To observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our October issue offers readers possible early warning signs for breast cancer, the critical importance of early detection, and tips on how to support a loved one with breast cancer. Our goal is to provide a message of hope, resilience, and proactivity.
“Seeing the excitement in the faces of my family as it’s the favorite time
– Temple Reece
– Tara Sizemore
Ifyou have been following us for a while, then you know that I like to go walking on the trail in Abingdon, Virginia. Sometimes the walk is an adventure, never knowing who you might see and what might happen. Recently, the weather was just perfect for a walk with or without our dogs. Our dogs, of course, love to go walking, but I struggle with controlling both of them since Sawyer is a 70-pound Australian Shepherd, and Luna is a 30-pound small Australian Shepherd. With both of them together, it seems they take me for a walk instead of me taking them for a walk. So, I rarely take one without the other, but on this day, I decided to sneak Luna in the car and take her with me for a walk.
VOICE Speaks FREE
Celebrating our 21st anniversary! We wouldn’t be here and there without all of you!
After a long walk, we were returning to the car when a couple stepped up to me, and a man asked if he could pet my dog. As he began petting her, he said, “I had a dog that looked just like her. And I had to give her up.” Realizing that Luna was adopted from pet foster care, I asked, “What was her name?” The reply sent chills down my spine. “Her name was Luna,” he said sadly. I slowly replied, “This is Luna.”
The reunion was bittersweet. The man sat down on the ground, crying, as Luna bounced all over him with doggie kisses and hugs. The couple and I talked and exchanged contact information as well as pictures of Luna. It was clear that he couldn’t or didn’t want to claim ownership, but his knowing that Luna was well taken care of was so important to him. The odds of this happening were one in a million. The couple didn’t live in Abingdon and just happen to go for a walk on the trail, and I rarely ever took Luna on a walk with me. Sometimes, things are just meant to be
As we move into the last quarter of this year, changes are meant to be made for JCP. We just launched our online literary magazine, Tapestry Journal, with great success! Thank you to all of you supporting this bimonthly journal. Please visit jancarolpublishing.com and click on the Tapestry Journal icon to view the issue. You’ll enjoy some delightful reading, wonderful art submissions, and more.
Be sure to listen to our podcast, Bookmarked. It has grown with connections to a worldwide audience offering information, author interviews, book publishing tips, and more. We are thrilled to see the podcast continue to grow and expand.
From all of us to all of you, thank you to the fans, supporters, readers, advertisers, authors, contributing writers, and more! We could not be here without you.
Happy Halloween!
In remembrance: Daddy — Miss you, Daddy — March 29, 1928 –October 21, 2010
Thought of the Month: “Autumn leaves don’t fall, they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar.” – Delia Owens
Verse of the Month: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
Janie C. Jessee, Editor-in-Chief
voicemagazineforwomen.com
PUBLISHER
Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc PO Box 701 Johnson City, TN 37605
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Janie C Jessee, 423.502.6246 publisher@jancarolpublishing.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Draco Bailey
Communications Director & Publishing Assistant communications@jancarolpublishing.com
Voice Magazine for Women wants to provide a useful and complete reliable source of information for women and their families. We seek to celebrate women’s successes, and support their growth by defining and recognizing their needs and providing a concentration of resources for them. We want to be that “link” to all women.
Ken Heath April Hensley Kathleen M. Jacobs Dr. Jami Lee Cindy Sproles
AffordAble fAmily-friendly Activities
Parents know that the cost of living has risen dramatically in recent years. There are numerous metrics to determine just how much more people must spend to get by, but one that families can readily identify with is the cost of groceries, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated would increase by more than 2 percent in 2025.
Increased costs across the board underscore the need for families to find affordable ways to have fun together. Thankfully, there are many ways for families to get out of the house and have fun without breaking the bank.
• Visit the local library. Libraries are home to hundreds of books that all can be borrowed free of charge, but these local institutions also offer much more at no cost. Many libraries host numerous arts and crafts programs for kids, weekly board game gatherings for adults, free movie rentals ideal for family movie nights, and educational series and programs for adults and children alike.
• Take in some scholastic sports. Families that love their sports can get some affordable live action that’s closer to home than the local professional teams. Friday night high school football games under the lights can be a fun way to satisfy a love of live sports and provides a great opportunity to engage with the larger community. Once the temperatures dip, let indoor sports seasons provide a great way to get out of the house during a time of year when it can be easy to go a little stir crazy.
• Enjoy the great outdoors. Regardless of which season it might be, the great outdoors provides endless opportunities for family-friendly fun. Community swimming pools can be a great place to cool off in summer, while local, state or national parks offer ample activities families can enjoy together. Hiking, fishing, kayaking, cycling, and other activities are affordable and fun, making them ideal options on weekend afternoons regardless of what the weather is like.
• See a show at a community theater. If it’s culture families are looking for, community theater programs are wonderful options to consider. Local community theaters perform classic or even original productions at minimal cost.
Families also can consider local high school productions, where they might just come across tomorrow’s A-list stars before they make a name for themselves.
A rising cost of living can make it hard for modern families to make ends meet. When looking for ways to have fun together, families have a wealth of free or lowcost options to consider.
Ballad Singers Coming to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum is hosting an evening of wonderful music at their Nest of Singing Birds Ballad Swap concert on Saturday, November 8, at 7 p.m.
Led by eighth-generation ballad singer Donna Ray Norton and featuring Sheila Kay Adams, Leila Weinstein, Songbird Burkey, and Darci DeWulf, the Nest of Singing Birds celebrates Appalachian heritage and shares a glimpse into an age-old practice—bringing together singers from across the region to share stories and songs passed down through generations.
Madison County’s rich ballad legacy led English folk song collector Cecil Sharp to describe it as a “nest of singing birds” in 1916. This unique custom, spanning more than nine generations in Donna Ray and Sheila Kay’s family, represents one of the oldest unbroken non-indigenous oral traditions in the US. Following Hurricane Helene’s devastation of their hometown, the Nest of Singing Birds has been traveling their regular ballad swap at the Old Marshall Jail to raise awareness of the practice’s fragility and the region it depends on.
As Donna Ray notes: “After all our communities have been through with Hurricane Helene, it means even more to bring these old songs to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Ballads have always carried the weight of memory and resilience, and singing them here reminds us that this tradition is still strong and worth holding onto. Ballads are one of the main veins in the roots of music, and sharing them in this space helps people see how deeply they run through our history and culture. We are so grateful to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum for inviting us and for honoring all the different kinds of music that come from this region. It’s all connected, and one thing wouldn’t exist without the other. It reminds us that what we carry forward still matters.”
Ballads—narrative songs that tell a story—are often passed down orally over time. Many ballads that are familiar in American music, particularly in Appalachia, derive from songs that originated in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Europe and that came over with immigrants to the New World. There are also numerous “native” ballads, which are original compositions that have been passed down through North American oral traditions. These include blues ballads that mix together Anglo-American and African American traditions. Ballads are usually sung in a distinctive style; singers tend to perform solo and without instrumental accompaniment.
Sheila Kay Adams
Sarah “Songbird” Burkey
Not pictured:
Weinstein
Donna Ray Norton
Over the years, it was often Appalachian women who would preserve these songs, singing them on their own while doing work around their homes or sharing them with others in both private and public spaces. Because ballads were originally passed down as oral traditions, there are often many variants of the same song as it has changed across time, geographic region, and usage.
