Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” (John 13:36 NIV) This passage comes from The Last Supper, and seeing that this is Holy Week, it seems fitting. And it makes me think today of the Celtic pilgrims who set out…
Author: Cindy Thomson
Irish Lace
Did you know that lace window curtains were a sign of prosperity among Irish immigrants? Even on the frontier where houses were rough hewn dwellings a woman hung lace curtains in the window if she was able. In Ireland you’ll see windows covered in lace curtains. I can’t think of anything more homey and welcoming….
The Irish Harp
The harp is one of the symbols of Ireland. You’ll find it on Irish euros, the Guinness logo, and many more places. The harp has been a beloved instrument since Old Testament days and maybe since the beginning of time. Angels play harps, right? In my book, Celtic Song, I talk about the legend of…
Thoughts on St. Patrick’s Day
A few things I’ve been thinking about…. St. Patrick is in the same category as St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, real people who have been reduced to cartoon-like effigies in order to celebrate a secular holiday. And to a history buff, that’s a bit annoying. However, who among us would even have heard of these…
5 Things You May Not Know About St. Patrick’s Day
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!Here’s my list of things you might not know (and you just might because I have such smart blog readers!) 1. Ireland’s traditional color is blue, not green. Shocking, isn’t it? Well, I suppose that depends on how far you want to go back. I’m thinking there wasn’t an official color when…
On the Genealogy Trail
*an updated post I have long known that the Thomsons were quite the characters (and I married into the family so I should know!) But seriously many years ago my husband’s grandfather shared some genealogical information he had received from another family member. He was quite proud to say that the Thomsons were related to…
One Grave Not Forgotten
This is an older story, but one I wanted to share about a genealogy trip my husband and I took. While I don’t know the name of the man from history involved (update: I do. His name was William Patterson), he was someone who was a major contributor to a Presbyterian church where many of…
Happy St. David’s Day
St. David is the Patron Saint of Wales. He was a 6th century founder of numerous religious communities and is the only native Welsh saint from that golden age of Celtic monasticism. He ran a strict order that some might even call strict but that I believe he probably considered basic and simple. He is…
Yes, YOU Can Celebrate Imbolc
Imbolc, the ancient Celtic festival of light, marks the halfway point between the Celtic festivals of the dark and light halves of the year (Samhain and Beltane.) Spring is coming! In Ireland and the UK the appearance of the snowdrops is a sign. Because Imbolc is a pre-Christian, ancient Celtic observance, the festival has been…
Happy St. Brigid’s Day!
February 1, St. Brigid’s Day, Imbolc in the Celtic calendar, and Ground Hog’s Day (Feb. 2) in the U.S., are associated with the arrival of spring. It certainly feels like spring where I am, although that might not last. Traditionally, school children in Ireland weave a new St. Brigid’s Day cross on this day. The…
