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Kathryn Raaker It’s Her World

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November 2023 | Volume 20 | Issue 11

November Hot Hunk Hunt! Name: Address: City: State: Zip Code: Phone Number: Email: July Hot Hunk Hunt!

Lionel Messi

The April “Hot Hunk” was Robert Downey Jr. on page 31.

Each month Voice will “hide” a picture of a “Hot Hunk.” If you find him, fill out this form, mail it in, and you could win a book from Jan-Carol Publishing!

Congratulations to: Linda Massey, Kingsport,TN

HOT HUNK LOCATION:

Where did I pick up my copy of Voice Magazine?

Mail this submission form to: Voice Magazine P.O. Box 701 Johnson City, TN 37605

as the winner in the October Hot Hunk Hunt!

Thanks to ALL for sending in your entry!

Janie C. Jessee, Editor-in-Chief

Voice Speaks

Kathryn Raaker: It’s Her World

Allison Chudina

Jan-Carol Publishing New Book Releases

How Businesses Can Make the Most of Small Business Saturday

Unfortunate Accident

or e-mail: hothunk@voicemagazineforwomen.com Deadline for submission is November 20, 2023. PLEASE, ONE ENTRY PER HOUSEHOLD As the selected winner, you must contact Voice Magazine for Women at 423-926-9983 within 90 days to claim and receive your prize. After 90 days, winning becomes null and void and the prize cannot be claimed.

Guiding Parents Through Hardship Cindy K. Sproles

Bringing Fall Colors Inside

Warning Signs for Diabetes

Pam Blair 10

Kathryn Raaker is featured on our November cover. See page 12 for article.

Deana Landers

Alzheimer’s Awareness

Gestures Anyone Can Embrace in Support of Veterans 9

On the Cover

Clever Holiday Shopping Strategies to Save Time and Money

Growing a Winter Crop

April Hensley

Thanksgiving Recipes

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VOICE Speaks

ast year I shared this story, and I thought that I would share it again. I received so many comments and felt it was worth sharing one more time. At the end of last month, October, it meant that my dad had passed away thirteen years ago. I thought about all the things that he enjoyed doing and things that he was really good at doing. One of those things was cooking. He could serve up tasty, country-fried chicken and his gravy would have been the envy of many chefs. However, what I remember as being the best dish he prepared was his chocolate gravy. Growing up, chocolate gravy seemed to be most popular at our kitchen table, because when friends would visit or spend the night, and Dad prepared chocolate gravy, Mom would get phone calls from other moms wanting to know, “What is chocolate gravy?” Usually prepared on Saturday mornings, nothing was tastier than chocolate gravy poured over a hot scratch-made buttered biscuit. It was delicious! Recently, I saw in a grocery store aisle a prepared packet with the words “chocolate gravy.” Now, I’m not sure that it would be as tasty as Dad’s recipe, but for all of you curious about chocolate gravy, here is the old-timey recipe. Old Time Chocolate Gravy: 1 1/2 c sugar 1 1/2 c milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 sticks butter 4 tablespoons cocoa 1/4 c plus 1 teaspoon flour (For preparation see the Cooking with Brenda Gant video on Facebook, and it is important to add the ingredients as the instructions indicate in the preparation.)

What a perfect time of the year to start a new tradition for the holidays and chocolate gravy could be the perfect ingredient for a new tradition! With Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we encourage you to purchase books through JCP’s website, www.jancarolpublishing. com, and shop at our bookstore, Books & Gifts, located in Blountville, TN. Also, Saturday, November 25 is Small Business Saturday. It is a day that promotes small, brick-and-mortar businesses with the start of the holiday shopping. Show your support! From all of us to all of you, a big thank you, and we wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving! Verse of the month: “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Ephesians 5:20 KJV Thought of the month: “I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.” Simone Biles, American artistic gymnast

Janie C. Jessee, Editor-in-Chief

4 | November 2023 | www.voicemagazineforwomen.com

FREE Celebrating our 19th anniversary! We wouldn’t be here and there without all of you! LITTLE CREEK BOOKS MOUNTAIN GIRL PRESS EXPRESS EDITIONS ROSEHEART PUBLISHING DIGISTYLE FIERY NIGHT SKIPPY CREEK BROKEN CROW RIDGE “ every story needs a book”

voicemagazineforwomen.com • jancarolpublishing.com Serving Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia!

PUBLISHER Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc PO Box 701 Johnson City, TN 37605 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Janie C Jessee, 423.502.6246 publisher@jancarolpublishing.com

Pam Blair Don Grimm

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ken Heath April Hensley

Deana Landers Cindy Sproles

Savannah Bailey Communications Director/Production Editor communications@jancarolpublishing.com Allison Chudina Editorial/Retail Assistant office@jancarolpublishing.com GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION Tara Sizemore Senior Graphics Designer tara@voicemagazineforwomen.com graphics@jancarolpublishing.com Office Phone/Fax: 423.926.9983 Books & Gifts: 423.212.0200 DISTRIBUTION Karen Corder Staff PUBLISHED BY JAN-CAROL PUBLISHING, INC. (Volume 20, Issue 11)

While every precaution has been taken to ensure accuracy of the published material, Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc. / Voice Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions or facts provided by its authors, advertisers or agencies. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written permission. Agencies, Advertisers and other contributors will indemnify and hold the publisher harmless for any loss or expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement, defamation, libel, right of privacy, plagiarism and/or copyright infringement. The views expressed in Voice Magazine for Women are not necessarily those of the publisher. © 2023 EDITORIAL MISSION:

Voice Magazine for Women wants to provide a useful and complete reliable source of information for women and their families. We seek to celebrate women’s successes, and support their growth by defining and recognizing their needs and providing a concentration of resources for them. We want to be that “link” to all women.

Clever Holiday Shopping Strategies to Save Time and Money

he holiday season is here again, which means that the time for shopping lists and gift-buying has returned as well. The following tips can make holiday shopping more fruitful.

Know your prices It’s important to have a general idea of what items cost, especially those that will be on holiday lists. Shoppers can set up price alert notifications on the gifts they plan to buy to compare prices in advance of holiday sales. This way they will have a better idea if the Black Friday/ Cyber Monday “deal” is just a markdown on an exaggerated price or if it’s a legitimate bargain.

than what the same item sells for in store. For example, a six-pack of socks may be $9.99 when purchased online, or $13.99 in store. If the store offers free pickup for online orders shipped to the store, then consumers can use this option to get the discount but avoid shipping fees. Plus, pickup kiosks generally are less crowded than waiting for the checkout registers.

Consider price-matching

Buy now, resize later

Before shoppers run all over to a dozen stores in the name of saving a few bucks, learn about stores’ price-matching policies. For example, Best Buy may be willing to give the same price on a printer if you can prove that Staples is offering it for $30 cheaper. Keep in mind that many stores are even willing to match Amazon’s prices.

Shoppers who can’t find their needed size or color in clothing or merchandise can buy any size or color on sale day at the discounted price, then exchange a few days later for the item they need.

Utilize a shopping app or coupon aggregator Online shopping is here to stay, and one way retailers provide deals is with coupon codes. Shopping applications can help shoppers save money and time. Some, like Rakuten, offer cash-back and instant discount opportunities, particularly during the holiday season. Others, like Honey, for example, are apps as well as browser extensions that will automatically search for and apply coupon codes on retailers’ sites to ensure a shopper is getting the lowest price.

Think beyond the usual retailers Lowe’s, Home Depot, and even pharmacies have lesser-known, but advantageous deals as well. Don’t overlook these retailers for holiday decor or stocking stuffers. Holiday sales shopping is more budget-friendly with some simple saving strategies.

Shop ahead and pick up Be aware of retailers who offer a lower online price for merchandise www.voicemagazineforwomen.com | November 2023 | 5

Black Friday Shopping Tips

etail holidays now dot the consumer landscape throughout much of the year. That shift has made a day like Black Friday somewhat less unique than it was in years past. However, Black Friday remains the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season, and it’s still a major day for retailers big and small.

