May the luck of the Irish fall upon you this March. If you’re really lucky, you’ll get a chance to experience the St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Dublin, the Irish Capital of Texas. But, finding a St. Patrick’s Day celebration anywhere in the state won’t be difficult at all. Texans love to celebrate. Search our Events Calendar to see what’s going on.
For me, the St. Patrick’s Day celebration begins with this story that I tell to at least one person every year out of respect, and in honor, of a gentle Irish man named Bob Chase of Baytown.
Many, many years ago, I had just started working as a reporter for the Baytown Sun, when this petite ball of energy popped into the newsroom dressed in green from head to toe! He started dancing around like a leprechaun and singing Irish ditties. He even had a bit of a real Irish accent. I was dumbfounded. What was going on? Is this man sane? But everyone was enjoying it and, frankly, I was quite entertained, too.
When he left, I found out that it was a local named Bob Chase. Every year, he goes out to some places and does this just to bring a little joy to people.  I was a new fan.

During the year, I’d see him every once in a while, in his regular attire, usually doing some volunteer effort for his church. But when St. Patrick’s Day rolled around again, there he was with his joyful routine – peppered with Irish blessings. He always ended his 5- to 10-minute performance with a tip of his green hat and one particular Irish blessing that wished us all well.

March came around. A week before St. Patrick’s Day, his wife took the time to let people know that Bob was sick and in the hospital and wouldn’t be coming by this year. But when the day came, in popped Mr. Chase – this time with his wife, helping his frail frame into the room and standing guard as her weak and sickly husband attempted his routine. Despite her efforts, she said he insisted. Sick or not, he would not skip this. His heart was in every move, even if his body – still dressed in green from head to toe – wasn’t. He had our undivided attention and respect. I felt a profound admiration for Mr. Chase and was moved by the genuine beauty of his message from the heart –– even this abbreviated version of his routine.

Before he left, he finished with the same Irish blessing he always left with us.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and, until we meet again,
may God keep you in the palm of His hand.

The next day, I purchased a book of Irish blessings and had everyone sign it for Mr. Chase. His wife called me to say he loved it and it brought him great joy and meant a lot to him. I was glad we could bring him joy when he had given so much to us.

A few days later, he was gone. His wife came in to tell us. I learned that Mr. Chase’s outreach didn’t begin and end with St. Patrick’s Day. Every Sunday, before going to church, himself, he would take his Bible and have fellowship with those in jail.

To this day, I find comfort when I remember Mr. Chase’s friendly voice saying: “… until we meet again, may God keep you in the palm of His hand,” and in the spirit of Mr. Chase, I have honored my vow to share that blessing and carry on the message of joy and fellowship that he felt was so important.

Spent a busy, fun Saturday in Dallas zipping past Reunion Tower, the American Airlines Center, and going to NorthPark Center; the Carter and Kimbell art museums in Fort Worth; and topping it off with college basketball between the Horned Frogs and Brigham Young at TCU’s Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

Haven’t been to NorthPark in ages? Ya gotta go. It made me want to see the new Isla Fisher movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic. Captivating world-class modern art on display here (Warhol, Borofsky, Ad Astra, Oldenberg & van Bruggen, and others), because the upscale mall (Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Cartier, Barneys New York, Giorgio Armani, Apple, Salvatore Ferragamo, De Beers, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and many more deluxe retailers) was built in the ’60s by the late Dallas developer and devoted art collector Raymond Nasher. NorthPark also has a concierge, valet parking, a Prontowash Auto Spa, and host of other distinguished customer services.

Fabulous lunch at the NM Cafe in Neiman Marcus—delicious consomme, wonderfully warm-from-the-oven bakery rolls with a luscious, signature whipped-berry spread, terrific tea, perfect grilled salmon BLT, fresh fruit, and even the chips-on-the-side were impressive, as well as the impeccable service.

The people-watching at the department store, cafe, and throughout the NorthPark Center is documentary film-worthy. Valentine’s Day made it even more so—families, couples of all ages, Park Cities moms having a party for their daughters, balloons, chocolates, red hearts, window displays—all contributing to a love-is-in-the-air vibe.

Two great photography exhibits at the Amon Carter in Fort Worth—Barbara Crane’s Challenging Vision and the next-to-last day of Mary Lucier’s Plains of Sweet Regret.

And (as mentioned previously) an enjoyable evening on campus at TCU for a Mountain West Conference hoops game. Frogs improving. Visiting Cougars bound for NCAA tournament.

Final feast at the popular Czech Stop in West on the way home for sandwiches and kolaches/cookies that hit the spot.

Hope you’ve seen the TV commercials where the residents of Cranfills Gap, Texas, visit Las Vegas. Brilliant marketing, and a hoot to boot! Cranfills Gap and Bosque County are certainly worthy of a visit, too, with their own merits and attractions—a number of which we’ve featured in past issues, most recently December 2008, including the Cranfills Gap annual authentic Norwegian lutefisk dinner. What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happens in Cranfills Gap, Norse, and Clifton is genuine and memorable Norwegian/Texan hospitality and fun.

According to the El Paso Times, Rolling Stone, and What’s Up, the popular New York City art/punk/rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs (with charismatic lead singer Karen Orzolek) have recorded their latest CD at Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, Texas, just southeast of El Paso. A state-of-the-art facility, with both modern and vintage equipment, the 5-studio complex resides within an historic 1,700-acre pecan orchard/residential ranch by the Rio Grande that includes a beautiful Spanish hacienda. This lovely Southwestern retreat is gaining favor with, and word-of-mouth buzz from, many musicians, bands, and media, and developing a growing international reputation. For more information, see www.sonicranch.com.

Valentine’s Day
Is on its way
And thus here goes
This poem

It’s silly, I’m aware,
But I’d love for you to share
Those romantic Texas spots
if you know ‘em.

Where, in Texas, would you find the most romantic setting for the perfect “I love you”? Remember, our diversity is what makes us special, so non-traditional settings are welcome, too!

The nearest groundhog may live hundreds of miles away, but I have my own tradition when it comes to predicting the end of winter. Every year around the first of February, I try to make a trip from Austin to South Texas and scope out signs of spring—especially wildflowers—along the way. It may seem early, but I’ve seen Indian paintbrush near my mother’s home between Edna and Victoria in late January.I followed the same routine this past weekend, and I have to say the initial results were disappointing. Thanks to the pervasive drought, the roadsides were mostly brown and dusty, even at my favorite wildflower-viewing spot—the intersection of US 183 and Texas 111, near Hochheim. At the height of the season, this multilevel vista is often covered with bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and more, including a long-stemmed variety of winecups.But I continued watching, and sure enough, I noticed that some of the scrub brush along Texas 111 was beginning to leaf out. Driving through Yoakum, I saw another telltale sign—mounds of fresh earth in a couple of backyards, signaling the start of spring gardens. And on my way back, when I stopped in Luling to walk my dog, I came across a patch of dandelions and henbit. Okay, those plants are considered weeds and flower all year long, but they’re wildflowers, nonetheless.These hopeful signs remind me that despite the drought, despite the recession, spring will come. I’ll be watching.