ND OUTDOORS Courtesy of Doug Leier, Outreach Biologist, NDGF
Late January is sometimes considered a time when not much is going on in North Dakota’s outdoors. But this year with new boat registrations coming in and the state legislature in session, it’s a busy time at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Here’s a recap of a few
news items from recent weeks or so that still warrant consideration.
Legislative Session
With the North Dakota Legislature convening the first week of January, the Game and Fish Department set up its website page to track legislation that relates to hunting, fishing and other
outdoor issues during the 2023 session.
Interested outdoor enthusiasts can follow proposed outdoorsrelated bills by logging onto the Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.
A brief description of each bill is included, along with the bill sponsor, hearing schedule and results of floor votes.
Watercraft Registration
North Dakota watercraft owners should note that 2023 is the first year of a new threeyear registration period.
Watercraft registrations must be renewed online by visiting My Account at the Department’s website. A credit card is required.
The price to register motorboats in North Dakota under 16 feet in length, and all canoes, is $18; motorboats from 16 feet to less than 20 feet in length is $36; and motorboats at least 20 feet in length is $45. Fees are prorated.
The 2023-25 watercraft registration cycle begins Jan. 1 and runs through Dec. 31, 2025.
In addition, a state law created in 2019 requires an aquatic
DID YOU KNOW?
2023 SHOW DATES
JANUARY 7-8, 2023
RED RIVER VALLEY FAIRGROUNDS
WEST FARGO, ND
MIKE SEABURG • 701-650-1233
JANUARY 14-15, 2023
SWIFTEL CENTER BROOKINGS, SD
VIC CARTER • 605-793-2347
JANUARY 21-22, 2023
BISMARCK CIVIC CENTER BISMARCK, ND
LAURA ENNEN • 701-221-2638
JANUARY 28-29, 2023
NATIONAL FIELD ARCHERY BLDG YANKTON, SD
TOM HOLMSTROM • 605-661-8294
FEBRUARY 4-5, 2023
THE DAKOTA EVENT CENTER ABERDEEN, SD
ANNUAL MEETING AFTER SHOW
LAURA ENNEN • 701-221-2438
FEBRUARY 11-12, 2023
VALLEY CITY WINTER SHOW BLDG
VALLEY CITY, ND
MIKE SEABURG • 701-650-1233
FEBRUARY 18-19, 2023
RAMKOTA RIVER CENTRE PIERRE, SD
STEVE
LIVERMORE • 605-280-2438
MARCH 4-5, 2023
ALERUS CENTER
GRAND FORKS, ND
BILL BRAUN • 701-640-6260
MARCH 18-19, 2023
CODINGTON CITY AG BUILDING
WATERTOWN, SD
VIC CARTER • 605-793-2347
MARCH 25-26, 2023
TROPHY SHOW - THE BIG ONE
SIOUX FALLS CONVENTION CENTER
SIOUX FALLS, SD
STEVE LIVERMORE • 605-280-2438
APRIL 15-16, 2023
RUSHMORE CIVIC CENTER
RAPID CITY, SD
KEITH HAKEMAN • 605-270-0764
APRIL 22-23, 2023
WAHPETON EVENTS CENTER
WAHPETON, ND
BILL BRAUN • 701-640-6260
DAKOTA TERRITORY GUN COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION PO BOX 90446
SIOUX FALLS SD 57109
WWW.DTGCA.ORG
CALL 605-731-9154
L eave Message
nuisance species fee of $15 for each motorized watercraft registered in North Dakota to run concurrent with the three-year watercraft registration period.
For motorized watercraft operated on state waters and not licensed in North Dakota, the law establishes an ANS fee of $15 to be paid for each calendar year, and to display an ANS sticker on the watercraft.
New watercraft owners can attach the required documentation, such as the bill of sale or proof of taxes paid, with the online purchase,
Big game hunting is the most popular form of hunting, according to the 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. Sponsored by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the survey found there were 9.2 million hunters who pursued big game such as deer and elk in 2016. That makes big game hunting big business as well, as the survey found that big game-related expenditures for trips and equipment totaled $14.9 billion in 2016. As big as big game hunting is, 3.5 million hunters took time to hunt small game, which includes squirrels and rabbits. The third most popular type of hunting in the United States in 2016 was migratory bird hunting, which attracted 2.4 million hunters and generated $2.3 billion in bird-related trip and equipment revenue.
or send in the required documentation via standard mail.
A 10-day temporary permit will be issued to allow for processing and delivery of registration and decals. For timely processing, Game and Fish encourages watercraft owners to submit attachments online.
Planning an Ice Fishing Tournament?
Organizers planning fishing tournaments, including ice fishing contests this winter, must submit an application, along with fishing tournament regulations, to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at least 30 days prior to the start of the event.
The 30-day advance notice allows for review by agency staff to ensure the proposed tournament will not have negative biological consequences, or conflicts with other proposed tournaments for the same location and/or time.
Fishing tournaments may not occur without first obtaining a valid permit from the department.
VITAL INFORMATION
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FEBRUARY 2023 | VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 2
PRAIRIE SKY NEWS
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EDITORIAL
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The Healthy Geezer
The Late Wayne Lubenow
The Good Old Days
THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ABRAHAM LINCOLN Courtesy of Interestingfacts.com
Abraham Lincoln was the ultimate self-made man. Largely self-educated, he rose from the humblest of origins to become a lawyer and politician before being elected President of the United States in 1860.
His unshakeable faith in and devotion to the United States was severely tested during the Civil War, and his savvy leadership ensured the Union’s survival. But his life and legacy were more complicated than history books often present. Explore six intriguing facts about America’s 16th President.
Abraham Lincoln Was the Only President to Receive a Patent. Lincoln had a lifelong fascination with machinery and often tinkered with mechanical devices and tools. He also spent much time traveling and working on the river boats that sailed along the Mississippi River and other waterways, which were prone to breaching onto shores in shallow waters. In 1848, while Lincoln was serving his sole term as a U.S. congressman, a boat he was traveling home to Illinois on got stuck on a sandbar — forcing the captain to empty the barrels of cargo on board so he could use them to buoy and lift the ship back on the water. The incident sparked a new idea in Lincoln, who spent the Congressional break working on a design for inflatable bellows that could be attached to a ship’s hull to lift it over sandbars or other impediments. He had a scale model created and submitted the idea to the U.S. Patent Office. In May 1849, he received U.S. Patent No. 6469, although his flotation system was never put to practical use.
Lincoln Was the First President to Have a Beard. When you think of Lincoln, the first
image that comes to mind is likely of a tall, thin man with a signature beard. But Lincoln actually spent much of his life clean-shaven, despite attacks by his political opponents who mocked his gaunt face and nearly emaciated frame.
The introduction of photography was a game-changer in politics, and Lincoln, a littleknown politician who had served just one term in Congress, seized on the new technology to introduce himself to the American people. It was one of these photos that caught the attention of Grace Bedell, an 11-year-old girl from New York. After seeing his picture on an election brochure, she wrote to Lincoln and urged him to grow a beard to obscure his thin face, cheekily noting, “All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President."
Lincoln endearingly responded to Bedell and said that he worried some might see the change as a political ploy. He won without facial hair, but began growing a beard shortly before taking office — he even visited Bedell to show it off in person during a visit to New York. Lincoln’s beard became iconic, but it proved to be a short-lived trend. Only four other Presidents had full beards while in office, and the last was Benjamin Harrison, who left office in 1893.