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This Black Friday, shoppers can consider these tips to ensure they find the right gifts at the right price. • Do some research before the big day. PreBlack Friday research might prove the best way to land the best deals, and it may not require waking up in the middle of the night. Much like shoppers compete with one another to grab sale items, retailers also compete to get shoppers in store or on their websites. As a result, it’s not uncommon for retailers big and small to advertise Black Friday sales weeks in advance. Shoppers can research these sales and plan when to visit certain stores in order to land the best deal. • Wake up early. Shoppers may not need to get out of bed at 3 a.m. to land the best Black Friday deals, but the early bird still gets the worm on the day after Thanksgiving. Plan to shop early in the morning, which increases the chances of finding the right gift at the right price. If an item you’ve earmarked is part of a doorbuster deal, plan to get to the store or onto the website as early as possible. • Establish a budget. It’s easy to go overboard when shopping deals on Black Friday. However, busting the budget on the first day of the holiday shopping season sets a bad precedent for the weeks to come. A holiday debt survey from LendingTree found that 35 percent of shoppers took on debt to pay for their holiday purchases in 2022, with the average consumer accumulating more than $1,500 in debt. Savvy shoppers devise a budget prior to shopping and stick to that budget. Black Friday remains a wildly popular retail holiday. A little research, a willingness to get up early and some determination to stay on budget is a formula for a successful Black Friday.

How Businesses Can Make the Most of Small Business Saturday

f small business owners are concerned they can’t compete on Black Friday, they can always look to Small Business Saturday, which encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local. Competition can still be steep on Small Business Saturday, but the following are some strategies business owners can employ to make the most of this unique event on the holiday season calendar. • Update your website. The Small Business Administration recommends that small business owners consider a digital makeover for their websites. Even though Small Business Saturday encourages individuals to shop in person, modern consumers typically peruse online offerings first. Updating an outdated website or simply reviewing all information, including product details, on the website to ensure it’s up-to-date can help small businesses make a strong first impression with holiday shoppers. • Promote Small Business Saturday. Though it’s been around for more than a decade, Small Business Saturday is not yet the household name that Black Friday has become. Small business owners can drum up interest in Small Business Saturday by promoting the day on their social media channels. The SBA recommends business owners encourage shoppers to snap selfies and tag their businesses on their own social medial accounts, which can increase engagement and potentially attract new customers. • Sell and promote gift cards. Gift cards help national retailers generate substantial revenue

each year, and there’s no reason why small businesses can’t get their piece of the gift card pie. Gift cards remain wildly popular, as a recent survey from the National Retail Federation found that 54 percent of participants identified gift cards as the most-wanted gift of the 2022 holiday season. Small businesses can offer discounted gift cards on Small Business Saturday and promote those efforts on their websites and via social media. • Open early and close late. Small Business Saturday, which occurs on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, is a great opportunity for small businesses to start the potentially lucrative holiday season off on the right foot. The SBA urges small businesses to open early and close late on Small Business Saturday so they can capitalize as much as possible on this popular retail holiday. Small business owners can embrace various strategies to make the most of Small Business Saturday.

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4 Creature Comforts to Offer Holiday Guests

oliday hosts may want to go the extra mile for their overnight guests who traveled long distances to see them. With that in mind, hosts can provide these four creature comforts to make overnight guests feel right at home during their stay.

have to impose and ask for a ride to the store to purchase new items. If kids are coming, be sure to purchase some spare kids’ size toothbrushes. 1. Charging dock: Just about anyone who has 4. Privacy: Privacy is perhaps the most significant traveled over the last two decades has forgotten creature comfort to offer overnight holiday to pack a phone charger or left one behind at guests. In homes with small children, hosts one point or another. A charging dock on each can check guest room door locks to ensure guest room nightstand can ensure no such fate they still work and install replacements if they awaits hosts’ friends and family members. don’t. In addition, in homes where this is pos2. Fresh bedding: It’s customary to wash sheets sible, designate one bathroom as “guests only” after overnight guests leave so the next time during their stay. Privacy also can extend to loved ones are welcomed into a home the where guests spend their nights. If possible, bedding is clean. But if it’s been awhile since pick a room away from the hustle and bustle you’ve hosted an overnight guest, wash the of the house so guests can get some quiet time bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, covers, and rest during their stay. If that’s not possible, and, if necessary, comforters or duvets, prior hosts can make sure the holiday festivities quiet to guests’ arrival. The scent of freshly washed down at a certain hour each night so overnight bedding can set a welcoming tone that guests guests can rest if they so desire. will appreciate. Holiday hosts can take their offer of hospitality to 3. Toiletries: Stock up on extra toothbrushes and travel-sized accessories like mouthwash the next level by offering their overnight guests some and hand sanitizer so guests who might have creature comforts that can make their stay that much forgotten their own items don’t feel like they more enjoyable.

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Gestures Anyone Can Embrace in

Support of Veterans V

eterans Day (United States) and Remembrance Day (Canada) are commemorated each year on November 11. Both holidays honor the individuals who served in the armed forces for their respective countries. Community-wide events tend to be held on November 11, but any day of the year is a good time to pay respect to veterans. On a local level, people can do much to thank veterans for their service and sacrifice. • Provide a free restaurant meal. Offer to take out a veteran for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If you see a veteran eating in a restaurant, anonymously pay the bill for that person. • Send care packages. Communities can gather resources and chip in to make care packages for veterans who live in town, and even to send to troops stationed elsewhere. Include foods and comforts from home. • Buy from veterans. Seek out veteran-owned businesses in the area, and then make purchases from their retail stores or utilize their services. • Volunteer at a VA hospital. Spend time with veterans where they receive care for current health needs or past injuries suffered in combat. • Decorate cemeteries. Honor fallen veterans by placing flowers or flags by their gravesites. • Participate in a parade. If your town hosts a Veterans Day or Remembrance Day parade, find out how you can volunteer or be a part of it. Oftentimes parade officials enable youth groups, such as high school marching bands or scouting troops, to participate in the parade. • Write to the newspaper. Write an op-ed or highlight piece to submit to the newspaper about veterans in the community. Mention local veterans who have unique stories, or speak about the importance of veterans to the community. • Ask a veteran to speak. If you work in a school or a community center, ask veterans to share their experiences with area youth.

• Visit local memorials. Spend time visiting memorials nearby and paying homage to the veterans who devoted their time, or even their lives, to service. Community members have plenty of opportunities and ways to give back to veterans in the area.

www.voicemagazineforwomen.com | November 2023 | 9

Bringing Fall Colors Inside By Pam Blair

o matter what your favorite season might be, we are always dazzled by the spectacular display of colors on fall leaves. It’s a Godgiven gift that helps to ease the transition from autumn to the winter months, which can be rather pale and dreary. When pumpkins, mums, and Halloween décor go on sale even before Labor Day, it makes me anxious because I want to hang onto summer for as long as possible. I know the window for fall decorating is short, as preparing for Christmas can begin before Thanksgiving. So, while I am always tempted to buy lots of pumpkins and mums, I reluctantly put the brakes on and pull out my favorite velvet pumpkins and faux garlands to make a centerpiece for the table. Taking a cue from nature, I use the colors of leaves on trees at the edge of the lake. When reflected on the water, their beauty is simply breathtaking. Using that color palette, I create a table display that brings the glory of fall right inside the house. Every year I use a large velvet pumpkin I love for its gorgeous texture and real stem. Over the years, I have added a couple of smaller velvet pumpkins in different colors with interesting angular stems.

Adding height to the arrangement with a cake stand gives the largest pumpkin the status it deserves. I accessorize the pumpkins with fall leaf garlands draped around everything and add a couple of candlesticks, like two handdipped beauties I won’t be burning. They will be repurposed each year and I can always tuck in smaller votives around the garlands. If you add some real gourds or squash from the grocery store, their use can be doubled by eating them later! When trees drop their leaves, bring them inside, along with acorns and pinecones for a natural look that extends their life. Bringing the colors of fall inside is not hard to do and while the real thing outside will fade, you can create lasting arrangements to be enjoyed for as long as you wish.

