Bits and bobs

Some anecdotes and observations that aren't quite interesting enough to be blog topics all by themselves...

• On June 16th Steve wore shorts for the first time this year. After three months of virtually the same weather week after week ("temps in the 50s, chance of rain"), we finally got some warmth. The temperature has reached 70 several times in the past two weeks and everyone is rushing outside to soak up every drop of sunshine. Not that we're complaining; we well remember the last winter in Ohio...

• While the Irish love to complain about the weather, the climate does have its advantages. One of them is the lush beauty of the countryside and gardens. Sandy really misses the flowers we used to have in our yard, and this spring we visited the garden of a woman from church who was hosting a fund-raiser for Ireland's version of Samaritan's Purse. I think the visit scratched Sandy's flower itch for a while.

• Every time we meet someone new they ask us where in the States we are from. They seem to be able to tell within our first few words that we are Americans. They often ask if we're from Florida, since that's the one place all Irish seem to have visited. If they have been to the States, they will proceed to tell us all about their visit and how much they loved it. Sandy and I wonder what our accents sound like to them. We've discussed how certain accents sound more pleasant to our ears than others (e.g., English, Irish, and French versus German, Dutch and Russian). We wonder if the Irish think of our accent as nice or harsh. For some reason we suspect the latter. But they do seem to be quite fond of us Yanks.

• I (Steve) was getting my hair cut recently and the female stylist asked me where I was from. I said from the U.S. and she said, "Yeah, but where?" I said, "Cleveland Ohio. Do you know where that is?" She said, "Nah, boot I've hayrd of it." Made me smile.

• We've been getting a kick out of some of the signs we see. Here's one we particularly liked. It was at the end of a 4 mile hike. I mean, shouldn't every fish and chips shop have one?

• Here's another sign. It highlights a particular problem we have encountered in our neighborhood park. Personally, I think all dog poop signs are better in verse.

• Lastly, regarding the title of this post. We mentioned previously that "bobs and bits" was an Irish saying we really like. In talking about it, we realized we weren't sure if bobs came before bits, or the other way around. So we were in an elevator at a department store a few nights ago with a store saleswoman. And as the doors closed Sandy asked her, "Is it 'bobs and bits', or 'bits and bobs'?" The young woman giggled at us and said, "Bits and bobs, DAYfinitely." I guess that settles that.