Greetings & Blessings to all

Welcome to our November newsletter.

Here in our Ohio river valley Winter has arrived. I’ve been taking my morning walks in temperatures of about 20 something degrees (that’s farenheit). I noticed I tend to walk faster. At least I haven’t had snow or ice - yet. The rose bushes I planted for Bridget have stopped blooming and it’s sad because they have buds ready to bloom. I suppose I’ll have to wait for Spring now. I’ll prune them next Spring. I said last month I was learning to cook. Now I have to bake an apple pie and a mince pie for thanksgiving. Wish me luck. Once again my thanks for the contributions I’ve had for the jokes and everything else. Please keep those contributions coming.

We’re all in this together let’s make it as good as we can. Stay with me everybody.

Enough of the blather...

Is this your first edition? Many thanks for joining us and if you like our musings and meanderings. please feel free to share them with your family and friends. And do encourage them to sign up. The more of us, the merrier! And for all of our readers, we hope this issue finds you in good health, good spirits and good company.

On with the update...

IN THIS ISSUE:

Links

Quips, Quotes, Proverbs & Toasts

A Bit of the Wit

Joke of The Month

Did You Know

The week That Is

Leave 'em Laughing

SPONSOR: we have Arans of Ireland back this month.

It’s appropriate to have them again. It’s still cold out there and nothing will keep you warmer than an Aran knit sweater. Besides we have Christmas coming and, on the day, an Aran knit under the tree will be welcome and very useful. Not to mention good looking. So, go look and find something for your loved ones. That’s double the warmth needed for the season; inside and outside.

Oh, they are offering a discount code for my readers. It’s good until December 16^th. Use the discount code ‘Christmas17’. It’s an early Christmas present. —Russ

https://www.aransofireland.com/

LINKS

1. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is a state-of-the-art interactive experience located in the beautiful vaults of the 1820 Custom House Quarter building in Dublin's Docklands, the original departure point for so many of Ireland's emigrants. It will inspire and guide you on a journey to discover the stories of Irish emigration around the world, from early times to the modern day.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186605-d10184456-Reviews-EPIC_The_Irish_Emigration_Museum-Dublin_County_Dublin.html

2. It wasn’t hygge or clever, but Ireland frustrated Denmark

If, perchance, you have been struggling to get your head around the Danish concept of “hygge”, then Saturday’s game at the Parken stadium might well have been useful. Play-off football in close to its rawest form, it was almost the polar opposite of something the locals here talk warmly about in terms of comfort and contentment.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/it-wasn-t-hygge-or-clever-but-ireland-frustrated-denmark-1.3289373

3. Global warming melts hopes of a white Christmas in Ireland

The prospect of Ireland waking up to a white Christmas is becoming more and more unlikely every year, according to a leading climatologist. Prof John Sweeney said that Ireland can expect increasingly warmer winters due to global warming, resulting in less snowfall in the traditionally coldest months of the year.

Well, I don’t know. I believe in climate change but from what I’ve read that will, likely, change the course of the Gulf Stream. If it does that, Ireland (and all of the UK) will get colder – not warmer. Bridget and I went to Garinish Island just on Bantry Bay. It’s sub-tropical because of the Gulf Stream. No Gulf Stream, no warm water.

—Russ

http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/global-warming-melts-hopes-white-11509570

4. Copenhagen police confirm what we already know about Irish fans

Copenhagen police have praised the conduct of Irish fans in the city to enjoy last night's World Cup play-off first leg at the Parken Stadium. Despite a tense, tactical game in a high-pressure fixture, the fans in green brought the warmth and joy that they have become synonymous with worldwide.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/copenhagen-police-confirm-what-we-already-know-about-irish-fans-36311793.html

5. Announcement:

Our IRISH COUNTRY CEILI is just days away!
Join us THIS SATURDAY NIGHT, November 18, 7-10 pm at
SAINT SEBASTIAN HALL, 2000 SE 25 (Marietta) Avenue, FTL
(17 Street Causeway, turn opposite Pier 66 onto
Harbor Inlet Drive....left on Barbara Drive....right on 25 / Marietta)
(Vigil Mass @ 5 pm in the Church)
Wear your best Cowboy / Cowgirl outfit (if you wish)
Irish & American Music with the Black Diamond Band
Line dancing instruction by Leona Bailey
Complimentary Tea, Coffee, Cake & bottles water!
BIG raffle too! BYOB & snacks 😎.
Admission : $10 members & $12 future members!
(Why not join IACC? It's only $10!)
Membership dues are past due...please pay at the door or
Mail your check to IACC, PO BOX 220315, Hollywood, FL 33022-0315
Christmas Ceili on 12/9 with Fire in the Kitchen
Sharon & Mike are coming on 1/20, 2/10 & 3/24 😎
The One & Only PHIL COULTER & Andy COONEY are at
Saint Sebastian on 1/27/2018. Shepherds Pie from Waxys &
Show....Call 954-524-9344 to reserve your table
R I V E R D A N CE @ Broward Center on 1/7/18
Better call 954-462-0222 for tix asap or
BrowardCenter .org
IRISH ROVERS @ Parker Playhouse on 3/15
See you at our November Ceili (11/18)

6. The Irish Farmer Calendar is back - and it doesn't disappoint

Some of Ireland's most eligible farming talent have stripped off for a calendar that has been nicknamed "agri porn."

