Category: Lucy Buxton

The Final Countdown 

By: Lucy Buxton

Since it is finally April, days are starting to fly by for us seniors. To put it into perspective the senior class gets out of school, “has their last day of school at Wilson Hall” on May 9th. Which is 36 days, counting the days we are out for spring break. There are seven school days til Spring break, 22 days in all til prom, and 56 days til graduation. Although the numbers might not seem that small, one thing I have learned as a senior is the days are long but the weeks fly back…and I am not sure how to feel. 

Starting off with the first “big last event” of being a senior, Spring Break. This year’s spring break is going to look a little different for some of us. I have grown up going to Litchfield by the Sea since I was in lower school, along with the rest of Sumter but this year a group of my friends and I are going to Montego Bay in Jamaica. There are still a lot of people that are going to Litchfield, although I am thrilled to be going to Jamaica, I am skeptical about being apart from everyone. 

Next in these sequence of events is prom. I may just have this view of prom because I am a girl and trust me, I know boys dont take it as seriously as girls, my brother has made me well aware, I do feel like it is so “highschool”. That might be worded weird but think about it. In every movie about highschool, there is a scene about prom most of the time. I have a feeling this will be the best prom yet for two reasons. Number one being, it is so late (April 25th) so the weather should and better be absolutely perfect, this ties into prom breakfast as well.  Number 2 being, over the years and especially this year the senior and junior class have become very close and this is kind of “one last hoorah” for us to be together. I hope everyone has the same mindset when it comes to the actual day of prom.

  Following that, the last day of school or some call it the senior lunch, I’m not going to touch on this too much because for one, it makes me sad and emotional and two, I have never done it so I am not sure what to expect. 

Lastly, “The lasts of lasts”, graduation. In one of my prior blogs I expressed a problem with the location and my opinions but I have learned to be okay with it…(okay, not highly pleased) but I am thankful the administration took our concerns into consideration. I am very excited for graduation and I know it is a time lot celebration but I am feeling weird about it, like most of my grade and I think one main reason we feel this is because our grade has always kind of been the “babies”. A lot of people have had older siblings go through Wilson Hall and we are the last class that will remember some of the past teachers Wilson Hall will have. 

I know I have expressed some worry in this blog, I also need to note how grateful I feel to be able to feel so strongly about leaving because not everyone got to enjoy highschool as much as I have and been with as good of people as I have been with.

Graduation

By: Lucy Buxton

As the end of senior year is quickly approaching, there are lots of things to plan and prepare for. Such as lots of grad parties, vacations, and the last of “lasts”. 

If I’m being honest, I dont think I’m quite ready for all of this to end. Basketball finished for us about two weeks ago and I’m not even the biggest fan of playing basketball but when I realized it was the end, I was very upset. I was more upset about my brother’s season ending though. I always tell people that I don’t like him until basketball season comes around because I really am so proud of him. I might have even cried for him more than him. It is just something about watching him working his butt off for years in our driveway and all of that hard work coming to an end on a random Monday night. I wasn’t prepared for that and neither was my family I think. 

As track is starting up, I’m trying to keep a mindset of trying constantly because this really is the last sport I will ever do and I think that is a hard mindset to grasp because for lots of my classmates, sports have been a huge part of our lives since we have been eligible to play them. I also love track so I think that will make it even more sad than basketball so I am dreading the end but I hope I can still remain positive and motivated throughout the year. 

Moving on from sports, there are lots of things to look forward to like my spring break I will be spending in Jamaica with some of my best friends. I couldn’t be more excited for that and the day after graduation I will be going to the Bahamas so there are a lot of “ups” about the end approaching but I am trying to soak it all in before it is too late. 

Enough with the posities, one bone I have to pick with is, our graduation not being at Patriot Hall, but instead the practice gym… I won’t comment much on this because I would probably get in trouble for the word choice I would like to use but let’s just say I am not happy and do not want to make the most of it but I guess I will try. 

Best Super Bowl Performances In The Past

By: Lucy Buxton

It is no secret that this year’s halftime Super Bowl performance has been very controversial. Most people, Including me, don’t feel like it was that entertaining or good. That is just my opinion but I did think it was very repetitive and the halftime performances should be more of someone who sings, rather than a rapper. Maybe bring in a rapper to add along to the excitement but I don’t think that should be the whole show. I also like the older generations probably didn’t enjoy it because that’s not the kind of music most people that age listen to.

One of my personal favorite performers at the Super Bowl was Chris Stapleton. He didn’t perform during halftime but he did perform that National Anthem before. It was just beautiful. I think I have shown every one of my family members and friends the video of him singing it at least ten times. It was flawless and very classy. He didn’t try to put some weird “pop” twist to it like most people do in front of a crowd that big. He really just did as he always does and it left me and many others speechless and it’s no secret why. Just look it up.

