nasc láidir idir na Bascaise agus an muintir na hÉireann anois. D'fhás sé seo leis na trioblóidí. Féachaint ar múrmhaisiú seo in hIarthar Bhéal Feirste, mar shampla.

Is "askatasuna" an bhrí na saoirse as Bascaise. Tá siad daoine an-ársa ansin. Tá muid gaolmhara sa Bhreatain Bheag agus i Éirinn go na Bascachaí ansiud an chuid is mo gar, fós, de réir gíneolaíocht.

Tá inimircigh Bascachaí ina hIdaho, Nevada, agus Califoirnea ó dheas ag imeall Bakersfield agus in Chino, gaire dom. Tá béilí mór acu ar chéile. Go minic, bhí aoirí anseo sa lá aois san Iarthar.

Bá mhaith liom ag dul go an Tír na mBascach go luath. Tá mé ábalta labhair i Spáinnis beágan agus tá mé ábalta léamh roinnt Fraincise, mar sin féin. Gan amhras, tá an teanga an Bhascais ro-deacair do achan duine ann lasmuigh den talamh ársa.

The Basque Country.

I've had an enduring interest in Basque and the Basque Country. I learned about the Basques long ago, of course. I later read Mark Kurlansky's book "The Basque History of the World" and a novel by Bernardo Atxaga too.

Truly, there is a strong link between the Basques and the people of Ireland now. This grew during the Troubles. Look at this mural in the West of Belfast, for instance.

"Askatasuna" is the meaning of freedom in Basque. The people are very ancient there. We are relatives in Wales and in Ireland to the Basques over there as our share is closest, still, in terms of genetics.

There are Basque immigrants in Idaho, Nevada, and Southern California around Bakersfield and in Chino, nearer to me. They have great meals together. Often, they were shepherds here in the old days of the West.

I would like to go to the Basque Country soon. I am able to speak in Spanish somewhat and I am able to read a share of French, all the same. Without a doubt, the language of the Basques is very difficult for everyone outside this ancient land.

Ag siúl leis Opie i tSliabh Washington

Chuaigh mé agus Léna suas Sliabh Washington faoi deireanach. D'fhéadfhai tú a fheiceáil an radharc difriúil ag barr an iarnróid sean i 1909-22. Is grád gear ansin, gan amhras, go deo.

Thóg muid ár madra dubh, Opie, le linn. Is maith leí ag dul amach go minic. Is bréa liom ag fágáil ár tí, chomh maith. 

Bhuail muid an lucht cláir scátalá ag fhilleadh ar ais suas an Slaibh. Bhí siad chuid d'fhoireann "Scuad Círéib" na saor an aisce ann. Comhrá againn leis fear óg agus cairdiúl faoi a trí madraí agus cat amháin le chéile.

Anois, níl fanaí folamh ag imeall an cruinniú mullach. Mar sin féin, tú ábalta sult an bhaint as Tra Fáda, na Sliebh Naomh Gabriel, an shíniú na Coillte Cuilleach, agus ar lar na Cathair na hÁingeal in aiteannaí éagsúlaí ar feadh an shiúloid fáda. B'fhéidir, is féidir leat a fheiceáil le léargas ar an Aigéin Ciúin ar bhfad ar shiúl in aice leis le luí na gréine. 

Tá siúlfeadh fáda, gan amhras, ansuid. Tá sé beagnach cúig mhíle ann. Ach, tá sé go leor radharcannaí--chomh maith le iomarca títhe nua agus gránnaí, ar ndóigh, a bheith L.A. seo! 

Walking with Opie in Mount Washington

Layne and I walked up Mount Washington recently. You could have seen a different view from the top of the old railway in 1909-22. It's a steep grade there, for sure, always. 

We took our black dog, Opie, with us. She likes going out often. She loves leaving our house, as well.

We met a group of skateboarders returning up the Mount. They were part of a "Riot Squad" team of freeboarders. We spoke with a friendly young man about his three dogs and his one cat together. 

