Outdoors: The Pursuit of Nothing

By SHANE PROPHETT, Arnall Grocery Company

Overwhelmed, stressed out, or simply peopled out? You are not alone my friend.

As I write this, I’m tired, have about 127 things to do and only time to do about three of them. This doesn’t include the three things that I would like to do. We all have our limits and if you are like me, you stay at your limit at all times. Time to slow it down and what better place to do it than outdoors.

Let’s go!

Rules are a big part of life and if you are going with me to unwind and relax we need to lay down some rules. I usually choose to unwind alone but since you are tagging along we will follow these rules to maximize the use of our highly coveted and hard to come by slow down time.

First rule: NO (at least minimal) TALKING and secondly: this time will be spent outside.

As for Rule #1, this includes not talking to each other unless completely necessary. Keeping the conversation to a minimum will help us focus on the fact that we are doing nothing and on purpose.

Necessary topics include:

1. Jesus – The Lord can always and should always be mentioned anyplace, anytime.

2. What snack would you like? –Snacks like fruit, trail mix, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and such as that.

3. Do you want another Dr Pepper? –Multiple Dr Peppers and some bottled water are a must (got to stay hydrated).

4. What song do you want to play next? – I like to play country music, I prefer ‘80s and ‘90s but have come to enjoy some of the current artists as well.

Shane’s “Pursuit of Nothing” location.

5. Do you need more bait? – Always bring plenty of bait such as worms, minnows and crickets.

6. Is that a snake? – Snake identification is always important, relaxing or not.

7. Cloud shapes – Cloud shapes can account for many hours of nothingness.

8. Did you just get a bite? – Always keep a check on your companion’s fishing equipment in case they dose off.

9. Chair positioning – Chair positioning is important to avoid sun in the eyes and/or sunburn.

And 10. Is it too dark? – As for the darkness conversation, if you have to ask, it’s not too dark.

As you can see the only real conversation left to have is about Jesus and snakes, the remainder has now been made clear. So let’s move on to the location of our pursuit of nothing.

The elusive day of nothing, for me, must take place outdoors. I have a particular place in mind. It has a lake full of fish, lots of trees, and some open fields. It’s far enough from any road that it is quiet and peaceful. There are enough trees around the lake that I can stay in the shade all day.

I have obtained as a gift what is called a zero gravity chair (no you can’t borrow it) and it is ripe for napping. I have taken many naps by this lake only to be awaken by a catfish trying to yank my pole out of my slumbering hands. I know how to remedy this issue. I simply reel my line in and remove the bait then chunk it back out there. That will teach those fish to interrupt my nap.

This time of year an important thing to remember is the pollen count. In March the pollen count is usually bearable, somewhere in the millions (partially kidding). However, in April, that count goes into the trillions (partially kidding) which may require the use of a gas mask or at least a covid mask. This doesn’t stop my pursuit however. I can push through it with some sneezing and nose blowing. There is also a product called Alkalol that is effective in clearing out the nasal passages this time of year. Talk to your pharmacist about that one.

Nothing is an elusive rascal. Everything this world throws at us is against the idea of nothing. Work hard, be good at what you do, provide for your family, and help some others along the way, but don’t forget to slow down.

Nothing is there for the taking, we just keep passing it. Slow down and catch it.

Pro Sports

NBA – Atlanta Hawks (34-34)

March 4 – at Miami Heat ... L, 109-117

March 6 – at Miami Heat ... L, 128-130

March 8 – at Washington Wizards ... W, 122-120

March 10 – at Washington Wizards ... W, 114-107

March 11 – Boston Celtics ... L, 125-134

Mon., March 13 – Minnesota Twolves, 7:30 pm – BSSE

Fri., March 17 – Golden St. Warriors, 7:30 pm – BSSE

Sun., March 19 – at San Antonio Spurs, 4 pm – BSSE

March 21 – Detroit Pistons, 7:30 pm – BSSE

March 22 – at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 pm – BSSE

March 25 – Indiana Pacers, 5 pm – BSSE

MLS – Atlanta United (2-0-1)

