Thursday, May 14, 2015
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5A
Moms have the toughest job of all
Mamas have a tough job. First, for nine months, often through morning sickness and aching feet, back and elsewhere, they carry a baby until ready for a debut. Then, for the next few years, the baby-turned-toddler-turned-cute kid draws the attention. For about five minutes during pregnancy, someone comments how wonderful the mama looks. After that, it’s pretty much over. I know there are daddies who share some of the load, but mamas tend to bear the brunt of the responsibility for care of children. A few examples: -Diapers: Sometimes in the course of input, the output can be very rough. Granted, most people now use disposable diapers, but that baby doesn’t change itself. -Clothing: When a child gets old enough to recognize arms and legs, they can turn getting dressed into a tug of war. The same is true for shoes…if you can find them. -Runny noses: Every kid is going to have a runny nose at some point in time. That’s enough about that. -Just being kids: This involves everything from a child picking up breakable items and tossing them across a room. It also involves picking up a handful of something on a plate… the child’s or yours. Don’t forget doing things like trying out markers or crayons on your pristine walls. These are just a few examples of the adventures a mama may face on any given day. Don’t forget the job of being nurse to wounded fingers, foreheads or feet and consoling your little person when you’re not really sure why they are crying. We are at the stage of a house full of young adults. We have one who graduated from college this month and later another will be plighting her troth to a young fellow who has asked for her hand. But the purpose of this
Harris Blackwood epistle is to remind you that there are a growing number of mothers who are doing a second hitch at raising little ones. One of the growing segments of our population involves children who are living in households headed by a grandparent. Just when you thought the nest was empty, a little bird comes to roost. Sometimes it is because of death. In other cases, it involves a young parent who is incarcerated or has been found unfit to do the job. At a time when most people are reading their retirement papers, they are also reading Dr. Seuss. You buy Cheerios, not because of the oat fiber, but because they can be eaten on the tray of a high chair. Your daily exercise routine includes bending over to pick up dirty clothes, toys and food that missed the mouth. The 2010 Census revealed that one in 14 children live in a household headed by a grandparent. That number has increased over the past few years. I write all of this not to make you feel sorry for these folks, but to offer a heartfelt appreciation. We tip our hat to all mamas on this day. To those who are involved in an unexpected repeat performance, we offer a full-fledged genuflect. God bless those who open their hearts to those who fill the role of an absent mother. They truly are grand. Harris Blackwood is a Gainesville resident whose columns appear weekly.
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It takes a lot of time to be Southern It takes a lot of time to be the proper Southerner, the kind respected for thoughtfulness and kindness. In fact, it takes so much time that it’s looking like I may have to give up my job, just to act like Mama raised me and Daddy expected me to do. First of all, someone’s always dying. This isn’t a quandary in the city that it is in small towns and rural communities because we all know each other or, at least, we know someone kin to the deceased. Everyone knows that when someone dies, there’s food to be cooked and respect to be paid. The other week had not been particularly productive to me in the creative area. I had a couple of speaking engagements and a close friend had out-patient surgery so I had taken her (there again, being the kind of Southerner that Mama expected) and lost the day. Finally, Friday arrived and I awakened that morning to think, “Oh boy, I get to write today. I get to do what I’m paid to do and nothing else.” I was pretty joyous over
Ronda Rich this so I had my coffee and went for a run, which always helps me to organize my thoughts and center on writing. When I returned, I was in the kitchen when Tink appeared to tell me that someone had died and our church was serving a meal in the afternoon. I set my glass of water down with a thump and just looked at him. Now, the perfect Southerner would have been sympathetic and concerned. Well, come to think of it, I was. Except it wasn’t for the bereaved. It was for me who had just lost hours of work time. After all, there was a casserole to be made or a cake baked. Then, I have to get dressed and serve. My sister is Janie-onthe-spot when it comes to cooking, serving and showing up. It’s a lot of pressure.
By HEIDI SIMMONS, MPH
Congress shall make no law respecting establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
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remarkably high. Then, there are gifts to be given and hospitality items for hostesses. It’s overwhelming and, to be honest, despite my best efforts, I fall short a lot. Which frustrates me and adds pressure. Mama and Daddy both did a lot of what they called “checking on” folks especially those old, lonely, bereaved and sick. They called and visited and showed basic but important thoughtfulness. Again, my efforts fall short. And, to be honest, I’m miserable about it. And torn. “I reckon that I’m going to have to quit working so I can be a good Southerner and act like I was raised,” I said to Tink. My ancestors, good examples of Southern thoughtfulness, were all poor. No wonder. With all their do-gooding, they didn’t have time to work. Ronda Rich is the best-selling author of several books. Sign up for her newsletter at www.rondarich.com. Her column appears weekly.