“Norton and her fellow singers are steeped in the ballad tradition through their families and communities, learning these old songs and sharing them across generations,” says museum director Rene Rodgers. “The Nest of Singing Birds concert—with the theme of ‘love and murder a cappella’—will explore the ballads of Appalachia, with singers sharing their versions of the songs and the stories that go along with them. It’s going to be a wonderful evening!”
Though Halloween will have come and gone the week before, the Nest of Singing Birds is keeping the spooky season alive on November 8. The singers will share haunting murder ballads, eerie tales, and ghostly stories that have been passed down for generations—songs that echo with themes of love, tragedy, betrayal, and the supernatural! These timeless ballads fit perfectly with the lingering chill of autumn, offering audiences a chance to revel
in the darker side of Appalachian storytelling just a little longer.
Tickets to the Nest of Singing Birds Ballad Swap are $20 (including taxes and fees) and can be purchased through the Birthplace of Country Music website at https://birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/main-events/ .
A BALLAD SWAP CONCERT
Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Performance Theater
Sat., Nov. 8 AT 7 p.m.
Donna Ray Norton and Sheila Kay Adams perform at the Orange Peel in Asheville, N.C. on Sept. 15
Planting Garlic in October
By April Hensley
It’s hard to believe the summer growing season flew by so fast. Hope you had a bountiful year! Here in Zone 7 the weather is still mild and warm, though the leaves are turning and there is a slight chill to the air. Extreme northern parts of the United States have already seen a little frost.
I still have a few plants like peppers and tomatoes producing in the garden and most flowers like marigolds and hanging baskets are still blooming. I like to fill empty spaces in the beds with either compostable things like leaves and grass clippings or plant some things that will quietly be growing over the winter months.
• If you like fresh aromatic garlic, October is the perfect month to plant some for your own harvest in the spring. Garlic can be planted in the spring but the bulbs will be smaller when harvested. Planting in the fall gives the bulbs a longer growing season.
• Growing your own flavorful garlic is as easy as planting a few cloves from what you have on hand in your kitchen. You can also buy garlic cloves to plant. Garlic is easy to maintain in the home garden. Here are a few basic steps to producing healthy garlic.
• Choose the biggest and healthiest cloves to ensure a good crop. Keep at room temperature out of direct sunlight for a few days. The day before planting, cover cloves with water mixed with a tablespoon of baking soda. Leave overnight. This loosens the papery husks on the cloves. Removing these helps prevent fungus from attacking the garlic while it grows. Rinse gently in cool water.
• Choose a planting area with rich, well-drained, loose soil free of weeds with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Garlic also grows great in pots. Dig holes 3 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Place the flat root end down and the pointy end up. Cover with soil. Water well.
• Cover with dry leaves, pine needles, mulch, straw, or grass clippings. This will protect them from extreme cold over winter.
• Fertilize in the spring when you see the green shoots. Keep any weeds removed.
Relaxing in the
Ttime in. Your family, pets, and wildlife will be looking for cooler places too. Walk around your property during the time you would usually be outdoors to see where the shade falls. If you have a porch, pergola, or a big shade tree, you are set! If not, use the shade from your home or create artificial shade with help from things like a pop-up gazebo or shade cloth.
Think about how you want to use the space. Is it for children to have to place to play, a BBQ area, or a place to nap in a hammock? You can create an outdoor area for family get-togethers or a nice quiet spot to unwind and relax.
• In late spring, when the green stalks turn completely brown, the garlic is ready to harvest. Dig bulbs carefully. Let dry in a shady area.
• Store until using in a paper bag in a cool, semidry area.
If you like being outdoors during the summer, you will be spending a lot of time here through the next three months. Let’s jazz up your outdoor living space to suit your style and purpose and make it more inviting.
{April Hensley works as an office manager and is an avid gardener, writer, and greenhouse hobbyist. Her debut book, Four Seasons: Gardening & Growing in Zone 7 , is available now. April loves the outdoors and is passionate about animal welfare and the environment. She can be reached at aprils1105@embarqmail.com.
• Get some shade-loving plants together. These can be planted in-ground or arranged in pots to brighten your space. Special pots are available for deck railing, and shepherd’s hooks can be used
Blinders
By Kelly McFadden
“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.”
Matthew 13:13 KJV
Interpretation:
“That is why I use these parables, for they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.” Matthew 13:13 NKJV
As my dog, Peanut, got older she began to lose her sight. I remember watching her walk down the hall of our family’s home feeling so sad because she kept bumping into the walls due to her poor vision. After a few weeks of this, Peanut went to the groomers. She came back with a new short haircut. I watched in awe as Peanut trotted in a straight line down the hall, never running into a wall once. Then it hit me: Peanut wasn’t going blind. Rather, the hair in front of her eyes had gotten so long it was blocking her sight.
In Matthew 13, Jesus tells the parable of the four soils. Jesus used this analogy to give unique insight into the ways of God. In this parable, Jesus showed how differently people hear the Word of God. For some, they hear, but do not understand. Others hear it, accept it, but fall away quickly because there is no depth to their faith. Still others hear the message, but the worries of life and lust of the world leave no room for God. There are some, however, who hear and understand, producing a harvest that extends beyond them.
Which soil are you? Sometimes, I think I fall into all four categories. There are times when I am thirsty and searching and it is easy for God’s Word to burrow deep into my heart. Still, there are other times I am too busy to pay attention to the lessons God is teaching me. I am blinded by an outward distraction or worry. It is at those times I become spiritually blinded, stumbling until I am willing to take care of the root problem: the blinders blocking my eyes.
Spiritual blindness need not be a permanent problem. We have the opportunity to see more clearly by removing the blinders from our hearts. We must humble ourselves and ask God to give us a pliable and understanding heart–which is work that He wants to do in our lives. Then, we must follow through and do what we know we need to do.
Trust God to be faithful to continue the work He has begun in you. As a result, you will have eyes that see and ears to hear the greatness of our Lord. Source: www.homeword.com
Domestic Violence Awareness Month In Conversation with Sharon Suskin, Author of The Blue-Eyed Butterfly
By Allison Lawson
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and author Sharon Suskin sat down to discuss her novel, The Blue-Eyed Butterfly , which tackles the subject matter of domestic violence and highlights women’s resilience in difficult times, set in the backdrop of 1920s Appalachia.
When asked about her passion for advocacy regarding domestic violence survivors, the firsttime author said: “It grew from my connections with my mother, grandmother, and aunt, which are told in my book. They endured unthinkable hardships yet found the strength to rebuild their lives.”
Suskin hopes to honor these women’s courage through her writing, she said, noting that The Blue-Eyed Butterfly is a story that has been with her for decades.
lived in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee,” she said. “I walked the land that they walked, shared many conversations, and witnessed their courage, resilience, and survival. I felt their love and shared their tears and laughter. My book shares true characterizations of these three women.”
Suskin hopes that readers of her book take away that the 1920s were a time of “great change for women.”
“Suffrage had just been won, but many, especially in rural areas, still lived with little power or protection,” she said. “Appalachian communities were close but often isolated, making it harder for women to escape abuse or speak without stigma.”
“Although the stories were shared with me during my early life, I started writing the story about 20 years ago,” Suskin said. “Still working in the medical field, I put it aside, unfinished. During the COVID-19 pandemic, my brother and husband encouraged me to complete The Blue-Eyed Butterfly .”
