Now just how Irish my mom's side of the family is depends on the day I asked the question. 364 days a year the answer was somewhere in the distant past there is an Irish ancestor, she thought on the Day side of the family; but come St. Patty's Day and she was all faith and begora; all Irish Eyes are Smilin'; My Wild Irish Rose kinda woman. I truly believe that had she lived in St. Paul, she would have been in THE parade; downed more than a couple of green beers and tried out for any singin' contest that showed up!
For she did love to sing those songs and she loved to cook homemade corned beef (I still have the recipe from Gramma Elsie) and cabbage and boiled potatoes; and as much as she loved to cook it I loved to eat it. And of course, I have a real hankerin' for it today! I have checked Kowalski's and Lunds/Byerlys take out menues; I know that Gallivans, O'Gara's, McGovern's are serving it up with prices ranging from $9.99 to $13.99 ... my mouth waters just typing out the words! But this year, I will forgo any of it because of my real desire to stay away from salty fatty high carbohydrate foods, and choose instead to have either a scone with good strong coffee or some Irish Soda bread to satiate my Irish taste buds.
In the early 1990s mom was hospitalized at Methodist Hospital in Rochester around St. Patrick's Day, so I donned my own version of a Leprechaun's costume, picked up my auto harp and headed down to see her. She was on a "circular unit" with the nurses station in the center. It was not critical care, so not quite so restricted in behaviors allowed, so I sat down on the floor outside her room and in the most off key voice singing with off key strums of on the harp, I sang My Wild Irish Rose. In a virtual instant her voice reached out of the room saying Oh for God's sake Gin, git in here!. Well, I did and then the whole unit got into the fun - mom and I sang "on key" and went room to room celebrating and having a little fun with patients, families and staff. Oh, ya, then I drove back home in costume and had a blast along the way too. Thanks Mom for awakening the Wild Irish Rose in me that needs to DNA to validate it.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Weekend with "the grands" and Jazz at the Lex
My daughter and son-in-law spent the weekend in Las Vegas and in the mountains of Nevada with friends, so I went to the farm to be with my grands from 1:00 p.m. on Thursday until noon today.
The grands are now 11 and 14 and 16 ... and they have grown into such amazing young people who are healthy, good students and athletes. I used to spend much more time with them, but then like all "millennials" they are now busy seven days a week with academic and athletic endeavors as well as church obligations and work part time schedules. Unlike when I was a child - when every Sunday was spent at Gramma and Grampas house, now we "milllenial grandparents" go to the kids events and the kids seldomly come to visit. Not a complaint simply a reality.
Our weekend was relatively quiet and it seemed to really agree with them. They did not push each others buttons nor did they attempt to push the boundaries their parents set for them. We did our house chores, kept all the work and athletic commitments, had lunch with their other gramma who lives next door and then had a pizza and movie night with her at the kid's house. After church today, we returned to the farm where again it was very quiet - the eldest fell asleep... right after church!
After returning to the city, I attended the opera with a dear friend who spent an overnight at church caring for homeless families ... 22 individuals including 15 children! The opera was incredible...but when it was over I took him home and then came straight home and pt on my pjs ... to end the weekend very quietly.
And now...the Phantom of the Opera is on Public TV...it is astonishing!
I have to admit that I did not want to come home after the opera though. I was all dressed up in black velvet with vibrant purple knit shirt - it would have been fun to go out to dinner even if it was pizza or a a burger, but: Connie is in Mexico, Joanne is in Arizona, Lynne is with Cathy (having a hip replacement this week at Mayo), John A. is working, Jen has friends in town for the weekend and ... ... as I sit her ...I realize that if I had any extra money, what I really wanted to do was drive up to the Lex for dinner and Jazz!
I would have gone alone! Sometimes I think I'd like to meet a man who is alive with curiosity and a sense of wonder and a sense of humor that is childlike and who cares about more than himself and ... sometimes ... and yet, I stay home!
Another six months and prayerfully I will be able to have some disposable money for just such a possibility............ maybe ... for tonight I will savor the beauty and majesty of "Phantom" in the absolute peace and joy and safety of my home. Soon. I will do this SOON!
The grands are now 11 and 14 and 16 ... and they have grown into such amazing young people who are healthy, good students and athletes. I used to spend much more time with them, but then like all "millennials" they are now busy seven days a week with academic and athletic endeavors as well as church obligations and work part time schedules. Unlike when I was a child - when every Sunday was spent at Gramma and Grampas house, now we "milllenial grandparents" go to the kids events and the kids seldomly come to visit. Not a complaint simply a reality.
Our weekend was relatively quiet and it seemed to really agree with them. They did not push each others buttons nor did they attempt to push the boundaries their parents set for them. We did our house chores, kept all the work and athletic commitments, had lunch with their other gramma who lives next door and then had a pizza and movie night with her at the kid's house. After church today, we returned to the farm where again it was very quiet - the eldest fell asleep... right after church!
After returning to the city, I attended the opera with a dear friend who spent an overnight at church caring for homeless families ... 22 individuals including 15 children! The opera was incredible...but when it was over I took him home and then came straight home and pt on my pjs ... to end the weekend very quietly.
And now...the Phantom of the Opera is on Public TV...it is astonishing!
I have to admit that I did not want to come home after the opera though. I was all dressed up in black velvet with vibrant purple knit shirt - it would have been fun to go out to dinner even if it was pizza or a a burger, but: Connie is in Mexico, Joanne is in Arizona, Lynne is with Cathy (having a hip replacement this week at Mayo), John A. is working, Jen has friends in town for the weekend and ... ... as I sit her ...I realize that if I had any extra money, what I really wanted to do was drive up to the Lex for dinner and Jazz!
I would have gone alone! Sometimes I think I'd like to meet a man who is alive with curiosity and a sense of wonder and a sense of humor that is childlike and who cares about more than himself and ... sometimes ... and yet, I stay home!
Another six months and prayerfully I will be able to have some disposable money for just such a possibility............ maybe ... for tonight I will savor the beauty and majesty of "Phantom" in the absolute peace and joy and safety of my home. Soon. I will do this SOON!
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