POSTCARDS MAGAZINE - Lake Conroe - Dec. 2022

Photo by Cade Crippin Postcards 2021 Cover Photo Contest

THERE’S A BETTER APPROACH TO CANCER CARE in The Woodlands

At Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, we treat every aspect of your cancer. Leading oncologists work with our specialists across disciplines to minimize cancer’s effects on major organs. One comprehensive team — dedicated to your individual care — uses the latest research, treatments and technology to stop your cancer. From infusion and clinical trials to surgery and reconstruction, our innovative care is available in The Woodlands.

That’s the difference between practicing medicine and leading it.

Your health and safety are our priority. We are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe.

Among the wonderful things about living in community are the relationships you form over the years. Whether you connect through children at school or sports events, or you work or worship together, casual relationships often become special friendships.

In our area, we are blessed with a choice of many great doctors. As you read that, I would almost guarantee your thoughts shifted to those who are your favorites. Whether your primary care doctor, your dentist, optometrist or orthopedist, we all have that healthcare provider we really enjoy seeing (even if we don’t enjoy what they tell us).

When a woman is expecting a baby, oftentimes that special relationship is formed with her obstetrician. I remember when I was expecting our first baby, I was unprepared for the emotions that would unexpectedly overwhelm me to the point I would break down in tears over nothing… like having pork chops for dinner. (Yes, that really happened.) I remember as I neared the end of my pregnancy, I exclaimed one day in tears, “Dr. Deahl is the only person who really understands me!” Bless. His. Heart.

I stopped by Dr. Tim Deahl’s office recently – to say goodbye. He has retired, and he was in the midst of closing up shop--cleaning out his desk and going through many notes and cards from women like me, who appreciated him so much. I teasingly asked him if he was sitting back in his office crying, to which he replied, “No, but there have been a bunch of tears in this office…I feel like I’ve been breaking up with my girlfriend every 15 minutes for the last two weeks!” We dissolved into laughter, and then I did my best to explain to him the way I had felt as a young woman, experiencing something I thought I was prepared for and wasn’t. I shared how his steadiness and “everything will be okay” attitude brought a calm assurance, much like that of a parent when a child is nervous. I told him that, while I knew he was “just doing his job”, he was doing so much more. He was building very special relationships--the kind of relationships that bring tears when they end. Thank you, Dr. Deahl, for caring for so many of us. Thank you for delivering our daughter and son, and our son’s two sons.

During this holiday season, take a moment to think about those special relationships in your life, and drop those people a card. They will smile… and so will you.

Merry Christmas, ~ Karen

Santa saw your Instagram dictionary for Christmas.

GABBY

From Our Readers

We LOVE the article you did on Rock Steady Boxing. Within days of running, it had a positive impact. Families are spreading the news about the program to their family members in other states and I already had a gentleman come check the program out.

Many thanks for taking the time to come visit us and share our mission with the rest of the community. I know it’s going to help educate and help a lot of people.

Carly Wilson

I love the pet pictures, senior spotlights, and teacher spotlights!

Christi Jowell

“Texas Treasures” and “Things my Granddaddy Said” are two of my favorite things. Oh, and seeing the recipes in the “What’s Cooking” section!

Old Town Theatre

We really enjoy your magazine, great stories and beautiful pictures.

I appreciate Postcards and what you mean to our community. I enjoy reading your magazine when I go to the chiropractor’s office!

Really enjoy your community magazine. Reminds me of Ideals Magazines from the past.

Jeannie Boyle

Brenda Taylor

Mary Smith

I Hope the Stock Market Turns Around

“Failing to plan is planning to fail. Hope is not a plan.” Harrison Jones

I’m not sure if you’ve opened your statements recently, but it has been a tough year, thus far, in the investment world. A lot of people are feeling the pain of the financial perfect storm, rising interest rates, volatile stock market, high inflation, etc.

One of the most important things, especially during turbulent times like this, is to have a plan behind your investing. And like the quote says, hope is not a plan.

