Tangent Teaching in Turbulent Times

Do you know the meaning of each word in this title? If so, you might want to thank a teacher.
Are you a teacher? Do you personally know a teacher? Do you have a school age child who is home from school right now because of Covid-19?
If you answered "no" to any, or all of these three previous questions, there is a good chance you have no idea of the lifestyle teachers in the United States are embracing to keep students up to speed and prepared for when/if school starts back this fall.

UT Extension Can Help You Plan for Income Loss During the Coronavirus Pandemic

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The coronavirus pandemic is causing rapid changes to our daily lives and the economy. Work hours are being reduced and jobs are being cut across many industries. University of Tennessee Extension has released three new publications to help those facing a downturn to their personal finances.

“UT Extension is here to serve Tennesseans, in times of plenty and in times of want,” says Christopher T. Sneed, consumer economics specialist with UT Extension. “These three publications are especially helpful when encountering difficult circumstances.”

Tomatoes Part III: Planting & Watering

In the second part of our tomato series, we discussed fertilization and weed control. In this edition, we will talk about two important parts of growing tomatoes, planning the garden layout and the thing we seem to either have too little or much of, water. Water is a critical resource in everything we do as humans. Sufficient water is the key to success in our gardens. I’d also like to share a photo from my 2019 tomato season, my daughter helping me with planting our garden (Photo 1). I must insist that eating the garden dirt would be an unpleasant experience, but she disagreed.

8th District Attorney General Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 19-25, 2020

To commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), which runs April 19-25, 2020, 8th District Attorney General Jared Effler and his staff had originally planned a week-long “Walk Across the District” with designated walks to be held on each day of the week in each of the five counties within the district, covering Campbell, Claiborne, Union, Scott, and Fentress counties in honor of crime victims; however, in light of current circumstances, General Effler is now asking us all to observe this very important week in a different way, individually.

Stepping Out

The church I attend has a strong commitment to the community, reaching out in a variety of ways. The particular niche I have settled into is food delivery for the FISH program. In rotation with other area organizations, once a month we open the phone lines to answer the needs of those in our area who, for whatever reason, are having trouble getting access to enough food. We do not ask for proof of need, or employment status, or try to find out if they already have food in their home. If a person calls and says they need food we say, “Okay.

Spine surgery is safe in patients of advanced age

The world’s population is steadily growing older. Along with increased age comes a variety of age-related health problems, and degenerative spine diseases constitute a common health problem in older persons.

Spine surgery can improve quality of life in many patients with damaged or deteriorating spinal components. This is true for older patients as well as for younger ones. But what about patients in the upper range of elderly, those 80 years of age or older? Is spine surgery advisable in this group and what risks does it carry?

Dropped By

I’m not sure if it’s a southern saying or something my family said, but I heard “Dropped by” quite often while growing up. It simply means an unexpected visit to somebody else’s home. Usually it was somebody you knew, but in times of desperation it could be any home. I had to “Drop by” a stranger’s home many years ago and it’s a day a-I still remember. And I still can’t explain what I experienced.

When the Storms of Life are Raging

(This is the continuation of last week’s story titled “From Dust Thou Art”.)

It was after Bella had put the little Mosley aunts to bed and had turned in herself before Mother Maggie returned. She talked quietly to Pa Fain, so quietly that Bella tiptoed out of her bed and hid behind the living room door to hear what was being said. Bella was so curious to know what had happened to Della that she felt she could not sleep if she didn’t know. Sneaking like this was dangerous, for if Pa Fain had caught her, his belt strap would have given her backside a reminder not to snoop that would have lasted for at least a week.

Butterscotch pudding dessert

Everybody loves Banana Pudding. This recipe is a variation of that favorite. I made it when I was doing the Wednesday night suppers at church. It is a good potluck dish, doesn't cost much to make and goes together quickly. If you like a butterscotch flavor, this is for you.

Utility Lines Versus Trees

Utility Services are what makes our homes comfortable, providing electricity, water, sewage disposal, etc. It’s easy to forget that these services are provided through wires and pipes that are overhead or below ground. When trees are planted near these lines there could be trouble in the future, so think before you plant. Here are some things to consider.