Moving on. Katy Perry. Whether you love her or hate her you can’t ignore how iconic her performance was. She had props that were incredible, especially when she sang her hit “Roar” on top of a huge silver lion. All the songs had a completely different vibe but still kept people engaged. Another big thing was her backup dancers. They all had costumes to fir each song and all did cool moves that looked professional. This factor has been lacking in recent years. She also has some cool people to sing along with her that seemed to keep people on their toes. I’m playing the performance as I’m writing this and it doesn’t even compare to recent years, it simply puts them to shame. The whole time I’m thinking, How did she change so fast? During Kendrick Lamars, I was so underwhelmed. He stayed in the same outfit and with the same back up dancers that seemed to just walk around and follow him. The only cool thing he did was bring out Serena Williams. It was pretty underwhelming to me and all the people I watched it with.

All that to say, Let’s hope they up their game next year.

The Top Five Best Christmas Foods 

By: Lucy Buxton

“I didn’t look like this before the holidays”. How often do you hear this from at least five family members you haven’t seen since summer? Well, zi heard this a lot over this years Christmas break. Needless to say. It really does make you feel a little bit better about indulging into these wonderful seasonal foods. I will be naming my top holiday foods…once again, in no specific order.

Coming in strong, Gingersnaps. My next door neighbor, Cammy Chandler always makes the most mouth watering cookies. They are thin and crisp and go perfectly with some vanilla ice cream. They are so good that my parents used to make us put the last of them on a plate for “Santa” but we know who really ended up enjoying them.

Up next, my moms breakfast casserole. We have this every Christmas morning and it just starts the day off on an even higher note than it already is on. It consists of sausage, egg, bread, and a layer of cheese across the top. It simply never gets old.

Another seasonal food that never fails to get me in the right Christmas spirit is Peppermint Bark. I have no all time favorite brand that makes this, I pretty much enjoy every kind of it. I feel like this is agreeable amongst most people. How could you not like chocolate plus a thin layer of peppermint? 

Adding on to my previous comment about Peppermint Bark, I enjoy all the different seasonal candy bags that brands make. Such as red and green M&M’s or Christmas tree Reese’s Peanut Butter cup. These brands really know how to get customers in the spirit and to get them to spend money, even if their candy tastes the exact same as their normal candy it’s just a different color or shape. 

Lasty, at number five, I’m going to put in asparagus. I know this is completely different then the last for items I just named but for some reason the asparagus at my grandma’s house on Christmas night is just different. It pairs so perfectly with the steak and makes me feel a little bit better about how bad my eating habits have gotten over the long break.

The Most Popular Christmas Gifts Over the Years

By: Lucy Buxton

Christmas Recap & After Christmas Steals

Since the Christmas season is approaching and children are making their Christmas lists for Santa, it only seems fitting to discuss the most popular Christmas gifts all over the world over the years. I will be discussing the “hottest” Christmas gift by each decade from nineteen-fifty to the two-thousands. 

Starting off with the year, nineteen- fifty, or as some would describe it, “The year of Barbie”. Barbie first hit the selves in nineteen-fifty and as you can probably imagine, Barbies were at the top of every little girl’s Christmas list. This is interesting because as I have looked at the shift of interest in toys over the decades, Barbie has continued to make her mark almost every year. This might also be connected with the movie released last summer. 

Interestingly enough, in nineteen- sixty the most popular toy under Christmas trees was the G.I Joe action toy. In ten years the most popular toy went from a very girly doll to an action packed “rough around the edges” G.I Joe action toy. 

Following the crave of G.I Joe in the nineteen- sixties, the next popular toy in the nineteen- seventies was Weebles. These items were popular more than thirty years before I was born but I still remember finding these toys fascinating when I visited my Grandmas. I guess my uncles were even a fan of Weebles.

Another iconic toy that is still around today that was highly popular in nineteen-eighty is the Rubix Cube. Although this frustrating yet iconic toy didn’t gain much popularity til nineteen- eighty, it was invented in the nineteen-seventies. I’m not quite sure if children actually craved this item or if they raved the attention they got if they were able to solve it. 

Moving on to nineteen-ninety, the Tamagotchi. I feel like I have heard of every toy so far but I can’t say this is something I have heard of. The Tamagotchi was a digital pet that required constant attention. Owners of this toy had to feed it and clean it to make sure the beloved pet did not die. This does not seem like a toy that could carry on its legacy into future years and it didn’t. 

The two thousands, a whole new century. Of course the most popular gift had to do with electronics. The Nintendo Wii captivated children of all different ages and although the Wii is not around still, many different variations of the Nintendo are still being purchased to this day.  

It is important to remember no matter how badly you or your child feels like they “need” a gift under the tree, the real gift is the birth of Jesus and spending time with the people you love most. 

