Vol.20: #33 • Tidbits Shoots Some Marbles • (8-11-2024) Tidbits of Coachella Valley
TIDBITS SHOOTS SOME
by Kathy Wolfe
In todayʼs fast-paced digital age of shoot-ʼem-up video games, the once-popular pastime of playing marbles has all but been forgotten. But some readers of a certain age can recall engaging in some rousing marbles match play with friends who never even heard of a joy stick. This week, Tidbits looks back to see what we can learn about this ancient form of play that has entertained both children and adults for centuries.
HISTORY
• Marbles have been found in the tombs of ancient Egyptians and in the volcanic ashes of Pompeii, ruins that date back to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Archaeologists discovered the city of Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan in 1911, and identified small balls of stone as marbles. The city was one of the world’s earliest, inhabited by 40,000 people from 2500 to 1700 B.C. Ancient Greeks and Romans used polished nuts for the game, while early Native American tribes played with round river stones worn smooth by running water.
Marbles: Turn to page 3
TRIVIA NEWSFRONT
(Answers on page 16)
1. MUSIC: Which folk-rock group produced many of the songs in the movie “The Graduate”?
2. GEOGRAPHY: Which European capital is known as “The Eternal City”?
3. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin prefix “acri-” mean in English?
4. TELEVISION: Lenny and Squiggy are the annoying neighbors in which TV comedy?
5. MONEY: What is the basic currency in Guatemala?
6. CARS: What animal is found on the Porsche car logo?
7. FOOD & DRINK: Which country is associated with the soup dish pho?
8. LITERATURE: In which U.S. state is the novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God” set?
9. MYTHOLOGY: What is the home of the Greek gods called?
10. AD SLOGANS: What product is advertised with the slogan, “You’re not you when you’re hungry”?
Answers
(Trivia Test answers page 16)
your body
Is there anything more annoying than the hiccups? They sneak up on you when you least expect it to disrupt your day. Where do they come from? This week, Tidbits delves into some common causes and what (supposedly) works to get rid of them
• We call them hiccups, but the official medical term for hiccups is singultus.
• The body’s diaphragm is a large muscle that is the boundary between the chest and abdomen and plays an important role in breathing. When the diaphragm contracts, the lungs take in oxygen, and when it relaxes, carbon dioxide is released.
• Hiccups begin when the diaphragm involuntarily contracts out of rhythm. Each time the diaphragm spasms, the larynx and vocal cords close suddenly, producing a short rush of air into the lungs. The body’s reaction is a chirping sound of the hiccups. Just before the chirp, there is a slight tightening of the chest or throat.
• All kinds of things can bring on the hiccups. Some of the more common ones include overeating (especially spicy food), swallowing too much air (an occurrence known as aerophagia), drinking carbonated beverages, consuming alcohol, and emotional stress. Sometimes a sudden change in air temperature can bring on the hiccups.
• Other factors influence the likelihood of hiccups, such as a recent abdominal surgery, receiving general anesthesia, and intense emotional experiences. It seems males are more prone to hiccups for whatever reason. Age has nothing to do with it, since even a fetus in the womb can develop hiccups.
• Several remedies have been touted as a potential cure for hiccups, including holding your breath, breathing into a paper bag, and drinking a glass of cold water while hanging upside down. Holding your breath is believed to help reset the breathing pattern and ease the diaphragm’s spasms. Some folks claim that eating a teaspoon of granulated sugar will help, while others say you should pull on your tongue.
• Normally, a spell of hiccups lasts only a few minutes. Hiccups lasting longer than two days are considered “persistent,” and those lasting longer than two months are “intractable.” Those that continue for prolonged periods can be caused by alcohol abuse, tobacco use, diabetes, kidney failure, Parkinson’s Disease, chemotherapy, nerve damage, or reactions to medication or anesthesia.
• Certain pharmaceuticals have been shown to help cure chronic hiccups, such as tranquilizers, seizure medications, antihistamines, anti-nausea drugs, muscle relaxants, and blood pressure medication.
• If you think your hiccups are irritating, imagine the frustration of a Nebraska farmer named Charles Osborne. In 1922, while working at butchering hogs, the 29-year-old Osborne suffered a fall while hoisting a 350-lb. swine. And so began 68 years of the hiccups.
• There have been several theories as to what led to his ailment. One neurosurgeon speculated that Osborne sustained an injury to his ribs, which are attached to the diaphragm, damaging that muscle and affecting his breathing. Another doctor’s conjecture was that a tiny blood vessel in the brain that inhibits the hiccup response had burst. Yet another theory speculated that the farmer had hit his head and had a stroke.
• It’s estimated that Osborne hiccupped 430 million times, averaging 20 to 40 spasms per minute. In 1990, for reasons unknown, the hiccups suddenly stopped. Osborne was 96 years old, and enjoyed a hiccup-free final year of his life before he died in 1991.
1. Simon & Garfunkel.
2. Rome, Italy.
3. “Sharp” (e.g. “acrimonious”).
Week of August 11, 2024
Marbles: (from page one)
• William Shakespeare mentioned marbles in his romantic comedy play “Twelfth Night,” written around 1601. During those times, most of the marbles were made from clay. In the 18th century, marbles were made from chips of marble, giving them their name.
MARBLE REFINEMENT
• In 1884, Sam Dyke of Akron, Ohio, invented a wooden block with six cupped grooves, each for a lump of clay. Rolling a wooden paddle over all the balls at once with a back-and-forth motion created six marbles. Before long, his factory was mass-producing marbles, and in 1891, Dyke established The American Marble & Toy Manufacturing Company. His 350 employees were producing a million clay marbles every week, enough to fill several train boxcars, leading to the company’s rank of the nation’s largest toy company.
• Prior to Sam Dyke’s invention, marbles were expensive to produce because each was created by hand, one at a time. Once mass production started, the price plunged from a penny each to a bag of 30 for the same price. Dyke’s clay creations were nicknamed “commies” by kids who played with them, because they were the most common.
