Well, here we are once again in magical Ireland.
This journey makes an even dozen trips for me, while Bill has gone on 11 of those.
My first trip to Ireland with our daughter Annie in 2011 inspired a never-ending passion for this beautiful country of our combined heritage.
The link takes you to the blog I created for that very first Irish adventure. You might enjoy scrolling through it.
No, we don't have any living relatives to visit over here, but both sides of my family tree include ancestors from Donegal, Mayo and Kerry Counties.
In the meantime, prior to Bill's first visit, we did a little searching and learned that he has ancestors from Drogheda in County Louth north of Dublin.
Since then, we've both paid numerous visits to these counties, and, over the years, we've become acquainted with and have absolutely loved many Irish friends whom we also consider family because of all our visits.
Last spring, when we came here as a family to celebrate Bill's 75th birthday, we visited our friends Ann-Marie and Mark at Lawcus Farm Guesthouse and had a quick visit with a man whom we consider the prince of Stoneyford.
That would be Fred Malzard, owner of award-winning Malzard's Pub in a bedroom community outside Kilkenney.
Sadly, we'll miss that stop this time. So, blowing a few kisses to Mark and Ann-Marie. We'll really miss those amazing breakfasts and the animals and Mark's ever-evolving creative projects.
We also saw our friends Vince and Mary while staying at an apartment in Kenmare. Vince and Mary used to run the Rose Garden B and B and Bakery, but times have changed.
Vince is now a chef for P.F. McCarthey's while Mary is working in real estate and involved in furthering her education.
In the spring, we stayed in Dundalk where our son Willie worked with a girls' basketball team. He also did some coaching in Kenmare with John Adams and the Kenmare Kestrals.
Bill and I also enjoyed another stay this spring at Silken Thomas in Kildare, home of the Curragh racetrack and the Irish National Stud.
Kildare and the folks at Silken Thomas have kept us wanting to return time after time. So, that's where we are as I write.
Because of the relatively short visit, we missed seeing some of our other friends in County Kerry and Clifden and Malin Head, so that's our goal on this trip, along with being proud parents of a USA basketball coach named Will Love who will work with the Kenmare Kestrals at a Halloween basketball camp.
Bill and I arrived later than expected yesterday on a later than expected but seamless Aer Lingus flight from Seattle. It's a mystery to the airline staff and to us why the plane was so empty, but we didn't mind because we got to stretch out and get more quality rest than usual.
All was going well, and I was feeling on top of the world being back again in Ireland, snapping photos as we made our way through the passport window and baggage claim and through the main entrance to the terminal, where Bill spotted a Halloween welcome display and suggested a photo op.
A nice lady offered to take a picture of the two of us in the display, and then we were on our way, totally unaware that I had abandoned my suitcase.
Twasn't until after Bill had done all that paperwork for our rental car that he asked me, "Where's your suitcase?"
I'm sure anyone who's had a similar sudden predicament in a land thousands of miles from home knows the sinking, desperate and sick feeling that immediately consumed me.
But we were in Ireland, and though that sense of total stupidity and dread of what was gonna happen if I didn't find my suitcase endured, so did I. In my frenzied state, I tried to retrace my steps, which include a "do not enter ever" zone. The man at the door pointed out a phone where I could call someone.
Well, someone turned out to be no one because the menu told me that no operators were available. Then, it was on to Maria, the supervisor at the Aer Lingus counter. She made some calls and then directed me to the Airport Police where I met Stephen, the supervisor.
He sent me to Lost and Found where I described my suitcase to a nice man who told me to wait while he looked in the back.
The sound of those rolling suitcase wheels before he came back into sight was most welcome. That man received the biggest bear hug I could muster. We went back and told Stephen who all ready knew my story before I did, thanks to security videos which indicated that I took a picture and then just walked off without my suitcase.
We were in Ireland, though, where I have always said the Irish people are friendly and helpful, almost to a fault.
Though it could have been disastrous, my bad luck triggered a sweet reminder which I've heard a time or two on our trips here: welcome home!
So, yes, we're back, and we're feeling as comfortable and as exhilarated as ever to set off on this Irish journey and make more magical memories on this beautiful and enchanting Emerald Isle.
Hope you enjoy the journey with us.
Tonight we'll stay in Bundoran on the West Coast.
Special note: we always do a Border Collie count on our trips. Our first Irish Border Collie was spotted in Kildare yesterday afternoon.
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A Dublin Airport graphic depiction of the Rock of Cashel.
Our home away from home in beautiful Kildare.
We were welcomed by Barbara, who's from Wexford and whose dad's name is Willie, and stayed in the Molly room last night.
We are hoping to see wonderful Beata and Caroline this morning.
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