Day Four

Furrgus here. 

When I awoke this morning the ladies of the house were gone. 

Without even a goodbye. Well none I was awake for.

Upon checking my calendar I realized that Thursdays are Niamh’s all day at her university and Zita’s other day at her downtown office.

Craig was up early also, but not in time for the delivery of another box. 

At least he could not just open the door willy nilly. Small mercy I know. 

By the time the postman was here all three of us had our tea and marmalade and had returned to our preoccupations.

When Craig had his very first coffee Festis made his overnight report and aside from a rather portly skunk it was uneventful. 

I asked if he was going to sign off on the Overnights, but much to my relief he said nothing so formal happened in this house. 

Dugal harrumphed a bit, but busied himself with his memoirs.

As it was another quite beautiful sunny day Festis and I went for our morning exploration of the neighbourhood.

Some of the trees in Poppy’s park have turned the most amazing colours. 

I must admit that when she was in charge of our security Festis and I became rather reclusive. 

But our new responsibilities have galvanized us to become more active.

And perhaps loose some of our recently acquired weight.  

Unfortunately we have now found multiple places serving scandalously delicious pastries and even a store just for tea.

Well we have nothing like that in Acharacle; let me tell you. 

I have told my brother that a certain degree of self control is in order. To no avail. As is usual. 

But the walking about must be good for us if only for the fresh air. Or so I tell Festis. 

The upcoming possibility of Niamh getting her driver’s license has Uncle Dugal a bit flustered.

Apparently he has been assuming he would be her driving instructor.

And obviously would teach his God Daughter how to use a manual transmission. As any respectable person would.

He said that both the family’s cars are too easy to drive, although he approves of the roll up windows in Craig’s. 

Considering his Bentley does not even have a windscreen that is a major concession. 

Now last night we discovered yet another unexpected duty.

The annual Thanksgiving dinner is just around the corner and we are expected to mingle. 

Fortunately it is just the Mahoneys so we do not have to retrieve the dress uniforms. 

The smell of moth repellent usually adversely affects lengthy dinners. Or so I have been told. 

Well our scholar in residence, well sometimes residence, sent Craig his official picture from Saint of X. university. 

EMMET TAYLOR

Part-time Lecturer

Degree: 

MA St Francis Xavier University, PhD candidate University College Cork

Emmet Taylor has a Masters in Celtic Studies from St Francis Xavier University, and is in the final year of their PhD in Early and Medieval Irish at University College Cork, Ireland. 

Their doctoral dissertation is titled 'Heroes and Heroism in Early Irish Literature', and they are particularly interested in the representation of ancient and medieval Celtic peoples in Popular Culture, as well as the history of Celtic Studies as a field.

Emmet will be teaching CELT 325: The Celts in Pop Culture in the fall term of 2022-23 as an online course.

My goodness, maybe his next PhD will be an investigation of the crucial role of the Blackthorn-Badgers in keeping the Sasanach at bay. 

I expect we have lots of original documents at Tiroam. Perhaps in the good tower. The one with the roof. 

I will ask cousin Morag. She is very organized. Well one of the family should be I suppose. 

Craig and Zita had an early dinner tonight. 

Usually Festis, Uncle Dugal and I make our fried porridge sandwiches when all are abed. It is easier that way. 

On Saint Andrew’s day we often put raspberry jam on top.