Lincoln Was the First U.S. President to Appear on a Coin. Since the nation’s founding, U.S. currency has featured images and symbols linked to the concept of liberty, such as eagles or winged figures of victory. That changed in 1909 when the U.S. Mint redesigned the 1-cent coin to commemorate the centennial of Lincoln’s 1809 birth. The new coin, the first circulating one to honor a real person, featured a portrait of Lincoln by sculptor Victor David Brenner. The artist’s 1907 plaque of Lincoln reportedly caught the attention of then-President Theodore Roosevelt, who lobbied for its use on the new Lincoln penny, which was released in August 1909. Lincoln remained the only President honored on a coin for more than two decades until a redesigned quarter was released in 1932 to mark the bicentennial of the birth of America’s first President, George Washington.
Lincoln Helped Establish Thanksgiving as a National Holiday. Proclamations in support of national days of Thanksgiving dated back to the earliest days of the republic, including one issued by President George Washington in 1789 to celebrate the new U.S. Constitu-
tion. But the practice soon fell out of favor. In the subsequent decades, several states had their own celebrations, but no national commemoration. A national holiday had long been the dream of writer and magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale. The author of the poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Hale lobbied for a national day of thanks at the end of November and continued her push even after the outbreak of the Civil War.
In 1863, she wrote a letter to Lincoln, who had already called for several other days of thanks to commemorate Union victories earlier in the war. Within weeks of receiving Hale’s letter, Secretary of State William Seward drafted a proclamation in the hopes of healing “the nation’s wounds.” The proclamation also called for a national day of Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November to be celebrated annually. That remained the date until 1939, when it was briefly moved to the third Thursday by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, before returning to its current day in 1941.
The Gettysburg Address Was Less Than 275 Words Long. The 1863 Union victory at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was a key turning point in the war, but a bloody one, with over 51,000 combined casualties. The enormity of the losses spurred a local lawyer to push for the creation of a national cemetery to properly bury the dead. The day’s events were scheduled around an address by Edward Everett, a former Massachusetts Senator and Secretary of State who was considered one of the nation’s best orators. Lincoln’s invitation was almost an afterthought, and he wasn’t invited until just three weeks before the November 19 ceremony.
Lincoln wrote part of the speech at the White House and likely finished the rest in Gettysburg the night before the ceremony. The following day, Everett delivered a two-hour speech, while Lincoln spoke for just two minutes. In his address, the President honored the sacrifices of the dead and called on a “new birth of freedom” as critical to the survival of America. Immediate reactions to Lincoln’s speech were mixed. But in the years following Lincoln’ death, the Gettysburg Address became one of the most important speeches in American history.
Lincoln’s Views on Slavery Were Compli-
cated and Evolving. As a young politician, Lincoln opposed slavery on moral grounds and opposed its expansion. But he — and many other conservative Americans — disagreed with the more radical abolitionist cause, which called for the immediate end to slavery. Lincoln believed that the U.S. Constitution provided no measure for the federal government to unilaterally abolish slavery nationwide. Instead, he supported a slow, gradual end to the system in which slave states would voluntarily free their enslaved people in exchange for financial compensation by the government. Lincoln also supported the “colonization” movement, which encouraged the formerly enslaved to leave the United States for settlements in Africa, Latin America, and elsewhere. And while he believed Black people had the same “inalienable” rights to freedom as white people, he did not initially support the idea of equal political and civil rights for Black Americans.
Lincoln’s positions began to shift during his presidency thanks to intense pressure from abolitionist leaders and the shifting nature of the Civil War. The Emancipation Proclamation was largely framed as a war effort to weaken the Confederacy by stripping it of its enslaved population. But the proclamation redefined the purpose of the war to one being undeniably fought over the moral question of freedom. Lincoln’s views on racial equality also began to shift in large part because of the brave sacrifices of Black soldiers. He strongly supported the passage of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. In his final public speech just days before his assassination in April 1865, he called for limited voting rights for Black Americans, a far cry from full equality but a position many Americans still considered radical.
ACCOUNTS VARY ON VALENTINE'S DAY ORIGINS
Valentine's Day is a bright light in the middle of the winter . Come February 14, sweethearts celebrate their love and affection for one another on this day devoted to happy couples.
The origin of Valentine's Day has generated much speculation over the years. Most early accounts do not point to heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates. Rather, a few distinctive tales may paint the picture of early Valentine's Day, and they have nothing to do with stuffed animals or romantic dinners.
Roman festival
One of the earliest records of the term Valentine's Day is traced to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was a fertility festival. This annual event held on February 15 included animal sacrifices and priests called the Luperci who would take pieces of animal hide and touch it to the foreheads of women in the hopes it would make them more fertile. Fortunately for the squeamish (and the sacrificial animals), Pope Gelasius I ended Lupercalia and replaced it with St. Valentine's Day by the end of the fifth century.
Two or three St. Valentines?
Most people attribute the origins of Valentine's Day to the holiday's namesake, St. Valentine. But it seems that Valentine was the surname of a few different individuals. According to History.com, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named
Valentine or Valentinus. One Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II, who decided that single men made better soldiers than those with families or wives. Claudius outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine disagreed with the decree and would perform marriages in secret. Others believe it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop beheaded by Claudius II outside of Rome, who was the true namesake.
Yet another Valentine may have been jailed and fell in love with a jailer's daughter while in prison. He purportedly wrote to her, beginning the first Valentine card or letter tradition. Other stories say the imprisoned Valentine actually was writing to a blind woman he purportedly healed, and signed the note "from your Valentine."
It is hard to know who is who in regard to the name Valentine, as the stories and the people behind them are used interchangeably. Some historians believe they actually are the same person rather than several Valentines, while others insist there were multiple martyred individuals.
However you slice it, the defiant actions of one or more people named "Valentine" set the course for centuries of romance to follow.
PRESIDENTIAL MYTHS, DEBUNKED Courtesy of interestingfacts.com
One thing's for sure: U.S. Presidents are the stuff of legends. However, just because personal tales about the leaders are passed down from generation to generation doesn't mean the stories are rooted in truth. In fact, many of the stories are so outlandish that it’s amazing people believed them in the first place.
From flammable teeth to ridiculous bathtub debacles, we take a look at the eight of the oddest presidential myths out there — and set the record straight.
Myth: George Washington Had Wooden Teeth
Cherry tree aside, one of the most chewable facts is that the nation’s first President had a mouth full of wooden teeth. While it seems like an odd story to be linked to the founding father, a deeper dig gets to the root of the issue. Washington did indeed have terrible teeth, so much so that he had multiple dentures made. Those mouthpieces were made out of ivory, gold, lead, and even human teeth, but never any wood. Wood was not used by dentists at the time, because not only could wooden dentures cause splinters, but wood is also susceptible to expanding and contracting due to moisture — not ideal for something that lives in your mouth.
Myth: Thomas Jefferson Signed the Constitution
It seems incomprehensible that a big-name founding father like Thomas Jefferson missed out on signing the U.S. Constitution, but he never inked the deal. He was actually absent during the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention in 1787, as he was across the Atlantic Ocean in Paris, France, as the U.S.’s envoy.
Myth: Abraham Lincoln Wrote the Gettysburg Address on an Envelope
There’s no doubt that the 16th President was a brilliant orator. But the idea that he haphazardly scribbled one of the most important speeches in American history on the back of an envelope during a train ride sounds a little far-fetched. In reality, Abraham Lincoln toiled away at different versions of the Gettysburg Address, which he gave on November 19, 1863. Not just that, it was anything but a solo project. He collaborated with several associates on it — and there are even five original copies of the speech, not one of them on an envelope.
