My Life in Letters – “I” is for Ireland

Kiss me I’m Irish.  As a young lass, I always wore that button during the month of March hoping that someone might take me up on the offer.  No one did.  I’d like to think that they were intimidated by my beauty.  But at sixteen I wore my too short hair and braces on the outside and my beauty on the inside.  So I’m guessing it had nothing to do with beauty.

But that didn’t stop me from displaying my Irish pride for all the world to see.  And while I no longer invite random lips into my personal space, I am still proud to be Irish.

As Irish luck would have it I did find someone to kiss me eventually.  When Warner and I got married we had our small reception at Kevin Barry’s an Irish pub on Riverstreet in Savannah, and our friend, Irish folksinger Harry O’Donoghue sang some of our favorite Irish songs.  Warner and I both wear Celtic knot wedding rings.

Just last year my mom introduced me to Celtic Thunder, a group of four Irishmen and 1 Scot who sing traditional Irish songs, as well as some more modern tunes.  We went to see them last year in Atlanta and the show was phenomenal.

Living in Savannah it’s hard to ignore St. Patrick’s Day.  We have the second largest parade in the United States.  In my younger days, I would go every year and share the sidewalk with dogs dyed green, and drunks with green beer in hand.  I haven’t ventured there with my boys.  It’s a bit too crazy for me.  I’ll probably wear something green and I think I’ll start a new tradition this year with the boys and make a Leprechaun trap. And maybe, I’ll dig out my old Kiss Me I’m Irish button. With three boys in my house that seem to adore me most days, I think this Irish girl will finally get lucky.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Enjoy a bit of Ireland on me:

P.S. In honor of Allegra, my friend from Ireland, please visit her Facebook page and learn about her latest project, and how you can help the Irish Space program.

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Musical Mondays – 11/2

Two weekends ago, my mom and I went to see Celtic Thunder in Atlanta.  If you haven’t caught their show on PBS you really should.  Celtic Thunder is a group of very different singers who blend together so nicely.  Four of the guys are from Ireland and one is from Scotland.  They do traditional Irish music as well as some more contemporary tunes, and a few originals thrown in to balance it all out.  There is something for everyone.

One of my favorite songs is “Caledonia“.

Celtic Thunder on You Tube

I don’t know if you can see, the changes that have come over me
In these last few days, I’ve been afraid, that I might drift away
I’ve been tellin’ stories, singing songs
That made me think, about where I’ve come from
And that’s the reason why I seem so far away today.

Let me tell you that I love you
And I think about you all the time
Caledonia you’re calling me, now I’m goin’ home
But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia’s been everything I’ve ever had.

I have moved, and I’ve kept on movin’
Proved the points that I needed provin’
I Lost the friends that I needed losin’
Found others on the way
I’ve kissed the girls and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes there’s no denying

I ‘ve traveled hard sometimes with conscience flyin’
Somewhere in the wind

Let me tell you that I love you
And I think about you all the time
Caledonia you’re calling me, now I’m goin’ home
But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia’s been everything I’ve ever had.

Let me tell you that I love you
And I think about you all the time
Caledonia you’re calling me, now I’m goin’ home
But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia’s been everything I’ve ever had.

And just for kicks, here is another great video by Celtic Thunder Heartland on You Tube

The guys will be touring again next year with a new show called Storm.  Stay tuned to PBS in March for a peek at the show and a chance to buy tickets.  I know I will.

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