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We'Re Going On a Haggis Hunt

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My birthday is on 25th January which is known as Burns Night in honour of Scottish poet Robbie Burns... maybe I was destined to write poetry one day!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burns_supper

I am a Burn’s Night baby (named after the Ayrshire bard) So we’re off to hunt a haggis locating one is extremely hard We scour the hills of Scotland and have dull and rainy weather There’s not a haggis to be seen … they’re all hiding in the heather! All of a sudden we spot a rare haggis So hubby fires his gun into the gorse The haggis scurries into the undergrowth Hubby missed the wee beastie of course! We spend hours out there on the hills All the little haggis are all lying low I scour the land with my binoculars But not a hair of one is on show The sky is getting really dark we are tired and soaked to the skin so we descend the slopes to the village we see a butchers, and swiftly walk in Hundreds of haggis are on display With gaping mouth I stare in surprise Their orange hair is so beautiful I cannot believe my own eyes I tell him we’ve been on a haggis hunt And he glowers at me in shock and alarm says the one’s on the hills are protected He gets his stock from a breeding farm I choose a wee haggis from the shop When it’s baked we both have a slice Haggis is a Scottish delicacy I’ve got to say it tastes 'offally'* nice! * Haggis, the national dish of Scotland, composed of the liver, heart, and lungs of a sheep minced and mixed with beef or mutton suet and oatmeal and seasoned with onion, cayenne pepper, and other spices. The mixture is packed into a sheep's stomach and boiled. Information sourced from google. 01/24/18

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Susan Ashley

Date: 2/25/2018 12:03:00 PM

A totally entertaining and informative poem Jan, I'd give haggis a try.. :)) Brilliantly written in your always enjoyable style. Congratulations on your wonderful win!

Jan Allison
Date: 1/5/2020 12:34:00 PM

I'm so sorry I missed replying before Susan I've just found the comment now:-( hugs jan xx

Line Gauthier

Date: 2/24/2018 4:51:00 PM

Heavens, don't be hunting those protected haggis!! Especially when you can buy the pretty orange haired ones hanging in the shop!! LOL. What a darling poem, Jan.

Jan Allison
Date: 1/5/2020 12:34:00 PM

I'm so sorry I missed replying before Line I've just found the comment now:-( hugs jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 2/24/2018 3:36:00 PM

I am happy to see this fun poem a winner in this contest Jan! Congratulations my friend! : )

Jan Allison
Date: 1/5/2020 12:32:00 PM

I'm so sorry I missed replying before Connie I've just found the comment now:-( hugs jan xx

John Hamilton

Date: 2/24/2018 1:54:00 PM

Thanks Jan, congrats on a fine placement!

Jan Allison
Date: 1/5/2020 12:32:00 PM

I'm so sorry I missed replying before John I've just found the comment now:-( hugs jan xx

Paul Callus

Date: 1/29/2018 3:24:00 PM

You sure know how to entertain your readers, Jan! I have never tasted the proper Scottish haggis, but I've had something similar, and it was quite tasty. Hope you had a lovely birthday:) Hugs // paul

Jan Allison
Date: 1/29/2018 3:39:00 PM

I'm glad you enjoyed the poem Paul I just love to try and make folks smile with my poetry . We had the haggis yesterday the lamb one from the butcher's was the most tasty the pork ones less well seasoned. We ended up with 5 haggis between 8 of us and only 3 were eaten as we also had wonderful cheese and crackers. I had a wonderful birthday week:-) hugs jan xx

Joanna Daniel

Date: 1/27/2018 6:42:00 AM

First time hearing of haggis, Jan, hope you had a great birthday, my belated wishes:) hope you are doing good health wise..

Jan Allison
Date: 1/27/2018 8:13:00 AM

Thanks so much Jo:-) hugs Jan xx

Caycay Jennings

Date: 1/26/2018 7:48:00 AM

Where to start? The poem - it is delightful, entertaining and flows with the talent that, yes, you were born with. The pic - someone put a lot of effort into decorating the Haggis, cuties all! Education - I learned a lot on this page and thank you for that. I believe that Haggis sounds delicious and I should go fix breakfast, as soon as I capture one of our many sheep! Enjoyed this very much ... CayCay

Jan Allison
Date: 1/27/2018 8:12:00 AM

Thanks for dropping by CayCay I am so looking forward to having the haggis tomorrow and we have some Scottish shortbread biscuits too:-) hugs Jan xx

Rob Carmack

Date: 1/25/2018 2:02:00 PM

Haggis sounds awful, but I have never tried it. Happy Birthday Jan!

