I have always prepared my corned beast by letting it simmer all day in a pot of almost but not quite boiling water. But today this scruffy bearded weirdo decided to shake things up, and I cooked it in the oven. 350 degrees for three hours, with a wee few minutes under the broiler toward the end. My grandmother, who is currently seated at the right hand of God making sure Jesus eats His colcannon, might not approve. Gram, I'm sorry.
One year ago today I fulfilled a lifelong goal to spend Saint Patrick's Day on the old sod. Many people gave me unsolicited opinions that this was a waste of time, as the holiday is not really celebrated in Ireland. Let me tell you, anyone spouting such nonsense has never actually spent Saint Patrick's Day in Ireland. They go nuts. It was awesome.
Spent the day in Kilkenny, which is just a delightful town. Try Matt the Miller's pub on the banks of the River Nore. They serve a mean shepherd's pie.
Wow, Ted. Ive been to the auld sod myself, but missed Matt the Miller's, where there's probably hurling on the tellie.
Glad to hear they celebrate it there, too, but as I understand it, so many of the "Irish songs we sing in America were written and song by Irish-Americans as they looked back longingly at their long ago home. (Such as "I'll take home again, Kathleen."
So, did ye fly the flag today, boyo? The Clancy Brothers and the Guinness are still flowing around Davis, but never mind, the boys in the jackboots will be at your bedroom door in a few hours. Houl yer whisht, as they say in County Mayo.
I remember when I was in Ireland I went up to the bar and bought a Guinness, but as I grabbed it off the counter to take it back to my seat, I got my hand slapped and a scolding with the words "That one's not ready yet." In other words, the foam still filled half hte glass and needed to settle down so more brew could be added.
It hurts me to see our flag treated badly. My ancient faith tells me to turn the other cheek.I suppose flag burners want you to feel their pain. I feel the pain of the blood that was shed to defend it.
Robert - I abhor flag burning. As a Catholic, I don't "worship" the flag or "pledge allegiance" to the flag, but I do respect what it stands for. I think of my Dad in the trenches in Europe and North Africa during World War II and how mentally and physically scarred he was when he came home. I think of the millions of other soldiers who also went through what he did.
I do agree with Scalia that it is a "right" under the First Amendment to burn the flag, but there are far more important rights to be defending at this point.
Bob - I think we were both raised to respect the flag and what it stands for. I was a Boy Scout leader for 9 years. The BSA had some amazing ceremonies honoring the flag and the proper disposal when they were old and tattered. We even said the Pledge of Allegiance at East Davis Elementary.
I have always prepared my corned beast by letting it simmer all day in a pot of almost but not quite boiling water. But today this scruffy bearded weirdo decided to shake things up, and I cooked it in the oven. 350 degrees for three hours, with a wee few minutes under the broiler toward the end. My grandmother, who is currently seated at the right hand of God making sure Jesus eats His colcannon, might not approve. Gram, I'm sorry.
One year ago today I fulfilled a lifelong goal to spend Saint Patrick's Day on the old sod. Many people gave me unsolicited opinions that this was a waste of time, as the holiday is not really celebrated in Ireland. Let me tell you, anyone spouting such nonsense has never actually spent Saint Patrick's Day in Ireland. They go nuts. It was awesome.
Spent the day in Kilkenny, which is just a delightful town. Try Matt the Miller's pub on the banks of the River Nore. They serve a mean shepherd's pie.
Wow, Ted. Ive been to the auld sod myself, but missed Matt the Miller's, where there's probably hurling on the tellie.
Glad to hear they celebrate it there, too, but as I understand it, so many of the "Irish songs we sing in America were written and song by Irish-Americans as they looked back longingly at their long ago home. (Such as "I'll take home again, Kathleen."
So, did ye fly the flag today, boyo? The Clancy Brothers and the Guinness are still flowing around Davis, but never mind, the boys in the jackboots will be at your bedroom door in a few hours. Houl yer whisht, as they say in County Mayo.
Thanks for all that, John.
Much appreciated on this extra special day.
I remember when I was in Ireland I went up to the bar and bought a Guinness, but as I grabbed it off the counter to take it back to my seat, I got my hand slapped and a scolding with the words "That one's not ready yet." In other words, the foam still filled half hte glass and needed to settle down so more brew could be added.
ireland forever
Erin Go Bragh
It hurts me to see our flag treated badly. My ancient faith tells me to turn the other cheek.I suppose flag burners want you to feel their pain. I feel the pain of the blood that was shed to defend it.
Robert - I abhor flag burning. As a Catholic, I don't "worship" the flag or "pledge allegiance" to the flag, but I do respect what it stands for. I think of my Dad in the trenches in Europe and North Africa during World War II and how mentally and physically scarred he was when he came home. I think of the millions of other soldiers who also went through what he did.
I do agree with Scalia that it is a "right" under the First Amendment to burn the flag, but there are far more important rights to be defending at this point.
Bob - I think we were both raised to respect the flag and what it stands for. I was a Boy Scout leader for 9 years. The BSA had some amazing ceremonies honoring the flag and the proper disposal when they were old and tattered. We even said the Pledge of Allegiance at East Davis Elementary.
Outstanding piece, Bob. May common sense prevail. Thanks