Theresa

Monster Waves

Imagine how you’d feel on the boat in the following video. Click on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMUxSwUB0p0. On July 9, 1958, an earthquake is reported to have caused a megatsunami in Lituya Bay, Alaska. It washed out trees to a maximum elevation of 1,720 feet! Ocean storms are caused by the sun’s heat and Earth’s rotation. They’re called hurricanes,Continue reading “Monster Waves”

Would you like to live here?

Waterways certainly glamorize a city. How would you like to go shopping by boat? You could avoid traffic jams and stop lights. You could fish right off your boat if you had the notion. How about living in a boat alongside a city street? It would rock to sleep. Some of what I post onContinue reading “Would you like to live here?”

Ireland’s 5,200 year-old Passage Tomb

Newgrange was built in 3200 BC for passage onto the afterlife and perhaps also used as a temple. It was built 500 years before the great pyramids. How the ancient people moved the large stones is a mystery. In the photo, notice a “roof box” located above the entrance to the mound. This roof box wasContinue reading “Ireland’s 5,200 year-old Passage Tomb”

Interesting Sight of the Giants Causeway

That’s me pretending to hold up the Giants Causeway’s columns. A legend is told of how the stepping stones were formed. It involves a funny story about two giants, one from Northern Ireland, another from Scotland. I don’t want to spoil it for you if you ever have a chance to visit this interesting sight.Continue reading “Interesting Sight of the Giants Causeway”

Northern Ireland Menu

The first photo is of a dish called Ulster Fry. It consist of potato pancakes, fried soda bread, eggs, bacon, tomatoes and black pudding (blood sausage made from pork or beef blood). The second photo is called a Pastie. It is made of minced pork, onion, and potato formed into a round pattie. Then it’sContinue reading “Northern Ireland Menu”

Longing for Peace

In “Trapped” Callum and Eileen Griffin are dairy farmers in Northern Ireland. They are weary of revenge and fighting, but cease fire seems unattainable. As Catholics their family have been battling Shay Maguire’s Protestant family for generations. See Dec. 8th post for more on Shay, the hero. It’s hard to let go of major abusesContinue reading “Longing for Peace”

The Irish Lilt in Song

One of the characters in “Trapped” sings with an Irish lilt, a springy buoyant movement in some of the words. Here’s an example with the Gettys from Northern Ireland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QCcwgb817s.  Scotland’s, George Donaldson, from Celtic Thunder also sang with a lilt. His lilt could be heard in other random songs as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbHC_gaJ8Zs

Interesting Words in Northern Ireland

Pictured above is the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (NI) badge. Sergeant Shay Maguire’s badge in “Trapped.” Some interesting words spoken in NI are: “I didn’t just float up the Lagan in a bubble.” It means “I’m not stupid.” The Lagan is a river that flows through Belfast. “Off their trollies” means drunk. “Does myContinue reading “Interesting Words in Northern Ireland”

Northern Ireland’s Orange Order Parade

July 12th every year Protestant Unionist hold their flags high as they march. Sometimes their march borders a Catholic street. When Kathrin asked Shay what the Orange parade was about, he answered, “It’s a celebration of Protestant King William of Orange’s victory over Catholic King James in 1690. That’s when Protestants began their domination overContinue reading “Northern Ireland’s Orange Order Parade”

Irish Homes

Shay’s home looks like the one on the left. The cottage on the right was built in the 1700’s. This one room contains kitchen, bedroom and living room. Notice how they dry their socks and dish towels by the fire. Dishes sit on an open shelf. The bed is on the left, and table andContinue reading “Irish Homes”