Suskin is a retired nurse, grandmother, and now, author. Having grown up in the Appalachian Mountains herself, she knew she could tell authentic stories set in this region. “My mother, grandmother, and aunt
Suskin knows her book tackles difficult topics, such as trauma and abuse, but she wanted to honor the truth of survivors. “Writing about trauma and abuse required a delicate balancing on the truth of survivors, while also holding space for hope, healing, and resilience,” she said. “I approached it with deep respect. I didn’t want to sensationalize pain or retraumatize readers, but I also didn’t want to minimize the reality of what so many women have endured. It’s a story rooted in pain, but it’s ultimately about the power of rising and overcoming.”
Suskin said her experience working as a nurse contributed to her views on healing—both physical and emotional. “Healing, I’ve learned, is not a straight path,” she said. “It’s messy, slow, and deeply personal. Nursing taught me that healing is not only about treating injuries, but also about helping people reclaim their sense of worth, safety, and voice. Sur-
I want this book to encourage people to look closer. Domestic violence is not just a private issue. It lives in every generation, every culture. I hope the book reminds us to ask, are we doing enough? Above all, I hope it sparks courage to speak, listen, and act. — Sharon Suskin
vivors of abuse are a quiet kind of heroism.”
When asked what her research has taught her about domestic violence in the 1920s versus domestic violence today, Suskin said that while the world has come a long way, there are still strides to be made. “Domestic violence has not disappeared; the patterns of abuse still echo those of the past,” she said. “What changed is that survivors today have more resources, voices, and advocates. But the fight for justice, safety, and healing continues. Marginalized communities, like those in the 1920s, still face barriers to accessing help.”
Suskin hopes storytelling, particularly historical fiction, can help shine a light on this ongoing issue. “By placing readers in another time and place, it creates a safe distance that allows them to witness the truth without turning away,” she explained. “It reminds readers that these are not just ‘stories’ from the past. They echo in the lives of survivors today.”
As a survivor of domestic violence herself, Suskin said she knows it will be a “lifetime journey.”
She added: “But as each step is taken, you will find your freedom, your joy, and your new pathway in life.”
Suskin wrote The Blue-Eyed Butterfly to spark conversations and open doors. “So many of us have
ancestors who endured abuse, control, or silence,” she said. “I want readers to feel safe enough to say, ‘That happened to my grandmother, and she survived.’ I want this book to encourage people to look closer. Domestic violence is not just a private issue. It lives in every generation, every culture. I hope the book reminds us to ask, are we doing enough? Above all, I hope it sparks courage to speak, listen, and act. Whether you’re reading the book in a living room, a church basement, a support group, or a shelter, I hope it helps someone feel less alone and reminds us all that storytelling is not about remembering; it’s about healing.”
Suskin encourages everyone to become involved with their local shelters, crisis centers, and organizations that support survivors, “whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or attending awareness events, especially during Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” she said.
Lastly, Suskin hopes people will be open to listening to their friends and family without judgment. “If you know someone who may be struggling, listen without judgment,” she said. “Remind them they’re not alone. That simple support can be life changing. If you’re part of a women’s group, book club, school, or church, I’d
be honored to share the story of The Blue-Eyed Butterfly with your audience.”
The Blue-Eyed Butterfly is available for purchase through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and jancarolpublishing.com.
6. With a rubber spatula, fold in chocolate chips while folding batter to evenly combined.
7. Drop dough 2 Tbsp (either using a medium cookie dough scoop or using two spoons) at a time onto baking sheets lined with Silcone liners or parchment paper, spacing cookies two inches apart.
5. Cover the dough and chill for 3 hours or freeze for 45 minutes. You may chill the dough in the fridge for up to 3 days.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon nonstick baking mats. Whisk together the ¼ cup granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl; set aside.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yields 30 cookies
2 cups all-purpose flour (spoon and level to measure flour)
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and salt for 20 seconds, set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, blend together granulated sugar, brown sugar and vegetable oil until combined.
4. Mix in egg and vanilla then blend in pumpkin puree.
5. With mixer on low speed, slowly add in flour mixture and mix just until nearly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed (batter will be pretty wet).
8. Bake in preheated oven until cookies are nearly set, about 11–13 minutes. Allow to cool several minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Store in a single layer in an airtight container.
1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the Dry Ingredients until thoroughly combined; set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugars on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
3. On medium-low, mix in the egg yolk, followed by the pumpkin and vanilla extract.
4. On low, slowly mix in the Dry Ingredients just until combined. Give the dough a final stir by hand to scrape up any dough at the bottom of the bowl.
7. Using a 2-tablespoon cooking scoop, scoop the dough and roll it into a ball, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture to thoroughly coat. At this point, I roll the ball into a tall oval, so it’s more tall than it is wide to create thicker cookies. Transfer the balls to the baking mat, spacing cookies 2-inches apart. Refrigerate any dough you are not using at the time, colder dough=thicker cookies!
8. Bake at 350 degrees F just until set and the tops are starting to crack (they should look slightly underbaked; they will cook more once removed from oven). Baking times will vary depending on how cold your dough is, plan on anywhere from 10-13 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and place paper cupcake liners in 18 cupcake wells.
2. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Beat on low until combined. Scrape bowl to ensure everything is incorporated. Beat on medium for 2 minutes.
4. Scoop into lined cupcake tins. (I like using a large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop for this.) Bake 20–22 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly touched with a finger.
5. Remove from cupcake tin and place on wire rack until completely cooled.
One of my favorite memories of autumn is the marching band. I started out “holding” trombone; I was not very good at the instrument, I admit, so I was most always last seat or next to it. Later, I switched to tuba and actually learned to play. But that’s another story for another time.
Marching band started the first week of August with band camp, five days of never-ending drills in sweltering summer sun, all leading to those magical Friday night lights. The crisp uniforms, polished white suede bucks and matching gloves, feathered plumes topping rigid box hats as nearly two hundred Marching Scarlet Hurricanes lined up in the band room for the March down the hill to the cadence of “Cadillac Click,” or
{ Voicemail Male
Happy
It’s
A Classic!
Short and sweet film reviews of old, classic movies perfect for a girls’ night in!
By Allison Lawson
loaded onto school buses for the road trip to stadiums across our mountains. Saturdays were often spent at band competitions, starting early with the community’s parade, then waiting our turn to take the field for our show, praying not to miss a single note or be out of step, then waiting to hear the PA announcer intone the score at the end of the day. Anything less than a “one” meant after-school practices to “whip us in shape” before the next competition, but under the direction of Roy Evans, we very rarely had to hear anything less than the superior score.
Our drills were intricate selections, more than challenging. A ten-minute production of marching geometric forms stretching from end zone to end zone, never settling for the drum and bugle corps style of marching to a formation under drum cadence, then standing still to play a song. No, our time meant playing, marching, and hitting the yard lines with nothing less than the dead center of your left foot and your knees at a 90-degree angle with each step.
Marching band taught me discipline, instilled a love of music, and bonded me to lifelong friends. Back then, I felt like I’d been drafted into the army! But looking back, it was truly the best time of my life.
sphere to create stunning cinematography, setting the tone for future horror cinema.
Summoned to a bloodthirsty vampire’s faraway castle, a young land clerk embarks on a harrowing journey into the unknown as his innocent wife falls under the spell of a terrifying shadow in her dreams. Max Schreck, who plays the vampiric Count Orlok, has also been highly praised since the movie’s release for his spooky performance. Nosferatu is the perfect Halloween movie for all the horror fans out there who want to see the genre’s roots.