Top Five Shows

By: Lucy Buxton

Again, I will be making a “top three” list on my personal favorites but this time on my favorite shows but in no specific order. 

Starting with “Gossip Girl”. Gossip Girls first season was released in two thousand and seven. This show is about “Upper East Side” teenagers and their family problems. Some actors that star in this show consist of Blake Lively, who plays Serena Van Der Woodsen. Lively stars in “It Ends With Us’, “A Simple Favor”, and “The Age of Adaline”. Lively’s co-star Leigh Meester plays Serena’s best friend. I love this show because it only consists of six seasons which means they don’t really drag on the plot. Every season is interesting and keep you on the edge of your seat.

One of my other favorites is “Watcher”. This show is pretty new, it came out in twenty- twenty- two. This show isn’t for everybody though, it is a horror/mystery show.  This show is inspired by the events detailed in a New York Times magazine article by Reeves Wiedeman. This story is said to be mostly true and is about a real house the was stalked by the neighbors and more. This show was created by Ryan Murphy. Ryan Murphy also produced “Monsters” based on the Menedez brothers that has caused a lot of controversy in the last month. I like this show because it messed with your mind and constantly got viewers to  pay close attention to every detail.

To add on to the horror/mystery shows, “Fool Me Once” has got to be in one of my top favorite shows. This show is about a newly single mom who is grieving her husband when in just two weeks she sees him alive. The lesson of this show is “People should learn from their mistakes”. I’m not going into too much depth about this show because if you haven’t seen it, I don’t want to spoil it.

What Color Fits You Best

By: Lucy Buxton

Have you ever wondered why your favorite color does not go hand and hand with the color that looks best on you? Well, I have. It is so frustrating when you find an item of clothing that catches your eye because of the beautiful color, only to find out it doesn’t flatter your tones at all. Tragic.

Growing up in the South, I feel like we’ve all heard that blue is always a “safe” color to wear. Why is that though? What makes blue different from every other color? It is said that no matter what type of skin color you have, blue makes people’s skin tone look brighter than it naturally is and more radiant.

Color matching can also go with the color or your hair. It is said warm colors look best with blondes but I disagree with that statement. I feel like some warm colors could make some blonde hair look yellow or not toned. I do think warm colors look good on everyone in their summer, especially with a nice tan. I believe a soft brown really goes with blondes because it is a perfect contrast. 

What color is best for brunettes? White, when you wear white it gives the dark hair a moment to be “the center of attention”. A color that also pairs well with brunettes but probably doesn’t come to mind is, Olive. A deep green with a hint of brown seems to compliment tanner skin tones also so this color seems more popular in the summer or spring.

A color I personally don’t like for multiple reasons, one being it is the main color for the Clemson Tigers is orange. It’s said that orange is “attention- grabbing” so introverts should probably avoid this color as well. If you don’t have a warm skin tone, orange often looks way too bold on people. 

To be safe, I think black always looks good on people and it doesn’t matter what season you wear it in either. 

Ranking Older Kid’s Movies

By: Lucy Buxton

Top Five Best “Older” Children’s Movies

Instead of ranking my “top songs”, I will be rating my top five best “older” children’s movies. Again, In no specific order, along with some fun facts about each film.

On June twenty-second of nineteen fifty-five, Disney released an absolute masterpiece, “Lady and the Tramp”. The main characters are Lady, a “high class’ Cocker Spaniel and Jock, a rough Scottish Terrier. The main action in this movie is when Lady’s owner has a baby and the attention quickly shifts from Lady to the new baby. Lady ends up lost on the street and finds Jock and they learn from each other’s different perspectives. I’m not quite sure why I’m so drawn to this film. It is light hearted but also has a deeper meaning, as most animated children’s movies do. I happen to also have a Cocker Spaniel so maybe that is why I’m a little biased. One fun fact about this animation is that Lady was actually a real dog owned by a Disney writer, Joe Grant.

About Thirty years after “Lady and the Tramp”, another magical film was released, “Fox and the Hound”. This is a movie that a lot of people know pretty well. The movie starts off when Tod (The Fox) mother is killed. He is taken in by Widow Tweed, who has a neighbor that owns a hound dog around the same as Tod, Copper. The story honestly had a pretty sad ending but I found it highly entertaining as a kid. A fun fact about “Fox and the Hound” that you probably don’t know is, The bear’s snarl is the same snarl used for Shere Khan in the “Jungle Book”.

Only about six years after “Lady and the Tramp”, another movie that really made viewers fall in love with dogs was, “One Hundred and One Dalmatians”. It is about a litter of Dalmations that are being abducted by the minions of Cruella De Vil. The owners and parents of the puppies are in a hurry to find the precious puppies before she makes them into some sort of fashion statement. I love this film because it is based in Paris so it seems magical and romantic but the story is actually the complete opposite. One fun fact about this film is, There are more than six million spots on this movie.

