Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day my friends, now don't forget to be wear'in something green unless you want to get pinched......and I am sure there is somebody just waiting to find someone not wearin' the green. There is a name for these people who like to pinch others but it is not a very nice one.

As for me I am wearing a green sweater and serving corn beef and cabbage for dinner. You know my ancestors (father's people) originated from Northern Ireland, Sligo area and I like knowing this. I only wish the Irish were known for more elaborate food than corn beef and cabbage or potatoes. Well I know they like their whiskey and love to dance and sing wonderful story like songs. I happen to love their music as well.







In 2008 my sister Sheila and I visited Ireland and I loved it. We stayed in Dublin and I found the people to be friendly, funny and very kind. We traveled by train to Sligo County to visit where our ancestors left many years ago only to arrive in Canada. I did not get the information I wanted but I plan to go back and really put some effort into learning more of our ancestry. I found myself enjoying the beautiful green fields, their cemeteries...yes I enjoyed reading the names and dates on the headstones. In fact there was nothing about Ireland I didn't like, well except it did rain quite a bit.......one lady on the tour bus was asked if she brought her umbrella and she said "of course I have but instead of everyone carrying an umbrella perhaps a huge umbrella should be put over Ireland itself then we all could enjoy it" She was so cute and we all laughed at her honesty, actually I think she was onto something myself. It was wonderful just knowing my feet were touching the ground that my very own relatives had touched many years ago. There is something to be said about knowing our past, some how the older I get the more I appreciate all those who have come before me and the more I want to learn about them. Yes learning more about my ancestors is a project I want to start very soon.

Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day my friends....God Bless.......:-) Hugs


79 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy St Patrick's Day to you too Bernie. Although I always lived failry close to Ireland I never visited, I wish I had... it's a little bit of a further trek nowadays! However I do think the landscape, greenery etc is very similar to Scotland (where it also rains shed loads!). A huge umbrella needed... never a truer word said :0)

I have no green on today... hmmmm I have a green highlighter on my desk... I wonder what my colleagues would think? ;0)

Maggie May said...

The top o' the morning to you, Bernie. I didn't know you were of Irish descent. Happy St. Patrick's Day.
I went to Eire a few years ago, crossing the choppy irish sea on a ferry. There is amazing beauty over there, but yes.......... it does rain a lot. That why the hills are so green. I particularly loved Killarney.
As for wearing green...... I will have to risk being pinched though that has never ever happened to me!
Maggie x

Nuts in May

Irene said...

I'm afraid I'm totally Dutch and don't even have one drop of Irish blodd in me, but I do appreciate their music and the country itself. My daughter has Irish blood, but she's more connected to the Dutch half of her. Her father visited Ireland and made a bike trip there. He said it was wonderful, but he doesn't like whiskey.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

So glad to have you back again. We loved our very short stay in Dublin. Just wasn't long enough and will be going back someday soon I hope! God bless you as your wear your green today! CAthy

Just Be Real said...

Thank you for the post Bernie. Happy St. Pats to you also!

Brian Miller said...

happy st pat's bernie...i would love to visit ireland...better go put some green on before the boys wake up...

Valerie said...

Thanks for reminding me of the date, I hadn't realised it was St.Patrick's Day. I am wearing green though. I was in Dublin last year, like you I enjoyed all except the rain! Enjoy your day.

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Happy St Patrick's Day to you and yours Bernie.

May God bless you always.

Wanda..... said...

Loved the cheerful photos this morning, Bernie. I will be wearing green jewelry today and have a meal planned around cabbage too!
I think I mentioned Amanda is going to Ireland for 6 weeks this summer, wish I could go too.
Richard has been working on our family 'trees' for several years...it's very interesting, what one can discover! Take care and watch out for pinching leprechauns, Bernie!

♥...Wanda

glnroz said...

never been to Ireland, but have on green shirt(kinda faded, does that count?)..lol.. Thanks for this and all your comments.. Happy S P D.. glenn

Anvilcloud said...

I also have two strands of Irishness in my tree. Someday, I would like to find whereabouts in Eire they actually came from.

Diana said...

