For Doc Ern, since she asked

Ern asked in comments how Aislinn's name is pronounced. Good question, because the answer is "Not the way you probably think!"

We pronounce it ASH-lynn. It's Irish/Celtic, and it's inspired from the name of a character in a Maeve Binchy book, Light a Penny Candle. The name in the book is spelled slightly different, Aisling, and pronounced ASH-leen. I love this spelling best, but after years of consideration (Audrey narrowly escaped the name, with original spelling), I decided that spelling it A-I-S-L-I-N-G would not only get it misspelled (as Ashleen) and mispronounced (phonetically as Ayzleen), but also probably often misheard as Ashley. Spelling it A-I-S-L-I-N-N would at least ensure, I thought, that people would not mishear it.

I was wrong. At least once a month, usually more, I have to correct someone hearing and saying her name for the first time. "What's her name?" "'ASH-lynn'" I say, slowly and carefully. "Oh, Ashley, that's a pretty name." "Yes, it is, and so is ASH-LYNN, which is what I actually said."

OK, I don't really say that last part. And I can't get too upset....after all, I was the one who chose the name. She will have more reason to get mad when she's older and starting school, and all her classmates try to insist to her that her name must be Ashley, because they've never heard of the name ASH-LYNN, who ever heard of a name like that anyway? And she'll hate me, and I'll say, "Tough! It's my privilege to name you. You can name your own kid someday."