GET YOUR GREEN ON

As I walked through three different grocery stores today, (I shop where the sales are), I kept seeing the same items on sale; cabbage, potatoes and corn beef.  Seems the stores all are trying to get everyone into the St. Patrick’s Day mood.  One store had shamrock plants on sale along side a display of green colored carnations wrapped as a nice bouquet.  Of course I could not pass up the sale on the shamrock plant.  Me having the black thumb, I do know if it will not survive long.  The shopping experience today prompted me to do a blog about the day to honor the man known as St. Patrick.

I remember in either third or fourth grade our teacher told us that in a few days it would be St. Patrick’s Day and everyone should wear something green to school. I recall wearing a green dress and green socks.  Each of us in class was given a shamrock made from construction paper to wear.  Our teacher told everyone for the day they would have an Irish last name so many put an ‘O’ or ‘Mc’ in front of theirs.  That teacher’s idea crept back into my mind a few years ago when I penned the poem at the end of this blog.

Although I was Irish, we did not celebrate the day in the home where I lived.  My mother had married a man who was Slovak.  She and I were the only two out of a household of six who were Irish.  There was no typical Irish meal to enjoy.  My step-siblings thought that it was a dumb holiday.  I told them if they were Irish they would think differently.  Of course this caused a fight between us, two against little old me.  Over the years I kept quiet when March seventeenth would approach.  

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day now consists of having my morning coffee laced with Bailey’s.  My husband boils up ham, cabbage, potatoes and carrots in a pot for our meal.  One year he surprised me with Shepherd’s Pie. 

We will go out someplace for a few brews; in honor of the day I order an Irish one and a shot of Jamison’s.

As many know I love holidays and do something to help others get into the spirit of the coming day.   Usually I have a give-away a few days prior to the holiday.  For the past few days I have been passing out St. Patrick’s Day cards, bookmarkers with an Irish poem, pins to wear and bar coasters shaped like a shamrock.  Giving something away days early is fun and

a reminder the day will soon be upon us.   

Today I am sending my greetings to one and all for a great St. Patrick’s Day.  Of course you need not be Irish to enjoy the day.

As I sit here typing away I am enjoying a nice mug of coffee with Bailey’s Irish Cream.  Getting into the holiday mood early you may say?

Perhaps, but today is March the fifteenth, St. Patrick’s Day Eve-Eve.

Sláinte.

So put on your green, pin a shamrock to your lapel, alter you name if you must and enjoy the fun; remember all the world is Irish on St. Patty’s Day.

TODAY IS MARCH THE 17^TH AND THE WEARING OF THE GREEN

©Scottie-ann Murphy

Most everywhere you go today a shamrock can be seen

For today is March the 17^th and the wearing of the green

Gallons of Guinness will be chasers for Irish whiskey shots

Kitchens will be cooking up ham and cabbage in their pots

Murphy’s, McGill’s and the Shea’s will be singing some Irish songs

Till midnight they will celebrate as they began from early dawn

A song called “Mother Machree” will protrude from their voices

Then sing the ballad “Danny Boy” one of their favorite choices

They’ll try to do a quadrille and a lively Irish jig or two

They may look ridiculous doing so; people may even boo

But they’ll have a shot of Jamison’s and wash it down with beer

Then proudly shout “hey Erin go Baugh” so everyone can cheer

If you last name is not Murphy, Shea, Kelly or McGill

Just put an O or Mc in front of yours, today it will fit the bill

You can be an O’Grabarek, an O’Gomez, a McLublin or a McYung

For the entire world is Irish today, you will be part of the fun

So don your favorite attire colored green; get into a party mood

Enjoy St. Patty’s Day festivities, the drinks, parades and food

For every place you go today, a shamrock can be seen

Today it is March the 17^th and the wearing of the green