Yesterday I wrote about Chasing Dragons, copying and idea from another fellow blogger. As I was writing I remembered I had a dragon in my own yard.
A tiny little replica of Nessie, the Loc Ness Monster. 🙂
As a child I grew up with parents that adored anything Irish…my maiden name is Doyle :). It was my parent’s dream to get to go to Ireland someday. After Daddy died my brother took our Mother to Ireland. Upon arriving back home she told me she felt complete now for some reason. The next day she passed on. Her words will stay with me forever.
Anyway, as I grew my maternal grandmother (Ruth Love (Wootton) Thomas) told me tales of the Wootton clan from England…our ancester was Thomas Wootton, Sheriff of Kent in Queen Elizabeth I time. (Proven fact that we are descendants).
In my later years, as an adult, I read The Diana Gabalodon Outlander series, featuring Jamie Frazier and Clair. Set in Scotland.
Then, of course, I have read off and on (many times) the Mary Stewart’s Merlin series set in Wales.
All these books, family stories, longings of my parents transported me to many centuries past and worlds unknown. I think I have always had a longing in my soul to visit the ancient United Kingdom. To travel backward to where that inexplicable longing begins, to a world of enchantment, to really hear this story that I can not quite hear. A mysterious feeling which tugs at my breastbone just as twilight evens out the day, leveling the time, with the message from the past hovering in the gathering shadow just out of reach.
(As a side note…Terry’s, grandfather is from England.)
So I did the next best thing; I created a standing stones garden, complete with my own Loch Ness visitor. As I created this world I began to understand that anyone can comprehend this world–our everyday modern world. But the other realms–the ones that creep in on the evening breezes, or whisper through the ancient rocks and stones, or vibrates along the surface of the fast moving canal water is really the
alchemy between past and present, past and future…lifting us just a tad to see that even way back when is the same as today. That way back then was to those who lived in that time it was ordinary.
My grandchildren talk about how cool it would be to live in the 1920’s…when tap was king and vaudeville was entertainment— it’s all relative, isn’t it?
Your friend,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
so cool. the memory of your mother feeling ‘complete’. gosh…
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Your mom…Wow!
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Oh how I love these past 2 posts…. I am a genealogy nut –and love reading about others’ roots…I’m so glad your Mom got to Ireland –and I’m sure your Dad was right there with her in spirit on that trip… Once she got to heaven, they could talk and talk about Ireland together..
Yes—we do live in our own little worlds —and it’s hard to understand (or even try to understand) what else is OUT there…. We sometimes can only experience it through memories, or photos, or hearing others’ stories….
Hugs,
Betsy
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Wow. I love this post. And, yes, the story about your Mom is chilling in a beautiful way. My children are in love with the film Waterhorse. Have you ever seen it? I think you would love it. x
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Stay in Colorado.The uk is one big disappointment…I am happy to be away from it and its my home country xxxx
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I got to visit the London area when my daughter was on an exchange program during her junior year of college. I loved it. I also loved this post, especially the picture of your grandchildren.
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Linda – those three grandchildren – all looking very twentiesish – are something to be proud of.
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What a beautiful post. I get nostalgia for past times when I wasn’t even born. Love your little Loch Ness world.
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As someone originally from the UK, I’d say visit, because the way history winds itself around everyday life there is interesting for those from a ‘younger’ country. Here in Australia, and there in the US, you just don’t turn a corner in a country lane and come across a massive stone wall built by the Romans. You don’t have churches built over a thousand years ago. You don’t have homes that have housed families for 500 years. Having said that, don’t expect any great sense of reverence for these things from the inhabitants! They just are. And the UK’s crowded and expensive. And beautiful and romantic. You will get a kick out of some of it, and a chill down your spine in some places if you’re that way inclined. But when all is said and done, there’s no place like the home you have made for yourself.
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Going to Ireland must have been the last thing on your Mom’s list…or maybe it is what she said to you! Your grands are sure cute in their tap outfits! 🙂
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Nice thoughts about past and present, the impact of Irish folklore on your life. And what better ending to the post that the lovely photo of the trio?
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Very interesting. I hope that your mother’s comment comforted/comforts you with your loss.
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Linda, you outdid yourself today. What a great bit of writing this is. I really hope you and Terry will make time and find a way to take that trip. You’ve way more than earned it.
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It is all relevant. The story about your mom, wow.
Nice looking grand kids.
Cheri
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Your grandchildren are charming and talented. Your standing stones garden is intriguing. Your words are lovely. But you two need to take some time to go to the United Kingdom! You really do. (In 2007, we went to London for three months to celebrate our Golden Anniversary year — I had always felt a pull to everything English — without a reason nearly as compelling as your lineage). It was a wonderful time and the best gift we could have given each other. Would love to go back, but …. so many places, so little time (and $$).
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What a touching story about your mother, and how wonderful that she could die with that feeling of completeness. I have Irish ancestry too, and have travelled back there on a great trip.
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Cute picture of the kids. Love your Nessie! My ancestors were from the UK, too. I’m glad your mom got to experience Ireland, what peace she must have had.
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Si thats where nessie got off to… 😉
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Great post, Linda! Love your “Loch Ness Garden”! I have not gotten into genealogy yet but hope to one of these days. Your pictures are pretty….especially the one of your grandchildren!
Blessings!
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That is just wonderful, your mom passed being very happy. The grandkids look great, I love the photo!
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