You must have a plan and strategy that removes emotion from your investing. I’m sure everyone had heard stories of people selling out at the bottom of a down market, only to miss the positive recovery after. That can be extremely costly to your finances long term by potentially leaving a ton of money on the table!

We follow a very strict, data driven process, with our investing strategy. Although we may have a differing opinion of what the plan is telling us at that moment in time, we stick with it. That is because, if you don’t stick to your plan, do you really have a plan?

One of our goals for clients is to help avoid the massive drawdowns and eliminate as much of the recovery period as possible. It is impossible to time the market, but having a data driven process and plan eliminates investing with emotion, which can be very dangerous.

Pairing this with financial planning for clients, and assuming very conservative variables, we can help build out, and plan for anything. That includes loss of income earlier than expected, or even turbulent markets at unexpected times.

Submitted by: Brian B Smith, CFP®, Bryan M Masten, CFP® & Riley W. Smith

Community Builders

By Ruth Fields Photos by Gina Turner

Therapy Dogs

When Tucker and Oliver, Tom and Gail Tyler’s two therapy dogs, made a recent appearance at Live Oak Senior Care in Montgomery, residents were ready and waiting. “You know I love you,” one resident said while stroking Tucker’s long ears. “Look at those eyes, those beautiful eyes,” said another. One held Oliver and crooned, “You are such a good dog.”

Tucker & Oliver

Tom and Gail’s unexpected journey to become therapy dog handlers began with sadness. Their Westie, Buddy, died at age 17, and the family was grieved. “We only lasted one night without a dog,” Gail says. The next day, they rescued a blue heeler they named Gus, but that was only the beginning. Tom, a United Airlines pilot, and Gail, a retired schoolteacher, have always been surrounded by pets, so having more than one dog was not out of the question--and Gail wanted to raise a puppy. She thought it would be best to wait until she retired so she would be home during the day, but in 2020--Gail’s final year of teaching--the pandemic shut-down forced her to teach from home after spring break. So, when her brother Harold Thompson, a Dallas architect, suggested they each get a puppy, she was ready.

But what kind of dog? Harold told Gail, “I am going to look, and you look, and we’ll talk.” A day or two later, he called and asked, “What do you know about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?” Gail was stunned; she had been considering the same breed.

In 17th century England, King Charles I and King Charles II were known for their affection for their toy spaniels, which were eventually named after the younger King Charles. Originally hunting dogs, the small spaniels were popular among the British aristocracy, including the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, who bred a brown and white variety at Blenheim Palace. After hundreds of years, however, the dogs didn’t look much like the painted portraits on the walls of manor houses. When a wealthy American offered British breeders cash incentives to breed “Blenheim spaniels of the Old World-type” in the 1900s, there were many takers. This new version of the original breed was eventually called the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Despite their regal past, Cavaliers are eventempered and affectionate, and as friendly to strangers as they are to their own people. They are athletic, yet gentle. Cavaliers have rabbitsoft fur, but are perhaps most noted for their large, round eyes and soulful expression. Each of four distinct color patterns is named for a British noble family.

Harold and Gail each chose a brown and white puppy (the Blenheim variety) from a breeder in Dallas; however, when the puppies were almost old enough to leave their mothers, Harold, who lives in a mid-rise apartment in Dallas, suddenly had second thoughts. Gail, with Tom’s blessings, decided to take Harold’s

advice: both Cavalier puppies, Tucker and Oliver, soon joined the Tyler family.

Having purpose in retirement

Being a public-school teacher was always a main part of Gail’s identity, so she wondered if she would be able to find something meaningful to do after she put away her chalk and lesson plans. “I felt like teaching was a calling. It was a job, yes, but it was a calling-and I had a purpose. The public schools need Christian teachers,” she says. Gail, however, didn’t want to volunteer randomly. “I wanted to do something I was passionate about. People do their best when they are passionate

about what they’re doing.”

