Mature Focus November 2024

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309-292-3681 2 November 2024 • Mature Focus

November • 2024

features 6 10 30 36 42 46

The final flight A step in the right direction Detox Sitting pretty The queen of overdo Getting that perfect selfie

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favorites 4 12 16 20 25 32

From The Desk Tinseltown Talks Humor Hotel Savvy Senior The History of Ordinary Things Midnight Gardener

health 18 34 40

Cholesterol and triglycerides Healthy Eyes: Diabetes Mayo Clinic: Gallstones explained

finance 14 38

Life estate planning for the young Watch out for investment scams

recipes 8 29

Cozy coffee sweet treats The versatility of cranberry sauce

games 22 23

Mind Gym Super Crossword

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extras 15 26 28 33 44

2025 Mature Focus Calendar All the News That’s Fit Moments in Time Strange But True Mature Focus Volunteer Spotlight

Our Cover: “A Legacy of Loyalty and Service” by Myisha Godette. See page 39 for more information.

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15 Mature Focus • November 2024

3

From the Desk of the Publisher ByKevin Ferris

I’ve been doing some painting at my house.

Not the most earth shattering news to begin my column this month.

It’s also not quite true. I haven’t been painting, someone else has.

That’s because I got a guy.

The phrase “I got a guy” is an informal expression commonly used in American vernacular to indicate that someone has a connection or contact who can help with a specific need or task, whether it be a repair, a service, or some form of assistance. While the exact origins of the phrase are hard to pinpoint, it reflects a broader cultural phenomenon of networking and relying on personal connections. It’s become popular in everyday conversation and is often used humorously to imply that one has a resourceful friend or acquaintance for almost any situation from finding a good mechanic to scoring the best price on concert tickets.

It’s also fun to say. Nobody wants to have to buy tickets to a concert and pay top dollar. It’s much easier to boast in your best mafioso voice, “you need tickets, don’t worry about it, I got a guy.” And the more guys you have, the better.

CELEBRATING

33 YEARS

November 2024 • Vol. 33 • Issue Number 7

P.O. Box 1031 Moline, IL 61266-1031 (309) 277-2000 email: kevin@maturefocus92.com Facebook.com/MatureFocusQC

4 November 2024 • Mature Focus

It’s a perfect way to show off your confidence, a way of saying, “I have connections, my friend, and I’m not afraid to use them.” You need a plumber? I got a guy. Need someone to help move a couch? I got a guy.

Need a good deal on a car? I got a guy.

When someone says, “I got a guy,” everybody jumps to attention. You got a guy? Who is it? What does your guy do? Is he better than my guy? Does your guy know my guy?

We’re now getting into the territory of knowing a guy who’s got a guy that knows a guy who has a guy. Exactly how many levels of knowing a guy is that?

The phrase is an invitation to share the wealth of knowledge, to unveil your personal Rolodex of skilled professionals who can magically solve life’s most mundane problems.

But here’s the kicker: having “a guy” isn’t just about the actual connection; it’s also about the storytelling. You could have an actual expert in your corner, but if they don’t come with a good backstory, do they even count? “Yeah, my guy is a plumber, but he once fixed the pipes for a famous celebrity, and they had a three-hour conversation about the best taco spots in town.” Suddenly, that plumber becomes a legend, and you become the hero for having “a guy” who’s not just a guy but a tacoloving pipe wizard.

Publisher Kevin Ferris

Associate Publisher Schary SantAmour

On the flip side, there’s a dark side to this phrase. What if your “guy” is actually just a guy? You know the one - the friend who thinks they can fix everything because they once watched a YouTube tutorial on it.

“I got a guy who can fix your car!

He just changed the oil on his mom’s minivan last week!” Suddenly, you’re at the mercy of someone who thinks the term “brake fluid” is synonymous with “just add more soda.”

And let’s not forget how the phrase can spiral out of control. “I got a guy” can lead to an avalanche of “guys.” Before you know it, you’ve got a guy for your guy, who then brings in his cousin, who claims he can juggle chainsaws. The next thing you know, you’re at a barbecue with a guy who can fix your Wi-Fi signal by performing a complicated ritual involving three rubber chickens and a bag of chips.

In conclusion, “I got a guy” is more than just a phrase; it’s a lifestyle choice. It’s a way of asserting that you’re not just navigating life on your own; you’ve got a network of questionable connections who are ready to come to your rescue. So, the next time you find yourself in a bind, just remember: you probably know someone who knows someone who can help. And if all else fails, just embrace the chaos - after all, life is more fun when you “got a guy.”

And my guy can paint.

Layout Design Tonya Ranum

Mature Focus, Inc. is a monthly newspaper, distributed to the greater Quad-City area, Geneseo, Muscatine, Aledo, DeWitt, Iowa City, Coralville, Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, Solon, and Tipton. It is designed to inform, serve, and entertain mature readers.

Publication of columnists’ views, as well as advertising herein, does not constitute endorsement. Mature Focus reserves the right to reject or edit any advertising.

Letters to the editor must be signed and include the writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters must be received no later than the 15th of the month preceding publication.

Annual subscription - $25. See page 39 for more information.

Image credits: Drazen Zigic, wirestock, stockgiu on Freepik.com.

© 2024 Mature Focus, Inc.

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Mature Focus • November 2024

5

The final flight

By Lynn Gendusa Editor’s Note: This column originally appeared in the November 2016 edition of Mature Focus.

September 30th was a day I had looked forward to for quite a while. It had been nine months since I had seen my son, which is longer than we usually go without a visit. Colorado and Atlanta seemed to be getting further apart. It was way past time to see my boy.

Delta Flight 1817 was on time leaving Atlanta on this beautiful, warm, almost October afternoon. It felt good to sit down for a moment and unwind. I had packed a notepad, my crossword puzzles, my iPad, and a

6 November 2024 • Mature Focus

few other things to keep me entertained on my flight across the country.

I love to hear the roar of the engines and see the mountains looming up to touch the clouds.

I enjoy the quilted pattern of the earth below and my silent guessing game of: “Exactly, where am I?” Flight 1817 was free from turbulent air and turbulent fliers. It was Friday and folks were on their way home from a week on business or leaving home to visit the scenic beauty of Colorado or visit a sister, a dad, or a son.

I drank my diet coke and ate my little bag of ten peanuts and settled into

my journey. I thought about how hard it is when your children live far away.

How hard it is to be a mom and how I must let go of those precious ones and let them have their lives.

Is that fact in a guidebook about children? Yes, they grow up and can move away! Oh well, I am just fortunate enough to be on this flight to cure the distance part of motherhood.

Finally, the jet engines started to slow down, and I knew we were preparing for our descent into Denver. I was looking forward to seeing those crazy looking Cirque du Soleil tents of the Denver International Airport, looming on the flat plains outside of the city. The white fiberglass peaks are supposed to emulate the Rocky Mountains, but I have yet to get that visual.

It doesn't matter; they are a welcome sight for this old mama who just wants to see her 41-year-old baby boy.

The plane landed smoothly and started to taxi toward the gate. My watch said we were ten minutes early.

Yippee!!

“Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Today we have a fallen soldier who has traveled home with us. I will ask you to remain seated until we have returned him safely back to his family. He is escorted today by a Marine Captain.

Please stay seated until we tell you it is ok to de-board.”

The Marine Captain stood up in front of the plane with his back to all of us. When he saluted the pilot, twohundred plus fliers loudly applauded.

He then descended to the ground below.

Directly to my right, I could see the activity on the tarmac. Black SUVs

slowly pulled up next to the plane. our political battles and vote for our chased it into the field. I watched as Marines in full dress uniforms filed leaders. my son's legs moved, and his arms out and stood in formation. Then a A young soldier took his last flight flew into the air. I watched his mouth hearse and a Honda pulled up to the for us to fly free. form into laughter and his voice side of the aircraft.

He was a soldier whose parents boom as he called his dog's name. I While the passengers looked out the didn't have the opportunity to say absorbed every moment of this picwindows, complete and utter silence goodbye or have a chance to revisit ture of living while knowing another enveloped the interior as well as the their baby boy. mother would never see another new exterior of Delta flight 1817.

Finally, the hearse drove away, image.

A tall young man accompanied his along with the Honda and the I silently prayed, and as I did, I saw father out of the Honda, holding him Marines in their black SUVs. the American flag waving atop a as he stood. A mother was being held What remained were passengers flagpole in the schoolyard. tightly by a friend or family member. with tears in their eyes, some even Thanks to the fallen soldier, the red, Another young woman stood alone. sobbing. When we left the plane, white, and blue was still flying high I could see every emotion in their there was not a word spoken by a sin- against the cloudless, sun-drenched bodies and faces. As the cargo hold gle passenger as we walked back Colorado sky. door opened, the father started to toward our lives. crumble. His arms folded around his I spent five blissful days with my Lynn Walker Gendusa is a weekly head as if to block out what his brain son. I went for walks with him daily. columnist for newspapers in Georgia was not prepared to see.

I watched him run in front of me to and Tennessee. She is the author of It’s The mother was grasping her friend play with his dog in the park near a All Write with Me! Reach her at lynntighter, as she too, started to collapse. school. He threw the ball as Miner gendusa.com.

The Military honor guard in perfect splendor and cadence lifted the flag-draped silver coffin from the plane and marched it toward the hearse with the pristine red, white, and blue American flag covering the fallen Marine. This flag would never fly again above our land, but instead, be folded and H¤rÇ ¤ ÇČK H¤rÁ©r ĆHKHć U ½rºÛ given to the family now watching their Á r ªrÇ˽r¤÷ ª¯ªČÁ˽ r¤ son departing from his ǽ rÇ© ªÇ ¯ºÇ ¯ª ¯½ final flight.

A soldier who ¡ª ºr ª Ë Ç¯ø fought for us to be able to fly anywhere we desire, came home =ÁÇ ¯r½Ç ½ Ç Á to Colorado on an almost October day.

2 r© ªÇ 'ª ˽ Á He fought and died for us to have the freedom to sit down when r¤¤ ǯ O ˤ ø = his country's flag rises ‫׎׎גהٮגאגٮבהד‬ or to respectfully stand. A soldier whose 7¯½ 'ª ¯½©rÇ ¯ª b Çr¤ ÇÛH ÛÁ r¤7 ª ö ¯© bravery keeps us having the freedom to make choices and share differing beliefs.

