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August 2013
Dave Says Health Wise 4-H News
Attraction Back-toSchool Organization
Inspiring Parents, Motivating Kids, Celebrating Life
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Summertime fun! Levi & Tatum Step Jim & Erica Step (parents) Krum Roy & Janice Millican (G-parents) Decatur
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Family Album North Texas Tar Heels brings home 1st place & Grand Champion! Back row: Coach David Shetter, Trey Gordon (Boyd), Leo Fernandez (Decatur), Colten Perkins(Slidell), Mike Ramos (Decatur) Front row: Adrian Berube (Decatur), Tyler Maynard (Slidell), Aaron Shetter (Decatur), Isaac Davis (Slidell), Eddie Martinez (Decatur). The North Texas Tarheels qualified for the National Basketball tournament to be held in Dallas, TX July 24-28.
Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him. - Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Health Wise
Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather
Learn more about heat-related illness and how to stay cool and well in hot weather.
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etting too hot can make you sick. You can become ill from • Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as the heat if your body can’t compensate for it and properly possible. cool you off. Heat exposure can even kill you: it caused 7,233 • Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. heat-related deaths in the United States from 1999 to 2009. • Wear loose, light weight, light-colored clothing and These are the main things affecting your body’s ability to cool sunscreen. itself during extremely hot weather: • Schedule outdoor activities carefully. • High humidity. When the humidity is high, sweat won’t • Pace yourself. evaporate as quickly, which keeps your body from releasing heat • Take cool showers or baths to cool down. as fast as it may need to. • Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the • Personal factors. Age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, same for you. mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use can play a role in whether a person can cool off • Do not leave children or pets in cars. enough in very hot weather. • Check the local news for health and safety updates. ■ Here are some facts about which people are at greatest risk * Content Source: National Center for Environmental Health, Divifor heat-related illness and what protective actions to take to sion of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects. Learn more at www.cdc.gov. prevent illness or death: • •
People who are at highest risk are the elderly, the very young, and people with chronic diseases or mental illness. But even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather. • Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. If a home is not air conditioned, people can reduce their risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air conditioned. You can take these steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths during hot weather:
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Family Album
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Brianna Romero and her mother, Christa Desmond of Decatur, TX Photography by Monica
There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. Walt Streightiff
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On the Cover: August, 2013 In our 8th year of ‘Making A Difference’
Jayte Hardy (2 years old) parents Fallon & Jeremy Hardy of Bridgeport, TX Photography by Monica
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Health Wise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Dave Says . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Womens Occupational Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Wise County Wonderings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 4-H News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Back to School Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Holy Teen Slackers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Fun & Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Wise County Animal Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23
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Alvord Public Library 940-427-2842 • W,TH, F . . . . . . . . . 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. • SA . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Boyd Public Library 940-433-5580 • M, W, F . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. • TU . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m. • TH . . . . . . . . . . . 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
