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4 Ways You Can Help Support Veterans
courtesy BrandPoint Content
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(BPT) - According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 30% of American military veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after returning home from combat. Yet only about 40% of those individuals ever seek help. Service dogs are proving to help military veterans suffering from PTSD and other post-combat challenges in ways that no other therapy can. Unfortunately, due to the cost and time it takes to train a service dog, less than 1% of those in need can obtain one. Dog Chow is on a mission to help change that with its Service Dog Salute campaign, which supports the care and training of more service dogs for America's military veterans. If you're looking for ways to support veterans in your community and across the country, here are four ways you can help.
1. Get informed.
Receiving a service dog can be life-changing for veterans. More than just companions, psychiatric service dogs are specially trained to help veterans live an improved quality of life. They can help ease stress and soothe anxiety through specific tasks like interrupting night terrors, calming panic attacks, reminding a veteran to take medication, providing security and more. In fact, veterans who utilize service dogs report lower levels of depression and anxiety, fewer hospitalizations and a reduction in medical and psychiatric costs, among other benefits. This is particularly beneficial for those who struggle with PTSD. Contrary to what many believe, PTSD service dogs are not the same as emotional support, therapy or companion dogs. Like service dogs for the blind, deaf and physically disabled, PTSD service dogs for veterans must be specifically trained to help their handler perform tasks they cannot otherwise perform on their own.
2. Buy a bag of Purina Dog Chow
Through its Service Dog Salute program, Purina Dog Chow is supporting the care and training of more service dogs for veterans, so that every military hero in need can find a canine hero of their own. From Sept. 1, 2020, through Thanksgiving (Nov. 26, 2020), for every purchase of a specially marked bag of Purina Dog Chow, Purina will make a donation to its two partnering service dog organizations (up to a total of $100,000). The donations will be split equally between the Pets & Vets program at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation and Got Your Six Support Dogs. Over the last three years, Purina Dog Chow has donated over $700,000 to support the training of service dogs for military veterans. If you or a veteran you know could benefit from a service dog, or to learn more, visit DogChow. com/service.
3. Support veteran service dog organizations
It takes on average between one and two and a half years and $25,000 to train and place one service dog. These costs include specialized training, food, veterinarian services, veteran therapy expenses and more. Especially now, as fundraisers and other events continue to be cancelled, non-profit organizations that serve our nation's veterans need help more than ever. Donating directly to your local nonprofits will help them continue their missions to help these men and women regain their lives through the healing power of dogs.
4. Support legislation
Men and women returning from service suffer from invisible as well as physical wounds. Congress can give veterans the opportunity to utilize the treatments that work best for them. The PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act (HR4305) will create a pilot program in the VA to give veterans access to treatment derived from working with service dogs. The bill would change the existing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policy to recognize service dogs as a treatment option for PTSD, as well as create a program within the VA allowing veterans to train service dogs for their personal use or for other veterans facing physical disabilities. The bill has been approved by the House, but still awaits passage in the Senate. To support this legislation, visit dogchow.com/service to send an email to your state senators urging them to pass the bill.
Special Feature Express Cabinets By Cotton Row: Affordable Luxury, Promptly And Skillfully Installed
by Ali Elizabeth Turner
Chad Rickman hails from Mississippi, has been in the construction industry for over 20 years, and has a special love for quality cabinetry. He did remodels as a teen, and cabinets have been his focus for the past ten years. Chad responded to an ad posted by Cotton Row Companies for a supervisory position earlier this year, and he and the Cotton Row team hit the ground running in order to keep up with the construction boom in our area. They offer all-wood cabinets and accessories along with installation at a fraction of the cost of a custom project, and they have a homebuilder’s license. There was a time when ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets were of poor quality. Chad told me, “Back in the ‘90s, the pre-fab cabinet world was a nightmare. Now you can get upscale accessories like soft close hinges and drawers, lazy Susans, dummy doors, farmhouse sinks, and highend pulls. We have seven vendor lines of cabinets, and they are all solid wood with no presswood.” He went on to show me pictures of some of their recent projects, and they look like something out of Southern Home or Magnolia. He also showed me pictures of less expensive kitchens, and they still looked beautiful and are durable. “What makes the most difference are the accessories,” Chad said. Express Cabinets by Cotton Row has a small showroom located inside the Cotton Row Companies office complex, which is near the intersection of Lindsay Lane and Hwy 72, at 1602 S Lindsay Lane, Athens, AL. One of the ways that Express Cabinets is able to pass savings on to their customers is to keep their overhead low and installation prompt. “We will beat an ‘apples-to-apples’ quote,” said Chad, meaning that an Express Cabinets estimate will always be less for the same or
Custom look without the custom cost
comparable product. Carter Richardson is their project manager and has been in the installation world for five years. He was custom-trained by Cotton Row and has a crew of three counter-top installers, two plumbers and two electricians that are subcontractors. In addition, if your project is part of a remodel to sell or you are a developer showing a model home, Cotton Row’s Leah Carter heads up the design and interiors portion of the business and will be glad to help you. Express Cabinets is also hiring. “Because of the boom it is a challenge to stay ahead of the demand,” Chad said, indicating a delightful dilemma. Express Cabinets is able to use 3-D software to help you visualize the finished project, and Chad also mentioned that they are just fine with supplying cabinets to people who want to do a DIY project for their own home or rental properties. Another way that they pass savings along to customers is by not overwhelming them with too many options in order to “nail the upsell,” i.e. coming in to a showroom with a pretty clear idea of what you want as well as what you want to spend, and then having so many choices shown
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Calendar of Events
34th Annual Christmas Open House November 20 - 22 Downtown Athens with Athens Main Street and the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy a meal around the Square at one of the eateries then grab your shopping list for a weekend full of specials on a variety items from locally made goods, fashion jewelry, name brand clothes and more that will surely help you make Christmas merry and bright. For more information: 256-232-2600
Christmas Open House November 20 -21 with Serendipity Antiques, 22335 U.S. Highway 72E, Suite B, in Athens. Come enjoy the preview night, November 20th from 3:00PM-5:00PM. Bring your Christmas list and enjoy Saturday, November 21st from 10:00AM-5:00PM and Sunday, November 22nd from 1:00PM-5:00PM. Light refreshments and sales throughout the mall. For more information 256-232-9007 or 256-232-9060.