Myth: William Howard Taft Got Stuck in a Bathtub
One of the stranger presidential myths might be chalked up to potty humor. Somehow, 27th President William Howard Taft became associated with an embarrassing incident around getting stuck in a bathtub. While it’s true that he was larger in stature, weighing in at 350 pounds, he never had to be rescued from a tub.
That said, there is a reason he’s associated with baths. During his presidency, a supersized porcelain tub that was 7 feet long, 41 inches wide, and a ton in weight was installed in the White House. It was so massive that four grown men could fit inside. In another bath incident after his presidency, he filled a tub at a hotel in Cape May, New Jersey, a little too high and when he stepped into it, it overflowed to the point that the guests in the dining room below got a bit of a shower.
Myth: The Teddy Bear Got Its Name After Theodore Roosevelt Saved a Real Bear
Theodore Roosevelt had long been a hunter, but didn’t exactly show off his best skills on a bear hunt in November 1902. Everyone else in the group had had a fruitful hunt, so to help Roosevelt, the guide tracked a 235-pound bear to a watering hole, clubbed it, and tied it to a tree so the President could claim it. As the story goes, Roosevelt refused to shoot the bear.
The incident made its way to the Washington Post, which published a satirical cartoon about the President sparing the bear. New York City store owners Morris and Rose Mitchom saw the cartoon, were inspired by the President's act of heroism, and created stuffed animals in his honor, appropriately naming them “Teddy’s bear.”
The problem? Roosevelt didn’t shoot the bear, but he didn’t save it either. He saw that it had been mauled by dogs so savagely already that he asked for the bear to be killed with a hunting knife. Given the dark nature of this true tale, it makes sense that the details are often ignored when talking about this beloved childhood toy.
Myth: Zachary Taylor Was Poisoned
Just over a year and four months into his term, 12th President Zachary Taylor fell ill and died while in office. For years, many thought that he may have been the first President to be assassinated, since it was rumored that he was poisoned. Despite his death in July 1850, it wasn’t until 1991 that Kentucky scientists definitively concluded there was no arsenic in his blood. Another story, that he died of eating cherries in iced milk, unfortunately may have more truth to it. After leaving the Washington Monument dedication in 1850, he had that combo as a snack and likely came down with severe gastroenteritis — an inflammation of the digestive system — dying five days later.
Myth: Gerald Ford Was a Total Klutz
Throughout Gerald Ford’s presidency, many joked that his Vice President, Nelson Rockefeller, was only a banana peel away from the presidency, since the 38th President was so often caught being clumsy. He tumbled down ski slopes, slipped in the rain, and fell coming out of Air Force One, so much so that he was spoofed by Chevy Chase on Saturday Night Live. But in actuality, Ford was quite an athlete in his younger days. He was a football star at the University of Michigan, where he earned his letter for three years. He even tackled future Heisman Trophy winner Jay Berwander in 1934. During his White House years, he also swam and skied regularly, and played tennis and golf, so perhaps all that falling was just to add to his relatability.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cherries are a popular fruit and for good reason. Not only do cherries' blend of sweetsour flavor entice the taste buds, but cherries also are loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients. Cherries are good sources of fiber and vitamin C. According to Livestrong.com, Acerola cherries have the most vitamin C of all cherry varieties. A one-cup serving gives you more than 10 times the amount you need in a day. Caution is needed if you eat Acerola cherries and take vitamin C supplements, as kidney stones can arise in such instances. Generally, cherries also are high in potassium, which is needed for nerve function, blood pressure regulation and muscle contraction. According to Healthline, cherries are full of antioxidant plant compounds, particularly those that offer anti-inflammatory properties. Cherries can help combat oxidative stress, which is a condition that is linked to premature aging and other chronic diseases. Another benefit to cherries is their effect on sleep. The Cleveland Clinic says that cherries are good sources of melatonin and also contain tryptophan, the hormones involved in sleep regulation. Studies have shown that eating the fruit or drinking tart cherry juice before bed can increase sleep time and overall sleep efficiency. Cherries can reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, aid in weight management, protect the cardiovascular system, and help people get the rest they need, which means it may be time to include more cherries in your diet.
DID YOU KNOW?
Age is one of the major risk factors for glaucoma. However, the National Glaucoma ResearchBrightFocus Foundation indicates that there are congenital forms of glaucoma that affect children within the first six to 12 months of birth. Some children also develop juvenile glaucoma. Still, glaucoma is more prevalent among adults. Every adult should have a baseline comprehensive eye exam at age 40, recommends the American Academy of Ophthalmology. An eye doctor can assess risk and determine if comprehensive exams are needed yearly or more frequently. The National Eye Institute recommends comprehensive eye exams that include testing for glaucoma for everyone over age 60. Learn more about glaucoma by visiting www.aao.org.
WHO WAS SAINT VALENTINE?
Valentine's Day presents an opportunity to express feelings of love. Greeting cards and heart-shaped chocolate boxes are traditional gifts, as are red roses. Most people know how and why Valentine's Day is celebrated, but few may know the person behind the holiday's name. The Catholic Church recognizes three different martyred individuals with the name Valentine, who each may hold ties to the Valentine's Day celebration. The name Valentine comes from the Latin "Valentinus," which means "worthy, strong or powerful." The name was a common moniker at the time. It is not known just how many Valentines were around in that era, but historians believe there were many. According to the Catholic Education Resource Center, the following three Valentines share February 14th as their feast days. The historical records are sparse, but here's what is known about these men.
1. One St. Valentine was a priest and physician in Rome. He comforted the martyrs during the persecution of Emperor Claudius II. This Valentine was arrested and condemned to death by beheading for his faith.
2. Another St. Valentine was the Bishop of what is now Terni, located 60 miles from Rome. He also was arrested and beheaded under Emperor Claudius II.
3. The third St. Valentine suffered martyrdom in Africa, but not much else is known about him.
Historians are unsure which Valentine inspired Valentine's Day or if the day is meant to commemorate each of them. Stories about Valentine and his actions helping the faithful are used interchangeably.
According to Britannica, although the Roman Catholic Church continues to recognize St. Valentine, he was removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969 because of the lack of reliable information about him. In addition to being the namesake behind Valentine's Day, he is the patron saint of lovers, epileptics and beekeepers.
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STRATEGIES TO GET MORE ORGANIZED
When the new year arrives, many people focus on changes that can be implemented in the months of come. This time of year is a popular one to make resolutions to clean and organize homes and offices.
There are plenty of things that can use a little organizational attention. There's no ideal way to get organized. Whatever works is a good approach, but the following are six strategies to help individuals clear the clutter.
1. Utilize to-do lists
People tend to be less productive when they're storing all of their tasks in their brains. The first step to getting organized is to remove those plans from the head and put them down on paper or in some other tracking tool. A digital to-do list manager, for example, enables you to see all of your tasks, deadlines and due dates in one place so you can get things done more efficiently. Carry around a notepad or use the digital notes app on a phone to jot down thoughts and needs as they come up.
2. Corral your "smalls"
Smalls are keys, phones, chargers, wallets, headphones, and other accessories. When these items are grouped together, they're easier to find so you can stay on track. Invest in an attractive organizer and install it by the front door or another high-traffic area. You'll cut down on trying to find those smaller items when running errands.
