Today is the Day

It's time again for my weekly post. Today is my actual birthday and it is on Wednesday this year. I think it isn't a secret that I love to celebrate my birthday. Not with a big party, though I have had those in my time. I have incorporated many silly and simple little rituals into my day. The first thing I do is stay up until midnight and then read my New Moon list from last year. This is a list of physical objects I hoped to add to my life since my last birthday. It is the one time to feel completely selfish, self-deserving, and self-aware, and not to feel guilty about it at all. I'm not even sure when I started making this list or where I first learned about it. Google doesn't know what it is, and I don't remember why I do it. I'm sure I read about it somewhere. My guess would be in the 1980's. My first list probably said "Nice kids and a clean house." That was my standard answer to my children whenever they would ask me what I wanted.

 I keep all the old lists in a notebook now, but at first I didn't save them in a particular place, so sometimes one just pops up in a box of papers. (I guess I just squelched the rumor that I am extremely organized. I am not. That's probably the reason for so many lists.) And I won't make the list for 2026 until the next new moon. These lists are getting harder to make. Every year I want fewer physical objects. The things that make us happy aren't usually actual objects, are they? And they shouldn't be.

I like to think about what I would buy myself on my very self indulgent day. There are a few items in my Amazon cart that I may just need. I also usually go shopping at a new or favorite store for a little while and either take myself to lunch or meet friends and family.

 I will probably check the "75 (Amended to 76) Things I've Learned post that I wrote a couple of years ago. This year I will add #77. It's an Irish proverb and is my words of the year. 'Enough is as good as a feast." I will have more to say about it later.

John is making my birthday even more special this year. We are going to our favorite happy place, Clear Lake. We plan to enjoy every minute of the two days we will spend there. I, of course, will be celebrating every minute. 

Many people may think that birthday joy is a childish and immature notion. I know some who always say they don't want to think about their day. I had one time several years ago that almost everyone forgot. That's when I determined there were many little things that would bring joy to me, so now I make sure to make them happen.  I'm off to read my FB messages and to get ready for our adventure. I am planning on a glorious year.

 Not every one of the Moran-Daugherty-Brafford clan was able to get together yesterday to celebrate the High Holy Day of St Patrick, but we had a small yet enthusiastic showing. John and I left early but I'm sure there was some singing going on later in the day. I can say without bragging that my kids know the words to just about every Irish song that was ever written. I've put my Irish music away for awhile, and I'm pretty sure that John is happy about that. Even though he is a lot more Irish than I am, he only knows the basics when it comes to Irish music.

We've celebrated lots of St. Paddy's Days over the years and I'm sure it's a tradition that will keep on going.

We met at Captain Roys, which I'm sure was just about the most festive place in our city. My daughter, Meghan spent weeks making decorations. There were lots of green paper chains, buntings, lights, and shamrocks. 

I tried to show a really good video, but I guess that is beyond my capabilities. So, use your imagination. It was grand, as they would say in the old country.

Well, the holiday is over now, so I will just leave you with one more Irish thought.

"May you always have walls for the wind.

A roof for the rain.

Tea beside the fire.

Laughter to cheer you,

Those you love near you,

And all that your heart might desire"

Wearin' of the Green

 

It's almost time for St. Patrick's Day, which is an American holiday where everyone is Irish. And if you're not, then you should be. St. Paddy's Day was a holy day in Ireland, to honor St. Patrick, who actually wasn't Irish at all. He was originally from Britain and from a wealthy family. As the story goes, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates as a young man and ended up in pagan Ireland. He eventually became a missionary and Bishop in the Christian church. Legend tells us that he used a shamrock to teach the concept of the Trinity. He is also said to be responsible for driving all of the snakes out of Ireland.  He is thought to have died on March 17, in the year 470 or 471. That became his Feast Day. It didn't become a public holiday until 1901. It remained a religious day for many years. The pubs were even kept closed on March 17 until 1970. The first official government sponsored St. Pat's Festival was in 1995 in Dublin. The original purpose was to promote tourism and boost the economy.

There is a very large Irish population in the United States, and most of them love to celebrate this day. It is customary to wear at least a little something green. That will keep you from getting pinched by a leprechaun. It's better to be safe than sorry.

The first Irish parade that was recorded in North America was in New York City in 1762. Irish soldiers in the British army marched to Irish music on March 17 to honor their heritage. Now there are parades on this day all over the world.

In my own family, my children claim to be nearly one hundred percent Irish. That isn't possible since Ancestry.com claims that only  about six percent of my blood is green. The rest they got from their dad. We all know just about every Irish song, so I'm sure that qualifies. And I think every one of us has an Irish sense of humor.