Living Happier, Healthier, and Naturally

Escape the Fire

In 1949 severe wildfire broke out in Mann Gulch Montana. Things were getting out of hand so a team of 14 smoke jumpers were deployed to help contain the fire. The team was headed up by foreman, Wag Dodge. Shortly after jumping and beginning their ground assault on the fire, the winds shifted and picked up to dangerous levels.

The wild fire began to spread at a speed of 600 feet per minute! The fire consumed everything in it’s path and the smoke jumpers quickly realized the fight was futile and began to flee. The fire was gaining speed and it was apparent to Wag that they could not out run the fire. He came up with a crazy notion to start a fire around them and allow it to burn up all the fuel in that area so when the flames reached them there would be nothing to burn and they may be spared. This had never been done before. His crew thought it was crazy and they chose to run for it. Wag stayed behind and started an escape fire.

His plan worked, his life was saved. Unfortunately the other 13 perished in the fire.

I share this remarkable story because wildfire of disease and illness is spreading rapidly in this country and I am not just talking about the recent pandemic. Also thints like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative illness are consuming people we know and love everyday.

I see so many patients who’s strategy is to simply try to outrun the fire. As a matter of fact a lot of people feel like they are getting away with it until a gust of wind quickly has them swallowed up with illness before they even see it coming. The WHO (World Health Organization) recently ranked the United states 38th out of the top 40 industrialized countries when it comes to health. The U.S. is the richest country in the world, the most technologically advanced country in the world and we have the largest and most expensive healthcare system in the world. Yet we are on a steady decline when it comes to health. This alone should tell you that there is a better approach.

As a healthcare provider I believe at this point you really have two options. Run for your life. Try to simply avoid the fire for as long as you can. Unfortunately, a look at healthcare statistics for the United States will quickly let you know this is not working well for us.

Set a “HEALTH FIRE.” Just like Wag did to save his life, we can do something incredibly similar when it comes to our health, and the good news is, it works!

What do I mean by health fire? It’s simple really. Each day our actions and habits are either moving us closer to health or closer to disease. The goal is when we do the proactive things that drive us closer to health, there will be less room for disease!

We live in a very reactionary healthcare system where, often times, action is only taken when it’s provoked by serious symptoms or a scary diagnosis. Being proactive and setting an escape fire means doing things like: 1. Optimizing your nutrition both with health food choices and nutritional supplements to fill the gaps. Whole food vitamins & supplements can make huge differences. 2. Regular exercise. Unless you live under a rock the data is clear that regular exercise has an enormous impact on your overall health. It’s a “move it or lose it” situation so get moving!!! 3. Reducing stress. Stress in your system is no

different than dry, brittle grass waiting for a flame. Things like chiropractics, prayer, breathing exercises, etc. can all help with this! 4. Optimizing your nervous system. This is one you may not know about. The nervous system is the master system of the body.

Every other system (immune, circulatory, endocrine, etc.) is under direct control of the nervous system. The number one way to ensure your nervous system is free from interference and working optimally is to be evaluated and adjusted by a chiropractor. For the last 15 years, we have been helping patients live happier, healthier lives through chiropractic care. (We would love to help you and your family as well!)

Finally, none of the recommendations above is advice for treating disease. That would be silly in light of the subject of this article. The above recommendations are actions that you can take to help build a healthier, more resilient level of health! Just like a garden, where there are no flowers, you can expect weeds to grow.

Plant flowers! Start a health fire! Take small steps to give you and your family the best chance of surviving whatever may lie ahead. If you need help with this please visit us online at BraddockChiropractic.com or call us at 903482-1234.

Let’s start a fire!

DR CALEB BRADDOCK, DC. is the founder and owner of Braddock Chiropractic & Family Wellness in Van Alstyne. Dr Braddock has been able to help thousands of families live happier, healthier lives through chiropractic care. Braddock Chiropractic celebrates 16 years this year.

Financial Focus

Estate Planning for Blended Families

If you’re in a blended family, you’re already aware of the emotional and financial issues involved in your daily life. But what about the future? When it’s time to do your estate planning – and it’s never too soon for that – you’ll need to be aware of the entanglements and complexities that can get in the way of your vision for leaving the legacy you desire.

You can take comfort in knowing that you’re far from alone. More than half of married or cohabiting couples with at least one living parent, or parent-in-law, and at least one adult child, have a “step-kin” relationship, according to a study from researchers at the University of Massachusetts and other schools. That’s a lot of estate-planning issues.