• In addition to the clay marbles, Dyke’s factory produced glazed stoneware and other small clay children’s toys. He expanded into marbles made of porcelain, which became the best shooter marbles. In 1904, tragedy struck when fire broke out in the factory, burning it to the ground. As soon as the ruins cooled, most of Akron’s young boys were digging in the ashes, stuffing their pockets and bags with marbles.
• In 1903, another Akron inventor, Martin Christensen, began mass-producing glass marbles on a machine he had patented. For the
next 14 years, M.F. Christensen & Son Company manufactured millions of glass marbles until the factory closed in 1921, following the deaths of both M.F. and his son. Christensen’s invention employed a screw conveyor with two grooved cylinders spinning next to each other. Molten glass was placed between the cylinders and was shaped into spheres by the rolling cylinders, and cooled as they moved down the conveyor.
• The Christensen’s most common marble was known as a slag, with a swirling pattern of a transparent colored base with opaque swirls. A Christensen marble can fetch between $200 and $400 by collectors today.
• Yet another Akron-based company entered the market in 1911, Akro Agate Company, which initially merely purchased marbles from Christensen and packaged them under the Akro label. When Akro became the first to patent a fully-automated manufacturing process in 1914, they relocated to West Virginia, due to the availability of glass sand and cheaper natural gas. For most of the company’s history, from 1914 to 1951, Akro was the nation’s largest producer of marbles. Stiff competition from Japanese imports forced the company into bankruptcy in 1951.
• There are now only two U.S.-based marble manufacturers, one in Ohio and one in West Virginia, reflecting the origins of production.
Marbles players can choose to play "for fair" or "for keeps." "For fair" means that every player keeps their marbles no matter who wins. When playing "for keeps," any marbles that are knocked out by a player are added to his/her own collection.
• The many types of marbles take their name from their appearance, their purpose, or the material they’re made from. “Aggies” are marbles made from agate, while “alleys” are made from alabaster, and “steelies” from steel. A large marble used to bump smaller ones around is known as a “shooter,” “boulder” or “taw,” with those smaller marbles called “mibs” or “ducks.” Glass marbles that have swirls of layered colors over their entire length are called “onionskins.”
PLAYING THE GAME
• So how do you play marbles? There’s no single game called “marbles,” and the term can refer to any game that uses marbles. In a tournament, the most common game is “Ringers,” played with 13 marbles spaced three inches apart, arranged in an “X” in the middle of a ring ten feet in diameter. The object is to shoot the marbles out of the ring from outside the circle, while keeping the player’s shooter inside the ring. The player who shoots the largest number out of the ring is the winner.
• The National Marbles Tournament has been held
In marbles vernacular, to "knuckle down" refers to putting your hand in a position to shoot, with at least one knuckle on the ground at all times. Marble players aiming for an easy shot call the marble they're aiming for a "dead duck."
every year in Wildwood, New Jersey since 1922. All the players are between the ages of 7 and 15, competing for scholarships and prizes. More than 1,200 games are played over the course of four days in this Jersey Shore resort community.
• In 2010, the Duncan Toys Company (famous maker of yo-yos) teamed up with the Boy Scouts of America to organize a marble tournament that became the world’s largest. Held in Devore, California in 2010, it boasted 876 participants playing the game War Stone. In 2006, a pair of
Marbles: Turn to page 15
QUIZ BITS
1. What nickname is given to a person who plays marbles?
2. The word "knikkers" is the word for marbles in what language?
By Lucie Winborne
* Medicine cabinets are one of the worst places to store medicine because of the high temperatures and humidity in bathrooms.
* A Hershey’s Kiss contains 26 calories that take about four minutes of kissing to burn.
* You say money doesn’t grow on trees? Try telling that to a certain dog in Colombia. After seeing students pass money to a food stall attendant, the pooch began a regular practice of “paying” for dog biscuits with tree leaves!
* The main exporter of Brazil nuts is not Brazil, but Bolivia.
* A scientific method called toxineering turns venoms into painkillers.
* As novels became more prominent during the 1700s, society and the media became increasingly concerned that young people spent too much time reading books. They even went so far as to call it “reading rage,” “reading fever,” “reading mania” and “reading lust.”
* A regular BIC ballpoint pen can draw a line that’s about 2 kilometers long more than six times the height of the Eiffel Tower.
* Nazis planned to kill Sir Winston Churchill with a bar of chocolate. A bomb made of thin steel was covered by real chocolate that would explode once a chunk was broken. Luckily, British Allies discovered the plan.
* At his presidential inauguration, Theodore Roosevelt wore a lock of Abraham Lincoln’s hair.
* Before Usain Bolt won the 100 meter sprint in the Olympic finals, he ate only McDonald’s chicken nuggets, as he didn’t want to risk getting an upset stomach from local cuisine.
* Yamaha produces some of the world’s most popular motorcycles, but the company started off as a piano manufacturer.
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Thought for the Day: “Motion feels like progress. Action is progress.”
-- James Clear
by Mary Hunt
Rewarding Thrift Store Shopping in Today’s Economy
by Mary Hunt
If you enjoy thrill of finding bargains and super steals, it’s a safe bet that you love thrift stores. These treasure troves offer a unique blend of eclectic finds and budget-friendly prices.
But lately, thrift shopping isn’t what it used to be. With inflation hitting almost everything, even thrift store prices are on the rise.
It’s not just hearsay thrift store prices are indeed climbing, with the sale of used clothes expected to top $77 billion by 2025.
This boom has its pros and cons. On the bright side, there’s more variety and a growing acceptance of thrifted items. On the flip side, prices are creeping up as the market grows, and costs just to maintain the store and cover employee wages are rising.
So how do we continue to score great deals amid rising costs? These tips can help you find those thrifty treasures without breaking the bank:
GET A GAME PLAN
Approach thrift shopping with a plan. Make a list of what you truly need. Set a strict budget for your visit. This focused approach prevents impulse buys and makes certain you haul things out of the store that are sure to add real value to your life.
SHOP ON DISCOUNT DAYS
Many thrift stores offer special discount days, monthly or seasonal sales or loyalty programs that can lead to significant savings. Familiarize yourself with the sales calendar of your favorite stores, and plan your shopping trips accordingly. Student, military or senior discounts can also apply, so don’t hesitate to ask. Additionally, some thrift stores have year-round clearance sections where you can find items at deeply discounted prices.
reselling.
