Lug Your Luggage Safely Part II

Here are more strategies to prevent injuries when lifting and carrying luggage:

• If using a backpack, make sure it has two padded and adjustable shoulder straps. Choose one with several compartments to secure various-sized items, packing the heavier things low and towards the center. Always wear a backpack on both shoulders—slinging it over one shoulder does not allow weight to be distributed evenly, which can cause muscle strain.

Hitching Post

I know this may sound strange, but one of my favorite childhood memories happened after church let out.
The church we attended at that time was built in the late 1800s. In front of it was an old wooden hitching post that stood about a foot tall. People used to tie their horses to it before service. Best of all, that old post stood underneath a tree. I don’t remember what kind of tree it was, but it never grew to be very tall.

“Bass Ack’ards”

I’m sure most people have at one time or another in their lives heard of a book titled Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. It was published in 1992, and is purported to be the ultimate guide to help men understand the opposite sex.
Let me share something with you. I took a class called Marriage and the Family when I was an undergraduate at Lincoln Memorial University. I made an “A”. I have also read the aforementioned book, long before I got married. Neither experience taught me one thing that I have found useful in my own married life.

The Train

I have taught Sunday School for most of my life. I remember the first year I taught a preschool class. Classes were excused for the summer to be resumed in the fall with the beginning of the school year. I wanted to do something special for the four and five year olds. A picnic and party at my house would do the trick. I gave each parent an invitation with the date and location of the event.

Cabbage And Noodles

I bet you have never heard of this combination: cabbage and noodles. Surprise. It tastes great. Of course you can gussy it up with leftovers, such as crumbled sausage patties or links, crumbled hamburger patties, crumbled small slice of meatloaf. 2 or 3 tablespoons cottage cheese , etc. One of these can be added when the noodles are included in the cooking process.

Heavy Fruit Years

This fall looks to be a good year for nut producing trees like hickory and beech, and oak acorns aren’t looking bad either. Fruit and nut production varies from year to year, and the reasons are many.

Fun, Food, and Family Ties

Pictured are Alex, George, and Doug Cheek, three generations of fishermen. Like many local families, going fishing was something the family always did together. It was a fun activity, provided time together for the family members, and put food on the table—Win-Win-Win!

Doug Cheek fondly remembers fishing with his father George, a tradition he was happy to carry on with his son Alex. He began fishing specifically for Striper (also known as Rockfish, but whose proper name is Striped Bass) around the turn of the century. Then, while he was still working, it was just a hobby. Upon the sale of his Ford dealership in 2018 and subsequent retirement, and seeing a need within the community, Doug decided to start a second business as a Fishing Guide.

Lug Your Luggage Safely Part I

According to the U.S. Consumer Products safety Commission, in one year more than 50,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, clinics and other medical settings for injuries related to luggage.

Here are some strategies to prevent injuries when lifting and carrying luggage:

• Pack lightly. when possible, pack items in a few smaller bags instead of one large luggage piece. It is better—and may prevent muscle sprains and strains—to carry a lighter bag in each hand rather than one heavy bag in one hand or over one shoulder.

Can't See Diddly Squat

While growing up, my mom and Mamaw Girdle/Myrtle would often tell me, “You can’t see diddly squat!” Mamaw Jo was different in that she would say, “I swannie! If it was a snake, it would’ve bitten you!”

Pearls Dissolve In Vinegar

I was speaking the other day with one of my nieces. As our conversation progressed, I shared about a particular person who always seems able to irritate me. My niece informed me that this person was my “sandpaper”. Perhaps there is a connection here with the phrase “rubs me the wrong way”. I am grateful that there are few people who have this effect on me, and I hope that I don’t have that effect on many people.

Summer Squash Casserole

There are a number of ways to prepare and serve summer squash and zucchini. It can even be frozen for next winter's use. Here is a good casserole. Try it and see what you think. Hopefully, it will be pave a place in your recipe box.

Our 1965 Oldsmobile

Okay, that crumbled- rusted -fender Edsel was history. We were tired of hearing the lame jokes about Edsels. Most of them were not very nice. We needed a new car. This time we would stick with a well-established brand. Our adventure down the side street of "New! New! New!" was over. Dad had been smart enough not to get sucked in by the hype over the Tucker car. We should have learned from his experience that "Buyer Beware!" was more than just an idle threat. But Dad was gone to his reward and we were slow in wising up.

Union County Scholar, Andrew Edmondson - Union County Opry Scholarship Recipient

Using Tennessee Promise and Scholarships as a Springboard to a Vocation! Pictured from left to right are: County Commissioners Sidney Jessee Jr. and Debra Keck presenting the check to Andrew Edmondson, with parents Beth and Kris Edmondson.

Andrew Edmondson, Union County High School Class of 2021 Graduate, applied for every scholarship he found available, including one offered by the Union County Opry, and his efforts truly paid off. Edmondson received several scholarships to cover most of the expense of attending college in the Fall. When asked what the requirements are for receiving scholarships, he chuckled, “I don’t really remember, I just took one of every scholarship application available and followed the instructions! It’s not really that hard; it tells you exactly what to do, you just have to do it.”

Local Farmers Market Proves Fertile Ground for New Educational Funding

We all know the farmers’ market is an excellent place for picking up fresh fruits and vegetables. This summer, in addition to picking up some home grown tomatoes, you can pick up some research-based knowledge as well. The University of Tennessee (UT) Extension in [insert county here] will be at the market offering food demonstrations, as well as selection and storage suggestions for the flavorful fruit and vegetables available at the market. The demonstrations and outreach are part of a new UT Extension program called Farmers’ Market Fresh.

Former Fentress County Deputy Finance Director Sentenced To Twelve (12) Years In TDOC Custody

Eighth District Attorney General Jared Effler.

Eighth District Attorney General Jared Effler.

On August 16, 2021, former Fentress County Deputy Finance Director Kellye Rhea Crabtree was sentenced by Fentress County Criminal Court Judge E. Shayne Sexton to serve twelve (12) years in Tennessee Department of Corrections custody. This sentence follows Ms. Crabtree’s previous guilty pleas to theft of property valued at more than $60,000.00 from the government of Fentress County, theft of property valued at more than $1,000.00 from the Kirby Johnson Memorial Ball Park and official misconduct.

Doggone it

Most kids were afraid of the imaginary monster under the bed. Not me. I was terrified of dogs. That may come as a surprise to some of you since you know how much I love dogs. Like many fears, it started with a childhood experience.

"Banned"

There is a story in my family of an in-law (or outlaw) who stole so many new pairs of shoes from K-Mart that he was banned for life from entering any K-Mart store. I have heard of another reputedly banned from shopping at a certain thrift store chain due to changing of price tags on the merchandise.

Olympic Golf

This afternoon I was watching golf, part of the Olympics in Japan. What I know about golf you could inscribe on the head of a pin. I’m not interested in knowing any more. I watched it with the sound off. It was funny that way.

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