Real Good Words on KAXE - Interview with Heidi Holtan

Just did a great interview earlier this week with Heidi Holtan of KAXE Radio's 'Real Good Words' program, about the residency Paddy and I are doing at the Kitchigami Regional Library System this week and next. We're on at the Brainerd Public Library tonight, and have lots more events coming up. Check the full schedule below...

Erin's interview with Heidi Holtan of 'Real Good Words' on KAXE

Here's a link to Heidi's blog as well. She's also on Twitter. If you're interested in books or Minnesota, or Minnesota books, you definitely need to follow her!

February 24, 5 pm
BRAINERD, MN
Brainerd Public Library
416 South 5th Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-829-5574
brainerd@krls.org
5 pm - Author talk with Irish traditional music by Paddy O'Brien
6 pm - Writing and music workshops


February 25, 2 pm
CASS LAKE, MN
Cass Lake Community Library
223 Cedar
Cass Lake, MN 56633
218-335-8865
casslake@krls.org
2 pm - Writing and music workshops
4 pm - Author talk with Irish traditional music by Paddy O'Brien


February 26, 2 pm
BEMIDJI, MN
Bemidji Public Library
509 America Ave NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-751-3963
bemidji@krls.org
2 pm - Writing and music workshops
4 pm - Author talk with Irish traditional music by Paddy O'Brien
5 pm - Mini-concert with Erin and Paddy


February 28, 5 pm
PINE RIVER, MN
Pine River Public Library
212 Park Ave.
Pine River, MN 56474
218-587-4639
pineriver@krls.org
5 pm - Author talk with Irish traditional music by Paddy O'Brien
6 pm - Writing and music workshops, plus mini-concert!


March 1, 11 am
LONGVILLE, MN
Margaret Welch Memorial Library
5051 State Hwy 84
Longville, MN 56655
218-363-2710
longville@krls.org
11 am - Author talk with Irish traditional music by Paddy O'Brien
12 pm - Writing and music workshops following


March 2, 2 pm
BLACKDUCK, MN
Blackduck Community Library
72 First Street SE
Blackduck, MN 56630
218-835-6600
blackduck@krls.org
2 pm - Writing and music workshops
3:30 pm - Author talk with Irish traditional music by Paddy O'Brien

March 3, 1 pm
WALKER, MN
Walker Public Library
207 4th Street
Walker, MN 56484
218-547-1019
walker@krls.org
1 pm - Writing and music workshops
2:30 pm - Author talk with Irish traditional music by Paddy O'Brien

March 4, 1 pm
PARK RAPIDS, MN
Park Rapids Area Library
210 West First Street
Park Rapids, MN 56470
218-732-4966
parkrapids@krls.org
1 pm - Author talk with Irish traditional music by Paddy O'Brien
2 pm - Writing and music workshops


March 5, 12 noon
WADENA, MN
Wadena City Library
304 First Street SW
Wadena, MN 56482
218-631-2476
wadena@krls.org
12 pm - Writing and music workshops
1 pm - Author talk with Irish traditional music by Paddy O'Brien

Brigid's Day - February 1

February 1 is the Feast of Saint Brigid, now a Christian saint, but once the goddess of fire and learning in ancient Ireland. Also known as Imbolc, the feast of Saint Brigid is one of the four major fire festivals on the old Irish pagan calendar. People still light fires on hilltops to celebrate these festivals.

A Brigid's Cross, made from green rushes

Here's a song in Irish that celebrates Brigid's excellent qualities, from the singing of my friend Dáithí Sproule on his CD "A Heart Made of Glass." Hear him singing it here.

Gabhaim Molta Bríghde                           Gabhaim molta Bríghde, Iníon í le hÉireann Iníon le gach tír í, Molaimís go léir í! Lóchrann geal na Laighneach, Soils’ ar feadh na tíre, Ceann ar óigheacht Éireann, Ceann na mban ar míne. Tig an geimhreadh dian dubh, Gearra lena géire, Ach ar lá le Brighde, Gar duinn Earrach Éireann.

We Praise Brigid I sing loudly the praises of Brigid, She who is daughter, Not just of Ireland, But of all the countries of the world. A shining lantern of Leinster, A flame throughout the land, Leader of the women of Ireland, One of the finest women ever. The hard, dark winter comes, Short and sharp, But once Brigid’s Day appears, Ireland’s spring is not far behind.

And here's a video to teach you how to make your own Brigid's cross -- though it's a little hard to find green rushes where I live this time of year. (Still four feet of snow in back yard!)

I especially like the detail that each arm of the cross should be made from seven rushes, to represent the seven days of the week, and the 28 days of the month of February.