Well, I watched from 7 a.m. until they left the balcony. Very little to criticise although it dragged in places and I was fed up watching the choir over and over again, counting the number of choristers who wear glasses soon got boring but apart from that, for me the coronation was an interesting and sometimes emotional event. The organisation was amazing , like clockwork and the colours vibrant but I missed huge arrangements flowers to soften the cathedral a bit and I would have liked ‘the queen’ to clasp her hands rather that have them dangling awkwardly by her sides. I was sorry for the people who had to sit behind big hats!
I have met Charles on a couple of occasions and he’s a lovely, funny, genuine man and I think he will be a breath of fresh air. I’ve also met Camilla and all she wanted to talk about was being a grandmother! Nice people.
Now just the concert tonight and then we can get on with Eurovision!
SUNSHINING MAGIC
The dandelion, the only plant that represents three celestial bodies, yellow flower the sun. puff ball the moon, the seed heads the stars.
Not so popular for gardeners for some reason yet these brilliant yellow flowers have a wonderful story which fascinates children and adults alike as Breezy Kelly knows only too well. She told me the story which is fascinating and although I’ve touched on it before it’s well worth repeating.
“The dandelion has been used in traditional medicine since time began. In Ireland it’s always been associated with Saint Bridget, perhaps because it’s the first flower to come into bloom following her festival in February and in Scotland it’s thought the nourishment provides its milky sap to the lambs in Spring.”
But it’s the seed head that fascinates me most. We called them clocks and believed you could tell the time just by blowing the seeds off their base – if one blow frees them all then it’s one o’clock, four goes and it’s four o’clock and so on, it’s also known as the Shepherd’s Clock as it opens its petals at sunrise and closes them at dusk so times can be worked out with this botanical sun dial.
I remember sitting in a garden with a friend who was suffering the last stages of Alzheimer’s. A single seed drifted towards us like a tiny white parachute and I said ‘catch it and make a wish’, something we did as children. She caught it, clasped it to her breast and in a rare lucid moment, whispered ‘I wish for my son to be happy.’ It was an emotional moment which brought tears.
What’s In A Name?
Breezy also tells that here in Ireland other names for the seed heads are Jimmyjoes and Jinnyjoes but there’s more!
“Throughout Europe the dandelion has always been used in a wide variety of traditional herbal cures, it’s particularly well know for its diuretic properties, giving relief with all sorts of kidney problems. this has lead to it being called Piss-the-bed or in society, Wet-the-bed!”
If the milky sap is applied to warts it’s said after nine days they will be gone. Our conversation is now on a role and Breezy is recalling how nature cures were used in the country.
“I remember as a child when I was tortured with hives, dandelion tea was one of the remedies that I was given to purify the blood, I do believe that it brought relief. And long ago when ‘consumption’ – tuberculosis – was rampant, it was believed that a sandwich of bread, butter and dandelion leaves brought relief and sometimes even a cure.”
However, these are old wives tales, tonics and remedies from the countryside long before doctors sent you to a specialist for your complaint, so wise to check them out.
After talking to Breezy I began to drink dandelion tea and I don’t know if it purified my blood but it didn’t do me any harm. Just trim off the flowers into a teacup, pour in boiling water, leave for five minutes, strain and drink. Apart from all of this these beautiful gleaming flowers are a delight for visiting bees and anything we can do to encourage bees is important.
And one of Breezy’s sayings is worth considering – “Enjoy the day that’s in it for it will never happen again!” She is the recognised Bread Maker for Peace and she knows what’s she’s talking about. Good morning Breezy, see you over the summer.
Greetings to Candy
Another hello this time to Candy Devine who after an illness is safely and happily ensconced in a very lovely nursing home in Brisbane Australia surrounded by family and an adoring staff. Thankfully Candy is regaining strength and, although she never lost her vest for life, getting up and on the go again. Candy, lots of love from your loyal fan club in NI, your WhatsApp group has kept us well up to date and you singing `Bring in the Clowns was a joy.
