Q: What type of education and training do chiropractors have?
A: Doctors of chiropractic are educated as primary-contact health care providers, with an emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the musculoskeletal system (the muscles, ligaments and joints of the spine and extremities) and the nerves that supply them. Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions.

It’s a tradition in my family for the men to go rabbit hunting on Thanksgiving morning. Our native cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is the fourth most popular game animal in the United States, behind deer, turkey, and squirrel. They provide food and sport for humans and are an important food source for other animals higher on the food chain.

I consider myself typical of most of the human race, particularly in one respect. When the car is running fine, it is a wonderful machine. When it breaks down for the very first time after the 60,000 mile warranty expires, it becomes a worthless piece of junk. Such it is with my cable provider.

This should come as no surprise, but I have the strangest things happen to me. Such as the time I blew cherry pie filling out of my nose. I first realized I was prone to things like this when I was around 12 years old. Whenever I had one of my strange experiences, I would ask my friends, “Does that happen to you?” They always answered. “Uh…no.”
I kinda got used to it. Or so I thought.

Growing up, we are taught to listen to our momma’s. The love. The wisdom. The knowledge. They taught us life lessons as we made mistakes along the way. They helped us learn to pick ourselves back up as we fell so many times. They instilled in us our morals and made us feel like we are the most special people on the Earth. That’s because, to them we are.

Most of us have a can of biscuits lounging in our refrigerators. You have the turkey leftovers in there, too. This turkey stew will be a good use for them. I don't keep whole baby carrots on hand, but it's not much work to peel a carrot, dice and cook a few minutes in the microwave before adding to the casserole. It's an easy dish to make. I hope you try it.

Who doesn't like dumplings? I do. This another different way to use turkey leftovers. I hope you will try it.

In a year of new normals, this Christmas season poses an even greater feeling of excitement. We have stayed in and are accustomed to socially distancing and finding creative ways to share time with our families. It seems, in all of the things that 2020 has challenged us with, that the magic of the Christmas season feels even more joyful and exciting this year. Maybe there is a necessity to fulfill our hearts' needs; maybe we have a stronger, deeper appreciation for the small things; or maybe it is just exciting to say goodbye to this year and hope for a fresh new start for 2021.

The Smoky Mountain Home School 4-H Club met at Big Ridge State Park on Tuesday, October 27. The club brought along many newly-built bluebird boxes. They walked through the whole park and cleaned out all of the existing boxes. Some were occupied with wildlife, but for the most part, they were full with previously used nests. The club replaced some of the old boxes and put up some additional new blue-bird boxes.

Charles “Chuck” Gildrie, a Tennessee Licensed Clinical Social Worker, recently shared with me a glimpse into his early life experiences, family life in Tennessee, getting an education, and the joys of working in a fulfilling career helping others.