Commentary, Photography

It’s not Easy Being Green

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I originally posted this piece back in 2022. Here it is again, updated but still appropriate, I think. Cheers.

Today is St Patrick’s Day, and although I don’t have any Irish antecedents, my husband does. He is half-Irish. In fact, his surname is so Irish that it glows green in the dark.

I don’t really understand why St Patrick’s Day has become so popular – is it the green beer? the riddance of green snakes? – but since I’m a half-French frog, I do understand the green background and that it confers a certain ability to stand up to the preconceived notions of others. Nevertheless, as Kermit the Frog so famously said, “it’s not easy being green.”

So here’s to the Irish! May they live as long as they want, and never want as long as they live.

27 thoughts on “It’s not Easy Being Green”

  5. We’ll be celebrating the 17th of Ireland here, as well. Patty is 2nd gen and we have all the Irish cousins to prove it. St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland used to be celebrated by going to church, but lately, it seems the celebrations are more rambunctious like the ones in the New World. Happy St. Patty’s Day to you and your hubby Lynette. Allan

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    1. Thanks, Allan. M is second gen also so lots of Irish going on. Yes, I just saw pictures of the celebrations going on in Dublin. It has definitely morphed from a religious observance to a much more secular one with very N. American flavouring, for sure. Have fun; I hope you enjoy the day. ☘️ Cheers.

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    1. Thank you, Belinda. It’s really Irish. 😊 Yes, I think that might be much of the reason why it has become so popular. March can be so drab and very unpredictable of course, so a nice green celebration seems like just the thing!

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  11. As someone who has tipped more than a few in honour of ol’ saint pat, when I lived stateside, I was rather surprised and saddened to discover that this is NOT a universal holiday elsewhere. :DD

    Finns do not celebrate this holiday, despite being fond of good times and alcoholic-enhancements.

    But it’s made up for this shortcoming by being mad supporters of May Day (called VAPPU here)!!

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    1. It definitely isn’t and even in Ireland it has changed in the last 20 years or so from a very religious (and dry) feast day to a much more secular one. Saint Patrick was an Irish saint and his feast day came along with Irish immigrants wherever they went. It tends not to be celebrated where there’s no Irish background.

      Pockets of Canada still celebrate May Day.

      Cheers. ☘️

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