Happy ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!! Let the O'madness begin :)

Aloha,
Just a quick shout out and a HUMONGOUS Thank YOU to everyone who’s signed up for my Got Green? Blog O’hop!

Morgan and The. Lucky. Charms.

And A HUGE wave of me appreciation heading to those who’ve plugged the O’hop via a post or with the awesome Irish Flag button designed by Leigh O’Covington J

However, I must bow down to the simply Mahvelous Morgan Shamy for this kick-arse picture. (See, I told you, I told you, those darn Lucky Charms are so insidious…)

I won’t be posting tomorrow, (I’ve got tons of awesome posts to readJ)
But, don’t get me wrong, I *was* planning something very Oirish, but then along came a very special guest poster, so I hope you can stop by to check that out :)

To make up for my lack of Oirishness, IF you *do* want to know who St. Patrick was - and the history of the day, I did find an old St. Patrick’s Day story I wrote during my days as a beat reporter.

You can read it here.

Here’s some highlights (with new commentary… hee hee!):

·         The Irish flag that many people will wave (or wear :) tomorrow consists of three equal-sized vertical stripes of green, white and orange. (Gosh, it’s weird commenting on an article I wrote six years ago:)

The colors of the Irish flag have no official meaning, but one legend has it that the green stripe represents Catholics, the orange represents Protestants and the white stripe symbolizes the hope of peace between the two groups.

 

·         The diminutive creatures we know as leprechauns are known in ancient Gaelic as “lobaircin,” meaning “small-bodied fellow.” (OR “he who makes cereal that always ends up on floor.”)

2011 Leprechaun Convention in Hawaii

      The legend of the leprechauns probably stems from Celtic beliefs in fairies, tiny creatures that could use their magical powers for good or evil. (Evil cereal makers, see… why would you make a box with only a few marshmallows???)

     In Celtic folklore, the lobaircin were cranky fellows who mended the shoes of the other fairies. They were also mischievous and delighted in trickery, which they used to guard their fabled treasure. (Can you just share the darn marshmallows, you small-bodied fellows!)

Look Papa! The End of the Rainbow..is a Giant Golf Ball!

     The friendlier version of the leprechaun is based in large part on Walt Disney's 1959 film “Darby O'Gill and the Little People.” After this, leprechauns quickly evolved into a symbol of St. Patrick's Day and Ireland in general. (Don’t get me started on that one “lobaircin,” who’s always telling me not to mess with his Lucky CharmsJ)

 

·         In the United States, St. Patrick's Day would not be the same for many people if the Chicago River wasn't dyed green. (I lived there… true that.)

This tradition began in 1962, when pollution-control workers released 100 pounds of green vegetable dye into the river – enough to keep it green for a week. The idea was a hit and continues to this day. (Love that “pollution-control workers” released 100 pounds of green dye!!)

• Many children in the United States celebrate St. Patrick's Day by wearing green-colored clothing and items. Traditionally, those caught not wearing green are pinched. However, this is another tradition that does not exist in Ireland. (Me in school: “Pinch me, I punch you.”)

Anyhows, THANKS again to everyone who embraced this Blog O’hop… you’re all amazing and I sincerely appreciate the O’love J

Happy Paddy’s Day to one and all, and to all and one I say: Let the Irish Yoga lesson begin J

So Good, He Used It Twice :)