Auld Lang Syne- To the Great who have gone to another place.

Mairi Champbell - Auld lang Syne- I recommend searching this on You Tube, on another tab and listening to it, while reading the rest of my blog. This is how I wrote, while listening to the tune. I'd like you to share the pleasant experience.


The 2nd of August.

I dedicate my writings today to Liam Clancy, Luke Kelly and Jim Leonard.

Men of a different era. Of more simple times. When dances were popular, times were tough, craic was ninety and life was romantic.

Cobble stones held up these men's feet.

The Band Played Waltzing Matilda.


I can feel already the heavy winter sadness that comes to me when summer begins to finish up. My grey woolly cardigan comes out and wraps its safe sleeves around me. Songs slow down on the radio. Christmas fm starts up and words about family and loved ones are top of 'What Christmas is all about' conversations.

I don't imagine the families of the great men I have dedicated this note to, find as time goes by it gets easier to live without them. Time is not a healer. People make conscious decisions to heal themselves. There's no such thing as time.

As Jim Leonard would say;

'If time never began and time will never end, how can it exist?It simply can't.'

Each day it's as hard as the one before when you cannot see or talk with or hold the person you love. It doesn't get easier. If anything it gets a little sadder and more difficult.


Liam and Luke, two talented musicians with passion in their voices.

Jim, a whistler, a passionate man, talented dancer, a creator, an artist.

Three charmers, fond of a good story, loved a song, whether it be to listen in or sing along. Three romantic men who spoke lovingly of where they were from and the people they loved.

Proud, wise, wit-filled men.

My Heart is ravisht with delight,
when thee I think upon;
All Grief and Sorrow takes the flight,
and speedily is gone;
The bright resemblance of thy Face,
so fills this, Heart of mine;
That Force nor Fate can me displease,
for Old long syne.

You have carved out a high standard for men who follow each of you.

You will never be replaced. You have boots too big to ever be filled.

It is only August yet I long for my grey woolen cardigan. It is there I will cry out and show just how much I miss you.

For Old Long syne.

Do you know what has to be the sweetest thing in life?...

It's the sweetest thing in my life anyway.

Love. Simple as that.
Love for oneself, love for others, love love love. It's all you need so I've heard.

Live love.
Passions. Helping, giving, smiling heartily. Sure it's all love.
It's the last day of July, amazing August is just about to appear.

Spread the love.

Most importantly love yourself today. Once you've mastered that, the rest should fall into place.

Every month I will dedicate my blog to something specific. A theme one might say.

This month, for the lovely warm summery month of July, I will dedicate my blog to 'All things Sweet'

I'll tell you something that is delicious. And VERY sweet.

I didn't like it when I was young. Up until I was twenty one, I wouldn't touch the stuff. UGH.

So many people couldn't understand.

'What? Are you serious? How could you not like it???????'

'I never have', I would reply. 'I don't like anything about it.'

My goodness.

What was I thinking??? How did I miss out on this sweetness for twenty one years?

Well what could it be I hear nobody ask.

Cake.

Delicious, fattening, sugar filled goodness.

My favourite, is Tea Time Express Coffee Layer Cake.

Oh it is extremely delicious. At first I didn't like it because of the coffee flavour. My Nana used to buy this when I was only a wee young one. Of course not liking cake back then, I never did try the Tea Time treat that is their Coffee Flavoured dream recipe. So growing up I missed out.Nana if only you were around to share it with me now.

Last year, I ate a bite. It was around the 7th of March 2009. At first I was slightly blase about the whole thing. Cake, meh. Who needs it.

Then, I ate another slice of it. I slowly built my love for it. Gradually.

Now I appreciate everything about it. The soft fluffy sponge layered on top of each other, like a big tower, separated by what I can only describe as a magical, creamy moose sweet, finger licking mixture. The sides have been carefully dipped in almond flakes. It's the mother of all Cakes.

If Tea Time Express had a football league, Coffee flavour, the layer variety would win every single season. I won't even talk about other cakes I've had, there's just no point.

So I think it is important on this Tuesday afternoon to tell people who may be reading this a very special message.

You are unique. There is nobody in the whole universe like you. You are here to do specific things. Please go easy on yourself.

I believe there is at least one thing everyone would like to do. Something that doesn't affect other people in a negative light.

It may be, but not limited to! any of the following

• Become a comedian
• Tell someone you love them
• Call an old friend
• Tell someone you're sorry
• Write a book
• Take flying lessons
• Question a priest at the end of mass
• Send an email to a famous person you adore
• Go to college
• Wear a really low cut top to work

Whatever it is, if you have something you have always wanted to do, well do it. Or if it's a recent idea, just do it. Get the ball rolling. Start saving the money, start planning, get whatever the project is in motion. It is important to use this life to make yourself and others happy. There is no point waiting around. You'll be dead before you know it!

I miss the days when people said buzz off.

A few months back walking down by a block of flats in Dublin's inner city, I overheard, (well it was extremely hard to ignore) a little girl screaming from a balcony on the top floor of the block of flats. She was shouting at her 'friend' who was walking on the footpath bellow.

'OI, TAREH, WHERE YE GOEIN?'

'Mind your own bees wax'.

'WHA??'

'MIND YOUR OWN BLEEDIN BUSINESS'.

'WHA?? I CAN'T HEAR YE.'

'I SAID, FU*K OFF NIT HEAD'.

Welcome along to Ava Thinks. A wonderful idea I think it is to have a blog. I will share my thoughts , dreams , general ramblings , stories and other lovely treats for you to read. It will be a great journey. Enjoy!