Spring sports prep - what do I need?

Basketball is finally done and we can move on. At last.

I don't know about you, and maybe it's just me, but it felt like this year's college basketball season was interminable. I was ready for it to be over about a month ago. I understand that it's all about money and how much the networks, advertisers and colleges can make, but to have your postseason last for more than a month is a bit excessive. While it is nice to have so many teams extend their seasons, do we really need that many teams to keep playing? Here's a thought. Put the NCAA tournament back to 32 teams. That way it's truly a privilege to be playing in it. Plus, it doesn't drag on and on and on ad infinitum.

Moving into spring means sports move outdoors. I get to cover track, golf, soccer and baseball at the high school level and golf, track, baseball, softball and tennis at the college level. (FYI: College soccer and high school softball are in the fall.) The challenge with covering spring sports, however, is preparation. Do I wear my winter coat? Should I take my umbrella? What about sunblock - will it be required? And the answer to all three questions is yes.

Yes, wear your winter coat. Last week I was at a baseball game where the temperatures were in the 30s I think and the wind was howling out of the north. Winter coat, long johns and extra socks were definitely needed.

Yes, take an umbrella. A couple weeks ago I was at a soccer game that was cold and rainy. Luckily, I can get decent pictures from the press box, so that's where I went, but the wind was blowing out of the northwest, right into the press box. So much for comfort.

Yes, put on sunblock - especially if, like me, you can get a sunburn in less than 15 minutes. At today's track meet, temperatures rose into the low 80s, so I shed the jacket, exposing my bare arms to the sun. I put sunblock on my part and my face before I got out of the car, but at the time the wind was blowing pretty good out of the south and it was chilly. I figured I'd wear my jacket until I was ready to leave. Then the wind died and the sun shone, and I needed to take off my jacket. Unfortunately, I'd left the sunblock in the car, so as I'm looking at my arms now, they're looking a little bit pink.

Additional items I usually take to games/meets include sunglasses and a scrunchy. The sunglasses are self explanatory. They're certainly not to make me look cool because I'm past help there. A scrunchy or rubber band is essential for those of us photographers with long or longer hair. When it's windy, like it usually is, having strands of hair blowing in front of the camera lens is not a good thing. You get strange lines through your photos. And yes, I have had that happen.

Hopefully now we're past the frigid days and are moving into the nicer ones. As the seasons progress, the weather improves and by the end of spring sports, the coats are put away for the summer, the umbrella is handy but not grabbed every time you go out the door and the sunblock is habit.

Enjoy watching your favorites teams/ players this spring. I know I will.

Peanut butter and jelly and autism

Today is World Autism Day, so I'm going to talk about PB&J. (It's also national Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, just so you know.)

There's nothing quite like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You have so many options for the sandwich - type of bread, crunchy or creamy peanut butter and your choice of jelly flavors. And then there are the add-ons. Some people add fruit like bananas to their sandwiches. Others put additional condiments on the sandwich, and still others subtract from the sandwich by cutting the crusts off their bread.

I like PB&J. I don't really have a preference when it comes to crunchy or creamy peanut butter. I like both. When it comes to jelly, I can go with almost any flavor - strawberry, apricot, apple, grape, etc. (but what does etc. taste like?) - it's all good. I don't have a favorite really. It's usually whatever strikes my fancy as I walk down the jelly aisle at the grocery store.

I do like adding potato chips to my sandwich, though. They have to be the plain chips - no Doritos or Cheetos for this particular addition. Potato chips add an extra layer of flavor and texture to the sandwich. Plus, by putting the chips in the sandwich, my fingers don't get as salty during lunch.

I remember adding chips when I was younger. My brothers and I would add the chips, take a very satisfying bite and say, with an early attempt at humor, "why is my sandwich so crunchy?" Goofy, I know, and I think Mom rolled her eyes every time we said it, but we thought it was funny.

Adding chips doesn't work for every type of sandwich, however. Sandwiches like baloney or ham or turkey really don't need the extra layer. And the combination of chips with sandwich meat isn't quite as workable as chips and PB&J. Just so you know.

I can't finish this post without talking briefly about autism. My nephew Brenden has been diagnosed as autistic, so it's become a cause I pay more attention to. The B-Man lives in New York with his parents, sister and two brothers, so I don't get to see them very often. However, his mother (my sister) keeps us updated on their goings-on, so I can keep track of what they're doing.

I admire what they do with him. It can't be easy to have a child with special needs, especially one who doesn't talk much. They, however, keep him involved in activities, work with him one-on-one when they can and make sure he's an integral part of their family.