In general, I have a love/hate relationship with most holidays. There is usually so much build up to them and they end up not being all you imagined. That's why I love St. Patrick's Day. There's no build up, other than picking out which green item of clothing we will be wearing. It's a just a happy holiday, where we where green and eat corned beef and drink Guinness. That's it. In fact, we don't even have to do that. There is really no expectation for St. Patrick's Day. I used to always go to downtown Cleveland to watch the parade, but I haven't done that for about 15 years now....and that's OK! I enjoy baking Irish soda bread for family and friends, but if I don't, no one is upset, as opposed to cookies at Christmas which people expect. If I happened to not wear green (which wouldn't happen, but if it did) most people wouldn't even notice. If we didn't eat corned beef, not a single person in my house would be disappointed. Every year, we build leprechaun traps, but, if we forgot, which we have, no one is heartbroken. There are no presents or treats or baskets or even family gatherings. If we didn't celebrate St. Patrick's Day at all, no one would notice and it wouldn't be a big deal. It's a no stress holiday. Even Memorial Day, Labor Day and the Forth of July have started to have expectations, but St. Patrick's Day can just be any other day if we let it. In my mind, that makes it the perfect holiday. Slainte!