Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all ye lads and lasses. I left the exclamation point off of the last sentence out of consideration for the wee pounding in your head. Corned beef and cabbage will do that. It will also gain you a few more feet of personal space for a day or two.

I was up north visiting family and friends in Lignite for a few days this past weekend and was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to enjoy some preemptive St. Paddy’s Day revelry while we celebrated my Uncle Tim’s birthday. The Burke County Brew Master, Doc Stevens, was in attendance and provided some fuel for the fun with a fine sampling of his homemade brews.

Doc is 86 years young and has always impressed me with his constant tinkering. Since retiring from welding he has taken up such hobbies as quilting, mitten making, wine making, and beer brewing. His style is not just to “take up” these hobbies, no, he is an artist that studies and perfects each of them. He is an intelligent lifelong learner who seems to have insatiable curiosity and a constant desire to challenge himself.

These traits have served Doc well and very well may be as close to a fountain of youth as we can ever hope to find. I suppose it could be the beer. Better partake in both just to be sure.

About 15 years ago I developed an obsession with Irish music and this is the one week each year that it is socially acceptable to sing these songs in public. Socially tolerated may be a more accurate statement.

I would like to leave you with the lyrics to a traditional Scottish and Irish song that has been belted out in various forms since the 1600’s. A song that is traditionally sang at the close of a gathering. Perhaps a gathering of friends, family, a six-foot leprechaun, a toga clad cowboy, and Cleopatra’s blue-haired step-sister Dougerella. Perhaps.

Hoist a pint of whatever elixir of life you sway towards and lend your voice to the gathering.

“The Parting Glass”

Of all the money that e’er I’ve spent
Was spent in good company
And all the harm that e’er I’ve done
Alas it was to none but me
And all I’ve done for want of wit
To memory now I can’t recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

Of, all the comrades that e’er I’ve had
That are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e’er I’ve had
Who would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I’ll gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be with you all