13 O’Thursday
1. My current favorite Irish quote is this one: “I have never liked working. To me a job is an invasion of privacy.” – Danny McGoorty
2. This is what I said in a past entry about how my Irish background was a consideration in the conception of this blog: I wasn’t completely aware of why I chose a picture of me in Ireland, wearing a shamrock pinned to my sweater with a waterfall behind me, for my blog photo. I knew it had something to do with wanting to take a break from writing political commentary and following the news compulsively (although being involved in politics is yet another Irish trait). I wanted to let my hair down, tell a good story, and hoped that the fairies and the gift of the blarney would come over me.
3. Being of Irish decent also figures into my writer’s bio: I come from a long line of working class, non-intellectuals who were self-taught.. On my father’s side, there are indications that writing is in my genes. I have a poem in newsprint that my Grandmother from Ireland wrote, and a published piece of music with lyrics by Grandfather. When reading “How the Irish Saved Civilization” a few years back, I was struck by how the common Irish, who were hired by monks to hand copy the classics, wrote little poems and ditties (often about how boring their task was) in the margins of their work. “Those were my ancestors,” I thought. It’s no wonder I consider myself a folk writer.
4. Winter was so mild this year that the hammock in our yard never came down and the kale and turnip greens in our garden never completely died off. They’ve started to come back in full force, which means I have a bumper crop of greens growing in my garden for spring.
5. While riding up and down the backstreets of Beaufort, SC, recently on my bike, enjoying the beautiful homes, many of which were mansions, I realized that I never covet other people’s houses or cars, only their roses.
6. The day before leaving for our recent trip to camp along the ocean on Hunting Island State Park, I found out that my book, “The Jim and Dan Stories” was going to be used by a group of book club members in Blacksburg. My husband, Joe, drove to meet my friend Alex, who read the book and suggested it to the group, at the Christiansburg exit of 81 to deliver 10 books to her.
7. Joe loves to play golf to the point that some people might perceive me as a golf widow, but I think he, as the husband of a writer, was a widower first.
8. Recently when he told me that he was going to play golf, I said, “You dog!” He looked dejected by my comment until I added, “No, I don’t mean you’re in the doghouse, I mean you lucky dog! Go for it!”
9. Joe once dedicated a song to me, which he sang acappella from the stage of Oddfella’s Cantina on Irish Night. It was “The Star of County Down,” a traditional song recorded by Van Morrisson with my name in the lyrics…Near Banbridge town in the County Down one morning in July…Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen and she smiled as she passed me by. I still smile when I remember it.
10. My name, Colleen, means GIRL in Gaelic.
11. My husband’s family name, Mooney, originated in Offaly County, Ireland. Some of my Irish ancestors were Dineens, a family name that also originated in Offaly, which means that my husband’s ancestors and mine might have known each other.
12. This is what I said in a past entry about my Irish heritage: When I went to Ireland in 1997 to visit my grandmother’s hometown, I learned more about myself there than I could have in 10 years of psycho-therapy. The majority of the Irish people I met reminded me of my own family. I saw the faces of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings in their faces. And that’s not all. The Irish tend to be unpretentious, playful, tender-hearted, nostalgic, self-directed, and not overtly ambitious. They are often self-deflecting, something that can be endearing but it can also border on an inferiority complex. And I thought these traits were unique to my own family.
13. And this from the same entry is worth repeating: Although most Americans are aware of the devastation of Irish famine, our history books don’t tell the story of the Penal Laws that were imposed on the Irish by the English from the late 1600s to the nineteenth century. Under these laws, the Irish were denied their right to own land in their own country, to go school, to practice their religion, or speak in their own language. Poverty and oppression under foreign domination for centuries are likely to be contributing factors in the Irish trait of self-depreciation…. But before you get the idea that the Irish are sweet and meek; think again. They also have a history of being warriors, and they are hardly repressed (as much as the English and the Catholic Church tried) when it comes to self-expression, including that of a volatile or rebellious nature.
Post Note: Find out how to participate in 13 Thursday from herself at Just the Girl Next Door or click on the 13 icon on my sidebar to visit others who also play.
March 16th, 2006 8:53 am
Top O’ The Day To You! Nice 13.
Mine is up here
http://carmenhasgonetoplaid.blogspot.com/
March 16th, 2006 8:55 am
You have the most interesting posts. THANKS for the read!
I’m UP!
March 16th, 2006 8:59 am
It is wonderful that you have such a strong connection to and knowledge of your heritage. As a western european mutt, I envy you!
March 16th, 2006 9:36 am
#7 and 8 make me laugh. And I really like your blog picture. It’s too cute!
Happy TT! And happy early St. Patrick’s Day!
