If I were tasked to write a one-sentence history of Dad's side of the family, it would be: "Guido and Mary loved each other very much." Accordingly, I take a syncretic approach to culture, I like to draw on all of the traditions of my ancestry to create a blended American, particularly Northeastern, set of practices.
On the liturgical calendar, today is the Feast of St Joseph, which is a big deal in Italy, celebrated by the consumption of zeppole or sfingi, which in their fanciest form are akin to French crullers stuffed with custard or cannoli cream. They aren't exactly the sort of thing which should be consumed on a regular basis, but are a rich, decadent treat to be enjoyed in the middle of the austere Lenten season, much as the traditional Irish boiling-bacon-and-cabbage, and its American successor, corned-beef-and-cabbage, are Carnivale-style indulgences in the middle of Lent.
On the social calendar, today is the Yonkers St Patrick's Day parade, which returns after a two-year hiatus resulting from the pandemic. I suspect it will be a triumphant return, though the weather is supposed to be inclement, because people generally want a return to some semblance of a normal social life.
In my syncretic fashion, I plan on celebrating both of these feast days, meeting up with friends for some socializing and maybe a bit of parade spectating... there are plenty of pubs in the neighborhood in which to duck to get out of the predicted rain, though getting rained on is a particularly Irish tradition, which in the US diaspora community is typically celebrated in the Pacific Northwest.
I should be easy to spot, I'll be the guy who can alternate between Marina and Roddy McCorley. Wait a minute, this is Yonkers, so half of the parade attendees will be able to do this...
As an addendum, I have an ace up my sleeve... my very English coworker asked me if I needed him to work a double, covering my upcoming midnight shift so I can get loaded. I told him that I figured on bending an elbow for a couple of hours this afternoon, so he should expect me. He responded, "I'll consider covering for you."
Now. THAT is a definite yes.
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