In addition to the hawthorn at Dunamase, there were lots of dandelions just waiting to be plucked and wafted. Ashley and Alysha (above), and Adriana (below) were happy to oblige.
This summer we have three Ashleys, one Alysha, and an Alyssa. We also have Katie, Caitlin, Katelyn, Kailee, and two Samanthas. You might think it would be confusing, but they are all so different that I’ve had no trouble telling who is who.
When I first met Adriana I wondered if her multi-hued hair was an homage to CuChulainn. She assured me it was not. Even though the colors she chose are not the same, I thought it was a great coincidence and connection to what we are studying in the Irish Storytelling Tradition. Here is how CuChulainn, the great hero of the Cattle Raid of Cooley, is described:
A handsome lad was he that stood there, Cúchulainn son of Sualtam. Three colours of hair had he; next to his skin the hair was brown, in the middle it was red; on the outside it was like a diadem of gold; comparable to yellow gold was each glittering long curling splendid beautiful thread of hair, falling freely down between his shoulders.
