With the Northern California spring season now starting in mid December, it was no big surprise when I uncovered a four-leaf clover at Hap McGee Park in Danville while I was letting my dog “do her business,” on a recent Saturday afternoon. With the temperature in the high 70’s, we were frolicking amongst the clover when the Luck of the Irish blessed me with a wee bit of the blarney. I don’t know what that means, but it sounds Irishy.
Legend has it that when Eve had to leave the Garden of Eden, she took a four-leaf clover with her for good luck. Since then, four-leaf clovers have been synonymous with luck, much like horseshoes, a rabbit’s foot, a cat’s eye or a wishbone. Being someone who considers himself somewhat lucky, and half Irish, I sealed my four-leaf clover in a Glad zip-lock baggy with a plan to crack it out on March 17th –Saint Patrick’s Day. That’s when I’ll be loaded up on Super, Mega and Power Ball lottery tickets. When I unleash my Luck of the Irish super power on the California lottery commission, I expect good fortune to rain down on dis laddy in the form of green cash currency.
If you’re interested, Squidoo.com has a list of 50 good luck symbols from around the world, however I find a lot of them can get you in a little bit of trouble. Being a bit of a nervous flyer, I was once pulled aside by the TSA for a full body cavity search when a horseshoe was discovered sewn into my underwear before I boarded a Southwest flight to Palm Springs. Despite my cries of innocence, and a weak bladder/desert turbulence explanation, I am now on a “watch list” with every airport on the West Coast. Did I mention the very invasive wand?
Similarly, it’s apparently frowned upon to try and extract a wishbone or cat’s eye from a living, breathing animal. Who knew you could dig through a Safeway rotisserie chicken for a wishbone or that a cat’s eye is actually a stone? I do… now! I would like to take this opportunity to publicly apologize to the injured turkey buzzard I found staggering along Old Blackhawk Road, and to our neighbor’s cat, Mr. Furry Pants. I feel terrible if I caused you any undo stress. As for the rabbit—let’s just say I learned a valuable (and horribly messy) lesson.
Different nationalities possess different symbols of luck. In China and other Asian countries, the cricket is a lucky symbol. Alligator teeth are said to bring luck to gamblers in Africa. In ancient Greece, dolphins were said to be a lucky sign for safe sailing. A legend from Old England says the chimney sweep is the ultimate bringer of good luck. The Hopi, Pueblo and Zuni Native American tribes believe the Kachina dolls bring good luck and a long life. Finally, Catholics have always relied on a St. Christopher medal in their cars to bring luck in their travels. In high school, I thought St. Christopher was supposed to bring me good luck with the girls in my car, if you get my fast and furious drift.
After years spent chasing rainbows in the hills of Dublin (California not Ireland), hoping to find a pot of gold, I think I’ll place more faith in my four-leaf clover than ever finding a leprechaun or pot of gold. As most people know, a leprechaun is a fairy in Irish folklore. While leprechauns aren’t necessarily associated with good luck, if a human captures a leprechaun, legend has it they have magical power to grant three wishes in exchange for their release. Personally, I would say it would be very lucky day to find a leprechaun, just for the three wishes angle; however, they are also known to be very mischievous and a little nasty. That said, in Ireland they are revered.
Few people know that there is a Disney Channel original movie entitled Luck of the Irish. It’s a delightful tale about an Irish high school basketball player who possess a magic coin that provides him with certain amount of… wait for it… luck. Did I mention his mother is a leprechaun who’s been able to live a normal size life, as long as her son was in possession of the coin? When the coin goes missing, she shrinks to diminutive-leprechaun status. I hate when that happens.
If your St. Patrick Day cinema taste runs a little more mature, I recommend Far and Away, starring Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. As most of you know, Tom Cruise is about the actual size of a leprechaun.
If you’re a lad or lassie that prefers Gaelic music, let me steer you toward U2, Van Morrison, or the Chieftains—all exports from Emerald Isle.
Speaking of Ireland and Irish Luck, virtually everyone knows that St. Patrick’s Day is Ireland’s national holiday. It’s much like our 4th of July, but disguised as a religious and cultural day celebrating the patron saint of Ireland. There are parades and festivals all over the world celebrating Irish lore. Sadly, most Americans think St. Paddy’s Day is just an excuse to get drunk on Irish beer. It is, but I have news for you, getting drunk can potentially be unlucky. I’m still looking for my Shamrock green knickers from last year’s McNeighborhood pub-crawl. Needless to say, I Mc-crawled home.
All kidding aside, here are a few things in my life I feel truly lucky for
- I’m lucky I have my wonderful wife and two incredible daughters in my life. I truly appreciate how they inspire, support and love me. Their daily presence makes me feel whole and complete.
- I’m lucky I have good friends because friends are the family we choose.
- I’m lucky that I like and respect the people I work with and the company I work for at my day job.
- I’m lucky for the community I live in and the wonderful neighbors we have on our block. See pub crawl above.
- I’m lucky I didn’t really hurt myself when I fell of my ladder during the holidays.
- I’m lucky I have my health, although my doctor says I would be a lot healthier if I lost 20 lbs.
- I’m lucky I have a doctor that wants me to live well and thrive.
- I’m lucky Eric Johnson at ALIVE Magazine allows me to express my creative side on a monthly basis. There are more than a few people that undoubtedly wonder why he publishes my mindless dribble.
- I’m lucky I have a devoted following of loyal readers that appreciate my monthly mindless dribble. I’m also lucky that I know all seven of you by name. Steve, Danielle, Elaine, Ho, Mark, Debbie and Prisoner #24954582.
It’s probably a good thing that I have no way to get in touch with Indianapolis Colt’s quarterback Andrew Luck or he and I might be on our way to Vegas baby for a little March Madness bracketology session at the MGM Grand. For now I’ll just have to rely on my little four-leaf clover and the ever-present Luck of the IRISH to bring me good fortune.
Luck of the Irish
In the Village of Blarney
There’s one luckyrock
They say when you kiss it
good luck is a lock
While visiting the Isle
once a few years gone by
I figured why not
being a “why not” kind of guy
I tracked down the spot
and got down on my knees
I kissed and I kissed it
until the authorities seized (me)
They sent me back home
where I live to this day
chasing my dreams
in the old Irish way
I’m still not sure if it worked
the lottery hasn’t yet phoned
but it’s all in the chance
of the kissed Blarney Stone.
By Michael Copeland
Inspired by The Blarney Stone by Denise Rodgers
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