I wish could ‘ve entitled this image “wishful”. It was taken during the the days that the Boss, Máire and I took a week’s break in June in Máire’s ancestral home. It was a quiet and simple time, with lots of reading, (Máire), walking and enjoying birds and their sounds (Vivian), chasing butterflies and bees, and one day while investigating shellfish, I came upon a flock of sheep lying comfortably on a soft carpet-bed of beautifully delicate seaflowers. Kind German tourists offered to share some of their good beer with us but we persuaded them not to waste it: Máire and Vivian don’t drink beer, but I might’ve been persuaded to take a sip of it.
But now this is a wistful image. It reminds me of better times that may not be in our future. Máire is very unwell, but but she is calm and serene. She and Vivian have had many good years together.Family events that might never be recorded are now nesting quietly in external hard drives, with the exception of a few losses along the way. A good portraits’ project of Irish language writers is almost ready for display or exhibition.
I’m proud of Máire and her gritty determination. She has courage and tenacity, qualities that will be be necessary to her in the next few weeks. She thanks all her PBase friends for their belief in her There are a few in particular whose constant encouragement and engagement with her work have helped her climb that hard rung between average and good.
So now you see my dear friends why I’m a little wistful. But small bears have roundy bodies and they bounce back.
With love to you all,

Berna.