Each
Peter Gadiot
Congratulations to: Susan Baker Kingsport, TN as the winner in the November Hot Hunk Hunt!
Thanks to ALL for sending in your entry! July Hot Hunk Hunt! The April “Hot Hunk” was Robert Downey
From all of us at Jan-Carol Publishing, thank you for your love and support! Happy holidays! (Front Cover Photo by Joey Cheung/Adobe Stock)
It’s the holidays and time to decorate. A Christmas tradition is pulling the Christmas decorations out of storage. It’s like a ritual. I look over the ornaments that are placed on the tree every year, and yet somehow, they provide a new and original glow to the Christmas tree. But, for me, the special decoration for the Christmas tree is the icicles. You know — those aluminum foil streamers that seem to find their way in each room, all over the floors, on your clothes, and yes, on the tree. But with the Christmas tree lights glowing and these streamers glistening, the child in me is renewed for another holiday season!
Take a good look around you and find something special about your life that can renew the child inside of you. Isn’t it the childlike wonder inside of us that we want to feel and share? Doesn’t that capture the real meaning of Christmas? Sharing a gift of love? As a Christian, I believe that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and His gift of love to all.
I would like to share this story of sharing and giving:
This is an eyewitness account from New York City, on a cold day in December, some years ago.
A little boy, about 10 years old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefoot, peering through the window, and shivering with cold. A lady approached the young boy and said, “My, but you’re in such deep thought staring in that window!”
“I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,” was the boy’s reply.
The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get a half dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked the clerk if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her. She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel. By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy’s feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes. She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted the boy on the head and said, “No doubt, you will be more comfortable now.”
As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face with tears in his eyes, asked her, “Are you God’s wife?”
Here at Jan-Carol Publishing, we want to let all of you know that you are special gifts to us! This year has been about change, and we appreciate all of you traveling with us on this year’s journey. You have shared your time, encouragement, and support to us in endless ways. Thank you! And brace yourselves — there are changes ahead in the New Year!
Remember in gift giving, JCP books make wonderful gifts, and you can find our books on our JCP website, Amazon, and other online outlets. Please sign up for our blog, Bookmarked , listen to our weekly podcast, also called Bookmarked , check out JCP’s websites — voicemagazineforwomen.com and jancarolpublishing.com — and “like us” on Facebook and Instagram. From all of us to all of you: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thought of the month: “It’s not about having what you want but wanting what you have.” – Unknown
Verse of the month: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.” – Matthew 23:25 KJV
Celebrating our 20th anniversary! We wouldn’t be here and there without all of you!
PUBLISHER
Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc PO Box 701 Johnson City, TN 37605
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Janie C Jessee, 423.502.6246 publisher@jancarolpublishing.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Draco Bailey Communications Director & Publishing Assistant communications@jancarolpublishing.com
Allison Chudina Magazine Content Editor & Editorial Assistant office@jancarolpublishing.com
GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION
Tara Sizemore Senior Graphics Designer tara@voicemagazineforwomen.com graphics@jancarolpublishing.com
Office Phone/Fax: 423.926.9983
DISTRIBUTION
Karen Corder Staff
PUBLISHED BY JAN-CAROL PUBLISHING, INC. (Volume 21, Issue 12)
(Janie Jessee’s Photograph: Rebecca Griffin/London Vine Studios)
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. © 2024
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.
Janie C. Jessee, Editor-in-Chief
It’snever too early to start thinking about what to improve upon in 2025, or which goals to set. Here are some common resolutions and how to implement them.
• Exercise more. Getting in shape is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions every year. Gym memberships spike and people often invest in home exercise equipment around this time of year. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, wearable technology continues to be a top trend in fitness and has been a mainstay since 2016. While Fitbit and the Apple Watch series have remained strong contenders, one also may want to invest in the Garmin Vivomove, which boasts wireless charging. Tracking fitness goals can keep those resolutions going strong.
• Improve mental well-being. Getting in shape is not the only health-related goal this time of year. Mental health also comes into play when people make their resolutions. Taking opportunities to slow down and be more mindful can help. One way to do so is through journaling. Human behavior expert and author Natalie Friscia Pancetti, says journaling reduces stress, helps with anxiety, encourages confidence, and can improve perceptions. This is why she developed a journal with inspirational writing prompts as a companion to her “This Too” book and planner.
• Quit smoking. Quitting smoking is a worthy goal. Health care experts know smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and has been linked to more than 27 diseases. Many people want to quit smoking, but the Mayo Clinic says only about 5 percent of people who try to quit succeed without a smoking
cessation product. Nicotine replacement items are some of the most popular smoking cessation tools. For those who want to go drug-free, Füm is a device that addresses the three major components of habit formation that occur with smoking. Employing flavored air, the device replaces the fixation of the handto-mouth habit with non-addictive plant extracts that are inhaled, simulating smoking without the negative effects.