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Bridgeport Public Library 940-683-3450 • M,W,F . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. • T,TH . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m. • SA . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Chico Public Library 940-644-2330 • M,F . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. • T,W,TH . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. • SA . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon Decatur Public Library 940-627-5512 • M,T,TH . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m • W,F . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. • SA . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m Newark Public Library 817-489-2224 • M,T,Th,F . . . . . . . . . 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. • Sat . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. • Sun & Wed closed Rhome Public Library 817-636-2767 • T-F . . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. • Sat . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
At the entrance of Sequoia National Park (l-r) Harrison, Velvet, Henry and Harold Oberg
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Dave Says
Can I motivate my parents? Dear Dave, My parents are close to retirement and very heavily leveraged. Do you have any advice on how I can help motivate them to succeed financially? - Jack Dear Jack, I appreciate your concern for your mom and dad, but I’m not sure you can motivate anyone to do something. Sometimes people don’t have motivation because they’ve lost hope. In turn, it’s that sense of hopelessness that keeps them from moving forward. I think in these situations the best you can do is to show them hope. And one of the best ways to do that is to share your own story. You can also examine the numbers with them to show that the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t always an oncoming train. I do this a lot with callers on my radio show. After we look at the pieces of the puzzle together, I might show them how they can pay off $50,000 of debt in a year’s time. Most of these people aren’t bankrupt; they’re just plain scared. So there’s a lot of power in that little word “hope.” Sit down with your parents and let them know how much you love them and want them to enjoy their retirement. See if you can find out how much income they have versus the amount of debt they’ve piled up, then begin to formulate a step-by-step plan. Show them how they can begin to get traction and free up their money by living on a budget and getting out of debt. You can even offer to be their counselor or accountability partner. You want them to be safe and secure in their retirement, and they deserve some dignity after working hard all their lives. So, in my mind, hope is the best thing you can offer. Motivation is a different story. That has to come from within. You can’t really motivate the unmotivated. - Dave No on rent-to-own! Dear Dave, What do you think about rent-to-own housing? I’m not sure we’re financially ready to buy yet, but we don’t like giving money to landlords. Is rent-to-own a wise compromise? - Mike Dear Mike, I wouldn’t recommend getting mixed up in a rent-to-own situation. I don’t think it’s a wise compromise, and it’s also the kind of deal that works out well for the landlord, not the buyer. If you’re not financially ready to purchase a house, then you need to get your life in order before you take
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on a major commitment like becoming a homeowner. Get your debts paid off, get an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses in place, and save up for a down payment of 20 percent. I know it’ll take some time and it might be difficult, but that’s what I’d recommend. Buying a home when you’re broke, or trying to trick the system with a rent-to-own deal, usually doesn’t work. I spent a lot of time in the real estate business, and I still own several properties. I don’t do these deals because statistically the majority of people who rent to own never end up owning the property. Take my advice and go slow, Mike. When you buy a home, you want it to be a blessing, not a burden! - Dave Something to salvage Dear Dave, I want to buy an inexpensive car, and I was wondering what you think about salvage titles. - Eric Dear Eric, It’s not impossible to find a decent salvage car. But I’d take extra precautions to find out exactly why it was salvaged. If it’s a salvage car because it was wrecked, I’d take a look at what kind of wreck caused the damage. Lots of people know how to repair and rebuild cars, so it might end up in better condition than before if you find the right mechanic. On the other hand, I’d probably walk away if the vehicle had been flooded. Some people claim they can fix waterlogged cars, but that’s a tough job. In most cases water just doesn’t do very nice things to onboard computer systems and wiring. Regardless, do as much research as you can into the car’s history. See if CARFAX has a record. But if the seller doesn’t know anything and other searches don’t turn up good information, my advice is to say no. Make sure you check with your insurance company before you make the purchase too. Salvage cars are sometimes more difficult, or more expensive, to insure! - Dave Buying wholesale Dear Dave, What is your opinion on wholesale club memberships? - Anonymous Dear Anonymous, My wife and I are members of Costco and Sam’s Club. We don’t buy everything at these places, but do they save you enough money on some things to justify the annual fee? I think so.
