In the hectic whirlwind we call life, it’s all too easy to overlook the little things. Some are good little things; some are not-so-good little things. For instance, you may recall that a local election was held in these parts. I know what you’re thinking—local elections are often overlooked by the electorate. Judging by the low voter turnout rate, that’s hardly debatable. Yet to be honest, turnout for gubernatorial, senatorial and even presidential elections are usually nothing to crow about, either. But this isn’t about turnout. It isn’t even about who won or who lost. It’s about the way local candidates publicize their candidacies.

Being mostly local races, the candidates rarely have the money to advertise on TV, which in a way is a good thing. For example, can you imagine someone running for the Deerfield Library Board airing a negative TV spot? “My opponent doesn’t put away the periodicals after reading them, and he has consistently been ’shushed’ by the head librarian!” “Oh yeah? Well my opponent wants to raise overdue book taxes!”

Of course, our friendly neighborhood post office loved the election, considering how much political mail they carried. Some people may consider that kind of politicking a waste of wood pulp, and I would be hard-pressed to deny that. At the very least, people had to actually notice it. Granted, most people take a cursory look at the stuff and throw it away—but at least they look at it. The political advertising that confounds me are those little signs that dot our green lawns like zits on a fresh-faced kid’s face.

Talk about something being overlooked: Has anyone ever thought whether they actually work? People are driving past these things at 25-30 miles per hour minimum; they’re looking out for oncoming traffic; they’re probably taking to other people in the car, or listening to the radio or CD player/iPod. Who expects someone to drive past one and go, “Hmmm, maybe I should choose Joe Smith for Mayor; he has a really nice sign. That font is to die for!” Besides, if they actually did work, people would be going to the voting booth and complaining that their choice wasn’t on the ballot—they wanted to vote for the ticket of For Sale and By Owner.

A far more pleasant thing is also regularly overlooked. Did you go outside last weekend? Did you take the time to notice the sky? Few things are more graceful, beautiful and sublimely serene than the white clouds that slowly floated across the clear blue canvas all afternoon course, we all had things to do, jobs to complete, people to meet, errands to fulfill. Who has time to take a few minutes to gaze at the beauty and wonders of nature, be it the passing clouds, or the wildlife that’s cautiously coming out of the shadows?

Fortunate people.

Technorati Tags: local elections, political advertising, nature

  Back in Summer of 1990, I didn’t have a care in the world.  I was about to be a 8th grader at Deer Path  Junior High.  I was on top of the world.  My friends and I were about to be the BWOC.  Then..they came.  The Cicadas.  I remember days before they came, the news and everyone else talking repeatedly about how “they” were coming back.  I paid no attention.  What 12 year old watches the news anyway.  But, oh how silly I was.  To think back on those summer mornings, when I was certain that my dad had yet again pulled out the lawnmower, only to discover that it was those hideous Cicadas, humming their daily song.  That monotonous hum that makes you think that you are at a John Deere retailer.  They were so big.  Those beedy red eyes.  Those wings.  Our picket fence was covered with them.  My dogs would walk along the fence eating them, like they were ripe fruit.  I remember going  to Jewel and seeing a woman in a convertible Rolls Royce, talking (rudely I might add) to the grocery store attendant.  She had, at least, 14 or 15 Cicadas resting on the back of her Prada blouse.  Even the word Cicada makes my hair stand on end.  It makes me start to incessantly scratch my head.  So when I read that this was the year of their return, I immediatley felt a tickle down my spine.  I remember telling my young self in 1990, that when they returned I would be far,far away from Lake Forest.  I would be married with 2 or 3 kids.  My life would pretty much be over.  Who has a life after 29?  So now the papers say that the Cicadas will be back in late May.  Just in time to ruin Memorial Day.  I imagine new ways I can torture them.  I imagine how young I was in 1990, and how I never could have imagined my life at 29.  No kids, no husband and very happy. I imagine that, eventually the Cicadas will leave, like they did last time.  I imagine that when they do leave, everyone will have their horror stories about them.  But what I can’t imagine is; the next time they come here in 2024, I will be 46!

The recent media attention to the health benefits of chocolate may or may not be valid. Regardless, while pomegranates and goji berries have had their day in the sun, chocolate is a hold-steady food whether or not it is considered healthy– if it does have powerful healing capabilities, great, but I’m going to eat it either way. On the North Shore, I like to go to Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie to fulfill my chocolate needs. Forget Godiva– Leonidas is the real deal. The chocolates are lovingly handcrafted from the finest European stock; consequently, they are amazing. And twelve chocolate-covered orange peels later, I feel as if I might live to be 100!

Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie
1157 Wilmette
(847) 256-5250
www.CafeChocolaterie.com

Technorati Tags: Wilmette, Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie, chocolate