The sun is heading south, most of the laughing gulls left, and the monarch butterflies are well on their way to the Andes, yet we remain, ready for whatever winter brings. Maybe there’s a lesson to be learned there, but I guess I’m tired of learning.
This Thursday kicks off the Irish Festival here in North Wildwood, and the Classic Car Show and Auction in Wildwood. I guess I’m somewhere around fifty- to seventy-five-percent Irish (I’ve never quite figured out the Mathis thing, but both Quinn and McFarland leave little doubt).
I’m neither ashamed nor necessarily proud of my Irish heritage, and sometimes forget to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. I think of myself as American, and wonder why some people want to include other continents as part of their American heritage. The whole idea, back in 1776, was to become independent from other countries. For that reason alone, I don’t demand that people refer to me as Irish-American. Also, I’m not quite sure where my Mathis ancestors originated, and my other grandmother was from Russia. . .I mean Poland. . .or is it Russia? It has been one or the other at various times, and no one is even quite sure of her last name. Anyway, does that make me a Eurasian-American? I think I’ll just stick with the American thing.
It seems that, ever since the various Irish dance troupes gained prominence, everybody wants to be Irish at least a few times a year, and I know a number of individuals who visit the Homeland once a year or so, to “get back to the roots” they never really had. Still, I feel just a tad slighted when the phone never asks me to push 2 for Gaelic, not that I speak the language, but with all the green-blooded “Irish” people milling about, you would think it might be necessary.
I understand that Ireland is way ahead of us in the renewable energy department, what with all the peat they burn. Of course, in this country, the EPA would require each home to install a million-dollar scrubber, and we’d probably see a lot of fairways on golf courses disappear during the night.
Anyway, I don’t care much for ham and cabbage, and the last time I ate corned beef I was only being polite. What is that stuff, anyway? I like my red meat to be brown, at least on the outside.
I prefer American food, such as pizza, crabs and linguini, and General Tso’s chicken, to name a few. Also the German stuff, like hamburgers and French fries. My tastes are varied, but require one simple ingredient – FLAVOR!
My point to all this is not clear, probably because I don’t have a point. Just come on down the shore for the Irish Festival and be Irish for a few days. Wear green, dance a jig, drink green beer, and watch Notre Dame (they’ve actually won a couple of games). And eat some ham and cabbage, or whatever those crazy Irish people eat. With any kind of luck, some stands will be selling cheesesteaks or bratwurst. Did someone say Octoberfest?