IN- AND OUT-OF-SEASON ITEMS
Just like retail stores, thrift stores often have items that are out of season think winter coats in the summer or swimsuits in the winter. These out-of-season items are often heavily discounted to clear out their stockrooms. Similarly, in-season items that have lingered too long may also be marked down to make room for new stock.
UNIQUE AND VINTAGE
A great thrill of thrifting is discovering one-of-a-kind or vintage items that really stand out. These treasures can bring unique character and flair to your home or wardrobe and might even appreciate in value. And while you’re at it, be on the lookout for special pieces that match your personal style or make perfect gifts.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
To make the most of your savings, follow your favorite thrift stores on social media or sign up for their email newsletters. These channels often share exclusive deals, announce special sales events and update you on new arrivals, keeping you informed about the best shopping opportunities. Plus, some stores offer discounts to email subscribers with every purchase.
DONATE TO MAKE ROOM
Before you visit the thrift store, think about tidying up your space and donating items you no longer use. Many stores reward donations with discount coupons or vouchers, which helps you clear out clutter at home and save money on your next purchases. Keep your receipt for a record of a charitible donotation that is tax deductable.
RESELL FOR A PROFIT
If you have an entrepreneurial bent, thrift shopping just might present a fun, profitable side business. Look for underpriced items with potential resale value. Vintage clothing, collectibles or unique home decor pieces can often be flipped online for a profit.
TAKE YOUR TIME
DON’T FORGET!
Remember: You read it in tidbits!
The thrill of thrift store shopping is in discovery. Take your time to sift through racks and shelves to uncover the best deals. Rushed shopping might mean you miss out on hidden gems or make regretful purchases, such as discovering much later a big hole in that otherwise gorgeous sweater. Give yourself a few hours to leisurely enjoy the pursuit of bargain hunting.
PAY WITH CASH
Not only does using cash help you stick to your budget and avoid overspending, you’ll be helping out that thrift store’s bottom line. Retailers pay fees for each credit card purchase they process, and some thrift stores pass that fee on to the consumer. You can often save a small percentage by paying with cash or a debit card.
SEARCH FOR QUALITY
Inspect for durability, brand reputation and overall condition. By choosing well-made, high-quality, gently used goods, you can avoid spending more on frequent replacements. Owning quality items also opens the door to lucrative
In a time when the thrill of thrift shopping has met the sting of inflation, finding ways to save money while indulging in this rewarding hobby has become more crucial than ever. I am confident that with these tips and determination, we can keep our thrift shopping adventures fun and rewarding!
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate. com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”
COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
• Silk is produced by caterpillars of the moth species of the Bombyx mori genus, an insect that feeds on the leaves of mulberry trees. The silkworm moth lays more than 500 eggs in less than a week, each the size of a point of a pin, and weighing about 1/30,000 of an ounce (.0009448 grams.) The eggs hatch after 10 days, and the female dies shortly afterward. From the time it’s hatched until the age of one month, a silkworm’s weight multiplies by 10,000 times. The moth’s total life expectancy from egg to death is between 49 and 66 days.
• A silkworm cocoon is made of a single thread of protein fiber about 3,000 feet long wrapped around the cocoon. About 3,000 cocoons are required to produce one pound of silk.
• Workers boil whole cocoons in water for five minutes. After removing the cocoons from the water, a needle is used to carefully pick up strands. Then four to eight filaments are twisted together to make a thread.
• Itʼs the labor-intensive production process that makes silk garments expensive. For example, it takes about 110 silkworm cocoons to produce one silk necktie.
• The term for silk farming is sericulture, the cultivation of silkworms in captivity to produce the fibers. Wild silkworms are no longer used to produce fabric as they differ from the domesticated types in color and are less uniform in texture. Domesticated moths have been modified to be flightless.
• The term density in silk means that the fabric can absorb a third of its weight in moisture without feeling damp.
• But silk is used for a lot more than just garments. It’s used in beauty powders and cold creams, fishing nets, and parachutes. Its use in bicycle tires contributes to a smoother ride and better traction. In some cultures it is held in high regard for ceremonial expression. In India, for example, it’s a sign of great respect to cover a dead body with silk shrouds.
• Silk production began in ancient China, and silk fibers have been recovered from two tombs dating back about 8,500 years. Silk weaving was a major industry and one of China’s chief exports. The Chinese emperors made every effort to keep the knowledge of silk production a secret, and anyone caught smuggling silkworms out of the country was punished by death. China maintained a monopoly over silk production for thousands of years. Yet by about 200 BC, the secret had managed to reach both Korea and India.
• The Silk Road, a system of trade routes connecting China with Europe and the Middle East, was established around 130 B.C., officially opening trade with the West.
• Silk became one of the world’s first global trade items. Although silk was the most lucrative and sought-after product that was traded, it opened the doors for livestock, grain, jade, spices, leather, tools, artwork, paper, gunpowder and other commodities to also travel along the newly opened route.
• Although China remains the world’s single largest producer and supplier of silk, providing about 75% of the world’s supply, India, Thailand, Korea, Brazil, Vietnam, and Bangladesh are also notable producers. China and India together produce 95% of the world’s supply. About 34 million people around the world are involved in silk production. More than ten million farmers in China cultivate silk.
• Silkworms die in the process of producing the
threads, but their usefulness doesn’t end there. The worms are considered a delicacy in Asian cuisine, prepared by boiling, deep-frying, or stewing them. Restaurants also serve them stirfried in garlic and seasonings.
by Dana Jackson
Q: Do you know if they are going to make a second season of the new “Justified” series? -- J.S.
A: It’s been more than a year since “Justified: City Primeval” premiered on FX. The reboot of the widely acclaimed original series “Justified” marked the return of Timothy Olyphant as Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, but it wasn’t set in the hills of Kentucky anymore. Instead, his character was seen in Miami, contemplating retirement before he was summoned to Detroit for a new case.
