Photo was taken yesterday afternoon in Glengarrif National Park, West Cork (Irl)

There are many signs of spring around us, mainly flowers like the snowdrop, the crocus and the daffodil. Every year when I see frog spawn, I know that spring is here for sure. It is also good to know that where there is frog spawn there are frogs close by. They are a protected species and their numbers have declined with modern intensive agriculture. So it is great to see pockets of frog spawn and they are invariably found in places of least disturbance.

Thought on Saturday – February – 13/02/2016

‘Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy’ ~Pope Francis

Ash Wednesday began yesterday and marks the beginning of our journey through Lent. The start of Lent is always set by whatever date Easter Sunday is. Easter falls on the first Sunday following the first full moon after March 21st. Easter Sunday this year is March 27th and this explains our early start to Lent this year. Interestingly the earliest Easter can be is on March 22nd and the last time this happened was back in 1818 and won’t happen again until 2285. The latest date Easter can be is April 25th. It happened back in 1943 and this won’t happen again until 2038. Hopefully your Lent this year will be good for you and a time for quiet reflection and a time for one manageable positive change in your life. The following little reflection is a good starting point for our journey through Lent.


Remember that your presence is a present to the world.

Remember that you are a unique and unrepeatable creation.

Remember that your life can be what you want it to be.

Remember to take the days just one at a time.

Remember to count your blessings, not your troubles.

Remember that you will make it through whatever comes along.

Remember that most of the answers you need are within you.

Remember those dreams waiting to be realized.

Remember that decisions are too important to leave to chance.

Remember to always reach for the best that is within you.

Remember that nothing wastes more energy than worry.

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

Remember that the longer you carry a grudge, the heavier it gets.

Remember not to take things too seriously.

Remember to laugh.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.

Remember that a lot of it goes forever!

Remember that happiness is more often found in giving than getting.

Remember that life’s treasures are people, not things.

Remember that miracles can still happen.

Remember you are you and always celebrate you!