The fireworks at midnight bringing in the new year is now a shadow of what it once was when the local government clamped down because of noise, air pollution and injuries.  However, below you can see some photos I took of that moment last night, and there were some major fireworks out there, much of it probably illegally brought into the state.  One of these accidents at one home  killed at least two, with 20 more seriously injured .  It happened in the Salt Lake area of Honolulu, where I took most of the shots.  But this photo to the left was sent to me.  That must have been the incident. In New Orleans, a 42-year old Texas man, rammed a pickup truck New Year's revelers on Bourbon Street,  killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more .  Apparently, the driver was flying an ISIS flag, so authorities are calling an act of terrorism.  It's possible he had partners.  A lot more will be coming on this tragedy.  The Sugar Bowl gam...

I of course celebrate St. Patrick's Day, for, after all, how many have a day named after you?  Here is what I will eat and imbibe for my major meal today. I've had numerous postings of this day, and  here is one :  Everything You Need to Know about St. Patrick's Day. You ask, why is St. Patrick's Day observed in America, and  the answer  goes back to when the Irish people came here to help found Boston and New York City.  The first parade was held in Manhattan in 1762.  In the early days of Ireland, Celtic charms of four-leaf clovers offered magical protection.  Did you know that four leaves are really rare?   Only ONE in 10,000 . Did you know that the political leaders of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland make an annual pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. on March 17?  This has happened for a century or so because the USA has had a positive influence over the politics of Ireland since the split occurred.   Here...