Walton Goggins, who played Raylan’s longtime foe Boyd Crowder, told TV Insider that “everyone wants to do another lap of ‘Justified.’” But he said, “It’s just a matter of timing and whether or not FX wants to pick it up.” The show also streams on Hulu, so if FX is foolish enough not to greenlight another season, perhaps Hulu or another streaming service will. Honestly, the biggest obstacle right now seems to be scheduling. Goggins is currently juggling several shows: HBO’s “The Righteous Gemstones,” Amazon Prime Video’s “Fallout,” and the upcoming new season of “The White Lotus” (also on HBO). Meanwhile, Olyphant will star opposite Tom Hardy in the film “Havoc.” He also has an-
other FX project on the horizon, a prequel series based on the “Alien” movies, titled “Alien: Earth.” Perhaps after some much needed rest for the stars, “Justified” will find its way into production again. ***
Q: With movies being so expensive these days, I missed “The Fall Guy” in theaters. Will it be available to stream anywhere soon? -- M.M.
A: Yes, romantic comedies are in big demand from the public, but due to inflation, moviegoing seems to be on the decline, except for bigbudget action flicks like “Twisters” or anything in the Marvel or DC Universes. “The Fall Guy” cost $140 million to make, but only grossed $28 million its opening weekend, a shocking disappointment with stars like Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt as leads. The rom-com adventure film had all the recipes for a hit, but it just didn’t produce.
The film was available to rent or purchase as early as May 21, and it came out on DVD a month later. Beginning Friday, Aug. 30, you can watch the movie on the Peacock streaming service, which costs $7.99 a month with ads or $13.99 a month adfree. ***
Q: Who is the actor who plays Luke on “Criminal Minds: Evolution”? He looks so familiar, but I don’t think I’ve seen him in anything else before. -- C.I.
A: Actor Adam Rodriguez was cast as
Agent Luke Alvez on “Criminal Minds” during its 12th season on CBS. Now in its 17th season and titled “Criminal Minds: Evolution” on Paramount+, the actor might look familiar to you if you watched another CBS crime series “CSI: Miami.” Rodriguez played Detective Eric Delko during the show’s entirety from 2002-2012.
Other series you might have seen him in are “Jane the Virgin,” “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels,” and “Ordinary Joe.” He also appeared in the film “Magic Mike’s Last Dance.” * * *
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
Timothy Olyphant (“Justified: City Primeval”) Depositphotos
1. In saucepot, prepare macaroni as label directs, using 2 teaspoons salt in water. Drain macaroni; return to saucepot. Stir in marinara sauce and 1 cup shredded mozzarella; set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. With pastry blender or two knives used scissor-fashion, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. With fork, stir in 4 to 5 tablespoons cold water just until mixture holds together. Shape dough into a ball; set aside.
3. In cup, lightly beat egg; reserve 1 tablespoon beaten egg for brushing on crust later. Place remaining egg in medium bowl; ricotta cheese, pesto sauce and pepper.
4. On lightly floured surface, with floured rolling pin, roll two-thirds of dough into rectangle 2 inches larger all around than inverted 11-by-7inch glass baking dish. Gently ease dough into baking dish, allowing dough to hang over edge.
5. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese over bottom of dough in baking dish. Top with half of pesto mixture, all of macaroni mix
ture, then remaining pesto mixture.
6. Heat oven to 400 F. Roll remaining dough into 12-by-8-inch rectangle; lift onto top of pie. Fold overhang under and pinch to form stand-up edge; flute. Cut slits in top of crust to allow steam to escape during baking. Brush top of pie with reserved egg; sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
7. Bake pie 40 to 45 minutes until crust is golden brown and filling is hot. Serves 8.
Each serving: About 800 calories, 42g total fat, 63mg cholesterol, 730mg sodium.
2 red and/or yellow peppers, each cut into quarters
4 plum tomatoes, each cut lengthwise in half
1. Prepare outdoor grill for covered direct grilling over medium heat.
2. In mortar with pestle or in plastic bag, with rolling pin, crush fennel seeds. In cup, mix
fennel with garlic, oil and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper; use to rub both sides of chops. Sprinkle cut sides of vegetables with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper.
3. Arrange chops and peppers on hot grill rack; cover and cook 5 minutes. Turn chops and peppers over; add tomatoes, cut sides down. Cover and cook 5 to 6 minutes or until chops are browned on the outside and still slightly pink in the center and vegetables are tender. Makes 4 servings.
Each serving: About 315 calories, 19g total fat (6g saturated), 25g protein, 10g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 70mg cholesterol, 490mg sodium.
For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/.
(c) 2024 Hearst Communications, Inc.
All rights reserved
NEXT WEEK in TIDBITS TUNES INTO THE
HUMAN EAR
8/11 National Bagel Day
8/12 Home Sewing Machine Day
8/13 International Lefthanders Day
8/14 Navajo Code Talkers Day
8/15 Best Friends Day
8/16 National Roller Coaster Day
8/17 National Thrift Shop Day
Dog Talk with Uncle Matty
By Matthew Margolis
Fits and Phobias
I spend a lot of time writing about dog aggression -- partly because it’s a big problem that keeps getting bigger and partly because there is such an air of confusion to it. At times, aggression seems to suddenly appear out of the blue. Take the following letter from a reader:
“I recently moved from Arkansas to Washington State with my 2-year-old puggle, Tankeray. I have had him since he was 4 weeks old. He has never shown any signs of aggression toward little children before, but since moving up here with him, he has tried to attack my 1-year-old niece numerous times. He has not been around a lot of children or other animals and has been going into hunching fits when confronted with them. I don’t want to get rid of him, as I have had him since he was a baby and he is my buddy. He has spent his entire life with only me and my boyfriend. I need help to figure out what could be going on with him before he actually bites someone.”
Reading between the lines, it sounds like Tankeray was never properly socialized. He spent two blissful years with his owner and her boyfriend, each day reinforcing that small unit and Tankeray’s comfort zone within it. New adults might not be so scary, as they at least appear in a familiar form. Short little children are another story.