A soldier who 8 Õ HrÇ ªÇÁ ºÇ û enabled us to fight

OrÛ "¯¯ ~Û Ç¯ 0ª Hr ª

Mature Focus • November 2024

7

Cozy Coffee Sweet Treats

With a chill in the air, nothing is cozier than a cup of hot coffee, a sweet treat, and a good book! Enjoy these yummy recipes as you relax and enjoy this special time of the year.

Recipes courtesy of Culinary.net.

Oatmeal Cream Cookies Servings: 10-12 Oatmeal Cookies: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1½ cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

3 cups rolled old-fashioned oats Vanilla Bean Cream Filling: 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 2½ cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon heavy cream Heat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

To make cookies: with a mixer, cream butter, dark brown sugar and light brown sugar on medium-high speed until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; mix until combined.

In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and oats. Gradually add oat mixture to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Spoon dough into hands and roll into balls. Flatten balls and place onto prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

Bake 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around edges. Move cookies to wire rack to cool completely.

To make vanilla bean cream filling: with a mixer, cream butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract and heavy cream; mix until combined.

Pipe or spoon a large dollop of filling on bottom sides of half the cookies; top each with second cookie.

Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake Servings: 8-12 Bundt Cake: 1 box spice cake mix 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin 1 stick butter, softened

2 eggs Topping: 3 tablespoons caramel sauce 2 cups powdered sugar 1/2 cup chopped nuts of choice Heat oven to 350 F. Grease Bundt pan.

In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, pumpkin, butter and eggs well then pour into Bundt pan.

Bake 45-50 minutes until toothpick inserted in middle comes out cleanly.

Let cool in pan 5 minutes then remove from pan and let cool completely on rack. Once cooled, mix caramel sauce and powdered sugar; drizzle over Bundt cake. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.

Cinnamon-Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake Servings: 4-6 Nonstick cooking spray Topping: 3/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats 1/3 cup flour 1/3 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed 1/4 cup pecans, chopped 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 5 tablespoons butter, softened Cake:

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1-1/2 cups flour 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 8 ounces cream cheese 3 tablespoons butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1 whole egg 1 egg yolk 5 tablespoons milk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch round baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

To make topping: In medium bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon and salt.

Using pastry blender, cut butter

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into mixture until blended. pan. Sprinkle topping over batter.

To make cake: In small bowl, comBake 35-40 minutes. Serve warm bine flour, baking powder, salt and with ice cream or dust with powbaking soda. dered sugar.

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563.322.4438 www.hmdfuneralhome.com Mature Focus • November 2024

9

A step in the right direction

By Taprina Milburn “It’s your road and yours alone.

Others may walk with you, but no one can walk it for you.” - Rumi Walking the Camino de Santiago, French Way, pilgrimage had been on my wish list for a while.

The centuries-old Camino pilgrimage is a 500-mile (800km) trek starting in St. Jean Pied de Port, France, A direction marker on the Camino de over the Pyrenees mountains into Santiago.

Spain, ending at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. As the story pilgrimage had been on my wish list is told, the remains of the Apostle for a while.from my normal day-toJames, the first of Jesus’ disciples to day where I could talk with and tune be martyred, are enshrined there. in to hear God, particularly about my In modern times people walk the own grief and the next season of life.

Camino for many reasons, not all religious. I knew I wanted to walk it So, I bought the plane ticket with plans to finish it in 30 days. after hearing a woman talk of how “How you walk your Camino can her solo pilgrimage helped her to resemble how you live your life at grieve a loss. My walk, I knew, home; it will help you notice things would be a time for reflection away you want to keep and things you Camino de Santiago, French Way,

want to release,” a person told me before I left.

Another person shared, “Walking alone gives you time to get to the questions you need to ask God and the time to really listen.”

Soon after I put on my backpack and started on my own journey, I found both true.

At home I’m task-oriented and prone to not being in the moment. On the Camino, I started with my head down, concentrating on how many miles I needed to walk each day to reach my Albergue (pilgrim’s hostel), take a shower, do laundry, eat, go to bed, and start all over the next day.

After a week of this, I realized I was missing something - the good stuff.

Releasing my “plan,” was when I focused on the fields of sunflowers, the sun shining through stained-glass windows, or the hard-working dogs that rounded up sheep, the sounds of bells around their wooly necks

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echoing through the valley. Soaking in all the goodness the walk offered me had to start with my being present. My first lesson.

The second lesson I learned is that I’m never alone.

You are never alone on the trail, really. You could walk and talk every day with someone new. I had to notice, though, when alone time was needed and how to ask for it if I needed it. When I paid attention to this craving for solitude, the questions

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I had for God, as well as the tears, and thoughts on my future started to reveal themselves.

On one of those days, I blurted out to God: “Do you even see me?”

Of all the questions I wanted to ask, that question had been lodged somewhere deep since my husband died.

The tears flowed as I walked into a village and looked for some place to stop, pull myself together with a coffee, and rest. I wiped my eyes and stepped inside a café and couldn’t believe what I heard.

In an obscure, tiny Spanish village cafe, the Frankie Valley song, “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” played, a song my husband had sung to me over our dating and married years. I found the bathroom and let the tears fall some more. As woo woo as it might seem to some, that experience left me feeling seen and heard. My question had been answered.

There were other experiences that happened along the way, things I can’t explain logically because they

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1. In a large, deep pan, place the linguine in addition to the cherry tomatoes, spinach, sliced onion, garlic and basil. Drizzle the olive oil on top and season with crushed red pepper and salt.

2. Pour boiling water into the pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for 8-10 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally with tongs, until the liquid is nearly evaporated, creating a sauce.

3. Remove the pan from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.

Serve immediately and enjoy warm.

Recipe provided by feelgoodfoodie.net

seem so unbelievable still to me.

But they left me wondering if answers or signs like that happen all the time. Am I just too distracted to notice?

I finished my Camino, and it looked different than originally planned. After getting a stomach bug halfway through, I took some days off to get well, then skipped ahead to Sarria, Spain, to finish the last 100 km to the Cathedral Santiago de Compostela.

No regrets.

I gained so much - how to notice the things around me and the ways God provides and talks to me. It was a reminder that a step in the right direction toward time with God, for me, is first getting alone, tuning in, and being willing to release how I approach everyday life.

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Mature Focus • November 2024

11

Joanne Heywood remembers, ‘Are you being served? Again!’

American television audiences developed a fondness for old British sitcoms in the 1980s when PBS began airing reruns of several popular shows. Loaded with oh-so-British double-meaning dialogue, a standout favorite was “Are You Being Served?” a BBC production that originally ran in the UK from 1972 to

12 November 2024 • Mature Focus

1985. A 1992-93 spin-off series, “Are You Being Served? Again!” (also known as “Grace & Favour”) reunited original cast members Mollie Sugden, Frank Thornton, John Inman, Wendy Richard, and Nicholas Smith, along with writers David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd.

For the new series, the beloved quirky characters moved their misadventures from a London retail clothing store to a rural English hotel and

working farm, where three new reoccurring characters were introduced.

Appearing in all 12 episodes were farm manager Maurice Moulterd played by veteran British character actor Billy Burden; his innocent farmer’s daughter Mavis played by TV newcomer Fleur Bennett; and sultry Jessica Lovelock portrayed by Joanne Heywood who was familiar with the original series when hired.

“I remember watching it with my family when I was very young,” recalled Joanne from her home in North Essex, northeast of London.

“I’m not sure I grasped all the humor at that stage, particularly the innuendo, but I do remember thoroughly enjoying it. I can’t remember how the audition came about but I had worked with (director) Mike Stephens on two series of ‘First of the Summer Wine,’ so that definitely helped.”

The addition of new characters to an established TV series ensemble is not automatically welcomed by the original cast or audiences, but Joanne says there was no problem being accepted.

“If there was any negativity towards Fleur, Billy, or I, I certainly wasn’t aware of it,” she explained. “I hadn’t worked with any of the original cast previously, so it was quite daunting walking into the rehearsal room on day one. I seem to recall it had been quite a while since some of the original cast had seen each other, so it felt very much like a reunion of friends, and Billy, Fleur, and I were warmly welcomed into the group.”

Burden, who died the year after the last episode originally aired, was the proverbial scene-stealer playing a shaggy country bumpkin.

“Billy was a naturally funny man,” said Joanne. “He had funny bones and such a cheeky twinkle, so nobody could ever be put out by his scenestealing. As we recorded ‘live’ with a studio audience, he was invariably responsible for lots of laughter and retakes.”

Many of her scenes were shared

with Frank Thornton, playing the haughty but commanding Captain Peacock who fancied himself as a lady’s man.

“Frank was a lovely man – a true gent,” she recalled. “We had quite a

to get our scene done, they started to make noises that sounded as though they were belching. I’m afraid I got the giggles and Frank had such a mischievous twinkle in his eye that it took me quite some time to compose myself.”

It's now over a half-century since the original series first aired in the 70s and, together with the short-lived sequel, the appeal of both shows endures due to the vivid characters the New actors in the series, from the right, Fleur Bennett, Billy actors created Burden, and Joanne Heywood. and carefully crafted witty scripts. few giggles and ‘out-takes,’ although, “Croft and Lloyd were brilliant generally, he managed to keep control writers, it was a joy to perform their and I was the one unable to speak for work,” said Joanne. “All of the cast laughter. I loved our dream sequence were so disappointed when a further scene when we found the mummified series wasn't commissioned. Sadly, cat in the attic and that’s definitely my we were in the hands of then favorite episode.”

Controller of BBC1 and, it seems, Filming on a working farm with ‘Grace & Favour’ just wasn't his cup livestock inevitably led to unexpected of tea! But it was such a privilege to animal antics. be part of something so iconic and I “The sheep proved to be quite an remember it fondly.” experience,” she said. “Fleur and John Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn (Inman) had to try to round them up University at Montgomery, in into a pen with Frank and I looking Alabama, and has written features, on. They were very skittish and it took columns, and interviews for numerous several takes to get them into the pen. magazines and newspapers. See Then, when Frank and I were trying getnickt.org.

Mature Focus • November 2024

13

Elder Law

Holiday conversations

By Ben Bekel, Quad City Life Planning

that what you have in your planning will further fray already strained relationships and you only want a little family peace for Thanksgiving and Christmas. All good, legitimate reasons to avoid this important topic!

