What is Saint Patrick’s Day All About

Across the world, March 17th – we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day is not just celebrated by the Irish, but also by the Irish at heart. Why do so many Go Green on St. Patrick’s Day, and why is it now an international festival celebrating the Irish culture?

Irish Blessing Irish Blessing

 

 

It all started as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland, known as the “Apostle Of Ireland”. Patrick was born an aristocrat from a religious Christian family. He wasn’t born on the Emerald Isle as many people think.  He was sixteen when he was captured in Wales, and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he slaved for six years herding sheep, before escaping to return back to his family. He was 22 when he escaped, walking more than 200 miles before eventually taking a boat across the Irish seas to get to England. It was there he spent  years getting close to God. Patrick said he had a dream from God, telling him to return to Ireland and convert the Irish to Christianity.

 

Patrick eventually settled in France and studied in a monastery under Germaine bishop of Auxerre for the next twelve years. He had another dream, but this time from an angel, with the same message, that he should return to Ireland to preach Christianity. It was during this training period that Patrick realized his calling was to convert pagans to Christianity. It was then, he began to receive many visions that called him back to the land that enslaved him, Ireland.

 

Patrick was called to Rome in 432 where Pope Celestine gave him his blessing to go forth in his holy mission to Ireland. He arrived back in Ireland in the winter of 432 where he and his followers went to Tara and met with King of Lapghaire. It was then that St. Patrick reached down and plucked a shamrock from the ground and explained to the King that a shamrock represented the trinity. He explained that the shamrock had three leaves much like the trinity had three persons – the father, the son and the holy ghost, The shamrock became the sacred plant of Ireland.

 

shamrock shamrock

 

The King was so impressed with St. Patrick that he gave him total freedom to spread Christianity throughout Ireland. St. Patrick went on to convert many Irishman including chief warriors, princesses, and pagans, baptizing them and thousands of others in holy wells that bear his name today. He set up schools, churches, and educated Irishman on Christian rituals.  His mission lasted for thirty years and he used the shamrock to show the meaning of the trinity and how the three members of the trinity were separate entities, but yet one in the same. Many pagan rulers of Ireland found Patrick to be convincing and were quickly converted to Christianity.

 

Oddly enough, the color associated with St. Patrick was blue not green. In fact, in most artwork Patrick will be found wearing blue vestments with gold harps to represent the country. The color green represents  Ireland much later, and the name “Emerald Isle” for reference because of the mass of green land and plentiful rainfall.

 

The shamrock is still a popular Irish symbol, but its a harp that appears on gravestones and manuscripts.

Some interesting facts about the Irish

  • there are more Irish living in the US than Ireland.
  • 34 million American have Irish ancestry, by contrast 4.2 million people live in Ireland today.
  • the Irish fled the country due to constant trouble and turmoil of irish raiders.
  • the Irish were the most harshly treated immigrants to enter the US, forced to build railroads, sold into slavery, and  exclusively made up entire troop regiments during the US Civil War. It wasn’t until 1990 that the Irish began to stay in their native country.
  • the Irish were not allowed to celebrate  St.Patrick’s day in Ireland pubs until 1970. All pubs were closed for religious observance of the holiday. This law was overturned in 1970 when St. Patrick’s Day became a National holiday.

Because of the harsh prejudices against them, the Irish formed and organized themselves politically, by the end of the 19th century, St. Patrick’s Day was a large holiday.

 

The legacy of the Irish are familiar to all Americans, from the folklore tales pot of gold, shamrocks for luck, leprechaun, green, ale’s to the wonderful foods deeply entrenched in Americas culture. Maybe today you will have an Irish dish of corn beef, sausage or sauerkraut.

Happy St. Patrick's Day Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Regardless of your St. Patrick Day plans, chances are – you will encounter an Irishman. If you read this post – you already did so…

Happy trails,

Donna George

Did You Know Seagulls Are Clever, Intelligent Birds?

Seagulls on the beach

Did you know  Seagulls are clever birds? Whether you love them or hate them, these beautiful birds are crafty and highly intelligent. Growing up on the coast I’ve always been intrigued with seagulls. Their aggressive and bold behavior around people seem to contradict their graceful aerial movement and soft water landings.

Seagull

These fascinating birds initially only hung out by the seaside, river or some type of water resource, but now many urban areas have become home to them. Growing up on the coast hearing the high pitch call of the gulls, integrates into the normal everyday backdrop sound, but it has always seemed strange to hear seagulls in cities far from the coast when I travel. Strange as it may sound, it always warms my heart a little to think my beach friends from home… Followed me.

