tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154901429195603302024-02-20T18:16:09.001-08:00Aurora RuaDaria Marie Walsh - Storyteller
"Welcome to Daria's Blog-space"
As a Narrative and Visual Artist this Blog is to be an expression of my Artistic Self and the experiences I encounter along this path. I am a Storyteller, Writer, Photographer, Redhead and a wee bit more. I live in the gorgeous seaside village of Howth in County Dublin. I am a Daydreamer, I love life and I am inspired everyday. This is my Blog.
Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-19122658986308710572019-07-13T06:37:00.000-07:002019-07-13T06:37:45.660-07:00Journey of Illumination, Ascension The Summer Solstice Sun now in full ascension, is casting its long shadow upon the Sea. It reaches, like an out stretched arm to the shore, touching the ragged rocks that support the East Pier. "I am here." A salmon halo illuminates her flushed rays. As Mother Moon guided and greeted Sister Sun, gently moving as Dancers do South down, East up and both gently Westward.<br />
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Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-55009221896940080722019-07-13T06:25:00.000-07:002019-07-13T06:25:19.618-07:00Journey of Illumination, SilenceTo sit quietly with nature is to purposefully reconnection with the soul. To be silent is to allow the beauty of nature in, without distraction from self. It is to hear only the sounds Nature herself is making. It is to listen with openness to Nature. It is to allow oneself to hear, fully and on a cellular level, the message Nature is communicating. The Sun now fully above the horizon is casting a strong shadow upon the Sea, creating an optical repeat of its self, a molten sphere - "The dripping Sun".<br />
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-14065323716364278352019-07-07T18:01:00.000-07:002019-07-07T18:03:09.550-07:00Journey of Illumination, the Rising of the Sun, Summer SolsticeHaving walked the Harbour Road to the East Pier I arrived at the edge of Balscadden Bay just as the Sun rose fully above the horizon. I felt my breath pause in suspense and having taken in the beauty of the moment for myself I quickly assembled my camera to capture the moment. To me Photography is to capture a singular moment in time, unfettered, unchanged, unedited, glorious in its raw beauty. I am a lover and practitioner of pure photography, for the Art of Light and Moment is a singular beauty all to itself. This is that moment, the moment in the longest day when the Sun shone her beauty fully upon the horizon for the first time.<br />
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-20995362781642289602019-07-07T09:58:00.000-07:002019-07-07T09:58:01.636-07:00Journey of Illumination, Pilgrim steps of Summer Solstice CaminoI crossed the road from my house and turning east I walked like a Pilgrim starting a Camino. There was nothing but me and the Mother Nature, my ears were filled with the symphony of birds, bees and gentle lapping of the sea. My eyes took in the gentle beauty of a Dawn walk in Howth and as I looked forward I witnessed the Suns readiness to break through the Dawn to Day. Between and behind the rising masts of the moored sail boats lay a sky of orange, pink, lavender, salmon with breaks of soft yellow. For just one moment I stopped to take the photograph of the moment layed out before me. I breathed deeply the crisp, fresh, fragrant summer morning air. The dew soaking in through my shoes was evaporating and lifting as it did so. I could feel its gentle kiss on my skin. I closed my eyes to listening more clearly to the sound morning makes, to the things it was telling me, the secrets it was sharing. One deep breath, one soul ready for Pilgrimage.<br />
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-7049555925519581792019-07-02T08:14:00.000-07:002019-07-13T06:14:04.054-07:00Journey of Illumination, Summer SolsticeI am a Storyteller, a worker of words in the Oral Tradition, a Listener, a Teller, a Re-teller. I am a Storyteller in every capacity of artwork I undertake, be that Photography, Writing Poetry or Prose or any endeavor of Narrative, Visual or Performance Art. I am a Storyteller by the sea and these are my Stories.<br />
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I woke at Dawn on the morning of Summer Solstice, like a Butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Leaving my home and crossing Harbour Road to the pier-side I turned to see Mother Moon brightly guiding Sister Sun to her rising point at the horizon.<br />
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-18948596336878908422017-09-12T18:35:00.000-07:002017-09-12T18:35:02.499-07:00<span class="_4n-j _fbReactionComponent__eventDetailsContentTags fsl" data-testid="event-permalink-details"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_59b8886eb06418645839271">
<strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">SEA SPEAK STORYTELLING </span></u></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">September Sea Speak Storytelling - "Gratitude"<br /><br /> We will meet, as usual, on the 3rd Thursday of the month 21st September 2017<br /> 7pm-9pm at McNeil's Pub (the snug by the fireplace) <br />Main St. Howth (across the street from the Church)<br /><br /> As serendipity would have it, we re-meet on World Gratitude Day, which seems just perfect to us. We would just love to fill the world with LOVE and POSITIVITY. Let's send out words of healing and power, like waves across the oceans!</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Gratitude will be the theme for Septembers Session.<br /> Come along and Share Your Stories!<br /> Traditional Storytelling is, of course, our main focus, but listening to the Sea Speak, we also love to have our ears filled with Readings of New Pieces and Poetry.<br /><br /> So, come, share your Words and Listen to Others!<br /> Open Door - Open Mic - All WELCOME, New and Old.<br /> Tell a Friend and Hope to See You There!</span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-size: large;">Visit our Sea Speak Storytelling FaceBook Page at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/seaspeakstorytelling/"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.facebook.com/seaspeakstorytelling/</span></a> </span></div>
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</span>Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-76528862555355877262016-10-14T13:01:00.000-07:002016-10-14T13:01:24.814-07:00Sea Speak Storytelling - October Session <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #073763;">Sea Speak Storytelling - October Session</span></div>
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<span class="_4n-j fsl"><span style="color: #073763;">"The Ghosts in our Trees"<br /><br /> Thursday 20th October from 8pm-10pm at McNeil's Pub on Main St. in Howth. </span></span></div>
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<span class="_4n-j fsl"><span style="color: #073763;">Hosted by Storyteller Daria Marie Walsh <br /><br /> As the night closes in and Autumn reaches it's end, we prepare for Samhain, Hallowe'en, and the coming of Winter. We meet to share the Stories of the eerie the Gothic Forest and what lurks there. <br /><br /> Free-In and Open Mic, we hope you'll join us and bring your Stories for sharing and ears for Listening. You are all very welcome to come and bring a friend and make some new ones. <br /><br /> Find McNeil's Pub on Main Street Howth by:<br /> DART, Bus, Foot - or a combination of all three.</span></span></div>
Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-10823755808379742832015-11-01T08:33:00.000-08:002015-11-01T08:33:17.723-08:00SUNSHINE STORIES <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Sea Speak Storytelling brings you</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> "Sunshine Stories"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Mondays at 11am at Insomnia Howth</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">November is Picture Book Month</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">We'll be having fun exploring the role of Picture Books in Storytelling;</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> starting with this Monday 2nd </span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">October.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Halloween Stories to Tell and Draw! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Hope to see you there.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">You can LIKE our Page here:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sea-Speak-Storytelling-324093921024529/?pnref=story">https://www.facebook.com/Sea-Speak-Storytelling-324093921024529/?pnref=story</a></span></div>
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Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-32182214686085532232015-10-27T16:51:00.000-07:002015-10-27T16:51:26.191-07:00Samhain Storytelling Abound! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Join Storyteller Daria Marie Walsh</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">this week at DLR Libraries for</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Samhain Stories and The Children's Books Festival </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ireland</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thursday 29th October</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">at 11:30am at The Lexicon</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">at 3:30pm at Shankill Library</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Daria, the Storytelling Witch, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">will fly on the four winds this Friday </span><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">and enter the hallowed halls of the, </span><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">known to be haunted,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No. 29 Georgian House Museum!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Come along, if you dare, </span><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">to share in this Halloween tradition.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Be sure to dress in costume too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">~Friday 30th October at 2:00pm~</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Come along and hear the Redheaded Storyteller Witch spin spooky yarns in The Lexicon!</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://libraries.dlrcoco.ie/events-and-news/event-calendar/stories-samhain-storyteller-daria-walsh-dlr-lexicon">http://libraries.dlrcoco.ie/events-and-news/event-calendar/stories-samhain-storyteller-daria-walsh-dlr-lexicon</a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">'Tis the Telling Season and I'll be spinning spooky yarns in Shankill Library.</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://libraries.dlrcoco.ie/events-and-news/event-calendar/halloween-stories-samhain-daria-walsh-all-ages-welcome">http://libraries.dlrcoco.ie/events-and-news/event-calendar/halloween-stories-samhain-daria-walsh-all-ages-welcome</a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Come here me Tell Tales in a place known to be inhabited by ghosts, the hauntingly wonderful setting of No. 29 Georgian House Museum. Booking is highly recommended.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.esb.ie/main/about-esb/numbertwentynine/education/halloween-2015.htm">http://www.esb.ie/main/about-esb/numbertwentynine/education/halloween-2015.htm</a> </div>
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-61594023790357727012015-10-19T11:59:00.000-07:002015-10-19T11:59:43.474-07:00Welcome Autumn!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwAD5FrIaUsZC_Hf-iEuvHUq5j4-UYBHGZR9sGcvVsIjBVoYzv2MxERTbzKS4Xi_5UzzkabjKeV8OUUXoYiRn6SrpJPeFYYUonv56OHHL6H3GlpJ5LTeAvpggEAUs9lYrTPMPvgBlWVI/s1600/IMG_5112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwAD5FrIaUsZC_Hf-iEuvHUq5j4-UYBHGZR9sGcvVsIjBVoYzv2MxERTbzKS4Xi_5UzzkabjKeV8OUUXoYiRn6SrpJPeFYYUonv56OHHL6H3GlpJ5LTeAvpggEAUs9lYrTPMPvgBlWVI/s320/IMG_5112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Welcome Autumn!</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sumptious colours</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Stories, Songs and Poems hanging in the air</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Deep meditations to far away places anywhere</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Delicious smell of death</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">.......and everything a musky shade of ORANGE.</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">By: Daria Marie Walsh </span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(C) October 2015</span></div>
<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-24969709456509151862014-10-17T11:54:00.001-07:002014-10-17T12:04:12.437-07:00Hello<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">The long Summer lead me to a long absence from this place. </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Now, rooted in the deep seeded Autumn I return. </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Maybe there will be words of my Summer adventures </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">or words of my Autumn journeys in the deep places where Winter awaits. </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Maybe there will just a photographs and words that work together, </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">complimenting and contradicting each other to bring out each others best.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Maybe I will just reflect and share, as is the essence of the Autumn/Winter season.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">I am back, whatever that holds, and I look forward to interacting with everyone who has stopped by here before and hopes to meeting new people along the journey.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">..........sinking deep into the Autumn.......</span></div>
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-67659004396183802132014-04-26T04:46:00.000-07:002014-04-26T04:46:10.504-07:00Prawn Tales ~ Storytelling Festival IS TODAY!<div style="text-align: center;">
There is a fantastic buzz in the house this morning as we prepare to put on </div>
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Prawn Tales Storytelling Festival.</div>
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It will be one whole day of Stories with something for everyone!</div>
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Sea Speak Junior Storytelling Club for Kids is doing</div>
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Shrimps at 2-3pm at The Little Shop of Books on Harbour Road, Howth</div>
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Join us in Fishing for Stories from 4ish-5ish</div>