The ol’ sneak attack: High blood pressure is an at-large serial killer For The Paper
The First Amendment
Secondly, Southerners give a lot of gifts so I always have a stack of notes to write. In our culture, saying “thank you” properly (this does not include by email), is important. Dot Burkett, one of the South’s most perfect women, believed mightily in the power of graciousness and the written word of gratitude. She had just received a diagnosis of cancer and was going to receive chemo treatments. A beloved member of our family, I knew how much she loved to read so I ordered several books I thought she’d enjoy. At church a few days later, her face glowed as she talked about how thrilled she was to get the books. I took her hands, “Now, listen to me: Do not send me a thank you note. This is thanks enough.” She smiled. “I’ve already started it.” Seven days after the note arrived, Miss Dot passed from this world. Among her last conscious acts was to write three notes of thanks. Well, when you have people like that in your family, the standard is set
There is a serial killer on the loose! He is said to be hiding in plain sight, lurking in the homes of most individuals and even harassing our children. Attempts have been made to stop his attacks, but most have been unsuccessful. At the present moment, the most effective strategy for evading this killer is increasing physical activity and maintaining a well-balanced diet. Wait, what? That’s right: the serial killer on the loose is high blood pressure. High blood pressure has been sneaking around for years causing many health conditions and deaths. It is described as a “silent killer” because there usually are no signs or symptoms associated with high blood pressure. High blood pressure attacks the inside of the body. It hardens arteries, which limits blood flow and oxygen to main organs like the heart, brain and kidneys. Without enough blood flow or oxygen to these organs, heart failure, heart attack, stroke and kidney disease may occur. Individuals with high blood pressure are three times more likely to have a heart attack and four times more likely to have a stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Jackson County; one in three citizens have high blood pressure. Instead of waiting for this killer to strike again, let’s organize a sting operation to confront it. The first step of our sting operation would be “surveying the surroundings”: increasing the amount of daily
physical activity can help prevent or reduce high blood pressure. Even 10 minutes a day can help! The second step is ditching the stake-out donuts and snacks for food with less salt and fat. The third step would be checking and recording suspicious activity: checking and recording blood pressure results is a good way to make sure your blood pressure levels are normal. Blood pressure machines are available at many grocery stores or pharmacies and home monitors can be purchased. The fourth step is to talk to those who know the killer about any suspicious activity. High blood pressure should be reported to a doctor or nurse, so action can be taken. Lastly, when we feel there is enough evidence that the killer is coming for us, we can try to take him down with prescribed medication. Taking medication can help lower blood pressure, but blood pressure should still be monitored. If the medication is not lowering blood pressure levels, a doctor should be informed and lifestyle factors may need to be changed. Sticking to the steps in the sting operation can help prevent or lower high blood pressure so that it does not sneak up on us. A normal blood pressure should be 120/80 or lower. Pre-hypertensive blood pressure is above 120/80 and below 139/89.When blood pressure is in the pre-hypertensive stage, it should be monitored closely and healthy lifestyle changes are encouraged to reduce blood pressure. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher is considered high blood
pressure. At this reading, a doctor should be notified and medication should be taken if prescribed. If you have concerns about your blood pressure levels, stop by your local health department for screening or helpful tips for reducing high blood pressure. Also ask about your health department’s adult blood pressure program, which provides routine followup and management of high blood pressure at a very low annual fee. Heidi N. Simmons, MPH, is a Health Educator with Jackson County Health Departments/Teen Matters. She can be reached at 706-367-5204 or Heidi. Simmons@dph.ga.gov
New hours for Jackson Co. health department The Jackson County Health Department is now operating new hours with the Jefferson clinic at 341 Stan Evans Drive open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday; and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. The Commerce clinic has its long day on Monday with hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Tuesday through Thursday, the clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Opening at 8 a.m. on Friday, the clinic closes at 2. Teen Matters, located at 260 Lee St., in Jefferson, is open 1:30-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday with Saturday hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first and third Saturday of the month.