However, in avoiding the discussion now you may be asking for trouble later. Sure, you may not be around to see it, but just like Dr. Seuss’ Christmas, it will have “came just the same.”

Almost without exception, the estate and trust administrations we handle where disputes arise are ones where families never have the conversation about what should happen after a loved one is gone. Everybody has a different idea about what should happen, or what’s fair, or what it was you really wanted. Add a pinch of pre-existing family drama, a healthy dash of suspicion, and what should be as straightforward a process as possible becomes a recipe for wasted time, money, and resources.

What can you do to avoid these potential problems?

It may be getting colder out, but we’re also approaching Thanksgiving and Christmas, the most wonderful times of the year – filled with good food, companionship, and holiday cheer. And, of course, many of you reading this column have plans set up to share that holiday cheer with your family or close friends.

There are always conversations around the dinner table, of course.

Catching up after time apart, current affairs and politics (though, on second thought, perhaps you might want to stray away from politics), how the kids are doing, that kind of thing.

But one topic that doesn’t always come up is life and estate planning.

With good reason. Maybe you don’t think your planning should be anyone’s business but your own.

Maybe you don’t think death is an appropriate topic to bring up around the holidays. Maybe you’re afraid

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First, make sure your life and estate planning reflects your desires as of today. Our plans and goals change over time, and there’s no guarantee that what you put in place five, ten or twenty years ago is reflective of your desires now.

Review your planning and make sure it does what you want it to do.

Secondly, make your family aware of what you have planned. Many of our clients go so far as to bring their family members or close friends in to consult with us, and we welcome and encourage this activity. But if that's not possible, at least talk about it with your family, friends or beneficiaries. That way, everyone can be confident that they know exactly what you want to have happen when the time comes to execute your plan.

To close on a personal note, we’re very pleased that so many of you take the time to read this column and this magazine each month. We hope all of you have a very Happy Thanksgiving (and, slightly early, Merry Christmas)!

Ben Bekel is the attorney at Quad City Life Planning in Moline, Illinois.

He handles elder law and life planning including probate/trust administration, guardianships and disability/ Medicaid planning. Learn more at quadcitylifeplanning.com.

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14 November 2024 • Mature Focus

Thank you, Veterans, for your service.

We are thrilled to introduce our wall calendar for 2025, showcasing 12 stunning works of art that have graced the covers of Mature Focus over the years. Each month brings a beautiful piece of art, perfect for your home or office. Measures 8.5x22 inches (open) and is spiral bound.

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t a e r g es gifts! k a M MatureFocusMarketplace.com s a m t s i Chr Mature Focus • November 2024

15

Exactly how many pillows does it take to fall asleep?

By Greg Schwem I am struggling to keep my eyes open as I write this column, having just completed an overnight stay in North Carolina, which included a night of restful sleep.

That’s correct; I slept great. The exhaustion occurred the following morning as I was preparing to leave the spare bedroom in my relatives’ home. Always striving to be the perfect houseguest, I made every attempt to leave the bed in its former condition. I pulled up the sheets, tucked the blanket’s corners under the mattress and made sure the spread was free of wrinkles.

Then came the pillows. All ten of them.

The one I slept on and nine more.

It was a queen-sized bed, so it made sense that two rested at the mattress’s head.

Covered in gray pillowcases that matched the sheets, they awaited one, or two occupants to Even one throw pillow might be one too many. close their eyes and comfortably drift off to dreamland. decorator would likely describe Two more identical pillows were them as “throw pillows” and suggest stacked on top of these, in case a they be “thrown” on top of the higher sleeping position was prespread, accentuating its appearance. ferred. Personally, I’ve always been I believe they should all be a one pillow type of guy. Unless that “thrown” away. pillow was manufactured by Mike Seriously, how many pillows, of Lindell. Then I’d rather rest my head any variety, does one need on a bed? on bare concrete.

Beds are for sleeping, nothing more.

The others, a mix of square, oval I don’t care if the mattress is filled and skinny recwith foam, feathers or water; I tangular shapes, should be able to collapse onto it were covered in without first eliminating everything mismatched fab- on top of it. rics. An interior I feel the same way about those

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16 November 2024 • Mature Focus

bowlfuls of colorful bathroom soaps, which may as well contain a “Do Not Touch” label. Even if my hands were covered in tar, I would wipe them on white pants before touching these babies. No need to incur my host’s wrath.

In Charlotte, when I retired for the evening, I took each decorative pillow and haphazardly threw it on the floor. That was easy. The next morning, as I reassembled the bed, I had to stoop down and pick up each one individually. Not an easy task for a guy with an aching back.

Furthermore, I had to return each one to its rightful position.

Which was…where, exactly?

Did the beige oval pillow go on top of the striped rectangular ones? Or beneath? Or between? I didn’t return home the night before until nearly 1 a.m., so I wasn’t exactly paying attention to the layout. Maybe I should have snapped a picture of the configuration the moment I entered the room. My back would still ache, but I’d leave knowing that, as a model tenant, my bed would be available for return trips. My relatives aren’t that anal, but I’ve stayed with some hosts who would probably need therapy sessions if their throw pillows were misplaced.

Haven’t we all?

For the record, the number of pillows on a bed should be two.

The number of soaps in a bathroom? One. Mismatched coffee mugs in your pantry? Four.

Candles in a living room? Three.

Are you purposely trying to burn down your house?

I am now back home, in my bedroom, completing this column. I need to go to sleep — on my one pillow — because I’m hosting a football watch party tomorrow.

Which one of my 47 Chicago Bears shirts should I wear?

Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of two books:”Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad” and the recently

released “The Road To Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian,” available at Amazon.com.

Visit Greg at gregschwem.com.

november ChucklE Living with a dog is 90% following each other around, watching each other go potty, and wondering what the other has in their mouth.

Medicare Enrollment MedicareOpen Open Enrollment Starts October 15 15 and runs Starts October and

runs through December7, 7, 2023. through December 2024

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Mature Focus • November 2024

17

Five proven natural strategies to lower high cholesterol and triglycerides

By Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. If you’ve recently been told your cholesterol levels are creeping into unhealthy territory, it’s a wake-up call to embrace more holistic practices for heart health. As someone who understands both the conventional and natural sides of medicine, I want to empower you with actionable, natural strategies. Here are five of the top ways to lower LDL, triglycerides, and cholesterol naturally: 1. Increase Soluble Fiber Intake Fiber is more than just a buzzword, it’s a powerful tool to combat high LDL cholesterol. Soluble fiber, found in foods like oats, beans, lentils, flaxseeds, and fruits (especially apples and berries), binds to choles-

terol in your intestines and helps eliminate it before it’s absorbed into your bloodstream. Adding just a couple of servings of these fiber-rich foods each day can make a significant difference.

2. Incorporate Omega-3 Fatty Acids Healthy fats are crucial for cardiovascular health, and omega-3 fatty acids are at the top of the list.

Found in fatty fish like salmon and sardines, as well as plant-based sources like flaxseed and chia seeds, these fats are known to lower triglycerides and raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol. They also fight inflammation - a key factor in heart disease.

Including omega-3-rich foods in your diet a couple of times a week or supplementing with a high-quality fish oil can bring lasting benefits.

3. Get Moving: Aerobic & Resistance Exercise Try engaging in regular physical activity - whether it’s brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or weight training - can help

lower LDL cholesterol, raise HDL, and reduce triglycerides. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise weekly, and don’t shy away from adding some resistance training. Consistency is key, so find activities you enjoy. It’s not about hitting the gym hard every day but about incorporating movement into your routine in a way that you’ll stick with. Remember: your heart is a muscle, and it needs regular exercise to stay strong and healthy.

4. Adopt a Mediterranean Diet The Mediterranean diet is a plantbased way of eating that emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, fish, and olive oil. The focus on monounsaturated fats (especially from olive oil) and antioxidants helps lower LDL cholesterol while maintaining a healthy HDL balance.

5. Balance Nutrients: Magnesium, CoQ10, and Vitamin D Your body needs certain nutrients to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, and deficiencies can hinder your progress.

Magnesium, CoQ10, and vitamin D all play a role in cardiovascular health.

While medications like statins can effectively lower cholesterol, they don't address the root cause or support a comprehensive approach to heart health.

You can make a big impact with the suggestions above.

Your heart works hard for you every day, so take proactive steps to support its health naturally. If you’re interested in more information, read the longer version of this article posted at my website suzycohen.com.

For more information, visit SuzyCohen.com.

18 November 2024 • Mature Focus

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Mature Focus • November 2024

19

SAV VY SENIOR You ask the SENIOR question - We find the SAVVY answer

If you’re 65 or older, it’s time to get your pneumonia shot

Control and Prevention (CDC) does indeed recommend the “pneumococcal Q: I recently turned 65 and vaccines” for pneumonia would like to know if am supfor adults age 65 and older. posed to get the pneumonia vaccine? And if so, which type of vac- They’re also recommended cine do I need and is it covered by for younger people with long-term health issues or Medicare? weak immune systems, as A: Yes, the Centers for Disease well as children under five and people who smoke.

Pneumonia, which can happen anytime – not just during the cold months – can be Family Owned & Operated a serious and even life1406 W. Locust, Davenport • (563) 323-8807 threatening condition.

1800 11th Street, Rock Island • (309) 786-8134 Each year, pneumonia Serving the Quad Cities Community Since 1904 causes a whopping 1.5

By Jim Miller

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20 November 2024 • Mature Focus

million people to visit medical emergency departments in the U.S. and causes roughly 50,000 deaths.

A recent study found that the use of pneumonia vaccines is associated with a 24 percent decreased risk of death, but vaccination rates aren’t that high.

Around 67 percent of adults over the age of 65 are vaccinated against pneumonia, and just 24 percent of younger people (19-64 years old) at risk for pneumonia are vaccinated.

The main reasons for this are because many people are unsure whether they need the vaccine, while others aren’t even aware a vaccine exists.

Types of Vaccines There are three different vaccines available, some more appropriate for certain people than others. They are the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine PPSV23 (Pneumovax23), the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV15 (Vaxneuvance) and PCV20 (Prevnar 20). The numbers indicate how many strains, or serotypes, of streptococcus pneumoniae are included in the vaccine.

So, which vaccine should you get?

If you’ve never been vaccinated for pneumonia, the newer PCV20 is the top choice – it covers the 20 most common serotypes now.

If that vaccine is not available in your area, you can get the PCV15 vaccine, followed one year later by PPSV23.

