Phil Hanrahan
@moneenhill
Floats like a cabbage butterfly. Author of Life After Favre. Book in progress set in the Burren, Ireland. Art, cows, limestone.
Looking forward to Pattinson. He was my favorite thing about The King as well. The comedy of his Dauphin.
One of the great moments in Frank McShane’s wonderful biography is the list of Chandler’s unused titles. Hard to pick a favorite! But two I love: Uncle Watson Wants to Think Stop Screaming—It’s Me
When I left the house it was 4-zip. Should have kept walking. To Oostburg or someplace.
Wineglass raised to the bookjacket designer. Just reserved a library copy.
“Among Butler’s disciples were Mike and Carol Gabbard…. Mike Gabbard for a time also oversaw Butler’s personal affairs — until he was fired for lapses that included failing to ensure a supply of fresh mangoes for Butler’s breakfasts, according to an internal SIF memo.”
Headed home tomorrow. But before I go, a last bit of the Burren in western Ireland.
Fieldbriar or dog rose, my plant app says. Just one surprise spot along the shore. #burren
A patch of gravelly ground a few feet from Galway Bay hosts a tiny, unlikely colony of bee orchids. #burren
My mom planted this rose bush at the edge of Galway Bay 30 years ago now. Seen its share of winter gales. Bloomed this week.
Moneen Hill earlier this month. Looking kind of Four Corners. #burren
So calm today all the bird songs and calls are carrying distinctly even from distance. Cuckoo in this case. #burren
Walked out to that glow below the glow and a gliding seal’s head was just visible above the water and a fox explored the rocky shore. #burren
Ancient circular enclosure on a sunken terrace near the top of Turlough Hill. #burren
I couldn’t see the Irish skylark but I could hear it. Up there in all that blue. #burren
Super calm this morning in the Burren. Wren audio. Glacial boulder streak (5 erratics) in the seaweed band.
This Irish starling and its mate built a nest in a nook that takes perfectly timed wing-folding and the right upward thrust to enter. It can take close to 20 tries. #burren
Northwest wind blowing in some cloud drama from the sea. #burren #countyclare
Last evening on top of Gortaclare Hill after coming up the Glen of Clab. #burren
I named this Irish raven “Poe” when it showed up 3 weeks ago chasing seagulls and croaking from a nearby tower ruin. Never thinking it would actually graduate to tap-tap-tapping on the glass, as if it wanted to pass (inside), and maybe perch upon an alabaster bust of Pallas.
Bluebells and wild garlic in the shelter of an escarpment called Eagle’s Nest. #burren
One of those oddly architectural formations in the Burren. Natural terracing with a ziggurat vibe. Mesopotamia in north County Clare.
This fun-loving Irish raven, Poe, down from the hills, wanted to come in for tea this morning.
