December 8

A week from today, I will pack up my belongings, studio work and drive to Shannon Airport for a Saturday noon flight. Goodness. Well, much to do before I leave this wonderful place.

First thing is to get friend Beth back to the airport for her flight and pick up Ainslie and Austin, arriving early in the morning. We decided to make a day of the 3 hour trip by stopping at Foxford Mills and the Country Life Museum in County Mayo.  What a treat!  Here is an example of their basket collection. The exhibits featured traditional ways of life in Ireland through trades, crafts, farming, hunting, fishing, domestic life and festivals.

Also today I confirmed a trade with a fellow artist.  How great is that!?! James O'Boyle, one of the student artists in the show downstairs was "taken" by one of my oil studies of Lacken Strand. Well, I was certainly flattered so I suggested we trade. So look at this lovely piece by James that I will take home with me. Dolphins are right in line after dogs and now he has a reminder of where is Grandmother lives.