2nd Anniversary Party November 27 With Tammy's Fine Jewelry, 206 West Market Street in Athens. 3:00PM-7:00PM with $19.95 Black Friday Deals and register for chances to win fantastic giveaways. Stay for the evening to socialize and enjoy acoustic music with Tom McClung from 4:00PM-6:00PM. Light refreshments will be served.
Turkey & Ham Shoot November 21 With the Oak Grove-Thach Volunteer Fire Department. 27712 McKee Road in Toney. 9:00AM-2:00PM. Come enjoy this annual fundraiser and take a chance for a turkey. Hot Coffee available. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent. $3.00 per shot or 2 for $5.00 for Turkey; $5.00 per shot for Ham
Turkey / Ham Shoot November 21 With the West Limestone Volunteer Fire Department. 28500 AL-99 in Elkmont. 10:00AM-1:00PM. Come enjoy this annual fundraiser and take a chance for a turkey or ham. Chicken and goat stew available.
Athens North Pole Stroll December 1-31
Big Spring Memorial Park. 100 North Beaty Street in Athens. Open until Midnight. Bring the family and stroll among the beautifully and creatively decorated trees that twinkle to life as the sun goes down. Grab a photo with the Tired Family. Santa's coming to town on December 19th for photos and wish list too! Free and Open to the public. Tree sponsorships available starting September 1, 2020 but earlier inquiries welcome, sponsorship deadline November 16, 2020. Information: 256232-5411 or visit VisitAthensAL.com/2020-ANPS
Athens-Limestone Christmas Parade December 3 Starting at the Athens Middle School, 100 U.S. Highway 31N in Athens at 6:00PM. The parade route will begin at Athens Middle School, go west on Hobbs Street, south on Jefferson Street, east on Market Street, south on Marion Street, west on Washington Street, south on Jefferson Street, and ending at the Hometown Shopping Center. Participants and attendees are encouraged to follow all local and state health guidelines during the parade. For more information: 256-232-2600
City Of Ardmore Tree Lighting Service December 4 On Ardmore Avenue near Bryant House / Ardmore Town Hall & Museum. 26494 1st Street in Ardmore, AL. Come join the commemoration at the annual tree lighting recognizing local families, businesses, churches, organizations, and memories of past loved one starting at 5:30PM. Information: greaterardmorechamber.com/tinsel-trail
Ardmore Tinsel Trail December 4, 2020 - Jan 1, 2021 On Ardmore Avenue near Bryant House/Ardmore Town Hall & Museum . 26494 1st Street in Ardmore, AL. Enjoy an array of trees decked with amazing collections of baubles and lights decorated by area businesses and organizations. greaterardmorechamber.com/tinsel-trail
Community Appreciation Movie Night December 4 With Brody Jackson State Farm at Cinemagic Drive In. 1702 Jefferson Street SE in Athens. Starting at 6:00PM and pajamas encouraged. Admission is free and all are welcome. Capacity limited, please reserve your space at Eventbrite. The Brody Jackson State Farm Polar Express Christmas Parade float will be available for pictures.
For the health and safety of our volunteers and the public, we regret that the VVA Spaghetti Day has been canceled until further notice. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Special Feature The Broken Brush Studio: “Drawing Forth” Creativity, Community And Hope
by Ali Elizabeth Turner
In 2013, Jessica Pratt-Miller, owner of the Broken Brush Studio on the east side of the Square, had one of those “straw-that-broke-the-camel’s-back” moments that eventually led to her opening her bustling shop with the cheery green and black sign. The “Broken Brush” moment mentioned above occurred when Jessica was teaching an art class in Decatur and her favorite brush, her “teaching brush,” broke. “That symbolized my life at the time,” Jessica told me, and she mentioned further that she went outside and wept her heart out. She found, however, that staying creative was one of God’s graces that got her through that dark time. In 2013, her traveling art business was called “Creative Canvas.” She first opened Broken Brush on Market Street in 2014, and then moved to its present location in January of 2017. Art of all types had always been a part of Jessica’s life and her family’s legacy. Jessica worked as a jewelry designer from 2009-2014. Her
Happy, emerging artists
mother, Lisa, is an artist as well, and her grandmother, Minnie Self, has been at it for 55 years. Long ago, Jessica’s grandfather, Joe Self, built his wife a kiln, and in the summers, Jessica would make pottery with her grandmother. In 2018, Jessica married Jarred Miller, and their blended family includes Emma, Tyson, and Jarred’s little guy, Brier. The Pratt-Miller family including Lisa is involved in running Broken Brush, and they have witnessed miracles when people are able to experience the pleasure and relief of creating something beautiful. That ‘Look-Mommy-at-what-Imade’ feeling doesn’t go away just because you are 30 or 80, and Jessica told me that one of her favorite things about operating the Broken Brush is “seeing them leave here knowing they did that themselves.” There have been people who have come in that were going through extremely difficult things in their personal lives, and having the chance to create something with the help of someone who understands how powerful the therapy of art can be greatly lifted their spirits.
Jarred Miller and Jessica Pratt-Miller of The Broken Brush Studio
Broken Brush features painting and ceramics classes of all sizes and types. Jarred uses CAD software to cut out the wooden figures, and currently there are all kinds of Christmas ceramics just waiting for a creative touch and then being fired in the kiln. They do baby handprints and footprints, have classes for preschoolers, do Kids’ Camps, and their oldest student to date is 80 years old. Recently, Jessica went global by teaching her first online class for LG Electronics. Employees from Canada, Hong Kong, and the US were taught step by step how to paint a picture of a lighthouse, and the exercise was a team-building endeavor that brought a
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Touching On Thanksgiving
by Ali Elizabeth Turner
Given all the swirling sounds of discord and fear in our culture currently, Mayor Ronnie was pretty strong on two themes: giving thanks and coming together in whatever way is responsible. We talked about the true need for contact, for touch, for gatherings, celebrations, community, holidays, and games. He said, “Because of that, we decided to move forward with the plans to have such things as the Christmas Open House, “ice” skating on the Square, the Christmas parade, and all the other things that go with the season. That being said, please tell the people of Athens to be responsible at the parade and the Christmas Open House. We have to come together, and at the same time we don’t want one more person to get sick from this thing. Communication and the need to be in touch are real, and we have to make that happen, or we can get sick from loneliness and isolation. We need to focus on being thankful and praise God for what we have and where we are…even in the middle of all of this.” We moved on to discussing the “blank-ifyou-do-and-blank-ifyou-don’t” dilemma with regard to the economy and how to conduct business while being responsible in the face of a disease that defies epidemiological expectations. “You can’t shut down the economy, or there won’t be anything to come back to once COVID is gone. On the other hand, you have to do the things that will stop it from spreading, whatever will actually work,” he said. For many years, Athens has been involved in battling various kinds of cancer, and the month of November focuses on lung and pancreatic cancer. City Hall issued a proclamation regarding it, and Mayor Ronnie was sobered by recent deaths in his own neighborhood, and beating cancer has always been one of his dreams. On a positive note, there are currently six applicants being considered for the available Fire Chief position, including Interim Chief, James Hand. “It is wonderful to have outstanding candidates seeking this position, and we will make a decision soon,” said the mayor. Along the same lines, Bill Vaughan, who ran the utilities office down on Jefferson, recently retired, and Regina Reager has been the interim Customer Accounts Manager. City Council will be interviewing candidates for that position as well, and will soon make their choice. Monday was the 40th anniversary of the Recycling Center, and they decided to throw a Customer Appreciation Day party. That was going to be his next stop after we were finished, and we decided to meet next time at the North Pole Stroll for the first edition of December. We always pray, and both of us expressed a great deal of concern for the state of our country. “I honestly don’t have any answers,” he said, and we know from Scripture that as tough of a place as that is to be for any leader -- city, state, or nation -- asking for wisdom from a place of humility is actually an act of strength. So, we prayed fervently, and then it was time for Ronnie to roll.
