Greg Budell

A True Love Story THE WOODLING WAY

"A true story from the Greg files"

This is a love story. An extraordinary love story, 80 years in the making.

Tom and Carolyn Woodling knew each other as kids growing up in St. Louis. Both were raised in alcohol affected homes.

Childhood needs that can’t be met in that environment have to be found outside the home. They met their needs with each other. Friendship. Respect. Consistency. Humor! They played well together as kids. Ask anyone in a long happy marriage how they did it and answers A, B and C are usually “we play well together”. They learned that principle early on.

Childhood friendship blossomed into teenage romance. Tom and Carolyn married before turning 20. They played SO well together they produced 4 remarkably successful BOOMers, 2 of whom are doctors (Dennis and Darren) and 2 successful businessmen (Michael and Patrick).

Before launching the family, Tom was asked (nicely but directly) by Carolyn, to forsake his passion as a stock car racer. It was a great suggestion. Tom subsequently channeled his immense mechanical skills into a 45-year career with Hager Corporation as a tool and die maker, machinist, creator, and inventor. That job is what brought the family to Montgomery. mastermind, a skill the state of Alabama found to their liking when it hired Carolyn after the nest emptied.

I became an honorary Woodling 16 years ago.

In the river region almost a year, I needed a personal physician.

Radio works! So, one afternoon I advertised on my own show. “If you know a doctor who can take a new patient, please call me”.

Carolyn, it turned out, was a listener and as any great mother would do, called to say “My son is the best. I’ll set it up”.

I showed up for my appointment a day later and Carolyn was there to make sure everything went smoothly. She was right.

Dr. Dennis Woodling is excellent. I’m still around as proof!

Carolyn is quite the character. A zero BS, intuitive type, I loved talking to her and have almost daily all these years. I was greatly honored when she invited me to join her, Tom and the Woodling family for their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006. Darren Woodling, a successful Troy chiropractor and founder of Infusion Wellness in Montgomery,

The Woodling Way, Love is timeless, examples are forever

They never forgot what was missing from their childhood homes, so they built theirs around love, stability, and profound trust. In addition to the original Fab 4 sons, Tom and Carolyn, making a nice living, but far richer in family values, made room for Amanda (a lifetime member of the family), a foreign exchange student named Yoko, and numerous foster children and ultimately, me. Tom and Carolyn got everything they needed by sharing whatever they could. Raising all those children turns a Mom into an organizational

Newlyweds, Tom and Carolyn Woodling

hosted. He, they, made me feel like I had a family here. I’ve celebrated many holidays with them.

As listeners to my show, Tom and Carolyn were often the first to help causes as they came up. One example of many stands out. I was Big Brother to a boy and girl who lived with their grandmother in south Montgomery.

I introduced the kids to Tom and Carolyn. Two days later the kids and their grandmother had a new stove and fridge set up in their home when the Woodlings heard they had neither.

How could you not love this couple? I’ve never mentioned this among a thousand other random acts of kindness because they never did anything for praise or credit. They knew what a home without the basics was like and healed those memories by helping others.

As I spent more time with the family I witnessed a generational generosity among the sons, too. They’re good guys, all of them. They live to help people, too, and have amazing children of their own.

Without much fanfare, Tom and Carolyn celebrated 65 years of marriage last April. It needs to be said that those years included many health challenges. Tom survived a kidney transplant, an aortic valve replacement and other issues. They slowed him but never stopped him. All they did was slow Tom temporarily. Even in retirement Tom kept those talented hands busy, always taking on projects or working on his classic pickup truck. For football season, I needed to put a voice to an “expert” prediction character named “Mommy the Swami”. With 2 sons and 2 grandchildren in the Auburn nation, her resonant “War Eagle” chant has become a staple in my radio sound library. Carolyn brought the concept to life. We’d rehearse off the air before going live, and sometimes Tom would hilariously chime in from the background. Her best prediction was a 72-1 Auburn win in a long-ago Iron Bowl (not sure they covered the spread).

The “Swami” was a hit!

