Happy St. Patrick's Day!

3/15/2021

It's St. Patrick's Day, a holiday that summons memories of the streets of New York for me. According to ancestry.com, I'm 89% British and Irish. Mom came from an O'Brien clan, while Dad was a Taylor. We never celebrated St. Patty's Day when I was a child, but living in the Northeast for decades changed that experience. Everyone seems to be Irish on March 17th.

Because my children and grandchildren live in the greater New York City area, I usually visit The City a couple of times a year. COVID-19 changed my travel experience, but like many, I'm hoping to board a plane soon. There's nothing quite like New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade. Fingers crossed, maybe next year, I'll be in the crowd shouting again!

Author Colleen Chesebro offers another #TankaTuesday prompt - immortality. My tanka poem, syllables 5/7/5/7/7, is about today's celebration. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

26 Comments

Eugenia link

3/16/2021 16:59:50

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Gwen! I am mostly Irish with a little French mixed in. My father was an O'Keeffe, and I remember his green tie with shamrocks on it. Hubby and I have been celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Blue Ridge, Georgia, at Boro Inn, an Irish pub owned by a retired Irish priest, for the last 5 years. We didn't get to go last year nor will we be going this year, but hopefully we'll get there soon. Love your tanka and Erin go Braugh.☘️

Gwen M Plano

3/17/2021 03:43:03

Thank you for stopping by, Eugenia. Boro Inn sounds like a fantastic place to celebrate. Soon we'll all be partying again! Have a wonderful St. Patty's Day. 🍀

Joan Hall link

3/17/2021 04:41:06

I've never been to a St. Patrick's Day parade. I used to wear green when I was younger, but don't do that anymore. I have Scots-Irish roots but I think the Irish part came because my ancestors moved there from Scotland to escape religious persecution. (Or I may have that backward, LOL.)

Gwen M Plano

3/17/2021 07:01:38

The only St. Patrick's Day parade I've watched was in NYC. And I must say, it's quite the parade. Thank you, Joan.💚

Staci Troilo link

3/17/2021 06:32:56

I'm part Irish (Dad's side) but we never did anything to mark the holiday when I was growing up. I always made a big deal of it for my kids, though. Happy St. Patrick's Day, Gwen!

Gwen M Plano

3/17/2021 07:06:21

My parents never did anything to celebrate the holiday, but when I moved to the Northeast, I experienced being Irish. Parades, parties. The best part of the holiday is that people are happy. Thank you, Staci, and Happy St. Patty's. 💚

Mae Clair link

3/17/2021 07:25:37

I loved the Tanka and photos, Gwen. So perfect! I seem to recall I have a smidgen of Irish in me according to the DNA test I had done, but it's only a wee smidgen. Even so I am dressed head to toe in green today--even my boots, jewelry, and COVID mask are green.

Gwen M Plano

3/17/2021 07:39:53

Wow, Mae. I've not a stitch of green on - yet, but my heart is full of green. Hope that counts! 💚 Thank you for the visit.

CS Boyack

3/17/2021 07:47:47

It’s the first day of my vacation and I plan on looking over my manuscript. I’m a mixture of everything European, but there is a big scoop of Irish in there. Corned Beef for dinner tonight.

Gwen M Plano

3/17/2021 09:30:39

I love Corned Beef! Enjoy the feast! And all the best on your review of the manuscript. YAY for you! 💚

Laura McHarrie

3/17/2021 10:07:22

We're having steak and Guinness and pie for supper with a drop of Jameson's for afters ... Sláinte - ☘️

