March and the Luck O' the Irish!

Windy days clear the canvass so that Spring can paint it green again. Green seems to spark a wry smile on most of us, especially in March. St. Patty's Day is coming up! Who plans for this day? Who really goes out a month in advance and starts shopping or planning for this obscure holiday? I guess I have...

What is St. Patty's Day? It's the one day a year when it doesn't matter who you are or what race you are, you're Irish. During this day you are one of the family and your family somewhere at sometime came from Ireland. For an island so small who knew that Ireland was the spawning grounds for all of Americans!? But no one cares. Put on that green shirt, grab that green beer and start speaking in your best leprechaun accent and join in with the festivities!

The Butler family is Irish. We have a long history there and still call Kilkenny Castle our birthplace. Long ago when Britain owned the island, the Duke of Ormonde ruled in that region. His main man who kept the house in order; who was in charge of all the hunting dogs, horses, and falcons; who ensured that security was tight; who kept the kitchen tidy and the halls tidier. this was the Butler. The job was so prestigious that he took on the name of just that; Butler. Butler's handed the position down from father to son and so forth, it was an honor to do so. We Butler's have royalty in our blood.

But on St. Patrick's Day, come on over and I'll hand you a beer and pat you on the back as if you are a long lost friend. I'll tell ya "Welcome bruther! We're all Irish here!"