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all around the Pier, where the fish are you'll find the Storytellers </div>
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Try to catch a Story!</div>
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Sea Speak Storytelling is dishing up</div>
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King Prawns from 7:30-9:30pm up at Kruger's Pub, Main St.</div>
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(across from the Church) Howth</div>
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Butterflies stirred and fluttered last week when I opened up the </div>
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Official Dublin Bay Prawn Festival Brochure </div>
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only to find our contribution with full listings for </div>
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The Sea Speak Projects Prawn Tales Storytelling Festival!!!</div>
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A broad smile came over my face that was impossible to erase!</div>
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Even our little Lorcan the Lamb is on board.......</div>
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-84100842407535321422014-04-24T17:04:00.000-07:002014-04-24T17:04:00.180-07:00Prawn Tales Storytelling Festival ~ 26th April<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's The Sea Speak Storytelling's First Storytelling Festival!</div>
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We're over the moon and full of excitement.</div>
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Saturday 26th April we'll be serving up some "Prawn Tales" alongside the very popular Dublin Bay Prawn Festival with 3 sessions in 3 locations and yarns being spun by our Sea Speak Storytellers:</div>
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Daria Marie Walsh</div>
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Paul H. Tubb</div>
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Brendan Nolan</div>
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Joe Govan</div>
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Dishing up starts at 2pm with 'Shrimps'</div>
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Sea Speak Junior at The Little Shop of Books, Harbour Road, Howth</div>
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Then we go 'Fishing for Stories' from 4ish-5ish</div>
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Pierside, wherever you find the fish you'll find the Stories, </div>
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or at least the Storytellers ~ Go Fishing for Stories! </div>
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Find one of our Storytellers and try to catch a Story.</div>
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Next we're up the hill to Kruger's Pub, home of Sea Speak Storytelling,</div>
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for 'King Prawns' 7:30-9:30pm</div>
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https://www.facebook.com/events/219967371523660/</div>
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SEE YOU SATURDAY!</div>
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Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-39925875066535471592014-04-08T08:23:00.000-07:002014-04-08T08:23:35.353-07:00"It started in Ringsend"I have a treasure box. One in which I keep some of my most precious tokens and special things. As an Artist, working as a Storyteller, Writer and Photographer my view of what is and isn't precious may be a bit different to that of others. You'll find no diamonds or pearls, no sapphires, rubies or emeralds in my treasure box. You'll not find any money, nor silver or gold. You will, however, find things that I believe to be far more precious. You will find gifts, tokens, notes from people I have worked with, people who have viewed or purchased my Photographs, people who have listened to my Stories, people I have taught and talked to, people who have seen the beauty in the things I have created and gave something in return, something from the heart.<br />
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It all started in Ringsend. Prior to that I kept these treasures amongst other things. However the happenings one sunny Autumn day in Ringsend Library would forever change the way I preserved these treasures. I was Storytelling as part of the Childrens Books Ireland Festival in Ringsend Library, Dublin. It was a spectacular Autumn day. Brightest of blue skies, fresh crisp autumn air, even a few fallen leaves to crunch under foot. This is the day which I stood before a large class of girls and told the Tales of Lorcan the Lamb and Saoirse the Fairy.<br />
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Storytelling is a special art. If done correctly it creates a symbiotic resonance between The Teller and The Listener(s). This was such a special occasion. I remember having a sense of something 'other worldly' in the large room, specifically to my right up near the windows. Perhaps I too was about to be swept away in the Story. Just having finished the part in the Story where Saoirse creates the rainbow for Lorcan, two small girls in the front row and to my left began quietly murmuring to each other and looking carefully at each others hands. "Miss", they said, "I think Saoirse the Fairy is here." I will never forget this moment. They both stuck out their hands, holding them up high and stretching out their fingers as they slowly stood and walked up towards me. "Look. It came from under there. Under our chairs." "What is it"? I said "Look all this glitter. It must be Saoirse the Fairy." I looked at their tiny hands to see that they were, in fact, covered with glitter. Suddenly, the girls started to gather around to confirm whether or not glitter had magically appeared underneath the chairs. They were every convinced by the evidence. The Teachers stepped in to usher them all back to their seats. Many hands went up with questions about Saoirse. I answered all their questions. Quietly, one of the 'glitter girls' rose and came to me. Holding out her hand she said, "Can I give you this? Please, it's for Saoirse." It was a small piece of blue wool yarn and a few specks of glitter. "Yes, of course you can." She smiled saying "Tell Saoirse Thank You for coming" as she gave me the wool and glitter, which I promptly placed into the Saoirse's pink bag. When I looked up the girls had smoothly formed into a long que waiting their turns to make offerings and give gifts to Saoirse. I received many strings of blue and other colour wool that day, some glitter, some felt and other little bits and a few small bits of broken crayon for "making colours", the little girls said shyly. At the end of it all I had one pink bag filled with little offerings.<br />
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We got back to the Stories. As the girls left I had many "thank you's", as did Saoirse, many hugs, as did Lorcan and many wonderful comments from the pleased Teachers. Most amazing to me was my discussion with the Librarian following the Storytelling in which she divulged the following information:<br />
She did not know where the glitter had come from, as there had been no arts & crafts there in well over a week, after which the had been taken down and rearranged and thoroughly cleaned at least three times for the other engagements. Additionally, the girls had nothing with them from which they might 'place' the glitter.<br />
