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I hope you are enjoying my journey back through Ireland as much as I am!

Mossy, in the painting below (right), was another Border Collie that I bonded with while living there. (I met a lot of others, but they were more in passing.) Mossy actually lived at the house adjacent to the Hill of Slane Abbey, a place I frequently went to paint. I loved the ruins and the vistas were fabulous.

Mossy was about the same age as my Jeannie and he had some pain as did she. Unfortunately, Mossy's was from a broken leg that had not been properly set, and Jeannie's was from arthritis. This commonality gave them some similar attributes, to which I was drawn. Both were loving dogs, but there was also a wariness about them, which I think was a fear of being hurt. Anyway, they  were approachable, but it was  

 best if you didn't do it too fast.

Mossy would come to me and lie down beside me while I painted. It brings tears to my eyes as I think about him and the bond that we had.

I also met Ollie at the Hill of Slane. I was there painting on a really windy, cold day. I was actually having to hold my canvas on my easel with one hand while I painted with the other. Not fun. The wind was blowing so hard and so loud that I didn't hear him pull up in his truck. As he got out, he said, "Oh, don't put me in your painting!" My first reaction was a mental "Not a problem" then I turned and saw him! He was the epitome of an Irishman. He was wearing this beret and pants that were tucked into his knee-high boots, so that his pants looked like knickers. I couldn't believe it! I quickly told him I wouldn't, then asked if I could take a photo of him. He said yes, but that he had to "fluff his beard first", which he did looking into the mirror on his truck. It was too cool. He was super nice, too. He started trying to find a spot for me to stand where the wind wasn't so bad. I was touched. His efforts were unsuccessful, but I was still touched.

What are some special memories you have from your travels? I'd love to hear them! 

All my best,

Anne

ps. "The Hill of Slane" painting is still available, and you can find it here: The Hill of Slane.