May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
— Irish blessing
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from me and Fiona.
Who’s Fiona? My Shamrock plant, that’s who.
Of course you knew I’d have a Shamrock plant, didn’t you? Don’t all Irish folks have Shamrocks hanging around?
Actually, Fiona’s real name is Oxalis, and she’s a member of the wood sorrel family. Her brothers and sisters come in shades of green, purple, and red; they bloom with tiny white, pink, yellow, or red flowers once or twice a year.
Widely available around St. Patrick’s Day, Oxalis is easy to grow from carrot-shaped roots. A perennial, Oxalis likes a woodsy, shady area with rich, moist soil. It goes dormant during the summer; cut the leaves back and put it in a cool, dark place for two to three months. When you notice fresh shoots emerging, move it to a sunny window and start the cycle anew.
One warning: Shamrock plants are toxic to dogs! Ingesting quantities of any part of the plant can cause a dog to vomit and lead to kidney failure and death. My Sheltie doesn’t even know that Fiona exists because she’s on a really tall shelf, far away from his curiosity!
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
And the Irish blessing right back at you!
Thanks, Suzi — hope you have a wonderful weekend. Wear green on Saturday, okay?!
Happy Irish blessing right back to you and the lovely Fiona! And as my great grandmother always said…
May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead.
Mama was a Murphy–what can I say?
Ah, so many Murphys! What would Ireland (or the U.S.) be without Murphys?! I love that saying, and I hope it comes true — especially the last line!
Believe it or not…I’m part Irish. My great great great Grandmother was Irish. My maiden name just happen to be Mckelvin on top of that so….Thanks.
The blessings of the Irish!
Of course I’d believe you’re part Irish! Our country is a real melting pot — that’s one of our strengths. Wear some green on Saturday and have a happy weekend!
Happy St Paddy’s to you too!
Hope you had a great one, Lynne!
Happy St. Pat’s to you too!
Thanks, Dawn. Did you dress Katie in green bows?!
I like to joke around that my family liked everyone – we’re a mix of Dutch, Scottish, Irish and even Cherokee Indian.
Fiona is beautiful. I had no idea Shamrock plants were poisonous for dogs…probably wouldn’t be good for cats, either.
I think Shamrock plants can cause renal problems for cats — probably best to keep them away from one another (that’s easier with a dog because he doesn’t climb, haha!)
Top of the morning! It’s St. Paddy’s day at last! May you and Fiona have a true green celebration befittin’ a lass as pretty as you, and a plant as precious as Fiona (love that name!)! This is the time of year that I miss living in New York, home of the best St Patrick’s parade around. Guess I’ll just have to console myself by stopping by my local McDonald’s for a Shamrock shake!
Shamrock shake — definitely! Have one for me, too! One thing I’d love to see is the greening of the Chicago River for St. Paddy’s Day. They show it on TV every year, but that’s not the same thing. I can only imagine how big a deal this occasion is in New York!
Debbie, Happy St. Patrick’s Day, lady! And may I say that Fiona is simply lovely? Would you believe it’s the first time I learn about shamrock plants? Thanks to you I’m now all the wiser! She’s a real beauty, little Fiona! 🙂
Thanks, Bella. I had a Shamrock plant several years ago, but I never researched how to take care of it; consequently, it got all leggy and when its leaves and flowers faded away, I thought it was dead and tossed it out. Now I know better — that’s just its annual dormant period. Fiona thanks you for acknowledging her beauty and promises to stay that way if I can provide the proper growing conditions!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Fiona’s a pretty little plant!
Thanks, Terri — hope your St. Pat’s Day was enjoyable, too!
Happy St Paddy’s Day, Debbie. Fiona is lovely!
Thanks, Kathy. Hope your St. Pat’s Day was lovely, too. Fiona is beaming at me (from her high shelf!) at your praise!
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