Day Eighty Eight

Festis 

Well the sun was out and the snow was starting to melt when we ventured forth this morning.

So everything was as messy as could be. 

We had to don our waterproofs and tread rather carefully, because of the ice covered puddles.

When we returned Zita, Emmet and Niamh were well awake and finished breakfast.

So Zita drove Niamh to The Three Trees. As she is back to work today. 

Emmet is still toiling in the mines of academia, as this chapter needs to be completed by the end of January. 

Last night, when all but us were fast asleep I asked Dugal why Miss Poppy had a real estate agent in heaven. 

Which seemed a bit strange to us.

Uncle Dugal patiently explained that heaven is always just as each one expects it to be. 

And in this case Mr. Matti, drawing on all his real estate experience as Mister Garry best minder dog, is helping Poppy find exactly the right castle. 

The castle she completely expects to find after listening to Craig read all his medieval books to her. 

Especially the ones where the knight had a fierce dog who was always at their side. 

Well it seemed all so very logical after Dugal explained it. The benefits of him being around for a very long time. 

Now things are slowly returning to what passes as normal around here.

The Second Christmas presents have been put around the tree. Awaiting the arrival of the Mahoneys tomorrow evening. 

And Zita placed some hooks on the dining room wall for the brand new world map. 

Unfortunately not so much of it is red anymore. 

Probably just as well, all things considered said Dugal. 

And the ancient map of Dublin that Alice gave to the family is all beautifully framed and will soon be on the wall. 

Now which wall is still open for some debate. 

The map was made from a a very old copper printing plate that Alice’s family found up inside the chimney of a fireplace.

And so they printed the map by themselves. My goodness me. 

Now we are desperate to know the story behind why the plate was hidden in the fireplace.

But I suspect that is is well lost in time. Such is the nature of time. 

But just before we left on our intended afternoon ramble we received some fabulous news.

Apparently all of Miss Poppy’s hard work has been rewarded. 

There is a lovely little new lady Bouvier who needs a family to mind.

Just now she is living near the far mountains, on a farm that raises rare horses. 

And her mother is one of the horse minders. 

Because they have wolves out there. My goodness me. 

But she is going to catch a ride in a truck bringing horses to this side of the country. 

And Zita and Niamh will get her and bring her home to her new family. 

Now that was very welcome news.

So all three of us went to Eddy’s dinner for lunch to celebrate. What a day, what a day. 

And since it was a vacuum the house day our exit was well timed.

It was so warm outside we did not even have to have our down waistcoats on.

Emmet came come empty handed, looking for old books is proving more difficult than expected.

At first we were a bit worried, given Emmet’s impressive interest in headhunting, but fortunately it will be a present for a friend. 

When Zita got home from her errands she drove Emmet to Mike and Morgan’s house for dinner and a bit of D&D.

Then right away she went to pick up Niamh at her work so she could go over to Tara’s and have dinner there. 

After dinner Craig and Zita went into the den to watch their detective program. 

We got out the Mahjong tiles and looked at pictures of the little dog. 

I do hope she does not snore so much.