A long walk..

Due to the fact that all of Ireland is frozen over, literally, traveling by foot has been the only option.

Yesterday I heard about a library in the village and decided to take a walk and go see what I could find. (For some reason I've always loved libraries. Actually I know why; a) I love reading b)I wanted to be a librarian when I grew up). lol.

Turns out that its about 3 miles from my house. This walk is lengthened in time because the sidewalks are still mainly ice-rinks. By the time I reach the library, my face is frozen because its about 30 degrees outside. Happy to have reached the library, I'm not quite as happy to read the sign on the door that says its only open Thursday-Sat. And today, is wednesday. Daft!

Staring at the sign and reading it repeatedly, doesn't change the fact that its still not Thursday. So I turn around and walk about a mile back into town to find something warm to drink. I find the only cafe in town and head in for a cup of hot chocolate. I'm standing here at the counter and the kind lady asks what I would like. Unfortunately, I've forgotten that I've spent the last 45 minutes in below freezing weather and all of the speech musculature related to my face is frozen. Hence the confused look on her face when I try and say "hot chocolate," but it comes out "hhntch chkulghut."

I think the lady was probably just as surprised as I was. But somehow, seeing as their menu is small, she understands what I said and asks if I want whipped cream. Almost too afraid of what else will come out, I shake my head and pass on the whipped cream. (An unforgivable act if my father were around. Note: When my father is asked about whipped cream at Baskin Robbins, his answer once was, 'if you can get the whipped cream to reach the ceiling, I'll give you an extra dollar').

Sitting down with my hot chocolate in one hand and my book in the other. I'm content for nearly 2 hours. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to me, a storm has come to Kildare adding three inches of snow and a near white-out to the village. Leaving the cafe, I find this out and smile at the fact that I have a 2 mile walk home.

Of course.