Time in Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

There was no need for us to fly east across a continent and an ocean to be in Dublin, for St. Patrick's Day. We just had to drive to Dublin, California, two cities to our west, to celebrate at the festival there. Frank dressed for the occasion.

Okay. All three of you... smile!

We picked up Alex from his St. Denis home and headed out. Green was the color of the day, even as far as Alex's Hulk bank.

Can you hear those Christy Minstrels singing their 1963 folk hit?
Green, green, it's green they say on the far side of the hill.
Green, green, I'm going away to where the grass is greener still. 

After some initial challenges in finding a parking place, we walked several blocks to the outdoor event and had a good time browsing the various vendor tents. Alex enjoys and feeds on the cacophony and energy of crowds. We skipped getting an insurance estimate or a chiropractic re-alignment or a massage; we also turned down tupperware, special soaps, and gourmet oils. The weather was beautiful and we did enjoy pausing to sit and listen to some Irish music and watch some Celtic dancing.

We went inside the civic center building for Tea Time where we got to select our china cup and saucer for tea from a wide selection. It was funny observing how each male that entered hesitated before making his flowery choice.

Our choices were pretty near as many and pretty near as varied as in this photo.

To eat we could choose between a madeleine or a scone.

Frank and Alex each picked a buttery madeleine.

I chose a less sweet but equally delicious cranberry scone.

Scattered throughout the grounds, signs were posted that contained interesting facts about Ireland.

• It is the country with the largest dog per capita population. 
• The potato blight that ravaged Ireland originated in the United States. 
• There has never been an earthquake or tremor in Ireland. 
• Irish coffee was first formulated in San Francisco, not Ireland. 

Alex got to pet a shetland herder type service dog. She gave him multiple kisses on his face, much to Alex's delight. We visited some craft vendors and did not buy any jewelry or leather ware or tie died clothing.  We were impressed by a vendor with the clever title Someware In Tine (www.somewareintine.com) who fashioned decorator items and jewelry out of old silver tea services and silver knives, forks and spoon. We did buy a lamp. I guess we still had tea on the brain and Frank and I both liked the shade.

That fun house mirror effect in body of the teapot is the bottom half of me - twice!

After two games of bowling at an alley in Dublin, we had lunch there. The cook told us that Frank was the largest leprechaun she had ever seen! We dropped Alex back at St. Denis after stopping and buying carrots for his bunny; then Frank and I drove home. It was a pleasant, low-key way to spend a sunny day. Erin go Bragh!