Ah, c’mere now, stall the ball … who’s got their finger stuck on the fast-forward button?
It can’t be nearly August already, can it?
Only a few weeks and the kids will be back in school … Transition Year — no exams, a time to explore options and interests — for her, and Junior Cert year for him.
Our babies!
Sitting in the warmth and ruffling stillness of our summer garden, coffee in hand, and caressing loopy Lily’s shiny black mane … taking in those gorgeous passion flowers and the forgotten beauty of my favourite fuchsia … and thinking about what to write this week.
My wife is back to work today after two weeks off, and it has been so lovely having her around every day … we have packed in so much of everything and nothing in particular in this time.
Including a wonderful family wedding in Poland — of my nephew — that included a memorable, let us say, visit to Auschwitz.
Four days between stately Krakow and a lovely wood cabin lake resort in Kamionka in the Polish countryside, squeezed in without missing a freelance shift in the newspaper where I mainly work.
K has been having a great summer, not that she would admit that to us … friends, shopping, writing and singing (and recording in her friend’s home studio!) … her better spirits mirrored in the colourful tops and gear she has been buying and wearing — the blacks and greys of what had seemed like permanent winter banished to the back of her wardrobe.
It’s been Fortnite and football, mostly, for O.
Maybe we should ask him more about Fortnite, the popular death-match video game played by kids of all ages around the planet to you and me, but a huge part of daily life for him and his mates.
Turns out he has played against the Dublin teenager who has just won $50,000 in the Fortnite World Cup — yes, the Fortnite World Cup! — played in the Arthur Ashe stadium in New York, no less.
Joshua Juliano (17) got that money just for qualifying, and the overall winner, American Kyle Giersdorf, aka Bugha, took home the top prize of $3 million!
It also transpires our O got to the 15th of 17 rounds of Irish qualifiers for the event!
So that’s what he has been doing when we peep into his bedroom room and see our blond-haired dude with his headset on at his little desk, yammering away, and blasting and hacking his way around the bright pixelated island on the screen in front of him.
Maybe we should take it seriously, get him proper coaching, an accountant …
It’s been so nice to get some sun onto our bods this past while, and myself and A have had a few great walks with Stadler and Waldorf, aka Lily and Bella, on our town’s fabulous South Beach.
I’ve always loved our smaller, more austere North Beach, but I associate it more with brooding winter … down at my sweet spot, where churning foamy sea meets glistening wet sand, the wind thundering quietly in my ears and tousling my hair as I gaze out over the levelling waves of perspective and inspiration.
All crowding voices stilled as I dip into my vaster imagination.
The South Beach is much bigger, especially when the tide is way out, and it is a joy to release our little hounds to dash, splash and dip their scurrying paws as A and I savour our space and time.
We have finally gotten around to giving Bella the damn good clipping she has needed for so long.
A left an exploding mattress of tangled fur at the groomers and returned to find a relieved, tight-furred terrier with unusual Dalmationesque spots under neat little Bella’s head.
The same yapping high-pitched bark though.
Lily couldn’t get over her and followed Bella around the kitchen like a stalker for ages, sniffing and checking it was still her.
No newspaper work for me today, and my thoughts are turning to another cup of Joe and a sit down in that little garden haven of ours …
So, save and post.
And back into the last days of July, and of summer, while it lasts.
#WotW: Summer
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EndaStories 
Lovely to have that family time, and I think you’re right about encouraging O – there are fortunes to be made playing that game!
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Indeed, Clive … I left out the bit about our nightmare trip to the wedding, though … delayed flights, missed buses, and lost taximen!!!
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All part of the experience to make it memorable for you!
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Time does fly past so quickly, but don’t rush, we still have August to get through. It sounds like you’ve had a couple of interesting weeks. I bet there are a lot of parents out there re-thinking the time their kids spend on Fortnite knowing how much money it’s possible to win! (non of my kids have ever had any interest in Fortnite.) My eldest son has been watching huge game tournaments around the world for years now and he truly views it as a sport, he watches with as much enthusiasm as my husband would the World Cup! They have grand opening and closing ceremonies, and the prizes are huge.
