The opioid epidemic has led many respected health groups to reconsider the value of a conservative approach to low back pain (the most common condition for which opioids are prescribed). Most notably, the American College of Physicians (ACP), the largest medical-specialty society in the world, updated its low back pain treatment guideline to support a conservative approach to care.

I have been blessed (cursed?) to find humor where others would not even look. Let us consider the difference between “bloops” and “bleeps”.
When I was young, a neighbor of mine once quoted a little poem that my Aunt Lidia found particularly amusing:

If you have a landscape with trees, you may be forced to take one down for some reason. The remaining stump is normally an eyesore, forcing many to resort to a costly stump removal service. There are solutions to the problem if you are patient

Despite the high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy, few women in underserved populations receive treatment for their low back pain. Moreover, researchers found that pain in a previous pregnancy may predict a high risk for musculoskeletal complaints in future pregnancies. 85 percent of women who experienced pain in a previous pregnancy reported pain during their current pregnancy.

I was checking Facebook the other day and came across this “hook”:

Meet the Waltons: The Bizarre Family Behind Walmart

There followed two comments:

“Hated Grandma on that show. She was so grouchy.
And why didn’t John Boy just come out of the closet?
Like we all didn’t know!”

“I remember the first Walmart open
in Rogers, Arkansas on July 2, 1969.”

It is often assumed that small trees are young and large ones old. But I've seen large trees that were only 50 years old, and others the size of fence posts over 100. Individual trees grow at different rates based on their genetics and growing conditions.

The old cliché says that a picture is worth a thousand words. Actually, an email from a friend revealed to me that thanks to current inflation, a picture is now worth only two hundred words, and as the price of everything else rises, the word value of a picture drops daily. Soon, words will be worth pictures!

I had a very scary close encounter years ago with an E.T. at our first house. No, I didn’t come across any Extra Terrestrials such as Mr. Spock, Yoda or ALF. I came across a creature that some would label as “Extra Terrifying!”

Everyone is aware of the safety tip of not standing under a tree during a thunderstorm, based on the likelihood that the tallest objects are most likely to be struck by lightning. But there’s more to being struck than just being tall.

There is a new place to take a walk in Luttrell, but it isn’t your typical trail.
The Luttrell Storybook Trail made its debut last week and is generating a ton of excitement. The usual walking path helps build the muscles and the heart. This trek can do that as well, but it can also expand a child’s brain. The trail is located behind Luttrell Elementary School/Luttrell Library and can take readers on a magical walking journey using books.

The Union County Lions Club awarded Riley Cole, Gavin Graves and Joy Turner $300 each from the Mark Martin Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually in memory of Union County elementary music teacher Mark Martin, who passed away on May 16, 2015. Mark taught general music at Big Ridge, Sharps Chapel and Luttrell Elementary schools and assisted with band at the middle and high school.

As school was wrapping up this year, the Union County Extension office offered a unique program, called On My Own to teach financial literacy to youth in our county.
On My Own is a hands-on, real-life simulation that gives young people ages 13 to 18 the opportunity to experience adulthood in a fun and exciting way. During the simulation, participants assume they are 26 years old, are the primary or sole support of the household, and are encouraged to make healthy and wise lifestyle choices similar to those adults face on a daily basis.

Patrons lined up to purchase sweet treats at the grand opening of the Buttercup Bakehouse at 3933 Maynardville Highway on June 3. Emily Cooke, formerly of Sweet Treats by Emily is the proprietor. The bakery offers a variety of breakfast items, drinks and desserts. Baked goods include breakfast jam bars, cinnamon rolls, banana bread and cupcakes galore.

Nashville, TN– Ben Woods has been named the 2022 National Dairy Month Chairman for Union County.
Woods was honored May 26 at the Tennessee June Dairy Month Kickoff Event at Battle Mountain Farm in College Grove. The event included recognition from Brian Flowers, president of the American Dairy Association of Tennessee, and Jeff Aiken, Deputy Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The official kickoff celebration recognized Tennessee 4-H member’s efforts to promote National Dairy Month in Tennessee.

A few days ago my wonderful niece in Cincinnati sent me the following text message at 6:29 p.m.: “Sitting on the back porch, enjoying the cool of the evening, the birds and squirrels, the fish and frogs, the breeze bringing in the scent of the freshly moon grass. How’s your day going?”
“Moon grass, huh?” thought I. “Is that like bluegrass, crabgrass, fescue? Is there ‘Martian’ grass on Mars? Did she have two cases of ‘Blue Moon’ iced down for the Super Bowl?” At 6:32 p.m. I received another message: “Mown grass . . . not moon.”

I felt so sorry for my mom. Not only because strange things seem to happen to the both of us, but because she was in pain.
Back in the early ’80’s, we had a wood stove in the basement. I have previously talked about how my mom was the only one who tended to it. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to help. I asked her several times to show me how, but each time, she answered, “No!”
Why? Because I was a typical teenage girl. She knew my mind would be on boys, school drama and homework. Then I asked if I could at least help by carrying in some wood. Again, she answered, “No!”

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” This statement is part of Paul’s closing instructions from his letter to the Churches in the region then known as Galatia.

This spring UT Extension challenged our elementary school 4-H clubs to “Walk Across TN.” Each class received a state map, logbook, and pedometers to track their progress. By wearing pedometers to track steps during the day, students got to see how active they are compared to their peers. They encouraged each other to participate in healthy movement throughout the day in a shared goal of making it across the state. By logging steps taken, students learned about record keeping and used important math skills.

Not many people know this but, I absolutely love to watch fire burning in the fireplace or at a bon fire. In fact, I have told Tim I would like to have a fire pit in the back yard. Considering what happened to me as a child, it is surprising that I enjoy watching fires.

This recipe is so easy. There is no time wasted preparing meatballs. Start this recipe early in the day before your company comes. You have enough to do. By the way, if you have grape jelly and canned apple juice, you can turn to around and use 1 cup grape jelly and 1 cup apple juice. Who says we can't be adaptable.

As Cadie Chapell approached the front of the room, she was unsure of how her speech would go. Little did she know it would be her first of many.
Chapell, at the time a small, petite, 4th grader talked to her class about a family ski trip never imagining that those small steps would one day lead to her speaking in front of her graduating class and guests at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Interested in historic homes? Historic downtown Maynardville? East Tennessee history? Have you ever done a double-take and wondered what is that old building, what stories can it tell? If so, join us for a walk through history.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through many changes. Obviously, it’s a wonderful phase of life, but it’s also a challenging time. Extra weight brings a shift to the center of gravity, which causes new sensations, and, in some cases, discomfort.

What came into your mind when you read the title? Did you think I was referring to some kind of circus performer like a trapeze artist? I can see why. They do some amazing stunts while flying through the air. Actually, I am talking about a trampoline that took a famous flight.