For many, springtime marks the start of the lawn care season. When I was a youngster, the advent of grass meant that it was time to step into the crucial role of cow turner.

Winter sports are a large part of life here in the frozen Midwest, mainly because winter occupies such a large part of our calendar. Ignoring winter would be like trying to ignore an 800-pound gorilla who has taken over your couch and is watching your TV, drinking your beer and whose hands are Day-Glo orange because he has eaten all of your Cheetos.

The holiday season will soon be here, that time of year when belts shrink and stretchy pants become your best friend. The big three of holiday celebrations come one after another, with scant time for the waistline to recover.