Travels in Eire #57

“Let's go get some breakfast,” Darren said, “But first we're stopping by my place so I can change clothes.”

“Sounds good to me. That cup of tea is not going to hold me for very long.” Cailin could hear her stomach rumbling and smiled at Darren.

“You are such a hungry lass. I don't know that I'll be able to continue to afford to feed you,” Darren teased and laughed as he walked up to Cailin and give her a hug.

It was only a fifteen minute walk to Darren's small flat from Cailin's. They arrived and Cailin stood looking out his window as Darren changed clothes. She wondered what was to come between them. She had never lived with a man before. Is that what Darren was talking about? Or was he going past that to something more serious? Before she had time to think about it any more, he was changed and ready to go.

“I know this great place in town if you can wait till we take a short bus ride,” he told Cailin.

“I'll wait, but they better have plenty to eat. I'm famished!” she kidded back.

Darren and Cailin walked hand in hand down the street to the bus stop. Cailin couldn't stop smiling. Darren would stand behind her with his arms around her whispering into her ear. The bus ride was short and the diner was only half a block from the stop. A waitress saw them enter and waived to Darren as they headed to some free seats at the back of the diner.

“They obviously know you around here,” Cailin stated.

“This place is close to work, so I often stop by here for lunch, and an occasional dinner when I'm not at your place. How about over there?”

As they were about to sit down, Darren heard his name called.

“Darren! Hey Boss, how ya' doin?” A deep voice came from behind them.

Darren turned around to see a young tall lanky lad stand to shake hands with him. “It's been way too long Damian. Ya still beltin out those tunes?”

“Cailin,” Darren called Cailin back. “This young man is an amazing singer. He's going to go a long way. Damian this is my lass, Cailin.”

Cailin blushed at hearing Darren refer to her as his lass. “Damian it's so nice to meet you. I've been having a great time getting to meet all of Darren's musical friends.”

“Good on ya'. What's the craic, Cailin?” Damian replied back. His Derry accent was thick and almost difficult to understand. But his blue eyes twinkled when she smiled. “So have ya met Keith yet? I've done some singing with the blond one.”

“As a matter of fact, I have met Keith. I ended up flying over from the States sitting next to him not even knowing who he was.”

Darren and Damian exchanged a few words about concerts and music and then parted. Cailin and Darren headed toward their seats and put in their orders.

As they had another cup of tea, Darren paused in their conversation.

“Cailin I don't want last night to end up being a one night stand. I want to spend every night with you. I don't think I can do this with you living in one place and me in another, running home to get fresh clothes in the morning”

“So what are you saying Darren. You seem to have some kind of plan here.” Cailin was both curious and apprehensive. Was Darren asking to move in?
“Cailin I think we need to have some permanency to our relationship. I want to make a commitment to you. I hope you feel the same way?” Darren ended with a question to confirm mutual feelings.

“Yes, of course, Darren. I want to be with you too. But what about your parents?”

On this question their conversation was interrupted by the waitress delivering their meal. It must have been fate, as neither one of them wanted to have to discuss Darren's parents at this point.

My Love of Irish Music

I've always really like Irish traditional music. It's something that tells a story most of the time. Talks about life in Ireland. Shows off who the people in Ireland are. I follow a few Irish musicians and really enjoy what they have to offer musically.

But my inspiration always comes from the strangest places. I write poetry, and share that poetry as a story about what inspires me. So along the way I have been very impressed with a group called Celtic Thunder. Their music is such an eclectic mix of Irish trad, contemporary, classical, and original music written by one of my favorite Irish musicians, Phil Coulter.

I'm still not sure how all this happened. I was inspired and I started writing poetry about the Celtic Thunder group, and the individual singers last year. It ended up that I published a small poetry book called Celtic Thunder Inspired Poetry. I set up the pages so that there is a signing page for each of the guys in the group.

So I had this idea. What if I could do something really worthwhile with this little book of poetry. With the approval of Sharon Browne, I am offering the book for sale and all the proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to the Celtic Thunder supported Charity, the African Orphans school supported by the Rotary Club of Good Hope. It makes a great souvenir to have signed at a Meet and Greet, but also just to have as a souvenir if you like poetry.

I know that the shows will be starting soon and it takes about 10 days to receive a book from the online publisher that I use. If you are interested, it would be great to have you order one and while you are enjoying your poetry book, you are also support the African's Children's charity.

You can order through Amazon, or directly from the publisher I use. Amazon goes through them anyway. The cost is the same. It's $8.95 plus shipping and handling. Here are the web addresses:

Amazon Celtic Thunder Inspired Poetry http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Thunder-Inspired-Poetry/dp/B002AD34QC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254196673&sr=1-1

Lulu.com http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/celtic-thunder-inspired-poetry/4816803