J.M.J.

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Hello! And how are you today?

I’m glad to talk with you, I say!

I’ve a story to tell to you…

Something fun that you never knew!

Murphy-Girl…She’s my poochie Friend!

We play and play till day does end.

We jump and run…play hide ‘n seek…

It’s hard to hide ’cause Murph will peek!

Murph is a sweet and loving pooch,

But she sure gives a sloppy smooch!

We run and race and race and run;

We always have such great, grand fun!

I think, though, that ’cause Murph’s so fast,

Is why I always come in last!

But there’s a secret I will tell…

If you promise to keep it well.

You better hold on to your seat…

Murphy-Girl has very…big…feet!

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not so bad.

Big feet can sometimes make you glad!

I wish I had much bigger feet.

Then I could run so fast…so sweet!

Our Murphy-Girl sure covers ground,

Much faster than others around.

Murphy is black from head to toe.

Not one white spot is there to show!

If it is daytime when we race,

At least, then, I can see her face!

‘Cause when we try to race at night,

It’s way too hard!  She’s gone from sight!

But that’s ok, because she’s fun,

And never wants to hurt someone.

Murphy always watches my back.

On this, she’s never known to slack!

She smiles at me! Yes! She does!

And why she does this is because

She is my Friend, and I’m her Friend,

And we hope that does never end!

Can’t talk more now…we have to go.

Murphy and I, we both well know

That it’s not long we’ve time to play.

Our work is done, so not much day

Is left for us to race and run

And wrestle-play and have some fun!

We hope that you can do this, too.

Go have some fun with things you do

That you enjoy, when work is done.

And stressful things?  We hope there’s none!

Maybe you’ve time to read out loud

To someone fun…maybe a crowd?

You know I’m glad we talked today!

                                      God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #23)

J.M.J.

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I love to lay down on the ground,

And look at the sky…all around!

It’s hard to think you look so high…

To watch trees sway as breeze blows by.

The sky by day can be so blue!

And it can also be gray, too.

  

But when we’re blessed to have blue sky,

It seems like Heaven to our eye!

  

We think, as we, at these things look,

What St. Pat taught from the Good Book,

 “God made the two great lights,

the greater one to govern the day,

 and the lesser one to govern the night;

                                                      and He made the stars.”     (Genesis 1: 16)

The sky at night, though, has no sun…

Or bright daytime…no blue sky fun.

But looking at the sky at night

Can be a pretty awesome sight!

And if, by chance,  you see a star,

You’re seeing something very far!

Sparkling, glistening, twinkling bright!

Making such a beautiful sight!

And if, by chance, you see our Moon,

It might just look like a balloon

That’s round and bright with silver shine,

And light all ’round, so clear and fine!

Clouds can hide the moon quite well,

And then its shape is hard to tell,

Or hard to see it anywhere!

Its circle shape could be half there,

Or even less…a sliver shines

Which gives to night time diff’rent signs

Up in the sky when we can stare…

Enjoying, often, brightness there!

But I am getting tired now

And very soon I’ll know just how

To close my eyes and lay my head

On my soft pillow…on my bed!

I’ll say good night to you and all

The Friends of Me who is so small!

I hope you’ve read out loud today.

                                      God bless you now and ev’ry day!  (See Footnote #22)

  J.M.J.

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Oh my, the rain came down today!

God bless us is what I do say!

No matter where we tried to run,

The rain came down on everyone!

It does feel nice upon my face…

Rain brings a cooler, fresher space.

Sometimes, though, you look for a place

To find shelter not near home base.

Sometimes I see a leaf-y “glade”

For shelter…nice! And by God, made!

  

Sometimes the leaves upon a tree

Grow out the side…a canopy…

A leprechaun can fit right there,

And find a nice and dry “somewhere!”

Sometimes the leaves are in a bunch

That serves as cover in a crunch!

Sometimes the leaves are sparse and few

But still can help with cover, too!

