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I read Dr Eileen Forrestal’s article on well-being. One thing I have done throughout the lockdowns while wearing my mask is sing. I sing in the shops! I go to the newsagents Byrnes and sing out ‘Good Morning Good Morning I slept the whole night through God Morning to you’. The girls in the shop, Rachel and Lisa, sing it with me now and they write in it my papers. I even sing in the butchers and dance with the egg man at a distance. I go to the sewing shop, where they make masks and headbands and I bring them cakes and biscuits and I sing again. Everyone smiles and laughs and it puts everyone in good humour. Then I go home happy. 

Bróna Uí Loing (insert county) 

Well Done

You guys are doing a great job, I love my magazine. It's perfect on Sunday morning, while everyone is sleeping in. I sit and read from front to back and you never disappoint me! Woman’s Way has got so many interesting topics and issues, lovely recipes and quiz corners. Of course, I love the prizes too and one day i'm sure i’ll get lucky!  

Fidelma Mac, Co Sligo

Joyful

What a great choice of Teresa Mannion for your front cover celebrating happiness - you couldn’t have picked a better person. It was great to catch up with what has been happening in her life and I am so glad she is fully recovered from her injury. By now I hope she has finally got to visit her mum (and that she is fully vaccinated) - I really feel for her and everyone who haven’t been able to visit nursing homes because of the restrictions. I liked Teresa’s positivity despite the challenges and I’d say she hears first hand how people really feel. She also gave me a great idea for a gym in the shed - I have a plan to clear it out this weekend.

Catherine Donoghue, Co Clare

Happy Out 

I absolutely loved reading Mark Rowe’s beautiful words on happiness in this week’s issue of Woman’s Way. I believe it is so important to focus on the good in our lives as we try not to be swept away by all the negativity around us. This past year has been difficult for everyone, and so I totally agree with Mark’s interpretation that “happiness is about making the best of good times as well as having the resilience to deal with tough times”. It was very lovely to read some positive thoughts from a true happiness expert! Keep up to the great content!

Andrea Coughlan, Co Mayo

Reduce, reuse, recycle 

I have just completed a belated deep spring clean on my home and while I’m

exhausted, I’m a little bit pleased with myself too. My home is gleaming, smells divine and I haven't used any chemicals or newly purchased cleaning tools.

I used vinegar, baking soda, a touch of lemon juice and a few drops of

my favourite essential oil added to water in clean spray bottles that I had used before. I used very old, frayed and discoloured t-shirts for my floors and surfaces(which I can wash and use again) and newspaper to dry and polish the windows. For the month of April I am appealing to the many readers of Womans Way to embrace the idea of buying less and re-using as many things as

you can care for our earth. Every small step counts and new products are not always necessary. I would love to hear how other readers minimise waste through re-using.

Bernadette Murphy, Co Galway

Weddings

Tara Fay’s feature on weddings was so insightful. It brought me back to my own wedding day 10 years ago and how happy I was (and stressed!). I feel for couples who want to get married in front of all their family and friends but can’t due to Covid. I couldn’t image how hard it would be to choose a small list! I also thought the idea of appointing someone in charge of little things on the wedding day to avoid additional stress was a great idea. It would really allow the bride and groom to focus on their day and what it’s all about. 

Leah Hanley, Co Meath

Boosting your Immunity
I really enjoyed the article about boosting your immunity by Dr. Paula Gaynor. I see hundreds of products that all claim to do the same thing and protect against all of these viruses and cases of flu - it’s overwhelming. I actually bought the vitamins Dr. Gaynor wrote about to start taking to give me that needed boost, especially when I’m vulnerable to COVID-19. The fact that sleep can also boost your immunity was really interesting too. I tell my grandchildren this all the time - that you need sleep to feel and be your best but very rarely took my own advice. One thing I have been doing is going for my daily walks so I was happy to see exercise on the list too. Thank you Woman’s Way for these tips. They are so relevant now more than ever. 

Iris Byrne, Clare

Irish Honeybees 

I was heartbroken to find out our honeybees were being put at risk by non-native bees. I only ever buy Irish honey and I’m fond of products made with Irish honey as well. It’s awful to think our bees may become extinct because of imported bees that may carry disease! A couple of years ago, when I found out our bees were becoming extinct, I made changes to my garden. I started planting single-flowered plants and I even planted a butterfly bush! I love hearing the buzzing when I water my plants, it brings me great comfort. I hope our bees will be okay and people will stop importing non-native bees into Ireland. 

Bernadette Moran, Sligo

Imelda May and Hannah Roddy 

As always I sat down this morning with Woman’s Way in one hand and my coffee in the other hand excited to read this issue. I have two daughters; my eldest now lives in London and the youngest is an aspiring singer living at home. Lockdown has been hard on all of us but turning on the radio and listening to a family favourite, Imelda May, always puts a smile on our faces. Reading the feature on Imelda May and Hannah Roddy was definitely a favourite of mine as I feel the paths chosen by my own daughters really make this piece relatable. Learning about the London Irish centre was very interesting and I found myself spreading their message about their to my eldest daughter in London. I read the piece to my youngest child and she too found it inspiring as it talked of young Irish musicians finding the footing in the industry. I always love reading Woman’s Way but this feature in particular put a huge smile on all of our faces. I am, as always, keen to get my hands on the next issue to enjoy with my morning coffee. 

Linda Rice, Kildare

Fresh Faced – 

To the ladies at Woman’s Way, 

I just finished reading your latest issue and would like to inform you that I have already purchased two of the products listed on your summer makeup must haves list! I have received the glossier lip tint and it lives up to the hype. I have been wearing it constantly since it arrived, and my husband agrees that it makes me look fabulous! 

Safe to say I will be online ordering the rest of the products on this lovely list if my other purchase performs as well as the first recommendation. I really appreciated this feature in the magazine, and loved the fresh new ideas from a variety of places! Thank you for this. 

Rose Ellis, Co Wicklow