17 March 2009

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

Posted by BaBa under: Daily Life .

Last night as I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by
My mind been bent on rambling to Ireland I did fly
I stepped on board a vision and followed with a will
Til next I came to anchor at the cross in Spancil Hill

A few lines from on the trad songs that I often listen to. Trad is short for traditional and is the term used for Celtic music most often folk songs or songs of protest about the Brits. I will not attempt to provide a history of Saint Patrick’s Day. This is better left to Pete who provides great insight into most holidays on their blog.

My mind does travel back to Ireland for it is a wonderful place. We have been there three times and are anxious to take Sheridan to see some of the sights that influenced our choices in naming him.

It is not the land of his ancestry, but it is the land of some of my mine and thus he inherits this with his name that I pass on to him.



The Photos are ones that I took when visiting Ireland. The first is from Kylemore Abbey in Connemara. The second is from Connor’s Pass and the last is from the Ring of Kerry.

Sheridan has many things in common with the Irish and it is a part of his heritage. He has a great love of music and in fact he is one musical little guy. Though he has not been to Blarney Castle (YET), he has inherited the gift of gab (the ability to talk about anything at any time) that my father has and I have. We often have to tell him to stop talking (blarney) so that he can go to sleep or so that we can get a word in edgewise.

It has been a quiet Saint Patrick’s Day for me. I wore my Ireland shirt today and the chance to celebrate part of my heritage. I watched one of my favorite movies this weekend — The Quiet Man to celebrate this time of year.

These are the lyrics to the Isle of Innisfree. The song was featured in the 1952 movie — The Quiet Man staring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. It is about an American boxer who quits that ring after his opponent dies in a boxing match. He returns to his home of Innisfree in Ireland. The film was shot in Cong Ireland near the Ashford Castle (built by the Guinness Family). It is really a pleasant quiet little place. We traveled there on our second trip to Ireland. The movie is a little campy, but none the less a really good film.





I’ve met some folks who say that I’m a dreamer
And I’ve no doubt there’s truth in what they say
But sure a body’s bound to be a dreamer
When all the things he loves are far away.
And precious things are dreams onto an exile
They take him o’er the land across the sea
Especially when it happens he’s an exile
From that dear lovely Isle of Innisfree.

And when the moonlight peeps across the rooftops
Of this great city wondrous tho’ it be
I scarcely feel its wonder or its laughter
I’m once again back home in Innisfree.

I wander o’er green hills thro’ dreamy valleys
And find a peace no other land could know
I hear the birds make music fit for angels
And watch the rivers laughing as they flow.
And then into a humble shack I wander
My dear old home, and tenderly behold
The folks I love around the turf fire gathered
On bended knees their rosary is told.

But dreams don’t last
Tho’ dreams are not forgotten
And soon I’m back to stern reality
But tho’ they paved the footways here with gold dust
I still would choose the Isle of Innisfree.

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About Our Family

We have been married for 26 years, and have been blessed with our youngest son from China. Our oldest son is from Nicaragua. He and his wife have given us two outstanding grandchildren. Our daughter is Thai and is married to a wonderful son-in-law.
















This is the chronicle of our adventures as a family with Sheridan.













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