These stories and poems, written in a natural and very elegant Irish (cumasach, nadurtha), deal with love, relationships, temptation, hardship, children, wealth, adventure and old age. The recurring note throughout this work is one of hope and belief in a future rather than gloom and despair. An English version of the stories is provided. This collection of short stories and poems won an Oireachtas na Gaeilge Literary Competition Award in 2012. From Le Sel De La Terre... I returned late from my strenuous mountain jog. There wasn't a sign of life in Ross Lodge. Julia must have retired after the garden tour and Nicole must be painting, I thought, as I showered. But, when I entered the drawing room and inquired, Rose just shook her head and scurried into the kitchen. Seconds later my world imploded. Julia appeared and shrieked: "She's gone and good riddance." "Who's gone, aunt? What's wrong?" "Wrong is it. You have the gall, Timothy O'Mahony, to bring that - that striopach into my house." She spat out the words with terrible venom. ..."