Now, there are no empty slopes around the summit. Nevertheless, you are able to see Long Beach, the San Gabriel Mountains, the Hollywood sign, and the center of Los Angeles at various locations during the long walk. Perhaps, you will see a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean far off near sunset. 

It's a long hike, without a doubt, up there. It is nearly five miles. But, there's lots of vistas--as well as too many new and ugly houses, of course, this being L.A.!

tSeirbhís chuimhneacháin ina dTailte Dearg

Thiomáint muid go dTailte Dearg go minic. Ach, níl muid imithe go dti ansin a freastail ócáid difriúil ná mar gheall ár mhac síne, Leon. Mar sin féin, chuaigh muid go dti inniu.

Fhreastail muid an tseirbhís chuimhneacháin do Kathryn Green. Scríobh mé faoi di le déanaí ar an bhlog seo. Fuair bás sí amach ar saol seo is tobann.

Chuaigh muid ciorcal ar an Ollscoil na Tailte Dearg an tráthnóna seo. Bhí chuimhne Léna agus chairde go leor eile faoi Kathryn le grá. Labhair daoine faoi a ranníaocaíochtaí agus cairdeas go fliúrseach.

Bhí mé sásta a fheiceáil cairde ó dhá sheiminear leis Liam MacDomhnall agus Caoimhin Ó Néill fós. Bhailigh muid leis mic léinn atá caite agus faoi láthair ar chéile ag an poll dóiteáin faoi na gréine. Bhí sé ina lá cothrom chun freastail ar ansin, gan amhras.

Faoi deireanach, d'ith muid ag an bialann Eureka leis Leon agus Chaiside. Bhuail mé an fear bocht óg le coiléan nua. An bhialann a íocadh a béile lena fiancess, duirt sé orm. Duirt sé liom go mbeadh sé íoc ar ais an tseachtain seo chugainn nuair a bhí íochta aige féin.

D'ólann muid leann blásta. Bhí maith liom giotán le leann Strawberry Sour (Almanac) agus La Folie Sour Brown Belgian (New Belgium) agus Ritual Red, ach is brea liom Patsy's Coconut Rye Stout (Barley Works, Costa Mesa) agus le déanaí Heart of Dankness le Ritual, an IPA áitiúl an chuid is fearr. Tósta muid di Kathryn.

A memorial service.

We have driven to Redlands often. But we have not gone out there to attend a different occasion than for our older son, Leo. All the same, we went there today.

We attended a memorial service for Kathryn Green. I wrote about her lately on this blog. Death took her out of this life very suddenly.

We joined a circle at the University of Redlands this afternoon. Layne and many other friends remembered Kathryn with love. People spoke about her contributions and friendship in abundance.

I was happy to see friends from two seminars with Bill McDonald and Kevin O'Neill too. We gathered with students who were past and present together at the fire pit under the sun. It was a lovely day to gather there, without a doubt.

After, we at at the Eureka restaurant with Leo and Cassidy. I met a poor young man and his new puppy. The restaurant was paying for his meal, he told me. He told me he would pay them back in a week when he was paid himself.

We drank tasty ale. I liked a bit of the Strawberry Sour (Almanac) and La Folie Sour Brown Belgian (New Belgium) and Ritual Red, but I loved Patsy's Coconut Rye Stout (Barley Works, Costa Mesa) and finally Heart of Dankness from Ritual, a local IPA the best of all. We gave a toast to Kathryn.

Chéim leis Leon ina dTailte Dearg

Ag deireanach, mo mhac sine ag céim amach le hIonad Mhic Eoin ag an Ollscoil na dTailte Dearg.  Thóg Casaideach dha grianghraf seo os cionn. Is feidir leat a fheicéail ár theaglach, agus Leon 'leis 'lei' agus Niall rua, an dá deartháir, ar cheile, fós.

Ina theannta sin, fheadfaidh tú ag fheicéail mise féin, Niall, mo bhean a tí Lena, Leon, agus a chailín Chaiside. Bhí an lá nios an-teo ansin. Bhi an grian gheal ansuid.

