Some Favorites and Nots

I have some time to actually sit down and write. Hooray for that!

So here's what's piled up in my brain:

I really don't like bears. When I say that, to most people it translates to: I'm afraid of bears. Now I'm not gonna say I'm not afraid of them -I think every normal person has a healthy respect for the potential hazards a bear poses, but it's just a normal fear not a phobia. I really dislike bears. Cubs are OK, but the huge smelly scavenging menaces that are their parents ---I really dislike.

Why the hate? I've touched on a few reasons. They smell. No I've never smelled a bear, but it's a fact. They're smelly, they're ugly when they get big. They'll eat your food if you've got any around, and if you get in the way, they will maul you. They have no concept of private ownership. What's yours is theirs in their mind. They go about taking whatever they like from whomever they like. What about human rights? I contend that bears are taking away our Constitutional rights. They think they're above the law. They're not. If I saw a bear in Yellowstone, I'd be tempted to do a drive by shouting. I'd put that bear in its place and give it a few things to consider. I think I might toss a rock at it too. Go geology! I'm OK with some bears: polar bears, Panda bears. They aren't bad.

Now you know my least favorite animal. Wanna know my favorite? It's changed throughout the years, but I've finally settled on one that is the best of the best of the best, sir.
The otter.
They've got so much personality, they're super playful and unique, they can swim in the water, they can run on land, they're pretty much the coolest thing ever. And know what else? They've even got their own treat for humans that tastes super good on a summer day. Yes, you can buy a whole case of Otter Pops at a very reasonable price, Pop 'em in the freezer, and life is bliss as long as you have an Otter Pop to grab.

Now for some popcorn. Not literally -I'm just going to talk about it. I love good popcorn. Not a lot of it. When you work at a movie theater, being around popcorn too much can really ruin it for you. But good popcorn is one of the most American things I can think of. What I'm not a fan of is kettle corn. I probably wouldn't care so much but for the fact that it's so deceitful! The unsuspecting person sees a bowl of warm, buttery kernels popped to perfection and reaches out for a satisfying bite. Much to their dismay, that perfect mixture of salt and butter flavor that should accompany the experience is not there, no. It's got sugar on it. What? Yes, I'm afraid so. I really think that kettle corn must've started with a prank. "HEY! Who put sugar on the ....hmmm. It's kind of sweet. Actually it's not too bad. We might have something here." I keep trying to like it, but it hasn't worked so far.

Holidays: With my latest entries, you could probably guess my favorite holiday. It's kind of tied with Christmas and the 4th of July, but I sure do love Halloween. I love everything about it. Some people have a negative opinion of the holiday due to some of the mischief kids feel compelled to pull. I guess that growing up in Joseph City, it was all good fun: a night of costumes, carnivals, candy, and coming home completely funned-out.
I do love pumpkins, probably more so than the average person. I love the color, the smell, and all that you can do with them. Call me crazy, but I cringe when someone lifts a pumpkin by the stem. I imagine the stem snapping off, the pumpkin falling and smashing open on the ground. When I pick up a pumpkin, I always grab it from beneath and tuck it in my arm carefully. And on the way home from buying some pumpkins, I've been known to strap them in with the seatbelts to keep them from rolling around or getting damaged. Call me crazy ---I love them. A toast to the glorious gourds! (I raise my glass of SILK pumpkin spice drink) Cheers!

I don't have a least fave holiday. Any reason to celebrate is a good day in my book.

Oh, I have to share another thing with you before I forget. I was talking about giving plasma (surprising, right?) with a friend in one of my classes. I explained that I used to hate needles and blood. I would get faint even thinking about it, but not anymore. Here's his thoughts on the subject: "You know, it's not that bad. If you hate needles, think of it as a sharpened straw. It's a lot less frightening. Sure, they're gonna poke it in your arm, but it's not a needle! It's more like having a Capri Sun. Just a quick poke, then it's happy time!" I love it. I think of it every time I donate.

That's it for this edition of my ramblings. Happy Haunting to you all!