Soon after retirement, Gail fulfilled one of her goals by joining Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), a worldwide, inter-denominational Bible study. One day, she struck up a conversation with another member of her BSF group. When talk turned to the woman’s involvement with therapy dogs, Gail was awestruck.

Immediately, she thought, “This is what I’m supposed to do.” She remembered that, on long walks during the pandemic, people were drawn to Tucker and Oliver. “They are like little people magnets,” she says. “Part of it is because it’s two of them, and that’s

Tucker, Oliver, Tom & Gail Tyler

a it is the breed.

All dogs have a connection with people, but if you talk to anybody who has had a Cavalier, you can’t explain it. They are totally devoted to their people. They are so affectionate, and they love everybody. Until you have had one of

these dogs, it’s unexplainable the relationship you have with them. There’s something different about these dogs.” Tom agrees. “They look at you right in the eye,” he says. “It’s like looking at a human. I talk to Tucker, and he looks me right in the eye. He’s listening and understanding.”

While service dogs are highly-trained to help people with specific disabilities, therapy dogs are trained to bring joy and encouragement to seniors, students, and anyone else who is experiencing sadness. Tom and Gail soon learned that Cavalier spaniels--with their calm, loving personalities--are ideally suited to this role. After Tucker and Oliver completed a sixweek obedience class at The Fundamental Dog in Magnolia, the Tylers believed the dogs were ready to become certified therapy dogs. Through trial and error, they found Alliance

of Therapy Dogs, a national organization staffed mostly with volunteers. Soon, Tucker and Oliver—and Gail and Tom—passed three required evaluations with Kristie Niemi, a dog trainer who volunteers with Alliance of Therapy Dogs as a tester/observer. Tucker and Oliver showed that they could obey the commands of sit, stay, down, wait and walk, and Tom and Gail began looking for places for the dogs to spread joy.

Puppy love

In January 2021, the Tylers began visiting nursing homes. Today, they regularly visit Heritage Oaks and the memory care unit at Woodhaven Village Retirement Home in Conroe, as well as Live Oak Senior Care in Montgomery. Residents are thrilled to see the dogs; some tell Tom and Gail about dogs they

used to own. “I enjoy seeing the smiles on those people’s faces. Sometimes they are staring off into space or and it’s like switch for those says. “I love fun for everybody. “I think the staff looks much as the residents do,” says Jacque Abrantes, coordinator at Live Oak. Therapy dog visits, however, may be than fun. A recent Swiss study revealed that live animals frontal cortex of the brain—the part responsible for attention, memory, and problem solving—much more than stuffed animals to a report on CNN, the study suggested that animal therapy supercharge some brain functions. taught for many years in Montgomery, the Tylers also began program at several Montgomery schools, bringing the dogs to groups of at-risk students. Gail has fond memories of who found the school environment enormously stressful. with Tucker or Oliver, her entire demeanor changed. Staff commented that they never got to see that smile,” Gail says. we saw her, she was holding Tucker, and she looked up and think he knows how much I love him?’ Kids are dealing stress. What we do doesn’t magically change a person’s life, does give them moments of love and joy that inspire hope.”

While Tom and Gail bring Tucker and Oliver to many official therapy visits through Alliance of Therapy Dogs, they also do “unofficial” visits shopping, walking in their Montgomery neighborhood, and going restaurants. “We really feel everything in our lives for a says. “When he blesses us, more of a blessing if we use it to bless others. It would be so selfish of these dogs to ourselves when joy to others. There are not things in our world that are information, visit therapydogs. twocraftycavaliers.com, or gailatyler@gmail.com.

Avery & Lucas Braun Grandchildren of David & Laura Nesselrode

By Kim Bius

Has anyone noticed how stunning the fall color is? The intense stress from the summer heat and drought have forced area foliage into brilliant hues of red, purple, orange, copper, and yellow. It is the most brilliant color I have seen in our area in years. As usual for Texas weather, the calendar and Mother Nature are out of sync with one another, and you never know from one day to another whether to leave your plants on the patio or place in winter protection.