The leaves can cover just enough,

So the wetness is not too tough.

But if some leaves can not be seen,

My sight will check the nearby scene,

To see if a tree might just be

A shelter in some way I see.

Sometimes the bark will form just right,

And leave  a hole that’s clear to sight.

If I see that, I jump right through

Into the tree, and watch the view.

And sometimes one leaf’s all we need…

Could be from flower, tree, or weed.

As long as it is big enough

To cover heads when rain gets rough.

I, Finney think a maple tree

Has the big leaf I need for me.

An oak leaf for me Mum is good

It has the leaf we hoped it would.

  

The leaves work well to keep us dry,

No matter if you’re girl or guy!

They cover well and help us stay

Well groomed…in the leprechaun way!

  

Then comes the time the rain has stopped.

The heavenly waters have all dropped.

But then we’re still and look around,

To see the rainfall on the ground.

And then our eyes feel such delight,

As God’s clear raindrops are in sight.

They sparkle here, and glisten there…

Their lustrous shine is everywhere!

Each drop is in its special place.

No doubt it’s there by special Grace!

The Hand of God allowed a scene

So lovely on our fields of green!

The green leaves are adorned with “jewels”,

  

In this grand land where shamrock rules!

  

The branches carry tears so clear.

In Éire*…Ireland so dear…

  

The grasses hold so tenderly

Heaven’s water, called rain,  you see.

  

Plants and flowers, the rain does kiss…

The Master “Drop Placer”…no miss!

  

So, how could it be to complain,

When we know this beautiful rain

Brings us sights of brilliance, so grand,

For everyone, in all this land.

If precious is a drop of rain,

It seems to be so very plain

That all who He made specially

Have Grace and help amazingly,

Because the Bible makes the call…

God’s Image and Likeness…are all!

If God, for raindrops, takes such care,

Imagine how, for all, He’s there

Every second of every day

To give all His Love, is His way.

I’ve talked enough…this I do know.

But it was fun…raindrops to show!

I’m very glad we talked today.

                                      God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #21)

 

J.M.J.

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Just to be sure you did not miss

Seein’ grand dancin’, just like this…

 http://m.godvine.com/irish-dance-flash-mob-at-the-airport-fb-gv-6915.html *

Jumpin’ here and steppin’ there…

Twirling, tapping everywhere!

In Ireland, we sure love to dance!

We dance and dance at every chance!

Me Mum is one of those who do

The dancin’…in gray skies or blue!

If there’s a dance she doesn’t lose

Her chance…she wears her dancin’ shoes!

It’s all the time and ev’ry day,

‘Cause dancin’ always is her way!

Mum loves especially the jig,

Even though she’s not so big!

‘Tis so grand to see her high step!

And she dances with all her pep,

…known as one of the high kickers,

She’s proud of her grand, green knickers!

And, oh, she really loves to dance

With me, her Finney…every chance!

Me Mum and I have dancin’ fun.

We love to dance ‘fore day is done!

We jump and jig and twirl around…

The air is full of “dancin’ sound!”

Sometimes we dance and jump sooo high,

That me Mum’s grand braids…up they fly!

So when you hear the music play,

In a grand, fun toe-tapping way,

Just step right out on that dance floor

And dance and dance and dance some more!

If someone wants to dance with you,

‘Tis more the fun when there are two!

But truth be told, there is no need,

For only one is fine, indeed!

Just tap and twirl and dance around!

There’s such great joy that can be found!

I’m glad that we could talk today.

                                      God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #20)

J.M.J.

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I promised Irish namin’ fun!

Let’s hope its fun for everyone.

We’ll speak of the O’Keley Clan,

                             And be so smart with óg and sean.  (See Post #18)

We know that sounds like ohhg and shan…

Means young and old in our grand Clan!

You know I’m Finnegan Liam.

Me Dad is Finnegan Liam.

He’s Sean Finney…I’m Finney Óg.