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10 | November 2023 | www.voicemagazineforwomen.com

Pam Blair is a former medical librarian and communications manager who gets nervous when she doesn’t have something to read. She loves descriptive writing and has authored and edited a book and numerous other publications. Contact her at pblair919@aol.com.

Growing a Winter Crop By April Hensley

use row cloth with PVC arches. Old glass windows can be used or a greenhouse depending on space and what you are growing. Mulch with leaves and straw for extra protection I’m planting spinach, radishes, parsnips, broccoli, onions, and garlic among a few others, by mid-November before the truly frigid weather sets in. Whatever you choose should be cold-hardy unless you plan on growing in a heated greenhouse. Seedlings like kale, broccoli, and cauliflower can be purchased or you can start your own seeds indoors. Radish and carrot seeds will be planted directly in the soil in a sunny area. We will immediately cover with row cloth to keep off chilly winds and keep heat in causing the seeds to germinate. Harvest as needed or when the plants reach maturity. Winter hardy garlic, onions, strawberries, rhubarb, and asparagus do not need to be covered in zone 7. They are harvested in spring.

ur garden had an abundant year. The red heirloom corn did great. I’m hoping to grind it for cornmeal. The number of jalapeños we got this year was crazy! • I saved seeds because the plants were so prolific with large juicy peppers. I’m still trying to figure out different ways to use them all. On the flip side, I had a terrible time with bugs. Even on the tomatoes, stink bugs and armyworms were munching away well into October. Aphids completely decimated the onions, garlic, and several • flowers. We plan on trying a lot of new things next year to combat them. The great thing about cold weather is no munchy • bugs in the garden—hopefully! So, I’m going to try a winter garden this year. There are lots of labor-intensive things we have to do to make that happen though. • First, we need to remove all the dead plants • and weeds in the garden. • Plowing comes next. Our soil got very hard • so we will loosen the top few inches. If you have raised beds, you can hoe or use a small cultivator. • Our garden is absolutely depleted April Hensley works as an office manager and is an avid gardener, writer, and greenhouse hobbyist. April loves the outdoors and is of nutrients in the soil. I’m off to passionate about animal welfare and the environment. She can be reached at aprils1105@embarqmail.com. a garden center to buy mushroom, cow, and/or chicken compost. They • New Construction all work really well to give the soil • Guttering • Custom Woodworking new life. I have a compost pile but it • Exterior and Interior Remodeling Licensed, Insured and Bonded is not enough for such a large area. Call Today! • The plants will have to be protected 423.968.5344 Licensed, Insured and Bonded Construction from frosts and freezes. I’m going to •• New Guttering

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Kathryn Raaker:

It’s Her World Syndicated Television and Radio Host, Entrepreneur, Author, and More! By Allison Chudina

t’s Kathryn Raaker’s world, and we’re all living in it. Raaker, a globe-trotter who has lived on four continents, has worked as a syndicated TV and radio host (her latest project is called “Kathryn Raaker’s World”), entrepreneur, product spokesperson, and marketer for many years. Raaker is the founder and chief executive officer of Tri-State Connection LLC and also has been a publisher of magazines and relocation guides for both U.S. and overseas locations, and she is an entrepreneur and founder of the PRO Referral Organization globally. Through Raaker’s TV and radio shows, she is able to share her rich them. I realized I liked being on I love working experiences from around the world. the air and wanted to create somewith authors and seniors, When asked what initially led thing of my own.” and volunteering with her down the path that would grow This became possible when non-profits that support into her remarkable career, Raaker Raaker began working for the Daily the military. said: “After working for a few years in News of Newburyport newspaper in advertising and marketing across the Massachusetts and their counterpart United States and overseas, the companies I worked in New Hampshire. “I sold advertising and eventually for wanted me to do interviews and commercials for became the assistant manager,” she said. “One of my 12 | November 2023 | www.voicemagazineforwomen.com

clients, American Cablevision, asked me to create a TV program for children. I was thrilled to take on the challenge.” This TV program was called “Kathryn’s Storybook Tree.” Raaker and her team created a set that looked like a small garden with a small tree in the center. The tree, Raaker explained, was the star of the show. “It talked!” Raaker said. “The leaves were books.” Once the program began, Raaker and her daughter wrote the very first story and made the first book created by a mother and daughter team. “On TV, we encouraged kids to send in their stories, and our artist would illustrate the stories on air,” Raaker said. Today, one of Raaker’s current projects is her newest TV show, “Kathryn Raaker’s World,” which takes viewers on the road, visiting interesting people and exotic places. The show is only 30 minutes long, and it allows Raaker to interview authors, politicians, inventors, and product developers. Raaker hopes to “introduce her audience to new ideas, inspirational inventions, and innovative people.” Another one of Raaker’s shows, called, “The Chef, You and I,” focuses on preparing healthy meals with the goal of taking traditional recipes filled with fat and calories and making them healthier. In this show, chefs offer their favorite recipes with interesting cooking trends and secrets. Raaker encourages beginning cooks to learn more about how to prepare dishes. “I would suggest people watch our show,” she said. “Learning to cook is not hard. Try looking online and making something. Join

a cooking class with a friend or watch cooking videos on YouTube.” Raaker said her inspiration for creating “The Chef, You and I” came from wanting to get healthier herself. “For years, I had a weight problem, and after living overseas I experienced food that was healthy and delicious and noticed portions were much smaller overseas than they were in the States,” she said. “I started losing weight, especially in Spain and Turkey. I was walking and exercising more and eating differently. This gave me the challenge. I decided that once I returned to the States, I would create a healthy cooking show from what I learned living overseas.” Raaker also has a syndicated radio show, “Let’s Just Talk,” which is a “magazine-format talk show.” In “Let’s Just Talk,” Raaker interviews guests on topics rele-

www.voicemagazineforwomen.com | November 2023 | 13

vant to her audience. She says this can range from politics to health to family values, or even new books. “The topics are unlimited, and the conversation is fast-paced and entertaining,” Raaker said. She explains that a “magazine-format talk show” features many topics ranging from fashion and beauty to food, and the latest travel tips and places to explore. “We have guests that give our audience the information they need or want,” Raaker said. “Guests discuss the latest in health and wellness, but you’ll also hear them discussing the latest issues and popular topics from around the world. It is entertainment for the entire family.” Raaker says that some of her favorite guests have been religious icon Billy Graham; female astronaut Kim Ellis; science fiction author Fionne Foxxe Farraday; politician Michael Letts; and Jason Day, an Australian professional golfer who won the 2015 PGA Championship. Raaker has appeared in numerous publications globally, and she is also a published author. Her second novel, Elizabeth Bromwell: The Case of the Chinese Leopard, was released earlier this year. Her son, Robert Taggart, co-wrote the novel. “Writing with my son was a true joy,” Raaker said. “We are a great team, and he makes our books page-turners.” Raaker’s life thus far has been filled with many exciting projects and memories. But what is she

Elizabeth Bromwell: The Case of the Chinese Leopard was published earlier this year.

most passionate about? “I love working with authors and seniors, and volunteering with non-profits that support the military,” she said. “I also love creating TV for kids.” Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs or media hosts is to stay knowledgeable. “Before you quit your day job, learn as much as you possibly can about the business you want to start,” she said. “If it’s a food product, try your recipe out with family and friends first.” Raaker noted that most product entrepreneurs create something that is unusual or needed in the marketplace. “For media, take courses in the town where you live,” she said. “You can take courses while volunteering at community access stations. There are courses in production and editing, and this will help you to create your own show.”

“Don’t miss this spellbinding, page-turning, spy thriller!” Kevin L. Schewe, MD, FACRO Author of the Award-Winning Bad Love Book and Screenplay Series

“Get ready for a scintillating thrill ride that goes from zero to 100.” Fionne Foxxe Farraday Author of Kairn: Mates of the Alliance

Available Now!

Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com

14 | November 2023 | www.voicemagazineforwomen.com

Robert Taggart, co-author and son

To learn more about Raaker’s adventures and current projects, visit her website, at Kathrynraakersworld.com. (Photographs contributed)

Dear Don, “For the male perspective” By Don Grimm

DEAR DON: My husband started a handyman business three years ago, which has become a success. I’m incredibly thankful for, and proud of, his dedication and hard work, which have allowed me the privilege of staying home to care for our toddler. Lately, however, I’ve been feeling quite isolated. He leaves for work before we wake up and returns home around dinner time, leaving us with only an hour or two together before he falls asleep on the couch. He usually works weekends, and any free time is spent doing handyman favors for friends or family. I’m beginning to harbor feelings of resentment. He started this so he could provide for his family, but I can’t help but feel that he’s forgotten us along the way. I’m torn between discussing how I feel with him or keeping my feelings to myself, as I don’t want to appear ungrateful or unsupportive. What should I do? – SHERRY DEAR SHERRY: First off, I’d like to point out the most important part of your letter. You expressed that you’re thankful. That tells me your heart and mind are both in the right place, so I won’t need to send you to your corner to think about what you’ve done. As for the resentment, that’s a natural initial response in a situation like yours, but you can’t keep these thoughts and feelings to yourself, and you can’t allow that resentment to take the helm while attempting to address the situation.

It’s A

Classic! Short and sweet film reviews of old, classic movies perfect for a girls’ night in! By Allison Chudina

For the month of November, I thought I’d recommend an iconic war movie in honor of Veterans Day (Nov. 11) — The Great Escape. This critically acclaimed film, directed by John Sturges, is based on a true story. The movie follows allied prisoners of war as they plan for several hundred of their men to escape from an

This is the part where I hit you with some insight into your masculine, primitive-minded, chest-beating, caveman counterparts. One of the traits that is most commonly pounded into men’s heads is stoicism, and as much as guys take pride in being the blunt object that endures a daily pounding without complaints, we still have needs too. We need to blow off steam and purge the overflowing stresses of each day, in preparation for the next. What neither of you may realize, is that he’s most likely feeling the same isolation that you’re feeling, just in a different way. He’s stuck in his routine of being away from home for long hours, and over time, if he is incapable of achieving rejuvenation at home, it can cause him to feel differently about his home environment. That is a root cause of why many men spend their free time away from home. In most cases, it’s not a lack of love or a detachment issue. It’s just that he’s drawn to whatever is allowing him to blow off steam more efficiently. So, here’s my advice on how to handle this situation. Talk to him. Tell him that you love him, and you appreciate all he does. Tell him you’re proud of him and his sacrifices are not going unnoticed. Keep in mind, that these things need to be routine, the same way you want to be acknowledged routinely. Tell him that you want more of his time, and you’re willing to do what it takes to make home the place that he feels he can recharge the most efficiently. Also, I suggest that you talk to him about setting boundaries with the favors he does in his spare time. I’d even go as far as suggesting that Sundays always be kept clear, just so you have that consistent, weekly, uninterrupted time together. Most importantly, make sure he understands you intend to do what’s best for your family. I hope that helps. Good luck and God bless. – DON GRIMM

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Don Grimm is an author, poet, lyricist, screenwriter, and illustrator, as well as a former radio co-host, music producer, and video content creator. Some of Don Grimm’s current books can be found on Amazon. Send your questions to Don at office@jancarolpublishing.com.

“escape-proof” German POW camp during World War II. Among the prisoners determined to escape are American Captain Virgil Hilts (played by Steve McQueen) and British Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett (played by Richard Attenborough). By digging a tunnel out of the prison grounds, the soldiers are able to outwit their captors. However, they realize that the stakes are much higher when this escape becomes a reality. This film has moments of comedy but also sequences of high adventure and action. It was nominated for Best Motion Picture, Drama, at the 1974 Golden Globes. Needless to say, this movie is a must-watch for those who have never seen it, and it would be the perfect film to enjoy on a cool November evening with friends or family. www.voicemagazineforwomen.com | November 2023 | 15

e with you and could feel

Compelled: From the Yazoo Pumps to Polar Bears and Back

“Jan Howery takes the reader from the Appalachian Mountains to Belize in this whirlwind mystery filled with love, loss, and love again. The reader will enjoy every twist and turn with an appreciation for the outcome.”

Written by H. Dale Hall Compelled is a chronicle of H. DaleW Hall’s career, but focuses on the conservation issues he personally worked on. They include, but aren’t limited to, the Clean Water Act and wetlands, the Endangered Species Act (northern spotted owl, polar bear and others), his involvement working on the agreements for operation of the Missouri, Colorado and Sacramento-San Joaquin rivers, his rise to become Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service and, most importantly, the people he worked with on these issues. Click here to order. — Linda Hudson Hoagland, author of the Lindsay Harris Murder Mystery Series

hen brothers Jackson and Brandon Taylor vanished without a trace at the airport, their girlfriends Jan and Allison are left heartbroken and confused. The women have no idea where the brothers went, or how they disappeared from the airport. After years of no clues, Jan and Allison move on with their lives. Allison soon meets an investigator who reveals that there’s a secret ongoing investigation of the brothers. Through twists and turns, Allison discovers the truth and learns that their boyfriends were in danger. Does she keep the secrets to herself? Does Jan need to know the truth? The brothers could be alive, but finding them will put Allison’s and Jan’s lives at risk. Does Allison reach back to the past to move on with her future? Secrets, lies, and deception abound in Gone Before Breakfast!

Jan Howery is a native of Southwest Virginia. Her stories have been published in several short-story anthologies. She regularly contributes fashion and health columns for the Appalachian regional magazine, Voice Magazine for Women. Gone Before Breakfast is her first novel.

Written by Addy May Evelyn lives in Hawaii and always had the perfect life. One day, her wonderful life came to a screeching halt. F and having Her sister Madeline started acting strange terrible headaches. After several doctor visits, Madeline u was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Evelyn’s life shattered. There was no cure coming for her sister; she would have to say goodbye. Evelyn must learn to savor every moment she has with Madeline. When the time comes, she has to learn to process her grief in waves, learning to smile at the memory of Madeline instead of holding on to the sadness. Evelyn leans hard into surfing to help her ease the pain, letting every wave help her find the balance of love, loss, grief, and learning to be happy again. Click here to order.

ollow the life and works of the son of Azorean immigrants, Joseph George Ray, during the Great Depression, World War II, the lacemaking industry, and his struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Be inspired by his humor, resilience, and grit as one of the many stalwarts of The Greatest Generation viewed through his memoirs, poetry, sketches, and the eyes of his loving daughter.

“This book encapsulates a daughter’s heartfelt dedication to her father. It weaves together the author’s own storytelling with a collection of her father’s writings, encompassing prose, poetry, and illustrations. Within its pages unfolds a captivating depiction of the multifaceted life of Mr. Joseph George Ray. Born to immigrants in the early 20th century, Mr. Ray’s life serves as a captivating illustration of the journey towards integration within American society by the Portuguese Americans of that era. Mr. Ray and his family pursued the American dream amidst a landscape of challenges, navigating through the trials of economic downturns and war, while also confronting the harsh realities of prejudice and discrimination. Within the pages of this book, a testament emerges to the resilience of determination and perseverance in the face of hardship.” — DR. DULCE MARIA SCOTT CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK; PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, ANDERSON UNIVERSITY

“Marie Ray Fraley tells us the story of her Portuguese immigrant family and of her father, a man who changed the course of history in the world and helped humanity prevail against the oppression and tyranny of the Third Reich. Joseph George Ray, from the D-Day beaches all the way to the occupation of Germany, proved that wars cannot be fought or won without the support of logistics and all the men and women behind the front lines of combat.” — ANTÓNIO FRAGOEIRO RESEARCHER, THE WORLD WAR TWO MILITARY HISTORY OF PORTUGAL AND THE PORTUGUESE, COLLABORATOR, “PORTUGAL 1939–1945”

Stories From a North Dakota Cheerleader

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Written by Carol Owen Reynolds Stories From a North Dakota Cheerleader follows real snapshots of the author’s life. With more tales packed away in the author’s brain, this book promises to be the first of many. Only God can stop Carol Owen Reynolds from writing. Click here to order.

