In the Mood for Ireland

I got Ireland on the mind a lot right now:

• My dual citizenship answer should be coming any day now, after more than a year and some back-and-forth;
• My book launches globally Monday, almost a year to the day of when I left for that immersive journey for the sequel to Round America with a Duck;
• I just turned 62 and was thus able to apply for the State of Georgia tuition waiver for older students, at Georgia Southern University — where I’ve been accepted in their Irish studies program — and I was approved today;
• My (separate from Georgia Southern) Irish language immersion course starts in a week;
• I’m booked on the ferry to Ellis Island on the actual 100th day of my grandfather’s arrival there from Ireland soon (just as I rode the ferry on my grandmother’s 100th anniversary on March 4 of this year);
• I’m already planning my return journey to Ireland (for more language immersion, more WWOOFing, and a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with my daughters!);
• And my latest batch of clover seeds are sprouting in my new fairy grotto. 

So, in lieu of doing an Irish jig (although I’ll probably do that, too), I created this little mood board from photos I took while traveling Round Ireland with a Duck (of course, there’s a bike).

Nothing compares to you, Ireland. You have given me roots — and wings. And here’s the funny thing — if I hadn’t gone Round America with a Duck and gained the experience and positive reviews that I did, I never would have gotten those placements with WWOOF Ireland, where hosts get 10-15 requests a day. And none of this would be happening now. 

Life is funny, isn’t it?