The season of “merry” is a state of mind--and a belief or statement of faith--and it arises in everything you do! The smile and heartfelt “Merry Christmas” you give someone today may just be that bit of faith needed to help someone struggling through the season. Tis the season of love and hope, and gardeners are always filled with cheer and willing to share.

Many of us will have poinsettias in our home for the holidays; the following tips will help keep your plants looking great well past New Year’s. Poinsettias require high light, consistent watering, good drainage, and warm temperatures. Dark spaces, temperatures below 60, and water accumulating in the bottom of the foil are definite recipes for failure. Leaf drop occurs when plants are exposed to poor light and suffer from under/ overwatering. Poinsettias are tropical plants and water guzzlers, but drier will always “win” over soggy soil.

The week of Thanksgiving (or earlier) is the time to start force blooming your narcissi or amaryllis for Christmas. These beautiful, fragrant bulbs are stunning…placed in glass containers with a sunny exposure. Fill the container with small rock or marbles and recess the bulb 1/3 into the rock. Bring the water level to 1/16 of an inch below the bulb bottom (refill as needed to keep the water level there), but not touching the bulb. The bulb will begin growing within days and be blooming for gift giving or your enjoyment in three weeks.

Christmas cacti will need a bit more water during their blooming cycle and,

like poinsettias, should not be exposed to temperatures below 55 or blooms will drop.

Do you have a gardener on your list? Check out the following list of gardeners’ favorite things:

• *Good gardening gloves in bright colors (that actually fit hands as a second skin).

• *Gift certificates from their favorite nursery or garden center.

• *Watering cans – use mine all the time!

• *A handmade “gardening coupon” good for 4-8 hours of gardening labor….this is a great gift for elderly neighbors, parents, and the perfect gift-in-kind from teenagers and college students with limited funds, but giving hearts.

• *Specialty rain gauges – a great gift for newlyweds and new homeowners.

• *Windchimes – Corinthian bells are a must for the windchime connoisseur on your list. These beautiful hand-tuned chimes are made in America, with incredible quality and tone, and play a six-note chord. The deep organ tones of the tines on the extralarge chimes is amazing.

• *Fountains or water features--everyone loves the sound of falling water.

• *Put together seeds, bulbs, trowel, gloves, fertilizer, top it off with a gift certificate, and place in a beautiful pot--great gift idea!

Merry Christmas to everyone, and may the season give you the peace, comfort, and joy that comes from Christ’s Love.

Happy Gardening

The contest categories were Animals, People, Local Living, and Seasons.

We thought you might appreciate the winners were selected.

• First, we removed any names marks from submissions.

• Our Postcards team then narrowed the field to multiple finalists in each category before the photos were submitted judges. Photo contest judges several individuals (some local, with photography experience

• Each judge independently selected ranked their top five photos in each category.

• From this information, we calculated numerical scores for the photos, which determined our winners.

Tanya Parrish

Kerry Daly

1st Place

2nd Place Winner

Bobby Strader

3rd Place Winner

Frank Matthews

-Stacy Martin

1st Place Winner Emily Day

Photography can be a way into worlds and memories that words sometimes fail to convey.

Slott

Dustin LeNorman

Courtney Ehlert

1st Place Winner Dustin LeNorman

“The two most engaging powers of a photograph are to make new things familiar and familiar things new.”

– William Thackeray

Funded in part by a grant from the City of Conroe.

By Steve VanWagner, D.V.M.

Is Your Horse Choking?

Esophageal obstruction, or “choke,” is a common equine emergency that many experienced horse owners have never encountered. In human medicine, choke refers to a tracheal (or windpipe) obstruction--whereas in horses, it refers to an obstruction of the esophagus. the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The most common sign of choke in horses is feed coming from the nostrils; however, others signs are hypersalivating, retching, not eating, acting colicky, or coughing. Horses are still able to breathe, unlike humans. Chokes can have serious consequences, so it is important to have your veterinarian evaluate your horse as soon as you see any of these signs.