Mar sin, chuaigh muidsa ar ghrúdlann áitiúil in aice láimhe. D'ol mé gíotan na leann hIndia an-blasta ag ainmithe "Hop Daddy" nó "Hop-a-Matic." Is maith Lena agus mé an leann Beilge a thugtar "Bishop's Tipple" freisin.

Níos déanaí, thiomaint muid go bialann Mheicsiceo. D'ith iasc ag cócaireacht leis gairleog. Is brea liomsa seo agus an h-anlann.

Ar deireadh, bhí ar ais ag dul an gailearaí ealaíne ar lár ina ar baile na dTailte Dearg. Rinne Casaideach agus a cara Eric suiteáil ann. Chríochnaigh muid am i gchuimne, gan amhras.

Graduation with Leo in Redlands

At last, my older son graduated from Johnston Center at the University of Redlands. Cassidy took these two photos above. You can see our family, and Leo "with lei" and Niall in red, two brothers, together too.

Furthermore, you can see myself, Niall, my wife Layne, Leo, and his girlfriend Cassidy. It was a very hot day there. The sun was bright out there.

Therefore, we went ourselves to a local brewery nearby. I drank a bit of the tastiest India Pale Ale named "Hop Daddy" or "Hop-a-Matic." Layne and I liked the Belgian ale called "Bishop's Tipple" too.

Later, we drove to a Mexican restaurant. I ate fish cooked in garlic. I loved this and the salsa.

Finally, we went back to an art gallery in the center of the town of Redlands. Cassidy and her friend Eric made an installation there. We finished a memorable day, without a doubt.

Ag cheannaigh "Pinnochio" i nGaeilge

Cheannaigh mé an cóip seo le Pinnochio le Carlo Collodi an mí seo caite. Bhí dith orm a fháil an leabhar seo ann. Tá mé ag tósu ag léamh san Iódáilis, tar éis an tsaoil.

Mar sin, cén fath ar mhaith liom an leabhar sin i nGaeilge fós? Bheul, measaim go mbeadh suimíuil seo a fháil ina dhá teanga. Is maith liom iad araon, go nádurtha.

Ina theannta sin, tá seo ag foillsiu le Coiste Litríochta Mhúsgrai ina Gaeltacht i gCorcaigh fós. Duirt sé: "Chuir Pádraig Ó Buachalla i nGaelainn an scéal san sa mbliain a 1933 agus d'fhoíllsigh fén dteideal Eachtra Phinocchio." Bhi Ó Buachalla i gcónaí i Naomh Proinsias, mar inimirceach, freisin.

Tharraing Roberto Innocenti na léaráidí an-álainn. Bhí sé leisaithe ag Dáithí Ó Cróinín agus Séan ua Súilleabhain. Is féidir leat é a cheannach ó An Síopa Leabhar na Kennys i nGaillimh mar i rinne me.

Chríochnaigh mé leagan dátheangach (Béarla-Iodáilis) ar líne aréir. Anois, mbeidh mé ag foghlaim faoi an leabhar níos mó ann. Is maith liom an scéal seo tsíog agus molaim é an thabhairt duitsa.

Buying Pinnochio in Irish.

I bought this copy of Pinnochio by Carlo Collodi last month. I wanted to get this book. I am starting to read in Italian, after all.

Therefore, why do I want that book in Irish, too? Well, I reckoned that it'd be interesting to get this in two languages. I like them both, naturally.

Furthermore it is published by the Literary Committee in the Musgrai Gaeltacht in Co. Cork too. They say: "Pádraig Ó Buachalla put the story into Irish in the year 1933 and it was published under the title Adventures of Phinocchio." Ó Buachalla lived as an immigrant in San Francisco, also.

Roberto Innocenti drew the very lovely illustrations. Dáithí Ó Cróinín and Séan ua Súilleabhain revised this version.  You can purchase it from Kennys in Galway as I did. 

I finished an Italian-English bilingual version online last night. Now, I may learn about the book more. I like this fairy story and I recommend it to you.