This is why full and proper socialization is so important. This is the process of introducing your dog, in a safe and friendly way, to all kinds of external stimuli -- big dogs, small dogs, big people, small people, bicycles, vacuum cleaners, cars, the noises of traffic, the noises of your home, the noises of life. By making these introductions and positively reinforcing to him that he is safe in the midst of all kinds of chaos, you are eliminating the kind of fear that, over time, breeds aggression.
Fear is often the culprit. Some fears can be mitigated; many are irrational. Not all fear becomes aggression toward people or other animals; sometimes the dog turns his fear on himself.
Like people, dogs suffer from phobias -fear of thunder and lightning, fear of air compres-
When cooling centers are opened up in our town, you know it’s brutally hot. It’s not something that’s usually done in our New England communities. But recent high temperatures have been shocking for our area.
I made a tour of the cooling stations one afternoon, fully expecting them to be mostly empty as warming stations are in winter when people manage to stay warm at home. But no, the heat we're experiencing now is very unusual and a serious problem.
There was the library, with more people than chairs, the grateful patrons sitting on the floor against the walls and most of the electrical outlets connected to phones and laptops.
There was the church with its huge community center facility that cranked their air conditioning down and welcomed anyone who needed to cool off for relief. The church ladies went into action and put out trays of cold sandwiches and
The Art of DESIGN
by Joseph Publillones
Hunting for a Collection
Collections are an important component of decorating. They can give even the most bland decor a point of view. Actually, here is something most designers know: Collections show best in what most homeowners would consider a bland interior design. Think about it. Museums and galleries alike look for a neutral space or an all-white space in order to shift the focus to the art, not the particulars of a room.
Back to the art of collecting. Some say that their collection of a particular item or artist is because they LOVE the item or the message or the technique of a work of art. Well, this is partly true. Many collect because they identify with a particular form of expression, color or information that an artist is trying to communicate. Collectors generally become quite knowledgeable about whatever it is they are collecting. Some try to forge friendships with the artists or craftsmen, or whoever is considered the authority on a work of art, as a means to gain more knowledge about their collection.
bottles of water.
At the town hall, the doors to the taxation department where we pay for our car license tabs were left open long after their normal business hours, and the fire department showed up with pizzas in hand for those who’d taken refuge in the office.
The rec center seemed to be the place where many people brought sleeping pads made of folded blankets, getting the first good rest they’d likely had in days. The whole of two basketball courts was covered in makeshift beds, and as the hour got later the staff dimmed the lights to coax the children to settle down for the night and get some sleep.
As seniors, we aren’t physically equipped to handle the brutal temperatures that have suffocated much of the country recently.
If you’re in a hot area and have no air conditioning, seek out a cooling center. If there aren’t any, go to the library, the rec center or, better yet, the town offices to insist that they open public cooling centers in your town.
Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@ gmail.com.
spot items for dealers) also succumb to the game of collecting, even if their ultimate purpose is to resell the find. In many aspects, collecting is like hunting, sans the carnal damage.
Displaying your collection is also a part of the game. For those with a spare bedroom or garage, storing the works or items is easier, as you can choose what to bring into your home and selectively use them to decorate your space. Some collectors use their objet d’art throughout their home, placing some items in each room. Others with more limited space have to use every inch of wall or floor space to be able to display their collections. As most collectors lean toward being creative types, some rotate their collections to keep their interiors fresh with the periodic shifting of displays.
There are those who are guided by their educated eye, and there are those who collect on a whim or because something catches their attention. Even though there is an emphasis on accumulating a certain item and a pride in ownership, most collectors, even myself, find a great thrill in the hunt. For many collectors, the process of going out and scouring shops, galleries and estate sales, finding a work of art, and then classifying and authenticating it is the ultimate satisfaction. Antique dealers and pickers (people who
There are many factors in exhibiting a collection. First and foremost is the safety of the item safety from being knocked down or protection from elements such as humidity, light or changes in temperature. Once these basic issues have been taken care of, how to display the item comes into play. Does the item have to be framed or encased in a glass vitrine or plexiglass box? Can the item stand on its own on a shelf or a pedestal? Your collection can and should be lived with and enjoyed. It is not merely an investment but an extension of your taste and style, and as such, it should mix with your furniture. As an expression of an idea, the art should not be treated as decoration and made to match any wall, sofa or color palette. Always display your collection with a bit of bravado or courage. In the end, it should celebrate your hunting instincts, the same as any trophy. * * *
Joseph
Syndicate website at www. creators.com.
Cody’s Corner (from page 9)
sor motors in the garage, fear of water, fear of shiny surfaces, fear of being alone, fear of women in hats, fear of men with beards. I could go on.
If you have a dog who suffers from a phobia, beware that he may hurt himself. A dog with a fear of thunder left alone in an empty house might panic and hurl himself through a glass window or attempt to chew his way through a door or wall. Either way, he will seriously injure himself in the process.
As the owner of a dog with a phobia, you have options. You could research the phobia and attempt to gradually desensitize the dog to that particular frightening stimulation. You could contact an animal behavior specialist for advice and assistance. At the very least, you could make sure he is safe and contained when you know he will be confronted with a situation he finds scary. This is why crate training is so effective. Your dog has a safe, comfy place that he loves and that is all his, and you can secure him inside when a storm’s brewing, so to speak.
When a dog turns his fear toward other people or animals, your best bet is to bring in a pro. Contact a professional dog trainer to work with you to better socialize your dog and determine whether he is trustworthy around strangers. If not, you’ll need to work out ways to keep him away from his triggers. This will keep you, your dog and everyone else safe.
Woof!
Dog trainer Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis is the co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and the host of the PBS series “WOOF! It’s a Dog’s Life!” Read all of Uncle Matty’s columns at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com.
Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Fla. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators
cated to deal with -- well, to deal with life!
YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
by Tom Margenau
Social Security Is Complicated Because Life Is
Complicated
People are always telling me that Social Security rules are so complicated. Actually, most of the basic rules are rather straightforward and simple. But to the extent that the program does get messy, there is a reason why that happens. It’s because life gets messy.