I Am Thankful
by D. A. Slinkard
D.A. Slinkard would love your feedback. You can contact him at da.slinkard@gmail.com
This whacky year is almost over, and I know most people are looking forward to what 2021 will bring. I cannot help but chuckle to think about the high expectations we all had for this year and how it has seemingly gone wrong with every turn of the calendar month. With all that said, I am happy that Thanksgiving time is here. I just recently celebrated a birthday; but more importantly, this time of the year gives me an opportunity to reflect upon the things I am thankful for. Despite the misfortunes of 2020, I have so many things to be thankful for in this year, and I know if you think hard enough, you’ll realize you do too! As I write this article, I cannot help but think back to 19 years ago and how much my life has changed over the course of time. The one constant I am thankful for is my wife. She has been with me on this wild ride of life for nearly the past two decades, and I write you now to let you know I got the better end of the deal. As I reflect upon this past year, what I notice the most is the importance of the role my wife plays in my life. I would not want to do this life without her. I need her in my life, and she is one of the reasons why I do what I do on a daily basis. This article is an open love letter to the secondbest thing that has ever happened to me in my life. Yes, the secondbest thing with the best thing being my salvation I received through Jesus Christ. There are a lot of relationships which get messed up because they get things out of order. These relationships put the focus on the wrong things and leave out the right things. Is our relationship perfect? No. Do I make mistakes? Yes. I once believed that marriage was 50/50, but then I realized that a successful marriage needs to be 100/100. She gives 100% and I give 100%. What does your relationship look like? Are you giving it your all? I have not always given it my all, and I came dangerously close to becoming a marital statistic. Praise God, I was able to get my act together before it happened! My relationship with my wife changed when I put my focus on making Jesus my number one priority and my wife number two. Across the United States, over fifty percent of marriages end in divorce, and it is because God is not the number one priority. I am a firm believer that if we want to see a difference in the world, we need to seek Jesus Christ. It is funny, but there was a time I was afraid to sound like a religious zealot. Then I realized that when I put my trust in the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He then saved me from a sinner’s hell. I do not care if I sound like a nutjob for Jesus; when I die I am going to Heaven… are you? If the answer to that is yes, then you too have something to be thankful for and you have a reason to be zealous for God. Whose idea was it anyway that being a Christian on fire for God is a bad thing? It goes back to our twisted way of thinking. If you have not put Jesus Christ as number one in your life, do it today because tomorrow may be too late. My number two priority – you have no idea how lucky I am to have the woman I have. I try to tell her quite often, to make sure she knows how I feel. What about you? Do you tell your loved one how much you need them? How much you cannot live without them? If not, start today. We do not know what tomorrow holds and the only thing we have is the moment. We do not know when we will draw our last breath; so we should not take each day for granted because each day is a gift from God. I am thankful for my gifts from God – thankful for my eternal security and thankful for my beautiful wife, Mindy. God has blessed me in so many ways, and though 2020 has been a crazy year, I have so much to be thankful for and so do you.
From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum Construction Announcement And Mural Update At The Vets Museum
by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum
Construction is underway on the Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives new location in Athens. The Highland Group, general contractor, is pleased to announce construction is underway for the Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives in Athens, Alabama. With support of a broad and well-respected team, we expect the project to be complete near the beginning of 2021. The current location of the museum is in the old L&N Freight Depot, and it will be moving right across the parking lot to the former Limestone Event Center. Designed by architects Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, the 20,000-sq.-ft. facility will feature a larger museum space to accommodate their evergrowing collection, an extensive library, and a new, larger space to host their monthly coffee calls. The charm of the museum comes from the locally donated artifacts that tell the stories of our local men and women from the Revolutionary War to the current Operation Enduring Freedom. The museum offers guided tours from veterans which will make your experience one you will not forget. While the museum members are thrilled to see the project finally moving, they remain hard at work as they continue their fundraising efforts to complete some additional projects. Local construction firm, The Highland Group, will be leading the project with additional support from local construction manager, Martin & Cobey. The construction team expects to deliver a superb facility to the Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives, one that will have brought their vision to life. “Our company and the project team, led by Michael Barnes, are proud to be a part of this project. Any opportunity we have to showcase our local heroes and tell their stories is an honor.” said President Scott Shamburger. The Highland Group is a construction firm with offices in Huntsville, AL; Foley, AL; and Panama City Beach, FL, offering construction management, design-build and general contracting services to clients throughout the Southeastern United States. Decatur 31-7, before fall
Veterans Mural Update
We apologize to everyone who has been following the progress of the Veterans Mural. Although painting has been temporarily interrupted, please be assured that work on the mural will begin again soon. Unfortunately, our artist, Jamie Adams, has had some health issues in his family and that has slowed the painting process. After a recent discussion, he assured me that he would start again soon. Thank you for your patience and understanding, this virus has been a strain on us all...