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Perhaps a mystery, perhaps not. I do believe in magic and I do believe that Storytelling can create a magical atmosphere. And, YES, I do believe that Saoirse the Fairy was there that day with us.<br />
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Later that night I left all these things, the pink bag and all it's contents, out on the front room table. There was blank card paper there, as I had been making cards. When I awoke the next morning I found this on the table:<br />
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This now sits safely in my Treasure Box. Knowing the Story, I'm sure you will agree it truly is a Treasure.</div>
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It lives in my Treasure box with other special things. Among the more recent additions are: a beautiful diamond-like ball given to me by Allanah to help me when I get writers block (Allanah was in my Creative Writing Class and the School Completion Program Writers Group at St. Louise's Primary School), two delicate flowers one very thoughtful boy, from St. Louise's Primary School, picked for Lorcan the Lamb and a very bright and colourful bracelet one girl gave to me to give to Saoirse the Fairy after my Storytelling at Ballyfermot Library on International Children's Book Day.</div>
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-71813729808584789682014-04-06T07:16:00.000-07:002014-04-06T07:16:09.045-07:00"Exchanging champagne for coffee and tea in a pink limousine"If I go missing after next Thursday, you might begin your search by looking in pink stretch limousines.<br />
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The Girls from my Writer's Group, in protest at the news this week that our Writer's Group will be coming to an end for this school year, have notified me that they will be kidnapping me in order to continue Writer's Group; so wonderful has been their experience. Am I alarmed? Absolutely NOT. In fact, this is not the first mention of a kidnapping. The scheme was first hatched at the ending of our first six weeks together. Luckily, my contract was renewed and our Writer's Group extended. The kidnapping scheme have evolved from it's first, near miss of a necessity. It began with a simple car filled with cozy blankets and pillows, evolving with each threat of an end to Writer's Group. Next I was upgraded to a caravan.<br />
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After being with my Girls since October of 2013, they have graciously upgraded me to fantastic captivity, in extra Girly Writers Style. I have been promised a "very non-scary capture", followed by luxury captivity in an extra long, pink, stretch limousine, with sparkles on the sides. Towards the back a cozy sleeping area with lots of blankets and pillows, with one girl even offering her One Direction blanket; which any of you will surely know is a treasured and extra warm commodity. One wall will house a multitude of books and all the notebooks/journals and pencils and pens in all colours (including sparkly ones) that I could ever need. I will have at my disposal, I am informed, any food I want. I was told I would have a grand supply of champagne as well. However, after I thanked the girls for the offer of champagne, I did have to ask if I could please make an exchange of the champagne for a supply of coffee and teas - as champagne can make you "a bit loopy and so not really the best for writing". The girls agree saying, "ah, yes, good point"! I am informed that my Husband can come and stay with me, because the girls "don't want me to be sad for missing him."<br />
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As I prepare myself for the last meeting of The Writer's Group this school year I would be lying if I did not mention how truly sad I am at the ending of this project. But, as I told the girls last week when the bad news was revealed, "don't be sad because it's over, be happy because we had the chance to do all of this." I am sad, but I am far more happy. Happy that I was given this opportunity. It's not every Writer that gets to do this. Happy that I had the chance to work at such an incredible school and with such dedicated and talented Staff. Happy that I made new friends. Happy that I learned so very, very much during this experience. Happy that I had the opportunity to work with such AMAZING GIRLS!! Happy that I was invited into the classrooms to Teach. Just face-breaking-smile HAPPY! Because, when good things happen, you have to embrace them and cherish them and be happy while they last.<br />
<br />
Exciting new things are already in the pipeline and will no doubt keep my mind occupied and hands busy. Only two weeks after finishing up Writer's Group I will be Launching Sea Speak Storytelling's first ever Storytelling Festival. It will be one, wonderful day full of Stories for all ages! Other projects are inked into my Diary for the next few months, including (as a teaser) my return to The Irish Redhead Convention 2014 in August.<br />
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So, it's a busy spring/summer I've ahead of me. It's only a good thing that I'll be writing and planning out of the comforts of my, soon to be, captivity in that sparkly stretch pink limousine......sipping coffee, of course!<br />
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-51332149652596813562014-03-30T08:11:00.000-07:002014-03-30T08:11:04.363-07:00"An UNhappy Mother's Day"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlp6bJjePS-eYrQJdX-ZtrOKpWAXlfPi9qUGdk-xDeR85QTvNKHiq0_Xn050POVx_P1Cag13haDrsMn_qb3aoHVNBg1AYbTTILmz2mE0fG7_p0rAV_2wNbUILwF9E7g-THbmWbS_wKZU/s1600/Blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlp6bJjePS-eYrQJdX-ZtrOKpWAXlfPi9qUGdk-xDeR85QTvNKHiq0_Xn050POVx_P1Cag13haDrsMn_qb3aoHVNBg1AYbTTILmz2mE0fG7_p0rAV_2wNbUILwF9E7g-THbmWbS_wKZU/s1600/Blog.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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We are sometimes as if covered and suffocating in cement. </div>
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Being pulled and dragged down into depths unknown. </div>
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We are sometimes as if wearing masks.</div>
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Masks of perfect form and detail, but lacking in expression.</div>
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We are sometimes as if alive, our shell being so life-like.</div>
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Yet it is but a shell, eyes closed, mouth closed, nose barely breathing - barely living.</div>
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We are sometimes as if gray.</div>
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Life existing without colour.</div>
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Ten years ago I found myself wishing for an unhappy Mother's Day, wishing for any kind of a Mother's Day. I had survived a nine week whirlwind which took me from Bride to pregnant with Twins, to losing one baby, then weeks later losing the second baby and a few weeks later surrounded by the throws of Mother's Day in a land which worships The Mammy. </div>