In other words, if our lives weren’t so complicated, Social Security laws wouldn’t have to get so complicated.
For example, if we all worked for a minimum of 35 years (the number of years used to compute a Social Security benefit), and if we all retired at the same age -- let’s say 62 -- then everything would be so simple. The Social Security retirement calculation would be a piece of cake.
But of course, that doesn’t happen. Some of us take time off from our careers to raise a family. Some of us become disabled before reaching retirement age. Some of us die well before our senior years. Some of us choose to work well into our 70s or even 80s.
In other words, all kinds of “stuff” can happen. And there has to be a Social Security law to deal with all that stuff -- with all of life’s variables.
And Social Security would really be simple if none of us ever got married. But of course, most of us do. And that leads to a whole slew of laws that deal with benefits for spouses.
And then, darn it, so many of these spouses insist on working outside the home. So we have to come up with laws that allow for the integration of one’s own Social Security benefit with spousal benefits.
And even with those spousal variables, Social Security would still be relatively simple if we all just stayed married to the same person forever. But we all know that doesn’t happen. Because something like half of all marriages end in divorce, then we’ve got to add laws dealing with benefits for divorced spouses. And then lots of those divorced people run off and get married again. So the laws get even more complicated as we have to deal with potential benefits to multiple spouses.
On top of that, many people live together as husband and wife but without bothering with all the legal stuff. In other words, they don’t get officially married. So Social Security laws have to be written to deal with common-law relationships.
Those of us who do get married tend to have one or more kids. And those kids could end up being eligible for Social Security benefits, usually if one of the parents becomes disabled or dies. And that leads to another whole slew of laws and regulations dealing with children’s eligibility for benefits. And sadly, not all of those children are born healthy and hearty. So there are laws that deal with Social Security payments for disabled children.
And surprise, surprise: Those folks who never bothered getting legally married also have children who are potentially due benefits. And laws have to be written for them.
Are you getting my drift? Life gets complicated. So Social Security rules have to get compli-
And I haven’t even gotten to the messiest Social Security program of all -- disability benefits. The program would be a piece of cake to administer if the law simply said this: “Walk into a Social Security office with a note from your doctor saying you are disabled, and disability checks will be sent your way.” Gosh, that would make the program easy. But can you imagine the potential for fraud if the rules were that simple?
So instead, the law takes a rather subjective issue (“how disabled do you have to be to qualify for disability benefits?”) and tries to make it as objective as possible through a series of rules that essentially say this: “You must have a physical or mental condition that is so severe that it will keep you from working for at least 12 months.”
And consider the fact that there are literally hundreds of potentially disabling conditions -- from cancer to heart trouble to kidney issues to muscular problems to nervous conditions to mental illnesses -- and on and on and on. And separate rules have to be written for each of those conditions, trying to set a benchmark for how disabled each impairment should be to qualify for disability benefits.
And on top of all those variables for retirement, spousal, childhood and disability benefits, all of us eventually die. Some of us die alone. Some of us leave a widow or widower. Some of us leave more than one widow or widower, in the person of ex-spouses. Some of us die and leave minor children. Some of us die and leave adult children who are disabled. And once again, laws have to be written to deal with all those various survivor scenarios.
As you might guess, I’ve only scratched the surface of how complicated life can be. For example, I got an email this week from a retiree who plans to live in Costa Rica for six months each year and spend the other six months in Minnesota. And he’s got a Costa Rican wife. He wants to know how
his Social Security benefits will be handled, and if his wife might qualify for spousal benefits. (There are laws to deal with those issues, but that’s a topic for another column.)
And I got another email from a 62-year-old woman who has been married for 30 years, hasn’t worked much outside the home and plans to file for spousal benefits on her husband’s Social Security record. But she just learned that divorce papers for a short two-year marriage she had in the early 1980s were never officially filed. is she legally married to her current “husband,” and can she get his benefits? And guess what? Social Security laws were written for this eventuality. (Another topic for yet another future column.) * *
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net. To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
1. The book of Philemon is found in the a) Old testament b) New testament c) Neither
2. In Luke 22, what "Mount of" did Jesus go to that His desciples also followed? a) Carmel b) Zion c) Olives d) Pisgah
3. What future Israelite leader as a baby was described as "exceedingly fair"? a) Solomon b) David c) Absolom d) Moses
4. From Judges 16, how many times did Delilah say Samson mocked her? a) Two b) Three c) Five d) Seven
5. According to Ecclesiastes 6, what has already been named? a) Everything b) Stars c) Historical ages d) Seasons
6. The name Lucifer means what kind of "bearer" in Latin? a) Falsehoods b) Gifts c) Darkness d) Light
Sharpen your understanding of scripture with Wilson Casey's
(Answers on page 16) For comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com
latest book, "Test Your Bible Knowledge," now available in stores and online.
Patient Needs Help Discussing High Blood Calcium With Doctor
DEAR DR. ROACH: A friend has been diagnosed with high blood calcium, and when I googled it, the results concerned me. Can you give information on this and how to discuss it with the doctor? I want to forward the column to my friend, and hopefully, the information encourages/helps with the medical discussions between my friend and their doctor. -- Anon.
ANSWER: There are many causes of high blood calcium levels, and some of them are quite scary to read about. Hopefully, your friend’s doctor is already in the process of discovering the underlying cause. Some causes are pretty clear, as some medicines are well-known to cause high calcium, such as thiazide diuretics like HCTZ.
The first step is being sure that there really is high calcium by repeating the blood level. A tourniquet left on for more than a minute can cause acid buildup in the arm, which displaces calcium and causes a false elevation. This problem can also be avoided by being expeditious with blood draws or by measuring the “ionized calcium” for changes in the protein albumin, which also affects the calcium level.
If the calcium level is repeatedly high, the next place to look at is the parathyroid hormone, which is one of the main regulators (along with vitamin D) of blood calcium levels. Most cases of high calcium in otherwise healthy people are caused by excess parathyroid hormone, most often from a benign tumor in the parathyroid gland. In the unusual case that this isn’t the issue, lesscommon causes, including excess vitamin D and some cancers, should also be considered.