Hi Bernie,
Ireland has always been number one on my places to see! Oh that would be a dream come true. I do know that my mother's father was Irish but don't have a clue where he was from. I do hope that you get to go back there one day, if you do and need a friend to tag along let me know!!
Love Di ♥

Janean said...

my sweet, sweet bernie -- another lovely post.

i enjoyed the way you talk about Ireland and your trip...and yes, my family sings at the drop of a hat and adores telling long, winding stories with funny surprise endings!

happy st. patrick's day to you!

Margie said...

Happy St. Patrick's day to you sweet Irish lassie!
Enjoy your day, Bernie and your dinner, I love corned beeef and cabbage!
Now I must look in my suitcase for something green to wear to my son's ballgame later today.
I think I have a green top.

Almost home, be home later tonight.
It's been such a wonderful trip!

Margie :)

Margie said...

Sending hugs!

Margie :)

Bernie said...

ED, I found Scottish weather cooler than Ireland....oh and the fences were made of grass hedges. Both countries are beautiful, so blessed to have visited them.
Okay did you draw a shamrock of something with your green pen?
........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Maggie, yes there is a lot of Irish blood running through my viens, my late husband was born in Midlesex, England....is that close to you?.......Be well my friend.
...........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Nora, love your new picture. Totally Dutch, now that is an area of the world I would love to visit.
Have a great day.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Oh Cathy I so want to go back to Ireland......totally loved it.
..........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

JBR....Happy St. Patrick's Day. ....:-)Hugs

Bernie said...

Brian, go to Ireland....it will be a trip of a lifetime....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Val, Dublin was so beatiful.
Have a grand day......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Victor, thank you my friend. Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day my friend.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Wanda, Oh I do envy Amanda. I would love that much time in this beautiful country....she will love it. Now tell me are you wearing emeralds today?......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Glen, nothing wrong with a faded green shirt my friend. If you have the opportunity to visit Ireland I know you will enjoy it.
.........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

A/C I really want to learn more about my ancestors, it just seems more important as I grow older.
........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Diana, will always keep you in mind to travel to Ireland with, somehow I think we would have a great time.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Janean, oh my family were very much the same (I have absolutely no idea why we thought we could sing...) but we did have fun.
.........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Margie, it does sound like such a lovely place....so happy you are having such a good time...:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Oh Margie hugs going right back to you.......:-) Hugs

Cheryl said...

Loved the photos, so charming. What a wonderful visit to your homeland. Happy St. Patrick's Day to you as well. I must go find something green to wear, I don't want to get pinched!

Bernie said...

Cheryl, got the pictures from Holly over at Banner Haus....she is a real sweetie.
Love St. Patrick's Day so I am wishing you a wonderful day.
.......:-) Hugs

Jinksy said...

Will somewhat green eyes do, Bernie? And at least, I can lay claim to an Irish Great Grandmother Elizabeth, who came from Londonderry! Top o' the mornin', afternoon or evnein' to ye! Have a leprechaun on me!

Anne said...

Hi Bernie,
Happy St. Patrick's Day to you. Ireland would be a beautiful place to visit. All that Lush greenry and beautiful landscape. Would love to travel there someday.
I am not of Irish descent. But,I do have some Canadain in me. My father was from Toronto and all of my relatives still live there.
Enjoy your St. Patty's meal.
Take care.

Jackie said...

Hi Bernie...It's a little past mid day (Wednesday) and I STILL had to scroll down 32 comments to get here! :)) I guess I'm going to have to get up at 5 A.M. :))
Happy St. Patricks Day to you, my friend.
I was at the elementary school this morning about to administer some tests and the intercom came on. The principal (a lady)...started the morning out with a warm hello to the students...and then said, "I know that it's St. Patrick's Day students, but let me remind you that there will be NO pinching of anyone....not wearing green doesn't allow you to pinch. Have a nice day." I had to smile. The students would LOVE a chance to 'pinch'...but...alas...not at our school this morning.
I hug you...of course!
Love,
Jackie

Bernie said...

jinsky.....Happy St. Patrick's Day my friend, everybody is Irish on March 17th.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Anne, part Canadian eh! We are a pretty nice lot.......Happy St. Patrick's Day my friend....Hugs

Bernie said...

Jackie, good for your principal as we all would pinch those without green as children and some of those poor children must of been so bruised the next day. Have a great day my friend.....:-) Hugs

Anonymous said...

