Nollaig na mBan
Globalise Women's Christmas
After Santa Cruz started out as a personal blog about life after our my wife and I moved from Santa Cruz to Ireland. We intended to stay the summer, a year at the most. So far we’ve been here nearly ten years.
Most of my After Santa Cruz posts are personal essays intended to be of interest for anybody. I promote my book in its own section. Occasionally, like today, I send a note to subscribers that’s a more personal update.
Today is the twelfth day of Christmas, Nollaig na mBan in Ireland (Women’s Christmas). This Irish holiday really needs to catch on. Traditionally the bean an tí (woman of the house) takes a day off from household chores and enjoys herself as she pleases. These days most Irish households divide the work more equitably, but women still go out to lunch together, and celebrate the women of their lives. There was a women’s dip in the sea this morning, but alas, I slept in.
Some of my friends have asked what it is like to be an Irish citizen now. It’s been a subtle state change, where normal life feels more normal. My tax attorney tells me that my ties to Ireland are “substantial” so maybe I won’t pay California’s income tax. He advises me to let my California driver’s license lapse. At one time, the absence of a CDL in my wallet would be an existential threat. Now, that card lives in the stack of other old IDs that aren’t me. I decided to change the country of my computer’s dictionary the other day. Small changes, all good.
If I still lived in Santa Cruz I wouldn’t be thinking of leaving the US. But if you know anyone who is contemplating it, I’m happy to share what I’ve learned.
Besides Nollaig na mBan today, we’re one month out from the release of my novel A Circle Outside in North America. If you were thinking about buying it, today would be a good day to call your favorite book store and pre-order it. (Especially Bookshop Santa Cruz.) If you’re in a book club, would you consider reading it? It’s suitable for all ages of any adult, not just women. The Labrys Lit book club in the UK will read it next December. If you’ve already read it, a review on Amazon would help a lot. After about twenty reviews, search ranking improves.
To promote the book, I’m coming to Santa Cruz in early March and will stay a month. My sister and I will host a private party at our house; I’ll send you the details if you contact me. I should to have plenty of time to meet up with you, my friends, for a meal or a walk or art show or music or something we will remember forever.
On March 22, I’m doing an event called Wonder and Awe in the Redwoods with my friends Coleen Douglas and Irene Reti. I wanted to create an event that would offer something better than a reading in the corner of a bookstore. An event with friends I haven’t met yet, something different and worth leaving the house for. Reserve your free ticket on Eventbrite.
If Nolliag na mBan isn’t for you, let it be an inspiration to make your own holiday, today, tomorrow, whenever you can. This is your life, now. Sing your favorite song. Eat something sweet. Put on an old sweater. Press a handful of leaves to your nose.
Amazing article 👏