Let Erin Remember -Postcard Friendship Friday #446

Hello sweet Friends.  I have been very ill with the flu, so this didn't posted on time.  Thank you for your patience.

I adore the gown this delicate Irish maiden is wearing.  Being Irish myself, green is one of my favorite colors, and I have tons of  white clover in my lawn.  Shamrocks are indeed lovely.

Have a wonderful holiday, sweet Friends!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!

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*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER:  If you post anything other than a postcard to share, your link will be removed.   Postcard Friendship Friday is specifically dedicated to postcards, both modern and vintage.

Bedad and Begorra! -Postcard Friendship Friday #395

I love Ireland--someday I hope to visit there.  I am a quarter Irish, from Dad's Side.  His Mom--my Grandmother used to say "Bedad and Begorra."  I never knew what it meant, but I loved to hear her say it--there was always a twinkle in her eye...

From my research, it turns out Bedad was an Irish word coined in the 18th century, which expressed surprise, or emphasis.  The term Begorra was first used in Ireland in 1839, meaning, "By God."  Hurroo seems to have the meaning of goodbye, or good day.

So the translation of this wonderful vintage postcard might be, Surprise and by God!  Good day and good luck to St. Patrick and Good Luck to you.

Thank you for dropping by today, I hope this old postcard brought a  smile to your face.  March 17 is Saint Patrick's Day.  I have a bevvy of lovely postcards to post as the holiday grows closer.

I wish you Happy St. Patrick's Day, dear Friends.  Blessings and joy to each of you and have a lovely Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

  * BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER:  If you post anything other than a postcard to share, your link will be removed.   Postcard Friendship Friday is specifically dedicated to postcards, both modern and vintage.  

Ireland Forever! -Postcard Friendship Friday #111

Over the years I've wondered about the meaning of Erin go Bragh and how that phrase relates to Ireland and St. Patrick's Day.  I finally thought to look it up.  Erin go Braugh is the English translation of an Irish phrase Eirinn go Brach.  It is used to express allegiance to Ireland.  It is most often translated as Ireland forever, literally Ireland til' doomsday--or the end of time.

Considering the long and sometimes tragic history of the Irish, their allegiance to their country touches my heart.  As Dad once told me, once you win the heart of an Irishman, it is yours forever.  Their fierce loyalty to family, friend and country is a beautiful thing.

I am sorry I've put this up a little late.  We are still recovering from a frightening chimney fire.

I'm expecting the crew of folks who are cleaning away smoke damage to be here shortly.  (grin)  I had no idea what went into cleaning up after a fire.

The crew has been cleaning every nook and cranny of our house for almost two weeks!  These wonderful hard-working ladies are hoping to be done today.  I am in awe of what they've accomplished.  I believe our old house is cleaner than it has been since it was built over 100 years ago!

Have a lovely weekend and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week! 

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the pieces you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising will be deleted. Also, any and all suspicious links which do not lead to a correct website will be reported and deleted.

Pipe of Peace -Postcard Friendship Friday #159

I adore this postcard.  Despite the brick and bat held out of sight as these two shake hands, these  mischievous fellows seem to respect and like one another--I imagine if they were to end up in a "knock down drag out" they'd eventually end up at a local pub nursing black eyes, bumps & bruises--AND sharing a tasty brew.

I sought everywhere to discover the history and significance to an Irish pipe of peace.  All I could find were bagpipes, which are typically referred to as Pipes O' Peace!  If anyone out there knows the significance, or stories and legends surrounding Celtic pipes, or clay Irish pipes of peace, I would love to hear from you!

The Irish are a passionate people and their humor and fiery temperament are legendary.  Since I am of Irish descent on Dad's side, this postcard tickled my funny bone.  I hope it makes you smile, too.  I liked what Master Harold's Auntee wrote on the back, "Dear Harold, These two seem to be good friends, smoking their pipe of peace." 

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

* LINKING UP:  You put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  The linky is open for the  entire week!

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

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Legend of St. Patrick and the Pig -Postcard Friendship Friday #158

I have always wondered why pigs are so often included in St. Patrick's Day cards, along with shamrocks Leprechauns and pipes.  I finally discovered the legend!  Here's the story:

St. Patrick was born along the west coast of Roman Britain where his parents raised the boy as a Christian. Sadly, when Patrick was a teenager, a group of Irish raiders attacked his family's estate while his parents were out of town.  So 16-year old Patrick, along with many of his family's servants, was taken hostage and forced to live in Ireland as a slave. 

The land of Ireland was wild, harsh and rugged.  Life there was extremely difficult.  St. Patrick was sold and  legend has it that his master was a kind man.  St. Patrick served him faithfully for six years.

However, when he was in his early 20's, St. Patrick experienced a profound spiritual transformation. After a prolonged fast he fell into a deep sleep.  In a dream, he heard a voice saying, “Thou doest well to fast; thou shalt soon return to thy native land.”

From then on, St. Patrick began planning his escape.  The day came when he traveled safely across the country to the east coast town of Wicklow, where trading vessels were about to set sail. He approached one and was taken aboard as a crewman.

After sailing for three days, the ship landed along the shore of an unnamed country. Scholars believe the boat landed along the southwest coast of Gaul, perhaps at what is now known as Bordeaux.  After making their way on foot through a “desert” for nearly a month, the group ran out of food. 

The leader, who knew of St. Patrick's devout belief in God addressed him, saying, "What have you to say for yourself, Christian? You boast your God is all-powerful. So why can’t you pray for us, you know how badly hunger threatens us; its beginning to look as if we may not survive to see another living soul."

With great confidence St. Patrick replied, "Turn trustingly to the Lord who is my God and put your faith in him with all your heart, because nothing is impossible to him. On this same day, he will send us food sufficient for our journey, because for him there is abundance everywhere."

As the story goes, those words no sooner left St. Patrick's mouth, when a huge herd of wild pigs miraculously appeared, blocking their way.  Wasting no time, the crew dispatched enough of the animals to last for days.

According to legend, the group finished their journey through Gaul, then headed into Italy.  From there, St. Patrick traveled alone to his home, where he was joyfully received.

So, there you have it!  Now you know why pigs are included in St. Patrick's Day cards!  Have a lovely day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

* FRIDAYS:  You can link up any time during the week--even if it isn't Friday.  The linky is open for an entire week!*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.