Mind the cautionary tale from our dear Saint Patrick aka St. Paddy — for all he either did or didn’t do — he’s been cursed with immortality celebrated around the planet where people get his name wrong and forget his favorite color was blue. Snakes or no snakes, you’d think we’d all be able to get that right. Now that you know — be sure to correct yourself and pass the lesson along.

…real-world experiences confirm that it is nearly impossible to go anywhere in Ireland and not find a statue or a church or a plaque or a story in his honor. There’s even a mountain bearing his name where once a year, people climb to the top in bare feet to show their devotion. Some even crawl, THAT is how important of a figure he is. Talk about a branding and media campaign, this guy was able to leave an indelible mark on every part of the island during the 5th century, certainly a time when getting around said island could not have been the easiest of tasks. Were he around to see how it’s all turned out? I am guessing he would also indulge in a couple of beers, joining in with the drowning of the shamrock comforting himself in the notion that at least he’s still remembered after 16 centuries eh? That’s more than the rest of us could ever imagine.

Sláinte to you St. Paddy, Sláinte to you.

throughout time and across cultures, the full moon has been revered for being hauntingly beautiful, rich with significant meanings for those with a yen for tuning in to messages from the moon goddesses. me? i’m just superstitious enough to really pay attention when friday the 13th gets added into the equation…

i am a different person on return from the one who started out … which, i realize, is the point of a hero's journey, though typically with some great lesson or message to bring back.  i'm not able to put my finger on the exact sound byte to sum it all up in a tidy fashion.  maybe that is part of the point -- leaping is scary - loving is messy - and learning doesn't always occur in a neat linear lesson plan. 

i think auntie mary will make sure my mom knows how much she is loved, missed and appreciated.  this is possibly the best mother's day present for which one can ask.  and for me at least, not one i could ever imagined were it not for the opportunity to meet auntie mary and experience a bittersweet mother's day here in the emerald isle.