No matter how much rosy pigment I put in the lens, I can’t look back and say my school days were anything but the worst years of my life. It had nothing to do with the school itself, a place I feel tremendous gratitude towards and where my youngest is now a student. I just …
For some, these bizarre times we are living through, are a reminder of the blitz, its spirit of community rallying and all-in-this-togetherness. For me, it brings back memories of The Big Snow in 1982. I was 11 in January of that year when I woke to see my whole world covered in thick snow. Myself …
I didn't plan to be part of a community flash mob last Friday, but it seems the universe decided to drag me into it. I was at the ATM machine in Stillorgan Shopping Centre, taking out cash for my weekly shopping, when it all kicked off. I'm always a bit on guard at the bank …
Last year for International Women's Day I got invited to a very salubrious gathering of women to celebrate the day. I'm not in the habit of receiving these kinds of invitations, so it both surprised and flattered me. I shot off a 'thank you I'd be delighted to attend' reply before I had time to …
The man child is in 6th year, which is all fun and games until the big test at the end. As a parent you can only do so much. Feed them, love them, give them lifts, rinse and repeat until the whole ordeal is over. Though I thought a little motivational support couldn't hurt. I'm …
Yes, it's still February. I've always said that February is far worse than January. It sells itself as a grand short month, one you'd hardly notice slipping by, but don't be fooled, it's the longest, toughest, bleakest of the lot. When the children were in national school they learnt a song about St. Brigid bringing …
I had to go out to the shed the other day and there it was looking at me. It's been a while, at first I couldn't return its gaze, eventually I took in its back wheel and saddle, its basket and helmet. I have been ignoring my bike for the last few months, but it …
There's something lovely about a new year with even numbers. 2014, 2016, 2018 all had a satisfying appeal to them, but 2020 is out and out OCD heaven. Every time I see it written down, I get a little thrill. The superstitious, astrology consulting, feng shui fiend in me knows it's going to be a …
Happy New Year to you all. I know what you've been thinking, that I've been very generous to myself with my holiday leave this year. Well, let me tell you, it's been all go here at Ordinary Plenty Headquarters. To my mind the season isn't over until all the confectionery and cheese mountains have been …
Most years we have one big blitz day where we put up all the Christmas decorations. The tree, the crib, funk up the mantelpiece and spread all the tathera into its annual home. This year I'm doing it more haphazardly. One day I'll scatter a few candles around the place, next I take a lucky …
Ordinary Plenty 