Choke tends to occur when horses eat concentrated feed too quickly without chewing appropriately. The feed does not get softened with saliva and creates a bolus that gets lodged in the esophagus. Choke can also occure with straw, hay, hard treats, carrots, apples, or non-food objects. Also, horses and can have poor dentition or abnormal esophageal anat omy predisposing them to choking.

While waiting for the veterinarian, it is important to keep your horse from eating. Hand-walking or muzzling can prevent further food intake. Do not administer any oral medications. DO NOT shove a garden hose into your horse’s mouth, this will only increase the risk of serious complications, especially aspiration pneumonia.

Upon arrival, your veterinarian will conduct a physical exam, admin ister some sedation, pain medication, and pass a nasogastric tube to the site of the blockage. Sometimes a smooth muscle contractor may be administered. The blockage is treated with water locally through the nasogastric tube until the blockage is resolved. This could possibly take up to an hour.

If your veterinarian is unable to resolve the obstruction or if the horse is showing signs of pneumonia, then the horse needs to be transported to a referral hospital for further diagnostics and treatment. Endoscopy can be performed to identify the type of object causing the obstruction, which is especially important if dealing with a solid object. This will also allow for the veterinarian to diagnose any anatomical abnormalities of the esophagus.

Once the choke is resolved, the horse will still need continued care. Food should be withheld for a short period of time, then avoid feeding dry feeds and hay and instead offer a soupy mash of a complete feed. Aspiration of feed material or water going down the trachea into the lungs can cause the horse to develop bacterial pneumonia. Many veter inarians will place horses on antibiotics help prevent this. The horse’s temperature should be monitored for several days. Also make note of any coughing, nasal discharge, or increased respiratory rate, as these can also be signs of pneumonia.

Horses that are repeat chokers on certain feeds may need to stay on soupy mashes indefinitely and placed on soaked alfalfa cubes instead of hay. Horses that are ravenous eaters should have large smooth rocks placed in their feed tubes. Poor dentition also can contribute to choking, so have your veterinarian perform a complete dental exam following a choking episode.

Christmas Cranberry Salad

Ingredients

1 lb cranberries, finely ground

2 cups white sugar

1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained

1 (16 pz) pkg miniature marshmallows

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

1 pint whipped cream, beaten stiff

Directions

Step 1: Mix together the cranberries and sugar; cover and refrigerate overnight.

Step 2: The next day, combine the cranberry mixture with the pineapple, marshmallows, pecans, and whipped cream. Mix well.

Step 3: Pour into a 3-quart dish, cover and refrigerate or freeze until ready to serve.

Step

Step 1: Combine room temperature sausage and biscuit mix in a large bowl; mix with your hands until well combined. Add shredded Cheddar cheese and mix until fully incorporated. Roll mixture into about 30 walnut-sized balls; transfer to a baking sheet.

Step 1: Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and sausage is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.

To Make Ahead:

Follow recipe above through Step 3. Cool sausage balls to room temperature, then freeze in an airtight container. When ready to use, reheat at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Amy ultimately got to know other local theater enthusiasts, and in 2008, she was one of seven people who devised a plan to create a resident theater company to perform at the Crighton. They aspired not only to provide quality entertainment, but equally important, they wanted to provide a source of needed income so the Crighton Theatre could be kept in good repair. It had taken a remarkable community effort in 1978 to salvage the historic building, which had fallen into disuse and disrepair a decade earlier when it had become unprofitable as a movie theater. Amy and her six friends wanted to make sure the community icon—one of only about 10 extant theaters of its era in Texas—was properly maintained so it could be used well into the future.