Seagull

It turns out Seagulls have separated into two distinct different groups, rural and urban gulls and these seagulls do not mix. They usually stay in the area they are born in, although some urban seagulls do return to the coast to breed, according to Peter Rock, seagull expert. Once the babies are born, the parenting seagulls rotate turns caring for their young, standing guard and providing food for the nest.

Studies estimate over 100,000 seagulls are now nesting on urban cities rooftops where they can protect their young and easily feed from waste landfills and street trash. While the number of gulls heading to the cities is increasing, the coastal gulls are dramatically decreasing.

Seagull on the beach

I love to watch the seagulls on the beach, play out their little tricks. Did you know they stomp the ground with their feet to get the earthworms to surface imitating rainfall? If you get the chance, notice they will repeat many behaviors in unison with each other while communicating to large flocks.

Here’s a few more interesting things about the seagulls:

  • Seagulls posses a highly developed range of vocalislation. They also have the ability to communicate with each other through body movement.
  • There is estimated to be twenty-nine different species in existence.
  • They drink both kinds of water, fresh and salt.
  • Seagulls target rocks to drop hard shell food in to break it open to eat.
  • They have a small claw halfway up their leg that allows them to sit on ledges without being blown off by high winds.
  • If you notice them hovering over bridges, they are conserving energy to prepare to absorb rising heat from hot roadways.
  • Their eyesight is better than ours.
  • Seagulls can survive in the wild for 10-15 years, but can live up to 30 years in captivity. The oldest recorded seagull was 49 when he died.
  • Although they live in colonies that consist of thousands of pairs of birds, they are monogamous to their pair and stay with one mate for life.
  • Seagulls remember things and pass it on to other gulls.
  • They are covered in white plumage and have black around the wing edges.
  • Their wing span is usually 11 to 30 inches and they appear uniform in shape.They have heavy bodies, moderately long limbs and necks with a rounded tail (except for 3 species).
  • Eagles and other large birds are the main predator of seagulls.
  • Seagulls often steal food from other birds, animals and humans.They eat earthworms, rodents, insects, reptiles, fruit, seeds, amphibians and human food. Occasionally, they eat other birds in their species, cannibalism.
  • The seagull is the state bird for Utah because they helped the Mormons settle by eating the excess of crickets in the state. Referred to as “The Miracle of Gulls“.
  • They are synonymous with the terms “Freedom, Versatility, and Carefree” in the Native American Culture.
Live free

Seagulls are not just beautiful, but an old species. No one knows exactly how far they date back, but most bird enthusiasts agree, that seagulls are among one of the species of birds.

A little birdie told me that it’s known in the circles of ornithologists, wildlife biologists and birders that most experts cringe at the term “Seagull” and say it’s misleading. The experts claim there is no bird species known as technically as “Seagull”, but as simply “Gulls”. The word, sea, got attached to the gull after their behavior demonstrated their devotion to the coastline.

If you enjoy the “Flight of the Seagulls” you’re part of the mass majority, however, if you find the seagulls annoying – maybe this post will help change your mind. I hope so because you’re missing out.

Why do you think the seagull is so popular among all the feathered friends? Is it the mental images of being near the ocean or just simple subliminal perception of coastal familiarity? Whatever the reason, it’s a great one and justified.

Happy trails
Donna George

Go Ahead! Change Your Life

 

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Have you ever wanted to change your life? Many say they do; few actually do it. Why is it so hard to change?

All of us are capable of making decisions that can change our life and move towards something new and different… easy peezy, right? So why are we holding on for dear life to sameness? 

Stop saying “what if ” and start saying “I’ll try It”

Would that work? It would help. Making a declarative statement always helps.

 

It probably sounds like a hundred articles you’ve read somewhere before, but how often have you put real change to the test? The kind of change that challenges you to exercise in the wee hours of the morning when you’re exhausted or deprive yourself of food that satisfies you to the very core of who you are?

Change is real 

Constant

 And moving all around us

Filling our days with raw life.

 No filters

It’s unpredictable with no grace for emotion. No one really enjoys losing comfort zones when you can’t reach back and grab on to what once was there, right? From that angle life’s depth of field looks different, a little foggier, not as much clarity that sameness gives.

Nothing Stay The Same; It’s a Process

Change is a process, not an event. Stages people! We are constantly experiencing new stages (and some are better than others).

  1. Baby Steps – definitely get a POA together, but don’t overkill
  2. Self Acceptance – being okay with who you are desiring to improve
  3. Face your fears – don’t let others intimidate you from what you want to do
  4. Be patient – Not so tough on yourself
  5.  Celebrate your breakout of sameness

And the Newness fades quickly too. It seems the scent looses its mystery and the odor becomes ordinary, and the strange becomes familiar, things once admired loose their attraction. Such a wonder… The lure of change.