If you had the earlier PCV13 (but not PCV15), or the PPSV23 at or after age 65, you’re likely eligible to get the PCV20 for increased protection.

But because of the different possibilities, you need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the most effective option for you.

Side effects of these vaccines tend to be mild, but may include feeling achy and tired as well as redness, swelling and soreness where the injection was given.

You’ll also be happy to know that Medicare Part B covers both single dose and two-dose pneumococcal shots, and you only need to get it once. Unlike the flu shot, which is given annually.

Most local pharmacies and community health clinics offer pneumococcal vaccines, but you may want to call ahead just to be sure.

For more information, visit the CDC’s Pneumococcal Vaccination webpage at CDC.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/ index.html.

Other Vaccines To avoid catching pneumonia as a consequence of a viral infection, you should also consider getting a flu shot, RSV shot and a Covid-19 booster in the fall.

While vaccines cannot prevent every case of pneumonia (or other conditions they’re given for), those who get them usually have milder infections, a shorter course of illness and fewer serious complications than people who don’t get vaccinated.

The flu shot and Covid booster are both covered by Medicare Part B, while the RSV vaccine (which is recommended every other year) is covered under Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plans. All three shots can also be given simultaneously.

Jim Miller is the author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Protect Your Family and You from the Flu! Influenza (flu) is an illness that infects the nose, throat and lungs.

Children younger than 5, people 65 and older, and those with certain chronic conditions are at higher risk of flu complications.

Protect yourself from the flu by washing your hands and avoiding close contact with those who are sick. There are also several flu vaccines available, including shots and nasal sprays.

Ask your family’s healthcare providers about flu prevention

Mature Focus • November 2024

21

Answers on Page 47.

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LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: 

Answers on page 47 ACROSS 1 17-year locusts, e.g.

8 Intercede 14 Errant 20 Lovingly, on music scores 21 Daintily small 22 Planet shape 23 Big baboon, Andean spitter, showy parrot 25 Jewel units 26 Nov. lead-in 27 “Gloria in Excelsis --” 28 Lapel inserts 29 Begin a losing streak 30 Serengeti grazer, long-billed bird, sticky-tongued predator 36 Houston coll.

38 Singer Sumac 39 Singer Irene 40 Part of NYSE 41 “Love Me or Leave Me” singer Ruth 43 Great anger 46 -- loss 48 Kanga's son 49 Mountain cat, plated burrower, marine crustacean 56 Comic Daniel 57 “La Cage -- Folles” 58 Grizzlies, e.g.

59 Overjoys 63 “Funny Girl” director William 65 Contend (for) 66 Aggressive shorebirds 67 Arctic cetacean, swamp snapper, arboreal ape 73 Not alfresco 74 Tea holder 75 Like dunes 76 City of south India 77 Founder of Bolshevism 79 Suffix with hotel 80 Writers Tan and Lowell 84 Pink wader, forest anthropoid, aquatic sucker 88 Hasty escape 91 Riser at dawn 92 Pester 93 Singer Willie 94 Tuba material 97 Lunch, e.g.

100 Tree of Iowa 103 Milk, in Mexico 104 Scavenging dog, woolly Peruvian, leaf-munching crawler 109 Onion relatives 110 Low cards 111 “Botch- --” (old hit song) 112 High card 115 “Monster” star Charlize 116 Prairie canine, destructive insect, colorful fish 120 Successively 121 Fought one-on-one 122 “Agreed” 123 Wee 124 Accent 125 Made of clay

DOWN 1 Hunter's garb, in brief 2 Apple desktop 3 Website notice to get customer service 4 Ending for dull 5 Palme -- (Cannes film award) 6 Digression 7 Exclusively 8 Health facility 9 Arizona city 10 Online sales 11 Lunch on the grass, e.g.

12 Lake feeding the Mississippi 13 Part of NYSE 14 Chichi scarf 15 Interstices 16 Larynx locale 17 One showing houses 18 Erte's genre 19 “Agreed” 24 Weaver's frame 29 Biting pests 31 Equine sound 32 Yellowfin, say 33 Remunerated 34 Kuwaitis, e.g.

35 “Notorious” film studio 36 Four-sided geom. shape 37 Langston Hughes poem 42 Ill-defined situations

44 45 47 50 51 52 53 54 55 60 61 62 63 64 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 77 78 80 81 82 83 85 86 87 88

BBQ meat bit Altitude Exited right after chowing Ruminates Skating leap Milk, in France Treats often dipped in milk Somber song Sauce brand Hanoi holiday Noted time IRS datum Ridge on a fingerprint Grow mature Actress Parrish of “Pretty Little Liars” Pick-up-sticks logic game One or more Aves.

Kin of “Arf!” Hammered musical disk Stair support First form fill-in, often Gp. backing arms Cop -- (haggle in court) Nickname for the Devil Michelle of “Tomorrow Never Dies” Auld lang -Ailment causing swelling Horror film assistant Pell- -- (chaotic) JFK follower

89 Weaver of Greek myth 90 Heavy knife 95 Vail trail 96 Revels in 98 Illustrate via pantomime 99 Trial figure 101 On -- with 102 2006 world figure skating champion Meissner 105 Singer Kravitz 106 Actor Peter O'-107 “Rufus M.” author Eleanor 108 Camera brand 113 Moetley -114 Make at work 115 Little bird 116 LP replacers 117 Mag staff 118 Blue Jays, on sports tickers 119 Doc treating tonsillitis

The perfect gift for friends or family who are hard to buy for...see page 15!

Mature Focus • November 2024

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☞ Medication labels can fade, so when you get yours, put a piece of clear tape over the instructions.

This way, you'll always be able to read the instructions. ☞ During the holidays (the height of baking season,) I keep a large plastic saltshaker filled with flour and a bit of dry rice. The rice helps the flour to shake out without getting clumped up, and I use it to dust cake pans, rolling pins, kneading boards, etc. ☞ One of the household cleaners I prefer comes in a spray bottle, and it's on the expensive side.

I make sure to get all of the liquid out by adding some regular glass marbles to the bottle. It displaces the liquid up, ensuring it finds the bottom of the sprayer's suction tube. ☞ Keep the fog off your glasses by cleaning them with shaving cream. It will prevent mist-ups when you come in from the cold. ☞ Save your citrus peels and dry them. You can use them for kindling in your fire. They contain flammable oils, and they smell pretty good, too. ☞ Rusty bicycle handles can be unsightly and a pain. Make a paste of salt and lemon juice (three parts salt, one part lemon juice), and use it to rub the rust away with a dry cloth. ☞ If you have magazines or books that you are finished reading, consider donating them to local seniors centers. Often, the seniors are grateful to have new reading material. ☞ To sharpen scissors, fold over several layers of aluminum foil and cut into strips.

Send your tips to Now Here's a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

Kaleidoscope provided diagrams of kaleidoscopes having two, three, or four mirrors grouped together in the tube. This The Ancient Greeks were the first showed how the number of mirrors to invent a primitive kaleidoscope. altered the design. The image will be Today's modern kaleidoscope was invented in 1816 by Scottish scientist, symmetrical if the mirror angle is an even divider of 360 degrees. For Sir David Brewster (1781–1868). A example, a mirror set at 60 degrees mathematician and physicist, he was will generate a pattern of six regular known for his work in the field of sectors. A mirror angle at 45 degrees optics. He named his invention after will make eight equal sectors, and at the Greek words kalos (beautiful), 30 degrees there will be twelve seceidos (form), and scopos (watcher).

Brewster's kaleidoscope was a tube tors. The lines and colors are multiplied by the mirrors. containing loose pieces of colored Brewster commercialized the kaleiglass on one end. The colors were doscope with the idea that the patreflected by mirrors or glass lenses set at angles inside the tube. The pat- terns could be used for household decorations. “It will create, in a single terns were viewed through the other end of the tube. A continually chang- hour, what a thousand artists could not invent in the course of a year.” ing symmetrical pattern was seen Brewster suggested the patterns could when the kaleidoscope cylinder was be used in a many ways, from rotated. stained-glass windows for cathedrals In 1819, Brewster published “A to household carpets. It eliminated the Treatise on the Kaleidoscope.” He tedious labor of drawing an entire large-scale design on paper. The kaleidoscope could quickly create a design with many options. I've always wondered how did they hold an image from the incessant shifting and changing from movement?

Brewster's innovation produced BUYING SCRAP/BROKEN GOLD & SILVER JEWELRY images of a strong geometric character Stop by to see our selection of Coins & Estate that created interest Jewelry at budget friendly prices. in new patterns that had a precise, Expert Appraisals • Fair Prices orderly design. This Collectibles for that hard to buy special someone had its greatest impact on American ROCK RIVER COINS & JEWELRY quilts. Traditionally 4740 38th Avenue, Moline NEW NEW quilt makers used LOCATION LOCATION (John Deere Rd) classical subjects or 309-781-5634 elegant foliage not 10-5 pm M-F & 10-4 pm Saturday requiring precision

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in design. With the advent of the kaleidoscope, they could create innovative geometric designs that replicated images in a kaleidoscope.

Influenced by these patterns, quilt designs shifted from large pieces of fabric toward the use of tiny, multicolored pieces, carefully stitched together in the patterns created in the kaleidoscope. In time, home decorators transferred the patterns to fabric that produced eye-catching floor coverings, curtains, wallpaper and more.

Charles Bush, a Prussian immigrant, was granted patents in 1873 and 1874 related to improvements in kaleidoscopes, kaleidoscope boxes, and kaleidoscope stands. He was the first to mass produce manufactured “parlor” kaleidoscopes in America, creating a fad in parlor entertainment.

His kaleidoscopes used liquid-filled glass ampules to create even more visually stunning effects.

While high end kaleidoscopes are available today, they are most popular as children's toys. Didn't we all have one as a child? And where is that now?

Follow Doris Montag on Facebook at HistoryofOrdinaryThings.

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Mature Focus • November 2024

25

All the news that’s fit

By Scott LaFee Observation “I recently had my annual physical examination, which I get once every seven years, and when the nurse weighed me, I was shocked to discover how much stronger the Earth's

gravitational pull has become since 1990.”

- American humorist Dave Barry Don't Leave These Muscles Behind Your gluteus maximus muscles are among the body's strongest, but (there has to be a “butt”) like the rest of you, they need care and maintenance.

Long days of sitting at desks, on couches or in cars can wreak havoc, particularly in the form of a condition called gluteal amnesia.

