My Wild Irish Rose!

Wednesday, March 17, 1999 marks the traditional St. Patrick's Day honoring the death of Ireland's St. Patrick on this day around 460 A.D.

Ireland, the land that once enslaved St. Patrick, had indeed set him free, and his good works and passing are celebrated in many ways in many countries. For some, it's a day of parades. Some celebrate in recognition of a beloved Irish beauty, while others raise a glass of Pota Phadraig, the Irish name given to the traditional drink of whiskey to be taken on Paddy's Day as ordained by Patrick himself.

On many occasions, on March 17 and before, you'll hear the lilting "My wild Irish rose, the sweetest flower that grows, you may search everywhere, but none can compare with my wild Irish rose."

Truly a way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day would be to present your beloved Irish beauty (all ladies are Irish and beautiful on March 17) with a gift of a cut rose or two. In keeping with Irish tradition, the rose colors may be any of the fiery bright colors in brown, orange, scarlet, gold, yellow or bright pink. Even taking a white rose and letting it draw up some green food coloring can add great enjoyment to your remembrance of this special day.

Whether it's your preference to enjoy the ritual drink of Pota Phadraig in the traditional "drowning the shamrock" with a bit of the little shamrock plant in your whiskey, marching in a parade, or singing your favorite Irish tune, be sure to remember that Irish lass in your life with a special gift of roses with perhaps one of the traditional Irish toasts on the card you present with your roses:

· May the grass grow long on the road to Hell for want of use

· May the road rise up to meet you, may the winds always be at your back, the sunshine warm upon your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again may God hold you in the hollow of his hand

· May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door

· May you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you're dead

· May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent

· My wild Irish rose, the dearest flower that grows, and someday for my sake, she may let me take, the bloom from my wild Irish rose

Call your local florist today to make sure your cherished Irish lass is properly remembered on the 17th of March.

Information Provided Courtesy of Roses Inc., P.O. Box 99, Haslett, MI 48840