Halloween! As we enter October (which is admittedly my favorite month of the year), I wanted to recommend a classic silent German expressionist film that would go on to inspire countless other vampire films: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922), directed by F. W. Murnau. This movie is a landmark in the horror genre and one of the earliest examples of a vampire film. It has been praised over the years for its innovative use of shadows and atmo-
Wine Pairing:
Pair this movie with a chilled glass of Riesling, a German wine to match this German silent film.
JCP Book Pairing:
Looking for spooky tales to read by candlelight this October? Try JCP’s newest anthology release, These Haunted Hills: Book 7.
Ken Heath is a Marion, VA hometown boy who expresses his passions in his writings and through music. After his ‘real job’, Ken is owner of the legendary Cliffside Roadhouse, doggie dad to Miss Reagan and their rescue Scottie the Wonder Dog with his wonderful wife. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at #kenheath.
Learn to Decorate Like a Holiday Pro
Many stores now display holiday decorations and other wares concurrently with Halloween and fall items, so people can plan their decorating early if they expect to be adding to their holiday collections. These tips can help with decorating and make anyone deck the halls like a professional.
• Choose your theme and color palette. Consider a specific style of decorating, whether it’s traditional, minimalist, country, or even winter wonderland. Then select a few coordinating colors to complement the theme and existing items in your home. Pick up these items as they become available in stores, as holiday merchandise often goes quickly.
their intersections to create a more visually balanced and appealing composition. When grouping decorative items together on shelves and tables, threes often look best.
• Focus on a few key areas. While it’s tempting to decorate an entire home, pros know to focus on key areas like tables, doorways and mantles to create the most visual interest. This also makes decorating more manageable.
• Rely on the rule of thirds. Create balanced and visually pleasing arrangements by dividing the space visually into nine equal parts, symbolically drawing two equally spaced horizontal and two equally spaced vertical lines. Designers often place important elements along these lines or at
Thinking of
• Remove clutter. It’s important to declutter a space prior to introducing holiday elements in order to create a clean and organized look. Store additional decorations and knickknacks until after the holiday season.
• Start with lights. It’s often easier to decorate by beginning with lights first, and then weaving additional decorations into the mix. Build on lights with garlands and accent items.
• Less is often more. Keep the decorating simple. A few elements here and there can have a much more effective impact than several things that draw attention away from one another. When taking out holiday decorations this year, use it as an opportunity to assess and cull the collection, which will make things easier next year.
Homeowners can decorate their spaces for the holidays effectively with some guidelines professional designers often use.
A Beginner’s Guide to Cryptocurrency
What is cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography. This makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend. The term “crypto” in cryptocurrency refers to the cryptographic techniques used to secure the network and verify any transactions. Charles Schwab says crypto can be used for internet-based electronic payments or as a store of value.
Does crypto have intrinsic value?
The idea of digital cash is nothing new. Credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, and other payment facilitators have been providing easy, traceable electronic transactions for some time. But unlike Venmo and other services offering transactions settled using traditional “fiat” currencies, like the U.S. dollar or euro issued by governments and managed by central banks, cryptocurrency is considered a “non-fiat” medium of exchange.
Crypto has no intrinsic value. They function independently of any government or central bank, instead using unique algorithms to record transactions and determine supply, says Charles Schwab.
How does cryptocurrency pricing work?
Crypto are fungible, meaning the value remains the same when bought, sold o,r traded. The market capitalization of crypto depends on the number of coins in circulation. Like other things, it is beholden to supply and demand dynamics. Scarcity can influence value.
What is blockchain technology?
Cryptocurrencies are based on blockchain technology, says Coursera. Blockchain is a digital, public and immutable ledger. Every transaction is recorded as a “block” of data. Once a block is filled with transaction data, it’s added to the end of a “chain” of existing blocks, creating a chronological and permanent record. Having a public ledger removes the need for a central authority to confirm the accuracy of a database or to clear transactions.
Blockchains are not only used for payments. They can help create “smart” contracts, which are executed automatically once the agreed upon terms and conditions are fulfilled. They also can manage supply chains and offer financial services.
What is the speed, cost
and accessibility of crypto?
Crypto investing and other crypto needs are open to anyone with internet access and a device. Cryptocurrency blockchain transactions cost a few dollars or even just pennies to make. The speed at which transactions can be made is very fast, meaning assets can be moved worldwide just about instantly.
What is bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the first type of cryptocurrency, and perhaps the most well-known. Bitcoin was created in 2009 by an anonymous entity known as Satoshi Nakamoto. It remains the largest cryptocurrency, and is often referred to as “digital gold” due to its role as a store of value. Additional types of crypto include Ethereum, Cardano, USDC, Ripple, Litecoin, Solana, and Tether.
As of mid-2025, it was estimated that there were more than 617 million cryptocurrency users worldwide, representing approximately 4 percent of the global population, according to Demandsage data reporting. This number has grown exponentially, far outpacing the growth of traditional payment methods.
NEW RELEASES OUT NOW!
These Haunted Hills
Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc. is a small independent publishing press with a motivated force of authors. Mountain Girl Press, Little Creek Books, Broken Crow Ridge, Fiery Night, Skippy Creek, and RoseHeart Publishing are all imprints of Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc.
A Woman’s Tears: A Collection of Poems
Written by JC Gilliam
FROM THE AUTHOR: This is a collection of poems I’ve written focusing on my life. It started as a journal in my 30s as a release from life’s challenges. The poems are often dark in nature, but sometimes they are light and airy from when my mood found relief. My mind often wanders and sometimes drifts off the beaten path. I simply follow and give it freewill to venture. I, too, am surprised at ideas my mind comes up with. I include them here so readers can catch a glimpse of me. I try to be honest in my writing. I feel I owe that much to my fellow man. Some of the poems are about love between a man and a woman. While many are fantasy, some were written to or about my wife, Martha Jean. At this age, most are poems made up of memories-of people I’ve met and the emotions they stirred in my heart. I’ve included a variety of poems instead of sticking to one theme-a hodgepodge, hoping there’s something for everyone. I pray this idea works and that readers find something that stirs a feeling within, no matter what that feeling is. Online readers: click here to order.
The Adventures of Louie: Louie Meets His New Little Brother, Buddy
Written by G. S. Craft
This is Book 2 in the trilogy of The Adventures of Louie, which is based on the true story of Louie, our Great Dane. Louie was a joy to everyone that knew him. He was a gift from God to us, and I want to share his memory with you. Online readers: click here to order.
She Dreamed, So She Did: Emily the Meteorologist
Written
by Leah
Pezzetti
When young Emily learns about a career in meteorology, her colorful dreams then send her catapulting through the different career paths she could take in that field. After waking up, a little encouragement from her mom goes a long way. Why just dream it, why not do it? Online readers: click here to order.
Susie’s Day at the Farm
Written by Patrice Wilkerson
Susie is filled with excitement as she embarks on a thrilling adventure. She is visiting a farm for the very first time, and she can’t wait! Let’s explore the farm with Susie as she feeds the goats, rides the horses, and watches the chickens lay their eggs. Online readers: click here to order.
Scarily the Scarecrow
Written by Seldon V. Johnson, Jr.