3. Conquer clutter regularly
It's easy to be put off by cleaning and organizing when clutter has gotten out of control. Instead, by cleaning up items on a daily or weekly basis, it's much easier to keep ahead of clutter. Treat it like a daily job, including sorting mail and tossing unnecessary items; emptying waste pails; dusting the desk; deleting emails; and putting items back where they belong.
4. Categorize emails
Utilize the folder creation option from popular email providers to sort your messages. Drop messages that need
attention into categories of your choosing, such as school, health and receipts. Then you'll know which folder to go into when searching for what you need, eliminating the time-consuming task of scrolling through a full inbox.
5. Give one; toss one
When bringing new items into the home, follow the procedure of giving away or throwing out one item for each new item that is received or purchased. This can help to tame clutter.
6. Mise en place your life
"Mise en place" is French for "put in place." It is used in the kitchen to refer to preparing and setting out all ingredients needed in a recipe. The same concept can be used elsewhere. Lay out clothing on the dresser for the next day at work or school. Prep the foyer of a home with items you need, like an umbrella, shoes and paperwork. Organize backpacks so they're ready for the school day. Establish a to-go bag at work for items that need to be brought home.
Getting organized can be as simple as taking small steps that have lasting impact.
ETIQUETTE MYSTERIES: 6 POPULAR RULES EXPLAINED Courtesy of Interestingfacts.com
The catalog of social graces is constantly growing and changing to reflect the world we live in. Yet for every self-explanatory etiquette principle (silence your phone at the movies), there’s another seemingly arbitrary one (men should escort women on the left). While these “rules” may seem old-fashioned and are often broken in today’s society, they were once the guidelines for proper manners. We took the courtesy of demystifying six of them.
1. Why You Should Always Pass the Salt and Pepper: Seasoned etiquette aficionados often express dismay at the way people pass salt and pepper shakers. Regardless of which condiment a dining companion requests, in America, the polite response is to pass both shakers at the same time. This action conveniences everyone at the table. Think of salt and pepper as a pair of spouses or siblings — it becomes less likely that one will go missing if they stay together. Keeping the shakers in tandem also prevents a person from passing the wrong shaker. In addition, there’s a chance the recipient’s neighbor may need both ingredients, which are now within easy reach. Hence a rhyme that invokes two Blue’s Clues characters: “Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper always travel around the table together!” Politeness also dictates that shakers be placed on the table, not into outstretched hands. The thinking is occasionally linked to the superstition that two people grasping a salt shaker will eventually argue.
2. Why You Should Keep Your Elbows off the Table: In the Old Testament of the Bible, the Book of Ecclesiastes includes the line, “Be ashamed of breaking an oath or a covenant, and of stretching your elbow at dinner.” Many have translated this directive as a warning to keep elbows off the table at all times. Table manners were originally introduced to prevent mealtime fights, with the knife and fork establishing each eater’s boundary lines. Today, the elbow rule stops people from slouching or accidentally leaning their arms into food dishes. Moreover, when breaking bread with a group, placing your elbows on the table blocks those on either side of you from making eye contact.
A Mental Drift from Shore (For Sure!)
Courtesy of Jeffry Brown
Shoes torn by toes and long walks in springI'm feeling like my life sucks and I love it. Said the one under golden skies, like turtle doves with no place to fly.
I know all the songs that wrong birds sing.
We need to hear from Carlos Santana, Richard Pryor, and Roseanne Roseannadanna.
A slack-jawed malevolent man with half a banana and a gleam on his harpoon much brighter than mine, yours, or some clown in pajamas.
So, Sigmund said-
It's nothing more than a rhyme not played well in the head. For I am not Edgar Allen Poe, Quincy ME, Billy, Bobby or Fred. Fear not who you may think I am.
Maybe I will send
Paul McCartney and his silly love songs instead.
Jeffry Brown is a published poet. His Book, Words I Wish For, IS available at Zandbroz Variety Store, Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Fargo Public Libraries.
3. Why You Shouldn’t Drink When You Are Being Toasted To: If a loved one or coworker raises a glass in your honor, break the instinct of joining in on the toast. Since you’re being fêted, etiquette experts would perceive lifting your glass as a vain gesture, like giving applause to your own performance. Instead, practice the role of grateful recipient: Refrain from touching your glass and punctuate the toast with a “thank you.” Another common toast faux pas is clinking glasses to make the good tidings official. Knocking drinks with a tableful of people can require awkward stretching, causing spills or even broken glassware. A more dignified solution? Just hold those glasses aloft.
4. Why You Shouldn’t Point at Another Person: When assisting theme park guests, Disney employees are trained to point with two conjoined fingers, index and middle. While the act reportedly doubles as a nod to Walt Disney’s smoking, the larger explanation is that standard pointing is considered rude in numerous cultures — especially if aimed at another person. A perception that dates back to Shakespeare’s time, pointing brings unwanted attention to the recipient, implying that they’ve committed a wrong. Repeated pointing in Japan can even instigate hostility. Figurative “finger-pointing” is defined as “making explicit and often unfair accusations of blame.” In situations where you feel compelled to point, it is kinder to use an open palm, flight attendant-style
Why You Shouldn’t Respond to “Thank You” With “No Problem”
5. Why You Shouldn’t Respond to “Thank You” With “No Problem:” There's a common perception that by answering an expression of gratitude with “no problem,” you're hinting that the effort exerted was or almost became an inconvenience. (Ditto “no worries,” “don’t mention it,” or “it was nothing.”) “Thank you” neither pleads for forgiveness nor
merits a brush-off. “No problem” isn't necessarily the latter, though. Despite the negative phrasing, it's generally understood by Gen-Xers and Millennials as an attempt to be humble. In addition, the traditional response to “thank you” is understated in several languages — from Mandarin (mei guanxi or “it’s OK”) to German (keine ursache or “never mind”) — and the advent of texting has made the global vernacular less formal. But at least when speaking, etiquette authorities encourage people to try replies such as “you’re welcome,” “my pleasure,” and “of course.”
6. Why You Should Open a Car Door With the Hand That’s Furthest Away: Cycling accounts for more than 25% of daily travel in the Netherlands; thus, Dutch citizens tend to be more conscientious toward bike riders than Americans. Yet we can all learn from their example with the “Dutch Reach,” a subtle move for anyone seated on the lefthand side of a car. Upon parking, Dutch drivers are instructed to use their right hands when opening their doors, even though their left hands are closer. This forces individuals to fully turn their upper bodies toward their exit, increasing the probability that they will spot anyone approaching in a bike lane. Some local drivers even tie ribbons to their door handles as reminders, and the Dutch Reach Project employs the slogan, “Reach, Swivel, Look, Open” — good safety advice regardless of your seat placement.
FACTS ABOUT AMAZING RIVERS Courtesy of Interestingfacts.com
Few things are more central to human civilization than water. That’s why most ancient civilizations (Egypt, Indus, Sumer, etc.) flourished along rivers, and why many major cities today have followed suit. Around the world, 165 rivers are considered “major rivers” whose length and width tower over the competition.
But there’s more to rivers than just size. While some of the world’s most important rivers are long, winding natural wonders, others have outsized historical impact, represent an amazing moment of human engineering, or are simply beautiful to look at. These six facts concern some of the six most amazing rivers in the world, from the backwoods of Colombia to major metropolises around the globe.
The Search Is Still On for the Source of the Nile - Finding the source of the Nile, arguably the most famous and important river in human history, was one of the great adventures of the 19th century. Explorers including David Livingstone, Henry Morton Stanley, and Richard Francis Burton searched the White Nile, the river’s longest tributary (the other major tributary being the Blue Nile), to no avail. Today, scientists still aren’t sure where the furthest headwaters of the White Nile are, although one leading contender is the Ruvyironza River in Burundi.
