Going green

My favorite color is green.

With all the heavy topics dominating the world these days, this might seem like a rather mundane topic. And it probably is.

But in my house, which is inhabited by a 6-year-old and a 9-year-old, it’s a topic that’s not altogether uncommon. As in, “Dad, what’s your favorite color?” Or, “Dad, what’s your second-favorite color?” Or, “Dad, what’s your favorite animal?” Or, “Dad, what’s your favorite number?” Or, “Dad, who’s your favorite ‘SpongeBob’ character?”

So, naturally, it’s helpful to have answers to these questions. And when it comes to the color question, the answer is green.

Green has been a favorite since childhood. At the time, blue just seemed too trite; and most of the girls were picking red as a favorite color, so I picked green. And I’ve more or less stuck by it ever since.

I like green because it’s the color of nature, the color of life. Green trees. Green grass. Green plants. I’ve always been a spring-summer kind of person, and green is one of the main colors associated with this time of year.

Many of my fondest memories of childhood are associated with green. I used to go camping with my parents in the green woods. I spent hours playing baseball and football and soccer on a green field. At summer camp, we were surrounded by green. And whenever winter would near its end, the appearance of green things poking through the dirt and snow, and on the edges of tree branches, was always the surest sign that spring was almost here.

Green is versatile, too. There’s dark green, and light green. There’s kelly green and mint green. There’s lime green and even teal (though the blue crowd might also lay claim to that one.) Other colors, like pink and yellow are pretty much one-dimensional. One shade does it all. But with green, you get a whole spectrum of attractive options.

If I had to pick a second-favorite color, I’d go for orange. For one thing, it’s the color of my kids' school, so naturally, we have quite a few orange items in our wardrobes. I’ve known some men who didn’t feel comfortable wearing orange, but I have no problem with it. I guess I’m comfortable enough with my masculinity not to worry about such matters.

I also like orange because it’s often a forgotten color among the “favorite colors.” Millions of people pick blue and red. Lots of girls claim pink as their favorite color. I’ve known people who have favorited purple, and even black. But orange is often left out. And it’s a perfectly good color — cheerful and fun — and not as garish as red or yellow.

I suppose the use of orange by university sports teams both east and west of Arkansas might give folks around here a few misgivings about the color. But as an Iowa native, I have no such irrational aversions.

It may be a little odd, I guess, that my two favorite colors come from opposite sides of the color spectrum. Or perhaps that just gives my choices a nice bit of symmetry.

But whether it makes sense or not, and regardless of its importance, these are the answers I give my kids when they ask such questions.

I also realize that it’s entirely possible that I’ve spent way too much time thinking about this. But as long as we’re on the subject, my favorite animal is a monkey; my favorite number is 9; and my favorite SpongeBob character is Patrick. I'll save the explanations for another time.

Still finding wisdom in 'Desiderata'

I was first introduced to something called "Desiderata" when I was in college.

What "Desiderata" is, actually, is little difficult to describe. Some say it is a poem; others call it an essay — though neither description is particularly accurate. The Web site Wikipedia refers to it as an "inspirational prose poem," which sounds kind of contradictory to me, though it's probably as good a description as any.

Whatever it is, it was written by Max Ehrmann, and first published in 1927. Occasional stories claim that it was found in Baltimore's Saint Paul's Church, having been written in 1692, though that myth has been largely debunked.

But history and origins aside, "Desiderata" spoke to me from the very first time I read it, and it continues to do so today. I once had a poster of the passage on my dorm room wall, and to this day, I keep a copy pinned to my bulletin board at work. I consider it something of a mantra, something that offers pertinent wisdom and advice on how to live life.

What's interesting to me is that different phrases have spoken to me more directly at different times in my life. For instance, as a college student, phrases like, "And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should," and "Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass" had special meaning for me.

As I grew older, other parts connected with me, such as "As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons," and "Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit."

Still later, passages like, "Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time," and "Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth" have seemed especially poignant.

On days when things aren't going as well as I'd like, I like to read through "Desiderata." Ehrmann managed to create a maxim that never seems to get old for me. I continually find new wisdom in the short passage. There are no doubt other sources, sacred and secular alike, of such timeless wisdom, but "Desiderata" has a rhythm and eloquence that works for me. If you haven't seen it before, it's definitely worth a read:

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Blytheville is alive with the sound of music

For fans of music, this is a good time to live in Blytheville.

For the past several weeks, and in the next couple to come, our community has played host to a nice collection of musical events. For those who have or will take part, it’s a reminder that culture can exist in a town like ours. For those who have been missing it, or don’t plan to check it out ... well, we can just hope they change their minds.

The events kicked off on Feb. 27, when the Arts Council of Mississippi County brought “Bye Bye Birdie” to the Ritz Civic Center Stage. It was a fantastic performance, well enjoyed by the several hundred on hand to see the production by the national touring company.