As far as an encouraging discussion, if your friend’s doctor isn’t bringing it up (which they should), being as open-ended as possible is best, with questions such as: “Why is my calcium high? Do I need to do anything about it?” ***
DEAR DR. ROACH: I had left kneereplacement surgery ten years ago, and two days after surgery, I developed CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome). My shin, below my incision down in my left foot and toes, was burning and stinging for two years. It then receded to my toes for the past eight years.
Over the past three months, the pain
PonderBits
If a deaf person swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?
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Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?
has returned to my entire foot area, wrapping around my foot and ankle. It’s very painful. I have taken 20 mg of prednisone to get rid of my CRPS, and it does help somewhat. (I was only given a 14-day supply.) Is there any cure yet, or at least a good pain medicine that won’t wring me out? --
G.D.C.
ANSWER: CRPS is a pain disorder that is not well-understood. It usually begins after trauma, including surgery, but this is a complication that can happen even after a surgery that was correctly done. Older women are most likely to get this condition.
Steroids like prednisone are sometimes used early on in CRPS, but they are not usually effective in chronic CRPS. Due to their long-term toxicity, they are not usually continued. It is, by no means, a cure.
The best treatment regimen includes physical and occupational therapy; medications such as anti-inflammatories; psychosocial support; and sometimes management by a painmanagement specialist, who may use local injections, nerve blocks or nerve stimulators.
My experience is that CRPS follows a highly variable course, but I have never had a patient with a recurrence after such a long time, as you have had.
* * *
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to ianswer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.
(c) 2024 North America Synd., Inc.
VETERANS POST
by Freddie Groves
New VA Login Accounts
Veterans who access their benefits and health care info online will begin using a new login method, starting now and extending over the next year.
Account security is the reason behind the changes, per the Executive Order on cybersecurity that was signed in 2021.
Whether you use VA.gov online or the mobile app to access your Login.gov or ID.me account, you’ll need to log in and create a new account. It should only take a few minutes.
Make your first stop the instructions at www.va.gov/sign-in-changes. You’ll see that the cut-off to keep using your current username and password will be in January 2025 for My HealtheVet and September 2025 for the DS Logon. At that point you’ll be locked out until you create a new account, either via Login.gov or ID.me. (No, they won’t delete your info; you just won’t be able to get in). Both of them will allow you to access all of your benefits and services.
You’ll be able to check claim status, refill prescriptions, look at lab results, update contact info and much more.
Be prepared for being required to use twofactor authentication, also known as multifactor authentication. If you’re like so many of us, you don’t like being forced to do the extra steps to log in somewhere. But so much of what we do online now involves using two-factor authentication, with more switching to that method every day. Whether it’s our bank or online accounts, we have to get used to it.
Between ID theft, having personal information stolen, having money stolen through fraud (in one year, veterans had $350 million stolen through fraud) -- the thieves aren’t going to stop.
Before you choose your new account, read the privacy policy for both Login.gov and ID.me They’re not the same.
And what if you don’t want either of the offered account types? That’s fine. You’ll just need to contact and interact with the VA by mail, in person or on the phone.
* * *
Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.
(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
M.D.
by Jim Miller
Paying for Nursing Home Care with Medicaid
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: If my mother needs to move into a nursing home, what are the eligibility requirements to get Medicaid coverage? --Caretaking Son
Dear Caretaking: The rules and requirements for Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care are complicated and will vary according to the state your mother lives in. With that said, here’s a general, simplified rundown of what it takes to qualify.
Medicaid Eligibility
Medicaid, the joint federal and state program that covers health care for the poor, is also the largest single payer of America’s nursing home bills for seniors who don’t have the resources to pay for their own care. (Note that some states have different names for their Medicaid program.)
Most people who enter nursing homes don’t qualify for Medicaid at first but pay for care either through long-term care insurance or out-of-pocket until they deplete their savings and become eligible for Medicaid.
To qualify for Medicaid, your mother’s income and assets will need to be under a certain level that’s determined by your state. Most states (except California) require that a single person have no more than about $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 for a married couple) that includes cash, savings, investments or other financial resources that can be turned into cash.
Assets that aren’t counted for eligibility include your mother’s home if it’s valued under $713,000 (this limit is higher – up to $1,071,000 – in some states), her personal possessions and household goods, one vehicle, prepaid funeral plans and a small amount of life insurance.
But be aware that while her home is not considered a countable asset to determine eligibility, if she can’t return home, Medicaid can go after the proceeds of her house to help reimburse her nursing home costs, unless a spouse or other dependent relative lives there. (There are some other exceptions to this rule.)
After qualifying, all sources of your mother’s income such as Social Security and pension checks must be turned over to Medicaid to pay for her care, except for a small personal needs allowance – usually between $30 and $160.
You also need to be aware that your mother can’t give away her assets to qualify for Medicaid faster. Medicaid officials will look at their financial records going back five years (except in California which has a 30-month look-back rule) to root out suspicious asset transfers. If they find one, her Medicaid coverage will be delayed a certain length of time, according to a formula that divides the transfer amount by the average monthly cost of nursing home care in their state.
So, for example, if your mom lives in a state where the average monthly nursing home cost is $8,000 and she gave away cash or other assets worth $160,000, she would be ineligible for benefits for 20 months ($160,000 divided by $8,000 = 20).
Spousal Protection
Medicaid also has special rules (known as the community spouse resource allowance) for married couples when one spouse enters a nursing home, and the other spouse remains at home. In these cases, the healthy spouse can keep one half of the couple’s assets up to $154,140 (this amount varies by state), the family home, all the furniture and household goods and one automobile. The healthy spouse is also entitled to keep a portion of the couple’s monthly income – between $2,465 and $3,854. Any income above that goes toward the cost of the nursing home recipient’s care.
What about Medicare?
Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors 65 and older, and some younger people with disabilities, does not pay for long-term care. It only helps pay up to 100 days of rehabilitative nursing home care, which must occur after a three-day hospital stay.
For more information, contact your state Medicaid office. You can also get help from your State Health Insurance Assis-
tance Program (see ShipHelp.org), which provides free counseling on Medicare and Medicaid issues.