I have done my genealogy and know my paternal grandmother's family came from Ireland but the info only says born in Ireland, does not give the exact location, and I got stumped about 4 generations back. They is never an end to the looking. Just knowing where to look is the key. Ancestory.Com has been my source. Not going out today so not worrying about wearing green. HH is so he has on green. Blessings
QMM

Bernie said...

Peggy, I keep planning on doing more to learn about my ancestors, as I am very interested....:-) Hugs

Simply Debbie said...

DEAR BERNIE,
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS FOR MY BROTHER. YOU WOULD REALLY LIKE HIM. HE DOES A LOT OF THINGS FOR LITTLE LADIES THAT CAN'T AND HE WILL SET AND DRINK TEA, AND TALK UP A STORM...HE CAN FIX ABOUT ANYTHING, SINGLE AND 50 YEARS OLD. HE HAS TWO DOGS, A SCHNAUZNER AND FRENCH BULL DOG. HE WAS THE CUTEST BABY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS. HE WAS DEFINITELY AFRAID LAST NIGHT BUT THAT KIND OF PAIN WILL MAKE YOU AFRAID.
I HOPE EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL FOR YOU. WE ARE FIXING TO HAVE ANOTHER ROUND OF BAD WEATHER.
HUGS AND LOVE TO YOU BERNIE
SIMPLY DEBBIE

Denise said...

Happy St. Patricks Day sweetie. Wish I could be there to eat dinner with you, sounds yummy. I love you.

Gabriella said...

I don't have any Irish blood in me but when I was a kid, in Kenya, all my teachers were Irish nuns :)
(Loreto Convent, Nairobi)

ps: I love Irish music and dancing

Bernie said...

Your brother is so young to have these problems, please keep us posted. Praying for all of you.
......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Denise, would love to share my corn beef and cabbage with you, it does smell very good.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Gabriella, well that has to count for something........:-) Hugs

Garnetrose said...

my bil and his wife live in Sligo Pa., a sister city to Sligo in Ireland. They have met several people from Ireland when they have their Irish festival and some from Ireland come to it. They went there last year and fell in love with the country and people. I have always wanted to go there but maybe in my next life.....*s*
Happy St. Patrick's day!!!!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, dearest Bernie!!! Ireland is certainly a beautiful country!! How wonderful that you were able to visit it! Hope that you'll begin your project soon...it sounds like such fun! Love you, Janine XO

Bernie said...

Garnet the festival sounds like so much fun......I loved Ireland and I am sure you would as well...Hugs

Bernie said...

Janine, Happy St Patrick's Day, yes I have to just do it instead of talking about it....:-) Hugs

Barb said...

I always think of those of Irish ancestry as happy, outgoing, storytelling people. I have a good friend originally from Ireland - she's all those things. She tells the best stories! You always seem so upbeat, too, Bernie. Maybe it's in the genes!

The Retired One said...

Same to you, Bernie...
I would LOVE to go to Ireland someday...it looks GORGEOUS..I can dream of the wonderful pictures to be had there.
We had 65 degrees here today and sunny....it was SO wonderful...I had a perfect day...even found some swans and an eagle to photograph...I LOVED that.
{{hugs to you}}

Karen said...

Yes, Happy St. Patrick's Day! One day my sweetie husband and I hope to get to Ireland. What a treat that would be!

Mary N. said...

Hi Bernie! Happy St. Patricks day to you, too!
A quarter of my blood is Irish but I hate corned beef and cabbage. Well, I would eat it if I was starving...
I enjoyed reading about your trip to Ireland, my grandmother came from there. It sounds beautiful!

Bernie said...

Barb, you could be right but I have to say you described my father more than me....He was always dancing and in the middle of everything, his nick name was shamrock and he loved everything Irish and I of course loved him.
.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Joan, it has been very nice here as well but the temperature dropped 25 degrees since yesterday, cloudy, windy and cool today.
You and Paul would absolutely love Ireland, it is the prettiest country in the world....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Mary, Ireland is one of the prettiest countries in the world. I cannot imagine anyone not liking it there but then I can't imagine anyone not liking corned beef and cabbage......LOL......:-) Hugs

Joey said...

