Shamrocks, tied forever to St. Patrick, symbolize growth and renewal — things farmers understand better than anyone.

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day, and if you’re like so many people, you’ll be wearing green, attempting an Irish brogue and enjoying a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner.

Snakes and snake shapes often show up in decorative arts. They are among the oldest, most common symbols in history, standing for concepts like wisdom, healing and renewal.

Like many of you, this is my favorite time of year. We say so long to gray February days and welcome the season that breathes new life into our part of the planet.

I came across an old Irish rhyme that goes: “Boxty on the griddle, boxty in the pan, if you can’t make boxty, you’ll never get a man!” And thought, What? I don’t need another man, but this “boxty” thing intrigues me.

There are few things more universally comforting than a melt-in-your-mouth beef stew. The world is full of regional variations. France has Boeuf a la bourguignonne. Hungary has Goulash. Ireland has Guinness Beef Stew.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March 17 in the United States, but collectors found few postcards, greeting cards or objects to collect before 1900.

For those of us who don’t claim Ireland in our lineage, it’s a stretch to dance a jig, much less remember to wear something green on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.

This month, make these colorful window decorations to brighten your child’s bedroom during gloomy winter days. When the glue has dried, these sun catchers will have the look of stained glass.