If you hear this greeting today: "The Top of the Morning To You!"

The response is..."And the Rest of the Day to Yourself!"

St. Patrick's Day trivia:

• Did you know that Patrick's birth name was Maewyn Succat

• The first St. Patrick's Day parade was held in New York's Manhattan in 1762 when a group of Irish soldiers in the British army gathered and paraded down Broadway to celebrate the day.

• “Erin go bragh” means "Ireland forever!"

• The St. Patrick's day celebration in Chicago includes dumping a secret "dye" into the Chicago River turning a portion green.

Saturday Morning Trivia: Shakespeare and Sherlock

Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes

A few friends and I decided to start a book club to alternate between reading Shakespeare and Church documents. We just started, and our first selection is Henry V. For those not versed in Shakespeare, the play revolves around the main battle of the 100 year war between England and France, the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.  Henry, who lived a loose and lascivious life before mounting the throne, casts off his former self to become a serious monarch, one who intends to claim what he considers his right to French lands.

Last night (in the wee hours when I couldn't sleep), I read Act III which finds Henry and his retinue on the French coast laying siege to the city of Harfleur. This is the source of the famous speech that begins, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more." As I read Henry's exhortation to his troops I stopped short at the end when I read, "The game's afoot."