Monday, March 7, 2011

Our Hired Man & St. Patrick's Day

Dan Sullivan, the hired man on our farm during our childhood, became a surrogate grandfather to us children.  He was older than Father, but a very hard worker, and patient with us children.  He also was a storyteller and would regale us with tales of his days working for the railroad in his younger years.

Dan, of course, was Irish, so always recognized St. Patrick's Day.  Since Dan ate all of his meals with us, but boarded with a neighboring family, Mother prepared a festive dinner and supper for this holiday.  Often she had a boiled dinner...corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and onions.  We might have it cold for supper with the addition of corn bread.

Also, we always looked for Dan's "wearing of the green."  He dressed as usually in overalls and blue work shirt, with his striped blue and white railroad type cap.  But....pinned to the front of the cap was a small green bow.

No comments:

Post a Comment