PlayAction Sports End Of The Fall Sports Journey Comes After Bumpy Ride
by Tim Lambert
Tune in for the PlayAction Sports Update, three times each weekday on 1080 AM WKAC. Visit us online at www.pasnetwork.net! email: playactionsports@hotmail.com
Despite all the doubting that led into this fall season, our local athletes actually made it out the other end. Admittedly, they didn’t quite finish like they wanted, but the regular seasons were able to wrap up—with a few hiccups along the way. Here’s how the last month played out for our area athletes (we’ll pick up with winter sports next month):
Football
Clements defeated Danville 28-25 and Elkmont 74-40; Elkmont posted their only win of the season against Hanceville 4536; James Clemens turned back Sparkman 13-9 (OT) and Albertville 49-7, then lost to Hewitt Trussville 55-12 in the first round of the 7A playoffs; Athens beat Cullman 28-0 and Decatur 31-7, before falling to Homewood 34-31 in round one of the 6A playoffs. East Limestone was defeated by Sylvania 4340 in their regular season finale and was knocked off by Parker 35-21 in 5A round two. Tanner posted wins over Pisgah (50-26) and Waterloo (21-20) before their season came to an end in round one of 2A playoffs to Spring Garden 72-12; West Limestone overcame Rogers 47-25 and Ardmore 47-28, then eliminated Hamilton (440) and Good Hope (2112) in the first two rounds of the 4A playoffs (round three against Gordo was scheduled after press time); Lindsay Lane’s JV team stopped Falkville 14-6 and Hatton 26-8.
Volleyball
In area tournament action, Lindsay Lane topped Woodville and Decatur Heritage to claim the 1A crown; Athens Bible School swept Whitesburg Christian, Tanner beat Falkville and then turned back ABS to take the 2A championship; Clements turned back Elkmont in 3A, then fell to Lauderdale County in the title game; East Limestone defeated Mae Jemison, Ardmore beat Lee and the Lady Indians stopped the Lady Tigers to win the 5A area; West Limestone knocked off Brooks before a loss to West Morgan gave them second place and a ticket to the 4A sub-regional tournament where they were eliminated by Jacksonville. ABS fell to Sand Rock to open sub-regional play, while Tanner was taken out by Spring Garden and Elkmont came up short to Winfield. East Limestone beat Parker to advance to the regionals where they defeated Boaz; Ardmore got past Leeds, but lost to Alexandria, who also stopped East Limestone; the Lady Indians were eliminated in the state quarterfinals by Bayside Academy. Lindsay Lane went on a streak that started with a sub-regional win over South Lamar, continued with regional wins against Belgreen and Covenant Christian, a finals loss to Donoho, a state quarterfinals victory over Kinston, and a season-ending loss to Bayshore Christian in the semi-finals.
Cross Country
At the Falcon DerbyRunning with The Horses meet, the West Limestone varsity boys were third in 1A-4A; Katie Serrato came in third in the girls’ division. Ardmore's varsity boys placed third in 5A7A. The ABS girls came in second in 1A-3A at their own invitational; the Athens girls were runnersup in 4A-7A. The James Clemens varsity boys and girls finished second at the Huntsville Metro Cross Country Championships and the Oakville Cross Country Invitational. The Athens boys were third at the Northwest Championships. In sectional meets, Lindsay Lane's boys placed second led by Henry Woodall’s second place. ABS teams came in third, behind Jack Bradford’s first place boys’ finish and Jessie and Jolie Green’s second and third places in the girls’ race. West Limestone's Katie Serrato's winning performance led the Lady Wildcats to a third place. Carolyn Mallette’s second place led the Athens girls to third place. James Clemens' boys finished third; the Lady Jets were runners up. Elkmont's boys were third. At the state cross country meet, Athens Bible School’s Jack Bradford was second individually in 1A-2A; Athens' Caroline Mallette was a fifth place finisher in Class 6A girls. Congratulations to James Clemens' Haley Patterson for her soccer scholarship to Austin Peay. Baseball scholarships were signed by James Clemens' Connor Legere (Cedarville University) and Ardmore's Cole Cheatham (Mississippi State). Lindsay Lane's Ava Whitmire committed to play softball at Maryville College and West Limestone’s River Helms made a football commitment to Georgia Tech. Athens High’s Caroline Bachus also committed to Wake Forest to play basketball.
Did You Know? Kitchen Fats, Oils, And Grease Can Be Recycled!
by Leigh Patterson - Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful
The holiday season is here. It’s a time when we enjoy being with our families, and it is also a time for cooking, cooking, and more cooking! I personally look forward to Thanksgiving each year and the yummy food that goes along with it. With holiday cooking being just around the corner, this is a great time to remind everyone that we have a kitchen fats, oils, and grease (FOG) recycling program here in Limestone County. We all have FOG left over after cooking certain foods, such as roasting or frying a turkey. These originate from vegetable or animal sources, such as dairy products, vegetable oil, olive oil, or fats from cooking meats. How we handle these products can be helpful or harmful. Fats, oils, and grease poured into the wastewater system (sewers) will cool and become a sticky layer on sewer pipes. The sticky mess then attracts and holds other food particles and debris that flows through the drains causing blockages or clogs. These clogs can then cause overflows. Removing these blockages is very costly, both financially and to the health of the environment. The Athens Wastewater Department spends tens of thousands of dollars removing these clogs, the cost of which is passed on to the consumer. We all know who that is! In 2012, the Wastewater Department, in cooperation with Keep AthensLimestone Beautiful, developed the FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease) Collection and Recycling Program to help reduce the occurrence of clogs.
This program provides an easy way to recycle household FOG by providing containers free to the public to take home
for FOG collection. KALB continues to work with the Wastewater Department with a focus on educating residents about the dangers of improper disposal of fats, oils, and grease because there is still so much that is not being captured. It is easy to think that “just a little bit” of grease down the drain won’t hurt. With a hot water chaser, it will be okay. That is false thinking. Eventually, that small amount of oil or grease will cool and attach itself to the pipe. More and more fats will stick together as they go down the drain and will grab other items that slip down as well, forming a larger and larger clog. This could become a costly plumbing repair bill for homeowners. If you don’t create enough FOG to collect for recycling, just let the fats cool, then wipe the pan and discard them into your trash.
How To Participate FOG Collection and Recycling containers are
available free of charge to Athens and Limestone County residents. Just pick up an empty container from the white FOG cages located at the following locations: • Athens-Limestone
Recycling Center – 15896 Lucas Ferry Rd. • KALB Office – 125
East Street • Utility Building – 1806 Wilkinson St. • Various apartment complexes in Athens
(check with apartment management) These cages are located outside of the buildings and are available 24 hours a day. Once the container is full, return it to the bottom shelf of any of the collection cages. The contents will be processed and used in a variety of products. Take another empty container home and begin the process all over again. Since the program started in 2012, thousands of gallons of fats, oils, and grease have been recycled. If you produce fats, oils, or grease in your kitchen, then this program is designed for you. Please take the time to keep these harmful materials out of the wastewater system and allow them to be useful again. Pick up your FOG container now so you have it ready for your holiday cooking, then continue to keep grease out of the sewer lines by using the program throughout the year. Call KALB or the Athens Wastewater Department if you have questions about this program.