The result of this effort was Stage Right of Texas, a theater company that has exceeded its humble beginnings. There were only nine characters in

Stage Right

Amy Sowers vividly remembers the first time she attended an event at the historic Crighton Theatre--because it was then, in May 1990, that she was “absolutely blown away.” Actually, Amy admits, she had not been excited to go to the Crighton. She and her husband George had recently seen a spectacular production of Camelot in Houston; however, George suggested that they should also attend a performance of the same play in Conroe to support his administrative assistant Martha Davis, who had a part. Amy reluctantly agreed, but when she and George went to the Crighton, she was awestruck. Not only was the play well done, but the theater, built in 1935, captured her imagination. “I fell in love with that building the first time I walked into it,” she says.

Story and Photos by Ruth Fields

Stage Right’s first production, Christmas Belles, but even so, it pushed the fledgling company to its limits. “We had to call our friends and say, ‘Hey, we are trying to put on a show. Would you come audition, please?’ We had no structure other than our personal contacts,” Amy says. All seven of Stage Right’s founding members participated in the production, both onstage and off. (Amy played the part of Honey Raye Futrelle, one of the three infamous Futrelle sisters.)

Within the first five years of its existence, however, Stage Right was producing musicals attended by several thousand members of the community. Today, the organization offers six productions per year, including three or four musicals,

and boasts 800 season ticket holders. “We have done shows that have drawn in 5,000 people and one show where we actually had to add days,” says Amy, who is now the president of Stage Right. Notably, Stage Right, as the resident theater company of the Crighton, generates more than $100,000 a year toward the upkeep of the historic theater.

“The Crighton is a wonderful jewel of a little theater,” says Marty Taylor, who attended Stage Right’s first production, Christmas Belles, with her husband, Warren. “They did a fantastic job,” she says. The Taylors have been season ticket holders ever since and particularly enjoy Stage Right’s musicals and comedies. “They have some very good directors and volunteers,” she says. “It’s

The Christmas Belles: (Stage Right’s debut production Dec 2008)

Front row – Melody Montez, Melody Gray, Maria Sirgo, Carolyn Wong, Amy Sowers Back row – Michael Raabe, Cindy Tippens

Above: Tarzan: Lucas Olivarez and Victoria Best

Above Right: Murder on the Orient Express: Donna Wheaton, Shawn Havranek, Dina Havranek, Jacob Evans

Right: The Dinner Party: Dina Havranek, Crissie Wood, Amy Sowers, Rob Baker

wonderful.”

Today, thanks in part to Stage Right, the Crighton Theatre boasts a new, large lobby, made possible by the acquisition of the building directly to the south of the theater. In addition to supplying some much-needed elbow room, the new lobby has 12 restrooms and a large concession stand.

Coming attractions

Over the past 14 years, Stage Right has offered many memorable productions, including Singin’ in the Rain (with realistic rain onstage), Grease, Murder on the Orient Express and recently, Tarzan, which ushered in the post-pandemic era of the theater. “Musicals usually sell out for us,” Amy says. “It’s good to get your tickets early if you are not a season ticket holder.” She attributes this success not only to the lure of the historic theater, but also to Stage Right’s commitment to feature quality actors, costumes and sets.

Much thought goes into Stage Right’s selection of plays. “People like to see things they’re familiar with, yet we don’t want to produce the same plays too frequently, or else people get tired of them,” Amy says. “What do people want to see, and how can we introduce new material and bring their interest to these new plays? That has been a major challenge.” This holiday season, Stage Right will be performing an unexpected musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot, which is a musical version of the oddball comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. “It’s very similar to the movie,” Amy says. “We went way off the rails for that one, but we think it will be upbeat fun.” In February, Stage Right will perform In the Heights, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (who also composed the

The Diary of Anne Frank: Katie Kowalik

popular Broadway musical Hamilton).

Amy is pleased that downtown Conroe is now a fun place to spend time after leaving events at the Crighton Theatre. “When I first started doing these shows downtown, there was nothing else open at night. It was dead. It’s so nice to come out to the theater now. You can walk the streets and go into the bars and restaurants and listen to the live music,” she says, mentioning such places as Fass Brewing Company, 202 Main, and Pacific Yard House. “Downtown Conroe has been designated a cultural arts center by the state.”