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I wished for unhappiness because that would have been so superior to the pain that was ripping my heart into shreds. It had all happened too fast. It had collided with disastrous outcome into a day celebrating the things, the Beings, I had just lost. They were not with me, and I not with them. They were not who they should have been, alive and growing and strong. I was not who I should have been, incubator, nest, Mammy. </div>
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Everywhere I looked there was happiness, gorgeous smiles, hearts bursting out of beaming faces, arms embracing, eyes so full of love and adoration that you could feel it by looking into them, flowers of every colour, best dresses, little suits, round protruding bellies, hands held, bizarrely beautiful handmade cards with inscriptions and drawings only a Mother could understand, bright beautiful colours exploding everywhere you looked. </div>
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There we were. Pain so intense words escape. Gray, colourless mounds of hurt. Hearts ripped open.</div>
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Ten year anniversaries bring a rip in the heart, when that anniversary is not a fond one. When that anniversary commemorates a pain, a death, a loss, then it can be nothing less than a reliving of that first heart-shred. Your mind and heart meld together to touch into the past and in doing so, my mind, does not just take in today, or ten years ago, but eight years ago as well. February and March took my three babies from me. </div>
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I have always thought Mother's Day at the end of March a particularly cruel joke.</div>
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A day which, from ten years ago onward, became day for which my aim has simply been to survive. </div>
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Mother's Day in Ireland has never been far enough removed from the loss of my babies for me to have been able to digest it. It's never been a cause for celebration for me. It has only been a call for survival.</div>
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To all the Mother's who never held their babies or felt their breath on their skin, but who knew and loved those babies from day one, know that this too is YOUR DAY. It's just a little bit different to the rest. </div>
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-60820257678152243562014-03-21T12:36:00.002-07:002014-03-21T12:36:29.546-07:00Sea Speak Junior Storytelling Club for Kids ~ March Storytelling Session<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm6tr_vTCRI-rkpeuJB7DBS0G2Y9NIgn7uTTxJw6U6n3BhYOxigwarDjCgpFKzz8BsaROkZPhDJBPiYtikVa34GTmc-QfkHvKh0QyHcCfrUJlaTiFo60WN-uU6kNcbiiXo68MXd3hkD0/s1600/FaceBook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm6tr_vTCRI-rkpeuJB7DBS0G2Y9NIgn7uTTxJw6U6n3BhYOxigwarDjCgpFKzz8BsaROkZPhDJBPiYtikVa34GTmc-QfkHvKh0QyHcCfrUJlaTiFo60WN-uU6kNcbiiXo68MXd3hkD0/s1600/FaceBook.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/645378368844554/">https://www.facebook.com/events/645378368844554/</a></div>
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Saturday 22nd March<br />
2pm<br />
At The Little Shop of Books<br />
Harbour Road, Howth<br />
FREE-IN<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
It's no longer Wolrd Storytelling Day, but we Sea Speakers just love any opportunity to CELELBRATE Storytelling. Come along and join Storytellers Daria Marie Walsh and her friend Lorcan the Lamb for an afternoon of Storytelling with Sea Speak Junior. </div>
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Hope to see you there!</div>
Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-8354082035360237942014-03-19T18:27:00.000-07:002014-03-19T18:27:26.419-07:00"Meet Me Under the Clock at Clerys" - Dublin World Storytelling Event<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21.0pt;">World Storytelling Day ~ Thursday 20th March
2014</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">World Storytelling
Day is Thursday 20th March and Sea Speak Storytellers are JOINING Storytellers
of Ireland, and other Dublin Storytellers and Dublin Storytelling Clubs to
bring you a CELEBRATION of Storytelling in the iconic setting of The Tea Rooms
at Clerys!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">JOIN<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="textexposedshow">US for “Meet Me Under the Clock at Clerys”<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Thursday 20th March</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">6:30-8:00pm</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The Tea Rooms</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Clerys</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">O’Connell Street</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Dublin</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">FREE EVENT</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">We offer you a fantastic LINE-UP for the Evening:</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">MC – Daria Marie Walsh</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Storytellers</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Daria Marie Walsh</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Catherine Brophy</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Brendan Nolan</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Jack Lynch</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Nuala Hayes</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-size: 21pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;">Because Storytelling is Wonderful....</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Because
Storytelling is Important....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">As Committee Member
of Storytellers of Ireland, Sea Speak Storytelling Founder, Daria Marie Walsh,
prompted the participation in the worldwide celebration of this precious and
ancient Art of Storytelling, encouraging Storytellers and Storytelling Clubs to
organize special events for the day; herself organizing for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dublin</st1:city></st1:place>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;">Additionally, we WELCOME to the Dublin Events
Listing:</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="background: white;">St
Joseph</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="background: white;">'s Junior
School Ballymun, Dublin<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Storytelling with
Storyteller Aideen McBride from</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">11am - 2pm (But not
open to public)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">St. Louise's
Primary School, Ballyfermot, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dublin</st1:city></st1:place><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">(This is a Closed
Event)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Storyteller Daria
Marie Walsh will be Storytelling throughout the day in The Hall and Classrooms
and after school Writers Group. Additionally, students in the School Completion
Program – Writers Group have been practicing and will JOIN Daria to Tell their
own Tales as well!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">It promises to be a
GREAT DAY in Ballyfermot!<span style="font-size: 21pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-46320020512366152532014-03-19T18:23:00.000-07:002014-03-19T18:23:25.242-07:00Today Ireland JOINS the World Storytelling Day Celebrations for the first time.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;">' World Storytelling Day'<span class="apple-converted-space"> ~ </span></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;">Thursday 20th March