Become a Fan
Cooking with Anna Thankful in All Circumstances
by Anna Hamilton
Thanksgiving is next week and most of us will pause and take time to give thanks for all blessings we have in our lives. It is easy to be thankful on days when everything is going well. How do you keep that sense of thankfulness all year long, no matter what the circumstances may be? No matter how bad your day is or how bad your year is, there is always something to be thankful for. The year 2020 has been tough for everyone. Being quarantined for many of us has forced us to spend time with family. This helps us realize what a blessing family truly is and that we should be thankful for them. I know working from home was a huge blessing for my family and lead to us being able to start our own business. I am more thankful for my husband today than when we started the year, for sure! Having a heart full of thanksgiving changes your outlook on every part of your life. When you are truly thankful, the bad days become less and less because you are always looking at the sunny side of life. This doesn’t mean that you will never have a bad day or bad things won’t happen to you. But when they do happen, you are still able to see the good in the situation and press onward. The bad doesn’t seem quite so bad. When I take the time to stop and reflect on all I have to be thankful for, it becomes overwhelming. I have been blessed beyond my wildest imagination. I have started writing out my prayers, and I begin with what all I am thankful for that day. Seeing it in black and white makes all my blessings seem so real. Focusing on all I have to be thankful for truly changes my outlook on life. Having a great outlook on life helps in making healthy decisions. You simply feel better about yourself and it will show. This week’s recipe is a delicious pumpkin pie that gets most of its sweetness with pure maple syrup. Do not under any circumstance substitute the maple syrup with pancake syrup. There is no substitution for the real stuff! Maple Syrup is LOADED with health benefits. According to WebMD, real maple syrup is rich in antioxidants, it can help lower cholesterol, it can help promote better brain health, and it can help treat and prevent manganese deficiency. This pumpkin pie is absolutely scrumptious and secretly healthy! Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances: for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Maple Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
1 uncooked 9” pie crust 1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin 1 cup evaporated milk 2 large eggs ¾ cup granulated sugar ½ cup pure maple syrup 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice ¼ tsp salt
Directions:
Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Pour the pumpkin pie filling into the uncooked pie crust. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and bake for 45-55 minutes longer. Bake until the edges are set but the middle is still slightly jiggly. Let the pie cool on a cooling rack at room temperature for 1 hour. Then refrigerate, covered, overnight or at least 8 hours. Top with whip cream and enjoy!
They Have Their Reward
by Steve Leland
A concept that I ran across one day was that of someone doing the right thing for the Kingdom of Yah, whose reward may only be the acclaims that they receive from the people that observe them. While I don’t believe in doing things for reward itself, I am human and am not immune to the warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from being rewarded. In various Scriptures, there is the idea of a crown that is given to those who have earned it. While I don’t really feel drawn to have one, it strikes me that those without one (or with only a minimal one) will be displaying for eternity the way that they made decisions during the short interval that they spent breathing oxygen on this blue-green orb. It just seems that one might feel a bit naked without one. So I will continue to do what I believe are the right things for simply the reason that they should be done, and accept the collateral advantage of whatever reward Yah deems reasonable. But back to the idea of an immediate, short-term reward. Matthew 6:5: (KJV) And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. Matthew 6:16: Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. Matthew 6:1: Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Contrast those verses with: Matthew 6:4: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. There is a concept that some hold that sounds pretty good to me that defines different levels of giving. If you give to someone in need, that is the minimum basic requirement. It is, of course, a good thing. The next level up is to give to a second party to disperse your gift to someone whom you have designated as the recipient. The receiver is not to know who blessed them, but you do. And you receive some satisfaction in knowing who they are and what need you alleviated. Obviously, the highest level of giving, where you have the least attachment, is to give in a way where you have no idea who receives it and they have no idea who has given it. I have to admit, this one isn’t easy. I kinda like knowing how my money is being spent. Yeah, did you catch that? How MY money is being spent. Colossians 3:23: And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Ouch. Oh, one minor little question. If you are taking a tax deduction, have you received your reward? Maybe part of it? I don’t know, judging that is above my pay-grade.
Cover Story Aderholt Medical, LLC: Quality, Affordable COVID Testing With Same-Day Results COVID Testing With Same-Day Results
by Ali Elizabeth Turner
continued from page 1
ity that could get people diagnosed quickly and if at all possible, keep them out of the hospital. He formed Aderholt Medical, LLC, and at the moment the mobile urgent-care facility is located at 320 Old US Hwy 31, where 31 and AL Hwy 251 intersect. The drive-through facility has been graciously offered space by a local church, and Brady estimates that he has been able to have kept 5 elderly patients who tested positive for COVID from having to be hospitalized, with only having been opened for a week. How is Brady and his team able to do that? They have a collaborating physician, a team of dedicated certified medical professionals to help, and a test that is 97% accurate. Brady has a courier service that delivers tests to a local lab that Brady personally knows and has worked with before. Brady is still working nights at AthensLimestone, and one of the reasons he chose to start Aderholt Medical is because he wants to help lift the load of his fellow medical first responders. Another is to do everything he can to help our community through COVID until it is no longer disrupting our lives,
Aderholt Medical is located at 320 Old US 31 N Athens, AL 35613
and to do so with testing and care that exceeds his competitors. While there have been many screening centers in our area, which largely rely on taking temperatures and then vitals, Aderholt Medical is the only facility of its kind in Athens, and they are hoping to expand into other arenas that are the scope of urgent care facilities at a fraction of the cost and the time.
