Greetings & Blessings to all
Welcome to our August newsletter. Yes, I keep using the plural. It’s not just force of habit. I feel like Bridget is still here; looking over my shoulder. I hope she approves of my first newsletter without her. If not, she will find a way to tell me I’m sure.
Bridget's funeral service and a wake following took place on August 5th.
A rather large number of readers and friends suggested (and, in some cases insisted) I post my eulogy for Bridget. I read this just before the funeral mass. I'm a bit self-conscious about it and if anyone has any comments I would like to hear them. You can E-Mail them to me at: rhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com.
Russ's eulogy to Bridget
For those few who may not know me. I was Bridget’s personal assistant and sometime slave for 55 years.
Groucho Marx once said “a man is only as old as the woman he feels”. By that measurement, up until June 4th, I was about 17 years old.
I’ve aged quite a bit since then.
Bridget was, what they call ‘a victim of arrested development’. She steadfastly refused to grow up. She was childlike and only occasionaly - childish.
I received a condolence that said “noone could be a stranger to Bridget for very long” I think the ‘long’ was about three minutes. She loved everything and everyone, even those who hurt her. I believe that forgiveness was built into her. She never had to ‘try’; to forgive anyone. It was automatic and without any effort.
She was an excellent writer and an excellent cook but her basic excellence was the joy and love she brought to everyone and everything that life presented to her.
Most of those who knew her, saw her as someone who loved a good time. She loved her wine and she loved dancing.
Since I spent more time with her than anyone else I knew other Bridget’s:
She was my roomate.
She was my partner.
She was my oldest friend.
She was my best friend.
She was my wife.
She was my lover.
She was the love of my life.
That’s a lot of people to lose all at once.
She leaves an enormous hole in my heart and I will love her and miss her for the rest of my life.
Russ
Well, here I am trying and hoping to do as good a job on this as she always did. I think this may feel a little abbreviated to some of you. I apologize. I’m still trying to get my feet under me.
Onwards...
.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 are delighted to feature a new sponsor: Biddy Murphy
BiddyMurphy.com was founded in 2004 by Tipperary man Ward Gahan with the aim of bringing the very best of Irish products to the United States. We travel back to Ireland multiple times a year to visit family and also to buy from our suppliers. We hand pick everything that comes back with us to insure they meet our incredibly high standards. Each item is made from the highest quality materials and is crafted to perfection. We stock everything from Caps to Scarves, Blankets to Jewelry, Homeware to Beauty products and much more! We are so proud to be Irish and to share our gifts with the globe - and world wide shipping is available!
https://www.biddymurphy.com/
*LINKS
Clare Museum trumpets sounds of ancient Ireland
Ireland’s rich musical heritage will be showcased at Clare Museum in Ennis during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann with an exhibition of some Ireland’s oldest known musical instruments spanning more than 6000 years.
Ancient Music Ireland will present the interactive, multi-sensory exhibition at the Ennis-based museum from 14th to 18th August 2017.
https://www.clarecoco.ie/recreation-culture/news/clare-museum-trumpets-sounds-of-ancient-ireland.html
Choir at Bridget’s wake
My daughter Cathy invited a choir from her old school, the school for Creative and performing arts, to sing at Bridget’s wake. They did and you can see and hear them on youtube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pBbEWLDtrI
TV Commercial for Tullamore Dew
We must have watched this a dozen times or more. Hope you like it as much as we do - the surprise twist at the end is awesome:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/15/tullamore-dew-ad_n_4283033.html
*QUOTES, TOASTS , CURSES AND BLESSINGS
"A study in the Washington Post says that women have better verbal skills than men. I just want to say to the authors of that study: Duh."
Conan O'Brien
*A BIT OF THE WIT
We can't win at home, we can't win away. As general manager, I just can't figure out where else to play. Jock Brown - Celtic General Manager.