Yes!  Shan fin-nee and fin-nee ohhg!

Let’s start with Uncle Mikey-O

Who really is a fine fellow!

Aonghus Micheál is his name…

Mikey-O!  Yes! One and the same!

And eng-hiss mee-hall ‘s how it sounds.

Pronunciation knows no bounds!

His first name has meaning two-part…

“Aon” is first…gives us a start.

Sounds like ay-in…means excellent.

Then comes “gus”, “strength and vigor”, meant.

Now, Micheál means…”Who is like God?”∗∗

Finding meanings isn’t so hard!

And ’cause he’s Dad, he’s Sean Aonghus.

Of course, that sounds like shan eng-hiss!

Next is Pronshi…who’s Sean Pronshi.

Sounds like Pron-shee and Shan Pron-shee.

Proinsias Eoghan’s his real name!

Pron-she-iss Oh-in sounds the same!

It is spelled in the Irish way…

Means Francis Owen, as you say!

Daíthí Fergus is the next one.

Say dah-hee fer-guss…Dad — not son.

So folks do call him Sean Daíthí.

We know that sounds like shan dah-hee!

In Irish, David is Daíthí.

For any guy, fine name ‘twould be!

Next is the last one for today!

And she’s me Mum so I will say,

Her name’s grand in a holy way…

And I’ll tell you why, if I may!

The Mum of Mary, Queen of Heav’n,

Is the same name me Mum was giv’n.

Áine‘s the name of which I speak,

On-ya‘s the sound…to you…unique,

For you might want to say it ayne …

Just like the sound of the state, Maine!

But on-ya is its Irish sound.

And love for this name does abound.

Mum’s middle name is spelled Róisín…

A lovely name…sounds like row-sheen.

In English you have Rosaleen,

Little Rose is what it does mean!

Áine Róisín‘s her great, grand name…

Named for her Mum whose name’s the same!

The names we’ve said are, hopefully,

Names God meant for my Family.

  

The O’Keley Clan is so blessed

That all these names we have possessed.

For these grand names we feel grateful…

Of gratitude we are so full!

Our Ireland is such the land

Where all folks’ names should be quite grand!

With all her lovely fields of green,

Our Ireland’s a lovely scene.

We Leprechauns love this Old Sod,

And know all thanks go right to God.

St. Patrick taught this very well…

Of God’s great power, he did tell.

We listened well when St. Pat taught

That all good deeds are ne’er for naught.

He taught of God’s great Love for all…

No matter whether short or tall.

I, Finney, then, would like to say,

“Choose your names in a joyful way.

Think of the Saints and holy things,

And then just watch how your heart sings

When the name meant for you to choose

Comes to your mind, as you do muse!”

I am so glad we talked today

About some things St. Pat did say…

About fine names and Ireland,

And how folks’ names should all be grand!

Thank you, my Friends, I’m on my way!

                                      God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #19)

J.M.J.

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Today, of names, I’d like to speak.

The “why” of names can be unique!

Our Irish names are loved so well.

About these names is what I’ll tell!

We call it “namin’s” when we find

The name that seems just the right kind

To name a life given to us,

And, oh my, we make such a fuss!

The gift of life from God, we know,

Is how this greatest Love does show.

A little babe, so new and grand,

Can bring such joy to all the land!

In Leprechaun life, “namin’s” are

Sacred and reverent, and by far

Of great importance to us, each.

Our names, ’tis true, have much to teach!

Our names, they tell of whom we’re from.

They tell of love from whom we come.

Our God, Creator of all things…

Our name is like a song He sings!

We hope our name’s a sacred name,

After a Saint…to be the same.

First and middles, somewhere there;

‘twould be so nice…Saint’s name to share.

For last names, different reasons make

Us have a name that’s hard to shake!

Sometimes they tell of where we live.

Sometimes they tell of work we give.

Sometimes they tell of gifts we share,

Sometimes they tell our color hair!

