As you can see, my screen name is St. Isidore. My grandfather had a farm, so on summer vacations in Missouri I put in some farm time doing chores.
When it came time to pick a saint’s name for Confirmation, all the guys were going the Francis, Anthony, etc. route. I came on St. Isidore the farmer. Hey, the angels did his work when he went to church. I thought, “Yeah, baby, this is MY guy. Get the angels to do the heavy lifting for me!! Whoo hoo!”
My parents were not pleased with this choice because they didn’t know who he was, and I certainly DID NOT tell them the reason for my choice. But it was quite appropriate for a kick-back southern California dude who occasionally threw hay bales in a barn loft in 90 degree Missouri heat and 110 percent humidity! Calgon, take me away! St. Isidore, pray for us.
My senior mother came from a farm up in northern Maine. No wonder I have like her been an early bird.