BIG DAY FOR SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE KING
It’s been a frantic two weeks for Genevieve Irvine. It began by searching in magazines and on-line, travelling round shops, decisions on hat or fascinator and what shoes to wear for a long day in the spotlight. Was it a joke or was the email from King Charles actually true?
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when the e-mail arrived inviting me to his coronation but my friend Katherine said she thought it was genuine and I should confirm it with the palace, which I did. Then I began to think what to do. I researched what people wore at these events, decided on a dress and drove to Ballyshannon and saw the very one in the first shop, cream with pink roses, midi length and long sleeves. Then on to the shoe shop in Monaghan, first pair I saw were just right.” With the basics accomplished, just the crowning glory required and this was prepared by her niece Eleanor, a fashionable matching fascinator
“I didn’t really believe it until the actual invitation arrived, it’s beautiful, they think of everything, they included a fancy ticket for admission to Westminster Abbey so I can keep the real thing fresh and ready to hand down to the family.”
I hope she enjoyed her day which was long and tiring. Through security at 7.30 in the morning and seated in Westminster Abbey by nine. Even as she left Co Fermanagh she was still asking ‘why me?”
The exclusive invitation came to Genevieve for a very good reason. When she was diagnosed with a rare type of uterine cervical cancer in 2015 this Fermanagh woman found professional help hard to find, most of the organisations were based in Belfast which meant driving long miles to and from hospital when she was feeling unwell.
At one time she attended a fatigue class and workshop and it meant getting up at 5.30 a.m. for a 9.30 a.m appointment, negotiating traffic and finding a parking place so she decided to take action, talked with her friend Lorraine Lily who also was diagnosed and together they established SWELL which stands for Supported We Live Life and is bringing vital service, support and activities to local people undergoing a cancer diagnosis. They began meeting in church halls, got money together for a phone and a printer and now have opened dedicated premises on Enniskillen High Street between the town hall and the two churches, The SWELL foundation is run by volunteers, is open five days a week and three late nights. Make an appointment and you’ll find what they refer to as ‘Social Medicine’, company, conversation, listening and inclusion. There is support for both bereavement and care groups, also a men’s support group and most importantly, there is guidance of where to go and who to see when you need more information.
Since her diagnosis Genevieve has worked to establish partnerships with all the main cancer and health organisations in Northern Ireland, she invited Robin Swann to afternoon tea and a chat when he was Minister of Health, she is on committees and advisory panels, securing funding and getting the message across – give us what we need not what you think we need. She is a patient advocate with the Irish Society of Gynaecological `Oncology attending meeting in Europe, this year in Istanbul. As she says, no matter where in the world, the people she is meeting are all facing the same thing.
“So often you hear the news and then stand in the corridor not knowing what to do or where to go, a lack of awareness of what’s out there even down to where are the toilets, where is the coffee shop, it’s a feeling of being lost and no one to turn to.
“Friends and family don’t understand what it’s like to be diagnosed with cancer and we tend not to go into detail in case we worry them, however, at our centre families can come and talk to people who have cancer as well as those who have personal experience of living with a relation going through cancer treatment if they want to talk to someone about their own concerns.”
Positive Outlook
It may seem strange but cancer has given Genevieve contentment. “I’ve opened my eyes, realised that so many things in life are not important, what is important is sitting round the table with your family, the colours of the seasons and the bird song. Lockdown time gave us an insight into what it’s like to concentrate on what we have and appreciate it, not chasing anything.”
Her invitation is to come along to the centre where a cup of tea can change someones life. “We don’t sit around in a circle saying – my name is and this is my cancer. Margaret puts the kettle on, it’s informal, no pressure and when you are handed tea or coffee with love and kindness you begin to relax, we call this Margaret’s hug in a mug!
Many have benefited from SWELL both in the north and south of Ireland and the message of this gentle and sincere organisation is reaching those who need support in their own local area and that’s why King Charles sent his invitation and welcomed her to share his special day.
Contact SWELL at 07902 368475 or swellfermanagh@gmail.com
