St. Paddy's Day Parade 2013

LION LIAM IN BOA, HE IS A LEO!

Again a Saturday. Yay. When March 17th is a Sunday, the NYC parade is on a Saturday, March 16... that is the rule and the reason is so we can attend religious services on Sunday. Saturday is the best for everyone as it is a non-work and no school day for most and the next day is the same. I am packed and ready to go-Liam is also ready
In my lime green backpack, I have extra beads, boas etc. to distribute among the group in case more green is needed.The New Hyde Park train station is obscured by crowds of scantily green clad teenagers. I fear I will not get a ticket as they all seem to have no clue how to buy a ticket. Those that can see the machine are having much trouble sticking dollars in the slot. The 9:35 train is announced to be on time. It is 9:41. All are in good spirits and we all make the train.

Our group meets at Penn Station and we subway up to 77th.  When emerging from the subway I never know which way is 5th Avenue but today it is easy as groups of the green covered folks lead the way. We arrive on 5th, sidle into the front row, lean on the barrier and are set. The parade is still coming. We find out later that the start is delayed 20 minutes. We are joined by a city dwelling newbie and now are complete;  ready to interact, watch, chat, tweet and take pix. We do all that. Turns out I took the boa wig and not the neck boa, a mistake I have committed twice. I suppose Liam is wearing the boa at home. We make do. Switching and borrowing until we are fine with our outfits. Following video is a collection of marchers, bands, songs and more...at around 6:11 minutes you will enjoy heavy snow showers

Amidst the cheering and hand slapping we have the annual Chuck Schumer visit to our group. Renée calls him and he runs to us, a flag between with his teeth to accomplish a hands on hello.

Senator Chuck Schumer and Renée

A grand effort. Thanks Senator Chuck

Liam stays home with Daddy Paul who has to pass up this year's festivities. The Kindle and remotes are ready to go for the home pack of two.I am not sure what is happening at home but I imagine a Guinness day and maybe some TV parade watching. Dogs do march in the parade- Irish wolfhounds.  They earn it as they work. Liam is not a working dog.

We subway down to Rolf's for our traditional post parade early dinner... a really cozy atmosphere. See why
http://rolfsnyc.com/www.rolfsnyc.com/Welcome.html
Actually one of the group likened the men's bathroom to a fun house. Yes, they do have corned beef. We get creative and substitute red cabbage. Inspired. Salty and sweet. Take note, Food Network.

POTATOES, CORNED BEEF AND RED CABBAGE

Not that everyone ordered it. We have some weisswurst (veal sausage) and sauerkraut at our table.

ROLF'S FAMOUS WEISSWURST PLATE

Corned beef is not originally Irish anyway, really.  The Irish were too poor to use cows for meat...  read
http://suite101.com/article/history-of-corned-beef-cabbage-a100084

It snows, rains and the sky is grey.  "We have weather" as they say in Ireland.

And then it is done. LIRR home for me with a group of raving drunken young men. The lead bellow-er is making animal noises. I think maybe a hyena.  He passes out after 10 minutes. The trip is 35 minutes. I consider his coma the luck of the Irish. Another St. Paddy's Day parade wrapped up. On Sunday the celebration continues...I have enough green to go for at least a week. If it warms up, make that two.

Sláinte
(Cheers, Clink)

GUINNESS AND LIAM

Thanks to Izzy for my unauthorized use of his food photos

Woof, Woof