Have you ever experienced a big change in your life? Most of us have and made it through to the other side a stronger person. These changes teach us a lot about ourselves that we don’t always want to know yet, but it’s usually a tool for our toolbox. In a second part series I will share a change that I survived that changed my life. Please feel free to share your changes on the website on FB or any of my social media platforms. I would enjoy reading your story and sharing with the blog community.

Happy trails
Donna George

 

 

 

 

 

 

Space In Between


In every city lives an oddity sometimes, a proverbial “space in between”. Some beautiful alley’s that many gather around while others never notice.

Every alley is unique, marked distinctly in its own way from the street and life surrounding it. The width is different, the odors, and the structures that give it dimension all contribute to the street personality.

In comparison to people, street alleys are less fearful than digging through the deepest corridors of the human mind.

Do you love alleys or avoid them? Why? Have a favorite one? Send a photo explaining what attracts you to it. A view is worth a thousand words…

Happy trails.                                                                      Donna George

Blades of Grass


Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Less to have to worry about, yes?

Sometimes life confronts us with Simplicity and others times we simply stumble upon it.

Either way, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Happy Trails 🙂

Donna George

7 Reasons To Love Street Fairs

Street Fairs are a grand, old fashion fun way to gather residents and visitors alike to celebrate a city’s traditional event. Street Fairs are typically part of a larger event that takes place (free to the public) in addition to paid events like concerts, parades, and garden parties, etc.

7 reasons to love a street fair

One of the largest festivals in North Carolina happens to be the Azalea Festival, which takes place in Coastal Wilmington. The Azalea Festival honors the “Azalea Flower” and it’s been a tradition since 1948 in the Wilmington area. The festival is scheduled during peak bloom time for the Azaleas, beautifying the scene for all the social events to follow.   You can read more about the Azalea Festival and its rich history and events here.

And if you’re interested in viewing more photos of the beautiful Azaleas in full bloom, look here at some gorgeous photos I posted at Greenfield Lake last year during peak bloom time.

As the events unfold in various places around the city from the beach to the country clubs, the street fair remains in full swing, featuring Artists (local and from other states), food vendors, dancers, bands, retailers and e-tailers, eager to introduce their product and themselves to the public. Lots of everything, silver jewelry, soaps, paintings, clothing, hats, and wind chimes. There is something for everyone’s taste. Wait till you see what I purchased!

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The combination of sugary treats make the Street Fair totally worth it! You must try a deep fried milky way or a red velvet oreo’s when you get a chance, and if the likes of fried candy  don’t excite you, the fair favorites like cotton candy, funnel cakes and candy apples are always a win.

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2016 Azalea Festival Street Fair

The local restaurants and business along the Street Fair path are busy, but well prepared for the anticipated large crowds. Below is local favorite, Front Street Brewery.

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Street vendors line their tents up and down the streets hoping to grab passerby’s attention. The folks seem to come prepared with patience and don’t seem to mind the long lines. Thankfully, the city blocks off the roads from car traffic, making the Street Fair pedestrian friendly.

tent 2

 

Here is a photo of the wind chime I purchased from a cute couple named Barb and Ron from Columbia, SC., who make chimes out of their garage from wine bottles. I love this chime, what do you think, stunning huh? 

 

Wind chime

From the Street Fair location along the Cape Fear River many get to see the historic Battleship. Oh, so here is a photo of the impressive USS North Carolina Battleship as it sits parked in its home, directly across from downtown in full view of Water Street.

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The USS North Carolina Battleship welcomes visitors daily to come see what lies within her quiet, majestic, but stately steel walls, filled with history. The Ship is a beautiful part of the downtown Wilmington landscape. If you have time or you’re interested, check out the details above or better yet, come see it for yourself.

Okay, finally I get to the 7 Reasons To Love Street Fairs… Are you still with me?

                                    7 Reasons To Love Street Fairs

  1. You can lollygag around in the streets with no traffic worry.
  2. Carnival rides and parades are always happening.
  3. The amazing food trucks; Guilt free zone for junk food.
  4. Meeting new artists and discovering new products they’re selling at their booth.
  5. Street talent, individual and group performances.
  6. Be outside in the fresh air and sunshine:).
  7. Spending time with friends and people you know, but haven’t seen in a while.

Street fairs are a fun add-on to other events, or can simply be the main event. Either way, it’s a great way to spend some free time when you get the chance..

Making my way around the convoy of venues, I was pleasantly surprised when I bumped into a friend helping out another friend at a tent event. A smiling face emerges… Jesse Munto (You might occasionally read some of her thoughts on my blog comment section).

