Got a lovely Danish designed mobile in @twentytwentyone in London. Hanging temporarily in my hallway to sort out the balance. I love Alexander Calder and this reminds me of his work. Adds a bit of joy to the house. Cats intrigued but out of reach of paws..so far.

Wonderful break in Cambridge and London this weekend. Seeing the brother in the university city and cousins in London. A little shopping may have been done!

Sent this to my good pal today - ok it’s from Temu but she loved it!

I don’t think I’ve seen such a genuine outpouring of grief, love and appreciation for an Irish person since the passing of Seamus Heaney. All so deserved. A unique talent, a man who plugged into our deep connections with language and land. A profound loss. #ManchanMagan

After 4 months on Ozempic (.25mg for a month and .5mg for 3 months), my blood sugar has normalised. Side effects are 22 pounds lost and a BMI of 25, normal for my height and weight. I feel energised, sleeping better, walking more. Initial hiccoughs but proving to be a life saver.

The last roses of “Monica”. A summer reminder of my late Aunt - beautiful blossoms this season.

Lovely Dublin walk today - the Arbour Hill cemetery where some signatories of the 1916 rebellion are buried. Then the National Museum at Collins Barracks - fine exhibition of Irish military through the years. Plus the death mask of Michael Collins - his anniversary this weekend.

My #Ozempic journey continues. Month 3. Have lost a stone. Jeans falling off me. Nearly mooned Dublin commuters this morning as I made my way to the dentist. apologies.

Gracie update…

A sudden burst of sun in Dublin and out pops this passion flower! Such beautiful design.

Marvellous exhibition at the National Galleryof Ireland of the two women pioneers of Cubist art in Ireland.finishes on Sunday. Go see!

On my walk today in Dublin I found Jesus. Literally.

I’ve been on #Ozempic for two months now. Was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. So having it to lower blood sugar. Has worked well and, as a side effect, I’ve lost 5-6kg. Some vomiting which was unpleasant. Huge appetite suppressant so eating small amounts. Dad died from diabetes at 65. I am 60.

Had a marvellous holiday in Tuscany recently. Only wish it had been longer....

Little Gracie’s surgery shave…already growing a little bit in the last week.

Eye ointment for a cat. 31€! I spend more on the cats than I do on myself. 😏

Harold the Heron is back!

Brave Gracie is back home, post op, and is starving!

He’s back in my back garden. Being divebombed by the local seagull gang!

Caught little minx Gracie. Hunger brought her out to a food bowl and I grabbed her by the scruff! Took 3 days of waiting!

Gracie is on the lam again. Pulled off her collar with AirTag and is now wandering the lane behind my house! Have seen her for the last two nights so have been able to leave her food but she is beyond my reach so far! Hoping tomorrow I will be able to catch the grey minx.

Today marks the start of ‘winged insect repellent day’: up went the back door net. Had a flurry of tiny yokes last night and decided this was the day. Officially Summer here in Dublin 9 even if the temperature is pants.

Gorgeous retro designs from Seasca (seascadonegal..com). I bought this cushion cover based on 70s Irish stamp design. Other area designs on their website.

Met an old pal from my teenage years this week. Her mam gave her this photo of me from 1983, having lunch in their kitchen. God almighty, I don’t know if it’s the perm or the hideous pink top that is making me barf. It was the 80s, that’s my excuse.

Got the best news today from a recent screening. Phew! Get tested if offered. Might be a brief ‘pain in the ass’ but so worth the reassurance. #BowelScreen #MaterHospital

What better way to start off my delayed birthday night than a perfect dry martini at the Horseshoe Bar in The Shelbourne!

Off to my favourite place for Easter: Connemara. Such pure air and the beautiful light on the Atlantic Ocean. A balm for the soul.

Had a haircut in my normal place this AM & I swear to God there's nowhere else where you get such a laugh: the sounds of all ages of women giggling, chatting, holding the world to rights…balm to the soul. If we could be linked to a national grid it would solve many a problem.

Sleepy Gracie. 20 days since her Great Escape. She hasn’t shown the slightest interest in going beyond the garden again. Lesson learned 😏

Four years gone today. Remembering Aunt Mona. Raising a whiskey and lemonade to her!

New doors were fitted today. Very impressed. Cats reserving judgement… great Irish company #PortaDoors of Waterford. 8 weeks from measurement to installation. Great customer service.

The best tea and toast ever! Post colonoscopy at Mater hospital in Dublin. All went well!

Yes he’s surrounded by yes men/women and the craven eejits who hang onto his brand, but it will hit him. He’s a washed-up coke-addled rapist. How fucking dare he claim to represent Ireland. We need to call him and his ilk out. Reclaim the real Ireland: decent & welcoming. #McGregor

No point in hand-wringing about Con** McGr****. He’s using social media to game his brand. Humiliate, laugh, take the piss out of him. Make him a pariah. How dare this rapist say he represents Ireland. Nothing to do with class, Ballyfermot etc. He is the worst of us. Shame him.

1 of the great Irish dismissive comments is: “the fecking cheek of him/her”. Usually it’s local. Now the majority of decent people have a global reason to shout it, more profanely: “the *fucking* cheek of him”. McGregor hasn’t a clue (no surprise) how he’ll be treated here now.

Gracie, asleep. Looking at my late Ma's photo. Have to admit I asked her to help me find her. Not into 'woo' but sending her thanks for getting the little minx back 🙂

No more great escapes for Gracie: she’s a tagged kitten now!

Blanket monster.

A Gracie shaped lump under the rug. A new sleeping place.

Caught Gracie!!! She’s home!!

Gracie spotted just now!

While waiting for Gracie cat to return, I booked a summer holiday to Tuscany with an old BBC pal. We’re going to drink Chianti dry…or die trying! In the middle of Siena, Arezzo, Cortona, Volterra….what’s not to like?

Still no news about missing Gracie. Have moved cat trap from one neighbour’s garden to another. Keep sending good vibes!

Gracie has gone walkabout for the last 30+ hours. Saw her in some very thick ivy on a neighbour's back wall. Ignoring my constant calling. Worried.

Gracie’s first time out in the garden today. She loved it.

Finally out of the maze of wires and beeping machines and back home. Feeling much better. Two hospital stays in a month. Bring on the Spring!

Little Gracie making me stay on couch and continue my post-hospital recovery. She is a little gem.

Hi all. I don’t follow those who have not posted yet. I block. People have had enough time to post here. Sorry .

Woo hoo! First time I can cough without a wheeze or feel like I have an Alien baby about to burst from my chest. 12 days. The drugs *do* work but they take their time.

Upside down Gracie. I think she missed me…