Nonetheless, the task does not have to be overwhelming – as long as you put sufficient time and thought into it. Here are some ideas that may help: • Seek fairness – but be flexible. Even in a nonblended family, it’s not always easy to be as equitable as you’d like in your estate plans – too often, someone feels they have been treated unfairly. In a blended family, these problems can be exacerbated: Will biological children feel cheated? Will stepchildren?

Keep this in mind: Fair is not always equal – and equal is not always fair. When deciding how to divide your assets, you’ll need to make some judgment calls after carefully evaluating the needs of all your family mem-

bers. There’s no guarantee that everyone will be satisfied, but you’ll have done your best. • Communicate your wishes clearly. When it comes to estate planning, the best surprise is no surprise – and that’s especially true in a blended family. Even if you’re the one creating your estate plans, try to involve other family members – and make your wishes and goals clear. You don’t have to be specific down to the last dollar, but you should provide a pretty good overall outline. • Consider establishing a revocable living trust.

Everyone’s situation is different, but many blended families find that, when making estate plans, a simple will is not enough.

Consequently, you may want to establish a revocable living trust, which gives you much more control than a will when it comes to carrying out your wishes. Plus, because you have transferred your assets to the trust, you are no longer technically the owner of these assets, so there’s no reason for a court to get involved, which means your estate can likely avoid the time-consuming, expensive and very public process of probate. • Choose the right trustee. If you do set up a living trust, you’ll also need to name a trustee – someone who manages the assets in the trust. Married couples often serve as co-trustees, but this can result in tensions and disagreements. As an alternative, you can hire a professional trustee – someone with the time, experience and neutrality to make appropriate decisions and who can bring new ideas to the process.

Above all else, make sure you have the right estate-planning team in place. You’ll certainly need to work with an attorney, and you may also want to bring in your tax advisor and financial professional. Estate planning can be complex – especially with a blended family – and you’ll want to make the right moves, right from the start.

This article was provided by Edward Jones and your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones. Member SIPC.

Robert Franze is Anna’s Edward Jones Financial Adviser. He is passionate to help clients with retirement plans, setting financial goals, savings for education and more. He may be reached at robert.franze@edwardjones.com.

Realizing the Dream of an Anna Library Draws Closer

For the last few months, the Anna City Council has been considering the possibility of a May 2021 Bond Election to include the Anna Community Library as part of the referendum. At the February 9 meeting, the Council will review an ordinance to call the election and place three propositions totaling $58,000,000 on the ballot.

Proposition A - Public Safety:

Authorize the issue of bonds in the amount of $8,000,000 for the purpose of constructing and acquiring a fire station and related improvements and equipment.

Proposition B – Community Library:

Authorize the issue of bonds in the amount of $22,000,000 for the development of a public library and community center. This includes the design and construction with multipurpose recreation, meeting, and classroom space.

Proposition C - Parks, Trails, Recreation and Sports:

Authorize the issue of bonds in the amount of $28,000,000 for the purpose of acquiring, designing, constructing, and equipping parks and recreation facilities, including feasibility studies, park improvements, recreation and sports facilities, and trails.

Since land acquisition is not a factor for either proposition A or B, both sites would enter a design phase immediately. The new fire station is slated to be housed in the new Villages of Hurricane Creek development while the library is expected to be part of the municipal campus complex along State Highway 5. Both projects should enter the construction phase within the next 12-18 months. Although Proposition C needs property acquisition to obtain some of its larger goals, the community support is strong.

This is an incredibly exciting time for Anna residents. As our town continues to grow, there is a huge need for it to invest in itself in order for businesses to invest in Anna and perhaps Collin College to dedicate a future campus in our town.

It’s easy to take literacy for granted. Some of us don’t realize how much people have sacrificed to be able to just to read and write. Hopefully we will have an opportunity to break down some of the barriers that separate us and provide opportunities to gather, read, communicate, and learn to unite us.

“Libraries were full of ideas — perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons.” American fantasy author Sarah J. Maas

ALEXIA SWANEPOEL is the President of the Friends Of Board of the Anna Community Library and a published writer. You may join her writing page and learn more about her book Bohemian Swan by visiting https://www.facebook.com/ AlexiaSwanepoelAuthor/?modal= admin_todo_tour.

It’s a new year and a lot has changed. There are, however, some things that always stay the same, like the annual resolution by lots of folks to get in shape.

