And then she was home, happily laden with:

• three new (heavy) sweaters that I’ll surely need again next time,
• the thick gloves and ear muffs that were a godsend,
• not quite enough leggings,
• a new pair of shoes to replace the two pair that fell apart as soon as I got to Ireland,
• a baggie full of beautiful stripey rocks (WAY fewer than I wanted to bring home),
• several sets of broken pottery that I haven’t yet had time to reassemble into something fabulous,
• notes for my next trip to Ireland,
• 215 emails that need responses,
• the joy of laughing with favorite old and new friends,
• the opportunity to try new things: new art, new hikes, new food,
• a brand new grandson who sleeps like clouds from heaven,
• beautiful gardens all gloriously blooming and a sweet husband who keeps them that way,
• and several handfuls of notes for my next trip (to Barcelona in June!)

Because we’re not getting any younger.

Love to All!