The Yangtze River Watershed Takes Up 20% of China’s Total Landmass - The Yangtze is central to Chinese culture and civilization, and is the longest river to be contained inside only one country. Rising on the Tibetan plateau, the river travels east as it eventually empties into the East China Sea. The river ranks among the longest in the world, but its drainage basin is truly gargantuan. At 700,000 square miles, it takes up 20% of China’s
total landmass. Some 250 million people live on or near the river, and the Yangtze provides the country with 35% of its fresh water. There is no China without the Yangtze.
The Danube Flows Through 10 Countries, More Than Any Other River in the WorldWhile the Yangtze flows in only one country, the Danube passes through more countries than any other river. Those countries are Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. In those countries, the Danube also passes through four capital cities, including Vienna, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; Budapest, Hungary; and Belgrade, Serbia (an additional five capitals lie in the river basin). The Danube’s central location in Europe, along with its proximity to so many cities, easily makes it one of the most important rivers in the world.
Caño Cristales Has the Nickname “Rainbow River” Because of Its Multi-Hued WatersCaño Cristales isn’t one of the world’s longest or deepest rivers, and it doesn’t really feature prominently in Colombia’s history, but it does have one dazzling attribute that’s hard to ignore — it’s as colorful as a rainbow. Caño Cristales gets the nickname “Rainbow River” because it’s colored yellow, green, blue, black, and most especially red, hues that can be seen from May until November. This panoply of colors is derived from the reproductive process of aquatic plants (Macarenia clavigera) living on the riverbed. Because the river’s depth fluctuates between the wet and dry seasons, it’s only dazzlingly brilliant a few months out of the year.
No Bridge Spans the 4,300-Mile-Long Amazon River - Although the Amazon is the secondlongest river in the world and a vital artery of the Amazon rainforest, not a single bridge crosses its expanse. That’s surprising considering there are
more than a hundred bridges crossing the similarly-sized Yangtze, and nine bridges crossing the Nile in Cairo.
The simple answer for the Amazon’s lack of bridges is the lack of need for them. The cities and towns bordering the Amazon have ferries and boats; the river basin’s extensive marshes also make building a bridge a costly affair. Floating bridges, or pontoons, are also impractical as the width of the river can vary between 2 miles and 30 miles between the dry and wet seasons.
The Chicago River Is the Only River That Flows Backward - As Chicago changed from a
Great Lakes-adjacent village to a booming metropolis toward the end of the 19th century, city planners were faced with a conundrum. The Chicago River, which carried much of the city’s waste, emptied directly into Lake Michigan, which was also the source of the city’s drinking water.
To fix the problem, engineer Ellis S. Chesbrough put forward an idea to reverse the river’s flow by building a ditch lower than both Lake Michigan and the river itself. When the project was finally completed in 1900, the Chicago River became the only river in the world that had reversed its flow.
GRAY IS THE WORLD’S RAREST EYE COLOR Courtesy of Interstingfacts.com
Human eyes are entirely unique; just like fingerprints, no two sets are alike. But some genetic anomalies create especially unlikely “windows” to the world — like gray eyes. Eye experts once believed that human eyes could appear in only three colors: brown, blue, and green, sometimes with hazel or amber added. More recently, the ashy hue that was once lumped into the blue category has been regrouped as its own, albeit rarely seen, color. Brown-eyed folks are in good company, with up to 80% of the global population sporting the shade, while blue eyes are the second most common hue. Traditionally, green was considered the least common eye color, though researchers now say gray is the most rare, with less than 1% of the population seeing through steel-colored eyes.
Eye color is an inherited trait, meaning it’s likely members of the same family have similar eye colors. However, geneticists now believe determining a child’s eye color isn’t as simple as looking at their parents. That’s because as many as 16 genes work together to impact the final hue. Intriguingly, the eye color we have at birth isn’t necessarily the one we’ll have as adults. Most babies are born with fainter eyes that often look gray, light blue, or light brown until the melanocytes — the protein that creates color — produce enough melanin to color the iris. People with less active melanocytes typically have lighter eyes (like blue or green), while people with more melanin usually end up with brown eyes. In most cases, our final eye color begins to emerge around 3 to 6 months old, though it can continue changing until a baby’s third birthday.
NUMBERS DON’T LIE! 45% of the U.S. population have brown eyes. Humans blink an average of 15 - 20 times per minute. There are six muscles in the human eye. Van Morrison released his hit, “Brown Eyed Girl” in 1967.
Having two different colored eyes is called heterochromia.
GETTING TO THE ROOT OF SODIC SOIL
Plants often are only as strong as the soil in which they grow. While certain greenery may thrive no matter where it's planted, soil conditions are often key to successful growing.
Sodic soil is one condition people may experience at home or in commercial farming operations. Sodic soils, sometimes called saline-alkali soils or dispersive soils, are defined as having high levels of exchangeable sodium and low levels of total salts, according to the Colorado State University Extension. These conditions compromise growing conditions because sodic soils tend to be poorly drained and crust over. Water intake also can be poor in sodic soils, and pH is usually high - coming in above 9.0.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development of the Government of Western Australia advises a simple sodic soil test to check for sodicity. One can collect dry soil aggregates (crumbs of soil) from different depths. Those crumbs should be placed into a clear jar of distilled water, taking care not to mix or agitate the soil. The water around the edges of sodic soil will become cloudy and appear milky. For highly dispersive soil, the dispersion will be evident after about 10 to 30 minutes. Moderately sodic soil may take 2 hours.
Individuals can take steps to improve sodic soil. Gypsum is the most commonly used amendment for sodic soil, according to Science Direct. It also can reduce the harmful effects of high-sodium irrigation waters. Gypsum is a mineral that is composed of hydrated calcium sulfate. Gypsum has an effect on reducing the rate of soil erosion. It is more effective when gypsum is spread on the soil surface rather than mixed in.
Limestone, which also contains calcium, is another additive that can amend sodic
soils. Gardeners may want to add calcium to the soil because it replaces the sodium and then the sodium can be leached out.
Additional mitigation methods for sodic soils include changing plant species or varieties to more tolerant ones that will grow more readily.
Commercial farmers or home gardeners may encounter sodic soil. Though sodic soil is not ideal, it can be remedied in various ways.
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ANSWER KEY ON PAGE 32
THE GOOD OLD DAYS: I LUCKED OUT AGAIN Courtesy
“MY DEAR,” I said to my wife Rosie, “I have to write a harvest column for Horizons magazine and it is not easy what with me being a North Dakota town boy all my life. But you are an old farm girl . . . er, a farm girl . . . and perhaps you could help me out.”
“I can tell you about the old days on our farm near Edgeley,” she said, “if you promise not to mention the time the power take-off stripped me right down to the buff.”
“The power take-off?” I said. “Right down to the buff?”
“Right in front of God and the hired man,” she said.
“I see,” I said. “Well, you certainly never mentioned this before we were married.”
“No,” she acknowledged, “but it happened shortly after the horses panicked and dragged the rake over my back which incidentally, also tore off most of my clothing.”
“Hmmm, dangerous business, that farming,” I said. “Would you care to talk about it.”
Well, she said it was in the old days on her dad’s farm and, although she was merely a young lass (maybe 12 or in her early teens), she did the raking with a team of two horses. And one time she stepped off the seat onto the tongue and . . .