2014</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">World Storytelling
Day is and is our All-Island Events Listing!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">It's going to be GREAT!</span><br /><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">JOIN the CELEBRATION: Contact</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="textexposedshow"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=123120704392231&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daria-Marie-Walsh-Narrative-and-Visual-Art/123120704392231" style="cursor: pointer;"><span style="color: #3b5998; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Daria Marie Walsh - Narrative and Visual Art</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="textexposedshow">through
FaceBook, this Page or at dmarieaw@yahoo.com to GET INVOLVED</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Because Storytelling is Wonderful....</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Because Storytelling is Important....</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">JOIN THE STORY-CELEBRATION</span><br /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;">EVENTS LISTING:</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Dublin<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">St. Louise's
Primary School, Ballyfermot, Dublin<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Storytelling with
Storyteller Daria Marie Walsh, joined by Members of the S.C.P. Writer's Group.
Telling two sessions in the Auditorium (private); and Storytelling in the
Classrooms.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">St Joseph's Junior
School Ballymun, Dublin<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Storytelling with
Storyteller Aideen McBride from</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">11am - 2pm (But not
open to public)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">“Meet Me Under the
Clock at Clerys"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Dublin World
Storytelling Day Show - A coming together of Dublin Storytellers and Dublin
Storytelling Groups<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">At The Tea Rooms in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=124774700607&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/clerysdepartmentstore" style="cursor: pointer;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #3b5998; font-family: Helvetica;">Clerys, Dublin</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;">O’Connell
St., Dublin<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">6:30-8:00pm FREE</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">MC – Daria Marie
Walsh</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Storytellers</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Daria Marie Walsh</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Catherine Brophy</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Brendan Nolan</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Jack Lynch</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Nuala Hayes<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;">Ulster</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Tullycarnet
Yarnspinners</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Featuring
Storyteller Liz Weir<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Tullycarnet
Library, Kinroos Avenue, Dundonald, Belfast at 8pm.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The Playhouse
Theatre</span><br />
<st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="background: white;">5-7 Artillery St.</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="background-color: white;">, Derry / <st1:place w:st="on">Londonderry</st1:place></span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Storytellers of
Ireland and The Playhouse present<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">"World
Storytelling Day"<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">At The Thatched
Cottage, The Craft Village</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Thursday 20th March
8pm FREE</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Storytellers of
Ireland present a unique evening event as part of a province wide celebration
of World Storytelling Day.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">10 Storytellers
from across <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region>
tell their own unique 10 minute tale.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Kate Murphy<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Nandi Jola</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Joe Brennan</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Frances Quinn<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Doreen McBride<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Declan Forde</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Bernadette Layden</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Patsy Devine</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Madeline McCully</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Danny Aughey<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;">Connacht</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Moth & Butterfly</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">A Monthly Night of
Storytelling and Improvisation</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Wednesday 19th of
March 2014</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Upstairs @ Ard Bia,
Spanish Arch, <st1:place w:st="on">Galway</st1:place></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Doors at 8PM -
Admission €5 - tickets on the door</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The Theme for March
is: 'Bright and Beautiful'<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-8156451683207331472014-03-17T15:58:00.000-07:002014-03-17T15:58:23.746-07:00Happy St. Patrick's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-15102574635767464432014-01-15T15:39:00.000-08:002014-01-15T15:39:39.551-08:00"Word Day"Wednesday, 15th January<br />
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Dear Diary,<br />
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Today was about brain-work, about making plans, playing with ideas and daydreaming. Tomorrow will be about word-work.<br />
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Yes, Thursday 16th is going to be a Word Day from start to finish. Tomorrow I'll be Teaching, Facilitating my Writer's Group and Storytelling at the first Session of the new year for my monthly Storytelling Night 'Sea Speak Storytelling'. Tomorrow is going to be a big day! I am delighted to be back Teaching Creative Writing again this term. Yesterday I finished up with 6th Class. Tomorrow I begin new course work with 4th Class which will expand on our lesson from last term. I am full of enthusiasm for the lesson plan and for working with the Girls of 4th Class and their wonderful Teacher. These are a particularly creative set of minds and I'm a lucky lady to get to spend time in their classroom.<br />
