The flower shops are busily creating arrangements of pink and yellow posies, the candy shops are wrapping their boxes of delicious confections in pink cellophane, and restaurants everywhere are gearing up for one of their busiest days of the year.

Yes, it is time for Mother's Day again, the annual day of homage to Moms everywhere. Children across the country are scratching their heads and wondering how to best honor the lady that has brought them into the world, and loved them like no other will. Millions of Dads are being asked, 'Geez, Dad. What can we get Mom for Mother's Day?'

Sometimes men make the mistake of buying things for their wives or mothers that are what they need, instead of what they want. Please be sure that when you are standing in front of something such as a vacuum cleaner, you say to yourself, 'Is this item I am considering buying something that will bring her pleasure in the days to come? Does it represent my love to her in the appropriate way?' Then move along from the vacuums and waffle irons and try a little harder.

If you are lucky enough to have a mom who is a NASCAR fan, then your purchasing choices have just become plentiful, and all of them will definitely fall into the 'something that she wants' category.

There is much more beyond a favorite driver's T-shirt or jacket. Clocks and watches, computer mouse pads, pajamas, and coffee mugs are just a few of the items that, when opened, will make your NASCAR-loving Mom smile wide.

Beyond the gifts that you can wrap, you can be creative in other ways as well. How about a NASCAR-themed dinner? Fly her favorite driver's flag outside, hang his posters inside, and decorate the table with a black-and-white checkered tablecloth. Serve 'Rushville Rocket Rigatoni' or 'Mark Martin Meatloaf', with perhaps a freshly tossed 'Reed-y Sorenson Salad' on the side. Follow things up with 'Ned Jarrett's How About a Piece of Apple Pie?' or a 'Carl Long Shortcake' and you've got yourself a fanciful, much-appreciated meal that will be remembered for a long time.

The important thing is to make those Moms happy on their special day. And nothing makes a NASCAR-minded mother happier than being bestowed with gifts that are mementos of the sport she loves so much. Heaven knows she will need consoled, as it's a Sunday without a race.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there.