Scarily the Scarecrow is about a scary scarecrow who comes to life. He loves to scare people and animals away from the field he protects, but he soon learns he is much more. He finds out he has a heart and grows to care for those less fortunate. This leads him to go on a great adventure. This is a story of love, caring for others, and bravery. Online readers: click here to order.
Merry Mary and the Strawberry Surprises
Story and Artwork by Denise Frances DiJoseph EVERY TIN CAN TELLS A STORY ... Betsy always wins first place ribbons at the farm show for her yummy strawberry jam. Her older brother, Mikey, tries hard but never wins at anything. She has an idea to help him win, and nobody—not even cousin Katie-Lou—knows about her plan. Will Mikey and his Red & White cow, Merry Mary, win their first Junior Division banner at the Country Air County Fair with Betsy’s help?
Online readers: click here to order.
For Detective Barry Kendall, the loss nearly broke him. It’s been almost thirteen years since Holly was killed, but he’s still haunted by sound of his girlfriend’s piercing screams. And when the screams begin to die down in his head, the image of the witch that killed Holly that day is there to take its place. Now, so many years later, Barry is working a case where two young boys have been kidnapped right out of their bedrooms. As he investigates, it becomes clear to him that the witch is not only responsible for the kidnappings, but that she’s back to end his life as well.
Scarily The Scarecrow
Daryll Simcox Various Authors Monica Riley Kohler
Sequel of The Breath of Darkness
On the first anniversary of the failed reality show at Port Chatham, a group of individuals has been selected to return for the retrieval of those who didn’t get to come home. Some are well aware of what awaits them, while others are oblivious to the dangers they will encounter.
These hauntings in Appalachia never stop. In this seventh installment of JanCarol Publishing’s These Haunted Hills series, readers will be met with foreboding messages, century-old witches, ominous fortune tellers, and more. Ten incredible authors bring stories that will keep you guessing and send shivers down your spine.
Written by Seldon V. Johnson, Jr. Illustrated by April Shattuck
Seldon V. Johnson Jr.
Scarily the Scarecrow is about a scary scarecrow who comes to life. He loves to scare people and animals away from the field he protects, but he soon learns he is much more. He finds out he has a heart and grows to care for those less fortunate. This leads him to go on a great adventure. This is a story of love, caring for others, and bravery.
Noodle is searching for the perfect Halloween costume. Join her in her search as she gives you clues as to which costume she will try on next! Don’t forget to be on the lookout for Bradley Bee!
Jeff Geiger Jr.
TSTAND UP STRAIGHT, EAT YOUR VEGETABLES, AND LISTEN TO YOUR PUBLISHER
By Kathleen M. Jacobs
he first two commands that every child growing up heard (and yes, they were delivered as commands, not suggestions) proved to be even more important as we grew older, and even more important as we grew even older. Case in point, listen to your mother—she knows what she’s talking about. And as I’ve gotten older and my mother is no longer around to emphasize these and other words of wisdom, her voice continues to remind me to keep paying attention and to keep listening, hoping time and experience will leave its indelible marks. It was hearing these words again and again and again that I realized how very smart my mother was years after her death and living my life year after year. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we learned these valuable lessons sooner. Indeed. But that’s not the way it works. And maybe that’s fortunate for us, because it isn’t until time passes and our experiences multiply that the lessons are not only
learned but planted so deep that uprooting them is not possible, nor is it even a thought, because by this time we’ve come to know their value and find ways to not only nourish them, but watch them grow.
The third command, like the other two, is tested until we begin to see its enduring value. And like a child, we’re certain (initially) that it doesn’t have much value, at least not enough to match our own preconceived notions of how best to market and promote and embrace the essential element of time that is necessary for us (writers/authors) to get where we so desperately yearn to arrive. Writers, while historically known to be—like most creatives—lacking in a strong measure of self-esteem and an even stronger level of confidence often take on the persona of (apologies to all writers) just the opposite, until they can lock themselves behind the closed and protective doors of their writing spaces. We pretend it works, knowing full well that it doesn’t. Acknowledging this truth took me (and I would imagine most emerging authors) longer than I’d like to admit.
So, here I am, after nine published books (eight with the inimitable JCP) over that many years, finally getting it: building a career as an author published with the best of small press publishers takes time, each new release builds on the others, every new reader brings the hope that they’ll read your next book too, and there is no end to finding ways to promote and market your work. These certainties are what move writers to keep writing, to keep telling stories that matter, that entertain, that invite readers to find ways to better understand the world around them. Writers, are you listening?
Kathleen M. Jacobs holds an MA in Humanistic Studies. Her new collection of short stories, The Harboring & other stories, is available from JCP.
AUTHORS on the ROAD
Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the Appalachian Authors Guild will conduct a Board Meeting/ Workshop at Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator, 852 French Moore Blvd, Abingdon, VA. The board meeting will be held from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. A program “Write On!” will be presented by Vicki Fletcher from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend both events.
Linda Hudson Hoagland
The Lindsay Harris Murder Mystery Series, The Best Darn Secret; and anthologies Easter Lilies; Broken Petals; Wild Daisies; Scattered Flowers; Daffodil Dreams; and These Haunted Hills: A Collection of Short Stories Books 1–7
Friday, October 3, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing at Food City Lebanon, VA
Saturday, October 4, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing at Food City Coeburn, VA
Sunday, October 5, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Book Signing & Angels at Big Walker Lookout Wytheville, VA
Friday, October 10, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing at Food City Chilhowie, VA
Friday, October 17, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing at Food City Euclid Avenue, Bristol, TN
Saturday, October 18, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing at Food City Clintwood, VA
Sunday, October 19, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing at Food City Wise, VA
Friday, October 24, 10 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing at Food City Damascus, VA
Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing at Food City Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN
Sunday, October 26, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Book Signing & Angels at Big Walker Lookout Wytheville, VA
Friday, October 31, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing Food City Pulaski, VA
Saturday, November 1, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing & Angels Fall Into Christmas Kiwanis 5th Annual Fall Festival Southwest Virginia Higher Ed Center Abingdon, VA
Watch JCP Author Cynn Chadwick on Daytime Tri-Cities and hear more about her book, Things That Women Do, on Tuesday, October 14 at 10 a.m. on WJHL-TV.
Saturday, October 11, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing & Angels
Pisgah United Methodist Church Fall Festival Nuckolls Hall – Fairgrounds Road Tazewell, VA
Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator Abingdon, VA
Cynn Chadwick
A Season of Change
Women Ready to Rise tells the unique stories of how twenty-two women turned tragedies into remarkable triumphs. It is real life evidence that women, and all human beings, have the ability to rise from anything that attempts to knock them down.
A heart-rending journey of epic proportion into the mind, body, and soul of Rosie: a woman stricken with a silent disease paralyzing her stomach. She leads you along an intimate path through complexities that push her across the pain barrier; stripping her of splendor, but never her will to keep fighting.
The author shares how she reflected over her life and the year she turned 75 years old, she wanted to take intentional steps to live with less anxiety and appreciate her image, her talents and fully engage with her family and friends. The story is inspirational and reveals how, sometimes, what we may perceive as flaws are not flaws at all, but actually gifts.
Over the Circumstances is a book of engaging, relatable, true stories and observations about life that help the reader to learn biblical truths through human experiences. The author shares insights the Holy Spirit has opened to her as she observes the lessons that God has hidden in His creation and the everyday, mundane occurrences of life.