"One of the things that people are just not wanting to do is go to an urgent care facility and sit there for several hours before they are seen. They also don't want to either be around other people who are sick or spread anything themselves," said Brady. The drive-through model makes it possible for patients to practice social distancing and get treated quickly. Here's what happens when you pull into the driveway next to Limestone Chapel. Frances Simpson, who is herself a nurse, is stationed under a red tent that you can't miss, and she explains the procedure, the cost, and gets you the urgent-care style packet of paperwork to fill out. She then radios the rest of the team that you are ready to be tested, and directs you to your next stop. That is where you are examined, your tempera-
Trained personnel conduct the rapid COVID test
ture and vitals are taken, and you are swabbed for COVID. Brady consults with you and talks about possible treatment options should the test come back positive. Brady and his team are able to give the kind of personal and attentive care that used to be the bailiwick of the "oldtime country doc." There is no HMO-generated pressure to see a certain number of patients per hour, and because of that Brady is able to take the time needed to care for the whole patient. For example, a man came in recently who was not feeling well, and wanted to make sure that he wasn't dealing with COVID. Besides the man's concern for his own health, his greater need was connected to the fact that his wife is battling cancer, and he did not want to put her at risk. Thankfully, the man tested negative, and Brady was able to offer lots of encouragement to the man and helped him continue to be a support for his wife.
Another woman, who did test positive and had gotten through some of the toughest times, had what she tried to describe as a "foggy day" about 8 days into her recovery. She was having a hard time relating to Brady what she was experiencing, and he was able to identify
You can receive an accurate, rapid test and not have to get out of your car
the "fog" in great detail, and give her hope. For some people, the "8th-day fog" is one of the oddest things with which they contend when they are dealing with this admittedly strange disease. "Some people hardly know that they have COVID, and others get hit hard with it," said Brady. The huge variance in the strength of the presenting symptoms has been one of the reasons that dealing with COVID has been so confusing, both for sufferers as well as caregivers. He mentioned that self-care and nutrition are extremely important when it comes to triumphing over the disease, and helping his patients to fight fear is a huge factor as well. "I have seen a lot of things over the years, and I will not sugar-coat a diagnosis; I never have. If I think you need to get to the hospital, I will tell you and tell them you are on your way," he said. Aderholt Medical is not attached to the North Alabama hospital systems, although the test and the facility is approved by the Public Health Office of the State of Alabama. There is a similar facility in Florence that at times has 150 people come through in one day. The cost for the test is $125, which is considerably less than what you would pay elsewhere, with same-day results guaranteed. The cost of the test does not cover any prescribed medications. "If someone is diagnosed the same day they come in, we can prescribe the appropriate prescriptions as well as give support for home care in the form of various testing equipment, and we have patients check in with us throughout the day," said Brady. Aderholt Medical is also able to treat strep, the flu, stomach viruses, and other urgent care needs.
Brady's long-term plans are to possibly build a brick-and-mortar facility that would work in concert with the mobile urgent care concept. "That's a long way off," said Brady, "but for now, I just want to do all I can to help us get through COVID until it is no longer with us." The look in his eye let me know that he meant what he said, and I am glad that we have such an experienced health care practitioner in our corner during COVID. If fast, excellent, affordable, mobile, experienced, patient-friendly urgent care is what you are looking for in these uncertain times, then give Aderholt Medical, LLC, a call today and let them help you.
Aderholt Medical, LLC
Seasons, Chapters, And Bookmarks…
by Jackie Warner
Career Development Facilitator “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters
The losses that have brought great gain are sometime hard to take at first, but when we get past the loss and see what we have gained, it tends to put things in perspective, shaping us for the next life chapter. I think back to a job I held during my career some years ago, it was, in my eyes, the position I would keep until retirement. I remember thinking, “This is it, and someday my name will be on the wall here.” News flash: it wasn’t my retirement job -- not even close. It was a dreadful season, an awful chapter in my life. A chapter that took me places I had never been, where I experienced pain I would not wish on anyone and tough situations that pressured me to make decisions without understanding. Looking back now and reflecting on that chapter and season of my life, I wanted nothing more than to be free from that job! I had no bookmark to pause it. I realized that all of that shaping and twisting and molding was in preparation for turning the page to the next chapter of my life’s journey. Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. To those of you reading this article, stop putting bookmarks in the way of your growth spurts. I want us to talk about the seasons of our life for a moment. I am reminded of the trees in my front yard. Right now is there time to purge and go through a transformation. It is that time in life to be okay with looking a little different, shedding and getting rid of all that should not remain.
Wakeup Call - Continuously we must strip ourselves bare to see who we really are and what is truly needed. If we choose not to, life has a way of doing to for us. I think we all can agree, there is something going on in 2020 that is beyond our control causing us to reset and pivot toward a new way. Spring, summer, winter, fall, spring, summer, winter, fall… Are you living the seasons of your life? Spring is your awakening, your rebirth -- you are clean, pure, and have an opportunity to plant seeds of greatness. You are getting ready to break through for the blossom, the shine, and the runway. Then comes summer -- Yeah, the runway is calling your name. You are at your peak and in full bloom. I digress because some of us do not ever truly experience the seasons; we are too afraid to enjoy the journey. The page corners in your life book are folded down or the bookmark has been in waiting mode for the last year or two. As summer prepares to leave us, fall embarks on the preparation for the harvest first and then for the cleanse and purging, while winter brings hibernation and rest for what is up ahead.
“Every new season of your life will be an opportunity for you to learn and grow. Don't celebrate the good without celebrating the bad because they both work together to prepare you for the next season of your life.” - Theresa Lewis
“In life, we need to go through a naked tree season in order to turn nothingness into meaning.”
- Luis Enrique Cavazos,
The Five Virtues That Awaken Your Life
“You can’t enter into a new season, until you’re willing to leave the old one!”
- Joe Joe Dawson
“Positive human progress has its price, for surely, each gain automatically produces a loss or a sacrifice.”
- Jim Rohn
“LIFE has Many SEASONS --- but THEY ALL PASS.”
