2008 Woodie Awards
Top of the mornin' to you all
Erin Chupp
Issue date: 3/17/05 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
A bird chirps outside my window as the moon hands the morning over to the sun. I am quite content because I have been stirred awake, yet the annoying, repetitive beeping of my alarm has not sounded. The morning gets brighter as my mother enters the room and tells me breakfast is ready whenever I want some. Then, as she leans in for what I believe to be a good morning hug, I receive a good solid pinch on the arm as she yells, "Gotcha!"
Welcome to the beginning of St. Patrick's Day growing up in my house. They say sometimes you have to learn the hard way, but I'm pretty sure my mom got a kick out of making sure my brother and sister and I did. The next year on March 16 I climbed into bed wearing dark green socks, forest green shorts and a lime green tee.
Although pinching parties did come from Ireland, this painful practice stems from Irish children, not necessarily St. Patrick's Day. This day was once supposed to be used to honor St. Patrick, a missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland during the 400s A.D. (or C.E. for those who wish to care more about the P.C.'s of life).
Between Hallmark and Americans claiming European celebrations, St. Patrick's Day to most of the red, white and blue is an excuse to eat, drink and tarry. Who even knows that in legends, leprechauns are actually said to be unsociable and unfriendly little fairies? However, a little green-dressed guy does look cute on a greeting card or next to a pot of gold on a cereal box.
I won't lie-I feel into enjoying the unknown just as much as any other kid digging out the marshmallows from the box. In fact, one of the only reasons why I even began more of an in-depth search was because I became all too curious as to why my classmates would yell my name on this day: "Erin go braugh!" I found out this popular Irish phrase means "Ireland forever;" the phrase people have on flags hanging outside their houses. In that case, why don't we put out ones that read "Vive la France?" However, I'm pretty sure I know why.
Before school, though, we have to get back to breakfast. The day begins with green buttermilk biscuits. Not only are they exciting and tasty, but you can eat them as leftovers for days because you can't tell when they start growing mold.
Then after school, all the chil'ren in my family get green milkshakes with a bag of gold (those chocolate circles wrapped in foil).
All of this preceeds the goodness that is the traditional St. Patrick's Day meal: corned beef and cabbage. And dessert? A green pound cake of course.
There's nothing wrong with having some fun with green food coloring or pinching a few people--it may be the only day you'll have an excuse for it. Just don't be completely blind to history's hand in this day.
Welcome to the beginning of St. Patrick's Day growing up in my house. They say sometimes you have to learn the hard way, but I'm pretty sure my mom got a kick out of making sure my brother and sister and I did. The next year on March 16 I climbed into bed wearing dark green socks, forest green shorts and a lime green tee.
Although pinching parties did come from Ireland, this painful practice stems from Irish children, not necessarily St. Patrick's Day. This day was once supposed to be used to honor St. Patrick, a missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland during the 400s A.D. (or C.E. for those who wish to care more about the P.C.'s of life).
Between Hallmark and Americans claiming European celebrations, St. Patrick's Day to most of the red, white and blue is an excuse to eat, drink and tarry. Who even knows that in legends, leprechauns are actually said to be unsociable and unfriendly little fairies? However, a little green-dressed guy does look cute on a greeting card or next to a pot of gold on a cereal box.
I won't lie-I feel into enjoying the unknown just as much as any other kid digging out the marshmallows from the box. In fact, one of the only reasons why I even began more of an in-depth search was because I became all too curious as to why my classmates would yell my name on this day: "Erin go braugh!" I found out this popular Irish phrase means "Ireland forever;" the phrase people have on flags hanging outside their houses. In that case, why don't we put out ones that read "Vive la France?" However, I'm pretty sure I know why.
Before school, though, we have to get back to breakfast. The day begins with green buttermilk biscuits. Not only are they exciting and tasty, but you can eat them as leftovers for days because you can't tell when they start growing mold.
Then after school, all the chil'ren in my family get green milkshakes with a bag of gold (those chocolate circles wrapped in foil).
All of this preceeds the goodness that is the traditional St. Patrick's Day meal: corned beef and cabbage. And dessert? A green pound cake of course.
There's nothing wrong with having some fun with green food coloring or pinching a few people--it may be the only day you'll have an excuse for it. Just don't be completely blind to history's hand in this day.