This is summer '25
Hey folks, how are you all? Happy Friday the 13th!! I can't believe we are into June, 2025 is passing by in such a blur.
I got the first event of the year ticked off last weekend, at the Floral Festival at Oldbridge House. Every year the OPW team expertly pulls it all together, and we just had to pray the weather gods would align with our wishes.
They....laughed at us and our notions of a sunny weekend!
Although the Saturday did threaten consistent thunder storms, we got away with some showers (pretty heavy at times) and super ominous clouds. Sunday was a day in the Bahamas by comparison, we had one shower, and it was a light one at that. It was such a joy to chat to people. Thanks for visiting to those that came! And also to meet some new faces. Hope you all enjoy your candles :)
As usual I came away with a selection of art, food, and flowers. This is why I gotta keep markets to a minimum - I end up spending as much as I make. But it always feels good to support other folk, and everyone always has the coolest stuff. So I just close my eyes and never check my bank account. Somehow my card is still working.
In other news, I got a spare ticket to the Boyne 5k race tonight, which I had absolutely no intentions of doing, but FOMO got me. Do you know I've been swearing off these damn 5ks - they're so much harder than you think!! But I've got a 10k race in Malahide in July, and a half marathon in Ratoath in September to boot, so I gotta embrace every opportunity to run I can get.
I'm also hoping to do some fundraising for the half marathon, more to come on that when I iron out the details, but you can probably guess it's going to be for something chicken related!
Ever since the Northern Ireland Battery Hen Rescue came to the aid of the transporter truck that caught on fire last year, and they managed to save some of the poor hens from that horrific inferno, I've had them in mind for some fundraising. I'm so in awe of people like that who go above and beyond. They deserve all the support possible. I only wish I was a bit closer so I could go and help out. My ultimate dream and goal would be to raise a thousand euro for them...which seems like a daunting goal but I hope it's possible!!
In any case, I'll more than likely set up a fundraising page over the next few weeks, and I might start documenting my running progress over on TikTok as I gear up for the half. I'll keep you all in the loop over on Insta.
I've also been like a maniac on the piano recently - piano has been the one real constant in my life since I was young. I've been toying with the idea of going back and doing my grades, but I'm absolutely allergic to practicing anything on demand. I don't know why, but I could play the piano for 3 hours of my own volition, no problem, but if someone were to point me at a piano and ask for 5 minutes you'd sooner find me cleaning the skirting boards with an old toothbrush.
Anyways, recently I've been trying my hands at some jazz combinations. I think ever since I heard a pianist in the Berlin TV tower playing that kind of stuff, I've been enthralled. There's a song called Pianobrawl by Rikard From which yall neeeed to check out.
And for some reason, the more I see news about how the world is coming apart at the seams, the more I take refuge in music. When things don't make sense in the world, when warmongering has become the norm...I think we all need something to hold on to, something we can immerse ourselves in, a life raft, a safe space. I only wish everyone had that certain something.
I hope you guys and gals have something like that - it's so important to protect your energy and surround yourself with people who can uplift you when things are tough.
And light the damn candle!
Speaking of candles, I know I'm out of stock, or low on some scents, but don't fret, I'll be restocking next week!
Enjoy your weekends everyone,
Laurie x