Otherwise known as “dead butt syndrome.”

DBS occurs when your rear-end muscles become weak from lack of activity and seem to forget their multiple functions, from stabilizing and helping other pelvic muscles do their jobs to acting as shock absorbers when walking or running or allowing you to stand upright.

When they no longer can do those jobs well, a cascade of bad things can happen, including hamstring tears, sciatica, shin splints and arthritis in the knees. Americans' sedentary lifestyles have exacerbated the spread of DBS. Some experts say that if you routinely spend multiple hours sitting at a stretch, those turned-off butt muscles progressively forget how to function.

The remedy: Make sure you remember to stand up every 30 to 50 minutes, walk around a bit and gently tap your cheeks with your fingertips.

That last part provides a little stimulation to the brain, reminding it that those muscles are there.

Body of Knowledge Every second, the human body produces 25 million new cells. In just 15 seconds, an individual generates more cells (375 million) than there are people in the United States (330 million).

Medical Myths Hats are good on cold days, but you do not lose a disproportionate amount of body heat through your head. That notion erroneously emerged in the 1970s based on limited Army research. It turns out the head was the

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only part of the body Army scientists actually assessed in their, uh, Cold War studies.

Subsequent research has found that any part of the body left uncovered releases similar amounts of heat.

subsequently demolished and the sinkhole filled. The property was enclosed by a fence with a nearby memorial to Bush. In 2015, the sinkhole reopened and was refilled. In 2023, it reopened again and was refilled.

Curtain Calls In 2013, a sinkhole opened beneath the Seffner, Florida, home of Jeffrey Bush, who was asleep in his bedroom.

Rescuers entered the bedroom to find Bush, his bed and dresser had disappeared down a deep hole. Bush's body was never recovered. The house was

Stories for the Waiting Room Someday, scientists will figure out how to get humans to and back safely from Mars. But building a suitable rocket ship is just one hurdle. There's also the problem of medicine expiration dates.

A recent study found that more than half of the medicines currently stocked in space (i.e., on the International Space Station), like pain relievers, antibiotics and sleep aids, would expire before Mars-bound astronauts could return to Earth. The quickest roundtrip to the red planet is currently estimated to require 34 months, with no layover. It's also not known how well some medicines will work in reduced gravity or when exposed to space radiation.

Last Words “Let us work together to make that future a place we want to visit. Be brave, be curious, be determined, overcome the odds. It can be done.”

- English theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking (1942-2018). The lines by Hawking, who could only speak through a speech-generating device due to a degenerative neurological condition, were recorded and beamed after his death into the nearest black hole, a focus of his seminal research.

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Mature Focus • November 2024

27

❖ Nov. 12, 1889, DeWitt Wallace, founder of Reader's Digest, is born.

By the end of the 20th century, the magazine had the largest circulation in the world, with more than 17 million readers in some 20 languages. ❖ On Nov. 10, 1903, U.S. Patent No. 743,801 is awarded to an Alabama woman named Mary Anderson for her windshield wipers.

Anderson tried to sell the patent to a Canadian firm, but it said the device had no practical value. ❖ On Nov. 11, 1921, the Tomb of the Unknowns is dedicated at Arlington National Cemetery in an Armistice Day ceremony. The Tomb of the Unknowns is considered the most hallowed grave at Arlington and has been guarded by sentinels 24/7 since 1937. ❖ On Nov. 4, 1925, Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman to be elected as an American state governor, as well as the first and to date only female governor of Wyoming, following the death of her husband, William Ross, from complications of an appendectomy. In addition, she was also the first female director of the United States Mint. ❖ On Nov. 13, 1953, Mrs. Thomas J. White of the Indiana Textbook Commission calls for the removal of references to the book “Robin Hood” from school textbooks, claiming it was communistic.

Attacks on freedom of expression in the U.S. during the Red Scare resulted in a number of books being banned, including John Steinbeck's “The Grapes of Wrath.” ❖ On Nov. 8, 1960, John F.

Happy Thanksgiving from

Kennedy, 43, becomes the youngest man and first Roman Catholic ever to be elected president of the United States. ❖ On Nov. 9, 1971, John Emil List slaughters his family in their Westfield, New Jersey, home and then disappears for 18 years. List had methodically devised a plan, saying the family was going out of town. By the time authorities discov-

ered the bodies, he had vanished.

List was found in West Virginia in 1989. ❖ On Nov. 7, 1991, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson stuns the world by announcing his sudden retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers, after testing positive for the AIDS virus. Johnson was one of the first sports stars to go public about his HIV-positive status.

Classic Travels November 11, 1-Day Shopping, Des Moines area. Spend some time at Valley Junction, including, several lovely women's boutiques. Then it's on to Jordan Creek in West Des Moines with over 180 stores and restaurants like Scheels, Dillard's and Von Maur. On the way home we'll make a short stop at the 40 Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona offering stores for Vera Bradley, Nike, and Skechers. Leave at 6:45 a.m., back at 8:30 p.m. Price is $77.

Payment due Wednesday, November 6.

December 8, “A Christmas Tradition” at the Barn in Goodfield, IL. Holiday traditions are an important part of celebrating the magic of the season but where did all these traditions come from and what made them stay? Come join your Barn family as we explore the most sacred and holiday traditions of the past and present through song, dance, and skits.

Leave at 9:30 a.m., back at 6:00 p.m. Price is $119, includes the show, bus and meal. Payment due Friday, November 8, 2024.

January 9, 2025, Ultimate Elvis’ Tribute, The Fireside Dinner Theatre, Ft. Atkinson, WI. In honor of Elvis’ 90th birthday, honoring his legacy and bringing joy to those who adore the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Lunch will be Beef Tenderloin. Leave at 7:00 a.m. return at 8:00 p.m. Price is $156. Payment due Friday, November 29, 2024.

February 16, “Alone Together” at the Barn in Goodfield, IL. They have spent the last thirty years raising three active sons and have looked forward to the peace, the quiet, the privacy of an empty nest. After some turmoil and revelation of deep feelings, the nest is finally emptied. Peace now? Quiet? Not for long. Leave at 9:30 a.m. back at 6:00 p.m. Includes show, bus and meal. Price is $120. Payment due Thursday, January 16, 2025.

March 20, “West Side Story” at The Fireside Dinner Theatre, Ft. Atkinson, WI. Two young lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence, and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching, and relevant musical dramas of our time. Menu is chicken soup, sliced pork tenderloin and served with herb roasted stuffing. Dessert is a tart cherry crisp. Leave at 7:00 a.m. back at 8:00 p.m. Price is $156. Payment due Wednesday.

February 19, 2025.

Check out our website or call (563) 332-0014 Jill Kirkpatrick • 3371 Eastridge Drive • Bettendorf, IA 52722 email: jill@classictravelsllc.com • www.classictravelsllc.com

28 November 2024 • Mature Focus

Beyond Thanksgiving: Unleash the versatility of cranberry sauce Happy Thanksgiving! Can we chat about cranberry sauce? This traditional Thanksgiving staple often finds itself relegated to the shadows, while its versatility and year-round potential are underappreciated by many.

Think about it. This stuff is awesome! Cranberries are a fruity, sweet, tart, affordable superfood. Packed with vitamin C, fiber and diseasefighting antioxidants. Often the only jolt of color on an otherwise 50 shades of beige plate. We should be using

12/23/24

this wonderful sauce all year long.

Here is a classic, easy, make-ahead recipe for cranberry sauce with orange.

Cranberry Orange Sauce Yield: 2 cups Total Time: 15 minutes 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup water 1 (12-ounce bag) fresh or frozen cranberries 1 orange Pinch salt Put your water and sugar into a medium saucepot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.

Meanwhile, sort and rinse the cranberries, removing any that are discolored or mushy. When the water and sugar are boiling, add the cranberries.

Reduce heat to medium, stirring occasionally. Continue to simmer until all the cranberries have popped and broken down.

As the cranberries cook, zest the orange then slice it in half and squeeze the juice into a bowl, yielding approximately 1/3 cup of juice. When the cranberries are cooked, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the orange juice and zest. It'll thicken as it cools. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 10 days, or freeze for up to three months.

Since you're making this, you should double the recipe. Here's why.

Let's see where the cranberry can go, shall we? Some ideas: Step aside, turkey sandwich. The cran can dance with many partners. Peanut butter, almond butter or cream cheese accompanied by a smear of cranberry makes your morning toast grand. You can top French toast, pancakes or waffles with a blend of cranberry sauce and maple syrup. Blend some with yogurt or layer cranberry sauce with Greek yogurt and granola to make colorful parfaits.

Add cranberry to a grilled cheese sandwich made with sharp cheddar.

Spoon some over baked brie cheese,

top with nuts and serve with crackers.

Warm it up and enjoy as a sauce over ice cream and cakes. Spoon it into muffin, cupcake or cake batter. Or bake these bars.

Cranberry Oatmeal Bars Yield: 9 servings Total Time: 40 minutes 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce, canned or homemade 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup flour 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 2/3 cup (packed) light brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup butter, cut into small pieces 2/3 cup chopped pecans Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 9-inch square baking pan, and/or line with parchment.

In a saucepan on the stovetop or in a microwavable bowl, combine the cranberry sauce and sugar. Bring to a boil to dissolve sugar so the mixture is thick and spreadable.

To make streusel: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar and salt. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly. Add the pecans and combine.

Firmly press about half of the streusel into the baking pan. Spread the cranberry mixture over the top.

Sprinkle with the remaining streusel.

Bake until the top is lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Whether you're enjoying it with turkey or as a spread on your morning toast, remember, cranberry sauce adds a burst of flavor and color to your meals throughout the year. Cheers to making every day a cranberry day.

Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at divasonadime.com. and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Mature Focus • November 2024

29

Detox

By Susan Goldfein “I’ve been clean for four days,” my friend blurts out as we’re walking our dogs in the park. “Wait! What?” is my shocked response. “I’m your best friend and you never confided in me that you had an addiction problem.

What is it, drugs, alcohol?” “No,” she says, “the news, I’ve given up the news.”

Slightly bewildered, I look at her again. Am I wrong, or does she really appear calmer, more serene, more centered? Is she emitting a glow, or is that simply the sun in my eyes? As I reach to scratch a hive on my arm, I notice that her skin is, in fact, more radiant and the distracting blemish on her cheek near the left nostril has all but disappeared. Not knowing what else to say, I congratulate her.

