Time for a brief break from action

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
If you haven't heard already, I am on vacation this week. So, by the time you are reading this column, I will be basking in the warm Florida sun. And since today is Sunday, you can rest assure that I am hitting the outlet stores pretty hard and causing my husband severe pain in his wallet.
In addition to shopping, we will be visiting Sea World and both Universal Parks.
While visiting all these attractions, I will be working on a tan this week since I have refused to go to the tanning bed in recent years, not that I was ever a religious tanner.
I have a fair complexion, and I don't really tan well under light bulbs, I burn.
Let's think about what tanning actually is, and the effects of it. Tanning is actually baking oneself in an effort to achieve beauty. It's kind of like putting chicken in the oven until it turns brown, but the inside is still raw.
Besides the physical and unknown internal effects of tanning, there is always the aging aspect.
Tanning will almost certainly cause premature aging, and I for one had rather look pale than old.
If you want to bake your skin, that is your right, and I totally support it but for those who feel that pale is not pretty, think again.
There are many beautiful actresses who make millions off their fair complexion. Look at Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Marcia Cross. They are gorgeous with their pasty pale skin, and fiery red hair. I could not imagine any of these ladies with a tan.
But now that the sun's come out and I'm headed to the sand, I'm ready to get a little color – even if it adds a few premature months.
I have had many of my friends tell me that I have an innocent look about me because I am so fair.
Let's just hope they remember all that when I come back from the beach with a nice golden glow.