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Elizabeth Cunningham's avatar

What a wonderful story, Mary. I loved how Iowa and the once (and future?) ocean played a part in your crossing. How delightfully you were sorted. We'll sort it all out. A mantra for our times?

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Mary Swander's avatar

That’s it. A mantra for these difficult times. Thanks for being my steady and supportive reader.

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Maureen Doallas's avatar

What a delightfully told adventure, Mary. The director looks as I imagined him; that he dispensed with the hoopla of paperwork must have been a relief.

And how useful that phrase, "We'll sort it all out." I will be trying it out on members of my large family.

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Mary Swander's avatar

Thanks, Maureen. Great to have you as a reader. I loved working with Leo. No red tape. Not even a schedule. I caught on. I taught writing inside when it rained. We sorted it out.

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Warren Oxley's avatar

Mary, great story, was this from your first trip over? How many times have you been back since?

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Mary Swander's avatar

Yes, first trip to teach in the ecology seminar. Taught for 10 years until the pandemic hit. Now returning to Bofin for things like the Irish Food Festival and the traditional Music Festival.

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Dianne Prichard's avatar

There's another saying: "The luck of the Irish!"

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Mary Swander's avatar

And what a lucky encounter!

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Sue Huff's avatar

A lovely evocative vision along with a mouthwatering photo of crab, couldn't ask for more, thank you for starting my day with this... :)

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Mary Swander's avatar

Thank you, Sue. This experience turned into an annual trip. The crossing, one of my favorite parts.

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