Mulrennan, O’Clery and Ward,

Or Tracey from a war-like lord!

Roohan, McGowan…it could be…

Also Oakley, like the Oak tree!

Someone I know…Red Beard by name…

You can guess from where his name came!

Of course, of course, ’twas his red beard.

He isn’t one, though, to be feared!

He’s pleasant and of manner fine.

Red Beard…he helps you when you dine!*

A name brand new?  It needn’t be.

So often, names of Family!

From Family, my Name, you see,

Is why ’twas chosen just for me!

So…I am Finney, after Dad,

Who’s Finney, too, but that’s not sad!

I love me Name that tells me Clan…

O’Keley Clan…I’m Fin-ne-gan!

Yup! I’m Finnegan! That is Me!

Finnegan Liam O’Keley!

Same as me Dad’s, but he is old,

And I am young, the truth be told.

  

In Irish, though, we have a way,

For Dad and Son, diff’rent to say…

Me Dad, before his name, has “sean”,

But this “sean” sounds like the word “clan”.

“Sean” Finnegan is me Dad’s name,

While mine is something not the same…

I’m Finnegan “Óg” ’cause I’m Son,

“Young” Finnegan…and now I’m done.

I am so tired from these words.

It’s easier to speak of birds!

It can be hard, our Irish speech,

For places, names, and words to teach.*

But now you know there’s “óg” and “sean”,

The young and old in our fine Clan!

I’m Finney Óg…Dad’s Sean Finney,

From the great, grand Clan O’Keley!

  

If you feel like you’re all confused,

Please just try to feel amused,

‘Cause we have only just begun,

To have some Irish namin’ fun!

We have Pronshi, Áine, Brian…

Sounds like pron-shee, on-ya, bree-un…

Also Aonghus, Miheál, Dáithí…

Sounds like eng-hiss, mee-hall, dah-hee.

Then there’s Liam, Eoghan, Eochaidh,

Sounds like lee-um, oh-in, oh-kh-ee.

Róisín, Fergus…all O’Keley…

Said Row-sheen, fer-guss, oh-kell-ee!

So, pretty soon I’ll tell you more,

But just right now I need to snore!

I’m sleepy and just have to head

Right to my very comfy bed!

When I write next, more “namin’s ” will

Be what I speak of, I will fill

Your minds with Irish names so fine,

From a grand Family!  Yes!  Mine!

Can’t wait to speak of this again!

Namin’s fun…for women and men!

But now, on this, so great a day,

                                    God bless you is what I do say! (*See Footnote #18)

J.M.J.

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I, Finney, just have news today.

Tomorrow, though, I have to say

Will be the day I write to you

About some story…all brand new!

My news that I tell you today…

It’s nothing bad I have to say.

I just am changing days I write.

That’s all…nothing to cause a fright!

I usually write two times a week.

And all those times I try to seek

To tell you things that are so fun…

That are nice to share with someone.

              

To write to you, of course, I’ll still,

But diff’rent days are when I will.

Tuesdays and Fridays are new days

For writing…I won’t change those ways!

Just diff’rent days than were before,

To write of life, hist’ry and lore!

     

     

           

  

  

You are my Friends and I thank you

For coming here to see what’s new…

Please know that Tuesday…Friday, too,

Are now the days that I will do

What needs be done to “talk” to you!

I hope you check tomorrow morn

To see what new idea was born

Inside my mind and heart for you,

The great, grand folks that I know who

Will think of me, many a day,

God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #17)

J.M.J.

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I’d like to talk to you today

About me Family and the way

They care for me and show me well

I matter to them, and they tell

Me all the time how nice our days,

Together, are, in many ways!

I tell them, too, how much they mean

To me and how our fields of green

Are so much more a home to me

Because they’re always there to see!

Me Family is where I come from.

God gave me to me Dad and Mum.

We’re part of the O’Keley Clan…

The name for each woman and man.

