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Wednesday, March 18, 2009


When your sweet lilting laughter's


Like some fairy song,


And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;


You should laugh all the while


And all other times smile,


And now, smile a smile for me.



Chauncey Olcott and George Graff, Jr. -- "When Irish Eyes are Smiling"


Confession time: when I began LDWSP I made a deal to challenge myself by beginning each post with only the lyrics of songs I know. I had to make a slight exception for this one, because though I am well aware of the chorus (who has been to a bar on St. Patty's and isn't?) I was clueless about the rest of the lyrics. Not only did I have to look them up but I had to research the writers as well. I won't make a habit of it, but the only other Irish songs I know are all depressing. Besides, Kate has a lovely smile, doesn't she?








Now let me just say up front that I am not Irish. In fact, my family is decidedly Scottish. I come from the McKay clan on both maternal and paternal sides. Weird, I know. We aren't from West Virginia, I promise. This was generations ago (I hope...).
So is it sacrilege for me to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Probably. But when your sister marries an Irish descendant, your nephew is named Rowen (with reddish hair, not less), and your daughter is born a few days before St. Pat's it's an easy theme. And a fun one.



I think Kate had a great time during her weekend-long birthday revelry. To help her feel better about being apart from her friends on her birthday I followed my friend Janice's perennial party advice and "threw money at the problem". I bought a variety of sparkly tattoos, fancy headgear, decorations, lots of Irish goodies, made an Irish cake and an Irish-themed game, and made reservations at our favorite Irish pub. The only glitch in the whole Irish extravaganza was a lack of green bagels; apparently they weren't making them until Sunday. Oh well. There was more than enough green to make up for it; if you look closely you can see that I am even sporting some green sparkly nail polish to match my tattoo.






To add to the excitement the Short People had a real, live baby doll to entertain. Even Kate, who was not too excited about a baby, and a boy baby at that, was entranced by Rowen. He is a cutie, isn't he? Their fascination led to a fervent desire to care for their own baby dolls, so our den was littered with babies, clothes, diapers, bottles and accessories for real and fake babies alike. Made me have a few brief (very brief) pangs to have another. Don't worry, Tracy, it won't last.



We celebrated Kate's birthday in Irish style, but we also honored a few other occasions. My parents had their 40th wedding anniversary in January, my father turned 60 in February, and Derek had a birthday earlier in the month so we were a partying group. Mom and Dad are going to the Angus Barn for a private meal for two cooked in front of them with one of their renowned chefs, and Derek got a pub tee and some good beer...what can I say, I told you he was Irish! Since my parents are enjoying a second childhood as music groupies we treated my father to tickets to see Delbert McClinton at the Birchmere. He is famous for guessing his gifts so Clare and I decided to fool him. His certificate was taped to a rock (to weight the present) and labeled "and roll". Rock and Roll...get it?

I don't know, do you think he is excited about his gift?

Thanks for a great weekend, everyone. We miss you already!


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

So much fun! I am thinking we should make this a tradition!

"throw money at the problem" love it! If that isn't a Makey solution...I don't what is!!!

Janice said...

I'd love to take credit, but I think I have to cite sister Lois for that one. Goes back to the days when we were both working gals with income and no time. Now we have no income and no time, but one can always find at least a little money to throw and hope the problem solves itself!
Looks like you threw yours wisely. Wish we were there.

Deana said...

It really is fun having a real live baby in the family. I am starting to miss them...maybe Amy and Delane could do one more! A girl this time. I love your festive photos. Kate's big day isn't too far from my own. March kids rule!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

What a delightful Post this is...! So festive and filled with fun puctures and fun info too....I LOVE that your Dad is only 60 but has been married for 40 years...!My oldest sister, (now gone, I'm sorry to say) were also both 20 years old when they married...AND, the had 62 years together before she died....SO....your parents second childhood could last a long long time, with luck!
LOVE how happy Katie is....And all the Green...A Pure Delight!
Rowen is absolutely adorable.....
BUT....where are you and your nail polish??? Did I miss something?

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Anzu said...

Cute...

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