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July, national anti-boredom month

Just reading those words causes me to break out in a cold sweat and my left eye to begin twitching! Never, and I do mean never, did you ever hear my brother or I saying that we were bored. First, we never were, there was always something to do and second of all my mother would have found something for us to do, something that we probably would not enjoy. If we weren’t working around the house, picking rocks out of the garden, or digging the dandelions out of the yard, we were reading or playing. My mother would do her best to make our chores into games. If we were delivering folded ...

Put a little gravel in your travel

There is a lot of wisdom to be found in country songs. For instance, there are so many country songs that talk about back roads. It’s like the words to Rodney Atkins’ song, “Take A Back Road.” The chorus goes like this, “And it makes me wanna take a back road, makes me wanna take the long way home, put a little gravel in my travel, unwind, unravel all night long.” I know one of my favorite things to do on a warm summer evening or weekend is to travel the back roads of Juniata County. The expansive landscape comprised of rolling hills and valleys, surrounded by beautiful ...

What is it with bears and baskets?

A tisket, a tasket, what is it with bears and baskets? I grew up watching Yogi and Boo Boo Bear terrorizing Jellystone Park as they attempted to steal visitors’ picnic baskets. So obviously there must be some innate correlation between the two, right? As we are now in the throws of prime picnic season here in central Pennsylvania, I am reminded of one very special picnic experience I had with my family. It was a warm summer day and we had packed the car with all our favorite picnic necessities and piled in, the whole family including the dog. Our destination, as was often the case, ...

Parents should remain calm during formula shortage

Parents and families of infants who rely on baby formula for their nutritional needs are scrambling due to the nationwide shortage. Ongoing supply chain issues from the pandemic, coupled with a recall on formula by Abbott Nutrition and the shuttering of their manufacturing plant in Michigan, have significantly impacted the scarcity. By talking to their pediatrician, parents can work to find solutions while production of formula increases in the coming weeks. Abbott reached an agreement with the FDA to reopen its plant and will start production in the next two weeks. The government has ...

The Legend of Bird Rock

A hike to Bird Rock, perched high above Route 322 in the Reedsville Narrows, is definitely on my bucket list. I am always envious when I see others post pictures standing by this majestic natural wonder, which is shaped like an ever-watching bird, though now a bit marred by graffiti. This unique rock formation located atop Jack’s Mountain has been a destination for many local adventurers. One such visit I have been told, included a first kiss for a young couple in love. This is quite apropos since the legend of Bird Rock involves young love. There have been many versions of this ...

Aging is just another word for living

According to the words of David Bowie, “Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been.” The older I become, the more I believe that to be true. We are the sum total of our life experiences. I once heard a motivational speaker who put it this way, “You will be the same person in five years that you are today, except for the books you read and the people you meet.” Even though many years have passed since I first heard that statement, I have never forgotten it. Everyone we meet along the way becomes part of who we are. I think that is ...