Just What the World Needs:
A Little More Kindness
AN IRISH JOURNEY OF THE HEART:
The Circle of Kindness
By Jana Kolpen & Mary Tiegreen
Stewart Tabori & Chang
ISBN 1-58479-458-5
"Even the smallest kindness can change the world.
Beyond the bluest ocean and over the green hills,
along the winding road that passes the murmuring sheep
and the skylark that sings in the giant oak tree,
through a small crooked gate and down the narrow path lies
a small pink cottage overlooking the sea.
In all of Ireland there isn't a finer place
to have a cup of tea and witness the wonders of life
that are offered to us every day."
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
Before I ever opened a page in this book, I had the same feeling of expectation and wonder that I would get when I would open the trunk that held my mother's wedding dress and hat and the shoes with straps that had pearl buttons for closures. It was a warm dreamy feeling.
I was captivated by the cover and boxed wrapping on The Circle of Kindness which is in the shape of a rose covered Irish thatched cottage with a rooster sitting at the door. The window has the half lace curtain on the bottom and through the top of the window pane you can see in the distance the rolling Irish hills. On the tall wood door is a large Claddagh door knocker.
It was to this enchanted spot that Mademoiselle J. had been invited to spend a time of quiet repose. Their mutual friend Madame Claude, who resided at the magical French farmhouse known as Pistoulet, had advised Mademoiselle J. that spending time at the Pink Cottage with Shannon and her friends, would do wonders for her low spirits.
Shannon's kitchen was a place of wonderment and heart as Mademoiselle J. enjoyed the many cups of brewed tea, soda bread and hearty Irish breakfasts. But, best of all were the conversations and the feelings of comfort and kindness that pervaded the Pink Cottage. Mademoiselle even learned to bake soda bread and scones.
When Mademoiselle asked about the significance of the Claddagh design door knocker, Shannon told her that it was a very ancient symbol with great power that she would see everywhere in Ireland. The circle has no beginning and no end and even though we may travel far from home, we will someday come back to where we began. Hence, The Circle of Kindness.
Mademoiselle J. met many of Shannon's friends such as the Legendary Lady of Shanagarry; Fitzpatrick, the fine Irish craftsman; the Bored and Colorless Sisters and G. Mallone the Perfectionist.
She was also introduced to Himself who was the proprietor of The Inn Between that had no address. If you wanted to find it you had to look between the barbershop and the bakery and it was only opened in between breakfast, lunch and dinner on Wednesdays, Saturdays and every other Tuesday. Their specialty was Tipsy Mushrooms on Toast.
Mademoiselle J. went to Ireland seeking comfort and solace and she soon discovered that many of the people she met were also searching for the same thing...with the exception of Shannon, who was happy at the Pink Cottage, surrounded by her animals, where she extended kindness to all whom she met.
As with many fairy tales, the ending is that everyone lived happily ever after. And so it was for Mademoiselle J. along with all the friends that she had met. The circle of kindness was complete.
The Circle of Kindness is the third of a trilogy. The others are The Secrets of Pistoulet and Dancing With the Moon.
The Circle of Kindness includes several Irish recipes, exquisite illustrations and little lift-up Claddagh Ring flaps, that have beautiful kind sayings underneath... just what our world needs today. For more information, visit: www.circleofkindness.com.
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