I seem to be apologising for my absence a lot recently.  Last week a good friend died.  It was sudden, but not unexpected.  And I just didn't feel like blogging.  Then it was just too busy.  He was buried on Saturday morning and for the first time in God know's how long we had a paid baby-sitter in.  Mary was so excited about it but ever practical - "will she give us something to eat?"  The poor girl hardly got through the day before Mary pounced with questions, conversation, stories - tales of her new pink skirt.  Then she shopped Patrick who had stormed around announcing that he didn't need a baby-sitter and wasn't going to be bossed around and treated like a baby.  Patrick wasn't pleased that Mary was telling the girl all this.

Anyway, the main thing was we were able to leave for 2.5 hours with no problems. 

Then it was off to Belfast for the Carmelite day of recollection.  I had spent all week phoning people to tell them it was going ahead as we'd had a problem with our priest.  Then I had to phone and say I would be missing most of it.  Made it in time for the Mass and the post-retreat tea and gossip.

Off which, hearing Msgr Dermot Farrell, late of St Patrick's College, Maynooth, being mentioned in connection with Clogher - seems a bit unlikely.  I'd be surprised if Donal McKeown of Down and Connor doesn't get it.  If he doesn't get it, then it looks like he will be an auxiliary for ever because where else is there to go?

That should give him time to figure out what the very wordy documents issued by Nicey and Wifey are about and how it's not really a good idea to issue press releases that run to six pages and 2,728 words.  Someone should probably tell the guy in the photo at the top of their website that he's in breach of the child protection policy.