Feb. 25 – San Jose Earthquakes ... W, 2-1

March 4 – Toronto FC ... T, 1-1

March 11 – at Charlotte FC ... W, 3-0

March 18 – Portland Timbers, 7:30 pm – Apple TV

March 25 – at Columbus Crew, 7:30 pm – Apple TV

April 1 – New York Red Bulls, 7:30 pm – Apple TV

MLB – Atlanta Braves (6-7-2 Spring Training)

March 8* – Team Dominican Republic ... L, 0-9

March 9* – #at Toronto Blue Jays (Dunedin) ..L, 1-3

March 9 – #Team Puerto Rico ... W, 9-0

March 10* – at Tampa Bay Rays ... W, 3-2

March 11* – Detroit Tigers ... L, 7-16

March 12* – at Pittsburgh Pirates (Bradenton) ... W, 11-3

Mon., March 13* – Baltimore Orioles, 1:05 pm

Tues., March 14* – at Philadelphia Phils (Clearwater), 1:05 pm

Wed., March 15* – Houston Astros, 1:05 pm

Thurs., March 16* –at Tampa Bay Rays, 1:05 pm – BSSE

Fri., March 17* – at Boston Red Sox (Fort Myers), 1:05 pm

Sat., March 18* – Philadelphia Phillies, 1:05 pm

Sun., March 19* – at Minnesota Twins (Fort Myers), 1:05 pm

March 20* – Tampa Bay Rays, 1:05 pm

* denotes Spring Training Game # denotes Split Squad

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

SEC – Georgia Bulldogs (16-16, 6-12)

Feb. 25 – Missouri ... L, 68-85

Feb. 28 – Florida ... L, 67-77

March 4 – at South Carollina ... L, 55-61

March 8 – #LSU ... L, 67-72

# SEC Tournament

ACC – Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (15-18, 6-15)

Feb. 28 – at Syracuse ... W, 96-76

March 4 – at Boston College ... W, 73-65

March 7 – ##Florida State ... W, 61-60

March 8 – ##Pittsburgh ... L, 81-89 ## ACC Tournament

HUNTING SEASON DATES – COWETA

Aug. 15 – March 15 ... Falconry (Squirrel)

Oct. 1 – March 15 ... Falconry (Rabbit, Quail, Grouse)

Hunting & Fishing License Info: Call 1-800-366-2661 Visit https://georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes

LAKE LEVELS

Jackson Lake – March 12 ... 528.67 ft. (Full 528 ft.)

Lake Allatoona – March 12 ... 833.78 ft (Full 840 ft.)

Lake Harding – March 12 ... 520.27 ft. (Full 520 ft.)

Lake Lanier – March 12 ... 1,070.84 ft (Full 1,071 ft.)

Lake Martin, Ala. – March 12 ... 486.32 ft. (Full 491 ft.)

Lake Wedowee, Ala. – March 12 ... 784.57 ft. (Full 793.0 ft.)

West Point Lake – March 12 ... 632.28 ft. (Full 635 ft.)

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Wednesday, March 15 – Rise 7:48 am; Set 7:47 pm

Thursday, March 16 – Rise 7:46 am; Set 7:47 pm

Friday, March 17 – Rise 7:45 am; Set 7:48 pm

Saturday, March 18 – Rise 7:44 am; Set 7:49 pm

Sunday, March 19 – Rise 7:42 am; Set 7:50 pm

Monday, March 20 – Rise 7:41 am; Set 7:50 pm

Tuesday, March 21 – Rise 7:40 am; Set 7:51 pm

Spring Art Walk Friday, March 24

A celebration of local art hosted by Main Street Newnan, around the courthouse square in downtown Newnan, 5 to 9 p.m.

Businesses extend their hours to host store-front exhibits and demonstrations curated by a variety of Newnan’s finest artists.

Visitors can expect to stroll through over 25 locations and see the work of multiple artists with a wide variety of art styles and mediums, including: oil on canvas, engraving, pottery, photography, jewelry-making, fiber arts, performing arts and acrylics. mainstreetnewnan.com