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My mind races at a mile a minute tonight. Teaching, Writer's Group and Sea Speak Storytelling mean the words will flow all day. The ideas will be mighty! As will be the craic. I simply can not wait to see my Writer's Group Girls again. The Girls were insistent that I return to Facilitate Writer's Group this term so much so that, in the event that I did not return, that had devised a plan to kidnap me and keep me as their own!! Kidnap you say!! I was not alarmed. The Girls were very thoughtful in their plan. They asked me what kind of vehicle I would like for comfort (that's where they were going to keep me, if the School denied them) assuring me that I would have all the blankets and pillows they could secure, books, notepads for writing, a small light and hot beverages. They even had plans to try to secure a caravan if possible. Now, I ask you, how could I be scared? Really, I could not be anything but heart-meltingly honored. So, in the end they were not denied and did not have to go to the trouble of kidnapping me, keeping me warm and well stocked with blankets, pillows, books and notepads. When I told them that I would be back this term they broke out in a screeching scream and encircled me, all hugging me at the same time; no doubt partially because this would save them the hassle of having to execute the Kidnapping Plan. I think we gave a brand new meaning to group-hug that day. They spontaneously stopped the hugging and, as if in one mind, broke out into song and dance. Two of my Girls put their arms in front of them and started bouncing in that all too familiar 'Gangnam Style' way.<br />
You know the one, by Psy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyT_KyAqDEc<br />
Except they had converted it to, well, Me. It was "Daria Style", complete with the hand gestures of someone writing!!!! Seriously, they did the whole song......"Whoop, whoop, Daria Style". Does it get any cooler????<br />
I think not!! We laughed and had a great last session together. That very same day we also filmed, with the help of Anita and Lynda, our message to the Children at Temple Street Childrens Hospital in Dublin.<br />
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As creative, talented, fun, funny and fantastic these girls are, they are also that kind-hearted. Our project last term was to write Christmas stories for the children at Temple Street Childrens Hospital that would be too sick to go home at Christmastime and have to remain there. I pitched this idea to the girls on the first day. I thought I might have to 'sell-it'. I was wrong. No hard sell, no sell at all. I simply explained my idea to the girls and they overwhelming agreed and felt they wanted to do something for the children to let them know someone was thinking about them. The kindness just poured out from them. We made our plan to have a set of Stories ready for delivery at Christmastime. What I never bargained on was the sheer commitment of the Girls. By the time I made my delivery to Temple Street I quite literally had a Bag Full of Stories! I had typed up all of the Girls Stories and individually packaged them in envelopes with messages and sparkly stickers on each. The idea being that each child get their own Story-Present. I also put all of the Stories into a Storybook and presented that as well. The Storybook would be for all to share in the Playroom, giving the children the chance to read the other Stories on offer, and allowing the Staff and Parents and Siblings and chance to have a read too. And what was our final delivery you may ask? I delivered that day 6 Gorgeous Drawings and 18 Fantastic Stories!!!! I might add this was all accomplished in just six weeks! These Ladies are a most talented and kind bunch and I'd say one's to watch for sure! Now, that's what I call REAL Girl Power!!! Here's a little peak at the delivery.<br />
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-24402331463920368562014-01-15T09:37:00.000-08:002014-01-15T09:37:32.364-08:00"Brightness on a grey day"Tuesday, 14th January<br />
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Dear Diary,<br />
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Today I started back at school. Like the first day of school when I was a child, like my first day of Teaching, so too was today a swarm of excitement and nerves. I woke early and happy. My mood did not fit that of Mother Nature's. She seemed quite down and eager to share her fowl mood by casting the sky a bleak grey, adding a touch of cold winters rain for good measure. I boarded the DART with a stomach full of butterflies, reviewing my lesson plan in my head, making mental notes of the older age of today's class.<br />
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I followed my usual route from my Howth home to my Ballyfermot School of walk, DART, walk, Bus and walk again. I know the Bus Drivers now and had a lovely chat when I boarded, this time with the very chipper Bus Driver who always charges me a 'special' "Just for you today, because you're so lovely with that gorgeous red hair." He says as he smiles and charges me the same fare as everyone else. He's an awful flirt who could put a smile to anyone's face. If he can't, I'd say it's your problem.<br />
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I entered the school with a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils in my head ready to teach Creative Writing to 6th Class. I popped in to the S.C.P. Department to say "hello" to my co-worker friends and have a quick chat before class. We had so many laughs in such a short time, hugs and happiness to be back was I. Up the stairs and I made my way to my class, down the long hall, passing a group of students moving from one room to another with Teacher. I had a lovely chat with the Teacher, who's class I'll be teaching Creative Writing to from Thursday. One girl, from my Writer's Group, was waving enthusiastically and I waved back to her. The girls were busy querying me as to where I was headed. She popped right up to me, saying she was so happy to see me back and could not wait for Writer's Group on Thursday. Then she spontaneously gave me the biggest, warmest hug! She looked up at me with a face splitting smile and added, "You'll be Teaching my class today, so don't start till I get back!"<br />
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Class started and we quickly got down to the business of exploring the foundation of all good writing, the difference between hard Journalism and Creative Writing, exploring the spectrum from fact to fiction and answering those six important questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How? Then, as a class, we brainstormed and built Stories! The Girls of 6th Class had wildly fantastic answers to the above questions. They were imaginative, insightful, creative, poignant and funny!<br />
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When I left the school, it was still grey outside and the icy rain continued to fall.<br />
But all I could see were RAINBOWS!<br />
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-76438230018768917532014-01-13T12:51:00.000-08:002014-01-13T12:51:31.654-08:00"Lorcan the Lamb on Belleek" <div style="text-align: center;">
Who would have imagined such a thing? </div>
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But there it was Christmas morning, the gift I could have never imagined. </div>