Saying you’re going to drop those 75 extra pounds that snuck up and glued themselves to your body during this past year of hibernation and pizza delivery is easy. Actually doing it is a whole different ball game.

Prior to Covid 19, fitness centers would be overrun on January 2 with swarms of sweats-clad people. All had the same goal — to get back their glory days’ bodies by swimsuit season, even though some of those “glory days” were about 30 years and 2,495 cheeseburgers ago. For $20 a month, give or take, they’d pedal, push, pull, lift, shove, and stretch themselves into sweaty balls of mush, side-by-side with like-minded folks. They bonded in their shared torture routine, offering encouragement, suggestions and trips to the nearest ice cream (Excuse me. Frozen yogurt.) shop immediately after the workouts. For a majority, this grueling ordeal would last about two months max or until they injured some body part they didn’t know they had in the first place. Such is not the case today.

Following the “Stay home. Stay safe,” warnings, many people are trying to stay or get in shape from their living rooms. In an effort to add some semblance of the camaraderie people formerly had at the gym, fitness equipment developers have come up with some new fangled things that, frankly, make me downright scared.

Have you seen that mirror thing? Apparently, it just hangs there until you turn it on by hitting a button or saying “Mirror, mirror on the wall,” or something (The commercial isn’t real clear.). Just like magic, a physical fitness trainer pops up, knows your name, and works out with you. Sounds good, right? Nope! Not gonna happen with this old gal. How do you know if that thing is really turned off? What if that trainer is watching you 24/7? What if that mirror happens to be in your bedroom? He or she has probably seen you in your under drawers for goodness sakes!

There are those stationary bikes and treadmills with computer screens inside of which yet another physical fitness trainer lives. Not only does the trainer encourage, push, yell and compliment when required, he or she, with the help of a computer, allows you to do your workout in all kinds of outdoor venues. The idea is to give you the feel of riding in the beauty of the mountains or jogging through forest trails or along sandy beaches, that is until you look away from the screen and realize your house looks nothing like the mountains, forest or beach. Talk about taking the wind out of your workout sails. And, again, how can you be so sure that trainer isn’t using your house as a workout location for his or her other workout buddies when you’re sleeping or whatever? For all you know, there could be a herd of joggers trekking right through your bathroom during your morning shower. I think not!

Of course, to avoid the possible computer window peeping tom, you can always turn to that plastic board thing that the Shark Tank blonde promotes. It’s simple, she and the ad spokesperson promises. Just step onto the corn chip-shaped board, start doing the old dance favorite, the Twist, and without ever breaking a sweat, the pounds and inches fall off by the second. Trust me. The only thing falling off, at least in my case, would be me.

Besides all this new workout equipment, you can aid your “at home” weight loss activities by never, ever having to buy groceries or put together a healthy meal for yourself again. That’s right. Just hop on the nearest computer, maybe even the one on your workout equipment, and tell whomever answers that you’re hungry. By the time you finish riding through the towering Redwoods, taking a run through Death Valley or twisting your backside off, there will be a small box on your porch containing what they claim is a month’s worth of good-for-you meals ready to eat in seconds. I can’t vouch for the taste, but just from looking at the portion size via the TV screen, I can guarantee you’ll lose weight because a flea would still be hungry after eating one of those meals. Explains how they can fit a whole month’s supply into a shoe box.

Aside from all the above, I suppose these at-home workouts and diets may help the few dedicated enough to follow through with them. But on the bright side, at least you’re closer to the fridge and that secret stash of snacks you swear you don’t have. Plus, I hear they now offer home delivery of that “frozen yogurt” you used to treat yourself to after a trip to the gym.

LYNETTE GEORGE is the former lifestyles editor and some times reporter for the Herald Democrat (DenisonSherman, TX) for about 20 years. Her sometimes zany outlook on life gives her an enviable sense of humor like no other. She lives in Denison and her love of animals prevents her from ever passing an animal in need. She may be reached at nettiegeorge79@gmail.com.

Want To Know The Latest Trend In Backyard Renovation? Put down that IPAD and get off the couch!!

It is official... we live in a world of technology at our fingertips! Our cars, homes, phones, tablets, online shopping, chip card readers, smart this and smart that...!! So smart that we have gradually changed our lifestyles to accommodate the technology. One recent study showed that children and families in general now spend more time watching, listening or texting each other from all these devices than they do actually spending time and speaking to each other! With most of us at home these past few months we have seen a very powerful trend in our industry taking shape over the past few years and now we actually have an entire, full-time division dedicated to keeping up with the demand!