- Carroll Roberson
Until Next Time, Be Sincere, Kind and Intentional
Email: thebridge.us@ gmail.com Check out upcoming events: Website: http://thebridge-us. yolasite.com/
It’s In The Waiting
by Deb Kitchenmaster
Our horsemanship journey is a reflection of numerous unnamed people who you may never hear of but have been significant in who and how we are with our horses and each other. It is with these invaluable individuals in mind that I write this November article with thanksgiving. Emily and I were warming our horses up after getting them settled in their stalls awaiting the Memorial weekend Kandi Klassic Morgan/Open Horse Show. Emily was showing in a Morgan Hunter Pleasure Amateur class the next day, and I was showing in a Morgan Western Pleasure class. It had been years since I had shown my own horse; but Meadow Run Annie and I had worked hard and we were ready. I had big time butterflies inside and Annie was instinctively aware of my emotional state. She, being a forward horse (meaning she liked to move out and could be considered hot, meaning fast and intense) mirrored my inner world when Emily rode up beside me and smiled. She told me I could slow Annie down and steady her with a song. She had my attention! Emily encouraged me to select a song, set the tempo, and silently sing the song and experience the results while riding. “Thank you, Emily!” I did. I chose a ‘Gaither’ song “Something Beautiful”; my tempo was quite mellow and slow and guess what? Annie connected with my inner song and relaxed, and we enjoyed our time together with ease. Why? My inner world shifted to the beauty of the song away from the worries of performing and critical voices, and Annie simply mirrored the shift. We placed the next day in our class as the ribbons were handed out. Annie and I received a yellow (third place) ribbon. This morning I awakened to a song going off inside me by Bethel Music called “Take Courage.” Here are the beautiful lyrics: know that if our intention is
Slow down, take time "Breathe in," He said He'd reveal what's to come The thoughts in His mind Always higher than mine He'll reveal all to come
Take courage my heart Stay steadfast my soul He's in the waiting He's in the waiting Hold onto your hope As your triumph unfolds He's never failing He's never failing
Sing praise my soul Find strength in joy Let His Words lead you on Do not forget His great faithfulness He'll finish all He's begun He's in the waiting He's in the waiting Hold onto your hope As your triumph unfolds He's never failing He's never failing
Take courage my heart Stay steadfast my soul He's in the waiting He's in the waiting Hold onto your hope As your triumph unfolds He's never failing He's never failing
And You who hold the stars Who call them each by name Will surely keep, Your promise to me That I will rise, in Your victory And You who hold the stars Who call them each by name Will surely keep, Your promise to me That I will rise, in Your victory!
So take courage my heart Stay steadfast my soul He's in the waiting He's in the waiting And hold onto your hope Watch your triumph unfold He's never failing quite well our communicaHe's never failing tion is moving in the direction we want it to go. We So take courage my heart wait for a horse to give us an eye or for an ear to tip our diStay steadfast my soul rection. We wait for a horse He's in the waiting to shift weight in willingly He's in the waiting giving us a hoof. We wait for And hold onto your hope a horse to bend its head withWatch your triumph unfold out moving a hoof. We wait for the shoulders to move He's never failing away from us while the hind He's never failing! legs have little to any moveHe's in the waiting horse without a clear comHe's in the waiting munication to do so. We wait for transitions to become He's in the waiting smoother and smoother. We He's in the waiting wait for gaits to be more He's in the waiting. rhythmic and consistent. It’s Five times He’s in the wait- in the waiting. ing is sung…the number for We as a nation are waiting GRACE! for the revealing of the PresiThe word ‘wait’ means to dent of the United States of pause or hold your fire. When America. Tell your heart to we are with our horses and take courage. Tell your soul when we are with each oth- to stay steadfast and hold er, we hit the pause button onto your hope as our triover and over again. Why? umph through perfect, unBecause we understand and failing love unfolds! ment. We wait to mount our for healthy connections we Your NEIGHbor, will practice waiting. We wait Deb Kitchenmaster for a horse to lower its head Corral Connections so we can respectfully put on 256-426-7947 a halter or bridle. We wait for Animal B.E.S.T. practitionerour horse to complete ‘lickand-chew’ moments knowing horsinaround188@gmail.com
Building Resilience
“Resilience is not all or nothing. It comes in amounts…and no matter how resilient you are today, you can become more resilient tomorrow.” - Karen Reivich
Resilience is a psychological quality that allows some people to be knocked down by the adversities of life and come back at least as strong as before. Rather than letting difficulties, traumatic events, or failure overcome them and drain their resolve, highly resilient people find a way to change course, emotionally heal, and continue to move toward their goals. So, what creates resilience? Psychologists have been able to identify some factors that appear to make people more resilient, such as positive attitudes, optimism, ability to regulate emotions, and the ability to see failure as a way to form helpful feedback. For example, optimism has been shown to help soften the impact of stress on the mind and body following disturbing experiences. Optimism allows people access to their own cognitive resources, which enables more cool-headed analysis of what might have gone wrong…leading to consideration of actions that might be more productive. People who have undergone trauma can be, and often are, highly resilient. There does appear to be a genetic predisposition for reliance, but early environments and life circumstances, like trauma, play a role in how resilient genes are ultimately expressed. While many factors can’t be modified (like genetics), specific resilience-building skills can be learned. These include breaking out of negative thought cycles and looking for upsides when faced with setbacks. What is resilience-building? Getting through pain and disappointment without becoming overwhelmed isn’t necessarily easy for anyone. For instance, do you attribute personal or professional setbacks solely to your own inadequacies, or are you able to identify contributing factors that are specific and temporary? Are you demanding of perfection, or are you able to accept that our lives are a mixture of losses and wins? Healthy habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising, can reduce stress, which may in turn boost resilience. Being sure to nurture close relationships can help improve strength and support when trouble arises. Not surprisingly, regularly thinking about your own morals and actively living according to those values have been linked to a higher resilience. As we are discovering, any crisis, such as the coronavirus pandemic, can test resilience. Looking to loved ones for help and emotional support, increasing self-care, and focusing on the aspects of the situation that are under your control, can help you weather the storm. How does failure help? To fail is deeply human. People, no matter their backgrounds, skill sets, or life stories, will fail spectacularly at least once in their lives. This doesn’t mean that experiencing a major loss or setback is easy or fun, or that it is accepted in a win-at-all-costs culture that prioritizes success no matter what. But learning to be okay with making mistakes, big or small, is a critical skill tied not only to resilience, but also possibly to future success. You don’t have to pretend that it’s pleasant to fail, or ignore the frustration that arises when a goal falls out of reach. Instead, accept the emotions that come with the setback, being curious about why things went wrong, and go forward with how you can improve in the future. (Practicing selfcompassion will help too!) Choosing to be okay with making mistakes helps build better emotion regulation, which is beneficial in a wide variety of domains from relationships to the workplace. Further, evaluating and accepting a setback can provide lessons that will stop failures from repeating themselves in the future. Many successful people report that they moved past early failures by avoiding the negative thinking or ruminating traps. Take some time to self-reflect, and evaluate your level of resilience. The rest of your life depends on it!