Jenn Sadai
Rose Hartwig-Benson Aubrie Abernethy
Jan Ellis
Rooted in the Right Season
By Dr. Jami Lee
October is a season of transition. The days grow shorter, the air turns crisp, and nature reminds us that every living thing must adapt in order to thrive. I was reflecting on this truth recently while transplanting my hibiscus. My beautiful tropical plant had been budding with the promise of blooms, yet I knew it could no longer remain outdoors. As the chill crept in, leaving it outside would have been a slow surrender to the cold.
With some reluctance, I cut away those tender buds—snipping off what looked like promises of tomorrow. At first, it felt like loss, but I realized it was actually protection. By cutting back now, I was giving my hibiscus the chance to root deeper, expand into a larger pot, and prepare for new life when the season was right.
Isn’t that the same lesson for us?
There are times when we must prune our own lives—saying no to opportunities, relationships, or habits that may look promising but are not sustainable. This can feel painful, even counterintuitive, but it’s often the healthiest act of self-preservation. Like the hibiscus, our energy is best invested in rooting ourselves, creating space to grow stronger before we bloom again.
We live in a culture that glorifies constant productivity, yet nature reminds us that cycles of rest, retreat, and rooting are essential for long-term vitality. Cutting back is not failure; it’s wisdom. It’s a declaration that you are preparing for more—not just chasing every bud of possibility but nurturing the roots that will support abundant blossoms in the right season.
As women, this often means granting ourselves permission to say no. No to overcommitting. No to carrying expectations that drain us. No to sacrificing our well-being for fleeting promises of tomorrow. Each no is actually a yes to deeper health, greater alignment, and stronger roots.
So, this October, I invite you to ask yourself: What needs pruning in my life? What can I release today in order to strengthen my foundation for tomorrow?
Just as my hibiscus will rest safely indoors, gathering strength until the sun returns, so too can you honor this season
by tending to your roots. Remember—blooming is beautiful, but only when the roots are strong enough to sustain the blossoms.
Empowerment Exercise:
Take 10 quiet minutes this week with your journal. Write down three things you’ve been holding onto that may feel promising but aren’t serving your deeper health and purpose. For each one, ask: If I let this go now, how might it allow my roots to grow stronger? Choose one area to gently release this season and notice how it shifts your energy.
If you’re ready to stop carrying it all alone, consider this your invitation to root with us. At Alternative Healthcare Solutions, you’ll find a sanctuary that supports your growth and strengthens your foundation. Because when our roots intertwine, we heal deeper than we ever could alone.
Join us at www.join-ahs.org. You’re not alone anymore. Welcome home.
{Dr. Jami Lee is a Nutritional Health Coach with a PhD in Metaphysical Sciences and the founder of Alternative Healthcare Solutions—a thriving community dedicated to empowering individuals on their journey to healing chronic conditions through holistic, mind-bodyspirit approaches. With over 15 years of experience and a background in quantum healing and nutritional science, Jami helps women reconnect with their bodies, reclaim their peace, and reverse patterns of stress and burnout. To connect with Jami or explore her free resources, visit www.join-ahs.org or email alternativehcinfo@gmail.com.
Possible Early Warning Signs for Breast Cancer
The World Cancer Research Fund reports that breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide and the number one cancer in women across the globe. But women are not helpless against breast cancer. In fact, various organizations encourage women to take a proactive approach in relation to the disease and begin conducting routine self-examinations in young adulthood. Self-exams can uncover signs of the disease and propel treatment when it’s in its earliest stages, a point in time when breast cancer is most treatable. Though the disease does not always produce symptoms in its early stages, women can keep an eye out for these signs each day, including when conducting self-exams.
• New lump or mass: This is perhaps the most widely known symptom of breast cancer, but it’s important that women avoid jumping to conclusions should they uncover a new lump or mass during a self-exam. That’s because most breast lumps are not cancer according to the American Cancer Society. The ACS notes a painless, hard mass with irregular edges is more likely to be cancer but also acknowledges cancer-related lumps or masses can be soft, round, tender, or painful.
• Swelling of all or part of a breast: Swelling may be a sign of breast cancer even if no lump is felt.
• Skin dimpling: The dimpling that may be symptomatic of breast cancer can look like the exterior of an orange peel.
• Pain: Some women experience pain in the breast or nipple before a breast cancer diagnosis.
• Nipple retraction: This symptom is marked by the nipple turning inward.
• Skin issues on the nipple or breast: Skin on the nipple or breast may redden, dry, flake, or thicken when a woman has breast cancer.
• Nipple discharge: The discharge will be something other than breast milk.
• Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone: This swelling may indicate the breast cancer has spread even before the original tumor in the breast reached a size large enough to be felt.
The ACS urges women who discover any of these symptoms to report them to a health care professional immediately. Though each symptom is not necessarily indicative of the presence of breast cancer, it’s still important to seek treatment.
How to Support a Loved One with Breast Cancer
Chances are, a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient will need some measure of help and support, but may not feel comfortable asking for assistance. Getting help can also be overwhelming for certain individuals. But supportive friends or loved ones can step up to the plate and offer support in various ways.
• Provide meals. Take turns with other friends and family members to prepare and deliver meals. If you don’t cook, arrange to have takeout delivered.
• Go grocery shopping. Help stock the refrigerator with plenty of healthy and convenient foods.
• Straighten up. Take care of cleaning around the house. You may wash some loads of laundry, vacuum and iron clothes. If budget allows, you can hire a cleaning service to come in once or twice a month for a deep cleaning.
• Care for the dog. If fatigue makes it challenging for the person battling cancer to take the dog on walks, you can step up and handle dog walking or trips to a dog park.
• Provide caregivers a break. The primary caregiver will be working overtime to offer support, and you can give that person a much-needed break. Step in to go to doctors’ appointments or watch a young child so the caregiver gets a day or two off.
• Take on chauffeur duty. Take on the task of driving the patient to and from checkups or scans. A friendly face can make a big difference in taming anxiety.
• Pay bills. Household tasks may seem overwhelming, so you can help manage the finances by paying bills or sorting through mail. If medical paperwork has begun to stack up, you also can organize and sort items of importance.
• Make home more comfortable. Transform any living spaces, whether they are home or temporary
apartments or hotels, with creature comforts. This can include high thread count sheets, newly framed family photos, comfortable pillows and blankets, and more.
• Sit and listen. Sometimes the greatest comfort can be sitting with and listening to the person who is fighting cancer.
Fundraisers & Events
6th Annual Drive for a Cure: Throughout the month of October, Speck Dealerships will partner with the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation to help provide mammograms for uninsured members of the community. The dealership will donate the cost of a mammogram for every vehicle purchased during the month. More details can be found on the Speck Buick GMC of Tri-Cities website.
Making Strides of NETN and SWVA: The American Cancer Society will host a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Bristol, VA, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 10 a.m. The event, presented by Hard Rock, will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. You can register or learn more at the American Cancer Society website.
Relay For Life of Tri-Cities TN: The American Cancer Society will hold its 40th annual Relay For Life event in the Tri-Cities. It will include music, dancing, survivor and caregiver recognitions, and a Luminaria Ceremony. Visit the American Cancer Society website for more details.
Susan G. Komen Foundation: Though there isn’t a dedicated Tri-Cities walk this year, you can check the national site for regional or virtual events, including the “MORE THAN PINK Walk.”