Later that day I consider our conversation. Perhaps she’s really on to something. If she can dramatically improve her appearance in just four days, maybe I should also get with the program. It’s way cheaper and less painful than a skin peel. I acknowledge the fact that I, too, am a news junkie, and it may well be ruining my life.

Despite my somewhat limited capacity for self-control, I make the commitment.

Day 1 It’s early morning. I lie in bed contemplating a strategy for my personal recovery.

Last evening I asked my husband to join me on this journey. He flatly refused. I know this will make my rehab more difficult.

Like trying to quit cigarettes when you’re living with a smoker.

Nevertheless, I will persist.

Do I quit cold turkey, or do I gradually wean myself from the likes of Wolf Blitzer and Sean Hannity?

Should the process include news-

papers, web headlines, the satellite radio in my car? Do I give up podcasts? Political ads by candidates who approve this message? The scope of this endeavor is more vast than I realized. I decide to accept the challenge.

Cold turkey it is.

I leave the bed and stumble my way to the kitchen where my left hand reflexively reaches for the remote control. I catch myself just in time, although I do notice a slight tremor in my fingers as I prepared the coffee.

This will not be easy. There’s a TV in almost every room of our home,

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except the bathroom. Later that day, I turn on my computer wearing a pair of dark glasses in order to blur the news headlines that appear unsolicited on my home page. I switch my car radio from CNN to Julius La Rosa’s greatest hits. Limited, but soothing.

That night in bed, I grab my iPad, insert my ear buds and find a Netflix war movie with enough exploding weapons to drown out the sound of the final hour of news my husband is watching before falling asleep. Day 1 is finally over and I have prevailed!

Day 2 I awaken with new resolve.

Believing I’ve made it through the most difficult 24 hours, I am empowered. I look in the mirror to determine if yesterday’s cleanse has diminished the worry lines in my forehead. I think I see a slight improvement. I am able to ignore the remote control in the kitchen as I make the coffee. I notice that today only one finger is trembling. Progress! I shall carry on today as yesterday, but believe I have the fortitude to spend less time in the bathroom. Also, I will switch the car radio station. “Three Coins in the Fountain” has run its course. Tonight in bed I tune into reruns of “Mrs. Maisel.” Not quite as loud, but way more amusing.

Day 3 Definite improvement in my complexion, and I lost a pound. I hadn’t realized that a diet of politics could be fattening. Have a doctor’s appoint-

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ment today and they have a TV in the waiting room. This could be a challenge. Hopefully, it will be tuned to QVC. To avoid watching the news, I’ve been engaging in other absorbing activities, like trying to teach Spanish to my dog. I think he’s doing well.

Now he responds to “Come” in two languages. I’ve taken up ironing. Did you know that pot holders look so much better when they’re pressed? Neither did I. I confess there was a lull in my day when I almost succumbed to the song of the Sirens luring me to the TV. But by sheer force of will I was UNIQUE GOLD JEWELRY able to resist. Instead, to AT AFFORDABLE PRICES! satisfy the urge to Rings, Watches, Chains, indulge in small screen Jewelry Repair, Religious Medals viewing, I rode to my local fitness store and test-drove a Peloton.

Hours: Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11-6 Day 4 925 4th Avenue, Moline As I rise from my bed, Lay-a-way 309-762-2999 I’m aware of a strange, Available

but not unpleasant, sensation. It’s unusual, yet familiar, like something I remember from at least four years ago. It takes me a moment, but I am able to identify it. I am calm. My heart’s not racing, my pulse is normal, and my hives have receded. My aggression has abated. I’m able to recall the name of a certain politician and not precede it with a four-letter word.

I make the coffee without a single tremor as I stare down the remote which no longer has control over me.

If I make it through today, that will be 96 hours news-free!

Day 5 Detox accomplished! I call my friend to share the good news.

“Listen,” she says, “I have to confess.

I fell off the wagon. I watched the debate.” “You did?” was my shocked response. And with a great sigh of relief, I ask “So when’s the next one?”

Visit Susan’s blog, susansunfilteredwit.com.

Mature Focus • November 2024

31

health - leaves can be a breeding ground for insects and disease. In perennial beds, remove the fallen leaves and any brown, rotten, or ugly plant debris. Trim off spent flower stalks down to where they came out of the plant. Cut plants like garden phlox, peonies and baptisia down to the ground. Some spring blooming perennials may have formed fresh green rosettes of foliage – clean them up and leave them in the bed.

You can get all the colors of fall with garden mums - the oranges and yellows that signal the autumn months. There are also some beautiful bright pink and maroon mums, along with daisy-like whites. By choosing “field grown” mums, you increase your chances of having these beauties survive the winter and provide you with fall color for years to come. When the mums finish flowering, cut the entire plant down

Midnight Gardener

By Lori Rose Last fall I saw two little boys running around trying to catch the falling leaves as they fluttered to the ground. They were laughing and squealing, and they cheered when they caught one. This year as the leaves are falling, I try to remember to run and catch a few during my busy day.

As the leaves start to fall, it’s a good idea to keep your garden beds clear. Leaf removal at this time of year is important to your plant’s

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32 November 2024 • Mature Focus

Photo: F.D. Richards

Putting the garden to bed

With the right care now, your garden and annuals will thank you in the spring.

to four inches from the ground. They are more likely to return next spring if a small amount of stalk is left over the winter.

At the time of first frost, once most of the leaves have finished falling from the trees, cover your entire perennial bed with at a few inches of mulch as a winter blanket. If you like to leave some seed heads up for winter interest (Black-eyed Susans, sedum, or grasses, for example), simply mulch around the base of those plants.

Clean as much debris as possible from under and around trees and shrubs. Do not prune spring flowering shrubs like azaleas or rhododendrons in the fall, as you will prune away next spring’s flowers. Wait until after the blooms fade in the spring to prune or shape them. If you planted new shrubs during the growing season, mulch around their bases right around first frost, as you would the perennials.

Remove summer annuals, roots and all. If they have gone to seed, save some for next year, then throw the plants in the trash. Or, throw away the seed heads and compost the rest of the plant. Do the same with your vegetables. Throw away tomato

plants to prevent disease in your com- Garden Communicators. She has been post pile. Peas and beans can be cut writing about gardening for over down at ground level – their roots will twenty years. Email Lori at midnightfix nitrogen into your soil, a natural gardener@hotmail.com. bonus.

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to eat them nearly as DQ QG VDYH OLYHV ✖ It would take 76 workdays (if much as the tulips. you work an eight-hour day) to Although garden read every online privacy policy centers and catalog comyou agree to in an average year. panies may run out of ✖ Sorry, Scotland: Persians some of their most popinvented bagpipes. ular bulbs by the holi✖ Walt Disney World is the secdays, there are plenty of ond-largest buyer of explosives in exciting bulbs still out America, following only the U.S. there to try, and it’s Department of Defense, but don't usually not too late to worry - most of them are in the plant spring bulbs as late form of fireworks. as mid-December. Try puschkinia, fritillaria or ✖ Harriet Tubman was the first allium for a fun and woman to lead a U.S. military raid. unique spring display. ✖ Great white sharks rarely surWhile you’re putting vive in captivity. Experts suspect your garden to bed for the electricity in buildings interthe winter, enjoy the feres with the animals' electrosenbeauty that is autumn. sory systems, though that hasn't And don’t forget to catch stopped some aquariums from trythe leaves. ing, and failing, to display them. ✖ Marie Curie remains the only Lori Rose, the Midnight person to earn Nobel Prizes in two Gardener, is a Temple different sciences.

University Certified ✖ Instead of mowing the lawn, Master Home Gardener Google rents goats to eat the grass and member of the GWA: at its headquarters.

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Mature Focus • November 2024

33

Healthy Eyes: How diabetes affects the eye tions can often be prevented through early detection and timely treatment.

This is what you need to know about Diabetes Awareness month takes diabetes and your eyes. place each November and is a great In diabetic patients, the part of the time to increase awareness about how it can affect your eyes. Diabetes is the eye that is most commonly affected is the retina. This tissue has a winding leading cause of blindness among network of delicate blood vessels that adults ages 20 to 74. This is unfortucan be damaged from high blood nate considering diabetes complicasugar. Too many sugar molecules over time can cause blood vessels to leak, and blood and oxygen can’t reach the Survey & Development, PLLC retina.

Diabetes can also cause Happy Thanksgiving dryness of the eyes, $POUBDU VT GPS ZPVS 1SPGFTTJPOBM -BOE blurred vision, double 4VSWFZJOH OFFET BU TH !VE 3UITE -OLINE ), vision, specific types of cataracts and glaucoma, • FEMA FLOOD SURVEYS retinal detachment, dia• ELEVATION CERTIFICATES betic retinopathy and • LOT & PARCEL SURVEYS macular edema. Bottom line, diabetes is bad for * NOW IN OUR 51st YEAR* your eyes.

Licensed in Iowa & Illinois If your eye doctor finds

By Dr. Jonathan Isgrig

Abbitt

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signs of diabetes in the retina, this is a warning sign that the blood sugar has been uncontrolled for too long. When there are spots of blood in the retina from diabetes, it’s called diabetic retinopathy. Although some patients have no symptoms, some experience blind spots in the vision.

Another serious type of retinal issue from diabetes is called macular edema. This is when there is fluid within the central part of the retina called the macula. Symptoms include loss of clarity of vision, especially near the center of vision, but again some patients are asymptomatic.

The best defense is to control your blood sugar through diet and exercise, weight loss or medications. In mild stages, the retinopathy can resolve itself. Stick to regular exams with your primary care doctor and/or endocrinologist, and make sure your eye doctor is communicating with your doctor or specialist.

Make it a priority to have a dilated eye exam once per year at a minimum. Some patients need more frequent follow ups with their eye doctor. There are a number of treatments that can stabilize or improve vision, but these are most effective if administered early. Many cases of blindness can be prevented by getting regular eye exams.

If you have not had an eye exam in the last year, make sure you call your eye doctor to schedule an appointment. A dilated eye exam could detect serious health issues and maybe even save your life.

Dr. Jonathan Isgrig is an Optometrist at Eye Surgeons Associates. His clinical interests include: primary care, medical comanagement, glaucoma, and contact lenses. For more information, please visit esaeyecare.com.

The material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.

