We never know exactly who might show up at our house on Friday evening. For as many years as we’ve been in this house – going on for fourteen now – we’ve given an open invitation to friends and neighbors to drop by from five to seven. Sometimes a ‘regular’ brings a guest, but for the most part, we know everyone who comes. It’s the mix of people that is unpredictable and, of course that’s what makes our Friday Nights interesting.
Last night, besides us, there were only four people who arrived, all of whom have been here before. The first to arrive was Bill Grennan in full Scottish regalia and he looked absolutely spectacular right down to the tips of his ghillie brogues. He had told us a few weeks ago that the next time he arrived, he’d be wearing a kilt and he was true to his word.
His wife, Sue, always describes him as “Irish as Paddy’s Pig” and so I questioned him about the kilt. “No, it’s Scottish but this particular tartan is worn in both Scotland and Ireland,” he said. In Ireland, it is the County Kilkenny tartan and it’s the place of his roots. At least I think that’s what he said. I was too busy admiring and ooohing and aaahing and wondering if he also plays the pipes. (Alas, no!)
On their way to a family wedding in Ireland last year, Bill and Sue went up to Scotland for a few days, visited Edinburgh, and one thing led to another. The kilt was ordered in a specialty shop, tailor-made, and posted to him later. I didn’t think to ask if all the accoutrements – the belt, the jacket, the kilt pin, the sgian dubh, the sporran, the knee socks and ghillie brogues – were also sent or if he took them along with him.
He did say that he was warned to pack the sgian dubh (Gaelic for “black knife,” the small, sheathed knife worn in the top of the hose) in his checked luggage or it would be confiscated at the airport. And when asked, he told me that the purse or pouch-like sporran was good for holding his driver’s license.
I did think about asking the traditional question concerning the garment (or lack thereof) beneath the kilt, but I restrained myself. Actually, we had had that discussion before and, as I remember he gave a suitably vague answer. The discussion then went on to the delightful Irish drinking song, “Under the Scotsman’s Kilt,” many versions of which can be heard on YouTube. Of them all, I think that this one is my very favorite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmkD_mlm_cY,
Whether or not our Irish friend Bill ever gets that blue ribbon, he certainly earned first prize for Friday Night Sartorial Splendor in Oysterville!
Just wanted you to know that Irish drinking song was absolutely hilarious! I truly appreciate the variety of your blogs…thought-provoking, yet with a healthy sprinkle of humor. Thank you~