Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?

"Right and wrong - Joy and despair - Good and evil. These are the themes Robert Louis Stevenson addresses in his work, 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.' " I guess the point that I am trying to make is that there is a stark contrast to the side of me that most of you are familiar with. For those of you who think you know me, you may be mistaken!

Over the past three years a daring and unforeseen side of Sandy Seely has emerged. It all began a few years after becoming an “empty nester.” I had a significant void in my life that I just could not fill. After contemplating my dilemma, I discovered that in order to alleviate this problem I basically had three options to consider: become miserable in spirit, have more children and re-fill the nest, or branch out into the unknown world of "my man." I decided that it might be wisest to choose the last option and attempt to become involved in the things that interest my husband. Being “such a girl” was going to make this feat quite a challenge!

My first attempt at entering the male world was when I put my hate for cold weather aside and joined the "Northland Snowmobilers’ Club" (my name for the men who consistently rode through the trails of WI -- Dr. Patz, Dr. Fox, Kelly Curell, Chuck Richards, and my husband). I felt a bit odd at first when I was the only woman rider. However, once I put my fluorescent green and black jacket along with that over-sized helmet on, then all my inhibitions suddenly disappeared. My confidence in mastering this “machine” grew to the point that I felt like I could conquer the world . . . or at least the trails leading from my house to Richard’s Super Club in Dunbar. I must admit that I found it hard replacing the fragrance of Jovan musk perfume with the smell of engine fumes.

The game of football became my next interest. Dan developed his own version of “football picks” which became very addicting to me and actually grew over the past two years to include not only Don, Dan, and Karis, but also my mom, Tim, Kristen and James. In order to keep up with the guys, I had to do lots of homework which included me developing and studying my own charts. It was a huge challenge for me to learn so much about so many players when I wasn’t even sure how to even play the game. I learned quickly and soon found myself listening in on the sports conversations that the men discussed at the lunch table; periodically I would even join in by contributing a stat or two.

However, none of these conquests top the rush one feels when they are decked out in blaze orange! Yes, you read correctly, I took up the sport of hunting this past November! Many thanks go to my husband & Dan who patiently worked with me at the shooting range and who encouraged me in this endeavor. Once I knew that I could at least hit "the kill zone" (sorry, ladies!), then I became more excited and waited with building anticipation for "opening day." Thanksgiving morning, just 4 hours before company arrived, my opportunity came. I will spare the details; but guys, it was a blast (no pun intended)! For you ladies, I can assure you that Bambi’s mother did not suffer! At first, I must admit that I did feel bad (that was the female side of me); however, the "conquering" feeling soon dominated and I must confess that I became pretty pumped. I am now anxiously waiting for hunting season this November to roll around as I will once again hunt with my husband and this time our son, Dan, will join us!

In closing I must add that unlike Stevenson’s novel, Mr. Hyde has not completely taken over the Dr. Jekyll side of me. I allow that mysterious side to surface only when my husband is looking for "male bonding" times.

Maybe you should do some exploring in areas that are totally foreign to you. Who knows, you might find that there is a "Mr. Hyde” hidden inside you?