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Written by Jan Howery When brothers Jackson and Brandon Taylor vanished without a trace at the airport, their girlfriends Jan and Allison are left heartbroken and confused. The women have no idea where the brothers went, or how they disappeared from the airport. After years of no clues, Jan and Allison move on with their lives. Allison soon meets an investigator who reveals that there’s a secret ongoing investigation of the brothers. Secrets, lies, and deception abound in Gone Before Breakfast! Click here to order.

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NEW RELEASES

“every story needs a book”

Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc. is a small independent publishing press with a motivated force of authors. Mountain Girl Press, Little Creek Books, Express Editions, DigiStyle, Broken Crow Ridge, Fiery Night, Skippy Creek, and RoseHeart Publishing are all imprints of Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc.

Written by George Bove Illustrated by Kristi Lynch What happens when a letter is rejected from the alphabet soup? Join little orange t as he journeys around Tennessee and finds his place leading a crowd of adoring fans as a great, big uppercase T in the world’s largest bowl of alphabet soup! Click here to order.

16 | November 2023 | www.voicemagazineforwomen.com

My Buffalo Nickel and Other Stories From a Portuguese American Life:

The Life and Writings of Joseph George Ray

Written by Marie Ray Fraley Follow the life and works of the son of Azorean immigrants, Joseph George Ray, during the Great Depression, World War II, the lacemaking industry, and his struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Be inspired by his humor, resilience, and grit as one of the many stalwarts of The Greatest Generation viewed through his memoirs, poetry, sketches, and the eyes of his loving daughter. Click here to pre-order.

Snow Much Love

A Collection of Family Stories

Written by Donna Snow King The roads Donna has traveled throughout her life – some boring and some not so boring – have formed the person she is today. Each road had a side trail that led her to many adventures, resulting in life-changing experiences. Growing up a house mover’s daughter had its challenges. The hardest one to overcome was being a female in a male-dominated industry. Donna’s Daddy always said she could do anything she put her mind to, and she believed him. She wears her badge of being a third-generation house mover with great pride. Click here to pre-order.

Sad Eyes

1912 to 1939

Written by Dan Perkins An Irish lass who is as smart as she is beautiful becomes an Army nurse in World War II, helping save tens of thousands of soldiers’ lives. Most of her time during the war is in the Pacific. She is called on several times to assist the military leadership in winning the war. Click here to pre-order.

“every story needs a book”

AUTHORS on the ROAD Appalachian Authors Guild

Author of The Lindsay Harris Murder Mystery Series, The Best Darn Secret; and anthologies Easter Lilies; Broken Petals; Wild Daisies; Scattered Flowers; Daffodil Dreams; and These Haunted Hills

Tuesday, November 14, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 a.m. Appalachian Authors Guild Participate in a grab bag ($10) fellowship & installation of officers. Shoney’s in Abingdon, VA

Sunday, November 26, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Book Signing Big Walker Lookout Wytheville, VA

Melissa Sneed Wilson Author of Growing Up & Going Back and Reclaiming Christmas

Friday, November 17, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Book Signing Food City Euclid Ave, Bristol, VA

“In her new novel, Reclaiming Christmas, Melissa Sneed Wilson captures the high expectations we have at Christmas and the reality that always seems to disappoint us. Families are often complex, and when you throw in a holiday, things have a way of going south. Wilson captures the true essence of family, where faith and love can overcome all obstacles.” — Karen Bruce, author of A Heart Never Dies

A cynical economic consultant, grieving the loss of his parents, butts heads with a Christmas-obsessed hospital administrator over their town’s annual holiday festival. As they navigate their feelings about Christmas and each other, they learn maybe they aren’t that different from one another after all.

Tuesday, November 11, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch and Learn First Baptist Church Kingsport

Melissa Sneed Wilson is the award-winning

Saturday, November 18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Book Signing Food City, Blountville, TN Friday, November 24, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Book Signing Food City Bluefield, VA

author of Growing Up and Going Back. A communications professional and adjunct professor, Melissa enjoys writing stories that are relatable, inspirational, and hope-filled. She currently lives in Blountville, Tennessee with her husband and their two children. She’d love for you to connect with her at: MelissaSWilson melissasneedwilson

Thursday, November 30, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Book Signing Crumbum in downtown Kingsport

Where is Maggie?

Friday, November 3, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Book Signing Food City Radford, VA Saturday, November 4, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Book Signing Sanders House Bluefield, VA Sunday, November 5, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Book Signing Sanders House Bluefield, VA Tuesday, November 7, 2023 Election Day Get out and Vote! Friday, November 10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Book Signing Food City Lebanon, VA

Melissa Sneed Wilson

Linda Hudson Hoagland

Saturday, November 25, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Book Signing Big Walker Lookout Wytheville, VA

Reclaiming Christmas

Come to Shoney’s in Abingdon, VA to participate in a grab bag ($10 Limit) fellowship and installation of officers, Tuesday, November 14, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This is a general membership meeting for the Appalachian Authors Guild and all are welcome to attend.

Saturday, November 11, 10 am – 4 pm Book Signing Food City, Wytheville, VA

What do they do to get little Maggie home? “This is a great storybook for the holiday season.” NOW AVAILABLE!

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www.voicemagazineforwomen.com | November 2023 | 17

This Month’s Featured Books

ants, of Azorean immigr works of the son ollow the life and ion, World War II, during the Great Depress . Joseph George Ray, with Parkinson’s Disease y, and his struggle the many stalthe lacemaking industr e, and grit as one of resilienc humor, s, his Be inspired by through his memoir t Generation viewed warts of The Greates daughter. the eyes of his loving poetry, sketches, and

author’s own It weaves together the dedication to her father. ns. Within tes a daughter’s heartfelt poetry, and illustratio “This book encapsula encompassing prose, immiof her father’s writings, George Ray. Born to ed life of Mr. Joseph storytelling with a collection journey towards g depiction of the multifacet g illustration of the its pages unfolds a captivatin serves as a captivatin pursued family th century, Mr. Ray’s life his and Ray Mr. grants in the early 20 e Americans of that era. s society by the Portugues trials of economic downturn the American within through n integratio this challenges, navigating Within the pages of amidst a landscape of and discrimination. the American dream prejudice of ” realities hardship. ng the harsh ce in the face of tion and perseveran and war, while also confronti SCOTT — DR. DULCE MARIA to the resilience of determina ; book, a testament emerges OF SOCIAL WORK

CHAIR, DEPARTMENT JUSTICE, AND CRIMINAL PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY ANDERSON UNIVERSITY

father, a man who t family and of her Portuguese immigran oppression and us the story of her prevail against the “Marie Ray Fraley tells and helped humanity to the occupation of of history in the world beaches all the way changed the course Ray, from the D-Day and all the men and Reich. Joseph George the support of logistics tyranny of the Third be fought or won without — ANTÓNIO FRAGOEIRO cannot wars that Germany, proved MILITARY ORLD WAR TWO RESEARCHER, THE W front lines of combat.” , AND THE PORTUGUESE women behind the ORTUGAL HISTORY OF P COLLABORATOR, “PORTUGAL

1939–1945”

Maggie MacLean

Billy W. Harp

David Ross Fraley

Marie Ray Fraley

While women’s place in the nineteenth-century society was strictly defined, some women transcended those boundaries. My fictional leading lady, Amanda Armstrong was one of those women. Out of food and supplies, Amanda traveled to Knoxville, looking for a way to support herself until the war was over. Along the way, she encountered an orphaned black boy who attached himself to her and would not let go. After conquering her own deepseated fears, Amanda profoundly affected the lives of many people, including the women of her neighborhood who were also struggling to survive the war.