* * *
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
by Anne McCollam
Child’s Rocker
Is a Family Legacy
Q: The enclosed photo is of a child’s wicker rocking chair that was given to me when I was 7 years old. I will be 91 soon and am anxious to decide what to do with it. I would like to pass it on to a relative and would like to learn about its history and value. It is in excellent condition.
I will appreciate any information you can provide about the maker and value.
A: Children’s wicker rocking chairs were very popular in the early 1900s. Unless there is a manufacturer’s mark on the chair, it can be very difficult to identify the maker. Many similar ones were made by Heywood Wakefield and some were imported from China. It is always nice to pass one down in a family so another generation of children can enjoy it.
The value of your circa-1930 rocking chair would be in the range of $100 to $150.
Q: This mark is on the bottom of a pottery vase that I have. It is decorated with a swirl pattern of rust, cream, chocolate and blue. The glaze has a slightly sandy feel to it. It stands about 6 inches tall and is in mint
condition.
It has been in my family for generations, and no one knows exactly how old it is, where it was made and if it has any value. One aunt thinks it was made in Arkansas.
Please tell us anything you can about its background.
A: Your aunt is correct. Your vase was made by Niloak Pottery Company. They were located in Benton, Ark. from 1910 to 1947. The company was founded by Charles Dean Hyten, who started out making stoneware crocks and jugs.
When demand increased for stoneware, he, along with former Rookwood potter, Arthur Dovey, began experimenting with the clay in Arkansas.
The process began with swirling several colors of clay and then putting it on the potter’s wheel. This marbleized appearance was called “Mission Swirl.” Early ware can be recognized by a rough texture and clear waterproof interiors.
“Niloak” is the word kaolin spelled backwards. Kaolin is a fine white to gray clay used in ceramics. Their Mission Swirl line included vases, pitchers, candlesticks, tankards and umbrella stands. The line was so successful, the formula and technique were patented in 1928. During the Great Depression its popularity waned.
Your early 1900s vase would probably fetch $250 to $275 in an antiques shop.
* * *
Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has since retired and no longer receives inquiries nor answers reader letters. Due to the popularity of her column, this publication will continue to reprint previous columns of interest to our readers.
To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com
COPYRIGHT
* On Aug. 12, 2014, actress Lauren Bacall whose debut film in 1944, “To Have and Have Not” (also featuring future husband Humphrey Bogart), brought her nearly instant fame died in New York City at 89. Bacall’s notable career spanned almost seven decades and included “The Big Sleep” (1946), “How to Marry a Millionaire” (1953) and “The Mirror Has Two Faces” (1996).
* On Aug. 13, 1906, the all-Black infantrymen of the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Regiment were accused of killing a white bartender and wounding a white police officer in Brownsville, Texas, despite evidence of their innocence. All were dishonorably discharged. However, a later military investigation exonerated the men and their records were restored to reflect honorable discharges, but no financial settlements were paid.
* On Aug. 14, 1948, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s “beaver drop” relocation program moved 74 of the animals from Northwestern Idaho to the Chamberlain Basin in Central Idaho via parachutes from an airplane, after complaints about property damage from residents.
* On Aug. 15, 1995, Shannon Faulkner became the first female cadet matriculated at The Citadel, under the escort of U.S. Marshals, but dropped out within a week, citing emotional and psychological abuse and physical exhaustion. Four years later, she told the Associated Press: “I went into it knowing I may not get anything out of it. I was doing it for the next woman.”
* On Aug. 16, 1858, President James Buchanan inaugurated the new transatlantic telegraph cable by exchanging greetings with England’s Queen Victoria. Just a few weeks afterward, however, a weak signal forced a shutdown of the service.
* On Aug. 17, 1969, Hurricane Camille arrived at Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, with winds estimated between 150 and 205 mph and 70-foot waves. One of a few category 5 hurricanes to make landfall in the last 70 years, it was responsible for the deaths of nearly 300 people and the destruction of thousands of homes in Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia and Louisiana.
* On Aug. 18, 2007, a German Christian aid worker was kidnapped at gunpoint by a criminal organization in the Afghan capital of Kabul, marking the first abduction of a foreigner in the capital in two years. She was released by her captors a few days later.
Child’s wicker rocker was made around 1930.
Niloak Pottery Company was located in Benton, Ark.
Marbles: from page 3
Australians played marbles continuously for 26 hours, setting the world record.
MARBLES OF VALUE
• Vintage marble collectors look for handmade ones, because they’re rare and show careful craftsmanship. Some machine-made glass marbles can also be valuable, particularly those with a beautiful design. A handmade marble is distinguished by the presence of a pontil, which is a small blemish that is left over when the sphere is removed from the glass rod as it completes production.
• Some very rare vintage marbles glow under black light, due to a small quantity of uranium used in their manufacture. There’s no danger in handling them, since the uranium is encased inside the glass.
• There are auctioneers who specialize strictly in the marbles business. While the average marble sells for anywhere from $10 to a few hundred dollars, some can fetch thousands, such as a sulphide marble with a painted lion figure inside which sold at auction for $7,800. One of the most valuable is the peacock Lutz onionskin marble, with several swirls of color, blending purples, blues, greens, and gold into an iridescent spin of color resembling peacock feathers. One sold in 2015 for $13,200. In 2010, a collector paid $27,730 for a rare 3-inch shooter marble.
by Jason Jenkins
Pitching the ball around the green with any wedge requires consistent control of the hands and arms through impact. One of the simplest images for the average golfer is trying to keep the butt end of the club pointing to the center of the body on the finish. “Keeping the club in center” gives the image of a unified action of body turn, and passive forearm and wrist action. Most pitches around the green can be hit with low to medium height finishes where one can check the alignment of the butt end of the club to the body. It should be aligned near the belt buckle or navel if everything works together. Avoid excessive positions where the grip end points too far outside the body on either side. If the body doesn’t turn thru to the target slightly, or the hands become too active, it’s nearly impossible to “keep the club in center”. This is a visual that can be rehearsed easily in preparation to hit those critical scrambling shots around the green.