Getting to Know Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is a holistic approach to health that focuses on the musculoskeletal system, with a particular emphasis on the spine. The core of chiropractic care is the premise that a healthy, properly aligned spine can support not only the body itself, but its natural healing abilities. Chiropractors are licensed health care professionals who are often referred to as doctors of chiropractic (D.C.)
According to data from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, approximately 11 percent of adults in the United States sought chiropractic care in 2022. It is a popular form of treatment in the United States as well as Canada, where the Canadian Chiropractic Association says about 16 percent of the adult population utilizes chiropractic care annually. A significant majority use chiropractic care for pain management, including neck and back pain.
The NCCIH reports that there is a growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of chiropractic care. They note it is “generally considered a safe and effective treatment for back pain.” A 2018 study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that spinal manipulation therapy was associated with modest improvements in pain and function for patients with acute low back pain.
The hallmark of chiropractic care is chiropractic adjustment, which uses the hands or a small instrument to apply a controlled, specific force to a joint. The goal is to improve spinal
motion, restore joint function and alleviate pain. Beyond spinal adjustments, chiropractors may use a variety of treatments, including massage, soft tissue therapy and corrective exercises. Some chiropractors also may provide nutritional counseling and lifestyle advice to help patients achieve overall wellness. This is common of holistic approaches, which address the root causes of patients’ pain instead of just treating symptoms.
Chiropractic care is a form of treatment that aims to address many issues that can affect the body.
Clean Teeth Could Translate to Clean Arteries
The mouth and the heart are tied in a unique way. Good oral health that aims to prevent gum disease has the potential to positively impact heart health. Although taking care of oral health will not eliminate the risk for heart issues down the line, some studies have found that people with gum disease may be twice as likely to have a heart attack or a stroke. But why? Gum disease is linked to increased inflammation in the entire body, according to the experts. When combined with factors like high cholesterol and diabetes, gum-related inflammation can contribute to the development of blockages in the arteries. Gum disease also serves as a portal to where bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Brushing and flossing teeth at least twice a day and visiting the dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups can safeguard teeth and the heart.
Life Care Center of Gray
Preparing for the Final Chapter
By Cindy K. Sproles
Authors look forward to typing those two final words at the end of the manuscript—The End. It’s a joyful moment, a time when they can take a deep breath and feel as though the work they have completed is well done.
Writing The End to our life’s story carries an entirely different feel. Depending on your religious beliefs, a life well lived can be joyful or heart-wrenching. Regardless, our life expectancy has a limit. This is why families must understand the process their aging parent may experience. Death is never easy, but it is inevitable, and knowing what to expect with your senior can help ease the process.
A Life Review – Fading memories are not uncommon for anyone as we age. Unless our loved one deals with dementia or Alzheimer’s, families tend to ignore those occasional slip-backs in time. These slip-ups can be confusing for families because their parent may vividly remember something from the past, but they cannot recall an event five minutes earlier. As we age, these thoughts trickle in and out of our lives. Professionals call these moments a “life review,” and it’s a natural part of our lives. These reviews allow for a number of things for your loved one. First, it’s a moment of reflection, an opportunity to revisit an important event in their life. It may have no significant importance to you, but in the deeper recesses of our aging parents, something occurred that brought them extreme joy, pleasure, or perhaps even sadness. Remembering these things allows them the opportunity to reconcile. These memories provide a sense of self-acceptance and can even lessen the fear of death.
Healing through Communication –
As our loved ones share memories, they can be “a therapeutic approach” in hospice/palliative care by allowing seniors to process pent-up feelings from their past. Being able to verbalize these things will enable them to be shared. Speaking the words that may have been hidden away for a lifetime is freeing.
Addressing Regret and Making Amends –
This life review may offer an opportunity to set things right. Time and again, we’d addressed regret and how it is much better to have addressed an issue and retain the peace of saying, “I’m glad I did,” versus “I wish I would have.” No disagreement or incident is worth carrying a lifetime of guilt. Addressing regret and allowing amends brings comfort and peace before and after your loved one is gone.
Should families begin to see this life review take shape, lean into it. It doesn’t mean your loved one is dying at that moment. What it means is that the process of life is coming full circle. Allow your loved one to share their memories. It doesn’t matter if the memories merge or become confused. What matters is the opportunity to communicate these thoughts. There is no need to correct your loved one; simply remember their thoughts and memories are tidbits of the past that they want to share—that they need to share.
Write these memories down. Soak in those moments of deep clarity your loved one may experience. Ask questions. You may be surprised at the joy and connection that will come. Our bodies are uniquely made from birth to death. The preparation process starts early on, and as life winds down, we’re provided with ways to close the final chapter in peace. Cherish these moments and walk life’s path with your loved one. The peace and comfort that awaits you is a gift.
{Cindy K. Sproles is a novelist, speaker, and conference teacher. She is the cofounder of ChristianDevotions.us and the managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com.
Plant, Bloom, Thrive
2025 YWCA NETN and SWVA Annual Giving Luncheon
YWCA Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia hosted the annual Campaign of Promise luncheon on Thursday, August 28th, at their State St. facility in Bristol, Tenn. The goal of the yearly event is to share updates on YWCA NETN and SWVA’s empowering programs that are breaking negative cycles in the region while raising funds to support the critically needed programming.
PROMISE PROMISECampaign of
Guests were greeted by YW childcare program children saying, “Welcome to our garden!” building on this year’s theme of Plant, Bloom, Thrive.
“This year’s theme stands as a symbol of growth and is a powerful reflection of our mission,” said Kristie Helms, past YWCA NETN and SWVA board president and 2025 Campaign of Promise co-chair. “It represents what happens when supporters join us to plant opportunities and cultivate potential in the lives who need it most.” The YWCA also wants to acknowledge and thank Heather Hayes, YWCA NETN and SWVA board member, and 2025 Campaign of Promise co-chair.
Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia flourish,” said Brittany Sullivan, CEO of YWCA NETN and SWVA.
As a pillar organization in the community since 1943, YWCA serves more than 9,000 individuals every year. Staff, volunteers, and supporters continue to be advocates of those most vulnerable in the region by economically empowering children, women, and families in the 21 counties served by YWCA NETN and SWVA.
Nearly 200 attendees were reminded during the live testimonial that the important work being done by YWCA is crucial for the community. “I see just how essential organizations like the YWCA are – especially for the students and families we serve,” said Kay Ward, Coordinator of Family & Community Engagement with Bristol Tennessee City Schools, during the program. “The YW offers opportunities, resources, and above all, hope, for those who might otherwise go unseen.”
During the luncheon, multiple stories were shared of rekindled hope and transformed lives through the impact of the local YWCA. Programs highlighted ranged from affordable childcare and afterschool STEM girls’ enrichment to teen pregnancy support and family resiliency resources.
“The seeds we plant today through our programs and advocacy will one day help women, children, and families in
For more information on YWCA NETN and SWVA and how to get involved, visit https://www.ywcatnva.org or call 423-968-9444.
YWCA Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, assist families, and strengthen our community. With a goal of supporting family resiliency in our region, as well as to foster confident, successful, and healthy girls and women, the YWCA is part of an international movement serving over 2 million in the United States and 25 million worldwide.
Keep Pets Safe this Halloween
Dog Parents Can Practice Pet Etiquette
Halloween is an annual celebration that many children and adults look forward to each October. From the mysterious and the macabre to the goofy and gregarious, Halloween speaks to people in many different ways. And with the opportunity to accumulate several pounds of sugary treasure after a few hours of trick-or-treating, is it any wonder celebrants love Halloween?