For me, it was a bit of a flash from the past, as I had a role in the musical when my high school put on the play during my junior year. Songs like “Lot of Livin’ To Do” connected with me, back when I was 17, and the play brought back some fond memories.

That show was followed up by Sunday’s concert by the Choral Music Department at Arkansas Northeastern College, which showcased Broadway-themed music by the college’s three choirs, as well as numerous solos and smaller ensemble performances.

My favorites were the Community Choir’s performance of a medley from “The Sound and Music,” as well as the trio of tenors who performed “Fugue for Tinhorns” from “Guys and Dolls." Many talented singers brought great performances to the Adams-Vines Recital Hall.

The trend will continue Saturday at the Ritz, when the Arts Council holds one of its semi-regular “Support Live Music” fundraising events. This showcase of local garage bands provides young musicians with a chance to showcase their music in a professional environment. The show starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.

Then, on Sunday, the local Orpheus Music Club will put on its annual “Musical Dessert.” Beginning at 2:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, this event will raise money for the club’s scholarship program. The musical program will be followed by cake and beverages served in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $5; $3 for students.

The last event on the musical agenda will be musical revue titled "Memories of Broadway," at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at the Adams-Vines Recital Hall at ANC. The event will serve as a fundraiser for the Northeast Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross, and tickets are $10. Performances by several local singers and groups are planned, including (begin shameless plug) a number from "High School Musical" by a group of local young people, including the children of yours truly (end shameless plug). It will be good music, and it will support a great cause.

Our community is lucky to have the availability of musical offerings like this. And it’s important for communities to support the arts. Whenever communities or civilizations are judged for their contributions to humanity, it is not wealth or industrial production that are the defining characteristics — it is the arts. The arts are what separate the great civilizations — and the great communities — from all the others.

And it’s good to know that, at least for the month of March, Blytheville is scoring strong.

Southerners show superior snowman skills

I've gotta hand it to the citizens of Blytheville and the surrounding area: You people are good at making snowmen.

I offer the perspective of someone who grew up in eastern Iowa, where winters produce far more opportunities for snowman-making than what occurs around here.

You would think that Northerners would be the ones with the wicked snowman skills. After all, they've had much more practice, right?

But not so. In my estimation, it is the Southerners who are the snowman-building champions. And last weekend's blizzard proved it true again.

Perhaps it's because major snowfalls are so rare in these parts, that citizens can't help but go all out when it comes to building snowmen. Around here, a big snow is a memory-building experience. The opportunity to build quality snowmen may only come around once every couple of years.

Up North, where I grew up, the ground was often covered with snow from Thanksgiving to Easter. In other words, having snow just wasn't a big deal. Sure, we went sledding, and had snowball fights from time to time. But we hardly ever even built snowmen. And when we did, they usually consisted of no more than a couple of haphazard snowballs and a few sticks.

They were nothing like the snowmen that were built around here over the weekend. The snowmen I saw — and the pictures I received — revealed folks who went crazy with their snowmen, adding all varieties of costumes and even food-coloring to perfectly shaped balls of snow. The creativity was boundless, from the Hannah Montana-themed snowdiva made by Lexi Snyder of Gosnell, to the six-ball colossus on First Street, to the brilliant snow-caterpillar created by Ronda Ball.

My hat goes off to these snow artists. You've got us Yankees beat.

———

But Northerners still are the champions when it comes to snow removal.

Anyone who traveled — if you can call it that — the highways in the Armorel area Sunday, knows what I mean.

Everywhere you turned, cars and trucks were getting stuck in the snow; and time after time, neighbors were called upon to pull people out (Thanks, Chucky!)

Along Highway 137, en route to Nucor Steel Arkansas, someone had cleared a path for traffic, but in the process, created giant mounds of snow boulders along the side of the road, and in the middle of the highway, between the lanes. I'm not sure if this makeshift plow job made conditions better or worse. An eyewitness told me it appeared that a non-government vehicle was doing the plowing, for whatever that's worth.

Some folks have pointed their finger at the county for not doing a good enough job plowing the roadways. Others have said that finger might more appropriately be pointed at the state, which apparently is in charge of state highways, like 137, 312 and 150.

Well, whoever is responsible, the fact remains that the highways were a mess.

Of course, it's hard to get too upset about it. This part of the country so rarely gets as much snow as we got Saturday night, and it's no wonder the powers that be apparently lacked the equipment or know-how necessary when it came to getting rid of it.

Most times around here, mother nature and a continuous traffic flow pretty much combine to get the roads clear within a day or so, and that's pretty much what happened this time too. It just took a little longer, that's all. And with this week's warming trend, all roads should be back to normal soon, save for a bit of mud.