Lisa Philippart is a Licensed Professional Counselor, who divides her time between her own private practice in Huntsville and providing personal counseling services at Athens State University.
by Ali Elizabeth Turner
continued from page 5
to you that your head starts to swim. “For example,” said Chad, “say you know that you want a garbage can pullout for your kitchen that you want placed to the right of your sink. We will show you a few examples that we think will best meet your need, but we are not going to show you forty of them -- customers resent it, and it delays the project. I know I don’t like that when it’s done to me, and I am not going to do that to our customers. On the other hand, if a customer wants to see all the possibilities, we will accommodate their choices.” I asked Chad for an example of sizable savings they were able to give to an actual customer. Cabinets Express was
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smile of creative satisfaction to each of the students. The Broken Brush Studio has also been asked by the Greater Limestone Chamber of Commerce to offer outdoor classes this weekend during the annual Christmas Open House on Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21. They will be located right next to the ice-skating rink, and prices will start at $15. You and your kiddos can create a Christmas memory while you are watching the skaters. Hours for the outdoor classes will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. If you have no experience at all, you are in good company. If art has always been a part of your life, you can take private lessons to improve your able to beat a quote given by a local competitor (which featured the exact same product) by $6 thousand. Needless to say, the customer was more than pleased. Chad also taught me that what makes an RTA project look like skill. The Broken Brush is perfect for parties, and you will provide your own food and beverages. Most sessions are two hours, and the costs are dependent on the type and size of item that is being painted. Classes start at $15 and go up to $100. Jessica, Lisa, and Emma’s secret with their students is to help them break down the project into manageable portions and as Jessica says, to “trust the process.” That means to believe that the teacher knows how do “draw forth” your creativity and give hope. The added benefit is that Broken Brush Studio also helps to build community. We are coming up on the holiday season, and the Christmas Open House on the courthouse square is this weekend. You owe it to yourself to a custom job is the quality of countertop, the organizational features that are selected, and the types of pulls chosen. “We provide custom service with RTA as a foundation,” he said. Express Cabinets provides a lifetime manufacturing warcheck out what is offered at the Broken Brush Studio and either take the creative plunge yourself, take it with a buddy or a group, or give a session as a most unusual and welcome Christmas present. You’ll leave having had fun and having something to remind you of your courage. ranty on all their work. Often, they are able to receive product within 72 hours. They are especially proud of the cabinet box construction as well as the quality of the soft-close hinges. If you are in the market for
Soft-close pantry pull-outs and CAD software are some of the features offered by Express Cabinets by Cotton Row
cabinets and looking for a quality, beautiful look that won’t break your bank, make a no-obligation appointment to meet with Chad Rickman of Express Cabinets by Cotton Row today. His number is
Express Cabinets by Cotton Row 1620 Lindsay Lane S, Athens, AL 35613 256-298-7878 Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon-Fri and by appointment cabinetexpressonline.com Facebook: Cabinet Express Online
Special Feature The Broken Brush Studio
by Ali Elizabeth Turner
256-298-7878.
The Broken Brush Studio 107 Marion Street Athens, AL 35613 256-497-5934 studio@thebroken brushstudio.com Facebook: The Broken Brush Studio Hours: Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Public and private classes available by appointment
The Athens Mayor's Youth Commissioners took turns visiting the Alabama Veterans Museum today. They enjoyed learning about our local and state military history.
Students also made videos we will release over the holidays. They have some special messages to share!
Mondays at 10am 1080 AM WKAC
Special Feature “Why You Should Constantly Improve” Or “Why Time Travel Is Impossible”
by Mae Lewis
With everyone sitting at home these days, there is a lot of talk about self-improvement. All of my social media friends are selling some kind of coaching business -- and being successful at it…so there’s that. The truth is that we all ALWAYS have to be seeking some kind of improvement or we will be moving backwards. Think about a baseball pitcher or an Olympic gymnast. Even in the “off season” the pitcher must constantly be pitching, or he will lose his ability. A gymnast must consistently train and exercise, or their abilities will slide. In other words, if you don’t use it, you will lose it. If we aren’t constantly moving forward, we will by default, move backwards. This is largely due to the second law of thermodynamics. Yes, I brought physics into this. The second law of thermodynamics has to do with energy and time. You have probably heard of “the law of entropy” (which isn’t really a law in itself, but it refers to this second law of thermodynamics). The "law of entropy" says that everything (EVERYTHING) is in a constant state of decay. It is the only law of physics that is connected with time, and essentially shows that energy, from the beginning of the universe until now, only moves in one direction. This second law is what makes time travel impossible. Time can flow only from the dead past toward the future, which does not yet exist. Time travel is impossible because it is inherently impossible to move from one state of non-existence to other states of non-existence. The universe would have to cease to exist in order to allow for time travel. Here’s how entropy works in the real world: Ice will always melt. Water will always flow downhill. Heat flows from a hot object to a cold object (coffee will always get cold). Your hard drive on your computer will fill up with defects and clutter due to the degeneration of the data it holds. In the instance of your coffee, the energy moving in the direction from hot to cold follows the line of time, and it cannot move backwards. Time travel would have to be tied to creation itself, and the creation of energy and matter, and the ability to move energy back and forth through time. So, the law of entropy says that everything is in a constant state of decay…
UNLESS!… some external force of energy is applied.
Ice will not melt if it is in a freezer (it is kept in that state by applying more energy). Coffee will not get cold if you keep it warmed (apply more energy). Updating your computer software will keep your computer useful (… again, energy). The same is true of our brains, our skills, our systems, our relationships. Unless we are focused constantly on improving our world, it will always be moving into decay. Your brain is a computer, and it will degrade over time. Your body is mainly muscle, and it needs to be in regular motion. Playing the piano just ten minutes a day will improve your musical abilities. Spending ten minutes in meaningful conversation a day with a friend or spouse will improve the relationship. Because we are human, we exist in time. Therefore, ourselves, our working practices, thinking practices, personal efficiency, and relationships will be in state of decay unless we are applying external energy to improve on those specific things: we paint bridges, we heat up our coffee, we freeze our ice, we water our plants, we practice our speaking skills and our musical skills, we make personal connections in relationships, we strive to run harder and faster. CS Lewis said, “Humans are amphibians...half spirit and half animal...as spirits they belong to the eternal world, but as animals they inhabit time. This means that while their spirit can be directed to an eternal object, their bodies, passions, and imaginations are in continual change, for to be in time, means to change. Their nearest approach to constancy, therefore, is undulation-the repeated return to a level from which they repeatedly fall back, a series of troughs and peaks.” [The Screwtape Letters] As human beings, we are always linked to the present moment, which means we will experience entropy in every area of our lives, unless we apply energy towards progressive change. While we may not be able to move back in time to a “better” state (and after 2020, would we really want to?), we can move forward with intention to move our lives uphill, not downhill.