Time to pay it off! Dear Dave, I’m retired, and I have $400,000 in an IRA that’s earning 10 to 12 percent. The only debt I have is $20,000 on a home equity line of credit, and my home is worth $500,000. Should I pay off the home equity loan using funds from my IRA? - Janet Dear Janet, Wow, you have a half-million dollar home on the line for only $20,000? There’s no way I’m going to have a $500,000 asset pledged for that kind of money. No way! If I were in your shoes, I’d pay off the loan today. You’re obviously a smart lady. You’ve got an IRA that’s busting it, and this little loan is the only thing standing between you and complete financial freedom. But that loan represents risk you don’t need in your life. I know you probably haven’t been lying awake at night worrying over it, but you’re going to have a wonderfully weird experience when you knock this thing out. A wave of peace is going to wash over you, and you’re going to feel lighter and more liberated than ever before. Your retirement isn’t at risk, and it won’t cost you much money. Pay it off today, Janet, and discover the true meaning of financial peace! - Dave
them because I don’t advise buying and selling all the time where your investments are concerned. In most cases, getting into this kind of thing implies that you’re trying to time the market. It means you’re trying to buy at the low point and ride them up to the high point. Based on my understanding of the market, I’m a buy-andhold kind of guy. So, I have no need for ETFs whatsoever. - Dave Fixing the transmission Dear Dave, I have $2,400 in transmission repair work that needs to be made on my old truck, and I don’t have the money to pay for it. I tried to get a loan, but was turned down. I’m single and make $26,000 a year. Do you have any ideas? - Eric
Dave Says
The biggest problem most folks run into with wholesale clubs is overbuying. I mean, who needs nine gallons of mustard? You don’t, unless you’re in the restaurant business. So, if you don’t need at that level and won’t use at that level, don’t buy at that level! You’ve got to shop around and know your values. Lots of people think overbuying isn’t a big deal, especially if it’s something that only happens by mistake once in a while. But the truth is it’s really dangerous. You should plan your shopping the same way you plan your budget—with great care and common sense. If you don’t, you can end up spending way more than you can afford on things you’ll never use. Talk about dumb! - Dave
Dear Eric, As you probably know, I teach people not to borrow money. So, I’m glad you were turned down for the loan. That’s the last thing you need in your life right now, plus the terms of the loan would’ve been a rip-off. My advice is to sell the truck as-is. You probably could still get between $500 and $1,000 for it. Combine that with as much money as you can save in the meantime. This could put you in a little beater that would last a while, then save up some more and get a nicer beater a few months down the road. Sell the truck, save money and work your way up through some better vehicles. That’s what I had to do years ago in a very similar situation! - Dave ■ Dave Ramsey Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He’s authored four New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover and EntreLeadership. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 5 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.
Exchange traded funds as investments? Dear Dave, How do you feel about an exchange-traded fund (ETF) as an investment device? - Charles Dear Charles, The main reason to do an ETF is it allows you to trade your stocks or mutual funds easily and often. I can’t recommend 940.210.1769 • WISE
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Family Album
Kevin Lindsey DHS Senior 2013 of Decatur, TX. Mom, Terri Lindsey, Sisters are Donna Hernandez and Leanna Prock Photography by Monica
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“You are always in a state of creation. You are creating your reality in every moment of every day. You are creating your future with every single thought: either consciously or subconsciously. The law of attraction never stops working.” - Jack Canfield
T
he Law of Attraction. You have all heard of it. As a matter of fact, a few years ago, when it was introduced to the world through the film, The Secret, it seemed everywhere you turned there was another version of the concept. People from all walks of life embraced the philosophy. I look around today and it seems very little has changed. The only ones richer, more peaceful, and more successful seem to be the writers of the books that teach the principle. What went wrong? First of all, I believe, is the misunderstanding of the law of attraction. By definition, it is the name of the philosophical belief that like attracts like. And, that by dwelling on positive thoughts and desires you can draw them to you. It is the acceptance that all things are energy based and the positive energy attracts positive things. In definition, I agree with the Law of Attraction. Positive mind setting is necessary for success. This type of focus should always set your feet forward. No one runs backward into success. However, there is a glaring piece missing. It is this missing piece of the formula that is the undoing of the average man. As with all good planning, there must be follow-through. There must be the working out of the plan. Too many fail to do anymore than sit and wait for riches to arrive. This is the same mindset that gambles on the lottery as a retirement plan. As a result, they later proclaim that this “teaching” is wrong.
Attraction requires doing. To be successful in life or business, you must first know your destination – your goal. You must construct well thought out steps (objectives) that lead us to that destination. You must examine and reexamine the plans you have made and adjust for changing conditions but never lose site of your endgame. Attraction of success, of riches, of recognition is achievable when you work to meet it half way! Set your thoughts and your plans on a road of positivity and hope and encouragement. Set your hand to the work before you and be prepared to meet the goals of your dreams. Put the Law of Attraction to work for you in your daily life and business. Success is within your reach. I’m POSITIVE!! ■ Keitha Story-Stephenson, Ph.D.