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Time sure does fly, Anne, and I will enjoy August, don’t worry! It just hit me the other morning that the time was passing so fast … I have always been amazed to see so many kids not just playing online things, but happy to watch other kids playing these games!
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Lots of teenagers are enjoying Fortnite. My kids are too old and grandkids are too young. We missed out on that game. Not sure if that’s a blessing or not. Sounds like you are having a wonderful summer!
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Yeah, I have no interest in any computer games, Laurie – just never grabbed me — but my boy loves Fortnite, and it has also been a great social outlet for him as well
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Back again from #Dreamteam but I did forget to say how gorgeous Bella looks after her grooming.
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She’s like a cpmplete new dog, but with Bella’s head. Which is weird!!!
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Your picture of the passion flower took me back to when I was a registered child minder, we passed some passion flowers in a garden and one child wanted to pick one because she thought it was beautiful, I said that she couldn’t as they belonged to the owners of the garden, instead I took a photo on my phone for her which we printed so she would always be able to see it#,thatfridaylinky@_karendennis
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A lovely memory Karen … and I think you did a good job saving that beautiful flower for a whilke onger for everyone to enjoy
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Thanks for linking up to #Wotw
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Your summer sounds lovely so far, although I can’t believe we are in August already too! I love starting my mornings in the garden with a coffee no matter what the weather it’s a great start to the day. #wotw
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Yes, it has been so good to enjoy being out in the garden … just in from a lovely poached egg on bacon and toast in the garden … with coffee!
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This year is flying over. It will be Christmas soon. hehehe
It sounds like you have had a great couple of weeks.
My teen has told me all about the money that people can make from Fortnite. Playing a game pays big bucks. x
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Good weather makes everything seem ok, doesn’t it, Kim?
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Slow down holidays. We’ve had almost two weeks already and I don’t feel we’ve started. Blessed with good weather, so I will forgive it. Fortnite seems to be losing its appeal in our household, at the moment, but I’m guessing the next wet weekend and I’ll be hearing the all familiar “Kill him”. Bella looks smart. Fancy being a dalmation, under that fur, all this time. #wotw
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Bella actually has so many blends in her it’s a wonder she’s still dog! We have finally got some decent weather which has made the advent of August a shock almost!
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It really has been speeding by this year hasn’t it!? But -sounds like you’ve all been having a lovely time of the holidays so far. Loving that haircut for Bella. She looks fab. We also had our dog clipped back, just in time for the scorching weather. It really makes a difference. As always… thanks for being part of the #DreamTeam 🙂
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Hi Annette … Bella does look cute, doesn’t she! I’ll pass on the compliment!!
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We have arrived back from a 10 day holiday today and we’re all exhausted! It was lovely to spend time together and get away from work but the pressure of trying to have fun every minute was a bit much. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
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Pingback: Blogger Club UK Linky 179 - My Random Musings
Sounds like you are having a lovely summer so far. Those fuschias are beautiful. Bella is a beautiful dog – love the before and after photos. Can’t believe we’re a week into August already. This summer is going by very quickly. #WotW
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What a cute dog. Sounds like your having a great Summer. #KCACOLS
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Thanks Alex
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Bella looks fabulous after her grooming! You have had a busy summer, and that’s where the time goes! #KCACOLS
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I guess so, Jo!!
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I know you’re joking but I have written a number of posts about my forays into my kids gaming world – the first time I ventured to an expo, I was completely taken aback by how wrong my view of games was from misinformed media. So, I say def ask more and def sit down and give it a go….(and yes, if you can win more than the Wimbledon prize money, then it maybe is something to be taken seriously 😉 ) #KCACOLS
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A whole other world, Lydia. A bit late for me, I’m afraid!😀
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The Fortnite competition is actually one of the second highest-earning competitions – more than most sporting competitions. Thanks for linking up at #kcacols. Hope you can come back next time.
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Serious money right enough .. must get our boy properly trained up😀
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My middle child is obsessed with Fortnite. I’d love to see him earn that kind of money for playing it. However, he’s too bashful to even attempt to do anything competitive wise with it. #KCACOLS
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Our lad won’t be going pro anytime soon, either!!
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