When I saw your name I remembered your charming parade pictures...and wondered if your town celebrated St. Patricks Day too...lol If that shrub has thorns I'll bet on Chaenomeles "Ornamental Quince" which blooms early. It's a welcome bit of color but if you beg a cutting. plant it in a back corner as those thorns are vicious and shrub has to be pruned often as it grows weirdly...at least mine did until I gave it away...OL josh

Tricia, they sell like hot potatoes here, LOL. I think it's just beause it's so easy to top them as you like so everyone finds something they want. You can have just broccoli, or broccoli and cheese or chili or chili and cheese or chili and sour cream or just butter or butter and sour cream, chives if you wish, broccoli and sour cream if that's what you like, well, you get the picture. They just keep steam tables full of toppings and they give you a baked potato, split down the middle, and spoon on your choice of toppings, add a cup of coleslaw, a brownie and you get your own drink. It's fast and easy and everyone just loves it, plus it's a great fundraiser for Commission on Aging. I like broccoli and chili on mine. Odd combination, I know, but I like it. Depending on your region toppings could include a seafood sauce or taco type fillings, whatever is cheap, easy and popular. It's sure a nice break from the pancake breakfasts and spaghetti suppers... Annie

I have some shamrock earrings I bought from Avon years ago, I'll try to wear them hoping my ear doesn't bleed, one ear always seems to give me trouble, guess I don't wear earrings enough. Sorry for the long version of the answer. My eyes are kinda green too.

My mother's side of the family was from Ireland for many generations, and my daughter decided to get married there in 2012. We had heard that it is very common to rain a bit on many days, but not very common to rain for most of the day. Unfortunately, it poured from morning until night, on DD's wedding day! Over here, I've heard many say that a rainy wedding day brings good luck. But after my daughter's small wedding, we went to a nearby Irish pub, for the reception dinner. It was still raining when we entered, and we became aware of people smiling and gesturing at us. An older gentleman proclaimed "Well, now we know why it's rained all day!" At first I was puzzled, but he quickly smiled at us and said "In Ireland the sun is rather stingy, so we say that it rarely shines when it isn't needed. A bride never requires the sun to enhance her beauty." The locals all raised their glasses to us and the evening was filled with the sounds them singing and playing their musical instruments. It was such a lovely night and certainly a nice way to look at rainy wedding days!