Keitha Story-Stephenson, PhD, director of BlueSky Wellness Center, provides private consultation for individuals and corporations in Nutritional Wellness, Weight Management, ADD/ADHD Nutritional Management and other Alternative Health Care. Available by appointment in Decatur, Texas ay 506 West Walnut. You may phone 817-239-9525 or visit ainformation. Follow us on our blog, www. DrKeitha.com or www.MerchantsCircle.com Keitha also serves as CEO of SkyBlue Family Ministries. You may reach the ministry by email at DrKeitha@me.com. Tune in to Christian Radio, KDKR 91.3fm, on Saturdays at 1:30pm, for “Feeding the Family-Mind, Body and Spirit”. Or tune in through live streaming at KDKR.org for our broadcast.
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How To Free Yourself From Housework Ladies, remember ... a layer of dust protects the wood beneath it. A house becomes a home when you can write ‘I love you’ on the furniture.
I
used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect - ‘in case someone came over’. Finally, I realized one day that no one came over; they were all out living life and having fun! NOW, when people visit, I don’t have to explain the ‘condition’ of my home. They are more interested in hearing about the things I’ve been doing while I was away living life and having fun. If you haven’t figured this out yet, please heed this advice. Life is short. Enjoy it! Dust if you must ... but wouldn’t it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake cookies or a cake and lick the spoon or plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need? Dust if you must, but there’s not much time . . . with friends to meet, rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead. Dust if you must, but the world’s out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come around, again. When you go - and go you must - you, yourself will make more dust! It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived. ■
Free yourself!
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Wise County Wonderings Draco was located about three miles northwest from Cottondale, on what is now County Road 3555. This information is from the “History of Wise County, A Link With the Past” Vol. I. As early as 1880 this community was known by the name of Tylersville, named for a family that had settled there. A short time later that name was changed to Draco. Draco had two churches-a Primitive Baptist and a Missionary Baptist. After a while, the Methodise Church was organized and met in the school house. Eight grades were taught in the school. Among the teachers remembered by early students are the names of Will Gore and Dave Regale. Every Friday afternoon there was a “spelling Bee”, but soon a literary society was organized which met once a month, and programs of music and debating were enjoyed. Cotton was the principal crop, and there was a gin in the town operated by a Mr. Bob Kincannon and later, by a Mr. Hatton. There was a general store and two or three family homes. Most of the people lived on farms in the nearby vicinity. Some of the early families were the Thornberrys, Oscar and Bud Clark, Bud Johnson, Elmer Kirkpatrick, and the Charles Nelsons. (It is possible there were Pinkertons and Reeves in the community)
The post office was established October 10, 1883 with Mr. Wm. J. Mann as the first postmaster. He was followed by Wm. J . Alexander on October 13, 1884, and by Robert S. Kincannon on February 23, 1886. The post office was closed at Draco on January 15, 1889 and moved to Cottondale. An interestng meeting place was the “dug well” in the school playground, whcih was used especially for the school and the churches. Later on a new well with a pump was installed near the old “dug well.” (The site is now owned privately. I have been told the reason the “dug well” was filled in was because a horse fell into it! The school was consolidated with Paradise in 1932 or 33. It is believed the reason Wm. J. Mann was only postmaster one year was because he was elected sheriff) ■
Rosalie Gregg
Rosalie Gregg was born near Hayden, New Mexico. Ms. Gregg graduated from Paradise High School and from Decatur Baptist College. She married Robert Nolen Gregg, Jr., who had been a Prisoner of War for 3-1/2 year during which time he helped build the railroad that led to the Bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand. Ms. Gregg has been involved with the Wise County Heritage Museum since its inception in 1967. www.wisehistory.com
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Everything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler. Albert Einstein
Family Album
Caiden, grandson of Renitta Long of Decatur.