Swapping gruelling farm work for a photoshoot, the men have done their best to give supermodels like Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid a run for their money.

These snaps are from the latest Irish Farmer Calendar, which is now in its 9th year.

The ‘porn’ is a ridiculous exaggeration. Bridget used to get a kick out of this calendar.

— Russ

QUOTES, TOASTS , CURSES AND BLESSINGS

Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.
George Bernard Shaw

A BIT OF THE WIT

True friends stab you in the front.
Oscar Wilde

JOKE OF THE MONTH

This month I offer a few short ‘Paddy’ groaners —Russ

PADDY says to Mick, "Christmas is on a Friday this year".... Mick says "Let's hope it's not the 13th."

PADDY and Mick find three grenades, so they take them to a police station. Mick: "What if one explodes before we get there?" Paddy: "We'll lie and say we only found two."

PADDY is in the bathroom and Murphy shouts to him. "Did you find the shampoo?" Paddy says, "yes but it's for dry hair and I've just wet mine."

DID YOU KNOW

1. Chieftains in medieval Ulster went out of their way to marry Scotswomen because their dowries consisted of axe-wielding galloglass mercenaries? When Turlough Luineach O'Neill married Lady Agnes MacDonald of Kintyre in 1568, she brought 10,000 troops with her.

2. Irish women received the right to vote before American women?

3. The largest town in Offaly is Tullamore?

That would be to hold all the ‘Dew’, I suppose.

–Russ

THE WEEK THAT IS

1. Article: Emblems of Ireland: The Book of Kells

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AEmblem/BooKells.html

2. Article: God between us and all harm – Irish Superstitions

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/Superstitions1.html

3. Article: Aran Knitwear – From plain and practical socks to one of Irelands most popular souvenirs

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AEmblem/Sweaters1.html

4. Article: Aran Isle Sweaters – How a dropped stitch gave rise to a popular myth

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AEmblem/Sweaters.html

5. Article: Irish Celebrations – The feast of St. Martin

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ASaints/Martin.html

6. Article: Francis O’Neill – The Man who saved our Music

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMusic/FrancisONeil.html

7. The Irish Kitchen: Holiday Trims from the Irish Kitchen

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/XmasTreeTrims.html

9. Basic Irish: Post/Mailing and Shipping

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/PostMail.html

10. Kids’ Ireland: The Nightingale and the Rose

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/NightingaleandRose.html

So there you have it until we write again - sometime in December.

If you are planning on getting married between now and then or tied the knot in the month of November, here is your special verse:

If you wed in bleak November,

Only joy will come remember

And, if you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special event between now and our next edition, we hope it's an occasion filled with joy and happiness. With Christmas approaching, we’ll take our leave with this blessing:

Blessing for the season of Christmas

During the coming
Christmas season
May you be blessed
With the spirit of the season,
which is peace,
The gladness of the season,
which is hope,
And the heart of the season,
which is love.

All the best & God Bless,

Bridget & Russ

Get down on your knees and thank God you’re still on your feet.

Téigh ar do ghlúine is bí buíoch le Dia go bhfuil tú fós ar do chosa.

DID SOMEONE FORWARD THIS ISSUE TO YOU?

Subscribe for FREE!

Send an email to: rhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com

OR click on this link:

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Newsletter.html

LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING

This one is adapted from one sent in by Barry at Kellys in the Bahamas - thank you!
Mike wakes up at home with a huge hangover. He forces himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees are a couple of aspirins and a glass of water on the bedside table. He sits up in bed and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and ironed. He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotless. He takes the aspirins and sees a note on the table which says "Breakfast is on the stove, dear. I left early to go shopping. Love you!" He goes to the kitchen and sure enough, there's a hot breakfast waiting for him, and also the morning newspaper. His son is sitting at the table, eating. Really curious by now, Mike asks, "Son, what happened last night?" His son says, "Well, Mam said you came home after 3 a.m, you stumbled in the door, threw up in the hallway, and passed out half-way up the stairs. Confused, Mike asks, "So, why is everything in order and so clean, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me?" His son replies, "Oh, that! Mam dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take your trousers off, you yelled "Leave me alone woman, I'm a married man"

One of my favorites

—Russ

Last Words

For all of you who have supported Irish Culture and Customs all these years – thank you.

When you start to buy your Christmas gifts don’t forget to go through the web Site. If you use Amazon, click on ‘Shopping’ at the top of the page and the next page you see will have Amazon at the top. Anything you buy from Amazon through our site pays a (very small) commission. It beats a blank and it doesn’t effect your price. Thank you again.

—Russ