Arching an eyebrow at family legacies

It's been a hell of a week. Tomorrow, in my region's largest city, which with a population of around 50,000 is really just a big town, there is going to be a Celtic Fest. It's something I usually enjoy. There's modern and traditional Celtic music, crafts, a caber toss, Irish dancers, lots of booths with clan memorabilia, and food -- more of the corn dog and funnel cake variety than haggis or parritch (hey, this is the South). However, all I can think of are three of the mottos of the Scottish clans from which my family descended. One is "Per Virtutem et Scientemque" -- By virtue and knowledge. Goodness knows, I've strived for both, but I just won't comment on the success of either effort. Another is "Jamais Arriere" -- Never Behind. Hmph, well, that one's obviously not working for me. The final is "Disce Pati" -- Learn to endure. That lesson keeps going on and on and on and on.

clan mottoes