“Hold it,” I said, “the tongue . . .?”
“The wooden pole between the horses and the rake, town boy,” she replied haughtily.
“And then the horses panicked and pulled the rake over my back. When my brothers found me my back was pretty scratched up.”
“And you were in the . . .ah, buff?” I asked.
“Well, close,” she said. “But I was knocked unconscious.”
It may or may not be significant that the rake was badly bent. They don’t make girls like that nowadays. At any rate, I have noticed that she does not ask to have her back scratched much, as do most wives.
“Let’s get on to the power take-off,” I suggested.
“Well,” she said, “after the rake incident I refused to operate with horses anymore. So my dad and brothers would use a tractor to pull a mower and then the rake was hooked on
behind the mower and I would sit on the seat and trip the rake when it was time.”
And when it was time to go in for dinner, she said, they would disconnect the rake and she would ride in, standing on the back of the tractor. “I had to straddle the power take-off.” she said.
“You straddled the power take-off?” I asked incredulously. “Isn’t that sort of asking for trouble?”
“I was young,” she explained. “Besides, they’d always turn off the power when we drove in. Well, almost always. This one time they forgot to turn it off and my jeans got caught
in the take-off and tore them off me and there I stood -helpless.”
Well, folks, modern harvesting is wonderful, but something like that certainly makes a man yearn for the old days. They may have been tough, but there were obviously fringe benefits.
The sad thing is that there is hardly any way for our offspring to realize how harvests were gathered in the good old days.
It wasn’t too long ago that my 11-year-old son, Iron Mike, spent a few days on his grandpa’s farm. He came home exuberant, “Wow,” he said, “I’ve been hauling grain and that’s cool, man, cool.”
“Cool?” Rosie questioned. “That used to be the toughest job on the farm.”
“Huh!” Mike snorted. “Nothing to it. You just flip a switch and the truck box goes up and the grain flows out into an elevator.”
“You ever heard of wagons with iron wheels and horses and shoveling grain into a bin?” Rosie demanded. “Do you know how hot it gets inside a bin”
Of course he hadn’t. “Who goes inside the bin?” he shrugged.
He is not to be blamed. That is how it is nowadays with North Dakota’s bounty. And those big new machines, folks, are a Godsend.
Believe me, I know. I may have been a town boy, but back in Edinburg in Walsh County where I grew up, the harvest was potatoes.
I am 45 years old now -- but when the moon is full and there is a chill in the air, I still get a twinge in the small of my back from my old potato-picking days.
It is mostly done by machine now, but I will never forget picking potatoes from sunup to sundown on some fields so thin you had to hunt for the spuds.
And now we’ve got fertilizers and machines and I’d be willing to bet that nobody who was there would want to go back
to those old days -- even for power take-off strip-teases. I know I wouldn’t go back to picking potatoes for a living. Let’s be honest -- a guy wasn’t built to run around all day with his fanny above his head.
Did you know?
Though cancer is a formidable foe, data from the World Health Organization suggests that millions of cancer fatalities can be prevented each year. According to the WHO, cancer accounted for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. Roughly one-third of those deaths are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and sedentary lifestyles. Cancers linked to such behaviors can be prevented when individuals make healthier lifestyle choices. In fact, the WHO estimates that between 30 and 50 percent of cancers can currently be prevented by avoiding risk factors, including tobacco use and poor diet, and implementing evidence-based prevention strategies, such as measures designed to minimize occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and reducing exposure to outdoor and indoor air pollution
CLUES ACROSS
1. Shed tears
5. Luxury jewelry designer
10. Goddess of wisdom
12. Convert into a particular form
14. Working-class people
16. It borders Canada (abbr.)
18. A princess can detect its presence
19. Red-brown sea bream
20. Defunct retail empire
22. Vase
23. Demeter's equivalent
25. Monetary unit of the Maldives
26. French and Belgian river
27. Small amount
28. High schoolers' test
30. Animal's foot
31. Some is red
33. Per __: each
35. Swedish jazz pop duo
37. Plate for Eucharist
38. Train line
40. Russian pop duo
41. Stake
42. Plant by scattering
44. Female sibling
45. City of Angels hoopsters (abbr.)
48. Popular cookie brand
50. Group of Niger-Congo languages
52. A team's best pitcher
53. Vomits
55. 19th letter of Greek alphabet
56. Men's fashion accessory
57. Its capital is Pierre (abbr.)
58. Expensive cut of steak
63. Popular James Cameron film
65. A __: relating to knowledge gleaned from deduction
66. Kids' snow toys
67. Flip side to yin
CLUES DOWN
1. Global public health agency
2. Snake-like fish
3. Midway between northeast and east
4. Dabbed
5. TV show
6. Folk singer DiFranco
7. Canadian flyers
8. Of the dowry
9. Commercial
10. The act of imitating
11. Equipment used to broadcast radio or TV signals
13. Lands of an emir
15. Swiss river
17. Island
18. Monetary unit of Afghanistan
21. One who surrenders under agreed conditions
23. Garfield is one
24. A baglike structure in a plant or animal
27. Small boats used in the Black Sea
29. Small savory Spanish dishes
32. Body part
34. Touch lightly
35. Popular grilled foods on a stick
36. __ Hess: oil company
39. Antelope with a reddish coat
40. Pharaoh of Lower Egypt
43. Pink Floyd's Roger
44. Short and thick
46. Small, sac-like cavities
47. Performer __-Lo
49. Entrails of animal used as food
51. __ King Cole, musician
54. Where construction is done
59. Chap
60. Investment vehicle
61. Often mixed with tonic
62. Holiday beverage egg __
64. Against
ANSWER
KEY ON PAGE 32
LOOK HERE! FUN FACTS ABOUT EYES Courtesy of Interestingfacts.com
They've been described as the windows to the soul by William Shakespeare and the jewel of the body by Henry David Thoreau, and featured in song titles by musicians ranging from Van Morrison and The Who to Billy Idol and Billie Eilish. Needless to say, eyes hold a prominent place in our lives, both for our dependence on their functionality as well as the aesthetic qualities that have inspired so many artists. Here are six eye-opening facts about these amazing organs.
The First Eyes Appeared at Least 540 Million Years Ago: The first known organism to demonstrate the leap from light-sensitive receptors to complex eyes was the trilobite, which left records of its evolutionary impact from approximately 540 million years ago. The orbs of these early arthropods more closely resembled the compound eyes of modern insects, with multiple lenses, as opposed to the single lens-to-retina camera-style eye built into humans. Because they offered trilobites a clear advantage in hunting prey (and thus encouraged their predators to evolve in response), the emergence of working eyes in these and subsequent life forms may have helped drive the so-called "Cambrian Explosion," which gave rise to most of the creatures that now populate the animal kingdom.
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The Human Eye Can See Objects Millions of Miles Away: While the majority of us wouldn't consider our vision to be extraordinary, the human eye can see much farther than most of us realize. That's because our ability to perceive an object is based not only on its size and proximity, but also on the brightness of the source. Practically speaking, our sight is hindered by factors such as the Earth's curvature, which creates the dropoff point of the horizon just 3 miles away, and atmospheric conditions. However, a trip outside on a clear night reveals the true power of our vision, as most of us are able to make out the faint haze of the Andromeda Galaxy some 2.6 million lightyears into space.
