Tuesday, March 28, 2006

This is Bob


Bob, originally uploaded by CelticWander.

This is Bob at our wedding.

RIP My Friend

Bob

I just received a call from my mom informing me that Bob passed away last night. Bob was like an uncle to me.

Bob and my cousin (dad's cousin) Kathleen had been together for 30 years. Bob was one of those guys, like my dad, that anyone who knew him will not soon forget. He had a great sense of humor, could be and was very serious when something demanded his attention, and could be counted on.

I remember many things about Bob.

Bob worked at the Illinois National Guard for years. His house was just down the road from Camp Lincoln. I remember being there with Grandma and Grandpa with Kathleen when he would come home in the green fatigues and compat boots.

I remember he and Kathleen at all the summer cookouts growing up.

I remember just sitting at the picnic table with him and his O'Douls.

I rememeber when my little brother was under 5 years old and told him, at my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary party at the DAV hall, that smoking cigars would kill him.

I remember that that was the last day he ever smoked a cigar, 20+ years ago.

I remember how much he and Kathleen cared for each other, not just romantically, but when times got rough.

I remember he and I both rolling our eyes when he came to my college gradutation in a suit. I was in one, too. Those of you who know either of us know that this was the day hell froze over.

I remember at my wedding, Bob gave me a beer cozy that said, "These are my dress clothes."

I will always remember Bob.

I will keep praying for Kathleen.

RIP Bob

We all loved you

Friday, March 17, 2006

Thomas MacDonagh


MacDonagh, originally uploaded by CelticWander.

Thomas McDonagh was a teacher/poet who was also one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.

I don't know if their may be blood between us, as I come from McDonough. It is possible. I like to claim his, anyway. You can read more about Thomas and the 1916 Rising, here and here.

Below are the lyrics to the song The Foggy Dew. A memorial to the men who died as a result of the 1916 Easter Rising. Here is more info about the song.

The Foggy Dew

words and music by Father P. O'Neill

'Twas down the glen one Easter morn
To a city fair rode I.
When armed line of marching men
In squadrons passed me by.
No pipes did hum, no battle drum
Did sound its loud tattoo
But the Angelus bell o'er the Liffey's swell
Rang out in the foggy dew.

Right proudly high over Dublin town
They hung out a flag of war.
'Twas better to die 'neath an Irish sky
Than at Suvla or Sud el Bar.
And from the plains of Royal Meath
Strong men came hurrying through;
While Brittania's huns with their great big guns
Sailed in through the foggy dew.

O' the night fell black and the rifles' crack
Made "Perfidious Abion" reel
'Mid the leaden rail, seven tongues of flame
Did shine o'er the lines of steel.
By each shining blade a prayer was siad
That to Ireland her sons be true,
And when morning broke still the war flag shook
Out its fold in the foggy dew

'Twas England bade our wild geese go
That small nations might be free.
But their lonely graves are by Suvla's waves
On the fringe of the gray North Sea.
But had they died by Pearse's side
Or fought with Cathal Brugha,
Their names we'd keep where the Fenians sleep
'Neath the shroud of the foggy dew.

The bravest fell, and the solemn bell
Rang mournfully and clear
For those who died that Watertide
In the springing of the year.
And the world did gaze with deep amaze
At those fearless men, but few
Who bore the fight that freedom's light
Might shine through the foggy dew.

Ah, back through the glen I rode again
and my heart with grief was sore
For I parted then with valiant men
whom I never shall see more.
But to and fro in my dreams I go and
I'd kneel and pray for you,
For slavery fled, O glorious dead, when
you fell in the foggy dew.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

My Home Town


Up rooted, originally uploaded by CelticWander.


This is a photo from my hometown. Springfield, IL. The tornadoes hit it Sunday night. Only minor injuries reported.

My mom was without power for nearly 36 Hours.

Pictures can be found:

Here
Here
and
Here

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Chicago Matters

The executive minister, Larry Greenfield, of ABC-Metro Chicago has a post on Chicago Public Radio's Chicago Matters blog. It is a great piece on inequality in public education. All Ican say is, "Preach It!"