A rape in post-World War I Germany, the brutal murder of a beautiful young woman in Nazi Germany, and a series of murders in sleepy little Vero Beach, Florida, are enmeshed in a web of mystery that may connect them to another murder on the peaceful shores of the Indian River. Addressing the Nazi regime and the implementation of the Naval Air Station and UDT Seals, Failed Dawn is a sweeping saga that both enlightens and mystifies readers.

Those Devils in Baggy Pants was originally published in 1951 by Ross S. Carter, a member of the 82nd Airborne Division during WWII. Carter, one of the three surviving members of his original platoon and Silver Star and Purple Heart awardee, sadly, was never able to see his book in print. Instead, the final chapters were pieced together by his brother, shortly after Carter’s passing, with the help of Carter’s meticulous notes.

Follow the life and works of the son of Azorean immigrants, Joseph George Ray, during the Great Depression, World War II, the lacemaking industry, and his struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Be inspired by his humor, resilience, and grit as one of the many stalwarts of The Greatest Generation viewed through his memoirs, poetry, sketches, and the eyes of his loving daughter.

Rita Sims Quillen

Order this book directly from JCP — for a discounted price and FREE shipping in November! Go to the “JCP Book Shop” at www.jancarolpublishing.com.

Set during World War I in southwest Virginia, Hiding Ezra is the story of a simple farmer, Ezra Teague, who is forced to choose between fighting for his country and taking care of his family. Like more than 175,000 other young men, Ezra chose his family—not because he was a coward or a pacifist, but because he was practical and because he felt his Christian faith called him to do so. Hiding Ezra is also a love story, as we see the girl of his dreams, Alma Newton, try to figure out how to extricate Ezra from his predicament. And finally, Hiding Ezra is the story of an adventure, a quest, and a chase, as the authorities—including local boy Lieutenant Andrew Nettles—try to bring Ezra to military justice.

Jan-Carol Publishing Books

Click on the cover to purchase • www.Jancarolpublishing.com • www.Amazon.com • www.Barnesandnoble.com 18 | November 2023 | www.voicemagazineforwomen.com

Books You May Have Missed! Yesterday’s Books and Tomorrow’s Reading

Betty Carver Andrew Searches for a Forever Family tells a story about a little boy named Andrew, a special needs orphan, who is on a journey to find a forever family. This story of adoption is written in poetic form from the view of the adoptive family, as well as the child, expressing the joy of these two becoming one family. We see the patience, labor, and love involved in the process and the joyful ending.

Family Stories Month! Family Stories Month rolls around in November just in time for the holidays. When families gather it’s an excellent time to share stories and learn about family history.

Charlotte S. Snead

Kristin Hale

Each family has its unique foibles and in this wonderfully illustrated book, Three’s a Crew, the author shares a family story and how they work together as a family. Written in an easy to read rhyme, the family of two boys began a family with three boys, and this is the beginning of the story.

The passing along of oral history is one of our most valuable learning tools. Grandma, Tell Me About When You Were a Little Girl is a sweet conversation between a grandparent and grandchild that reveals a wealth of information. Through talking to her grandmother, the main character discovers what it was like growing up in the Appalachian Mountains many years ago.

Frechia Collins Winchell Molly’s life as she knows it is about to change... She is being forced to stay with her old great granny for an entire week! No computer, cable TV, video games or even her cell phone! Her life is over! And then there’s that pathetic cat of hers. But Molly’s reality begins to change as she learns some very interesting things, such as how to gut a fish, and realizes that appearances can be deceiving. Molly learns many lessons in her visit with her Great Granny!

Kristin Hale.

Order these books from our JCP website (Jancarolpublishing.com) for free shipping! Click on the cover to purchase or go to “JCP Book Store” at the top of our homepage!

Jan-Carol Publishing Books

“every story needs a book”

www.Jancarolpublishing.com • www.Amazon.com • www.Barnesandnoble.com www.voicemagazineforwomen.com | November 2023 | 19

UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT

By Deana Landers www.morningcoffeebeans.com

y daughter invited me to spend the weekend at a family cabin on the Chesapeake Bay for my birthday this year. It was so quiet. The only sounds were our voices, birds chatting, water splashing against the bank, and wind scattering the beautiful fall leaves on the ground like puzzle pieces. It was exactly what I needed after suffering from a concussion at the beginning of the summer. The unfortunate accident happened when I was working in our garden. I was bending over, pulling some weeds. My grandson called my name, and as I started to stand, the double iron shepherd’s hook started to fall. We met in the middle. I had no idea how much it hurt to be hit in the head with such a heavy piece of metal. At first, I thought it was just a bump on my head, but symptoms like a severe headache, neck pain, nausea, and dizziness didn’t ease up, so I went to the doctor. A CT scan cleared me of a subdural hematoma (bleeding in the brain). However, the inflammation from the brain injury has caused post-concussion syndrome. Symptoms like headaches, visual problems, and cognitive problems, especially with memory, can last up to six months or longer. My daughter planned the weekend to give me some rest and silence. And it helped a lot. Most of us don’t get enough silence in our daily lives. Things like cell phones, music, TV and radio

news, podcasts, and the multitude of sounds we create nonstop can be stressful. Silence can be healing in so many ways. Medically, in the same way that noise can cause tension and stress, sitting in silence for about two minutes releases tension from the brain. It can be more beneficial than listening to relaxing music because it changes blood circulation and pressure in the brain. Productively, silence helps us to concentrate, unlocks our creativity, allows innovative ideas to flourish, cultivates self-awareness, and fosters personal growth. Spiritually, Psalms 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” The psalmist declares that God is our refuge and strength no matter what is happening around us. We are safe in the assurance that he is God. We can wait on him even amid chaos. I know we can’t always get away to a quiet cabin in the forest, but there are ways we can create healing silence in our lives. My favorite is gardening outdoors and indoors. Caring for plants and watching them grow gives me great peace. Other quiet activities are reading, writing, drawing, or walking in nature, especially now when the air is cool, and the fall colors are everywhere. You can recharge your batteries and reduce stress by doing something you enjoy in a quiet space. As an OR nurse, I was often on call on the weekends. We could never put our cell phones or beepers away. We had to carry them with us at all times in case we had to return to the hospital for emergency surgery. It made the weekends less relaxing. Having our phones with us all the time causes stress. Putting them away or in silent mode sometimes can be one of the ways to help us experience the healing power of silence. The most important thing we can do to rest our bodies and brains is to get enough sleep at night. Even adding a nap to our daily routine is good. Sometimes, when I lay down to nap, I simply rest in silence for a little while instead of sleeping, and it recharges my mind and body. Consider adding some quiet time to your self-care routine.

self care

20 | November 2023 | www.voicemagazineforwomen.com

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Deana Landers, a retired nurse and health educator, is Christian speaker who strives to educate and encourage. She may be contacted at dlanders1511@gmail.com or 276-780-7355.

• • • •

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

ementia is a broad term for memory loss and other cognitive issues, such as language and problem-solving problems, that can interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is one type of dementia. More than 6.2 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, indicates the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The Alzheimer’s Association says more than 747,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, and worldwide 44 million people are living with dementia. AD is caused by damage to nerve cells in the brain, known as neurons, that are essential to thinking, walking, talking, and all human activity. Researchers say that the first noticeable symptoms tend to be memory, language, and thinking problems. However, the brain changes that cause the symptoms are believed to begin 20 years or more before the appearance of symptoms. Once AD sets in, it is a progressive disorder. There is no cure and cognitive issues will only continue to get worse as time goes on. At some point, around-the-clock care may be required, and patients with AD may need to enter a memory care facility because their needs may exceed the abilities of caregivers. The AFA notes there are three stages of AD: mild, moderate, and late, and each stage produces unique symptoms.