Jan Allison
Date: 1/25/2018 4:36:00 PM

My hubby doesn't like liver but he really loved haggis when we tied it last Burn's Night:-) hugs Jan xx

Mick Talbot

Date: 1/25/2018 9:07:00 AM

Wishing you all the best birthday wishes. I been haggis hunting using a net. Note in the photo they have long legs on the downside of the hill and short on the other. Well you get your friends to chase them, they can only run one way around the hill, you wait and net them! A wee dram helps the imagination, nay the taste, a fact, both delicious! A golden oldie, Happy birthday Jan. Hug and best wishes... Mick

Jan Allison
Date: 1/25/2018 10:23:00 AM

Thanks so much Mick I had such fun writing the poem and the picture of the rare wee critters is such fun. Yes they do have strange legs in the pic but I think their legs sink into the hillside to prevent them falling - you should see them run they are so fast!:-) hugs jan xx

Roy Pett

Date: 1/25/2018 6:45:00 AM

Brilliant Jan, I thoroughly enjoyed your poem, Haggis is certainly not one of my favourite foods usually too much oatmeal, I do prefer faggots. Wishing you a happy birthday. :))

Jan Allison
Date: 1/31/2018 2:54:00 PM

ha ha ha CayCay I forgot the differences in our language to the Brits a 'faggot' is traditionally made from pig's heart, liver and fatty belly meat or bacon minced together, with herbs added for flavouring and sometimes bread crumbs.... sourced from google:-) hugs Jan xx

Caycay Jennings
Date: 1/26/2018 7:52:00 AM

Okay, now that I've stopped laughing, please tell me what faggot means in the context y'all are using it! CayCay

Jan Allison
Date: 1/25/2018 8:16:00 AM

I've never tried faggots but hubby loves them - the name 'Brains' frozen faggots puts me off a little!:-) hugs Jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 1/24/2018 6:21:00 PM

That would be perfect if you read your poem along with Burns. A happy happy birthday to you my dear friend! I sent you a snail mail card and I hope it arrives in time. I loved this cute poem! I knew what Haggis was but I have never tasted it. I hope you enjoy your night of celebration. Much love to you, Connie xxoo ; )

Jan Allison
Date: 1/25/2018 8:15:00 AM

Thanks so much Connie:-) i had SUCH fun writing the poem and read it to mum today, she loved it along with the 'weather forecast' poem:-) I'm having a lovely day it just keeps getting better and better!:-) hugs jan xx

Agnes Krampe

Date: 1/24/2018 5:21:00 PM

Oh, and I too had an association of your picture with a certain orange haired person...

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 5:24:00 PM

I can't stop laughing .. there is a distinct similarity!!!:-) hugs jan xx

Agnes Krampe

Date: 1/24/2018 5:20:00 PM

I have only ever heard of haggis, but never tasted one. Not sure I want to. I love the ideas you come up with, Jan!

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 5:24:00 PM

My hubby doesn't like the taste of liver but he loved haggis so i have purchased one and we will eat it with friends on Sunday at their local pub. I think this year there will be 3 haggis for us to share. I've never cooked one before I hope I get it right!:-) hugs jan xx

Jean Murray

Date: 1/24/2018 5:17:00 PM

I was confused there for a minute. I did not know they had feet!! A big birthday hug to you shortly.

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 5:19:00 PM

lol Jean:-) they are very rare critters a bit like nessie! lol:-) hugs jan xx

Ilene Bauer

Date: 1/24/2018 4:26:00 PM

first of all, i hope you have a wonderful birthday tomorrow, jan! your poem is charming and adorable, although i have zero interest in ever tasting haggis. still - i hope you all enjoy it...

