Why I Love the Seasons

I wrote the below for Helium in August 2009. The main theme is about change, which is fitting with this time in my life.

A sprinkle of angel dust, a tearful night, kissed by the sun, or a crispy delight, these are the reasons why I love each season. They represent change along with letting me experience a new chapter of the year. I am one who embraces change, so I can anticipate and experience something new. The seasons are not any different. Winter, spring, summer, and autumn are my life’s clocks; as each one changes to the next, my life changes with them.

Winter is a time for hibernation. As I watch the angel dust coat the world, I think about the New Year and lay out my future plans. It is a time for self-evaluation—what I need to change in myself or which path to take. My eyes light up like a child’s with the first snowfall. The smell of snow as it blankets the ground symbolizes to me the end of an old life and the beginning of a new. Winter is a time to discard waste and old habits.

When the tearful days and nights arrive, I watch the blankets come off and smell the anticipated change. Spring motivates me into venturing out and pursuing the things I thought about during winter. When the flowers begin to blossom and the rain starts to slow down, a new me has begun my soul searching. Things come to life in spring, kind of how I feel about myself.

My summer sun-kissed skin is a reminder that I will be turning another year older. The rain washed the dirt away, everything is in bloom, and the outdoors is full of people enjoying the weather. It is a time for people to introduce themselves to old neighbors, try a new sport, have a picnic, or take a walk along the lake. During the summer, people become more social, willing to drive to a new destination and ready to relax and take time off. This season is a break from the prior and future days of work while my face soaks up the warmth of the sun.

To complete the year with its crisp air, autumn blows in preparing me for another winter. It is football and tailgate season. A time to cheer for my favorite football teams while the beer chills and the popcorn pops. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can hear the football whoops drowning out the sound of rustling leaves. Burnt leaves fragrant the air while I drive with my windows rolled down.

I love each season for what it offers me: the beauty of Mother Nature and a change from the last season. With each season, I appreciate the holidays and the way the world celebrates, but most of all, I love knowing I woke to see another season—my life’s ticking hand.

Stay Out of the Locker Room!

I’m a huge football fan; unfortunately it’s difficult to admit that after the emBEARassing way the Chicago Bears played yesterday. The touchdown belonged to the Detroit Lions whether the referees interpreted the rule correctly or not, common sense should come into play. Sports rules are to provide order throughout the organization and keep things fair. It’s at the discretion of the referee as to whether a player is penalized by a rule written to help in rulings. Johnson had a completed catch, and therefore, Detroit Lions in truth won the game. Winning on a poor judgment call doesn’t sit well with me. I feel dirty. The Chicago Bears played horribly, defense and offense, and the calls made on the sidelines a disgrace. After this season, the Bears organization better not renew Lovie Smith’s contract. We need a coach who knows what he’s doing, instead of being fed information and one who has emotion. Lovie’s bland coaching style is how the team plays--bland. Chicago is of substance, so show it!

Now that I’ve given my personal journalistic view on yesterday’s game, I come to another issue regarding women sport’s journalists. This comes from the story regarding the Mexican TV network reporter who felt uncomfortable in the Jets locker room. Let me tell you something ladies, you can be journalists but you have NO BUSINESS IN THE MEN’S LOCKER ROOM! As Ines Sainz tweeted, “"I feel very uncomfortable! I'm at the lockers of the Jets waiting for Mark Sanchez while trying not to look anywhere!!" If you have to avoid looking in certain directions, then that’s a sign you shouldn’t be there.

There is NO WAY a male journalist would be allowed in a woman’s locker room, so why is it all right for a woman journalist to be in a men’s locker room? Why create a situation that can leave the woman, or the men opened to controversy? There are situations where men do harass women, but sadly nowadays some women falsely accuse men. Being a woman, I wouldn’t want to be in a vulnerable environment. Women need to stop pushing the threshold and use common sense. I’m not condoning men’s harassing actions, but why be there in the first place. If you want to be a sports journalist, then wait until they come out of the locker rooms to have an interview.

What’s your opinion about the game, locker room, or both?

I’m Stranger than Fiction...By Association

Two of my writerly friends were kind enough to bless me with an award – “Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits Blog Award.” I know. *bows* Stop, you’re making me blush. *listens to the gasps* Jealousy really is unbecoming. This award is given to strange people or those strange by association.

While my laptop got a makeover, two friends sent notices that they were giving me this award. The first notice came from my good ole’ pooch Haggis. “What do you mean, I should start a blog?” Don’t let the name scare you, he’s as sweet as apple pie with razor blades sticking out. I have to give him HUGE KUDOS for his publication, Blob and the Sous-Chef and Other Stories by Steve Barber. If you like great writing, horror and dark humor, get this man’s book of short stories. Since I just found out about his publication, I will be purchasing my own copy.

The second notice came from June “Bug” Kramin, or as most of us call her, AuntyBug. June “Bug” Kramin Waiter, there’s a Bug in my Blog. You’ll definitely know if you swing on over to her blog that I received this award for her strangeness. The crappy part about this is that I received a strange award by association, not injection. I would have enjoyed the latter much better. I send another HUGE KUDOS for her publication, Dustin Time by June Kramin. Her e-book is out, but I’m waiting for the paper version. Sometimes I like destroying nature. If you want a romance to sweep you off your feet, get this woman’s book.

Now I am blessed with this award and I’m supposed to nominate seven other blogs who deserve this award. Seven times seven equals fourteen and the only strange bloggers I know gave me this award. I’ll have to limit it to five and award the “Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits Blog Award” through seven degrees of separation, or complete strangers. Give a hearty welcome to the below and stop by their blogs for some strangeness.

1) Experimental Stew – I know Stew and I can vouch that she is strange. Not as strange as auntybug, but she has her moments. Those moments are really heightened when she’s in the comedy cabaret. She’ll probably hate me for the nomination; however I’m used to it. People either love me or hate me, there’s no in between.

2) It Boggles my Mind – It’s been awhile, but I know rhymegirl too. She’s strange by association too. Hop on over to her blog and read about her take on this crazy world. She’s another one who will probably hate me for the nomination. Get in line.

3) Expressiveworld – Ana’s blog is inspiring, not strange. Because she knows some comedy cabaret characters, there’s no way she can disassociate herself from strange.

4) Wait in the Van – I just came across Kristine’s blog, so I don’t know her and haven’t read much of it. With the little bit I have read, I feel Kristine deserves this honorary award. Shoot on over to Kristine’s blog before she finds and shoots me.

5) Sleep Talkin’ Man – Here’s another blogger I never met, talked to, and only stumbled upon the blog recently. This blog is definitely on a strange subject and deserves the award. I hope she isn’t mad about the award because I’d hate my recordings to show up on her blog.

To all my bloggers, and the strange ones, I’m glad you’re back. Have a great night!

Guess What I Got?

My Computer.  But I also got something I haven’t had in 42-years. A gray hair-- long gray hair on top of my head in front just flapping to get my attention. I paraded and bragged my entire life about not having gray hair—proud of keeping some youthful appearance. Things have changed now. The days of gray arrived to haunt me in the mirror. There will be no more smiles from people guessing I’m younger than my age. From this point forward, I will have constant dye jobs and search out homeopathic remedies to fix the age appearance.

Even though this is a day of celebration for getting my laptop back, it’s also a turning point in my life where I cautiously wave good-bye to the younger me. Men are lucky, they can shave their head.

*looks in the mirror, dries my eyes and waves as I pluck out the lonely gray hair*

P.S. I’ll be back to claim my “Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits Blog Award.”