I will be straight. There have been some hard moments this week. There is a new boy from France, Axel. Gerard gives him lots of farm tasks but doesn’t offer much for me to do. With Steph gone, no one is easily available to get a ride from either. I have been doing some cooking and cleaning, but let’s be real. I simply am not fit to be a housewife. Don’t get me wrong, I am more than happy to help and want to be useful, but I miss the cows and farm jobs. I also believe boys can cook and do dishes too. BUT. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t just sit and sulk. I will actively change my situation if I don’t like it, and so that’s what I did. Here are my adventures from the weekend.

• Side Note: There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with being a housewife. It is just not something I want or enjoy right now. The wrong is if being a housewife a woman’s only option.

Friday:

Gerard doesn’t need me for anything today. I decide to go for a walk to the coffee shop down the road (Two and a half miles) and try busking outside with my guitar. 2 hours later, I made a whopping €3 (basically $3), which I spend on coffee (lol).

Either way, it killed some time, and I am a better guitar player for it. The new French boy was kind enough to pick me up. I cook dinner and clean up after, excited to join the milking in the evening…except…they don’t want me to come.

Gerard says it’s too cold for me…

I am definitely frustrated. I go on a walk. (too cold?). I also take some time that evening to plan out the next two days. I must create my own destiny (she says over-dramatically).

Saturday:

Today will be a good day.

I start the day knowing they probably don’t want me to come milking again, so I am going to go for a run. It is supposed to be a dry and nice day!

As I run, I am a little frustrated still, but I am listening to a podcast called “psychology of your 20s”. It is super interesting and validating! Then, about four miles in, there is a TORRENTIAL downpour. A small canopy hangs above a door on the side of the road, so I duck under it, feeling pretty optimistic the rain won’t last long. My foot taps the door behind me.

AND the door opens!

I am greeted by a smiling older man with a broom and quickly apologize, stating I was just hiding from the rain and will be on my way. He tells me it’s no worry, and asks if want to step inside while it rains.

PAUSE.

I know many are concerned I may be extroverted to a fault and over-trusting, so I am going to spell out our conversation to demonstrate I didn’t immediately jump into this stranger’s home.

Man: You can step in if you want.

Ashley: Oh that’s so kind thank-you, but I will be alright. The rain shouldn’t last long, and then, I’ll finish my run.

Man: Are you sure? It’s really no bother. My family is inside as well, and we are a good bunch.

Ashley: *sees large family inside

Man: We’re all sitting down to a cup of tea and breakfast and happy to include you.

Ashley: *ponders* ….. oh ok!

I walk in, and the man points to the couch where I can take a seat. He continues to sweep while I pet their dog. Someone asks me how I take my tea. I spend about 15 minutes talking to the folks around me. We chat about their trips to New York City. They offer suggestions of places to go in Ireland. We commiserate about our mutual careers in healthcare and frustration with politics today. The man who let me in and is still sweeping says…

“So sorry. I am not anti-social. I just have so much to do. I’m actually getting married today. “

WHOAH!!!! I congratulate him, notice the rain has stopped, and say I will get out of their hair. The nice family lets me know if I am running by again I am welcome to knock for tea.

After Breakfast:

I set off for another day of busking! I am excited and hopeful for some more traffic on a Saturday. I play at the same coffee shop and make €5 all from one sweet older man. Not many people seem interested though. I decide to change spots and venture into Douglas shopping court. It’s another 2 mile walk, but I call my mom and chit-chat for a little. Then I get a warm Chai Latte from Starbucks and go out to busk again. I MAKE €15! Also, a little girl with her mom gives me a donut, and as they close their stand, someone from the farmer’s market brings me a bowl of the leftover rice and beans. WE ARE MOVING UP!!!

I scarred my thumb from playing so hard and it being so cold. I’m calling it my street cred., but I really just need to get a new guitar pick.

Night:

Originally, Julia and I thought about going out. However, there is a small problem. If Julia leaves, and I leave, and Gerard took us to the bus-stop, no one is watching Granddad. Julia is also tired, and we think about staying in and playing cards instead. It turned out to be such a fun night!! Axel brings down a bottle of French wine local to his hometown. It is the best wine I have ever tasted. We play music and some heated rounds of Uno. Gerard even throws us each a Guinness and a package of crisps.

Also, Gerard said I could help with the morning milking from now on, so I go to sleep happy.

Sunday:

I wake up for milking! I am happy to hang out with my cow friends. As I milk, I sing to them a twist on Leonard Cohen’s song…”Halle-moo-jah”.

After breakfast, I pack lunch again and head off to Douglas! It’s a 1.5 hour walk, but I wave at a passing car. The woman and her daughter tell me I can hitch a ride, and 10 minutes later, I am there.

I play for 2 hours today! AND I MAKE €50. A nice lady also bought me a coffee:) SUCH A GOOD DAY!

• Also side-note a random guy tried to get me to m go back to his house for a beer since he did not have cash to give me. I politely refused…SOOOO… Mom… I CAN tell a potentially bad stranger from a good one.

Then I bust out a 1.5 hour walk back, make dinner, clean up dinner, track my friend Juliette in her marathon, and I write this blog.