Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” exclaimed a very concerned Dorothy in the classic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.”

Here in Colorado, gardeners are just as exasperated by our “wildlife vs. garden plants” situation.

"You say to-may-tow, I say to-maw-tow, you say po-tay-to, I say po-taw-tow”. Ah, you can close your eyes and join Luis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald finishing the lyrics to that catchy, Ira Gershwin, tune.  

This time of year, gardeners are busy preparing for new growing season. There is much work to be done.

May is also dedicated to honoring our Blessed Mother. As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reflected in “Deus Caritas Est,” “Outstanding among the saints is Mary, Mother of the Lord and mirror of all holiness. Mary’s greatness consists in the fact that she wants to magnify God, not herself. She is lowly: her only desire is to be the handmaid of the Lord (cf. Lk 1:38, 48).”

Oh, the luck of the Irish! They say there are two kinds of people in the world: the Irish, and those who wish they were. But whatever our Catholic heritage, we all have gotten to experience a little St. Patrick, Emerald Isle magic, shamrocks, and corned beef (thanks to the blessed dispensation) on March 17.

With the snow lingering on the north side ground, it’s hard to imagine that spring will soon be here.