I had a wonderful group who were spending a week around Ireland,
As all groups tend to be a mix of people from various parts of the United States who come on vacation as individuals but end the tour as one great happy family !
Naturally part of the tour involves some shopping and no better place than the Blarney Woollen Mills, which claims to be the largest Irish shop in the world!
Well Rona asked me to help her pick out a sweater with her. Now Rona lives in Arizona and she openly says that she will most probably never wear this sweater as the temperatures in Arizona are of desert scale! We laugh & joke about the sweater, I explain the meaning of the different designs and how they became a solution for the islanders many years ago. (Now Rona is a very slight lady, and really every style of sweater looked amazing on her, we had great fun, I was in my element …shopping!
I was conscious that time was slipping and that a decision was needed quickly, Rona decided and proceeded to the counter, I stayed discreetly away from the counter and allowed the young assistant chatted with Rhona. The conversation evolved like this :
Rona, I am going to buy this sweater, it’s lovely and I love the design,
Assistant : It is, and it’s lovely and warm and cosy too.
Rona : Maybe that’s the only reason I shoud n’t buy it !
Assistant : O , Why ,where do you come from ?
Rona : The desert in Arizona,
Assistant : Instant reaction she says “ Jesus Christ “ …….
Rona ; Laughed, looked at me and she could see I was n’t impressed. My facial expression left the assistant know I was not happy.
Immediately the assistant apologised and we accepted, appreciating that the young lady had reacted unintentionally!
Rona & I left the store, both of us appreciated the moment was not intended and Rona said
“This sweater will forever more be referred to as …My JC Sweater “
Both Rona and I communicate very regularly on FB now and she often refers to the weather as saying “ Today is a JC Sweater Day ! “