THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 1995 TAG: 9501150069
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
As we all know from that great Eddie Cochran song, ``There ain't no cure for the summertime blues.''
Well, here on the Outer Banks, there's no such thing as the summertime blues.
But winter, that's another story.
Many restaurants close. The weather's cold and rainy. And all most folks want to do is stay inside and cultivate a good case of cabin fever.
It's the best recipe for the blues this side of Memphis.
But friends, before you decide to take a firearm and give the Elvis treatment to your television set, here are some prescriptions to get you through the down time of year:
1. Jump on a plane to Aruba. Granted, 99 and three-quarters percent of us can only dream about this. So unless you're a fur-wearin' Mercedes-drivin' person of independent means, disregard item one. But you can always go to your friendly neighborhood travel agency and grab a few brochures. They, like dreams, are beautiful - and they're free.
2. Do some things around your home to give it that tropical flair. Put a chaise lounge in your living room. Turn on some beach music. Mix up something tropical in the blender. Put on some summer clothes. Black Bermuda shorts, black socks, sandals and a tacky Hawaiian shirt are frowned upon, but not prohibited.
3. Music can also work wonders this time of year. Call your favorite local deejay and request some upbeat stuff. Need some suggestions? Jimmy Buffett, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Chairmen of the Board, Otis Redding's recording of ``Respect'' and the Allman Brothers doing ``Jessica.'' Another suggestion is to play a song you remember from the best date in your life. However, if that date was not with your husband, wife, or current ``significant other,'' can that idea. It's not worth the headaches.
4. Have breakfast for dinner. Bacon, eggs, and pancakes are relatively inexpensive, and it breaks the monotony to serve something unexpected. For vegetarians, (or choco-holics) have dessert as your main course. The experts highly recommend Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia as a starter.
5. Read. Read. Read. Try some of the classics - you know, the books you had the Cliffs' Notes for in high school. Also, I highly recommend any of the Travis McGee mysteries by the late John D. MacDonald. Warm climate. Great plots. Enough to warm up any blustery winter night.
6. On a clear night, bundle up, walk out on your porch or into your yard, and watch the stars. Amazing.
7. If you're eating lunch out, pick up the tab for someone you don't know, without their knowledge. And then leave quietly.
8. Go to a local nursing home or hospital, and read to a patient.
9. Go to a youth sports event. If you want to see heart and determination, check out some kids playing hoops. It's not the Carolina-Virginia game, but in some ways, it's better.
10. Select a treat and visit an elderly neighbor. Cookies, or a cake, or just some time.
11. And last, but not least, smile. It can warm the heart on even the coldest day.
I realize that for many veterans of winter on the 'Banks, these long, lonely winter months are considered a great time to be here. But for newcomers, January can be tough. So kids, crank up the Tams, put on your polyester shirt, and get ready to limbo.
March 20 - the first day of spring - is only a shag dance away. by CNB