When I was in 6th grade I had to give a report on Ireland. I actually chose to do this country because there was a girl in my ward that had just returned from her mission there. She was kind enough to allow me to take her scrapbook. This was handy because I just covered some of her strange pictures and goofy comments with some that made sense for a 6th grade report. I think that this shows that it isn't always what you know that matters.

Anyway, since it is St. Patrick's Day I thought that I would share some conviviality that has helped me enjoy March 17th every year I've been alive.

Green Shamrock Pancakes - I love to add food coloring to different culinary items. There is nothing better than the creation of a pancake shaped like a Shamrock! Ooh, and some green milk really helps those go down.

Darby O'Gill and the Little People - I once heard that if a movie has either monkeys or little people it's a good movie. I would just like to add that Sean Connery singing makes a movie great, too! By the way, thanks to Sean Connery's singing, I have wooed many young maidens.

Green Clothing - A nice green shirt always brightens the day. I know that pink is the new black and that lime green is the new pink, but a clover-colored shirt shows that you don't only have to have beer to celebrate St. Patty.

Corn Beef and Cabbage - This is surely an acquired taste and I find that there are a lot of seasoned adults that crave this stuff. There must be a reason you can't find it in a microwavable meal. The problem is that I kind of like it, so my wife must be right about my age...

Easter Candy - I don't know if you've noticed but there isn't a whole lot of St. Patrick's Day candy. Eating clovers from the Oklahoma ground is actually great, but they are a little sour, so with the help of an over-eager confection industry I have already been thankful for that rabbit that lays those beautiful Cadbury Eggs. It was a happy day when CVS/Pharmacy stocked their shelves with those eggs of goodness.

So, next year involve these 5 items in your St. Patrick's Day celebration and you'll be wishing you were leaning backwards with your feet in the air kissing the Blarney Stone so you can be more persuasive throughout the year!!