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Sarasota News Leader March 8, 2013 OPINION Page 71 JUST GO AHEAD AND CALL IT AN 'ADDICTION' By Harriet Cuthbert Contributing Writer COMMENTARY OK, I admit it. I have an addiction, and I am fairly sure many other people have the same one, but it is not mentioned out loud very often. thing in the air hypnotizing me? I feel as if I can do this forever. Yes, my addiction to our weather has taken over all my senses. I am inventing excuses to be outside: Snip a branch; dig up a weed; waThis addiction is unique. It is not bad for my ter the shrubs. It is getting ridiculous. Did I physical or mental well being (quite the con- not just do all this yesterday? trary); it does not require making "a con- It is so easy to nurse this addiction. It is probnection" to purchase it (it is free); and when ably the only one that will enhance and extend abused, it does not necessarily break up fami- a life — making a person even healthier. Being lies — more than likely, it brings them together. an "outsider" in Sarasota should be required, I am addicted to the weather in Sarasota, and both for residents and tourists. especially on Siesta Key. I realized that on a I guess I will have to wait until next winter (or recent day I had spent more than six hours when it snows) to come inside and vacuum. % outdoors, thinking of different ways to remain outdoors, which was not very difficult at all. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR There are the usual choices: the beach; long walks; gardening. But what is really forcing me to stay outside and ignore all my domestic (indoor) responsibilities? Why do I feel compelled to be outdoors all day? Am I worried that this perfect weather will not last more than one day? Is it the stunning azure sky, lit up by that golden sun — with not even one cloud to mar its perfection? Is it the early morning wake-up calls of the birds, also addicted to being outside? (If there is a breeze, it is just comforting enough to cool me off from the sun's warm rays.) I cannot stop. Why do I find myself sitting at the beach, just staring into space? Is some- The Sarasota News Leader welcomes letters to the editor from its readers. Letters should be no more than 300 words in length, and include the name, street address and telephone number of the writer. Letters should be emailed to Letters@SarasotaNewsLeader.com, with "Letter to the Editor" in the subject line. Letters actually printed will be selected based on space available, subject matter and other factors. We reserve the right to edit any letters submitted for length, grammar, spelling, etc. All letters submitted become the property of The Sarasota News Leader.