March 16th, 2006 9:38 am
beautiful post! Coming from a strong Irish family, I know! It’s in my blood, and will remain an important part of my life.
I am so jealous that you have seen Ireland! One of these days, I want to see as much of it as possible.
my TT are up!
March 16th, 2006 10:21 am
Loved your term Thirteen O’Thursday! You write so wonderfully it is always a special treat to visit your blog. I didn’t know your name had a meaning, that is always so special. Thanks for visiting my TT!
March 16th, 2006 11:03 am
I loved your TT this week… especially your little Irish quote. 🙂 I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Ireland… I hope to go there someday.
My TT are up!
March 16th, 2006 11:58 am
We have a bit o Irish in the Gould family. Lots of red hair and the temper to match. But also Scotch, German and other thrown in. Great thirteen thursday.
March 16th, 2006 12:09 pm
Happy St. Patty’s day (even though he’s not a saint any longer)
My 13 are up.
March 16th, 2006 12:22 pm
I love the Irish quote. It’s my new favorite!
Another interesting 13. Never disappointed. You dog! 😉
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
March 16th, 2006 1:02 pm
Cool 13. I hate mild winters. But then again, I thrive on cold weather, so I guess I’m a crazy or something.
BTW, my thirteen are up
March 16th, 2006 2:10 pm
We share the same name and the same Irish ancestory. 🙂
March 16th, 2006 4:03 pm
I’m Irish, too. In fact, in 1988 I traced my father’s family back to 1277, County Galway. I would love nothing more in this world than to take a journey there, with my dad, and explore the “homeland”. If you notice me poking around your archives, I’m just looking for words about your travels to Ireland. 🙂
March 16th, 2006 4:49 pm
Well, I can’t be commenter 13. That goes to Jennifer.
My wife is from fairly solid Irish stock. Her name is Maureen and she is the sixth sister of 11 siblings. Surprisingly there are no Colleens~,:^) My wife’s name is Maureen. Today, I spoke to a “Laureen”. I’ve never heard that name before. I’m looking for the exact right Irish poem to post tomorrow. I’m reading a lot of really expressive stuff trying to make that determination. Yeats is on the inside track with Patrick Kavanagh coming from behind. But here comes Seamus Heaney!!!!
March 16th, 2006 5:49 pm
A good friend of ours loves Irish music…folk, dance, you name it….I can actually flat foot and one night we were all out and he told me that flat footing actually was came from Irish dancing. It passed through the Appalacias…it does make sense.
March 16th, 2006 6:15 pm
I like the quote! It made me laugh. I covet front porches and big trees that are around houses. LOL.
My 13 are up.
March 16th, 2006 6:29 pm
I don’t know how it is that I usually wind up coming back here on a Thursday – just in time for my favorite posts of yours (13 Thursday)! I simply love these bits and pieces of yourself.
Unlike yourself, I openly covet large old homes in seaside communities – until I step foot again in my own living room. Then, for some reason, all things feel good and right with my world.
Wonderful tidbits about the Irish, Colleen!
March 16th, 2006 9:01 pm
Good idea for a post, especially given the holiday! Congrats on your book in a book club, too.
March 16th, 2006 9:20 pm
Great 13 as usual. I love “The Star of County Down.”, and specifically the line you mentioned that has your name in it.
March 16th, 2006 10:24 pm
They’ve demoted St. Patrick? I’m appalled! When I was really little I thought our county was named for the saint, or maybe the other way around.
March 17th, 2006 12:18 am
I’m gonna blame all my political ranting on my mom’s side of the family from now on. thanks for that tip – I didn’t know that about the Irish side of me. And of course the rebellious nature.
Great post, Girrrrlll. 😉
March 17th, 2006 3:11 am
Happy Evacuation Day from your Boston connection. 🙂
March 17th, 2006 8:24 am
Our parents knew what they were doing when they named you “colleen.” Or did the fairies clue them in?
Thank you for teaching me more about our Irish heritage than I’ve previously learned elsewhere. I wonder why that is? I “feel” the roots, but I never took it to the next level as you have. I thank you for that.
March 17th, 2006 12:15 pm
Interesting post. I was going to say my favorite points, but why count back at ya? 🙂
To another year of good mischief.
March 17th, 2006 12:37 pm
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, my dear Irish friend! We’re from County Cork – my Grandmother’s family, that is. You can see her Irish eyes on my blog today as well as her decendants. I wish I knew as much about our family history to write a whole 13 things about it! You dog! 😉
xoxo
May 22nd, 2014 12:00 am
[…] 9. When Joe recently told me that he was going to play golf, I said, “You dog!” He looked dejected until I added, “No, I don’t mean you’re in the doghouse, I mean you lucky dog! Go for it!” ~ From a 2006 13 Thursday post. […]