Jeri ..... I love ya ...... somewhat Irish???????? ...... 2 - 3 - 4 .......

BITE ME

. And I don't do the leprechaun thing. Next thing you will want is me drinking green beer. UGH!!

Yes, Dani, there is a Santa...... oops, wrong story. Yes, I do wear kilts. I usually don't wear a "clan" tartan. Irish folks don't have clan tartans. I usually wear solid colors, black being my fav. I wear it with a leather vest. I wear them because I like them, nothing more. I have been considering having one made in a new tartan inspired by the Irish Diaspora. Seems an appropriate one to me.

Kath, you are another one that I love a great deal. But your problems in Grand Rapids were due to not getting out of those neighborhoods you lived in ..... hhahahahahaha. Grand Rapids, Michigan is home to the second oldest active charter in the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Only one in New York is older. At one time it was the second largest division in the country. There is a picture of a St. Pat's parade in the early twentieth century that was huge. The Irish immigrant community lived in a number of places, but Michigan Street hill was loaded. The area just north and east of town is where the village of Parnell (named after a famous Irishman for those who don't know) is located. The Catholic church there is St. Patrick's. That always cracks me up because Parnell was a Protestant. I think there is something prophetic there. Just down the road is the town of Grattan, named after another Irish patriot. The lake just outside of Parnell where many of the Irish congregated is named Murray Lake, another Irish name. Our parade, which was dormant for a number of years, was reinstituted in the 70's, although there was never a time when there wasn't a flag raising.

We will start the day at Mass, as is the proper thing to do. I think that instead of the same old "Let me tell you how Irish I am" that Irish Americans are fond of doing for their address to the crowd, I will gather the children around the front of the stage and tell them a tale from their culture. Adults already have their ideas as to what it is to be Irish. I think I want to take the opportunity to talk to the young ones and tell them of the land from which they came. The heritage, as all heritages are, is rich and beautiful. ***I just realized I sound like a Jed Marum song here. There are worse things to sound like*** Maybe a song. We will see.

Thanks for all your good wishes. Historic landmark, indeed!!! ....... hhhhmmmmmpppppphhhhhh!!!!!.

All the best,

Mick