Random Notes

By Rhonda Westfall

Go Blue?

It's 24 hours until M-Day.

The Michigan/Michigan State football game, that is.

Actually, a little more than that, but I've never been too good at math. This has been a rough season for fans of the Maize and Blue - not a whole lot to cheer about, especially coming on the heels of a Rose Bowl victory and shared National Championship.

Adding insult to injury is the fact that I'm 0-3 on a weekly friendly wager with a co-worker who is not at all shy about letting everyone know how lousy my prognostication has been to date. Yep, good old Scottie is riding high on my losing picks - and thoroughly enjoying the liquid beverage of his choice along the way.

The really bad part is his particular team of choice. He's a die-hard Fighting Irish man - needless to say the week of work that followed the start of the college season was not too pleasant around here. Not that any since then have been much better.

And, as much as I hate to admit it, I'm not feeling a whole lot of optimism heading into this weekend. There's a real good possibility that I could be 0-4 by the time this paper hits the streets - that would be close to unbearable.

Wonder how much it would cost to have Ramona lock Scottie-pooh up for the coming week.

It could be worth it.

* * * * * *

Speaking of sports, recent events created a flashback to a scene from an all-time favorite movie - Bull Durham. Last week was a pretty good one in the annals of the St. Johns Reminder. Thanks to the efforts of a whole lot of folks, we put out a nice 52-page product that included a keepsake section - the St. Johns Schools Dedication Issue.

We really appreciate the many positive comments from people who said they enjoyed reading about the new school buildings that officially became part of the community last week. Thank you.

In the middle of patting ourselves on the back and indulging in our own self-congratulations, a Bull Durham scene played through my mind. "Nuke," the wildman pitcher for Durham, had just bounded into the dugout after finally throwing a perfect inning for the Bulls - only to be brought rudely back to earth by his older and wiser catcher who wasted no time in handing out pitching pointers.

"Your fastball's up; your curveball's hanging. In the show they would have ripped you," the no-nonsense 'Crash' Davis harangued. To which Nuke responds, "Can't you even let me enjoy the moment?" "The moment's over," Crash replies coldly.

That's pretty much how it goes in real life.

Generally speaking, it's not a good idea to spend a whole lot of time sitting around reliving past accomplishments. While resting on one's laurels - and other body parts - some early bird is probably pulling the tasty little worm from its hole.

The moment's over - time to get back to work.

* * * * *

At the same time we're all back in the weekly grind, it never hurts to take a few seconds each day to stop and smell the roses. (Sincere apologies for all the corny sayings - I simply can't resist).

This week in particular provided multiple opportunities for soaking in the last rays of late summer sunshine, mingled with a foretaste of my own personal favorite season - autumn.

Yep, fall officially started this week. There was a definite nip in the air at night; time to fire up the furnace and pull the quilts from the cedar chest.

And, time of course for some final walks down the lane with Mollie before the cold weather really sets in. On three different nights, deer looked up at us before bolting into the safety of the woods - which won't provide much of a haven in the next few weeks once hunting season rolls around.

A rabbit crossed our path on one occasion - Mollie took chase for about 20 feet before giving up on what was a futile effort for a 10-year-old, slightly overweight canine. And, on another trip a flock of geese soared overhead, enroute to winter homes in warmer climates.

A few minutes gleaned from each day to stop and appreciate the splendor that is autumn - and give a sincere "thanks" to the Creator who makes it possible.

Seize the moment - each day.