I
t’s important for pet parents to always be mindful of their dogs’ behavior when out and about, or even hanging closer to home. Dog owners can follow these dog etiquette pointers to be responsible pet owners.
• Quiet nuisance barking. Do not leave your dog outside unattended for a long time. This can cause what the American Kennel Club characterizes as boredom barking. Quiet your dog if he or she is barking, or bring the pet indoors.
While Halloween hijinks may be ideal fun for plenty of ghosts and ghouls, companion animals may not be so enthusiastic come October 31. In fact, Halloween can be a source of stress and even dangerous for many pets. Here are some things pet parents should keep in mind prior to Halloween.
Costumes
Pet costumes are popular and can help owners and their pets coordinate for Halloween. Some pets may find costumes uncomfortable or frightening. For those with a mind toward creative costume coordination, introducing the costume to the pet slowly and gradually can help ease the transition. Allow the pet to sniff the costume and put treats nearby to indicate it is no threat. If the pet simply will not warm to the idea of a costume, it’s best not to force the issue.
• Aways leash your dog. Some people are not comfortable around dogs. And even if your dog is friendly, others met on walks or outings may not be. To prevent uncomfortable situations or even dog bites, it’s best to always leash your dog. Choose a leash short enough to prevent your dog from jumping on passersby.
• Ask permission first. Check to see if your dog is allowed to greet people or other dogs. If someone says, “no,” respect that answer.
• Clean up after your pet. Always have waste bags at the ready so you can clean up after your dog. This also applies indoors, should your dog have an accident inside a pet-friendly store.
Glow sticks
• Be mindful of shopping with pets. Many stores do not allow dogs inside, but employees may be
Glow sticks are a safe way for children to enjoy some spooky fun on Halloween night and become more visible
when the sun sets. But those glow sticks may be attractive to pets and they can bite them, ingesting the liquid. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center says typically pets experience a mild and self-limiting taste reaction to glow stick liquid. Wiping off the excess with a damp cloth to help prevent the pet from licking again and having another reaction can help.
Accessibility to candy
One of the biggest Halloween dangers for pets is the accessibility of candy, especially chocolate. Chocolate is toxic and particularly dangerous to dogs. Chocolate with high amounts of cacao is especially dangerous. Raisins and gum with the artificial sweetener xylitol also are problematic. Candy wrappers can get stuck in the intestinal tract and cause a life-threatening blockage. Lock candy away so pets can’t get into it.
hesitant to approach pet owners about such policies. Many stores only allow trained service dogs that are Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Service animal designations are exclusive to dogs. However, a number of people have “emotional support animals,” which are not recognized as service animals. As a general rule of thumb, know a store’s policy on non-service animal pets before visiting. And, when shopping at food stores, it’s best to leave the dog at home.
Nerves
• Train your dog . A dog that knows basic obedience training will behave better in the community. If you are having trouble training your dog alone, consider working with an experienced dog trainer.
Many youngsters will ring the door bell on Halloween. Anxious pets, and even those that normally aren’t nervous with visitors, may be overwhelmed. Keep pets in a dark, calm room away from the door to reduce anxiety and make it less likely skittish pets will escape the home and get lost.
Dogs are beloved members of the family. However, pet owners should practice proper etiquette when dogs are out and about.
Understanding common Halloween dangers can help keep pets safe on this fun-filled holiday.
craft ideas
Many people enjoy getting hands-on for Halloween. It’s possible to craft decorations, personalized treats, and festive costumes. Consider these ideas for Halloween craft projects.
3D Pumpkins
Carving pumpkins is a popular Halloween tradition. But there are many people who feel the job is too messy. Instead, a fun way to add personality to pumpkins comes by way of some hot glue and paint. Use a hot glue gun to create a pattern on the outside of the pumpkin. It can be designs, a jack-o’-lantern face or just about anything. Once dry and hardened, use craft paint to go over the entire pumpkin. The raised design will be evident and add dimension.
Spooktacular Wreath
Adorn the front door with something creative. It can be utterly frightening or something more festive. Start with a premade spring greenery wreath or a wreath frame that you cover with your own greenery. Purchase a round, unfinished wooden sign panel, and paint with black chalkboard paint. Add your own message with chalk or chalk paint. “Keep Away” or “Enter at Your Own Risk” are great Halloween phrases to consider. Attach the sign in the middle of the wreath. You also can add some embellishments to the wreath, including black moss and floral stems and leaves. A glittery black and green ribbon or bow is the finishing touch before hanging.
What to do with leftover Halloween candy
• S’mores cookie: Turn miniature chocolate bars into a campfire treat with a cookie twist. Press premade cookie dough into a round cast iron skillet and bake until cooked throughout. Add chopped up pieces of chocolate and marshmallows on top, and place under the broiler a few minutes until melted and gooey. Slice up to serve or dig in with spoons.
• Stained glass cookies: Turn hard candies (like Jolly Ranchers®) into works of art. Fill sugar cookie cutouts with hard candies in the middle. When the cookies bake, the candies will melt and then turn soft after cooling.
• Candy-topped brownies: Brownies are delicious on their own, but they’re even better with some embellish-
Boo Treasure Box
Purchase a wooden treasure chest or box from the hobby store. Paint it all black or your favorite Halloween colors. Then add additional designs like spider webs, bats or pumpkins. Fill the box with treats or small toys. Kids can have fun picking out their treasures.
Halloween Gnomes
Gnomes have been popular for years, and they keep turning up in different iterations. You can craft your own gnomes for Halloween with a few supplies. Start with a 9-inch-tall foam cone. Cut the bottom off the toe part of a solid colored ankle sock just past the heel, and pull it up so it covers the lower few inches of the cone. Add some hot glue to secure, draw a beard shape on the back of the faux fur and cut it out. Attach the beard to the lower part of the cone over the sock. Use a crew length patterned sock to create a hat for the gnome, and glue to the top part of the cone. Glue on a large wood bead for the nose. Decorate the gnome any way you’d like, such as adding felt patches to the sock hat.
Halloween can be even more fun with some creative crafts the entire family can enjoy.
ments. Mix chopped caramels into the batter, or add other candies for flavor and fun.
• Candy bark: Melt down any chocolate you may have and spread it on a baking sheet. Sprinkle chopped up leftover candy on top and allow to cool. Break into pieces for a homemade chocolate bark.
• Gingerbread house: Save the candy in a zip-top bag for freshness and reserve for decorating gingerbread houses around the holidays.
• Birthday piñata: If there is a birthday on the horizon, use the Halloween candy to stuff the piñata.
The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with
Jan-Carol Publishing, known as JCP, is recognized as the largest book publisher in the region with over 400 titles of books and publishing the monthly magazine, Voice Magazine for Women, for over 20 years. We are locally owned and operated
• How do you get your book published?
• How do you submit your manuscript?
• What steps are needed for editing?
• How do I get an ISBN?
• Will your book be on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc?
Let us assist you in navigating through the book publishing process!
Each issue weaves together short stories, poetry, photography, author interviews, book reviews, opinion pieces, and more— highlighting the dynamic world of independent publishing and the artists shaping its future.
Explore the threads. Discover the voices. Celebrate the craft .
TAPESTRY JOURNAL —
Stitching together literature, art, and indie spirit.
