Finally ... Ireland

It is really happening ... Ireland ... Eire ... greenest state in the Land of the Free (oops, no ... that's Davy Crockett's song). But still ... you get it ... it's going be GREEN. 

Four of us are making the trek to the auld home place. But only one of us has a drop of Irish blood running through her beautiful veins ... our friend Jean! Still ... the Scotsman (and Swiss) John, the Italiano (Rob) and me ... with at least a quarter of Scots in me ... will enjoy it like we were born to it. Rob and I in particular do NOT mind the rain. And it will rain. On the other hand, we have been to Seattle a dozen times and it's never rained ... 

So we will see. Our itinerary finds us with a few days in Dublin, some more time on the southern coast, and even more time yet on the harsh, rugged, and gorgeous west coast of Ireland. If you care to join us in spirit ... check the blog! But for now ... well, we don't leave until June 6 so blogging before then is optional on my part and definitely optional on your part as a reader. 

By now ... surely some of you have asked ... with all the Irish sayings ... why in the world did she call it "Irish Eyes Are Smiling"? Well, it's song that I remember my father singing when I was a chlld ... one that I sang to my children and to my grandchldren ... and yes, me ... without a whit of Irish blood. My dad sang "too ra loo rah loo rah (also known as the Irish Lullabye)" which he learned from his mother. When I sang it to Rory, Nate asked ... "Did you sing that when we were little?" Yes, indeed ... and somehow ... it struck a ... chord. :) 

As for the ever sentimental but wonderful "Danny Boy" ... that will be covered  later ... maybe after we hear it sung in a pub! We do plan on a pub or two. And a pint or ... 

So here are the Irish songs ... the first is Irish Eyes, of course. Both sung by Bing Crosby. Both reminding me of my dad ... and singing to my children and grandchldren! 

Who but Bing to sing it ...


Irish Lullabye