Notables Sarah Thomas

says. “They can’t replace antibiotics for infection and herbs don’t take the place of an EpiPen. When integrated with mainstream medicine, they can work well together.” She adds that perhaps another compelling reason exists to craft a home remedy for that next sting.

“You can make the exact same oil or salve that is sold in a high-end grocery with no additives or preservatives,” she says. “Plus, you’ll experience a feeling of accomplishment you can’t buy.” Article disclaimer: This information is not intended to cure or treat any disease process nor is it approved by the FDA.

Freelance writer Karen Ott Mayer grows herbs on her farm in Como, Miss.

Infused Oil Primer Phyllis Light shares a basic method for making an infused oil using a small quart-sized crock pot. 1. Gather herbs. You can mix lawn weeds or herbs. Harvest the leaves. 2. Dry overnight. Moisture will cause mold if leaves aren’t dry. 3. Place herbs and organic olive oil in crock pot. Make sure the pot has low-warm-high settings. Important! 4. Use two-times the oil to the herbs. For instance, for one cup of herb leaves, use two cups oil. 5. Place lid on, but leaving it to one side for slight opening. Cook eight hours. Turn it off and leave overnight. Next day, turn on warm again for four hours. Cool. 6. Strain oil. Discard and compost plants. 7. Bottle oil which will be light green in color.

Common lawn weeds for bee stings Chickweed Plantain Violets Cleavers

Breaking the Rules

Karon Warren | Photography courtesy of Sarah Thomas and the NFL

Sarah Thomas used a chance to stay active in organized sports to becoming the first permanent female official in the NFL.

When Sarah Thomas started playing sports, she never dreamed she would don the black and white stripes of a National Football League official following her playing days. “When I played sports, I hated the officials,” Thomas says. “I was like, ‘I see you out here. You don’t have to blow the whistle every time I go up to block a shot,’ or something like that.”

But, as the well-known cartoonist Allen Saunders once said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” For Thomas, a Pascagoula, Miss., native, those plans included a shot at the WNBA following a college basketball career at the University of Mobile. However, after breaking her leg playing softball, Thomas never tried out for the pro women’s basketball league. She did, though, continue to play basketball and volleyball in local church and pickup leagues. While playing in a men’s church league, Thomas learned she was unceremoniously voted out of the basketball league without any notice. The reason? She was a woman, and the men said they felt uncomfortable playing with her. This, after three years of playing in the league. “No one told me or called to discuss it,” she says. “It was kind of shady, really.” Not one to be knocked down for long, Thomas was having a casual conversation with her older brother, and asked what he was doing that night. He said he was going to a football officials’ meeting, and she asked if girls could do that. He said he thought so, and told her not to be late. Not only was Thomas on time, but she also started what would be a long string of firsts for women officiating in men’s sports. However, those firsts, like becoming an official, were not first of mind for Thomas. “I don’t think I really thought about it becoming a career until I got the call from (former NFL scout) Joe Haynes,”