The Race for Gold

March 17th. I've never really thought about it before. When I was young, I marched in the St. Patrick's Day parade with my girl scout troop. Sadly though, I hated my brown uniform and I wasn't particularly fond of marching. I am a fan though of corned beef….on rye, more of the Jewish deli style vs. the Irish brisket style.


When I attended college it took on an entirely new meaning. It was really just another excuse to drink beer. They would color it green, and call it an Irish party. After college I took a sabbatical from celebrating March 17th; I’m sure my liver thanked me.

Well now that I'm a parent, it's back! This time the emphasis is on the Leprechaun. Apparently at school they've been discussing the havoc that Leprechauns can wreak. Everyday Nate comes home with a different concern, almost a bit on the obsessive side.

His main concern today was the reminder to close all of our windows. When I asked why, he replied, “So the Leprechauns can't peek inside.” When he put it like that, Leprechauns kind of creep me out.

Yesterday his concern was that we need to create traps in order to catch one. Hmm…. Would that be next to the rat traps, or the squirrel poison?

When I saw him scattering his Chuck E. Cheese tokens, I knew something else was up. “Nate, why are your tokens all over the entryway?”

Apparently, if you create a trail of  "gold" you can lure the little suckers into your trap. And of course if you successfully trap them, then they will lead you to their pot of gold. Oh right…now it’s all coming back to me. I think there should be something about a rainbow in there too. My next question was quickly answered.

“Usually Mom, the pot of gold is at the end of the rainbow.”

Now I remembered why I was always a fan of the rainbow; hopefully it doesn't lead me to a pot of Chuck E. Cheese tokens.

The challenge now is that between March 12th and March 17th, I need to figure out a way to build a Leprechaun trap. It’s inevitable they will arrive, cause a lot of mischief, and it is our job…to trick them.

If anybody has any idea where I can purchase a Leprechaun trap, I’m all ears. I’ve check the “As Seen On TV” site, no such luck. I can only purchase the Belly Burner, a Shiatsu Massage Chair, a Snuggie or the Clapper.

I'm worried for these Leprechauns. They need to be quick, and more importantly they need the intellect to outsmart a 4 year old.