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Some People Can Distinguish Between 100 Million Colors: Most people are trichromatic, meaning they possess three types of cone cells in their retinas to detect variations of red, green, and blue light. Dichromatic or colorblind people are those with missing or defective cone cells; normally this means they have trouble differentiating between two colors, with red and green being the most common combination. On the extreme ends of the spectrum, those suffering from achromatopsia lack the ability to see any colors, while those born with an extra set of cone cells, tetrachromats, are said to be extraordinarily sensitive to light wavelengths and capable of distinguishing between 100 million colors.
We Blink Around 7.8 Million Times Per Year: There are a few established reasons for why we blink: This rapid closure triggers secretions that flush away foreign particles, while also providing a lubrication that keeps our precious eyes functioning smoothly. However, this action, which can be voluntary or involuntary, is also affected by a raft of psychological reasons. We blink less when concentrating, for example, and more when we're nervous. Recent studies also indicate that blinking may be a way of providing the brain a brief moment of rest. Regardless of the reasons, we all blink a lot. Most people average at least 15 per minute, which translates to 14,400 for each waking 16-hour period, and a whopping 7.8 million blinks per year.
The Colossal Squid Boasts the Largest Animal Eyes: The human eye measures about two-thirds of an inch across at birth, before growing to its full size of 1 inch by adulthood. By comparison, the eye of the 45-foot-long colossal squid has been measured at 11 inches in diameter, making it the largest such organ in the animal kingdom and possibly the largest in the history of recorded life. Among land-dwelling creatures, the ostrich tops the pack with an eye that measures around 2 inches from the cornea to the retina - dimensions that also happen to be bigger than its walnut-sized brain.
All Humans Had Brown Eyes at One Point: Eye color (along with skin and hair color) is determined by the amount of melanin our bodies produce; those with blue or green eyes simply possess a lower density of this pigmentation in the iris than those with dark brown peepers. According to research published by a University of Copenhagen team in 2012, all humans had brown eyes until sometime between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago, when a genetic mutation created the first blue-eyed individual. Nowadays, 70% to 79% of the world's population has brown eyes, with 8% to 10% sporting baby blues, approximately 5% featuring hazel or amber, and just 2% showing green. Less than 1% of people possess two completely different colored eyes — a condition known as heterochromia.
THE HEALTHY GEEZER | Courtesy of Fred Cicetti
Q. I had a bad cold so I asked my doctor for an antibiotic. He seemed reluctant, but I insisted and he gave me the prescription. I was supposed to take it for 10 days, but I stopped after 7 because I felt better and I...
The CAT scan, MRI and others are known as diagnosticimaging tests. Let’s go over the common ones.
Stop! Next you’ll tell me you prefer not to cover your mouth when you cough.
Taking antibiotics unnecessarily and not completing your prescription are the leading causes of “superbugs,” bac-
teria that are resistant to antibiotics. These superbugs are one of the most serious threats to global public health.
The first thing you should know is that antibiotics are used to combat bacteria, not viruses. So, these potent drugs should be used for infections of the ear, sinuses, urinary tract and skin. They’re also used to treat strep throat. They should not be used for viruses that cause most sore throats, coughs, colds and flu.
However, each year doctors in the USA write about 50 million antibiotic prescriptions for viral illnesses anyway. Patient pressure is a major cause for these prescriptions.
prescribe a stronger antibiotic. The bacteria learn to fight the stronger medication. Superbugs are smart, too; they can share information with other bacteria.
The antibiotic vancomycin was, for years, a reliable last defense against some severe infections. But some superbugs have figured out how to resist even vancomycin. More than 70 percent of the bacteria that cause hospitalacquired infections are resistant to at least one of the antibiotics most commonly used to treat them. About 100,000 people die each year from infections they contract in the hospital, often because the bacteria that cause hospitalacquired infections are resistant to antibiotics.
Here’s what you can do about this problem:
MISSION STATEMENT
Northland PACE Senior Care Services promotes independence through the coordina�on of all health services, allowing par�cipants to con�nue living with dignity at home for as long as safely possible.
RANGE OF SERVICES
Services are based on the needs of each individual. Addi�onal may be necessary to maintain and improve the health of the individual, and are determined by the IDT.
• Primary and specialty medical care
• All prescrip�on drugs
• Rehabilita�on and restora�ve therapies
> Physical > Occupa�onal > Speech
• Healthcare specialists
> Audiology > Den�stry > Optometry
• Dietary Care
> Meals and nutri�onal counselling
• In-home support and care
• Social services
• Transporta�on
• Hospital emergency care and nursing home care, when necessary
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• 55 years of age or older
• Eligible for nursing home level of care
• Live within indicated zip code area
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• Dedicated, qualified healthcare professionals
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When you don’t finish your prescription, your antibiotic doesn’t kill all the targeted bacteria. The germs that survive build up resistance to the drug you’re taking. Doctors are then forced to
* Protect yourself by washing your hands often, handling and preparing food safely, and keeping up-to-date on immunizations.
* Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. If you cut your treatment short, you kill the vulnerable bacteria, but allow the resistant bacteria to live.
* Never take leftover antibiotics from your medicine cabinet or from a friend. The antibiotic might not be right one to use. And, if it is, you probably won’t have enough pills to kill the germs in your system. This can lead to more resistant bacteria.
* Don't pressure your doctor for antibiotics if you have a viral illness.
Penicillin, which was introduced six decades ago, was the first antibiotic. It was derived from mold. We now have more than 150 of these drugs. Antibiotics are a class of antimicrobials, a group that includes anti-viral, antifungal, and anti-parasitic drugs.
Previous treatments for infections included poisons such as strychnine and arsenic. When antibiotics arrived, they were called “magic bullets,” because they targeted disease without harming the host.
SPRING CLEANING TIPS AND TRICKS
Spring is a time of year when change is in the air. Trees are budding, plants are flowering, and homes laden with dark or heavy fabrics and clutter could use some lightening up.
Spring cleaning projects are popular this time of year as residents take inventory of their living spaces and aim to declutter, clean and increase efficiency. Some people find the prospect of getting organized overwhelming. Here are some tips that can help anyone master spring cleaning.
• Create a plan. Make a checklist and establish a cleaning plan of attack. Focus on areas that are not regularly cleaned, as they probably need a little attention.
• Assemble your cleaning kit. Spring cleaning can be slowed down considerably if you don't have all of your equipment at the ready. Items to have on hand include an allpurpose cleaner, concentrated cleaner, microfiber cloths, paper towels, mop, vacuum, dusters, and a squeegee. Adjust your equipment based on the task at hand.
• Curate your cleaning playlist. Create a playlist with songs that will get you moving and
motivated to clean.
• Work from top to bottom. Work efficiently by cleaning shelves, ceiling fans and other elevated items first, as dust and debris will trickle down and need to be cleaned next.
• Purchase or rent a carpet cleaner. According to the experts at Clean That Up, carpets help filter indoor air by trapping debris and allergens. By deep cleaning carpets, homeowners can improve the indoor air quality of their homes. Use a carpet cleaner on a warm, dry day so that windows can be opened and cross breezes will help dry the damp rug.
• Clean windows. Wash windows inside and out and utilize their screens to help brighten indoors spaces.
• Deep clean the kitchen. Clean out and disinfect the refrigerator by wiping it down with warm water and baking soda or a vinegar-and-water solution. While in the kitchen, set the oven to the self-clean function so it becomes cleaner as well.
Homeowners also can focus on cleaning curtains (including shower curtains), steam-cleaning upholstery, removing clutter from closets, cleaning out the dryer vent and duct tubing, wiping inside kitchen drawers, and vacuuming under beds and other furniture.
