ROAD TRIP AROUND THE ISLAND

When I arrived to my friend’s in Killarney, south west Ireland, a destination of travelers, I was surprised to find out that he had taken one day off of work! “We can’t drive around the island in a day!” I complained. “I thought you meant Castle Island, just down the road, he laughed.” “Not a tal” as they say in Ireland. After a tad of persuading, he rented a car and after our first initial laughing and a quick drive around town, only driving on the ‘foot path’ once or twice, we set out for a week on the road. The first day we went to Co. Clare, (were there are some reports that my family is from this area) to the Cliffs of Moher. St Brigid has a Holy Grotto there. I found out that St. Brigid’s feast day is on Feb. 1, my birthday, and she is the female patron St. of Ireland. My birth name Patricia, derived from Patrick, the male Saint. We continued on to see some people in Galway, spent the night and headed out North once again. We took a round about way to get to Knock, where apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been seen. This is the off time of year for visitors in Ireland, so no one was there. We walked the grounds, surprised that two of my patron Saints were revered there as well, St. Therese, the Little Flower and St. Michael. We attended at 3PM Mass and then went to the Holy Water fonts. We turned around and saw the site of the apparitions where there was a Mass being held for a Philippine tour group. We walked over and stood inside the back of the church. When the Mass was complete, my friend said, “Jesus, he’s a Bishop,” as he put his little beanie on top of his head. I had been praying where to leave one of my books and I had said, if he was accessible after Mass, I was going to give on to him. He was, and most gracious about receiving it. He asked for my email address to contact me later. As I left. I had chills up the back of my neck. I left a second one at the religious book store for their review. I continue to stand in awe of how things get orchestrated. I came to Ireland for my book to go to Rome and the Philippines. The energy of Everybody Wants to go to Heaven....is now in Peru, Switzerland, Jamaica, Hawaii, Ireland, Rome and now the Philippines! Amazing....Last night while staying in Sligo, I read in a magazine about seaweed sea baths, good for many things, but dry skin, (my friend) and thyroid (me), so we’re heading off to the beach to check it out. I tried to put in some pictures, they wouldn’t take.....so maybe next time. Tomorrow to Northern Ireland to view Scotland....if I don’t return, you’ll know where to look!

WHY GO ON A VISION QUEST

You may ask yourself, why does she go...when it's not so easy. We'll, I guess for me, the opportunity comes and I have the courage to say yes.
Vision Questing is full of adventure and surprises, however, there are as many, if not more parts of being in the unkown, trusting, being taken out of your comfort zone, having to think in a new way and paying attention to who God puts in your path. I have been on this Vision Quest track for awhile. My first trip to Swiss and Ireland happened in 2005. I am more confident and secure, knowing that I'm being watched over every minute, even when it doesn't feel like it.In fact, my Irish professor friend just emailed to see if I needed help getting to Killarney when I arrive back to Ireland. I was happy to report that this time, instead of crying in his office, I was taking the bus to the train and even making a connection. Now guaranteed, it is NOT going to be that easy, coyote medinine (the trickster) is always along to keep things intersting.
On these vision quest journeys, while it would be easier for me to stay in one place, it is not the longing of my heart. Everyone is not called to be a gypsy. In fact, I'll be growing a few shallow roots when I return to the states. I had set in my intentions to have a lovely place to live and work when I return from this trip and this is what they...God, the Universe...The Powers that Be...sent me. I have the great pleasure to be house sitting for a beautiful home in Tubac, AZ. You can see it online, www.judimonday.com, it's under Tubac, $600,000. You're invited to come for a visit, relax,vision quest. See ya in Ireland....

vision questing kill me now.....

Vision Questing, unlike vacationing, is well, Forrest Gump said it the best, 'is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get'.When I arrived to Swiss, I realized the plug adapters I brought were incomplete...who would have thought, that me, someone who I would say is electronic illiterate, could be having withdrawls...Taking everything in stride as being in 'Divine Order', I simply took it as what the intent was....retreat....but give me a break....the 7 hr time difference, left me many evenings unable to sleep, all magazines, etc. are in French, dang, I should have paid more attention in French class in jr. high. On my first night here, after I had realized that I was in this alone...I looked over and saw the light on my computer flashing...I jumped out of bed and opened it up...by golly I was going to use it up, until it shut down....google....emails....quick...answer as many as you can before the power shuts off....you're on reserve battery, the light flashes...I feel like I'm in Apollo 13, 'powering down the limb', my heart beats faster, a week with no communication...I hit the send button....the screen goes blank....off tomorrow to ireland