Looks like someone got into the wearin’ o’ the green spirit, capisce?
No doubt when you think of March 17th, your thoughts go to that European country that begins with an “I.” You know the one, Italy!
Yes, Italy!
Italy has a rather checkered and bizarre history from a geopolitical standpoint, and there have been several different countries known as “The Kingdom of Italy” over the years. Oddly enough, the two most recent of these both got their start on St. Patrick’s Day! After Napoleon conquered the northeastern section of modern Italy, the diminutive dictator officially declared it the Kingdom of Italy on March 17, 1805. That kingdom dissolved back into the usual mess of smaller preexisting monarchies once Napoleon was sent packing in 1814, only to be officially reunited as the Kingdom of Italy once again on March 17, 1861! That kingdom lasted a bit longer, but didn’t end particularly well….
But at least the trains ran on time…
After hanging the last self-proclaimed Italian ruler, Benito Mussolini, up by the nutsack in the town square (Someone alert ANTIFA!), Italy became a republic in 1946…. on June 2nd. So much for tradition…
And now, here’s another spicy meatball that’ll have you reaching for the Alka Seltzer…. our answers to Melanie’s Share Your World questions for this week!
Green! We like green!
How do you tell if someone has a sense of humor?
Let me get out the tweezers….
Ah yes, this man has a sense of humor! Well, OK, he HAD a sense of humor until we removed it. And he definitely won’t be laughing once the bill comes…
What sort of music do you prefer?
Well, those who read my blog on Mondays probably have a good idea where my musical tastes lie. And that, of course, is all over the place. I’m not a man of culture…. just give me whatever was once popular, and my ears will usually be happy…
Even if The Nest’s DJ thinks my musical taste is like a turd.
Thoughts on gravy or ‘sauce”? Yea or nay?
The gravy that came in those Jennie-O “turkey loafs” was pretty good, if properly burnt. Those things are one of the few reasons I miss not having a proper oven since 2011. Other than that, I eat nothing with gravy…
Tying in with Kingdom of Italy Day!
Would you enjoy a hot air balloon ride?
I have no idea since I’ve never been in a hot air balloon.
I’d ask these people, but they’re way up in the sky like a bunch of idiots!
Probably, if I didn’t look down too much. But I have a terrible tendency to look down over a railing when I’m high off the ground, and that’s never a good idea to stare death in the face like that…
What do you think is widely taken for granted?
That March 17th belongs to the Irish and not the Italians…
Evil Squirrel's Nest 
ha! another great moment from the famous movie ;O) hot air ballon rides are dangerous, the son of my great aunt booked one for her and the ballon landed in a tree and the passengers had to leave the car via salto. the aunt called him a heritage vulture who crowed too soon..
I laughed when the Stand By Me photo came up while I was looking for a train image, and I just had to use it!
Fascinating stuff about March 17. I had no idea about the whole Napoleon/March 17 connection to Italy. You think he might have been a French sort of leprechaun? ☘️
Leprechauns are crazy, but I’m not sure they’re Napoleon crazy!
Aye laddie, thank ye for Sharin Yer World! 🍀🍀🧴 Tis true on St. Paddy’s Day EVERYONE is Irish. I actually AM (by marriage anyway). Nice touch of wearin’ o’ the green in your comic panel too…I bet that dye is a *itch to get out of the nooks and crannies though. 😆 I’ve heard both good and bad accounts of hot air balloon adventures. Personally I think it would be nifty to do once, but they may have labeled me too ‘fragile’ for climbing out of trees and nonsense like that (trust your pilot and no green beer until after they’ve landed the craft!) I loved that turkey loaf…what the heck happened to it?! One day there it was in the freezer section and next day *poof* gone without an explanation. That’s the only type of gravy I ever enjoyed too. I hope someone kisses your shamrocks for you today and that you have a great week!
Now you just made me realize I haven’t seen those turkey loafs at Mecca in a while. I guess I put them out of business when I quit buying them…
I’m sticking with the idea that today belongs to the Irish. Your research is fascinating, though. History is never what it seems to be.
I’ve been including a whimsical “this day in history” with each SYW post this year, and I found that amusing that Italy had been established as a kingdom TWICE on March 17th. So one need not feel guilty if they decide to skip the corned beef and cabbage and have a pizza today instead…
I think the whole point of a hot air balloon ride is to look dooooown, at the ground so very faaarrr belooow…
Oooooh, so pretty! And the ground is getting closer….. and closer…….. and closer……. and cl (THUD!)
Oh, thank goodness that possum broke my fall!
Thank heavens for possums making those landings a little less hard than they would be otherwise. I’ve never had “turkey loaf” but it sounds intriguing….We did have that traditional Irish meal yesterday – the best part was the green beer toast we did before we ate!
Pam
I wonder if they make green turkey loaf…. or even green possum loaf? Mmmmmm, Buster with gravy!
****BURP****
I took a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti in Africa – the experience of a lifetime. When the gas was turned off and you drifted, you could hear the susurration of the animals (gnus and zebras) moving through the high grasses below. We landed to have breakfast – but we had to have guards around the site because of lions!
Sounds like you were safer in the air than on the ground!