Happy Saint Patrick's Day

I'm a quarter Irish, with my Irish ancestor getting to North America during the Civil War.  Irish Woman is a pedigree, with her earliest ancestor getting here a bit earlier, and her family on both sides settled in Kentucky.  Imagine that, Irish families settling where they have pretty girls, fast horses, and strong whiskey.  I know, it's just a coincidence.  They really came here for the climate.

Saint Patrick's Day is the anniversary of our first date.  I tried to take her out to dinner, but we ended up over at her brother's house for a cook-out and NCAA basketball.  Now that's a great way to start a first date:  "Hey, how about we go over to my brother's place?  I'd like for them to meet you."  Luckily, it turned out OK, and we're still boyfriend and girlfriend 11 years later.  Someday she might even make an honest man out of me.

I surprised Irish Woman on the night of our wedding by telling her we were going to Ireland for our honeymoon.  We went the following May, and had a wonderful time.  Ireland is a beautiful place, with the nicest people I've ever met.  It's definitely on our list of places we'd go if living here became a bad option.

So say your prayers, drown the shamrock, and remember that there are fair, green places left in this drab world.

Glendalaugh

Seacoast south of Dublin

Glendalaugh

Glendalaugh

Bray, County Wicklow

I almost died backing up the car so she could get this shot
Somewhere between Tipperary and Limerick

Pepperpot Castle, Powerscourt

Waterfall near Powerscourt, County Wicklow

And before you ask, yes, Irish Woman got all of these shots herself.  It's just that pretty there.