I started this article by reading what Wikapedia had to say about the Irish and their day. It is typical of the Irish that they celebrate a religious leader with booze and a day of parades. Add a corned beef feast in the middle of the Lenten season and you further add to the mystery. For most of us, it is a sure sign that spring is here and the green of the season won't be far behind.
Somewhere back in the family history one of my grandfathers was Irish and he married a Scott. With a name like Petty, you would think we are English but a member of the family told us that the derivation of our name was French Petite (pronounced Pe' te) and written Petty as our family member came through Ellis Island. Where we came from is of little import, what we do and where we live is what is the mark of who we are.
Yesterday just wasn't Barb's day. She locked her keys in the car, forgot what she had or had not told me and then couldn't remember what she needed to go to the store for. I guess when there is no real big need to concentrate your thoughts, you don't have to. I just hope that one of us keeps it together so we don't find ourselves truly off on a lark someday as I try to find a new way somewhere.
There is the most beautiful Cardinal outside today. I think he sits in the green cedar tree because he looks so spectacular there with his red against the green. One of the woodpeckers just knocked a chunk of a suet block out ad he was on it like a duck on a June bug.
Headed to 80 degrees today and I most definitely will get the recumbent out and ride some. I also need to start the planning for some of the spring projects here at Rabbit Run. I think it is time to redo some of the deck before it falls off. After all, we have been here 20 years and it is about time to do some heavy duty maintenance.
Have a great day out there.
MUD
I'm not sure what Wikipedia says, but I remember reading that the Irish really do not celebrate St. Patrick's Day quite like we do. The green beer and getting drunk is more of an American and an I wish I were Irish kinda thing.
ReplyDeleteMany Irish Catholics remember St. Patrick in a different way--by making a pilgrimage up Croagh (Mt.) Patrick on Reek Sunday in July. Often they will crawl up on their hands and knees which leaves them bruised and bloody. I don't exactly go for that sort of thing, but it is quite a bit different than drinking green beer and falling over drunk.
The wearing o' the green is a tradition that has political significance as well as representing the coming of spring. Wearing a shamrock in your hat or wearing green was a quiet sign of rebellion against English rule. I think it may have been outlawed as the English once outlawed the wearing of clan tartans in Scotland.
Jenni is right. We Americans take a lot of other traditions and add (alcohol, pinching, flashing, dressing up in costume...) to it. Take Mardi Gras, St. Valentines Day and Hallows Eve aka Halloween for example. Even Christmas has evolved into some crazy excuse to over induldge. But hey, we have more fun!
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