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his month, we are focusing on attraction. I searched on Google for the definition of attraction, and I had to choose which definition I wanted. It was like choosing which curtain might be hiding the best prize. The definition that I was “attracted” to the most was the definition associated with tourist attraction. “A characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts”. This could not be a more perfect description of our very own top-notch tourist attraction right here in Wise County. I present to you the always fantastic, always amazing, always spectacular and always exciting Wise County 4-H!! On August 3rd, Wise County 4-H celebrated all of the great things we have accomplished over the past year at our annual Awards Banquet. It got me thinking. What it is that is so great about 4-H? Is it all of the people you get to meet from across the state? Is it the crazy and fun camps we go to during the summer? Is it the dances we have every night at summer camp? Trust me. When you go to a school dance, you realize that no one dances better than 4-Hers dance! Is it the new things you get to try that you have always wanted to try? Is it the chance to help people in your community? Is it the fun you get to have? Well, it is all of that and more, and it starts with our pledge. “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world.” Our Motto is
pretty great, too. To Make The Best Better. So how do we do all of that? It seems like a tall order, but it really is pretty simple. I think the more you know, the more you can help. Help others and you end up helping yourself along the way. So what is it that you want to learn? Do you want to know the nutritional value of movie theater popcorn or how to make a healthy dessert? We have just the recipe! (By the way, there is very little nutritional value in movie theater popcorn, but I bet we can find a healthy alternative for you!) Do you want to learn about gun safety or how to shoot a bow and arrow? We have a club that will hit the spot! Do you aspire to be the next great fashion designer, but you need to learn how to sew first? We have a club that will fit you perfectly. Do you want to learn about horses, cattle, hogs, goats, lambs, rabbits, chickens, or dogs? There is a spot on the 4-h farm just for you. Do you like photography? Our Photography Club is picture perfect. And if you think that shopping is not a sport, well you haven’t seen our Consumer Decision Making team in action!! You just might find out that you are really good at something you’ve always wanted to try but thought it was totally opposite of what you are used to doing. Like they say, opposites attract! The great thing about 4-H is all you have to do is try. So take some time this month to think about becoming a 4-H member. You will learn a lot, make some great friends, and most of all you will have so much fun! ■
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Smart, safe storage and organization for back to school (BPT) - A little organization goes a long way. Not only can it lead to career success and personal productivity, but as students head back to class this fall, it can also provide health benefits and increase student security. Security in schools is a major concern for Americans, with 60 percent of respondents in a recent nationwide survey of 1,000 U.S. adults stating that they worry about the security of their children’s belongings in a school setting. “Implementing smart storage and organization habits now will position students for a successful school year,” says Rebecca Smith, vice president of marketing for Master Lock. “Not only can you relieve some of the stress of worrying about your kids losing important homework assignments or having their valuables stolen at school, but you will have more free time to enjoy together.” Follow these tips for a smooth transition into the new school year. 1. Mix and fix your routine Sit down with your family and evaluate your daily routines to ensure they are organized and effective. Identify aspects that no longer work and discuss ways they can be adjusted. If getting the kids fed and out the door in the morning is your biggest challenge, do as much as you can in the evenings to prepare for the next day. Lay out clothes in advance, cook and freeze breakfast options that can be easily thawed and served while you attend to other items. If organization is more of an afternoon struggle, create checklists that outline household chores, homework and other responsibilities to keep kids on track after school. 2. Be involved Keeping the family organized and safe begins and ends with regular communication and parent involvement. Carve out a time at night to not only get kids started with homework, but to be available for questions, look through their backpacks and ask them to review their day so you are up-to-date with their regular activities. Discuss their security routines by reminding them to lock up belongings while at school and to lock the door when they return home afterwards. 3. File everything “A place for everything and everything in its place.” In keeping with this famous and wise phrase, create a filing system that organizes everything from administrative documents and report cards to study guides, test scores and great achievements. Keeping all these items in a secure, central location will make it easy for you and your children to access important information, such as school records and contact information. Schedule time every few months to go through the documents to discard unnecessary items and ensure that your system remains as organized as possible. Consider a cloud-
based digital organization and storage app and website such as the Master Lock Vault for access to important information on-the-go. Storing documents and other private data online is not only convenient, it also eliminates the risk of losing hard copies of key items. 4. Keep backpacks light and secure A child’s backpack should weigh no more than 10 to 20 percent of his or her total body weight, UMass Memorial Medical Center pediatrician Dr. Safdar Medina said during a recent interview posted on Worcester.com. When worn improperly or packed with too many heavy items, backpacks can cause pain, restrict circulation and can lead to posture problems. To keep backpacks light, ensure your children have secure locks for school and gym lockers so they are comfortable storing books and other valuables in these places while at class. Use folders or lightweight expanding files to store homework in one place and eliminate carrying heavier materials like plastic binders. Designate a backpack docking station near your home’s entryway to encourage kids to unpack and leave them rather than carry them around the home. Finally, don’t forget to provide a lightweight backpack lock to deter pickpockets and keep valuables secure. 5. Create a homework hub Do your kids work best in the kitchen, living room or an alternative location? Identify an area where they can concentrate well and outfit it with any supplies or items they might need for various assignments. Use creative storage solutions such as a shoe organizer for art supplies or mason jars to hold pens, pencils, scissors and more. Having all the tools necessary to complete a given project in one area will limit distractions and time wasted attempting to locate that missing calculator. For more advice on back-to-school security, storage and organization tips, visit www.masterlock.com. ■
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Family Album Easy Love - Aspen Photography
Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.
