Happy St. Urho’s Day!

Today is the day where Finnish people like myself celebrate St. Urho's day!  I was surprised today to learn that many people didn't know what St. Urho's day was.  Of course, I shouldn't be surprised because it happens every year.  So hopefully my explanation of this holiday will help the awareness of St. Urho's great accomplishment.St. Urho was the "braffest finn" who used his loud voice to drive out the grasshoppers from the grape vineyards in Finland.  He got his strength by drinking feelia sour (sour milk yogurt like thing) and eating Kala Mojokka (Fish Soup).  As you see in the picture, he has speared a grasshopper.  Here's an ancient poem about St. Urho:

Ooksie kooksie coolama vee

Santia Urho is ta poy for me!

He sase out ta hoppers as pig as birds

Neffer peefor have I hurd does words!

He reely told dose pugs of kreen

Braaffest finn i effer seen!

Some celebrate for St. pat unt hiss nakes

Putt Urho Poyka kot what it takes.

He got tall and trong from feelia sour

unt ate culla moyakka effery hour

Tat's why day guy could sase does peetles

What crew as thick as chack bine needles.

So lets give a cheer in hower pest way

On this 16th of March, St. Urho's Tay!

Well it's not an ancient poem, it actually started in the 1950's and is credited to Gene McCavic.  There are several stories to where the legend began and most believe it was started in a Virginia, Minnesota Ketola's department store.  McCavic who was Irish was harrassing his Finnish-American co-worker Richard Mattson about the Finn's not having a Saint like St. Patrick, and from there the legend was born.

I think it's a fun way to celebrate for two days in a row, and of course show my Finnish Pride!

Hyvaa Paiva!  (good day)