Thousands of years before modern medicine, people depended on medicinal plants to ease pain and aid healing. Our early pioneer ancestors learned from native Indians what plants were useful to treat maladies. Many of these plants are common in our area and easy to identify. What follows is a description of some of the more easy to find medicinals found in our area.

It’s just another way I am not like most people. How many of you think of an ice cream cone when you go to the funeral home?

There is a good reason I do this.

Going to the funeral home was an old family tradition on my mother’s side. They were very involved in the local church and school, so anytime somebody passed away in the community, we all piled into Papaw’s station wagon and headed there.

Now there is something you don't see on a salad bar anymore. I am talking about stuffed celery or celery roses. I remember when I first saw stuffed celery at a potluck. They certainly didn't look like much. But after trying one, I was hooked. I looked for them at every potluck after that. It took a while to learn how to make them. They seemed so simple. There must be a catch to making the filling. What a surprise. There wasn't. I soon learned to make several cheese fillings. See what you think of these. This is how I make stuffed celery.

Not too long ago, I wrote about cats. I figured it was time to give dogs a bit of limelight. Dogs have a lot going for them. They are less independent. Let’s face it, humans love to feel needed, so an adoring set of eyes and a wagging tail appeals to most people. Dogs forgive quickly and are usually gung ho about everything.

I usually talk strictly about science and technology topics here. I touch a lot of areas within both of those realms, but until now I haven’t really gotten into anything that seems to divide us as a people so much as what we refer to as “race.” I contend not only that we shouldn’t differentiate based on race, but also that the whole concept of race is irrelevant when it comes to human beings. Stick with me here.

I have noticed that boneless, skinless chicken breasts have been on sale lately. I won't buy them with the skin still attached and bones on the underside. That is all waste, as I see it. Yes, they are cheaper per pound that way, but when you subtract the skin and bones, they are not.

Maynardville Public Library has kicked off their Annual Summer Reading Program, A Universe of Stories. Reading is made fun with creative ways to earn prizes, rewards, and many perks of online programs. All ages are invited to join in on the program, youth and adult.

For most people, it would be a traumatic and possibly dangerous experience. To me, it was another one of my unexpected trips. Pun intended.

It happened at the end of gym class my sophomore year of high school. We didn’t dress out that day, instead we played a game of no rules basketball. When the first dismissal bell rung, I ran back up to the very top of the bleachers to get my folders. My friends and I had been sitting up there before we joined into the basketball game.

Chicory was a popular wild plant back in the day when it was used to make a coffee-like beverage. It is very common in our area and can be seen right now growing along roadsides and abandoned places.

Whenever we are grilling out, I hate to take space for baked potatoes. Yes, they taste great cooked on the grill, but there is an easier way to do them. Just dip them in egg whites, sprinkle with coarse salt and pop them in the oven. The egg white holds the salt crystals in place and seasons the potato. You might think that is too much salt, but it isn't. Don't eat the skin if you have a problem with salt, but I do because I don't. They look pretty on the plate as well.