I just looked down and I have no green on. I do have a blue bear holding Gerber Daisies, with green leaves beside me. Does that count?

I changed my background so that you can read my blog.

Happy Day, Bernie!

Caroline said...

Hsppy St. Pat's don't worry we both know there is more to being Irish, than corned beef and cabbage! Strong, Proud, Hardworking, Unstoppable people!
I could go on for hours! and of course I am Irish, too!
And boy do I love green!!!
The amazing countryside is just that; green to the soul! so green you feel it! God Bless and have a wonderful day! C

Bernie said...

Joey thank you, and anything green counts.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Karen, I will say a special prayer just for you and your husband to be able to have a wonderful trip to Ireland.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Caroline, we are both proud to be Irish especially on our special day. So glad you are having such beautiful weather, enjoy!..:-) Hugs

Ann said...

Hope you had a wonderful St. Patrick's Day. Pleased to hear you enjoyed your stay in Ireland.

Barry said...

I checked my closet and found I had nothing green to wear.

Whew.

Saved me from having to make a fashion decision.

I've been to Scotland many times and really want to get to Ireland some day. I would even be willing to buy something green to wear, if that's what it took.

Eileen said...

Great post! And I loved hearing about your travels to Ireland! I hope to go there one day too, along with a trip to Sweden to visit Ray's relatives there.
I just heard something yesterday about going home to your roots, and visiting the homeland of your ancestors, and how it puts their hearts at rest, and how it puts your own heart at rest too. Sounds lovely.
Do you know that up until yesterday I had never heard about wearing green so you don't get pinched??? And since then, I've been hearing it and reading it a lot!

'hope you enjoyed the day! I had a wonderful time in the city with my friend Barbara, viewing the parade and seeing Riverdance! We both cried, it was a great performance!
Love to you, Bernie,
Eileen

Anonymous said...

Happy day after St. Patrick's Day

Sara Diana said...

Ireland is such a pretty country and the people are so relaxed there too. I am a big fan of Guiness and my Great Aunty Lizzie swore by a bottle of guiness a day!

Although both of my families can be traced back to Wales for 100's of years I have been told that we come from Ireland too. So we are celt through and through!

It is good knowing your roots. My husband doesnt know his at all apart from the fact we THINK his grandfather was a Canadian Airman stationed over here during the war x

beth said...

I had a great day, but can you believe I totally forgot the green and had on a biege sweatshirt all day ?

but I did "go green" by saying "no bag needed" when I was shopping at goodwill....does that count ?

Bernie said...

Ann, thank you I had a wonderful day yesterday and I loved my visit to Ireland......the most beautiful country in the world......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Barry, Ireland and Scotland are much alike except Ireland is way more green.....so beautiful, I know you and Linda would love a visit to Ireland........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Eileen, I read in today's paper there was a million people at the parade yesterday.....WOW. I have only seen Riverdance on PBS but it did look wonderful. Big hugs to Jayden and Mia......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Ron, thank you.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Sara, many babies were born during the war and many never came to know their fathers or mothers...sad really. My SIL just recently met her father and 5 siblings for the first time. Her father was posted in Canada then went back to England when she was only a few months old.....sad to think of really. Be well my friend,
........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Beth, you didn't wear green...oh well I will send you a memo next year. Have a great day....:-) Hugs

Rebecca said...

I'm jealous of your genuine Irish roots. And I DID javascript:void(0);wear green.

It's so true with me, too, that the older I get the more interested in knowing more of the particulars of my ancestors....

Rebecca said...

I'm jealous of your genuine Irish roots. And I DID javascript:void(0);wear green.

It's so true with me, too, that the older I get the more interested in knowing more of the particulars of my ancestors....

Bernie said...

Rebecca, I think we all would love to know our roots, I want to know more.....my sister and I are going to discuss it this summer and try to set up something that we both can work on. Have a great day my friend......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Gosh Rebecca, I don't know how your message came through twice but that's okay, I always love hearing from you......:-) Hugs

Tranquility Speaks said...

A belated Happy St. Patrick's day to you Bernie. I've seen pictures of Ireland and it sure looks amazing! If you have pictures of there, please put up a few on the blog. I would love it :)