When I met my wife Roz, our first date was dinner at the Woodling house. I seriously wanted Tom and Carolyn’s approval. A few years later, I proposed to Roz at that same dinner table. We’re still married, and of course Roz and her son Shandor, have received the Woodling family welcome, too.

My favorite T & C story involved my Yorkie mix, Hershey. One morning, well before dawn, I found him near dead. He was limp as a dishrag. Panicked, I dialed Tom and Carolyn. He answered. I said “Please forgive the time of this call but there’s something seriously wrong with Hershey! Where can I take him?”. Tom gave me the number of an emergency vet hospital on Perry Hill Road.

As I pulled up to the animal hospital a car slid into the spot next to mine. Guess who? Not one for small talk, Tom looked at me and said “What the hell- you didn’t think we were gonna let you go through this alone did you? Let’s get in there!”. Hershey survived a whipworm diagnosis and is a spry teenager today.

For 85 years that man Tom was defined by a word that was gold, promises fulfilled and vows kept sacred.

In 1956 Tom said, “Til death do us part”. The man who lived to take care of his ever-beautiful bride, family and people like me blessed by his kindness, lived up to that vow. Tom was taken after complications from a broken hip days after Christmas.

His legacy is humbling.

Tom walked the talk. Every. Single. Day.

With such great family support and prayer, Carolyn will carry on. She too, walks the talk on a path where true love is timeless and good examples live forever.

That path is The Woodling Way.

There is no greater inheritance for all of us.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, Roz, Stepson, Sho, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been in radio since 1970, and has marked 16 years in the River Region. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas, Jay Scott & Jessie Lynn, 6-9 AM Monday-Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6 PM for Happy Hour with sidekick Rosie Brock. Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com.

Smart Health - Nature's Way - Tracy Bhalla Easing Anxiety with Essential Oils

Anxiety is one of the many areas where essential oils can have a profound effect on one’s wellbeing. It is very well (scientifically) documented that certain aromas can induce a state of calm, and this is in no small part due to the chemical components within those aromas.

A quick look at how we smell things may be in order here.

An aroma is basically minuscule droplets in the air that we breathe in intentionally or get wafted up your nostrils just on general air currents. These droplets or molecules pass over a special patch in your nose called the olfactory epithelium, made up of very specialized nerve cells that can interpret what that “smell” molecule is. The message goes straight up the olfactory nerve to the brain which then disseminates the information to whatever part of the body it sees fit. This is all done in a fraction of a second. The olfactory nerve is indeed the fastest route to the brain that we have.

So now you know WHY aromas work so well, let’s see which ones work best at inducing calm and reversing anxiety levels.

First of all, we are looking for oils that have a significant linalool content. This is because linalool has had a whole host of scientific research done on it and it has proven time and time again to be very effective at calming the nervous system and making people feel relaxed.

Linalool also supports the immune system, relieves pain, and reduces swelling.

Linalyl acetate is the second chemical component we will be looking for in significant quantities. This has exactly the same line up as linalool in terms of support for the immune system, pain relief, reduces swelling, calming, antianxiety.

We can find plenty of oils that contain these two components, but to give you an example that is easily accessible (i.e. easy to purchase) LAVENDER has significant quantities of both and can be purchased at NYR Organic US (us.nyrorganic.com/ shop/tracybhalla). 27% linalool and 47% linalyl acetate! That is a no brainer, and I am sure you have heard of lavender’s excellent calming properties.

Another to be aware of is Bergamot Mint. Especially if you’re not a fan of the aroma of lavender, and some people are not. Bergamot Mint is a slightly citrusy mint aroma and again has high linalool (35%) and linalyl acetate (43%) values.

You can stick to just these two in various formats to help with anxiety. You can use them in a diffuser to make the atmosphere in your home or office more relaxed and calmer, or you can use them for a personal application in a lotion or a bath salt for example.

Recipes: Diffuser – add 5 drops of Bergamot Mint and 5 drops of lavender to the water in your diffuser (not in a humidifier!) OR 10 drops of either one on its own.

Roll-on – if you have a roll-on applicator that you can refill, use a carrier oil and add 3 drops of lavender and 3 of Bergamot mint, or again 6 drops of a single oil.