Mature Focus • November 2024

35

Sitting pretty

By Dick Wolfsie What's happened to the art of sitting? People nowadays don't just sit; they have to be involved in some activity such as emailing, blogging, tweeting, reading, or watching TV. When I was a kid, people in my neighborhood sat on their front porches. Since this was New York, they were mostly protecting their valuables or waiting for the police to arrive. But they were sitting, nonetheless. You see people sitting in a doctor's office, but these people are waiting. Big difference.

In some of those old English manors, there were sitting rooms. But if you ever saw a movie or read a book about life in those days, you'd know that people also did a lot of yakking to each other while they were sitting. They would converse about

36 November 2024 • Mature Focus

the murder that just occurred in the sewing room or speculate about why the downstairs maid was spending so much time upstairs. In reality, these were talking rooms, not sitting rooms. My wife was addicted to “Downton Abbey.” A lot of talking in that show and maybe a few liaisons thrown in.

When you are sitting, you are not wasting time. That is why we need to applaud the historical significance of this leisurely activity. For it is in this repose that the truly lazy people of the world have made their impact. Do you think it was hard working folks who came up with the idea for the backhoe, the chainsaw and the snow

blower? Heavens no. It was the sluggish and the indolent looking for a way to get their work done quickly, so they could sit for the rest of the day.

Cracker Barrel has tried to bring back sitting as an art form. They have a nifty front porch lined with sturdy rocking chairs.

But rarely is someone just sitting in one of them.

Instead, people are looking at the price tags on the arm or complaining about the 30-minute wait for the meatloaf special. But Cracker Barrel customers should be the perfect people for sitting. Many of them sport suspenders and have great stories to tell. This is a great sit waiting to happen.

Fewer and fewer people have front porches, the traditional place for this non-activity. We have a lovely back deck, but I'd like to have a front porch as well, just to sit. Sitting alone inside your house is actually a little weird.

Part of the charm of sitting is that you are publicly displaying that you have the time and the inclination to park your rear end in a chair. Not a bill to pay, a chore to do, or a place to go.

You can't flaunt this in private. If word got out you were in your spare bedroom staring at the walls, the neighbors would call for some form of crisis intervention. But sit on your front step and gaze into space with a slight smirk, and there is immediate neighborhood speculation about an unexpected inheritance, or gossip about you and the new UPS driver.

Sometimes to relax, I sit in my driveway in an old beach chair and wait for my wife to return home from an errand. When my neighbor Josh sees me, he always grabs a stool from his garage and plants himself next to me. Then he wants to chat endlessly about politics or religion, but lately I've mustered up the nerve to tell Josh I'd rather be alone.

Some people just don't sit well with me.

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37

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Watch out for investment scams

®

By Edward Jones When you invest, you’ll find that knowledge is power. The more you know about your investment choices, and who is offering them, the better prepared you’ll be to make good decisions. And this diligence can also help protect you against investment scams.

How widespread is this activity?

Consider this: Investment fraud losses totaled more than $4.5 billion in

2023, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report.

Here are some common types of scams: • Cryptocurrency – Not all cryptocurrency offers are scams, but many are. The scammers will contact you via social media, claiming they’ve made a lot of money in crypto and are willing to help you do the same. They may direct you to a website or app to invest, but the “company” taking your money may not even exist, and, after taking your money, may disappear.

• Investment programs – These programs claim to have “proven”

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strategies that can enable you to get rich by investing in financial products. But these strategies are dubious at best and can cost you thousands of dollars that could otherwise go into an investment plan based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

• Real estate – Typically, a real estate scam tries to get you to invest in a “world-class” or “luxury” property development, but these properties may take years to build, if they’re built at all. Also, various real estate “seminars” claim they can teach you how to get wealthy by buying and selling real estate, but these programs are expensive and usually worthless.

• Gold and other precious metals – Scammers who call themselves “rare coins” merchants may try to sell you gold coins, bullion or other types of precious metals, claiming these assets will always go up in value (which isn’t true) and that “now is the best time to act.” You can find legitimate ways to invest in precious metals, possibly through mutual funds, but you’ll need to determine whether these assets can be an appropriate part of your investment portfolio.

How can you avoid these scams?

Here are some suggestions from the Federal Trade Commission: • Don’t be pushed into snap deci-

sions. Scammers will pressure you to act quickly because “space is limited” in an investment offering or a “special deal” won’t last long. If someone won’t give you time to consider an offer, it’s not worth considering.

• Be suspicious of “risk-free” claims. All investments carry risk, and no variable investments can claim to provide “guaranteed returns.” If an individual or organization downplays the risk of an investment and doesn’t want to provide risk disclosures, just walk away.

• Ask about licensing or registration. Legitimate investment professionals must be registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and be licensed by your state’s securities regulator before they can sell you any invest-

Our Cover For the 2024 Veterans Day Poster Contest, the Veterans Day National Committee (VDNC) called on professional and amateur artists to create picture perfect designs that reflect the theme of this year’s Veterans Day observance, “A Legacy of Loyalty and Service.” There were more than150 entries from people ranging from schoolage children to graphic designers with decades of experience. When all ballots were tallied, the VDNC selected the design created by Myisha Godette.

A retired, disabled Army Veteran from Queens, New York, Myisha’s design was driven by a desire to represent all who have served. “As a Veteran, I’ve sometimes felt underrepresented, prompting me to consider how best to incorporate inclusivity and the essence of loyalty and service,” she said. “Ultimately, I chose to symbolize the shared experience of service members - past, present, and future with elements like the American Flag, military ‘dog tags,’ and the enduring strength of Veterans, embodied by a solid, dark concrete background in my design.”

The Veterans Day poster will be displayed in VA facilities, military installations, and municipal buildings across America. It will also serve as the cover of the official program for the Veterans Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11.

ment product. You can check the status of an individual or firm by using FINRA’s BrokerCheck tool at brokercheck.finra.org.

• Do some research. You can search online for the name of the company or individual offering you an investment opportunity. By entering terms such as “review,” “scam,” “fraud” or “complaint,” you may well find that other people have experienced problems or been victimized.

To achieve your financial goals,

you’ll likely need to invest for decades — so, be wary of scammers who claim to offer a shortcut to success.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC.

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Mature Focus • November 2024

39

Mayo Clinic Q & A: Got gallstones? Your pain explained

By Irving Jorge, M.D., General Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Ariz.

Q: I’ve been experiencing sharp pain under my rib cage and my reading tells me it could be gallstones. What exactly are gallstones? What causes them? How do you treat them?

A: Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile that form in the gallbladder. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver that is released from the gallbladder and enters your small intestine as you eat. The bile stored in the gallbladder can become solidified and form hard balls ranging in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball.

Many things can cause gallstones.

It is often diet-related such as too much fat or too little fat in a diet.

Other factors are hereditary. Native

Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile that form in the gallbladder.

American and Hispanic populations are more at risk of getting gallstones.

Women are more likely to develop gallstones than men, especially as they age. Women over 40 experience the most gallbladder-related problems. Diseases such as sickle cell anemia, liver disease and others can predispose you to developing gallstones.

Symptoms of gallstones include:

Sudden intense pain in the upper right part of your abdomen or center of your abdomen, especially after meals containing fatty foods. Upper back pain between your shoulder blades. This can be caused by pain radiating from the abdomen. Pain in your right shoulder. This is caused by the phrenic nerve. Nausea or vomiting.

Gallstones that don’t cause symptoms usually don’t require treatment.

Small gallstones can pass on their own through bowel movements.

Some patients ask, “How can I prevent getting gallstones?” The best way to prevent them is to stay hydrated, maintain a healthy weight and eat a balanced diet.

Unfortunately, in certain patients, gallstones are going to happen regardless of their diet.

When you have gallstones that aren’t going away, the treatment for

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Trivia Test

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. Which is the least populated state?

2. Which character on “The Office” has a heart attack during a fire drill?

3. Why is Delaware's nickname The Diamond State?

4. Which children's book features the characters Tweedledee and Tweedledum?

5. What is the capital of The Bahamas?

6. What is the name of the villain in “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”?

7. Which unit measures food energy?

8. What is a group of swimming ducks called?

9. Where does the pop group name The Bee Gees come from?

10. What irrational fear is represented in the condition called globophobia?

1. Wyoming 2. Stanley 3. Thomas Jefferson said it was a “jewel” among states because of its strategic location.

4. “Through the Looking-Glass” 5. Nassau 6. Leatherface 7. The calorie 8. A raft or a paddling 9. The Brothers Gibb.

10. Fear of balloons.

that is surgery. There are multiple ways of removing them. The most common forms of surgery are laparoscopic or robotic, and they are performed in 95% or more of gallbladder surgeries in the U.S. These types of surgeries are minimally invasive, provide a quicker recovery for the patient and avoid long-term complications of open surgery.

There are pills that help dissolve gallstones, but they only work about 50% of the time. They have a lot of side effects and are expensive, so we don’t use them regularly.

If the patient still has symptoms after surgery, we know there is a risk that their gallbladder will become a problem at some point, and therefore we want to remove it. Although the gallbladder is there to help release bile when needed, it is an organ that can be lived without. We remove the gallbladder not just because it has stones, but it’s because it’s where most stones are formed. Once the gallbladder is removed, there is a low chance of developing new stones, but there is a small percentage of patients who can develop stones within the bile ducts themselves.

Gallstones increase the risk of gallbladder cancer, depending on the size of the stone. Stones that are larger than two centimeters, especially larger than three centimeters, cause a much higher risk of developing gallbladder cancer than somebody without stones. These are certain cases where the gallbladder should be removed regardless of symptoms or with stones larger than two centimeters. There are certain diseases that are not related to gallstones, called biliary hypokinesia and biliary dyskinesia, where we also would recommend having the gallbladder removed.

Issues with gallstones can vary.

Talk openly with your healthcare team to live as pain-free as possible.

Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care.

E-mail a question to MayoClinic Q&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayo clinic.org.

Mature Focus • November 2024

41

The queen of overdo

By Lynn Walker Gendusa I will be the first to admit that I tend to go to extremes in almost everything I do. This is what I refer to as “overdoing” or going overboard. It's not about falling off a yacht into the ocean but diving into troubled waters with my friends and family. Just ask me sometime about the day I decided to fry chicken for over 60 people, a classic example of going overboard.

It all began with Grandpa (aka my grandmother), the “Queen of Overdo.” On Sundays, she was out of bed by 4:30 a.m., when the entire family was coming for dinner or heading to the park for a reunion and picnic. She was determined to make her family happy by serving them their favorite food.

