In one way, as you say, these elections are a referendum on Donald Trump, but they're also a test for the Democrats because the party was really left in disarray after the last presidential election.

Yes.

And in fact, I'd argue the disarray.

I don't think they've ever gotten over Barack Obama.

I think since Obama.

They haven't managed to rally behind someone who can bring them united in a particular direction that will travel with the American people.

And in a way, that's the other question about these midterms.

They're hoping to hold on to their seat in Michigan, but things are difficult there because of an internal row.

Never kind of, "I expect this of you." Uh, and so you mistakenly thought it was a buddy, basically, is my psychoanalyzing of it.

This is gonna be some, uh, some trip that you're going on with this podcast.

You'll, you'll have to talk about yourself a bit, won't you, Áine, which is not something you're used to doing in behind a microphone.

Um, a c- a certain amount.

I mean, spoke about the cancer when I had it, but again, that was from the point of view of the research.

Um, spoken about my garden, 'cause again, that's plants, that's not people.

But otherwise, no, I tend to be fairly private.

Yeah, yes.

Tell us why.

I was just saying to Jim, this is my favorite morning of the year.

You come up through the Phoenix Park, which this time of year, early in the morning, it just looks absolutely stunning.

And then you come up the driveway with all those trees and the cow parsley, and there's all the tents, and the magic of Bloom before you.

And for me, as Jim was saying, over twenty years, and to watch these gardeners, and I've come to know many of them, a- and the nursery and plants people, to watch them year after year, to watch the standards develop, to watch not just private gardening, but public gardening, Fingal, and g- you know, the work that they are doing and leading the way for beautiful and practical public spaces that people can share.

Balcony gardens for people.

I have a very small garden.

[laughs]