As America's Daughter opens, Maria Nhambu is still Mary Rose Ryan -- the name she gave herself in Africa. And she'd celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the Irish and non-Irish residents of St. Paul, Minnesota!

My Christmas holiday traditions keep evolving over the years and reflect changes in my life, but the joy and celebration that I love are constant.

The latest tradition to be added at the holiday season is watching the parade of festively lit and decorated boats on the Intracoastal here in Florida. These famous parades occur all along the Intracoastal Waterway.