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My Husband was nearly at bursting point by the time Christmas morning arrived. He handed me a large package, his hands shaking with excitement. I tore open the beautiful wrapping to see that trademark dark green Belleek box, with Belleek scripted in white. I took a deep breathe wondering what beautiful piece awaited my eyes. There is nothing in the world that could have prepared me for what I was about to see.</div>
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I opened the lid, very carefully pulling back the layers of tissue paper to reveal a classic patterned Belleek plate. What brought me to tears was what lay between the shamrocks. My creation Lorcan the Lamb, the main character in my Stories, brought to life in the Illustration of my Husbands talented hand, alongside a quote from my Stories which sums up Lorcan's philosophy so perfectly. </div>
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There is something amount a gift like this that takes you to new places inside your heart. My creation Lorcan the Lamb, as interpreted, perfectly, in Illustration by my Husband, using one of my favourite quotes from my Story all on a Belleek plate, incorporating another Art I love. I collect Belleek, I adore the artwork. To find three pieces of original, handcrafted arts entwined together like a thick fruit bearing vine demanded the only response possible......a long stream of tears. Tears of joy, tears of the beauty of the gift, of all the work and thoughtfulness that my Husband had put into this beautiful piece. It will forever be something beyond precious to me.</div>
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Here it is. I thought it would be cruel not to share. </div>
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I doubt you'll love it the way I do, how could you. But I hope you can see, at least a small glimpse, of what it means to me.</div>
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-20175830317385018422014-01-12T13:20:00.000-08:002014-01-12T13:20:50.255-08:00Kiss a Ginger Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Poet kisses the Ginger Storyteller.</div>
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This is one of my favourite photographs from our Cork Wedding, the tenderness just oozes out of the picture.</div>
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I thought it only perfect for the day that's in it, 'Kiss a Ginger Day'. </div>
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My spiral red curls drape down my face and my mouth and his kiss a gentle, soul touching kiss, as we prepare to cross St. Brighid's Girdle. This photo just takes me right back there and I could not imagine a better expression for Kiss a Ginger Day.</div>
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I am forever loosing track of 'International Days of......', I usually get a reminder through some FaceBook posting or e-mail. Today it was FaceBook. I was reading a post from The Irish Redhead Convention. I was the Official Storyteller for the event this past summer, 2013. It was one of the most liberating experiences of my life!! I promise to post more about it in the coming days and weeks. I suspect January's Blog to be occupied by my upcoming 10th Wedding Anniversary, Christmas and Winter's End and the journey that took me down to Cork to Tell The "Redhead #11" Stories. And isn't that enough?</div>
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I read the post on FaceBook, and my Husband reading over my shoulder, immediately leaned down and smothered me in KISSES!</div>
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This Ginger Elf was given a Kiss today as well!</div>
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The Christmas Tree came down today. About half of the Christmas ornaments are already packed away. The rest sit patiently on the table awaiting the same fate. This Ginger Elf was given a hug and kiss from me, just one Ginger to another, then left on the table for one more day of freedom. He is so special to me, as are all our ornaments. They each have their own story to tell. They each carry a special memory of a special person or place or time. This is one of the ornaments that hung on my Nanie and Seanathaire's Christmas Tree. He hung there for longer than all the Christmas's I can remember. He is more than half a century old. </div>
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He is my Ginger Elf and I love him. He reminds me of the goodness of a Family Christmas long, long ago.</div>
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<br />Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715490142919560330.post-43879005644206737832014-01-11T11:38:00.000-08:002014-01-11T11:38:32.741-08:00"Sweets for Baby Jesus"<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, he looks content enough, Baby Jesus that is. </div>
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He must have really enjoyed that sweet!</div>
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After the Christmas Eve Children's Mass the Teacher was handing out sweets as a reward for a job well done. I, along with other adults and children had made my way to the front of the Church to have a look at the Manger. I know what I'm going to see, I just feel like something is wrong if I don't, a bit of tradition I suppose. Many children, especially the little ones, have many queries as to the where-abouts of the 'missing' Baby Jesus. There were many Mams, Da's, Grandparents and Aunties and Uncles explaining that Baby Jesus hasn't been born yet. Most children accept this.</div>
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One little guy made a second trip to the Teacher for additional sweets "For my Brother, he's only little", said he and I don't think the Teacher believed him anymore than any other adult over hearing. Except he proved us all wrong, and we should have known better, after all Santa Claus was still watching and any last minute indiscretions could still be seen and noted. Older brother hands sweets to little brother who promptly heads over to the Manger. Little brother has all the familiar questions at the noticing of the 'missing' Baby Jesus. As with the other children all questions were answered. He was not so willing to accept this response, so promptly went over to the crib (empty of course) in front of the altar and found another Mystery of the Missing Baby Jesus. With a rather perplexed look on his face he darts his eyes between the two empty cribs and quickly, and with purpose, darts over to the Manger. He leans down, in the way only toddlers are capable of doing, you know, it's a kind of squatting of sorts. He takes what can only be a very warm sweet from his tiny hand, placing the remainder in his pocket. He lays the sweet down in front of the statue of Mary, in between herself and the empty crib. He places it with extreme care, going so far as to carefully rearrange it's position. He then speaks quite directly to Mary, he is eye level with her, and says "This is a sweet for Baby Jesus. He'll be hungry when he gets here tomorrow morning." He pats Mary on the head and runs off to meet his family.</div>
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I turn to the older woman sitting next to me and we both smile an ear to ear, mouth splitting, heart exploding smile. "Isn't that just the sweetest thing ever", says she. I agree noddingly. "Well, that's Christmas" says she. </div>
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Indeed it is!</div>
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Aurora Ruahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07757638085355425888noreply@blogger.com0