celebrating the irish

On St. Patrick's Day those of us that have even a wee bit of Irish heritage become fully Irish for the day. We talk of the luck of the Irish, wish each other well, perhaps share a pinch for those not sporting green, and celebrate further by lifting a glass or two.

At our home we often celebrate by watching John Wayne rediscover his Irish roots in 'The Quiet Man'. It's a love story and a story of a Yank coming home to discover what he is really made of. Here's a clip of the big fight scene. And, of course, some drinking.



I wish you and yours a Happy St. Patty's Day and a bit of that luck of the Irish.

May there always be work for your hands to do,
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

life's for sharing

This was posted on a friend's Facebook today (you know who you are!). It made me smile. Not just that across the face smile, but the heart and soul smile. I love that fun and silliness is something that pulls people in, connects us, and makes friends of strangers. Even if for a moment.

It is titled 'Life's for Sharing'. Hope watching it brings you a heart smile, too. Now, go forth and create some sharing and happiness in your day. :-)

Watch the moment Liverpool Street Station danced to create this special T-Mobile Advert. Life's for sharing.

*Not* Dark As A Dungeon

John Cowan kicked off the Wildflower Pavilion 2009 concert series at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons last night. Being a big fan of who I refer to as John 'Oh My Gawd' Cowan, I have seen him many times - from 3rd row at the Boulder Theater to a sea of tarps with 13,000 festivarians at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

Last night John was at his best. Lyons is a warm crowd that loves John, and at the lack of sounding all gooey, John loves this crowd back. Doesn't hurt that he has a stellar band that is able to crank out traditional bluegrass tunes, some funky bluegrass jazz, and put their own twist on rock covers such as Tuesday Afternoon (Moody Blues) and Going to California (Led Zeppelin).

One of John's signature songs is 'Dark As A Dungeon'. The song tells of the life of a miner. What it is like to be below the earth without sunshine or rain. Without connection. With destruction of health. With risk of death.

No one does a better delivery of this standard than Johnny C. I've heard him belt it out many times. Have always loved it. But, last night sitting in the 5th row in such an intimate setting, the song struck a cord beyond appreciation of music.

It is this darkness and physical risk which is the everyday reality of a mining life that motivated my Mamaw (Grandmother) to be adamant her boys *not* follow the family business and enter the mines at an early age. That they not sign up for later years of black lung and a crippled body. That they create a life based on another livelihood.

Not sure she knew she was signing up for her eldest son, my Daddy, to be a career soldier and travel the globe. That his family would be far away from her and she would not have the joy of spending more than the infrequent vacation with her only grandchild. Even so, I believe she would have chosen it if she had known. Mamaw wanted a better life for her sons and their children.

With her encouragement my Dad created a life different than the one John sang of. He chose instead a path that lead away from the coal mining hills of Dante Virginia, to many duty stations across this country and world, and eventually lead to his daughter being in the Wildflower Pavilion last night listening to Johnny C sing about what about *used* to be the family business.

I am thankful to both my Mamaw and my Daddy. She for having the courage to see and encourage a better life for the generations to come. He for having the courage to make it so.

You can check out an early recording of John singing 'Dark As A Dungeon' with New Grass Revival...

may there be peace within

I came across this quote yesterday via a friend's Facebook post.
And, loved it. I knew immediately that I had to share it.

May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.
May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are.
Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Being that I reference an author when possible, a quick Google search lead me to a prayer of St. Theresa (below). No doubt the secular version finds it roots in this earlier prayer.

Choose the version that speaks to your soul.
The one that inspires *you*.
And, may there truly be peace within.

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
And pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones
And allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Celebrating a New Beginning

January 20th marked the end of eight years of the same US administration. As George W. Bush walked through the halls in his last moments as President of the United States, I couldn't help but feel a bit of sorrow for him. I believe he loves his country, but that somehow, he did not know how to leave behind the old school traits of corruption and excess that he is familiar with in order to lead this country in a new way. He was unable to make the changes that needed to be made to take our country forward. Worse yet, I am not sure he believed change was in order.

The job he accepted 8 years ago and again 4 years ago was not an easy one. Tough choices were faced everyday and the choices his administration made have lead to a time of high unemployment, extended war that has members of our troops deployed for repeated tours, and a low in national confidence and pride of country. Perhaps he served his country in the best way he knew how. But, it was not enough and it is time for change.

Yesterday that change came to be. A new President was sworn in and now takes the reigns of leadership. We know the challenges his administration will face in early days. There will be other challenges that we do not yet know of. President Obama himself has said that the road will not be an easy one.

The one thing we can count on is a leader that views the world differently. A leader that searches first for those things that we have in common and that bring us together as Americans. A leader that expects the citizens of this country to come together and work together on weathering this storm and being once again the leader we and the world expect us to be. A leader that is asking us, each and every one, to be involved. To be part of the solution.

I do have questions. And, if I am honest, a doubt or two. But, more than anything, I am hopeful and ready for the start of the new. For all of us...together...as a nation...as a country.




The video is "End of the Old Times" by local Boulder band Something Underground.