Smoking Seriously - 9 June 2003

OK! As an expression of my concern for others
 I shall now try to smoke less seriously - even with a smile on my face! 
 


The headline below appeared in the 'Midweek Review' section of the
'Down Recorder' , May 28, 2003 Issue 

This marked a teacher exchange between  my cousin Ciaran Fitzsimons, who normally teaches in a Downpatrick primary school and Kris Meyer from Portland, Oregan.  Quite a change for both of them - Kris teaching wee Irish girls and boys and Ciaran thrown into an inner city school where the pupils are descended from Puerto Rican, Italian, German, Irish, Spanish émigré families.
    I met Kris and her grandparents at a family party, celebrating my cousin Moira's 70th birthday - lovely party, lovely people - Happy Birthday Moira!
   These teacher exchanges are extremely worthwhile, stimulating affairs.  I know Ciaran & his wife Donna and their children enjoyed living in Kris's house for a few weeks, and I caught sight of Kris, happy as a sandboy, coming in from an Ardglass  fishing trip.  She and her granparents, and subsequently her parents, thoroughly enjoyed staying in Ciaran & Donna's beautiful Coney Island home, a perfect base for trips to other parts of Ireland.  I would say that lasting friendships have been made.