Want to help?

Stage Right is an all-volunteer organization, and new volunteers are always welcome, especially when the theater company produces larger shows. “Musicals might have 40 people on stage, and that doesn’t include crew, stage manager, props, lighting, and sound,” Amy says. “Maybe you always had a yearning to step on stage. All auditions are open auditions. Even if you have never been on stage as an actor, you could be in the chorus and not have a speaking role, if that’s something you want to pursue.”

Stage Right also needs many other volunteers, including people who can make costumes, sets, and props. “There are a lot of options if you want to get involved. There are all kinds of talents involved besides acting. We need ushers, and we need people interested in the technological aspects of theater, like learning how to operate sound and lighting systems. They are the backbone of the success of the show. Without those people, there’s no show,” Amy says. “Come and see a show. Get familiar with the theater so you might feel comfortable enough to come and volunteer. You can meet a lot of great people that way—and see a great show.” Volunteers, she says, can see productions at no charge.

In addition to providing a quality theater experience for area residents, Stage Right helps to train the next generation of theater enthusiasts. Amy was instrumental in founding Bravo Company, a children’s theater company that provides kids with weekly acting lessons and the opportunity to perform at least twice a year at the Crighton.

Meanwhile, Stage Right continues to be an important force in the local artistic community. “Being able to support the Crighton Theatre financially is a wonderful thing,” Amy says. “I want it to be there for the next generation of people.”

For more information, visit stage-right.org.

Who Dunnit: Back row – Will Berger, Lizzie Camp, Todd Brady, John Kaiser, Matt Wehring; Front row – Melody Montez, Amy Sowers.

Nurturing one’s purpose in life is highly commendable because it results in a more contented, fulfilled, healthier, and longer life. DESIRABLE INDEED! An objective is to enhance your Mindset. Mindset is the self’s fixed beliefs about life and living which results in choices regarding behaviors--who you really are innermost.

Our mindsets are the foundations of our being and lifestyles. As strong foundations of houses assure stability and endurance, personal enhanced wellbeing has the same benefits. The Bible metaphorically declares that one’s personal foundational mindset when weak--as when built on sand--will not stand, but will heartily endure when built on solid rock.

In broad categorization, mindset may be positive or negative—a strong JUST DO IT versus

I am faced with difficulties I cannot deal with.

Alan Rufus, a gifted life coach, said “Life is like a sandwich! Birth as one slice, and death as the other. What you put in-between is up to you.” Make your sandwich full of flavor.

INDEED!

A good start is to reinforce and fully support your mindset’s gratitude forte. Gratitude contributes significantly to life satisfaction and general health, with over two thousand medical science papers on the subject.

From gratitude gradually can come a more positive mindset. As your mindset strengthens, you can expand boundaries set in the past and place brand new aspirations.

Learn from the past, and then let the past go. A forgive yourself mindset is a pathway on the corridor life offers to reach high ranking goals

Mindset.

and achieve grander aspirations as you live. Discard frustration; it only serves to rob your ability to think through problems and suitably adapt.

Success in life needs belief in oneself. I was faced with many desperate situations in a long heart surgery practice, and not once that I can remember did my team start with a belief that the situation would not be solved. SOLVE THE DARN

PROBLEM!

Likewise, appreciate when you have succeeded for more mindset inspiration. After most desperate salvages were completed, I would stand straight and loudly proclaim, “Once again, Science, Talent, and Knowledge overcomes poverty, ignorance, and stupidity.” YEA!

