Fresh.

What a word. All kinds of things come to mind when I think of it, some a little strange, some a little sexy, and others a little funky, like this video by Kool & the Gang. Thanks to this topic, now I can't get this song out of my head. lol Weren't the 80's great?



What else does the word bring to mind? Flowers, of course! I love fresh flowers; wild ones are even better. Their glorious colors and fragrances brighten the day tremendously. These orange beauties always remind me of places far away and natural paradises. I used this picture in my book trailer for Second Nature because they looked so alive and inviting. Nature is great about giving us fresh beauty to enjoy.

I'd be lying if I didn't say that the word fresh reminds me of a man making a pass at a woman (or vice versa), and it makes me wonder where the phrase, "He got fresh with me!" comes from. It has a connotation of being unwanted attention, but since it's been around a while, perhaps that came from the attitudes about men and women at the time when it originated. What constituted being fresh back then? An "accidental" touch on the knee? A peck on the cheek without permission? A glance that lasted just a second too long? Or perhaps it's just a way to say someone is being sassy. In today's society, with words like "cougar" and role models like Paris Hilton, I'm not sure that lingo has stood the test of time.

Most importantly for me is fresh perspective. Sometimes I get bogged down or in a rut, and I need somebody else's take on a dilemma or problem. That's where my hubby is invaluable. When I angsted about changing my hairstyle, he just looked at me and rolled his eyes.

"Well, ultimately, either you wear your hair behind your ears or in front of your ears," he explained.

When I fretted about which dress to where to our formal dance, I finally gave up and asked him which he'd like to see me in.

"That one," he decided, pointing to my silver, fringed stand-by. "That green one makes you look like one of the cubes that fall out of the sky on that one video game."

When I couldn't decide what lingerie to take on our honeymoon, he solved my problem instantly.

"None. You won't be wearing it that long anyway, and we need the room in the suitcase for my jock itch cream."

You get the idea. As I've grown older, I've discovered that I really enjoy meeting new people who can give me a fresh perspective on life, even though I still depend on Hubby and my family more than anyone to provide it. Who do you go to when you want a new way to look at things? Who can offer that insight that eludes you when you need it most? Please do share!

Happy Reading!