*JOKE OF THE MONTH
Father O'Malley arose one fine spring morning, walked to the window of his bedroom to take in the beauty of the day and noticed there was a jackass lying dead in the middle of his front lawn. He promptly called the gardai. The conversation went like this: Dia Dhuit, this is Sgt. O' Flaherty and how might we be of help to you?" Good day to yourself, Sergeant. This is Father O'Malley at St. Brigid's. There's a jackass lying dead on our front lawn. Would you be a good man now and send a couple of the lads to take care of the matter?" Sgt. Flaherty considered himself to be quite a wit and the rest of the conversation proceeded: "Well now, Father, it was always my impression that you took care of the last rites!" There was dead silence on the line for a moment and then Father O'Malley replied: "Indeed, indeed, Sergeant O'Flaherty, but we're also obliged to notify the next of kin!"
*DID YOU KNOW
1. According to Irish custom, you sing a song at a wake and shed a tear at a birth.
2. At 198 calories a pint, Guinness has fewer calories than a pint of skimmed milk or orange juice?
I’m not suggesting you have a Guinness for breakfast but I doubt it would hurt you if you did.
3. The police station in Dungannon, County Tyrone, should overlook the Khyber Pass? in the 19th century, the plans for this fearsome fortress-type building were sent by mistake to Ireland instead of India!
*SPONSOR: Please visit our friends at Lollysmith
Cold weather is just around the corner. To help make the winter months a little more manageable, the Lollysmith family has selected comfort gifts like Irish Soda Bread Dishes and Pub Ware to keep the warmth inside, Blackthorn walking sticks for navigating outdoors , and Tree of Life Tokens to remind us of the warm gift of Family. Whatever the time of year and whatever the occasion, you are sure to find what you are looking for at Lollysmith.And tell them Bridget & Russ sent you!
http://www.lollysmith.com/
*THE WEEK THAT IS
1. Article: Celebrating A Name Day in Old Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/NameDay.html
2. Article: The Bees Who would not be Left Behind
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ASaints/Modomnoc.html
3. Article: Last call for Ireland's phone boxes?
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ALandmks/PhoneBoxes.html
4. Article: Irish Linen - The Cloth of Kings
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AEmblem/Linen.html
5. Article: The Annual Novena at Our Lady of Knock
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/NovenaKnock.html
6. The Irish Kitchen: A Taste of Ireland: Guinness - For Strength!
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/aGuinness.html
7. Kids’ Ireland: The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/SelfishGiant.html
So there you have it until we write again - sometime in September..
If you are planning on getting married between now and then or tied the knot in the month of August, here is your special verse:
Whoever wed in August be,
many a change are sure to see
The way things are going today, I would think this is true for every month.
—Russ
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:
A Back to School Blessing
May all your answers be always right.
May all your teachers be the best.
May too much homework not spoil your night.
May you score a hundred on every test.
May you study hard and learn a lot.
May you grow in wisdom, yet learn to rest.
For while the days pass slowly when you're young, In no time at all, it will be summer again.
Adapted and edited from an original blessing by Fr. Andrew M. Greeley
Photo Credit: Hey, We're In Ireland
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?
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Send an email to: rhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
OR click on this link:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Newsletter.html
*LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING
This is a collection of short gags from our Jokes on the website. I hope you like them as much as I do.
—Russ
Sean and Liam were walking in the woods when they came across a sign saying, "Tree Fellers wanted". Liam says to Sean, "Now isn't that a shame. If Seamus was with us, we could have gotten the job".
Irish patient to fellow in the next bed, "Look, the doctor's coming round soon. Try to cheer him up because he's very worried about you."
Seamus was getting exasperated and shouted upstairs to his wife," Sheila, will you please hurry up or we'll be late." "Oh, calm yourself, Seamus" Sheila replied. "Haven't I been telling you for the last hour that I'll be ready in a minute?"
Mrs. Casey was telling her friend Mrs. Kelly about a rather juicy rumour. "That's very interesting," said Mrs. Kelly. "Come on, tell me more about it." Mrs. Casey said, "I can't. I've already told you more than I heard!
Two Irish men are in a plane. The roof comes off! Mick says to Paddy, "If this plane turns upside down will we fall out??""No way Mick" says Paddy, "we'll still be best friends."
Q: How many Irishmen does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Three. One to hold the bulb, one to screw it in, and one to say how grand the old one was.