Well, all that being said, it seems that parents are doing their absolute best now to reverse the technology trend and incorporate the latest trend in outdoor renovation. Residential Sports Construction is now being integrated into their backyard designs more than a swimming pool or outdoor living area. You can now easily incorporate a half basketball court, putting green and custom batting cage for you and your kids for less than half the cost of a pool...! Once installed there is little to no maintenance involved and provides year-round use.

Fun, family fitness is the new trend. Parents are liking the fact they can get the kids out of their rooms or off the couch, put down that video game and get back to having quality fun family time. Many are now encouraging their youth sports teams to get that extra practice in before the next big game or tournament! Their backyard has become “the cool” place for the neighbors’ kids to hang out. ATHLETIC COURTS

Technology has advanced in these backyard courts also. The safest surfaces have now been incorporated into the latest available court tiles which actually have scientific studies proving less youth injuries than your traditional basketball courts we grew up playing on. They can also be fully customized now to play a variety of sports on the same court based on options that are available to install. Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Pickle ball, Court Hockey, Futsal for the soccer enthusiast, Hopscotch, Four Square and yes even Shuffleboard! So, there is something available for small children to grandparents! We are seeing this trend growing at a rapid pace.

PUTTING GREENS

Avid golfer? Another big trend in outdoor renovation is people installing custom putting greens in their backyards, just like the ones you see on the best golf courses around. Undulating greens with different height custom fringe around the edges. Want to add 20 feet away spot to chip on to your green? Done. Want 10 different angles and holes installed into your putting green? Done. Not only do you no longer have to maintain that grass area in the backyard but they require no water so virtually maintenance free! Something again the entire family can enjoy.

BATTING CAGES

Youth Baseball and Softball season is here and all the pros are in spring training getting ready for their upcoming seasons. This is another Sports construction element we are seeing implemented into residential backyards. That neglected side yard or that long stretch across the backyard people get tired of mowing or paying to maintain is a perfect space to convert

for this. Custom Batting Cages have come a long way, They can now be constructed with custom thick piping type poles and thick custom netting to contain all the baseballs being hit. The higher end ones will stand up to the straight-line winds and storms we frequently get, verses the less expensive prefab ones on the market from the big box stores. We are now seeing custom colored artificial turf installed inside these that designates the raised pitching mound area with state-of-the-art pitching machines, fully marked batters’ boxes, even a separate interior turf section with drop down netting that also allows someone to go in and drive golf balls inside it! So your select or recreational baseball or softball youth participants can actually train like the pros at home!

All these trends are leading to fun family fitness once again and if you think about it, we only get so much time with our kids as they grow up fast and eventually leave the nest. So, the next time you see your children on that video game, Ipad, phone or sending you a text from 10 feet away.... Something to think about!

Question: Jimmie, when should I exactly be feeding my landscaping? I have heard many different answers from the people at Home Depot, Lowes, and local nurseries. They also can’t seem to tell me what to feed with? Or how often. I have been reading your column for years and I cannot tell how much I have learned over the years from you. I hope to run into one day around Prosper and personally thank you myself! I know you are a busy guy so whenever you get around to it let me know your thoughts. Thank you again!!! Samantha L. in Anna.

Answer: Hi Samantha, thank you for the kind words and I hope We run into to each other sometime so I can thank you for reading! Okay, down to your question. Best time to feed your landscaping is early spring and once again in early fall. Our plants are constantly taking nutrients from the soil so they can grow, bloom and generally be healthy and thrive. Therefore, we must put those nutrients back into the soil or our soil will become depleted over time and our plants will gradually decline. Best to use a granular tree and shrub food available at most higher end nurseries that slowly releases Nitrogen into the soil over time. If you have Acidic plants then they need to be fed Acid type food. You can simply save a gallon milk jug, pour a cup of vinegar into it and fill rest of way with water and pour around root system of plants, another excellent source is coffee grounds for acidic plants.

Until next time...Happy Gardening!!

Jimmie.

Send your landscaping and gardening questions to Jimmie Gibson Jr. at http://www.absolutelybushedlandscaping.com or jimmie@absolutelybushed.com

JIMMIE GIBSON is a Prosper resident and the owner of Absolutely Bushed Landscaping Company, an award winning, family and veteran owned and operated business created in 1980 to provide the highest quality custom Outdoor Renovation available to homeowners in the Dallas Ft. Worth area.

Do You Know Larry Tharpe?