December

Thru 18

Palestine

Grinch’s Lair facebook.com/thetexasjailhouse

Brenham

“Coney Island Christmas” unitybrenham.org

Thru 23

Galveston

The Polar Express galvestonrrmuseum.org

Thru 27

Houston

“The Nutcracker” houstonballet.org

Palestine

The Polar Express texasstaterailroad.net

Thru 30

Huntsville

“Lone Star in the East” samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com

Marshall

Wonderland of Lights marshalltexas.net

Thru Jan 1

Palestine Walk of Lights visitpalestine.com

Thru Jan 6 Dallas

The Trains at NorthPark thetrainsatnorthpark.com

Thru Jan 7

Galveston

“Ice Land: A Caribbean Christmas” moodygardens.org

1-4, 8-11 Conroe

Bethlehem City Drive Through wcbc.us

2

Conroe

“You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” owentheatre.com

2-18 Conroe

Monty Python’s “Spamalot” crightontheatre.org

2-3

Galveston

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” thegrand.com

Huntsville

Journey Through Bethlehem journeythroughbethlehem.com 2-4

Galveston

Dickens on the Strand galvestonhistory.org 3

Huntsville

Christmas Fair huntsvilllemainstreet.com

Lion’s Club Christmas Parade e-clubhouse.org/sites/huntsvilletx

Magnolia

Magic of Christmas Parade of Lights greatermagnoliaparkwaycc.org 4

Huntsville

Texas Tenors: Deep in the Heart of Christmas oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org 5

Montgomery

Library Christmas Tree Auction & Open House countylibrary.org/stewart 6-24

Houston

“Mary Poppins” tuts.com

Galveston

Mustard Seed Moments

by Wes Altom

Blessed Are the Misfits

When I was a child, I remember watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer at Christmastime—but I was never a fan of the part with the Island of Misfit Toys. Had it existed then, I would have used the fast forward button. I had trouble relating. Give me and my child-brain the Sears Wishbook--I would busy myself for hours trying to narrow my list down to a few bright, shiny, new, perfect toys.

Only in adulthood have I come to fully appreciate the gravity of feeling like a misfit—and the feeling of empathy for others so situated that goes along with it. What makes you feel alone, “out of place,” or unworthy? Whether it’s a particular temptation, guilt, social isolation, status— whatever our life situation—the key is to recognize that incompleteness and that God can fill it and make us whole. There is deep meaning behind a simple verse from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3), so let’s embrace our imperfection, look at the verse from several translations, and take it in fully to mend the hurt in our grown-up hearts.

New International Version: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Amplified Bible: “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

Good News Translation: “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

GOD’S WORD® Translation: “Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

DECEMBER EVENTS

FEATURED EVENT

College of Arts & Media CAM ARTIST SERIES: HOLIDAY CONCERT

Featuring the SHSU School of Music with performances by the Symphony Orchestra, All Choirs and SHSU Faculty

To view our full list of events, visit shsu.edu/CAM FOR

December 1 – 3 | 8 p.m. Dance Theater, GPAC

December 5 – 10 Reception following commencement ceremony University Gallery, HFAB Free Admission

December 1 & 2 | 7:30 p.m. Payne Concert Hall, GPAC shsutickets.com | 936.294.2339

H H H H H Love Dr. Cameron and her entire staff. Always have a very professional interaction with the staff; and I appreciate the competent interaction and enjoyable experience with each appointment or phone call. She was able to help me with her advanced dry eye equipment where doctors in the Woodlands couldn’t. So glad they are on Lake Conroe!

~ Kay M.

H H H H H I am so glad I took my son to Cameron Optical! These people helped find out why my son was having so many headaches. They were extremely thorough with their exams. Dr. Bonnie was so nice and made him feel so comfortable during the whole visit. Realizing the situation my son was facing, they went above and beyond to help me be able to get him the lenses he needed to not only stop his headaches, but fix the problem causing it. They stepped in and helped my son get exactly what he needed when I was struggling to figure out how to afford them. I have never met such an amazing group of people with such big hearts! They don’t just treat you as a patient, they treat you with the love and care of a family member. Without them, my son wouldn’t have what he needed. I am eternally grateful for what they did for my family. I will never trust anyone else with our family’s eye care again.

~ A. Speight

What our patients are saying about us!