Fielding Life’s Curve Balls

each of these circumstances during 2022, I can also attest that at times the offer of assistance/support is not readily accepted. Still, I can assure you that the offer of a helping hand is noted, and at least inside their heart and mind, it is appreciated.

We don’t get to choose the cards we get dealt, only how we react and play that hand. Many view adversity and conflict as insurmountable obstacles. They are not. In my mid-40s, after a productive decade with a global public relations firm, a personality conflict with my supervisor could no longer be avoided. I took a leap of faith and left the enterprise. There were some really challenging early years building out our small firm, but I have never looked back. And the successes since, economically and otherwise, would never have arrived in that other structure and environment.

Our youngest child was not planned, but once expected, we prepared as we understood hers might be a life with some cognitive and other health challenges. Our Olivia also turned out to be both the glue and the sunlight in our small family, particularly in those early years. My lucky number, 13, is considered bad luck and even a bad omen by many; yet time and again, in Las Vegas and elsewhere, it has delivered for me –again – those choices of how you play the hand.

Entering this year, with some familial rebounds underway, I can’t help but feel and believe that 2023 will bring us some wonderful surprises. Those too, require an appropriate attitude, gratitude, and response. I have again witnessed quite a few others blow some wonderful opportunities, primarily due to the sudden nature of the offered change of life and pace.

Don’t be afraid as you see those curve balls coming across the plate to seek advice and counsel from those whose opinions and thinking you admire most. Friends and family sincerely want to help you. The best of those have also learned the lesson of withholding their advice until it is sought, versus always having the best ideas to offer and suggest, unasked.

Enough parables for this column and day, but seriously as you go through 2023, remember how much easier it is to smile versus frown –two muscles versus a few dozen – to offer a handshake versus a stiff arm and raised palm. Never having been much of a great athlete, I typically missed those curve balls back in the day, but I did learn pretty quickly if you see them coming and lean in, the ball may glance or strike you, and you get that free base walk. Again, it’s all about those choices. Take care out there.

Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

Pet Perch: Dogs and Grief, How You Can Help

By Terie Hansen

Dogs, like people, have different personalities, each being an individual. When a family experiences the loss of a dog and they have another dog or dogs, the dog(s) left behind will grieve the loss of the passing pack member.

Some dogs grieve longer than others, but in general, compared to their human counterparts, their grieving process is less emotional and much shorter. However, if the human puts all their emotions into the dog or dogs left, it can certainly extend the grieving process and may even create some behavioral problems.

While it can be difficult for you, the best approach is:

• If possible allow the companion dog(s) to be present at the Euthanasia. A mobile veterinarian can typically perform an in-home euthanasia,

Lights…Camera…Action: Filming in Georgia

By Tana Poncsak

A few months ago, my sister was in town for a visit, and being a fan of the Netflix megahit Stranger Things, she wanted to tour some of the show’s filming sites around Georgia. So, on a cold, blustery day after Christmas, we got into the car and set out for our Stranger Things site-seeing adventure. When we got to each destination, I was surprised to see groups of other fans of the show doing the very same thing.

allowing for a peaceful passing and the presence of the other family dog(s).

• Keep your emotions in check as much as possible. Easier said than done for sure! And yes, a little extra TLC goes a long way, but too much can do more harm than good.

• Keep a normal routine going. This helps dogs feel safe and secure, and helps to relieve or keep stress to a minimum.

• Some added exercise is in order, as this will get their feel-good chemicals (endorphins) flowing, helping them to be in a peaceful, happy state. The same will work for you as well, so get out and walk!

• This is a great time to introduce some training as a means of stimulating your dog’s brain in a positive way. Perhaps some agility, nose work, or some good old fashioned basic obedience is in order. Dogs thrive on learning new things.

Remember, time heals, and you and your canine companion will feel happy again one day, maybe even enough to open your heart and your home to another dog in need of a family.

Terie Hansen is Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com.

While we had plenty of time to drive to several of the locations in Jackson and Stockbridge, quite a few scenes were filmed in Gwinnett and nearby DeKalb counties. Many already know that Gwinnett Place Mall was the filming location for Starcourt Mall. Stone Mountain Cemetery was the location for a graveside funeral scene. The restaurant called Enzo’s featured in one of the past episodes is none other than Dominick’s Italian Restaurant located in Historic Norcross. Stone Mountain Park made for wooded areas in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. And if you’re willing to drive a bit, you can add a number of filming locations to your own self-guided tour.

After carefully planning our route with the help of a couple of websites, we visited about six or seven different filming sites. The whole day turned out to be a lot of fun, and a stark reminder of all the filming that takes place in our state on an ongoing basis. And with more and more studios being built here in the metro Atlanta area, the industry plans to stay a while.

Many readers may already know this, but in case you don’t, if see small yellow signs with black lettering around metro Atlanta, those indicate that filming is taking place nearby. What’s filming is usually written in code on the sign, and one show or movie can have several different codes depending on the season currently being filmed.

According to Georgia’s Film and Entertainment Industry site, the Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Office was established in the early 1970s by then-Governor Jimmy Carter, and today the industry has added a reported estimate of about $4 billion each year to the state’s economy.

Having a robust film industry in Georgia is not only good for the state’s economy, but it also gives residents unique opportunities and experiences, like touring the filming locations of your favorite shows and more.

If you’re interested in the film industry, the state of Georgia has information at https://www.georgia.org/industries/film-entertainment/georgia-film-tv-production. On the site you can find out what’s filming, how to list your property as a filming location, how to be an extra, and more.

And if you’re interested in taking your own Stranger Things site-seeing adventure, there are a number of websites including Odd Stops to help you find specific filming locations. Just search for Stranger Things filming locations in Georgia, hit the road, and have fun!

Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers in the show, announced in a live TikTok video on January 26th that Stranger Things will resume filming season 5 sometime in May.

More information at https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/ a40229569/stranger-things-season-5/.