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Greetings & Blessings to all
Welcome to our December newsletter.
Here we are in the month of Christmas. Although it has a lot of stress associated with it, I really do love this time of year. My biggest problem is picking out Christmas presents for my grandkids. Bridget established a method that I still try to follow. Each kid gets three presents; one in each of three categories: something to read; something to wear and something to play with. It helps, but not as much as I would like. If anyone has some suggestions, I’d love to hear them. I have a fair amount of time; we exchange presents on Epiphany (January 6th). We believe what’s good enough for the wise men is good enough for us. Of course, we have more time and better prices after Christmas – I recommend it.
I have cold temperatures, of course. This morning it was 18degreesƒ (-7.77 C), this means I don’t go out if I can help it.
All of you should stay warm so get out the winter woolies.
Enough of my nattering.
Again my thanks for the contributions. Please keep them coming. I would like appropriate news or other links more than anything.
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:
The Weather
Up to the minute forecasts provided by Ireland's official source for all weather-related news. Please click Met Eireann.
http://www.met.ie/forecasts/
Basic Irish
Links
Quips, Quotes, Proverbs & Toasts
A Bit of the Wit
Joke of The Month
Did You Know
The week That Is
Leave 'em Laughing
Last Words
Basic Irish
Phrase: Please speak a little more slowlyIrish: Níos moille led thoil
Pronunciation: kneess mwell-eh ledh hell (literally 'more slowly please')
LINKS
1.It is believed that two nuns pocketed up to half a million dollars from a Catholic School in order to go to casinos.
The California-based sisters allegedly embezzled the money from fees, donations, and tuition belonging to St. James Catholic School. The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports that the nuns had told parents that the school in Torrance was operating on a shoestring budget. https://www.irishcentral.com/news/catholic-nuns-gamble-vegas?utm_campaign=Best+of+IC+-+Dec+10+-+2018-12-10&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Mailjet Ah, California —Russ2.Ireland will have familiar refereeing faces for Six Nations
Three referees who took charge of Ireland games during last year’s Six Nations Grand Slam march will once again preside over matches involving Joe Schmidt’s team. Another Frenchman Romain Poite will be in charge when Ireland travel to take on Scotland at Murrayfield – he did the Italy game last season – while New Zealander Glen Jackson will have the whistle in Rome having refereed Ireland’s win over Wales in 2018.
Will the results be the same? —Russ
3.Ireland grind to a halt at World Cup against England
Ireland’s World Cup crossover hopes came to a crushing end at the hands of England, leaving them bottom of Pool B in Bhubaneswar.
Ultimately, the missed chances against China on Tuesday will be memories that stuck most in the craw in the list of what might have beens. Any sort of victory there would have seen Alexander Cox’s side through to the knock-out rounds.
Sigh—Russ
4. Six Irish Swimming Record Broken in Lisburn; McSharry and Corby Among Record Breakers on Day 3
Six new Irish Records were set as the Irish Short Course Swimming Championships continued in Antrim today. Mona McSharry set her fourth record, Jack McMillan and Michael Hewitt set new junior standards while Alan Corby set a first national record in the 100m Individual Medley. Two relay records were set by UCD and Ards to conclude the third day of competition.
http://www.swimireland.ie/news/six-irish-swimming-record-broken-in-lisburn-mcsharry-and-corby-among-record-breakers-on-day-3
I expect the Irish to be good swimmers—Russ
5. The 50 best films of 2018
We should begin by acknowledging the continuing eccentricities of the distribution business. For once there was, in this place, only the mildest of eye gouging in the argument over what should be named best film of 2018. Andrey Zvyagintsev has been honing a considerable talent since the release of The Return in 2003. Loveless, in which a ghastly Russian couple grudgingly search for their missing son, can make a claim to be his best film yet. It is wide in scope, savage in its satire, bitter in its humour and features one of the most heart-rending shots in cinema history.
It’s interesting to compare Ireland’s movie favorites to the States—Russ
6. Thousands of Irish-Canadians campaign for reinstatement of cancelled direct flight from Newfoundland
Some 2,000 people from Ireland and Canada are campaigning for the reinstatement of a direct flight from Newfoundland to Dublin, after news of its cancellation spread last month.
The WestJet flight from St John’s to Dublin Airport was the only direct flight from the Newfoundland and Labrador area to Dublin campaign members claim, but WestJet confirmed that the seasonal flight will not be returning next summer.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/thousands-of-irishcanadians-campaign-for-reinstatement-of-cancelled-direct-flight-from-newfoundland-37595269.html
I have a cousin in Halifax but she usually goes to France—Russ7. Luas Cross City, one year on: Popular success, logistical mess
With delays, overcrowding, yellow box blockages, troubles with longer trams, and College Green “chaos”, the Luas Cross City line, introduced a year ago, did not exactly get off to a smooth start.
However, the popularity of the new service is undeniable. Trips on the Luas system as a whole exceeded 10 million for the first time in the second quarter of the year.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/luas-cross-city-one-year-on-popular-success-logistical-mess-1.3723898?localLinksEnabled=false&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Maternity+hospital+standoff+may+see+last-minute+breakthrough&utm_campaign=morning_briefing_digest They’ll sort it out—RussQUOTES, TOASTS , CURSES AND BLESSINGS
I've put in so many enigmas and puzzles that it will keep the professors busy for centuries arguing over what I meant, and that's the only way of insuring one's immortality.
