I Am From...Baskin Robbins to mashed potatoes

I am from fireflies in a bug catcher, Baskin Robbins Rocky Road ice cream, Flintstones vitamins  and scabby knees from metal roller skates.

I am from cracked sidewalks with tic-tac-toe drawn in yellow chalk and double dutch jump rope. From  pigeons pecking hot pavement in the summer and lingering gray puddles of slush in the winter.

I am from the pine tree fort sheltering our screen porch from late afternoon thunderstorms and rose bushes lined along the sidewalk in attempt to beautify the urban. From the St Gerards Parish picnic at Cunningham Park to sunburned skin and riding the waves at Rockaway Beach.

I am from roasted chicken and mashed potatoes on Sundays timed around half time of the New York Giants. I am from Irish whiskey and freckles. From Murphys and O'Neils.

I am from 5 o'clock mass and Girl Scout merit badges. From scalding hot metal playground slides to splashing in the street under an open fire hydrant.

I am from metropolitan Queens, NY to the suburban utopia of New Jersey. From Gino's lemon Italian ice to the Hickory Tree Deli. From Michael Jackson, big hair and the Jersey Shore way before it became a TV reality show. White Castle Burgers and Friendly's Ice Cream.

I am from the junior varsity track team, the CTHS Gladiator marching band and an orange chiffon prom dress to match my date's rented brown tuxedo. From poison ivy to the hugest mosquito bites ever.

I am from a believer in Santa Claus to a believer in a Higher Power. From the wrath of Sister Ellen to being free to living one day at a time.

I am from the farms of Ireland to the shore of Ellis Island. I am from don't say bad words, sharing is caring and here's a dollar for the ice cream man.


I am from hardworking people. I am from family, tradition and the past. I am from the here and now.



This post inspired by Kat and her famous Writer's Workshop. I want to say that I met the famous Kat at Bloggy Boot Camp in Denver and she is as lovely in person as she is online!