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| Hi Folks ...... Well winter is about to retire for this season and spring is ready on the side line to pick up the torch and forge on. I do hope that everyone has had a good March. The weather here in southern Ontario has been very spring like for the most part, but that last couple of days winter has whispered the last of its cold air (I hope). I am ready and waiting for the nice sunny weather. Just itching to get the patio furniture out and relax on the patio with some good books to read and of course, some crocheting. This newsletter has a St. Patrick's theme and even tho we are a bit behind, all the best wishes to each and everyone of you is just the same. I am looking for some ideas for future newsletters. If you would like to see something special or if you have designed and/or completed a special project and would like to share it with us, just send us a photo and we will add to a future newsletter. Easter is just around the corner and since the newsletter comes out every month and April will be missed, on behalf of all the staff here at Chains of Thought, we wish you and your family a blessed Easter. ...... Margaret Fraleigh, Editor |
| Newsletter Reporters Karrie Quay - The Review Corner Maria Lits - C.L. Charity Challenge with Maria Patricia Howard - Crocheter's Health Tips Judith Overfield - Good Golly Miss Molly Jason Overfield - Jason's Comedy Corner Peter Franzi - From a Man's Perspective Wanda Ellis - Straight From the Heart Denise Petersen - Missing Link Jacqui Simmons - News From Down Under Linda Gelb - Graph Crocheting Kelley Cardell - Kids Korner with Kelley Jannet Harris - Crochet with Ebay Margaret Fraleigh - A Walk Down Memory Lane Tina Fraleigh - Tina's Recipe Finds for the Crocheter New Reporter Patsy Schultz - Patsy's Pigeonhole Hi, Patsy Schultz here. I am 47 year old wife to a wonderful man of 10 years, though I've known him almost 34 years. Mother to 3 children, plus hubby's daughter, who is more like a friend than a stepchild. I also have 8 grandchildren, and they are the best reason I can think of about being older. I have crocheted for over 35 years now and love making many things. I also make quilts and do quite a bit of sewing. I recently took up jewelry making so I could add what I had. I work in a group home with 8 men with mental retardation. It can be trying at times, but I enjoy my job. I like to horseback ride when I get the chance and this year, I want to get to kayak so I can get back on the water for relaxation. I read the Bible daily and try to live my life the way I should. I started writing in 4th grade and though I don't get much chance to pursue that, I do enjoy it. Guest Reporter Anne Fatato - March Madness Challenge |
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| A Short History of St. Patrick and his Irish Holiday by Niall Cinneide |
| The history of St. Patrick's Day, which started out as a Holy Day for the Irish Catholics in the 10th or 11th century, goes all the way back to the late 3rd century when a small boy was born in Roman England by the name of Maewyn. Maewyn and his family lived in a small town where his father was a soldier in the army, and a member of the town government. Some accounts say that Maewyn was an agnostic and some say that his family was Christian, but weren't very strong in their faith. Either way, it doesn't really matter because it was what happened later in his life that gained him his notoriety. When Maewyn was only 16, there was a raid on his village from Ireland, in the Irish Sea. They captured Maewyn and many of the villagers, and took them back to Ireland as servants and slaves for the local Irish. It was here in captivity that it is reported that Maewyn accepted God, and began to talk to him. In fact, legend has it that he often spoke to God in prayer up to one hundred times a day. And Maewyn was under the authority of a Celtic family, so he learned the Celtic language and how to speak it fluently. Six years later, when he was 22, Maewyn escaped from his servitude, and ran to France. There he joined a monastery and under the direction of the Bishop of France, he studied the Bible. It was this Bishop who gave him the name Patrick. Legend has it that while Patrick was here in the monastery, he heard angels calling him back to Ireland. After spending 12 years in the study of theology and Catholic Laws, he departed and went to Ireland to preach to a heathen nation. He spent 30 years in evangelistic and missionary work across the land. He won many converts over, healed people, and it was even said that he raised some people from the dead. Everywhere he went he announced God, and he built many schools and churches to help promote the Catholic religion. Legend has it that angels followed him everywhere, and even told him where and how to go. After 30 years of missionary work, he died on March 17th. This is the day that has gone down in history as St. Patrick's Day, for the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick's Day today has grown into much more than just a Holy Day for Catholics. Strict Catholics around the world though do remember St. Patrick, usually in an early Mass on March 17th. But everyone joins in as a celebration of St. Patrick's Day and becomes Irish for the day. It has now become a celebration of spring with parades special Irish meals, green tinted drinks and beer, etc. "The wearing of the green" and the Leprechaun have come about over the years to be Good Luck and prosperity to all and everything green typically represents the turning to spring, green is the colour of life. So, with one day to be Irish, take advantage, and have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day. (Niall Cinneide loves to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. He publishes views, information and St. Patrick's Day News at St. Patrick's Information. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included in tact. All rights reserved. Copywright http://www.St-Patricks.info) Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Niall_Cinneide |
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| "Everyone at Chains of Thought would like to wish Jannette Atwell a speedy recovery and our get well wishes" |
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