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 4:28:00 PM

Thanks so much Ilene I had such fun writing the poem and I can't wait to meet our friends on Sunday and tuck into haggis once again... it really is very tasty!:-) hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/24/2018 3:22:00 PM

OMG, another gross meat to add to my poem of disgusting meats!! I still could not guess what haggis was until I read your note underneath. It sounds like the American joke of going "snipe" hunting. My hubbie and I had my dad out in the desert with a bag looking for these nonexistent creatures. It was so funny!

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 4:17:00 PM

My huby dislikes liver but he loved haggis so I have purchased one for Sunday when we meet friends in a pub and the landlord allows us to eat the haggis and have a Burn's night celebration. The Robbie Burn's poem ode to a haggis is recited. I may read mine out too lol:-) hugs jan xx

Dale Gregory Cozart

Date: 1/24/2018 12:19:00 PM

Cute poem even if the dish itself sounds gross!

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 4:21:00 PM

It's absolutely delicious Dale!!!:-) hugs jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 1/24/2018 12:07:00 PM

- In advance ... happy birthday, Jan - Haggis, does not sound so delicious ... but certainly very good - The Haggis you have on your picture reminds me of Donald Trump :))) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 4:22:00 PM

ha ha ha Oh Anne Lise I have tears reading your comment - the comb over look suits the wee haggis rather than the Trumpster!:-) hugs jan xx

Harry Horsman

Date: 1/24/2018 11:01:00 AM

Not only a poem, but a recipe, as well. i like the info Jan, in a way only you could write it..awesome..

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 4:24:00 PM

I tried haggis for the first time last year and loved it so again this year we meet friends and will celebrate in style at the local pub where the landlord allows us to take haggis in and one of the guys reads out the ode to a haggis poem and 'stabs' the haggis in traditional style... then we all tuck in mmmm:-) hugs jan xx

Lin Lane

Date: 1/24/2018 10:54:00 AM

I'm sure your humorous diddies would make Mr. Burns smile, but please keep the haggis.

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 4:29:00 PM

I wonder what the bard would make of my poem lol:-) Haggis is an acquired taste but we both really enjoyed it and hubby doesn't even like liver!:-) hugs jan xx

Geoffrey Brewer

Date: 1/24/2018 10:05:00 AM

Well done for maintaining the old traditions, Jan. I note that the Haggises (plural Haggae?) in the picture are of the clockwise strain with legs longer on the left to facilitate circumnavigation of the mountain in that direction.

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 4:30:00 PM

LOVE your comment Geoffrey ... Anne Lise thinks the haggis in the picture look like Donald Trump - she does have a point lol:-) hugs jan xx

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 1/24/2018 10:02:00 AM

LOVE IT! :)) xomo!

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 4:32:00 PM

hee hee hee thanks Mo - your poem inspired me to write about this rare little animal - once they are cooked and killed they taste delicious! :-) hugs jan xx

Tom Cunningham

Date: 1/24/2018 9:01:00 AM

Happy Birthday to a lovely lady called Jan/ Who's a poet from The Isle of Man/Tomorrow I'll raise my glass /To a very nice lass/ Burn (s) both ends of the candle while you can. Have a great birthday Jan and enjoy Burns night. Regards Tom

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 9:18:00 AM

ha ha ha I love that limerick Tom - you should post it tomorrow!:-) hugs Jan xx

Cheryl Hoffman

Date: 1/24/2018 8:38:00 AM

Love the way your imagination spun this fun write Jan; an awesome interesting Haggis poem and hope you have a wonderful Happy Birthday!~Che :)

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 8:39:00 AM

I do worry about my muse Che lol I woke up with the idea of a haggis hunt and the poem quickly formed:-) hugs jan xx

Alexis Y.

Date: 1/24/2018 8:37:00 AM

Hi Jan, I really enjoyed reading you this morning. But I think I'll pass on that dish. However, I would like to wish you an early Happy Birthday:-) Alexis

Jan Allison
Date: 1/24/2018 8:39:00 AM

Thanks Alexis. My hubby dislikes the taste of liver but he loved haggis when we tried it for the first time last year... so never say never!:-) hugs jan xx