James Joyce on Ulysses
James Joyce on Ulysses
He certainly did — Russ
A BIT OF THE WIT
My Father had a profound influence on me, he was a lunatic.Spike Milligan Oh yes, no one will dispute that—Russ
JOKE OF THE MONTH
An attractive young lady was on a plane arriving from Ireland. She found herself seated next to an elderly priest whom she asked: "Excuse me Father, could I ask a favor?" "Of course my child, What can I do for you?" "Here is the problem.I bought myself a new sophisticated vibrating hair remover for which I paid an enormous sum of money. I have really gone over the declaration limits and I am worried that they will confiscate it at customs. Do you think you could hide it under your cassock?" "Of course I could, my child, but you must realize that I cannot lie." "You have such an honest face Father, I am sure they will not ask you any questions", and she gave him the worrisome personal gadget. The aircraft arrived at its destination. When the priest presented himself to customs he was asked, "Father, do you have anything to declare?" "From the top of my head to my sash, I have nothing to declare, my son", he replied. Finding his reply strange, the customs officer asked, "And from the sash down, what do you have?" The priest replied, "I have there a marvelous little instrument destined for use by women, but which has never been used." Breaking out in laughter, the customs officer said, "Go ahead Father. Next!"
It’s notreallyoff-color—Russ
DID YOU KNOW
1. It was on Easter Monday, April 18, 1949, that Éire became officially known as the the Republic of Ireland?
Quite a bit later on than most people realize —Russ
2.The world's most northerly vineyard is in Mallow, County Cork?
I didn’t know they even had vineyards in Ireland—Russ
3.There are documentary records of 9,724 shipwrecks around the Irish coast?
The Irish sea is well known for being dangerous–Russ
Sponsor
I’m my own Sponsor again this month.
Announcing the Irish Culture and Customs Book of Jokes
This is the collection of our Jokes. It was built up over many years and, now, is gathered here for your enjoyment. With this in your hand, whenever the day is dull or dreary you can open it up and have a good laugh, you'll feel better.
Available on Amazon. Use this Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Irish-Culture-Customs-Book-Jokes/dp/1986506800/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524578623&sr=8-1&keywords=irish+culture+and+customs+book+of+jokes&dpID=31oLHT0zknL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch
THE WEEK THAT IS
1. Article:An Irish Christmas - Ding Dong, Merrily on High..
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/XmasDingDong.html
2. Article: An Irish Christmas - Waiting for St. Nicholas
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Xmas5th.html
3. Article: An Irish Christmas - The Day Before
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/XmasDec24.html
4. Article: An Irish Christmas - Then and Now
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/XmasthenNow.html
5. Article: An Post at Christmas
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/XmasAnPost.html
6. Article: A Christmas Card Tale
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/XmasAnPostTale.html
7. Article: Yes, Kelsey & Maddie O'Flaherty, there is a Santa Claus
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/XVirginiaSanta.html
8. Article: Time at this Point of the Year
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/XmasPt_in%20Time.html
10. Article: Many Years Ago
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWriters/JohnBKeane.html
11. Kitchen Article: Preparing the Puddings
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/aXmasPud.html
12. The Irish Kitchen: Irish Christmas Pudding
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/XmasPudding.html
13. Basic Irish: Holiday Shopping
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/HolidayShopping.html
14. Kids’ Ireland: Midnight Visitors
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/XmasVisit.html
So there you have it until we write again - sometime in January.
If you are planning on getting married between now and then or tied the knot in the month of December, here is your special verse:
When December’s showers fall fast,
Marry and true love will last.
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.
We’ll take our leave with this blessing:
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
The BookPotion, pope and perfidy
The second and final version is complete and available on Amazon.
Don’t order through ‘Marketplace’ or you’ll get the first version which is incomplete. Use this link: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Potion-Pope-Perfidy-ebook/dp/B07BBVST69/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1531576170&sr=1-2&keywords=russell+haggerty&dpID=61BzUIHyd2L&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
If any of you bought and read the first version, I don’t want you to pay the higher price for the second. So, send me an E-Mail at the address below and I’ll buy one for you at my author’s price and mail it to you (and, yes, I’ll sign it). Even with the postage it will save you a bit of money.
Bless you all,
Russ Haggerty
LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING
John Smith was the only Protestant to move into a large Catholic neighborhood. On the first Friday of Lent, John was outside grilling a big juicy steak on his grill. Meanwhile, all of his neighbors were fixing fish. This went on each Friday of Lent. On the last Friday of Lent, the neighborhood men got together and decided that something had to be done about John - he was tempting them to eat meat each Friday of Lent, and they couldn't take it anymore. They decided to try and convert John to be a Catholic. They went over and talked to him and were so happy that he decided to join all of his neighbors and become a Catholic. They took him to Church, and the Priest sprinkled some water over him, and said, "You were born a Baptist, you were raised a Baptist, and now you are a Catholic." The men were so relieved, now their biggest Lenten temptation was resolved. The next year's Lenten season rolled around. The first Friday of Lent came, and just at supper time, when the neighborhood was sitting down to their fish dinner, came the wafting smell of steak cooking on a grill. The neighborhood men could not believe their noses! WHAT WAS GOING ON? They called each other up and decided to meet over at John's place to see if he had forgotten it was the first Friday of Lent. The group arrived just in time to see John standing over his grill with a small pitcher of water. He was sprinkling some water over his steak on the grill, saying, "You were born a cow, you were raised a cow, and now you are a fish."
Last WordsIf you or anyone you know can benefit from advertising in my newsletter or the Irish Culture and Customs web site please contact me. My E-Mail address is: rhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
Thank you in advance
For all of you who have supported Irish Culture and Customs all these years – thank you.
When you start to buy anything on the internet don’t forget to go through the web Site. If you use Amazon, click on ‘Shopping’ at the top of the Irish Culture and Customs Homepage 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
