October is a lovely time of year for all sorts of reasons.\u00a0 The colours of nature in our temperate climate are changing as Autumn peaks.\u00a0 Leaves of beech turn gold then brown, maple red then drop, the oaks hang on to their green a little longer.\u00a0 As leaves fall you can begin to see through trees and hedgerows.\u00a0 Berries of hawthorn contrast against their woody branches.\u00a0 And, though many have finished, there are even some flowers still bright.<\/p>\n
October is a time of change.\u00a0 At the end of the month is the festival of Halloween<\/a> or Samhain<\/a> (summer’s end), one of my favourites.\u00a0 It is a time to put the dead to rest and prepare for the new birth that will come in the next cycle of the solar rhythm, traditionally the Celtic New Year<\/a>.\u00a0 It is reflected in other festivals too like the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival<\/a> (last month).\u00a0 As always we’ll have a party with BarBQ and costumes (for those bold enough).\u00a0 It’ll be the evening of Friday 31 October and, if you can come, please do.\u00a0 Just drop me a line to let us know so that we have enough for the barbie!\u00a0 Its half term too, so there will be children young and old alike.<\/p>\n It’s not just season’s change though.\u00a0 The world of money continues its turbulent journey.\u00a0 Some are hoping that the financial crisis will catalyse improvements and equity.\u00a0 That is how it is supposed to work.\u00a0 And since inequality has grown in developed countries in the past decade (rich getting richer, poor not) except in France and Scandinavia, it would be a welcome change.\u00a0 But change is hard, and the first draft of the Irish budget certainly looked like a step backwards.\u00a0 This crisis is not unexpected, but it is unlike anything we’ve seen for a long time and will test the resilience of the best of us.\u00a0 It is a good time for traditional values to shine – let’s hope so.\u00a0 (Some notes on the crisis are here<\/a> and what to do here<\/a>.)\u00a0 But what really causes worry is stories like this<\/a> one about the kiosk for politicians that cost \u20ac 1.3 million<\/a>! There will be PestalozziWorld<\/a> Ireland lunch reception on 11 December which is a good chance to meet some of the people behind the charity.\u00a0 Please let me know if you’d like to come.<\/p>\n Yoga classes will pause next week, during half term, but restart again in the first week of November.<\/p>\n In the garden, the tomatoes are coming to an end – but, boy!, have they been good.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 This is a good time for brassicas – inexpensive, plentiful and very good for you.\u00a0 So enjoy your broccoli, and give lots to children.<\/p>\n A number of people asked again about Broadband locally.\u00a0 Reach Broadband<\/a> has served us well and seems to have been taken up by a number of friends, so, if you need wireless broadband, give them a try<\/a>.<\/p>\n And if you’ve any news that you’d like to share with other readers, please let me know.<\/p>\n Have a great Halloween.\u00a0 Boo! October is a lovely time of year for all sorts of reasons.\u00a0 The colours of nature in our temperate climate are changing as Autumn peaks.\u00a0 Leaves of beech turn gold then brown, maple red then drop, the oaks hang on to their green a little longer.\u00a0 As leaves fall you can begin to see through …
\nAlso on change, I happened to come across an Irish MET discussion of climate change and how it will affect Ireland.\u00a0 See Warmer World here<\/a>.
\nThere are a couple of other parties on the horizon to which you are invited.\u00a0 The 40th anniversary party of a family genealogical society, The Butler Society, is 28 November in Kilkenny Castle at 7pm.\u00a0 There will be a short discussion on the history of Ireland in the last century and drinks and snacks.\u00a0 Please let me know if you can make it.<\/p>\n
\nTom<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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