IRELAND 2026- BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- ADARE IRELAND

 On Day 2 of my trip to Ireland, I visited Adare Limerick County where our Irish Palatine family groups lived.

Having walked from the bus, I am here on the corner of the Adare village.

My Alton/Corneille/Crook roots are from this area. They arrived in about 1706 and lived several generations here. Then emigrated to Canada in the 1840s.

Andrew from ORAIOCHE-ART AND GIFTS,  chatted with me about Adare and even some current politics.

The end of the street.

The Ryder cup will be in Adare in 2027 so they are building a bypass of the town to help with the reduction of traffic. The street was quite congested with cars now on an average day so it makes sense.

  I took some videos on the drive into Adare.

I could not see Adare Manor nor the Golf Course for all the trees in the photo.

#ireland2026#adare#adarelimerickcounty#genealogytidbits

IRELAND 2026-A CANADIAN SENIOR TAKES THE PLUNGE TO TRAVEL ALONE OUT OF THE COUNTRY

 Ireland 2026. Off my bucket list of places to visit.

I was asked on the trip if I had been ready to travel since losing my husband. My answer it was because I had the finances to travel. It takes money.

So some money was freed up and away I went. I was going to go in the Spring but took a chance to travel this year in October. October 15 to October 24.

I did the usual Thanksgiving dinner for my family. We snapchatted with Sophia in France who is doing a student exchange for 4 months.

My house was cleaned for Thanksgiving which meant it was clean for my return from Ireland. Neighbours and family to check on the house so I was good.

With my ROOTS mauve track suit and burgundy jacket and large mauve purse I was driven to the airport by my daughter Sonya. She helped me get my boarding pass as I had already checked in the night previously.

A notebook handy to write thoughts and notes. My Nikon camera and cellphone camera I was ready to embrace all that Ireland presented.

The Air Canada flight from Toronto to Dublin was uneventful with two companions- one a returning Swiss resident and another young Canadian who was going to travel Ireland and Scotland back packing.

We were driven from Dublin to Limerick by Michael or nick name Mick.

The tour guide Joe and the bus driver Joe were great. RIT tours- Royal Irish Tours- a Canadian company.

The Canadian contingent of 30 plus was a good bunch representing Canada from coast to coast. Everyone seemed so proud of where they originated.

So my 9 days will be documented in themes as there are so many photos, pamphlets, maps, and other misc stuff that one post is definitely not enough.

With all the photos labelled and cropped as necessary, I will be sharing the adventure of this senior.

#ireland2026#canadianseniortravellingalone#RIT#RoyalIrishTours#canadiangroup#ROOTSclothes#TorontotoDublin#AirCanada#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CANADA ALWAYS PROTECTED THE USA NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND

 Look at a map.

Canada is north of the OSA. Surrounded by 3 coasts- Atlantic, Pacific, Artic.

They never needed to fear an invasion from us nor from Mexico.

So when we are told how they protected us. From who and what.

The undefended border. The previous friendship.

So get educated. Just look at a map.

#canadausrelationsaresour#canada#lookatamap#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WIDOW SERIES-TRAVELLING ALONE REFLECTIONS ON A TRIP TO IRELAND

 I do day trips. Movies. Restaurants. Jaunts into the city.

But Ireland October 15 to October 24 was a big excursion out of the country.

Ireland 2026. A bucket list accomplishment.

Although part of a tour group, I was still the single one. On my own. My own room.

Able to do what I wanted with free time.

Getting to know the others on the trip was good and fun. Good people. But too much chit chat takes its toll. Giving the couples their space to be alone too.

Luckily it was a Canadian group so did not need to defend the country. 

The Irish people love Canada and Canadians.

I did think of Adolph a lot. He never wanted to go to Ireland so it was not like it was something he missed.

He would have liked many aspects of the tour. I bought an espresso at the Blanery Castle on Tuesday of the tour and toasted him. I think I was just getting tired of the pissy coffee. I like my coffee a little stronger.

I did not feel emotional except at Pearson saying goodbye to Sonya. Otherwise something in me emerged.

Not really confidence as I have it but a feeling of moving forward and getting something good out of life for me. Just me.

I texted family a couple of times and got some nice responses.

I got into the groove of the moment. I loved all the history as I am such a history nerd.

So as I label photos and try to sort into themes, more reflections are emerging.

I will keep you posted.

#ireland2026#awidowtravelsalone#beingpartofaCanadiangroup#irishpeopleloveCanada#espressocoffee#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

ANOTHER CANADIAN COMPANY-FIRE BEAN FROM THE YUKON

 

Fife Bean Coffee from the Yukon. I ordered the beans so I could grind it myself.

The four pack will let me try the different blends.

Fire Bean

I have tried it in my Coffee Pot and my Espresso Maker. I am working on the amount to use. Tasty and different.

Glad to have a connection with Northern Canada.

#firebean#northernCanada#yukon#canadiancompanies#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

GRIEF LETS ME GET TO THE JOY AND HAPPINESS IN MY LIFE

 Grief as you know is my friend.

I have endured the pain, the sadness, the trauma.

But working through grief lets everyone to the joy and happiness in life while loving and remembering our loved ones.

Adolph would want me to find happiness again. And remember him too.

So joy come into my life again.

#grief#joy#happiness#rememberingAdolphalways#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BUYING CANADIAN- TRYING NEW PRODUCTS FROM SMALL CANADIAN COMPANIES

 In an effort to buy Canadian and change some habits, I have discovered new companies. Posting on Instagram really helped them to find me.

Soaps from La Marcotterie in Quebec. 

Soaps and other product. Elodie the founder is proud of her products.

From Chelsea, Quebec.

La Marcotterie

New Laundry sheets, toilet bowl cleaner and dishwasher detergent.

From Also Green from Kelowns, BC.

The laundry sheets are great. No plastic containers. I will promote them.

Also Green

Gentle Moose with new cream for pain, deodorant, Based in Saskatchewan.

Do you like the sweet message on the box from JON?

The muscle rub is good. There are other products like skin care, soap. I may try other products in time.

Gentle Moose

Trying toothpaste in a jar and a new deodorant from Nelson Naturals- Nelson BC. Tania the founder.

The deodorant is good. Getting used to the new toothpaste. It does save on tubes that do not need to go to a landfill.

Nelson Naturals

Beauty from Bees to try some new skin care products.

From Marwayne Alberta, Michelle the founder has developed these products.

Beauty from Bees

So supporting Canadians risking starting their own companies from coast to coast to coast is my mission.

I love the energy of these founders of their companies.

So as I use the products I will report back to my blog. So far, so good.

#aslogreen#beautyfrombees#nelsonnaturals#gentlemoose#lamarcotterie#canadiancompanies#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#buyingcanadian#supportingcanadians#lovecandadstrongandfree