On this March 17th, I, like many Irish Americans, will wear green and celebrate what I suspect to be Irish heritage. I have looked into family records enough to know that my great grandfather William Patrick Justice (May 2, 1858-July 2, 1943) was a couple of generations removed from Ireland. Good enough for me, I will eat corned beef, cabbage, and red potatoes.
William Patrick Justice and family
I have read that the stereotypical Irish-American has been characterized as a poor, ignorant, hard-drinking, temperamental fighter.
Poor? No, I'm rich in many ways! Ignorant? Yes, in MANY ways. Hard-drinking? No, I'll just have a sip or two of Jameson Bow Street 18. Temperamental fighter? Ask Rett.
But I will brag about competing in, and completing the 2021 America's Shamrock Run ( I hobbled down Junk Road with my trusty walking stick). Contestant number 7010 had chosen the 1 mile distance, but being a bog-jumper, I pushed for two (the distance from Merry Mount to the west end of Junk Road is one mile).
May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm on your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields.
I triumphantly patted myself on the belly and took this selfie.
So today as you skip down the road, remember to be kind and lighten the load.
CPW
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