My hotel room here in San Francisco is on the corner of Grant Avenue and Harlan Place, a narrow side street that runs eastwards toward “The Irish Bank,” a pub with obvious ethnic affiliations. Oh, and I should mention that today is St. Patrick’s Day. And so today there were Scottish bagpipers in Harlan Place serenading beneath my window.

Eight pipers piping

Well, yes, Scottish is not Irish, but I think they’re both Celtic. And besides, on today of all days we’re all Irish, aren’t we? And it was wonderful! All the more so when the eight pipers piping were joined by eight drummers drumming.

I just love San Francisco!