Donna and Jesse2

That’s my list of 7 Reasons To Love Street Fairs, hopefully one of them resonates with you. What do you love about Street Fairs? What fun did I forget to mention that you experienced at a Street Fair?

Never give up your sense of wonder, there’s too many places to wander. When is the last time you set out to wander? 

Not all who wander are lost

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Happy trails
Donna George
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6 Ways To Boost A Summery Front Door Entry

 

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Rumor has it the front door entry is the soul of the home. Now that spring has sprung and Summer is on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to rejuvenate  your outdoor entryway with a fresh makeover. The front porch of your home is the first chance to welcome your guests and make a lasting impression.

You don’t need to spend a ton of money to freshen things up. Just use your imagination, a little creativity and elbow grease. No matter what type of decorating ideas you envision, it can be yours.

6 Ways to Freshen Your Front Door Entryway

  1. Think about what inspires you, relaxes you or simply gives you pleasure. Then begin to organize and gather like-items that will tie together a theme to tell a story.
  2. Start with a clean slate. Clean everything! Sweep all the surfaces, scrub away all the pollen and finally… Spruce up and shine the window panes.
  3. Consider the style of your house before choosing an entryway idea. Will it complement your home and add interest or become a distraction?
  4. Give your front door a fresh coat of paint in a fun, seasonal color. Pick a color that enhances your theme and provides an attractive contrast to the house.
  5. Hang a new wreath on the door that showcases the details of your new theme. Wreaths are core decorating pieces that tie your idea together so make it count. Try a DIY wreath, (photo of my beachy wreath below, it’s my first) – how did I do? It was inexpensive, under $30.00 and fun to make.
  6. Purchase a cheerful doormat for your porch that adds to your new theme.

 

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For my wreath I used a twig wreath, burlap ribbon, and chose some favorites from my shell collection With a little help from a glue gun, a small wall plaque and a couple feet, the assembling was easy.

If you need more front porch ideas, try looking here, there are ideas galore. Grab one and try it, but send me a photo.

Are you a beach enthusiast, enjoy coastal photography click here or sign up and join me…

 

Happy trails
Donna George

Big Brands + Local Boutiques Unite With A Fashion Show, To Raise Awareness For Children’s Program.

 

Big brands + local boutiques unite with a fashion show to benefit children’s program.  The Cape Fear Volunteer Center sponsored the 2nd annual Heart of the Matter fashion show to raise awareness levels and money for the Big Buddy Program, which supports 325  at children in the local Wilmington NC community.

The event brought together a talented model cast that walked the runway flawlessly and worked diligently to make this event successful.

Model Cast Partners
Karlie Moss
Viviana Urena
Flavia DeSousa
Kelli Derengowski
Miriam Urena
Jennifer Basker
Jordon Roghelia
Dana Hurt
Kelsey Sanders
Alexandria Seabrook
Katie Diggs
Shaneikwa Jones
Rebecca Bell
Angeli`a Fonville
Jesse Holman
Alex Pugh
Jonathan Ward
Sarah Dorsey
Jeremiah Conway
Lindsey Carrier
Vernell Dyson
Dianna Dames
Elissa Riley
Skylar Davis
Matt Saul
Kathi Montgomery
Kenzie Hansley
Haila Moss
Luis Romero

Highlights from the show…

Event Photographers
Mark Steelman
Byrds View Photography and Videography
Bruce AlleyCat Evans
Christopher Newkirk 

 

Event Hair & Makeup
Bangz Hair Salon & Spa


Margaret Parr, Primary
Brittany Carter
Pamela Anderson
Yoshie Brown
Shania Ward

 

Event Leadership
Annie Anthony, Directot CFVC
Faith Priore, Event Intern CFVC
Donna George, Stylist

Don Jewel, Event DJ
Ashlea Kosikowski, Host

Collaboration / Mentions
Shinita Williams, Planning
Mark Steelman, Planning
Backstage Direction, Alison Sessoms

Entertainment
Beach & Boots Dancers
Song, Jeremiah Conway

Retailers
Aqua Fedora
Belk
Camille’s
Charlotte Russe
Coastal Gypsy
Gap
Island Passage
Old Navy
Tusc 


Special thanks to over 30 Volunteers! You were wonderful.

The Heart of the Matter show was a successful, fun fashion show. Thanks to all who participated, purchased tickets and attended the event. Congrats! United we can make a difference.

Thanks for your help.

Happy trails
Donna George

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Have You Seen This Beachy Nap Trend?

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Have you seen this Nap Trend?

Can you think of a better place to nap? It started with one lady and a dog. Yesterday there were twelve under the pier. Hmm.

I don’t nap, but if I did I join do it here, seaside. 🐋

Happy Trails