Slight Detour: Saturday Slight

One door closes. Another opens.

That's kinda how I'd term today.

Our ZAGS season for both men and women ended last night.

So, no more "madness" at this household.

We are proud fans of both teams who entertained us and matured as players and human beings throughout their respective seasons.

Nothing but respect and admiration for both programs.

So, the basketball door closed and the door reopens for morning and evening chores as the horses come home this morning.

We'll have adjustments around here besides the daily awareness that feeding time is coming.

Thankfully, the weather turned nice for this transition.

I'm looking forward to CB watching my every move whenever I'm outside and to chuckling for the next few weeks as Lily does her contortion to reach spears of grass under the fence. Lefty will just go along with the crowd.

It will be nice to have them home. I told Bill last night that, with the daylight lasting long after dinner, I had the seasonal urge to go outside and talk to the horses and then remembered that won't happen until today.

But not until today.

This morning while distributing hay around the barnyard, I enjoyed getting back to listening to country music as the the radio blared from the barn.

Bridie also spent some time adapting to the chores routine.

Yesterday, I pulled the lawnmowers out of the barn and took each for a spin down the lane.

It felt good, and with the weather changes, it could be sooner rather than later that the mowers will go into action.

Spring is definitely a welcome and busy time of the year. I enjoyed and identified with the words in the selection below.

from today's New York Times Newsletter

I started thinking about those tiny things we put off, the little tasks that aren’t necessarily arduous, but for whatever reason — they’re not part of our regular routines, we don’t have to do them to function — we procrastinate getting done.

When we actually do them, the sense of relief we experience is almost transcendent.

Take sewing a button on a shirt. Yes, the shirt has been out of commission for four years, but it’s OK, you rationalized, you have other shirts and always more pressing things to do.

But when you actually sit down and sew the stupid button, you feel an outsize sense of achievement that’s totally disproportionate to the effort and time expended. Look at your handiwork! And now you have another shirt!

I started making a list of these tasks, the endlessly put-off, tiny things that occupy space at the bottom of the mind’s running to-do list. Shining shoes. Repotting plants. Sharpening knives. Getting the car washed. I made chicken stock recently from scraps that had been sitting in the freezer for months.

I felt a sense of accomplishment that I can only compare to what someone might experience after lifting a car off a trapped child.

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Just this week, I pulled out a pair of jeans which I had quit wearing because of a growing hole in the pocket where I like to stuff money and keys, etc.

I went to the drawer, found a needle and thread and sewed up the hole. Now, I can wear the jeans again without my money slipping through the hole.

It was a small task but definitely a triumphal moment as noted in the selection.

It's a good thing and a stress reliever, from time to time (maybe even more often at this age), to scale down our expectations of self and just tend to some little jobs.

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I am posting this photo and story (below) for Bill. He doesn't have a Facebook account, so I want him to see this announcement.

John and Sue Brittain own the Sharamore House B and B just outside of Clifden on the West Coast of Ireland.

We have stayed there at least five or six times on our trips, and we love the fact that they refer to us as "The Kids."

When we spend a night on the island of Inis Mor, they keep the bulk of our luggage while we are gone.

One night a few years ago when we returned rather late, Sue announced to John, "The kids are back!"

The Brittains are lovely people who provide wonderful hospitality AND Sue's pancakes.

They're homemade and absolutely delightful, so much so that when after Willie and Debbie stayed there a couple of years ago, after arriving home, Willie practiced and practiced to make his own pancakes just like Sue's.

Bill has always admired John for his fishing experiences and his devotion to the lifeboats.

We wish you well, John. And, we hope we see you again soon.

"The Kids"

RNLI Clifden Lifeboats

John Brittain, Clifden RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager has made the decision to retire after 14 years in the role and we all send him our deepest appreciation for his guidance and support over the years.

Anyone who has come across John in his many years with Clifden lifeboat crew will know him as a straight talking and level-headed person who is driven to do the right thing. He is also very kind hearted, good craic and an excellent leader.

Over 30 years voluntary service with Clifden RNLI and responsible for leading us through huge developments at the station including securing our brand new Shannon class lifeboat, St Christopher.

He has held multiple roles including Helm on the old C Class, Atlantic 21, Atlantic 75 and D class lifeboats followed by a number of years as Launching Authority.

The role of LOM involves overseeing the operation of the station, crew and lifeboats and as a fully voluntary position it can come with significant personal sacrifice.

We thank John sincerely for the time, commitment, energy and guidance he has provided over the years. Thank you for the all the training exercises, rescues, operation meetings and events you have managed.

We will miss you Wesley but send you the very best wishes for your next chapter.