My brother’s favorite was chocolate pie, while I loved banana pudding, and Mom loved blackberry cobbler.

My cousin, Pat, would only eat pork

42 November 2024 • Mature Focus

n’ beans, while his brother loved watermelon. Uncle Donald loved biscuits, granddaddy adored cornbread,

and an aunt was fond of Grandpa's garden-grown green beans.

Everyone had their favorite Grandpa goodies, and everyone, whether 10 to 20 were gathered, would find their personal delights when they arrived at Grandpa's house.

I vividly recall her bustling in the kitchen, her apron cinched around her waist, as busy as a hive. The queen of overdo never seemed to need a life raft. My mother often protested, “Mom, you're doing too much; we don't need all this!” Yet, if my mother hadn't spotted her blackberry cobbler on the counter, she would have surely pouted.

Yes, Grandpa and I could work overtime to finish a job or have an over-the-top festivity. I doubt either one of us has an explanation for why.

God probably told Grandpa when she reached heaven while pre-

paring the Lord an overabundant feast.

There could be underlying psychological reasons for those who go overboard to make someone feel special or cared for, but I've never seen our actions hurt anyone. Yet, I have seen many who decide never to use the time or trouble to go the extra mile to aid another.

Could it be that overdoers crave validation, love, or recognition more than others? I've often thought about this, and when I find myself going overboard, I'm unaware of my needs or insecurities. Instead, I'm focused on how special the occasion is when we can celebrate each other.

Friends and family often try to decipher my intentions, but to me, it's just who I am. We each have our own lens through which we view life. My time here is a continuous narrative, with each chapter representing an event that will impact someone with me now or in the future.

Grandpa made a difference in my life, and her mother made a difference in hers. I recall my grandmother in the garden weeding around her growing vegetables and carefully checking the ripeness of her watermelons. I see my great-grandmother cooking over a wood-burning stove in the heat of August but smiling when the cornbread turns golden.

When I touch the hand-sewn quilts I inherited, I think of the hours of painstaking work that created beauty for me to enjoy today. Yes, the quilts provided warmth, but now they invoke an appreciation for those who walked ahead of me and showed me that

“overdoing” is what we often need to do in the hours we have.

The other day, I was looking carefully at one of those old quilts hanging over the back of my grandmother's rocking chair. I thought, “shoot, maybe I could learn to quilt!” I bought a book and a few yards of muslin, and when I began to study what I needed to do, I realized quilting was way over my overdoing talents. When I noticed how many tiny hand stitches made up the quilt, I decided I didn't have enough years left in my life to complete even a Barbie doll blanket. So, I will make just ten more pies and fry a few more chickens. That always seems to bring delight to a group.

We often fill our time with selfish and trivial activities. We watch television, argue about politics, shop excessively, and shout at sporting events.

While these activities are acceptable, are we focusing too much on the wrong things? Has our pursuit of lei-

sure and escapism distracted us from our responsibility to positively impact and spread more joy in the world?

Perhaps overdoing for others is the life raft needed to fill the world with a sea of love and keep ourselves from falling into troubled waters.

“So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don't be fools; be

wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.”

Ephesians 5: 15-16 Lynn Walker Gendusa is a newspaper columnist in Georgia. She is the author of “It’s all WRITE with Me: Essay’s from My Heart” and her newest, “Southern Comfort.” She can be reached at lynngendusa.com.

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Mature Focus • November 2024

43

Mature Focus Volunteer Spotlight Club Quad Cities. Featured this issue is one of their volunteers, “It’s always something.”

Karol Steele 60, of Sherrard, - A quote by Gilda Radner which Illinois. She has lived in Sherrard is prominently displayed on the with her husband of 42 years and wall at Gilda’s Club Quad Cities. occupied the same home for 39 Last year 2,531 hours of volunyears. Karol was a physical therateer service was devoted to Gilda’s pist assistant and retired six years ago. She worked 20 years in geriatric physical ther3LRQHHU 9LOODJH &KULVWPDV :DON apy primarily at Heartland rehabilitation in Moline. “I found I missed the daily interaction with my former patients and the feeling of having a positive

influence on their challeng1RRQ WR S P ing and frightening medical experiences,” Karol 'HFHPEHU 6XQGD\ DIWHU 7KDQNVJLYLQJ revealed. Her husband is also retired from a long )UHH $GPLVVLRQ ZLWK 'RQDWLRQ IRU 1RUWK 6FRWW )RRG 3DQWU\ career with the Illinois Department of ĂŶ EĂŐůĞ tĂůŶƵƚ 'ƌŽǀĞ WŝŽŶĞĞƌ sŝůůĂŐĞ Corrections. He retired ϱϲϯ-ϯϮϴ-ϯϮϴϯ ͮ ǁǁǁ͘ƐĐŽƩĐŽƵŶƚLJŝŽǁĂ͘ŐŽǀͬĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ ƚŚ as Assistant Warden in ϭϴϴϭϳ ϮϵϬ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ ͮ >ŽŶŐ 'ƌŽǀĞ͕ / ϱϮϳϱϲ

By Ken Ferris

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44 November 2024 • Mature Focus

Karol Steele serving one of many Tuesday evening meals at Gilda’s Club Quad Cities.

East Moline.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and experienced surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation,” Karol said. After completing treatment, she expressed a desire to use the knowledge she had acquired to help others.

Approximately two years ago, Karol started volunteering at Gilda’s Club. She applied and completed the orientation process. She was offered a list of areas where help was needed. She felt a good fit would be helping with the Tuesday evening dinners before or after support groups for those affected by cancer. “Each evening involved about three hours. If we cook the food in our kitchen facility or a little less if we only serve and clean up,” Karol said. “Some meals are provided by Gilda’s Club and

Karol has been an amazing volunteer. She goes above and beyond for our participants and always lends a kind ear and helping hand to all people we serve.

We can’t do what we do without people like Karol!

- Kelly Craft, Program Manager others are sponsored by a variety of local organizations and businesses,” she added. Monthly sponsors are The Steel Plow, Café Express, and The Centennial Home Improvement.

“Generally these meals are attended by around 20 people weekly. The meals offer a time for social support and give families a break from the burden of meal preparation,” Karol stated.

“If I can make their days a little less stressful or a little brighter, I feel I’ve done my job,” Karol conveyed.

If interested in becoming a

volunteer at Gilda’s Club: You can begin the process by visiting: gildasclubqc.org/volunteer/ or contact Kelly at (563) 326-7504 or via email at Kelly@gildasclubqc.org.

Do you know a volunteer who deserves to be recognized? Mature Focus is highlighting Quad City volunteers who go above and beyond for

their community, making a positive difference in the lives of others. Email nominees to Kevin Ferris at kevin@maturefocus92.com and tell us why your nominee deserves special recognition for his or her exceptional service.

Ken Ferris is the founder and former publisher of Mature Focus.

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Getting that perfect selfie has become dangerous over the years

By Ana Veciana-Suarez We’ve all done it — angled that way, twisted the other, backed up and moved forward. We do whatever it takes to get the spectacular photo that will impress our friends. For those of us on social media, the 21st century version of a town square, nabbing the perfect shot could catapult us into internet fame. This is particularly true if we’re taking a selfie with a once-ina-lifetime view in the background.

I, for one, have taken selfies on airplanes, selfies from observation towers, selfies at tourist traps, selfies on cruise ship decks, selfies with statues. While I occasionally post them on my Instagram and Facebook accounts, I mostly send them to the family WhatsApp group, a way of letting my children and nephews and nieces know how absolutely cool and woke, I can be. The ubiquitous smartphone allows me to do this without a

second thought.

But it turns out that selfies aren’t harmless. In fact, they’re being called “killfies” as more people, doing stupid things in order to snap that ideal picture, are staggering and stumbling and plunging to their deaths. Documenting our lives has become a dangerous stunt, in more ways than the obvious.

Between October 2011 and November 2017, 259 people in 137 incidents died while trying to take a selfie, according to a study published last year in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. The victims were young — mean age was about 23 years old — and men outnumbered women three to one. (No surprise there, since youth and testosterone can be a volatile mix.) Most common cause of deaths: drowning, trans-

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portation accidents and falling from high places.

Celebrities appear to be leading the way off cliffs. Canadian rapper Jon James McMurray was blown away after crawling out on an airplane wing while filming a music video. Travel bloggers Meenakshi Moorthy and Vishnu Viswanath plummeted 800 feet while apparently taking a selfie at Yosemite’s Taft Point, and three stars of a YouTube adventure travel show dropped to their deaths at a British Columbia waterfall.

A recent rash of killfies by total unknowns has further sounded the alarm. Just recently a 20-year-old university student died when she fell from a rock formation northwest of Little Rock, Ark. Reports say she was repositioning herself for a photo at a popular scenic spot. Right around that time a Fordham University journalism

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student fell from the campus clock tower, apparently while trying to take a picture. And a 26-year-old Filipino victim tumbled down a Hong Kong waterfall while snap-snapping away.

To be fair, it’s not just the young and the risk-takers who become so lost in the moment that they fail to gauge risk. A man in his 50s visiting the

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Grand Canyon from Hong Kong fell near the Eagle Point observation area in late March, and a 68-year-old woman was fatally scalded in a Chilean geyser — proof that we can be self-absorbed late in life too.

Regardless of age or motivation, these accidents are distressing because so many seem preventable but also because the circumstances bring into focus an embarrassing truth about how we increasingly live our lives. If we don’t record whatever we’re doing, if we don’t share it, if we don’t earn comments and thumbs up, our experience feels less worthy. Without such validation, it might as well not have happened.

Perhaps it has always been so.

Recording our personal history and showing it to an audience certainly predates the tech era. Heck, human chronicles have been around in some form since before the written word.

Think of those hunting scenes on cave walls. But now the easy accessibility of cameras combined with platforms to disseminate images has transformed the age-old desire to be seen, to be noticed.

I don’t expect that need to end any time soon, especially now that we have found a convenient and efficient way to elevate our humdrum existence. I do hope, however, that next time we smile into the camera we do so only after we examine what’s around us, careful to note the distance between a dramatic background and danger of the fatal kind.

Ana Veciana-Suarez writes about family and social issues. Email her at avecianasuarez@gmail.com or visit anavecianasuarez.com.

Mature Focus • November 2024

47

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