• • • • •

• • • •

Severe Symptoms

Recognize faces but forget names Mistake a person for someone else Delusions may set in Strong need for holding something close for tactile simulation or companionship • Basic abilities fade during this period. Individuals will need help with all basic activities of daily living. People may wonder why AD is eventually fatal when it seemingly only affects cognition. Although cognitive issues that result in memory impairment are not necessarily life-threatening, the disease also can affect the body physically. The most common cause of death among Alzheimer’s patients is aspiration pneumonia. That happens when, due to difficulty in swallowing, an individual inhales food particles, liquid or even gastric fluids inadvertently, says UCLA Health. Alzheimer’s disease is a serious condition that affects millions of people. It’s important to discuss warning signs with doctors and get the facts about this form of dementia as early as possible.

Mild Symptoms

Forget words or misplace objects Forget something they just read Ask the same question over and over Have increasing trouble making plans or organizing Fail to remember names when meeting new people

Moderate Symptoms

Increased memory loss and confusion Problems recognizing family and friends Continuously repeating stories Decreased ability to perform complex tasks or handle personal finances • Lack of concern for hygiene and appearance • Requiring assistance in choosing proper clothing to wear for day, season, or occasion www.voicemagazineforwomen.com | November 2023 | 21

Guiding Parents Through Hardship By Cindy K. Sproles

ging can be deceptive, On the outside, our parents may seem well adjusted and flying well through their golden years, when the truth is, they may be struggling. There are a number of things that will prevent loved ones from seeing these struggles and they can be tricky to maneuver, but when you know the key is to notice, then intervention is much easier. • Aging parents can hide — There are times when it seems difficult to sift through what is doing well and what isn’t. Here’s an example. A son visits his aging mother weekly, and each week she has him take her shopping. She purchases undergarments. The son doesn’t notice that each week his mother is purchasing the same items until he goes to her laundry room and finds plastic bags tied and tossed into a corner. Each bag holds soiled undergarments. He had no idea that his mother was purchasing these items repeatedly and not washing them. Instead, she was tying them into small bags and tossing them in the corner. Our seniors can be very good about hiding things, but this is a sure sign a parent is struggling. In this case, the mother could not remember how to start her washing machine. She could manage everything else except her washing machine. Be it pride, or embarrassment, this woman couldn’t ask for help. Learn to pay attention to the small things. Do you notice repetitive things happening? A great place to look for “hiding” is the refrigerator. Most visits to a parent’s home do not require you to look in the refrigerator, but if you do this, you may notice grossly out-of-date items, molding food in containers, spoiled milk, or bad lunchmeats. This is especially disconcerting because it can mean your parent is not eating well. Slips indicate that they are forgetting to empty out old items. It’s not laziness. It’s a struggle with memory. • Missing appointments or special dates — As we grow older, things slip. Those memory hiccups are not always something serious, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, but they simply have an aging memory. The aging process slows us down. Thoughts are slower to process, and memories tend to lack. There is nothing uncommon about a senior missing a special date. To help your parents keep up, keep a large calendar with blocks to write in, in clear view. There are electronics such as Alexa from Amazon that can help remind seniors of important dates. Take advantage of technology, but remember, you will be the one in charge of adding dates. Sometimes, even the simplest technology sends aging parents into overload. 22 | November 2023 | www.voicemagazineforwomen.com

• Walking or hunkered posture — Admitting it’s time to add a walking aid is especially difficult for aging parents. Walking is one of the last things our loved ones have control over, so when a walker or cane is introduced, remember this is hard for parents. On a personal note, my mother suffered from a compressed lumbar fracture. The walker sat in her room for weeks before she tried to use it. We asked her numerous times to use it, but her response was that she could manage fine holding on to the railing down the assistive living hallway. Time was the requirement for her to adjust to the acceptance that she needed this assistance. Now, she is faster using a walker than she was walking alone. My mother regained a sense of control and her fear of tripping or falling dissipated when she accepted the walker. Pay close attention to your aging parent’s posture. If you notice extreme hunkering or that their feet shuffle or drag, these are signs that their balance is affected and are early warning signs of impending falls. Introduce walking aids slowly. Don’t push. Rather gently suggest. Soon, your parent will accept the device and hopefully before a fall. Hardships come in many fashions. The key to helping aging parents is to pay attention, keeping in mind those problems can be anything from memory to depression or physical issues. Again, pay attention. Introduce the appropriate assistance for the difficulty. Remember to be gentle about the introduction of new ways. As our parents age, they lose so much freedom by not being able to do the things they have always done. They’ve given up a lot of independence, and this is a struggle. Loving them, assuring them they are not unable but simply need a little assistance, and providing the necessary equipment or help will make their lives much easier.

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Cindy K. Sproles is a novelist, speaker, and conference teacher. She is the cofounder of ChristianDevotions.us and the managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com.

7 Warning Signs for Diabetes

iabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose. Diabetes can cause serious damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels over time. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t make enough insulin. The World Health Organization says about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year. Catching diabetes at its earliest can help individuals avoid long-term damage to the body and improve their overall health. This means recognizing signs that suggest the presence of diabetes and its precursor, prediabetes. According to OSF Healthcare, an integrated health care network serving individuals across Illinois and Michigan, the following are seven potential warning signs of diabetes. 1. Frequent urination: This is one of the key indicators of diabetes. When diabetes is present, the kidneys work harder to rid the body of excess sugar, producing more urine. 2. Dry mouth and excessive thirst: This goes in conjunction with frequent urination, as the body is trying to increase fluid to alleviate excess sugar. 3. Dry skin: Dry skin, especially around the feet, can be a symptom of diabetes. 4. Slow-healing wounds: A higher blood sugar level can interfere with the body’s ability to heal wounds.

5. Blurry vision: Some people notice vision changes that do not seem to be tied to an eye illness or another condition. This may be a result of diabetes. 6. Weight loss: Sudden weight loss without trying to lose weight is often an indication that something isn’t quite right. Diabetes could be the culprit. 7. Yeast infections and UTIs: Women may experience more frequent vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections if they have diabetes. If a person is experiencing any of these conditions, he or she should schedule an appointment with a health care provider to determine if diabetes is to blame.

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I found this tasty morsel hiding in the pages of my favorite church cookbook:

A Church Garden:

A Recipe for the Church By Leslie Snyder Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised); And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. – Hebrews 10:22–25 KJV Interpretation: Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

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First, plant five rows of peas: Presence, Promptness, Preparation, Purity, Perseverance. Next to those, plant three rows of squash: Squash gossip, Squash criticism, Squash indifference. No garden is complete without turnips: Turn up for the meetings, turn up with a smile, turn up with new ideas, turn up with determination to make everything count for something good and worthwhile. While the poem can be enjoyed solely at face value. Rather than “squashing” too often our churches can be filled with the poisonous ingredients listed above, which hurt not only our own churches, but the reputation of the Church itself. The early church dealt with this openly and honestly. The author of Hebrews gives us a glimpse of some of its own struggles. Some of the faithful had given up meeting together and some had fallen prey to a spirit of discouragement. But as the Church, we are called to persevere in times of difficulty and to be set apart from actions that hinder the work of Jesus Christ. Today, may we have the courage to check ourselves and find ways we can begin encouraging those in our own community of faith. Source: www.homeword.com

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By Ken Heath

My Personal Autumn

utumn. I love living in these SWVA mountains, where changing seasons are so much a part of us. I can’t help but feel a little melancholy, though, as we usher out the sun-kissed days that stretched long into summer nights, even though the coming kaleidoscope of color, followed by the excitement of the holidays, is right here. Chasing the sunset home is fleeting; a mere few weeks and nature and law will see that we arrive home after work in just as much darkness as we depart in the

mornings. These evenings are ripe for reflection, for a cozy blanket draped across the lap, a glass of warm bourbon, a good book, and soon enough, a warming fire in the fireplace. And, of course, some classic tunes in the background as life truly imitates art to remind us of our own seasons. At 61, reflecting on my own spring and summer tends to match the mood of the changing weather outside our home. And ol’ Blue Eyes sings on… “But now the days are short, I’m in the autumn of my years And now I think of my life as vintage wine From fine old kegs From the brim to the dregs It poured sweet and clear It was a very good year”

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Ken Heath is a Marion, VA hometown boy who expresses his passions in his writings and through music. After his ‘real job’, Ken is owner of the legendary Cliffside Roadhouse, doggie dad to Miss Reagan and their rescue Scottie the Wonder Dog with his wonderful wife. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at #kenheath.