Lotion – add up to 10 drops per ounce of lotion. Again your call as to whether you use two oils or stick to one. 5 drops each for two, 10 drops of a single oil.

Bath salts – add a tablespoon of either castile soap or a carrier oil (jojoba, avocado, etc.) to 1oz of salts – you can use Epsom salts or sea salt or a combination. Mix well, then add your essential oils and mix well before adding to your bath. Again, your discretion as to whether you mix one or two oils in; use the same dilution as the lotion – 10 drops total.

Any questions on these, please ask!

Of course, there are many other oils which can be added to your mix. Just look out for the linalool, linalyl acetate and d-limonene content. D-limonene has similar therapeutic properties to linalool and linalyl acetate and you may find it in place of one or the other in certain oil profiles. It is most prevalent in citrus oils, which themselves tend to have very pleasant aromas. You could look out for Neroli, Sweet Orange, Bergamot, for example and add them to your recipes. Play about with the fragrance profile. As long as you’re using oils with these chemical components, they will have the therapeutic properties you need to reduce anxiety, so now it’s up to you to find a recipe that has an aroma that you love.

email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I web: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/tracybhalla I www. LogHouseAromatics.com

Tracy Bhalla, independent consultant with NYR Organics and founder of LogHouseAromatics.com; after 25 years of using homeopathic remedies, it was time to take charge and complete my Aromatherapy Certification, which I achieved April 2020 and since founded LogHouseAromatics.com as a source for useful essential oil and general natural health information and a place to purchase certain products. email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I am here to answer any questions you may have. 60 BOOM! February 2022

Tell Your Friends

BOOM! Available Here and 200 other locations!

Chappy's Deli_Renfroe's Market_Adams Drugs_Sommer's Place_ Fresh Market_Whole Foods_Tomatino's_MCA Fitness_Vintage Cafe_Derk's_UPS Stores_Steak Out_Steaks & Wine_The Vintage Olive_Capital City-Ace Hardware_Orange Therapy_Down the Street_Health Wise Foods_Eastbrook Flea Market_John Lee Paints_Home Care Assistance_Doug's 2_Baumhower’s Restaurant_Jan's Beach House_San Marcos_Chris' Hot Dogs_Lek's_SaZas_Mexico Tipico_La Zona Rosa Read the digital version from your phone, tablet, ipad or computer subscribe free at www.RiverRegionBoom.com

READ IT - LOVE IT - SHARE IT

BOOM! starts conversations and shares stories. Share your business with BOOM! readers. For more information call/text 334.324.3472 or visit www.riverregionboom.com

BOOM! Business Partner: Health Wise Foods

10%

Off Your Purchase

Please present coupon or mention you saw it in the BOOM! Digital Issue.

Offer Expires 2/28/2022

Receive an additional 10% off if you are a Senior Citizen, Military or 1st Responder. 334.277.9925 O 5147 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery

Financing as low as $75 per month with approved credit Walk-In Shower 10% Off

Winter Sales Event with Bath Innovations $100 VISA Gift Card*

*With a minimum purchase of $5,000, Offer Expires 2/28/2022

Walk-In-Tubs - Fits in the same space as your existing bathtub or shower, Safety, Security, and Independence, Very low maintenance. Bath Remodeling - Tub to Shower Conversions, Stylish Update Options

BOOM! Business Partner: Bath Innovations

FREE CONSULTATION

(334) 271-2723 O bathinnovations.com

15%

Off Any Session

Use Coupon Code: Boom15-107

Offer Expires 2/28/2022

Get 2 FREE

Additional Attendees When You Book a Party for 8 or More

Offer Expires 2/28/2022 BOOM! Business Partner: Wine and Design

Date Night I Virtual Party I Private Events I Children Art Buzz I Team Building I D.I.Y. I Mobile Party (334) 245-3387 O wineanddesign.com

READ IT - LOVE IT - SHARE IT

BOOM! starts conversations and shares stories. Share your business with BOOM! readers. For more information call/text 334.324.3472 or visit www.riverregionboom.com

Free Subscriptions www.riverregionboom.com