Gwen M Plano

3/17/2021 12:29:11

Yummy, Laura! I'd call that a feast!! 🍀

Patricia Anne Pierce-garcia Schaack link

3/17/2021 10:26:24

Hi,
How well I remember St. Patrick's Day. In fact, the schools were closed. It was an official state holiday for us in Georgia. When we stopped celebrating it, something happened to our state, in my opinion. St. Patrick's Day was always a day of joy and hope and goodwill seemed to flow from the hearts of all. People were friendlier on that day.
We had a lot of Irish people in Georgia. In fact, when Georgia was settled in 1732, the Irish were already there.
Maybe, it is time to bring that holiday back into existence as a beacon of hope.
Take care, Gwen, and I hope you get the opportunity to visit your kids and your grandkids soon.
Shalom aleichem

Gwen M Plano

3/17/2021 12:32:03

Thank you, dear Pat. I like your idea. The celebration seems to bring out laughter. Besides, don't we all love marching bands? Big hugs. 💚

D.L. Finn

3/17/2021 12:11:52

I loved you tanka and your green hat. Gwen! I haven't been to a St. Patty parade since we lived in the Bay Area. I have a lot more Irish in me than I realized after doing the DNA test. I knew about the Needham side from my grandma, but as my dad was adopted didn't know about that side. After the test I found a first cousin and we narrowed it down to a few of her aunts or uncles, big family, who is a grandparent to me. Most had passed so we will never know who it was, which I concluded it was more likely an uncle if no one knew. It was good to know where I come from and adds to my celebration today. Happy St. Patrick's Day xo

Gwen M Plano

3/17/2021 12:33:50

What fun, Denise, to discover extended family and learn about your heritage. Happy St. Patty's Day to you as well. 🍀

Colleen Chesebro link

3/17/2021 13:07:52

I love this tanka, Gwen! Happy Green! My step-mother was a Kelly, so I heard many Irish tales. I was lucky my parents gave me an Irish name, although they pronounced Ko-leen, instead of Ca-leen... I've not met many with the name. It's my only claim to being Irish... Although Celtic myths are still my favorite. <3

Gwen M Plano

3/17/2021 13:44:00

Thanks so much, Colleen. I'm elated you like the tanka. It's a fun day to remember, isn't it? To think of our families, our histories. Happy St. Patty's! 🍀

Vashti Quiroz-Vega link

3/17/2021 13:26:19

Happy St Patrick's Day, Gwen! I have vivid memories of the St Patrick's Day, since I grew up in NYC. I love your Tanka and photo! You look great in green. ;) <3

Gwen M Plano

3/17/2021 13:47:32

Thank you, Vashti. You grew up in NYC? You definitely know it better than me, though I've been in the City a lot because of my kids. One son lives in the City, the two others live in Brooklyn. Sending you big hugs! 💚

John Howell link

3/17/2021 13:45:12

When I lived in Chicago I loved the St.Patrick's Day parade andd green Chicago river. What fun. Thanks for th memory jogger, Gwen

Gwen M Plano

3/17/2021 15:44:49

I've not been in Chicago for St. Patty's Day. It must have been fun to see the river green. 😁

Jill Weatherholt link

3/18/2021 03:45:26

You look adorable wearing your green hat! I don't recall ever attending a St. Patrick's Day...only a bar with green beer. How lame! Thanks for sharing your memories and the great tanka, Gwen!

Gwen M Plano

3/18/2021 13:23:07

Thanks so much, Jill. It was as fun day, one I hope to repeat next year, if the virus lets us. 💗

Marcia Meara link

3/18/2021 07:30:30

When I was growing up in Florida, I never saw a St. Patrick's Day parade either, but when I lived in PA, I was thrilled by them. I was born on St. Paddy's Day, so it seemed to me the whole city of Pittsburgh was celebrating my birthday. :D Now, I see celebrations and decorations for it every year, even down here, back in Florida. Wonderful picture, great photo of you, and as always, a great verse, as well. Hope you enjoyed the day, Gwen! :D <3

Gwen M Plano

3/18/2021 13:24:43

Oh my goodness! I didn't know it was your birthday, Marcia. Now I'll always celebrate the holiday with you in mind! Happy Birthday, my dear friend. 💗

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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