Ann Landers
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Bride to Be - Aspen Photography
Holy Teen Slackers
A Rant for Parents Living With the Unclean.
D
o you think Mary had to nag teen Jesus to the point of psychotic break to get him to hang his wet towel on the bathroom hook installed by Joseph? I mean, we know the Savior at twelve was feisty and independent-minded (remember his little disappearing act for three days in the Temple? Can you even imagine the level of parental anxiety and amber alerts?). The Bible doesn’t mention whether the fifteen-year-old Prince of Peace navigated a slovenly phase. But it somehow helps to think he did. I am fully aware teenagers are famous for their untidiness and that I’m in good company as a parent. But as a hotflashing mom of highschoolers, their slacking pushes me to the limit. Sure, venting, cardio, and prescriptions help calm my hormonal midlife frenzy—in fact, pharmaceuticals work such magic that at times I am too mellow to battle these kids and you might actually mistake me for Christ’s mother. (A blasphemous lie! Though often fatigued, I confess I am never too short on energy to battle an inconsiderate teen.) The other day I confronted our son L. “You need to clean this room immediately! How could you possibly stand to live like this?” L. earnestly responded with the ridiculous explanation he always delivers. “I really like to be able to see all my stuff.” When I pointed out the ‘perspiration and garlic’ odor emanating from the space, he reassured me that ‘beyond stanky’ is not an issue for him. “It’s all those years of nose spray,” he sincerely explained. “Can’t smell a thing.” Leave it to a teen to paint chronic sinusitis and the abuse of decongestants as blessings in disguise. My younger son J. can still smell; he’s simply lost his senses of order and dignity. It’s shocking in light of his history as a saintly neatnick. He was one of those religiously obsessive ‘put every crayon back in the box perfectly’ children who fingerpressed his fresh laundry. Then J. turned thirteen.
Do you know how long it takes a toenail to grow back? I’ll let you know. I wasn’t always so hell, fire, and brimstone about clutter and chaos. There was a season when, hormonally balanced and high on Windex, I whistled through housework. That was also the season the kids were still singing the gospel of Barney’s clean up song. (Everybody do your share. Ha!) My current ranting and raving is the result of years of listening to the same three-word adolescent responses to my impassioned protests for more household help: “NOT MY FAULT” is second only in popularity to “STOP FREAKING OUT.” I’ve grown pathetically aware that I have drastically lowered the cleanliness bar lately. Yep. Now I am just so grateful whenever my sons rinse their dirty paws before eating that I simply turn off the tap when they lazily forget. I don’t complain about their selective memory loss for closing drawers either. (Blasphemy again! Let’s be honest: Mary was grateful. I’m just too menopausally weary and sick to death of my own freakin voice to deal.) ■ Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
Michele Ranard is probably not as obnoxious as she paints herself. She has a husband, two children, and a master’s in counseling.