Did you see the young poet, Amanda Gorman, at the recent inauguration? Impressive! Now, I don’t hang out with many poets, but after watching her, I did remember a famous poet I once knew, the 2007 Poet Laureate of the State of Texas, Steven Fromholz. And how did I know Steve?

The phone rang in my dorm room. It was Dad, just checking on me. He asked what I was doing that weekend.

“We’re going to a concert – some guy named Steve Fromholz.”

Dad replied, “Steve Fromholz? Your Uncle Larry used to play with him.”

“You must be mistaken,” I tell my Dad. He persisted, saying, “He grew up a few miles from us, and he and your Uncle Larry played in a band together.” At that point, I just let it go, and the thought didn’t cross my mind again … until that weekend.

One of my closest friends, Ray, drove up from Dallas for the show and joined our group near the stage. The show was great, with Fromholz playing this new genre of music called Progressive Country.

After the encore students began to slowly file out. I noticed the side door, next to the stage, opening and you could see the band inside. It was then I remembered what my dad had told me.

I blurted out, “Hey, my Dad told me that my Uncle Larry used to play in a band with Steve Fromholz.” As expected, my doubting friends raised their eyebrows and sarcastically said, “Yeah, right.” For some reason, even though I had thought my dad was crazy for saying that only a few days earlier, I was now convinced that what he told me was true. I persisted. My friends doubted.

I headed toward the side door. Ray followed. No one seemed to mind when our group barged in. And there, in the middle of the room drinking a beer, was Steve, so I walked right up to him and asked, “Do you know Larry Tharpe?”

“LAAARY THAAARPE?” he replied. “Hell yeah I know Larry Tharpe! Who are you?”

“Claude Webb,” I answered. He immediately inquired, “Claude WAYNE Webb?”

You see, I’m actually Claude Wayne Webb, Jr. Everyone in Bosque County called my dad Claude Wayne. Steve not only knew Larry Tharpe, he remembered my dad, as well. Ray stared in disbelief as Steve gave me a big hug, asking me how my mom and dad were doing.

And the next thing I know Ray and I are at the after-party near campus.

A couple of weeks later Ray calls.

“Fromholz is going to be in Dallas this weekend.”

Ray tells me he met two girls that are big fans, and when they found out we were personal friends with the singer, they were eager to go to his show with us.

Ray had a talent for meeting attractive girls and this was no exception. We arrived in plenty of time to get a table near the front. As he played, Steve would look toward our table. I was pretty sure he recognized us, so I tapped Ray and said, “Steve knows we’re here. We’ll go talk to him when he takes a break.”

After about an hour of music, Fromholz tells us he’ll be back in about ten minutes. Ray and I excuse ourselves from our dates and head over to talk to him.

As he’s about to head into the green room, we catch up to him. “Steve!” I cry out. He stops and turns and I reach out my hand and ask how he’s doing. He responded with a quick handshake, mumbled, “Pretty good, bud,” and then quickly turned away. I called his name several times, but he continued to walk away. Desperate, I shouted, “Do you know Larry Tharpe?”

He spun around and said, “LAAARRY THAAARPE? Hell yeah I know Larry Tharpe. Who are you?”

“Claude Webb,” I answered, to which he immediately inquired, “Claude WAYNE Webb?”

Realizing he didn’t remember us, we went through the same histrionics as we had the first time. Our dates, seeing Steve enthusiastically talking to us, were impressed. When the show ended, we not only went back stage, but Steve invited Claude Wayne and his friends onto his bus. It was another wild night.

The story doesn’t end there. A few weeks later Ray’s at a bar and strikes up a conversation with an attractive SMU coed. Somehow Steve Fromholz’ name comes up and she says, “I love his music.” Ray knew that Fromholz was going to be in town that weekend and tells her, “He’s a friend of mine. You wanna go see him with me?”

Ray and that pretty Pi Phi went to see Fromholz that Saturday night and, when the show ended, they headed for the stage area. Ray called out Steve’s name several times, but he continued to walk away. Finally, Ray shouted, “Do you know Larry Tharpe?”

Steve spun around and said, “LAAARRY THAAARPE? Hell yeah I know Larry Tharpe. Who are you?”

“Claude Webb,” Ray answered, “Claude WAYNE Webb.”

And you know the rest of the story.

UNCLE SPIDER calls North Texas home, but has traveled all over the world, seeking adventures that might make for a good story. He’s also one of the owner/ operators of the GARHOLE in Westminster. Stop by and see him there, or email him at spider@garhole.net.