An all time favorite but sometimes forgotten film, Dumbo. This movie is about an elephant with huge ears. The moral of this story is very important for children to learn and this is we should not discourage anyone just because of the ways he or she looks on the outside. A fun fact about this movie is Dumbo originally had a sidekick which was a mouse.

Last but certainly not least, “Aristocats”. This film was released in nineteen seventeen and was created by Walt Disney. This movie, In my opinion, is very similar to “One Hundred and One Dalmatians”. Both movies are set in Paris, France and Both female characters Perdita, the Dalmation and Dutchess, the cat are both owned by very prim and proper people. Both “high class” pets, along with their owners end up falling in love with the “more rough around the edges” owners and their pets. A fun fact about “Aristocats” is it is inspired by the true story of a Parisian family of cats, who inherited a fabulous fortune. 

Country Songs That Are Mandatory For Beach/Lake Days 

By: Lucy Buxton

In no specific order, I will be naming and going into detail about country songs that are necessary for a ten out of ten beach day. 

Starting off strong, “Summertime” by Kenny Chesney. Yes, This can be a little bit cringey but it fully embraces the excitement and joy that summertime brings. In the first few seconds of the song Chesney says, “School’s out and nights roll in. Man just like a long lost friend.” Isn’t that the truth? In my opinion, there is no better feeling than being able to be out late with all your friends and not worry about what’s to come. As years go on this song will probably make me think about the “good ole days” spending spring break at Litchfield with the people I love.

Another song that makes a day out on the boat even more enjoyable is, “Toes” by Zac Brown Band. When this song came out it quickly became a number one hit and it is very obvious why. This tune is about escaping a nine to five job and going on vacation, which is very relatable for lots of people I know. My favorite line in this is simply, “Life is good today”. It’s so easy to remember how good life is when you go on vacation but very important to remember how lucky you are to wake up even when you aren’t on vacation.

Coming in at number three is, “Long Hot Summer” by Keith Urban. Amongst the famous country singers it is said that “Nobody knows summer like Keith Urban does”. My favorite line from this absolute masterpiece is “Just waiting’ on the sun to go down”. As I said before, when you’re young and it’s summer, you’re just waiting for the sun to go down. This is also a song I can see myself fifty years from now reminiscing on being young and dumb. 

Last but not least an obligatory song for a say in the sun is “Springsteen” by Eric Church. This is an anthem for the summer. If you don’t know this song yet, I suggest you take a break from reading this and turn this jam on as soon as possible. My favorite line is “When you think about me, do you think about seventeen”. I’m eighteen now…so old. This song already makes me reminisce.

Country Songs That Will Make Your Day Better

By: Lucy Buxton

6 Summer Country Music Concerts To Look Forward To | Uloop

In no specific order, I will be naming and going into detail about country songs that will increase your mood. 

The first song that will cheer you up and my favorite song of all time, “Feathered Indians” by Tyler Childers. I’ve never heard someone say a negative thing about this song. It’s impossible to. This song carries a good upbeat tune that is very catchy but the words make it the most joyful. My favorite line in this song is, “But up till now there ain’t been nothing that I couldn’t leave behind”. Although that is very grammatically incorrect, it makes me think of all I have been given and how hard it will be to leave behind but reminds me that God closes doors to open new ones. 

The second song on my list is “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” by Travis Tritt. This one is pretty self explanatory. It’s a good reminder of how some days aren’t always the best but to be thankful for the days you are alive. My favorite part from this song is “And it’s a great day to be alive, I know the suns still shining when I close my eyes. There’s some hard times in the neighborhood but why can’t everyday be just this good.” Again, the song really emphasizes life is what you choose to make of it.

The third song on my list is “People are crazy” by Billy Currington. Billy Currington explains he wrote this song after riding around the country in Alabama and thinking of two things that always remain true. God is great and people are crazy. The song explains Billy meeting a random guy out on the town one night and they end up talking about their lives. Billy thinks nothing of it until later on when the old man Billy talked to the night passed away and it turns out he was a millionaire and left all his money to Billy.  Obviously, this story is pretty far fetched but it shows how much the little things in life mean to people.

The fourth song on my list is “Crash and Burn” by Thomas Rhett. Rhett explains the meaning of his song is to fail spectacularly. It romanticizes failing but not always looking at it as a bad thing. It demonstrates not taking life so seriously. It’s about a guy who doesn’t have the best luck finding love but it sounds so happy. It’s a different take on how to deal with bad or unexpected things in a bright light instead of moping around and wasting time. I just like this song because it reminds me life keeps moving forward even if you don’t.