We never heard from Mr. Clean again. Although he knows full well about my approaching menopause and the biblical intensity of my OCD, everyday this formerly tidy teen scorns me. He sinfully tosses his backpack on the floor, as near as physically possible to our hall closet, without scooting it inside where it belongs. This lack of courtesy might be forgivable were it not for the unrighteous supernatural phenomenon which inevitably follows: that cursed backpack camouflages itself on the hardwood floor precisely long enough for a dizzy-and-estrogenic-mother-ofChrist-like-female to trip on it. 940.210.1769 • WISE
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Family Album
Brantley Pinkerton born to Dustin Pinkerton and Kasey Wages on May 20,2013 7lbs 1oz and was 18 3/4 inches long - My first summer, mommy and I at the pool
Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn’t have said. Fredrich Chastain grandson of Elaine Bowmen of Decatur.
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Fun & Games Across
1. Dark-green mineral 7. Letters before some names 10. Rash soother 14. He’s little and Little 15. Small drink 16. Growth-regulating chemical 17. Lobsters sans large claws 19. It comes and goes 20. Dowager’s bridal contribution? 22. Fuss 25. Open-air gamboling milieu 26. Painter’s prop 27. Gospel’s bridal contribution? 32. Embellish 33. Ribald 34. Besmirch 37. Aircraft’s front 38. Can drink legally 40. Dick’s cohort 41. Great ending 42. Percussion instrument 43. Breastplate of Zeus 44. Rolex’s bridal contribution? 47. Pitt or Depp, e.g. 50. Shade giver 51. Fido’s nemesis 52. Jamaican coffee’s bridal offering? 57. Capital city on the Adriatic 58. Certain punctuation mark 62. Ireland, poetically 63. Carpool lane, briefly 64. Patronize restaurants 65. Ying’s partner 66. Spanish article 67. Seasonal vehicle
Down
1. Manual alphabet, briefly 2. Actress Hagen 3. Report maker 4. “Othello” villain 5. San Francisco conveyance 6. Piano exercises 7. Inflammatory prefix 8. Ukraine capital 9. Church part 10. Rat-a followers
onlinecrosswords.net
11. Fake name 12. Spoon-shaped vessel 13. Wicker basket 18. Police group 21. E-mail mail? 22. Licorice-flavored seeds 23. Hail damage 24. Young hooter 28. Scottish cap 29. San Antonio mission 30. Unit of memory 31. It sounds just like you 34. Orlando five 35. Inner self 36. Put the counter on zero 38. Hockey great 39. Pelt
40. Kind of set or stream 42. Residence hall 43. Certain commander 44. Plane manufacturer 45. Soaks 46. Uplifts 47. Religious retreat 48. Bow who was It 49. Shroud city 53. Between Molokai and Kauai 54. Abreast of 55. Super star? 56. T or C follower 59. Fermented finger food 60. Embrace 61. Numeral suffix 940.210.1769 • WISE
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Wise County Animal Shelter Wisecounty Animalshelter on Facebook Or look for the volunteer ran FB page Urgent Animals at the Wise Co Texas animal shelter Ways you can help the shelter. Donate suppliesCanned and dry dog/cat food Dog/cat treats (No rawhide bones) Kitty Litter Dawn dish soap Bleach Laundry detergent Batteries (9v and AAA) for scale and chip scanner Volunteer your timeCome walk dogs, bathe and groom, interact with cats Donate to sponsor adoptionsEach adoption Is $25.00 you can sponsor adoptions by making a check payable to the Wise County Animal Shelter and mailing it to Brenda Argraves, 425 Hilltop Drive, Decatur, TX 76234. Brenda will post on Facebook when your sponsor fee has been used. She will mail you a receipt from the shelter once your funds have been used.
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Donate to sponsor spay/neuter couponsMail a check made payable to shelter volunteer Brenda Argraves to 425 Hilltop Drive, Decatur, TX 76234. She will pass out coupons to new pet owners who adopt from the Wise County shelter for spay/neuter discount. Make sure you write in the memo section on the check what the donation is for. Foster for rescue groupssometimes when rescue groups are willing to pull a dog or cat from the shelter they need someone to foster the animal until they can have it transported to it’s new home or until it can be adopted. If you would like to find out more about becoming a foster please Contact Shelly Sessums on FB or go to her website at www.safeandsoundanimalrescue.com and fill out the foster application. Donate directlyDonate directly to the shelter for general needs- drop by or mail a check to 200 Rook Ramsey Decatur Texas 76234
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