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Planning for St. Patrick's Day

         St. Patty's is first a religious holiday. He has been taken down from  sainthood, not because he did anything wrong, but American Irish and the Irish in heart have done such un-saintly things in his name.If you're a purist, you'll say a few prayers that day, maybe mail a few greeting cards to your elderly friends in advance.

         Beyond that, don't plan on drinking green beer, unless you're prepared to go green in the bathroom. It's strictly an American custom and frowned upon by the Irish. The same goes for green food coloring in cookies or cakes or what-have-you. It will come out green. if it goes in green. Wear some green, eat corned beef, and drink normally, if you will.

         Speaking of wearing green, try not to look too daffy. A green sweater or some green socks will do. Forget the green underwear jokes. You can wear a green shamrock or green beads from Wal-Mart. It doesn't take much to show your spirit. And remember if someone else is not wearing green, it's the leprechauns who do the pinching. You don't have to help!

         As for food, corned beef and cabbage are good. Seafood, particularly large shrimp, will do nicely. After all, Ireland is an island with a large fishing industry. Traditional Irish soda bread is a little dry and doesn't suit American palates. There are many updated versions, however. Lamb is also commonly eaten in Ireland.

         Desserts are not as important in the average household. Flan, a type of custard, is very common. The larger estates and the inns that appeal to tourists, who do have a taste for sweets, do serve fancy multi-layer cakes and dishes using creams. Many American grocers now sell Irish butter, cheese, and other dairy products, as well as Guinness and other Irish beverages, if you're feeling adventurous. Not only do they not serve green beer, they serve the tan and the dark, two types in one glass. They mix as you drink them.

         For music, there's the well-known Celtic Women and the Irish Tenors, but don't forget the Clancy Brothers or the Makem's.

         In the rowdy days of my youth, I had friends who loved all Irish things. They'd have big parties, and we'd play Clancy Brothers and stomp our feet, and eat Lorna's homemade food. Michael would regale us with stories about Bloody Sunday and the Potato Famine. We'd all shout "Erin Go Braugh". One guy actually grew up in Ireland, and would do the Irish Jig for us. The next day our host and hostess would be too hungover to remember who had been there the night before. We were all Irish under their spell.

         I don't know where any of them are any more, but I play the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem every year this time. In my heart, I am young and foolish again. But I salute the Irish and their brave history.