Adapted by Christopher Sergel From the novel by Harper Lee

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Simplify your feast by slow cooking your Thanksgiving turkey This recipe for “Holiday Turkey,” courtesy Andrew Schloss’ Cooking Slow, calls for slow cooking the bird. Such an approach should result in a delicious and mouth-watering main course that satisfies anyone who’s anxious to sit down at the Thanksgiving dinner table this year.

Roast for 1 hour. Reduce the oven temperature to 175 F. Pour the cider into the roasting pan and sprinkle the poultry seasoning in the liquid. Continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh (but not touching bone) registers to 170 F. Transfer the turkey to a carving board, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for about 15 minutes (see tip). Meanwhile, skim the fat from the surface of the liquid in the pan. Put the roasting pan over two burners and bring the pan drippings to a boil over high heat. Cook until the juices reduce and thicken slightly, enough to coat a spoon, about 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Carve the turkey and serve with cider pan juices.

Resting tip: Slow-roasted meats need far less resting time (pretty much none) than those that are traditionally roasted. A brief resting time does allow the meat to become a little firmer as it cools, making it easier to carve.

Holiday Turkey

Give a beloved side dish a fresh new taste this Thanksgiving

1 fresh turkey, about 15 pounds, preferably free-range 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 quart apple cider 2 teaspoons dried poultry seasoning Coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

New and bold flavors can add a little something special to side dishes this Thanksgiving, and guests might appreciate a break from the norm. That’s just what this recipe for “Irresistible Basil Mashed Potatoes” from Marlena Spieler’s Yummy Potatoes provides. The fresh basil can add some unique flavor to a beloved side dish.

15 servings

2. 3.

Remove the giblets from the turkey and discard (or save for another use). Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat dry with paper towels. Rub it all over with salt and pepper. Refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours. During that time, the surface of the turkey will become visibly dry, and the skin will tighten; this encourages a nice crisp skin on the finished bird. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before you plan to start roasting. Preheat the oven to 450 F. Put the turkey on a rack set in a large, flameproof roasting pan. Drizzle the oil over the top.

Basil Mashed Potatoes Serves 4 to 6

2 pounds floury, baking-type potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks Salt 2 to 3 cups fresh basil leaves of any type (2 to 3 ounces — a nice big bunch) 2 cups heavy (whipping) cream or halfand-half 4 tablespoons butter Black pepper 1.

26 | November 2023 | www.voicemagazineforwomen.com

Place the potatoes in a saucepan and fill with water to cover. Add a big

pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook, covered, for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are just tender. Drain, return to the heat and shake for a few minutes to dry them out; turn off the heat, cover the pan and keep warm. Meanwhile, blanch the basil. Plunge it into a saucepan of boiling water, cook a moment or two until the leaves wilt and slightly change color and lift out of the pot using a slotted spoon, then plunge into a bowl of ice water. Leave for about five minutes or until it turns brightly colored, then lift from the ice water. Heat the cream in a saucepan until bubbles form around the edge of the pan. Squeeze the basil in your hands gently to rid it of excess water from cooking. Place in a food processor and whirl to purée. Slowly pour the hot cream into this puréed basil and whirl until it forms a fragrant, pale green cream. Coarsely mash the potatoes with a masher, then add the basil cream and mash it in; work in the butter, and season to taste with salt and pepper. If you’re serving duck or lamb, serve the potatoes with a drizzle of the port reduction around the edge.

Homemade pie makes for a perfect ending to a holiday meal Though pie aficionados typically have their own go-to pie, pumpkin pie is especially popular at the holiday dinner table. Hosts who want to cater to the masses can serve up the following recipe for “Pumpkin Pie” courtesy of Emily Luchetti’s Classic Stars Desserts (Chronicle Books).

Pumpkin Pie

Serves 8 3 large eggs 1⁄2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1⁄2 cup dark corn syrup 1 1⁄2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 1⁄2 cups pumpkin purée, homemade (see below) 1 tablespoon rum 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger 1⁄2 teaspoon salt 1 prebaked 91⁄2-inch pie crust 1 recipe chantilly cream (see below) 1. 2.

Pumpkin Purée

Chantilly Cream

Makes 2 1⁄2 cups

Makes about 2 1⁄4 cups

2 1⁄2 pounds sugar pumpkins 1⁄4 cup water

1 cup heavy whipping cream 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and brown sugar until blended. Add the corn syrup and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the cream, pumpkin purée, rum, cinnamon, ginger, and salt until well mixed. Pour into the prebaked pie crust. Bake until the filling is set, about 30 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Serve with the chantilly cream.

Preheat the oven to 325 F. Cut each pumpkin into sixths. Scrape out the seeds and any stringy pulp. Put the pumpkin pieces, cut-side up, and the water in a baking pan and cover the pan with aluminum foil. Bake until soft when pierced with a fork, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and, when cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh with a spoon and purée in a food mill or food processor. If the purée is watery, place it in a large sauté pan and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thick. The timing will depend on how watery the purée is. Let cool, cover and refrigerate until using.

Put the cream, vanilla and sugar in a bowl and whip by hand with a whisk or with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks begin to form. The cream should hold its shape but still be very smooth. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

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YWCA 2023 Turkey Trot 5K

building. Start a new family tradition by participating in the YWCA Turkey Trot and collecting a finisher’s medal. Men can register for the race and receive a tee shirt and finisher’s medal, but they are not eligible to win a race category. The YWCA Turkey Trot 5K is only he 43rd Annual YWCA Turkey Trot 5K one component of the YW’s health and run/walk is scheduled for Saturday, safety initiative. As a part of our mission November 18, 2023, beginning at 8 a.m. A to encourage health and wellness, the holiday happening since 1980, the YWCA YW hosts self-defense classes and proTurkey Trot is the longest running all women’s 5K in the region. Its unique positioning as a women’s-only vides physical activity in our childcare center and in race highlights the YW mission to empower women, our Tech GYRLS program. We also host several volleygiving the moms, daughters, grandmothers, and friends ball leagues and clinics. For more information about the YWCA Turkey who participate an opportunity to shine! Make this the year you become a part of this long-standing tradition. Trot contact the YWCA at ywca@ywcatnva.org. The No one is too young or too old to take part in this first 200 who preregister for the Turkey Trot will receive race and leashed pets and strollers are welcome. Partic- a unique race tee shirt and freebies. Forms are available ipants have the option to run or walk a USTAF-certi- at the front desk of YWCA NETN and SWVA at 106 fied route through historic Bristol, Tennessee starting State Street, Bristol, Tennessee. Online registration is near the iconic Bristol Sign and ending at the YWCA available at ywcatnva.org.

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YWCA 2023 Turkey Trot 5K

Voicemail Male

A Recipe for the Church

Guiding Parents Through Hardship

self care

UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT

Family Stories Month!

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Dear Don,

Kathryn Raaker: I t ’ s H er W orld Syndicated Television and Radio Host, Entrepreneur, Author, and More!

Growing a Winter Crop

Bringing Fall Colors Inside

Gestures Anyone Can Embrace in Support of VeteranS

4 Creature Comforts to Offer Holiday Guests

How Businesses Can Make the Most of Small Business Saturday

Black Friday Shopping Tips

Clever Holiday Shopping Strategies to Save Time and Money

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