March 17, 2009

It's a great day for the Irish.

Recently acquired ephemera from the shore house collection. ;-)

And a great day for the 16.7% Irish, or whatever it is that I am. I am a classic American mutt. I wonder if I can swab my cheek and send it away to one of those doggie DNA places to have them sort it all out?

Anyway...did you know that St. Patrick wasn't even Irish? Depending on who you listen to, he was likely born in either Wales or Scotland. The 25% of me that's Scottish (that's a pretty precise number. I think.) wants to believe the latter is true. Patrick was captured when he was in his teens and taken as a slave to Ireland. That's right my friends, A SLAVE. The road wasn't paved with rainbows and pots of gold for our beloved Paddy.

He finally escaped his captors in his 20s, became a priest, and devoted the rest of his 40-odd years to peacefully spreading Christianity. And, apparently, "After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461. "

Well isn't that a kick in the kilt.


And how do we celebrate this auspicious life? Pints of Guinness, boiled beef, and green bagels. And parades.

So very odd, we Americans are.

Sláinte, everyone.

22 comments:

Joyce said...

You crack me up! May you dip into something green to drink today, my wee irish friend. xoxo

Tina said...

Cool post. You're so funny,
T

Carey said...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I have to go find something green to wear, so I don't get pinched...

pve design said...

Whatever wee percent you are, we love every "bit o you!"
Now - be off with ya wee self, and let the games begin....
here ye here ye...
pve

Anonymous said...

I didn't know the exact story, actually not a bit of it, so thanks for that! When and why the Guinness came into the picture..., who knows. And in case you celebrate your 16.7%... Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

I have been educated! And I thank you for that! Intersting post! May you have a wodnerful St pats Day, my friend!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I always heard he was Scottish, Laura, and the Scot in me joins the Scot in you saying it's so! LOL!

Here's hoping you have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

Love to you, my wonderful shorehouse buddy...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Caren said...

Well, we don't ever really need a reason for Guinness, do we? I think you forgot the part about driving all the snakes out of Ireland, where does that come in? ;)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

s. pearce feldman said...

fantastic post. and your feelings about this (albeit bizarre) holiday aren't far off from my own. so nice to know i'm not the only scots(wo)man who finds st. patrick's confusing.

Linda Lou said...

Happy St. Patty's Day, I miss those crazy parades in NYC, where everyone was drunk and I had to go back to work!! I celebrated today with risotto and that limoncello cheesecake.

desiree said...

Happy St. Patrick's to you and your family. Actually having a Guinness right now. It really is beautiful as you watch it in your glass.

kari and kijsa said...

Happy St. Patricks Day!
blessings, kari & kijsa

Anonymous said...

St. Pat's has been largely an American holiday, but when I was in Dublin a few weeks ago I saw loads of green hats and sh*t for sale. I think it's because so many immigrants have moved to Ireland. Now that their economy is bust (like ours) the immigrants will probably leave and Americans will once again be the only ones celebrating this silly holiday.

Anonymous said...

Heh. My brother said his coworkers start drinking at 7 am, then go to a bar at noon for the remainder of the day. He had watched a bio of St. Patrick, and figured the poor guy would be shocked to know exactly how Americans celebrate his life!!

Were you able to see any of the parade? I've loved catching up on your posts and seeing all of your pretty things and amazing buys!

Sending love down NJ way!
Jen :-)

Rue said...

Good morning Laura :)

First I'm amazed by your recent finds in the last two posts and now I find myself having a wonderful chuckle ..... kick in the kilt LOL

I think I have about the same amount of Irish lineage that you do coursing through my veins ;)

xoxo,
rue

Kwana said...

I hope you had a good St Paddy day. You crack me up. My DD came home from school saying how much she is not into this holiday and what's with it since St. Patrick wasn't even Irish anyway. You and her could hang out. Too funny.

Jean Martha said...

Shamrock Shakes for all!

heidi said...

I haven't been Irish since college, and I really really miss it. Happy St. Patty's Day, my friend! xoh

The blog of MBW said...

Thanks for sharing all that info. Belated Happy Saint Patrick's day.(i'm late) :-)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It was so wonderful to meet you in person Laura! I have the photos up on my blog.

I had to laugh that we chose a Jewish deli to have lunch at and that the waiter obviously had a crush on you...lol! But at least we had free cheesecake!

The parade was fun ...crowded but fun!

Sue said...

2 days late and $2. short to wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day....

from another Mutt....but I have a title....I'm a "Polewop"....

vicki archer said...

As good an excuse as any to celebrate, I think! Have a wonderful weekend, xv.