Category: Uncategorized

Breaking News: Hot off the press folks, in Groton today a bull got loose and allegedly ran away. The bull in question was last spotted in the vicinity of route 119 and Jane's Drive. According to local sources the animal is big with horns but otherwise no identifiable marks. If you see the bull please call 911 and don't try to feed it.

According to reports, eye witnesses may be suffering from PTS as a result of hearing it snort. The chief said the following:

"This is a terrible terrible thing, folks….we are so upset by this event. We are going to look into it and get to the bottom of it. There are good and bad bulls everywhere, but trust me…..I'm going to fix this one….I'm going to make Groton great again"

Neighbors interviewed could not understand as he always seemed happy with the grass on his side of the fence and other than the occasional cow patty was not on any watch lists. However, sources close to the investigation said that a grand jury may to called up.

I first got wind of the story while standing….well downwind of the farm. Upon further investigation I found 3 cruisers from Littleton, 2 from Groton not including animal control, 1 helicopter, 2 news crews and various other officials looking characters milling about.

It's a good job we live in the stick and this is considered news!

My best wishes go out to the bulls family and I'm certain that they will eventually get over this horrible event.

As for the rest….pass the A1 sauce!

My mom and I headed to Tuam to do some family tree research. We still have relations in the area and we hopefully of uncovering some new information. We took the back road to Tuam which has vastly improved since I was on it before, but still required me to climb the hedge row at 100km when meeting incoming trucks.

We stopped into Leufer's Jewelry store which my ancestors stated back in 1878. Unfortunately the gentleman we wanted to meet passed away but other distant family members were very happy to help out. Not only did I fill in a few gaps but I found a whole other generation. For years we all assumed that Aron Leufer was the first to arrive in Ireland from Germany, but was actually his father Joseph.

Above is the current location and below is the existing.

We also visited the local cemetery and found several family head stoned.

The above is the original settler Joseph Leufer and other family members headstone.

The story goes all three families came over together from Germany and decided to pick three towns to settle in. The Fallers went to Galway, Wherley's to Sligo and Leufers to Tuam. If my math works that's 139 years ago and all three businesses are still going. All of this make me a little less than 1/32 German with the assumption that all the spouse where full Irish. However since I'm longer stateside at this point I'm a bit of a mutt!

The story of when my mom picked out her engagement ring at Leufer's in 1959 is worth telling. My mom, dad (Jimmy) and his sister traveled to Tuam as you would always want to leave money in your own family where possible, when buying big ticket items. As Tuam was the closet store and Jimmy was familiar with the town from traveling to the cattle mart with his father it was an obvious choice. Upon arriving one of the shop assistant was dispatched by Joseph to help. Mom picked out a ring and Jimmy had a side bar conversation with the assistant over the price. Jimmy then asked mom to pick another ring from a second (less expensive) tray, the process occurred three times then the assistant informed Jimmy that mom had picked the same ring three times as the assistant had moved it from tray to tray while swapping the trays! Apparently neither mom or Jimmy copped it. He offered Jimmy a good discount as they were related to the owner and the deal was made. The ring cost 120 pound (old Irish money) in 1959, which was quite the small fortune.

Get up to Dublin and get a job. Last minute road trip to Dublin….driving time 1.25 hours. That's about 2 hours faster than when I left in 1986. Yes, the Irish roads have improved dramatically. We did the Hop On Hop Off bus tour and let's just say if this was stateside the driver would have lost his job before the second stop. Needless to say after 34 stops we were all in stitches.

Very modern architecture on and over the Liffey.

Trinity.

Selfie with a teenager.

The above two don't need a title.

JMan feeding the wildlife.

Temple Bar area.

Bottle cap anyone?

1/2 penny bridge.

Last time I saw the Liffey is was luminous green. It's looking pretty good these days.

O'Connell Street….busy as usual.

Quite moment in Easons comic section.

100 year old battle wounds in the GPO (General Post Office) column. I guess some wounds never heal.

This:

Equals this:

In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Apparently my plate is not “white” enough! Personally I think it has character, you know that weathered look…..like me. Now I get to spend some quality time at the RMV and of course paying for a new plate and registration sticker. Thankfully I get a re inspection free (well I don’t have to pay the $30 again) within 60 days. 

Thanks Mass!

We’re in NJ celebrating Lenore’s 85 Birthday. 

Gangs all here.

GMan waiting for lunch.

Couch time with the boys.

Pretzel pool!

Corner pocket shot.

JMan getting ready.

Let’s see you play this one.

Hmmm……soup anyone?