I’ve cousins, aunts, and uncles, too.

I love to see them!  Yes, I do!

We sometimes talk and sometimes play,

But we get our work done each day.

Me Dad and Mum take care of me.

They always try to help me see

What’s good to do…the way to be.

We share the hard times and the good…

By caring as a Family should.

And when I’m happy or I’m sad…

The happy’s great…sad’s not too bad,

Because we help each other out…

In happy times, we dance and shout!

Sometimes we play up in the trees,

And hide where we think no one sees

Sometimes we do play hide ‘n seek.

Whoever’s “It” just must not peek!

So now I’m off to sing and play.

My work is all done for today.

I hope it is the same for you,

And that your skies are very blue!

Please read out loud so you can feel

Some extra joy that’s very real…

That comes from speaking with some fun

When reading to or with someone.

But even when you’re on your own…

It makes it seem you’re not alone!

I am so glad we talked today.

                                    God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #16)

J.M.J.

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Mr. Robin, he came and went.

I don’t know how his time was spent.

He would be here and then was not.

He just did not stay in one spot!

But he did watch and try to see

When someone was so close…like me!

He looked left, and then to the right,

     

Was always checking with his sight.

The Mrs. , too, first left, then right…

     

Always checking with her keen sight.

Then the Mrs. would fly away.

She left at different times each day.

I always watched the nest for her.

No reason that there’d be a stir…

Oh!  Wait!  What’s that?  Something did move!

But…’twas nothing I could prove.

But…wait!  I see it!  I do see!

But…I don’t know what it could be!

And then I saw a fuzzy head!

It popped up from its nest-y bed!

A little Bird!  A little Bird!

And then a small wee sound I heard!

It was a cheep!…Another cheep!

And then another head did peep.

And then another…then one more!

Oh my goodness!  There must be four!

Oh! I’m so tired!  I must sleep.

But all I hear is cheep, cheep, cheep!

Four little birds!  They’re all brand new!

All from God’s Hand, like me and you!

    

I hope I hear you read out loud!

You know that I would be so proud!

I’m glad that we could read today.

                                     God bless you is what I do say!  (See Footnote #15)

J.M.J.

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The holy Faith, St. Pat taught well.

His work was Jesus’ life to tell.

To help us know the truths of God,

So that to learn would not be hard,

The things to know that we have need,

From the Apostles in our Creed,

St. Patrick gave his life to teach,

And help us, for Heaven, to reach.

St. Pat was given special Grace

To help those of the human race,

To understand the Things of God,

Especially on Ireland’s sod.

We, wee folk, listened very well

To all that St. Pat tried to tell.

He told about the Great Story…

How Jesus revealed His Glory.

After He had died on the Cross,

He rose again, by Divine Force.

For forty days He stayed on Earth.

All these were reasons for his Birth.

He came from Heaven to be born

…Why we rejoice on Christmas morn.

He lived with us to teach us how

To know what we need do right now!

For all, He suffered and He died.

And through it all, stayed by our side.

But then time came after He rose

from death to life, free from all woes,

to take His Place in Heaven’s Realm,

With God the Father… at the Helm.

Seated with Him at His Right Hand,

Jesus our King, rules every land.

All peoples, languages, nations…

Should all serve Him from their stations.

His Kingdom will not pass away.

St. Pat taught this back in his day.

We, wee folk…we did hear it all,

And speak of it though we are small.

I am so glad we shared this day

Of Jesus and the Holy Way.

Of His Ascension, we shall speak,

To all on Earth, both great and meek…

That St. Pat said that in plain sight,

Jesus was lifted to a height

and then a cloud hid Him from sight…

The Son of God…the God of might.

So, now we know God used a cloud,

And you know I will be so proud

If you are reading this out loud…

Just by yourself or in a crowd!

So, on this fine, grand day of May,

                                   God bless you is what I do say! (See Footnote #14)