Grandma Kate's Kids

   


                     




I love St. Patrick's Day - not because I'm Irish, or that I believe in a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, or because I like to drink green beer (ick - I don't drink), but it is because that is the day that my hubby asked me to marry him. He was in Irvine, California and I was in Cheyenne, Wyoming, but that was the night he popped the question -over the phone no less. We were married on April 22nd a little over a month later, and have been together for over 25 years and have raised 5 beautiful children.

I think I love this time of year because spring is just around the corner and it's the only time that I can find shamrock plants for sale -which I have collected over the years. This year I'm going to try and find some of the purple ones to add to my collection. Shamrock plants show up in the grocery stores around the first or second week in March for St. Patrick's Day. I actually kept the same shamrock plant alive for over 15 years. Actually, I was able to divide and share the plant with a number of friends and family members. Legend has it that sharing a shamrock plant will bring you good luck.

Why we Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick is believed to have driven the snakes from Ireland. Once a pagan himself, St. Patrick is one of Christianity's most widely known figures.

The modern secular holiday is based on the original Christian saint's feast day also thought to be the date of the saint's death. In 1737, Irish immigrants to the United States began observing the holiday publicly in Boston and held the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City in 1766.



Today, the tradition continues with people from all walks of life and various heritages by wearing something green, eating Irish food, and attending parades. St. Patrick's Day is bursting with folklore; from the lucky shamrock to the leprechaun and to pinching those that are not wearing green.


Happy St. Patrick's Day!