{"id":623,"date":"2009-02-28T19:49:34","date_gmt":"2009-02-28T19:49:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/astraea.net\/blog\/?p=623"},"modified":"2009-02-28T19:49:34","modified_gmt":"2009-02-28T19:49:34","slug":"bt-notes-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.astraea.net\/blog\/bt-notes-spring\/","title":{"rendered":"BT Notes – Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spring is breaking out\u00a0 and the mood is changing.\u00a0 After some proper winter weather snow drops bloomed, and now the daffodils are beginning.\u00a0 They should be on full display for St Patrick’s day.<\/p>\n

As people get used to a new kind of economic dynamic and the complaints about bankers and politicians become old news (though still a problem), I have been feeling a bit optimistic.\u00a0 Not that everything is going to return to the way it was – that is out of the question.\u00a0\u00a0 But I’ve started to see signs of survival and even success.\u00a0 Some businesses are thriving – like discount stores and repair garages.\u00a0 People are tightening their belts and doing OK.\u00a0 I guess its a bit like getting fit or going on a diet.\u00a0 You probably don’t enjoy it at first and it might even be a bit uncomfortable, but after a while the benefits become attractive and you want to keep it up.\u00a0 Of course it’s most difficult when the change is very fast, but if we can make changes bit by bit and substitute one luxury, like a holiday abroad, for another, like a holiday locally with family, it’s more sustainable.\u00a0 And Lent is a time when people make a special effort to improve themselves.\u00a0 That’s another important part of change – it starts with oneself.\u00a0 It may seem a bit selfish, but it doesn’t have to be.\u00a0 If you’re not fit and well you can’t look after others, so sometimes its helpful to focus on self-improvement.\u00a0 I’ll ‘fess up … I went for a jog.\u00a0 It was an unfamiliar feeling.\u00a0 Parts of my bodythat I didn’t know I had moved !\u00a0 But I felt good afterwards and it raised my energy levels.\u00a0 I want to do it a bit more regularly … let’s see …<\/p>\n

\"castletown\"virginaOn the subject of cheap luxuries … how about a high class evening of wine and song at Castletown House<\/a>.\u00a0 Virginia Kerr<\/a>, a world renowned Irish soprano<\/a>will be performing at the luxurious Castletown House on 9 May. There will be a cocktail reception, an auction run by the incomparableJonathan Irwin, and Virginia Kerr will entertain you for the evening.\u00a0 Why not take a couple of friends and meet some interesting people at the reception.\u00a0 It would be the perfect compliment to a Confirmation celebration if your child is being confirmed that day.\u00a0 Very favourably priced at only \u20ac 75 all proceeds<\/strong> go to PestalozziWorld<\/a> which educates very poor children in Africa and Asia.\u00a0 You’ll have a great evening and benefit a worthy cause.\u00a0 Please get in touch with me or Pam for more information or to book your tickets.<\/p>\n

Here, we are still catching up to the seasons in the garden.\u00a0 I fixed my 2-wheel tractor so have been able to make some progress with tilling the vegetable plots, but I’m still lagging.\u00a0 And a lot of trees came down in the heavy winds.\u00a0 Half-term was a wonderful distraction too, when we all got out and about especially on our bikes.\u00a0 Jaspar, only 5, manages to keep up so we can roam a bit.<\/p>\n

Yoga classes are in full swing at Teach Bride and Mount Wolseley.\u00a0 Please get in touch with Pam if you want to sign up.\u00a0 (Did you see her profile in the Carlow People<\/a>?\u00a0 Cool eh?)\u00a0 And I’ve started teaching a couple of courses at Carlow County Enterprise Board – good fun and really good value for participants, check out their offerings on-line – you won’t find better value.<\/p>\n

It’s nice to see that people are cottoning on to the idea that Tesco is not such a great place to shop – a survey found that their prices are rising fastest<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It’s not so nice to see that people are getting very lazy about litter.\u00a0 It’s blooming in the hedgerows as fast as the daffodils.\u00a0 I haven’t seen such waste since before the plastic bag levy came in.\u00a0 Its a shame that we take such short cuts and will further reduce Ireland’s attraction as a tourist destination – one of our main export businesses.\u00a0 Let’s hope that stops soon.<\/p>\n

Hope you’re all enjoying a blooming spring.<\/p>\n

Tom<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Spring is breaking out\u00a0 and the mood is changing.\u00a0 After some proper winter weather snow drops bloomed, and now the daffodils are beginning.\u00a0 They should be on full display for St Patrick’s day. As people get used to a new kind of economic dynamic and the complaints about bankers and politicians become old news (though …
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