Spring cleaning can bring the revitalizing nature of this beloved time of year into your home.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that as much as 5 percent of older adults living in the general community are suffering from clinical depression. Those figures are even higher among older adults who are hospitalized (11.5 percent) and those who require home health care (13.5 percent). The National Council on Aging reports that older adults are at an elevated risk of developing depression, though there's no single, specific cause increasing that risk. Chronic conditions, which the CDC estimates affect as much as 80 percent of older adults; decreased functional ability; reduced mobility; loneliness; and financial issues related to retirement are among the potential causes of depression in older adults. As difficult as depression can be, the NCOA notes that treatment has been found to be just as effective for seniors as it is in younger populations. Aging individuals or those concerned about an aging relative are encouraged to visit the American Psychological Association website at psychiatry.org to learn more about the many ways depression can be treated.
•The Alzheimer's Association® reports that remaining socially active throughout adulthood can possibly delay the onset of dementia. And that's not the only benefit to remaining socially engaged as an adult, which researchers have linked to reduced rates of disability and mortality. The Alzheimer's Association® also indicates that social engagement may reduce the risk for depression in older adults. That's a significant benefit, as the National Council on Aging notes that the risk for depression is elevated among older adults compared to young adults. Retirees can consider a host of ways to remain socially engaged, whether it's volunteering, participating in clubs or moving to communities tailored to individuals 55 and older. Such communities may facilitate social engagement among residents by establishing or promoting clubs, organizing group sightseeing trips and arranging for other opportunities for inhabitants to get to know their neighbors
WARNING SIGNS THAT BRAKES ARE FALTERING
Automotive problems are often best left to professionals. Though seasoned car enthusiasts may be capable of diagnosing and fixing car troubles without the assistance of a trusted mechanic, most drivers are better off letting the pros address issues under the hood.
But drivers can still play a vital role in vehicle maintenance. Learning to recognize warning signs of various problems that can affect cars can prevent breakdowns and potentially costly repairs. And in certain instances, such as when the brake system is not working properly, knowing how to spot problems before they escalate into something larger can make drivers and their passengers safer and potentially prevent accidents.
Television shows and movies have lent credence to the notion that brake problems are marked by the sudden cessation of a vehicle's ability to stop. Though that can happen, warning signs of fading brake systems tend to be more subtle.
· Noises: Much like a knocking sound typically indicates a problem with a vehicle's airfuel ration mixture, certain noises also suggest there are problems with the brakes. The most noticeable such sign is a high-pitched squeal that occurs when drivers apply the brakes. But grinding sounds and noises like scratching and scraping also warrant a visit to a brake specialist.
· Increase in stopping distance: An increase in the distance a vehicle travels before it stops after the brakes are applied indicates that there's an issue with the brakes. This issue may or may not require a brake replacement. In fact, it's sometimes indicative that brake fluid levels are low, which can be remedied quickly and easily. However, an increase in stopping distance is significant enough that it should be brought to the attention of a brake specialist immediately.
· Pulling upon stopping: Another warning sign of brake problems is when the vehicle noticeably pulls to one side as it comes to a stop. This indicates that one side of the brakes is malfunctioning while the other is working properly. Like other issues with brakes, this one requires immediate attention from an automotive professional.
Brake systems should be inspected during routine maintenance visits. But issues with brakes can arise even after such inspections, which underscores how important it is that drivers learn to recognize the warning signs of brake problems.
DID YOU KNOW?
Vehicle maintenance is often viewed through the lens of keeping cars safe and running smoothly. That impression is accurate, but in addition to potentially saving lives, vehicle maintenance can save drivers money. The summer of 2022 was marked by rapid inflation that affected prices of just about everything, including fuel, which rose to such heights that many drivers sought any way to save money at the pump. Vehicle maintenance is one simple way to reduce fuel costs, sometimes by a significant margin. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that fixing a faulty oxygen sensor could improve gas mileage by as much as 40 percent. Smaller measures also can save drivers money at the pump, as the U.S. DOE estimates that keeping tires properly inflated can increase fuel efficiency by as much as 3 percent while using the motor oil recommended in a vehicle owner's manual can improve gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent.
DON’T LET FEAR DRIVE INVESTMENT DECISIONS | Courtesy of Edward Jones
In the past year, we’ve seen some big swings in the financial markets. This volatility may make you feel as if you have little control over your investment success. But the truth is, you do have more control than you might think — as long as you don’t let fear guide your decisions. Investment-related fear can manifest itself in a few different ways:
• Fear of loss – Some investors may emphasize avoiding losses more than achieving gains. Consequently, they might build portfolios they consider very low in risk, possibly containing a high percentage of certificates of deposit (CDs) and U.S. Treasury securities. Yet, a highly conservative approach carries its own risk — the risk of not achieving enough growth to stay ahead of inflation, much less meet long-term goals such as a comfortable retirement. To reach these goals, you’ll want to construct a diversified portfolio containing different types of assets and investments — each of which may perform differently at different times. Your objective shouldn’t be to avoid all risk — which is impossible — but to create an investment strategy that accommodates your personal risk tolerance and time horizon.
• Fear of missing out – You’re probably familiar with the term “herd mentality” — the idea that people will follow the lead of others for fear of missing out on something. This behavior is responsible for fads or the sudden emergence of “hot” products, and it’s also relevant to investing. In fact, herd mentality may contribute to sharp jumps in the financial markets as investors drive up prices by buying stocks to avoid being left behind. And the same may be true in reverse — when the market starts dropping, skittish investors may accelerate the decline by selling stocks so they, too, can get out before it’s too late. Buying or selling investments should be considered as needed to help advance your long-term financial strategy — not in response to what others are doing.
• Fear of the unknown – Some investors fall victim to “familiarity bias” — the tendency to invest only in what they know, such as local or domestic companies. But this behavior can lead to under-diversified portfolios. If your portfolio is dominated by just a few investments, and these investments are fairly similar to each other, you could experience some losses when the inevitable market downturn occurs. To help reduce the impact of market volatility, it’s a good idea to spread your investment dollars across large and small companies in a range of industries and geographical regions. And that’s just on the equities side — it’s also wise to consider further diversifying your portfolio by owning bonds and government securities. (Keep in mind, though, that diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses.)
• Fear of admitting failure – Some individuals don’t like to admit when they’ve been wrong about something, and they may continue the same failed activities, hoping for eventual success. This behavior can be costly in the investment arena. Sometimes, a particular investment, or even an investment strategy, just doesn’t work out, but an investor is determined to stick with it — even if it ultimately means considerable financial loss. Don’t let his happen to you — if it becomes apparent you need to change your investment approach, move on to something better.
Fear can hold us back in many walks of life — but don’t let it keep you from making appropriate investment moves. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member
SIPC
DID YOU KNOW?
Home renovations can improve a home in many different ways. Modifications to kitchens and bathrooms have long been popular projects, but are they the most popular renovations? According to data from Realm, which analyzed the top 10 most popular projects from roughly 2.8 million listings and permit filings in the United States in 2022, certain projects are more popular than others. Nationally, the most common home renovations include interior painting, exterior painting, finishing a basement, installing or replacing windows, and bathroom remodeling. Houzz polls have unveiled that renovating kitchens and bathrooms, new windows and porches, balcony and deck projects are among the most popular. According to the Canadian lifestyle resource Icy Canada, which culled various data points and sources, window and door upgrades, kitchen and bath remodels and deck projects are the most popular renovations in Canada.
