Pots o' Gold

Image(s) courtesy VintageHolidayCrafts.com 

I love looking at old ephemeral, whether it's magazines or greeting cards. It's such a neat way to learn about history, especially if there's a note written inside. As a writer of (sometimes) historical fiction, reading those notes and looking at writing of the period really helps me get the voice as well as learn more about how everyday people lived.

One of the neat things I've discovered is that St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the US and England do go back to the Victorian era. Running across cards like the one above made me want to know more. (Always a hazard when doing research.) By the nineteenth century, war and famine in Ireland had caused many natives, both protestant and Catholic, to flee to more promising shores. Homesickness and nostalgia drove them to celebrate their homeland with the help of the new color printing industry.

And, surprisingly enough, according to one man who grew up in an English colony during the 1920s and 30s, (my dad, as it happens), it didn't matter which color you wore, all the Irish or part-Irish folks put aside their differences and celebrated together.

Stories like that make me proud of my heritage. Spending four days with no power this past week makes me proud of my kids, seeing that same sort of flexibility and willingness to pitch in.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, and for those who celebrate, I'm wishing you a lovely Solstice.

Cindy
www.cindyspencerpape.com