• Learn a new language. Learning a new skill or language is another popular resolution. Today there are many apps available to help people learn one or more new languages. From Duolingo to Babbel to Memrise, there are programs available whether one is a visual learner or wants to jump right into specific phrases.
Many people get a jump-start on identifying their resolutions in early- to mid-December so they’ll be ready to move forward come New Year’s Day.
By Pam Blair
Embracing family heirlooms and vintage holiday décor are among the biggest decorating trends for Christmas this year. Using decorations we already own or pieces we have collected through the years is less about following a trend and more about displaying cherished items that mean something to us. Finding new ways to use old objects gets our creative juices flowing while bringing back warm memories of Christmases past.
Choosing a new color scheme and theme for Christmas décor is not something I want to do. The stores are full of Christmas decorations with endless trendy possibilities, including the use of jewel tones, lots of tinsel, and thinking beyond red and green with shades of white, cream, navy, and silver. While it can be fun to start over and create something gorgeous and new, I love pulling out treasured objects and ornaments and trying to figure out how to display them to their best advantage.
Some of my favorite decorations make a comeback without any changes, while others might be rearranged for a fresh look. I like to focus on the tree, plus small table displays and a centerpiece for the dining table. The tree is always traditional, filled with well-loved ornaments and a few minor alterations, like a different tree topper or draping ribbon around the tree instead of using strings of beads. Whimsical Santas and angels that grace table arrangements are beloved gifts from family and friends, along with others collected through the years.
Whatever style you choose for your Christmas decorations, consider using what you already have or tweaking them just a little bit. It might be all you need to create another memorable Christmas for you and your loved ones.
{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.
By April Hensley
hile we usually think about gifts for the gardeners in our life, how about this year we talk about gifts for the garden? Gardens give so much to us—companionship, a peaceful retreat, nourishment for our body and soul. This holiday season, let’s show it or a loved one’s garden our appreciation by giving something back. Here are a few ideas for gifts for a garden.
• A bench to rest and admire the beauty. What better gift for our precious garden than getting to spend calming time together?
• Pavers or mulch between rows keeps the soil from getting packed down and helps keep weeds out.
• Composting can be as simple as a little pile of scraps in an out-of-the-way corner. A built or bought composter can speed up the process and get healthy nutrients into the soil quicker.
• Using raised beds helps keep the garden healthy by not disturbing the main soil.
• Beneficial nematodes are not only good at managing grubs, but they won’t hurt humans, pets, or bees.
• Once aphids get a tight hold in the garden, there can be several life stages going at once. Ladybugs love to eat aphids. These, along with other beneficial bugs like praying mantis, can be purchased for release.
• Wildflowers attract pollinators that help trees and plants produce nuts, fruits, and seeds. Wildflower seeds can be sown before the ground freezes and will begin germinating in the spring.
• Bird feeders bring voracious appetites to the garden that also help keep pesty bugs from eating the tender plants.
• Rain barrels are a simple gift with big rewards. In addition to saving water, tap water contains chlorine and other chemicals that can change the PH of the soil.
• If deer or other hungry wildlife are using the garden for a buffet, a motion-activated water blaster can help scare them away.
• Nothing is more relaxing than the sound of flowing water. Think about adding a water feature to your garden. It will help bees and birds during hot summer days, which in turn will help the garden be happy and healthy.
• Hummingbirds are delightful to watch as they zip around and add to the magic of the garden. Adding a feeder to the garden will eventually bring a steady hum of wings.
• A colorful glass rain gauge will help show how much rain has fallen so the garden doesn’t get soggy.
{April Hensley works as an office manager and is an avid gardener, writer, and greenhouse hobbyist. Her debut book, Four Seasons: Gardening & Growing in Zone 7 , is available now. April loves the outdoors and is passionate about animal welfare and the environment. She can be reached at aprils1105@embarqmail.com.
By Allison Chudina
From all of us at Jan-Carol Publishing, thank you for your love and support! Happy holidays!
Janie C. Jessee formed JanCarol Publishing, Inc., back in December 2003. “Once the company was officially formed, I put pen to paper with a plan for the creation of the magazine,” Janie said. “I wanted to introduce the magazine to businesses with a prototype or sample copy. A friend who had retired from the print industry offered suggestions on seeking the services of a graphic designer and a printer.”
Janie said Voice Magazine for Women was a process of coordinating schedules and ideas. “In a couple of weeks, I had a prototype and used it to contact businesses to sell advertisements in the magazine,” she said. “The company established itself in the region’s history as being the first women’s magazine, and 13 years ago, Jan-Carol Publishing was established as an independent book publisher with representation of well over 450 book titles.”
Janie said she has a lot of favorite memories that have accumulated over the years, “but it is when someone takes the time to call the office just to share how much they love the magazine that will never be forgotten. I have had women tell me that they have every copy since the first magazine was published. Even today, I receive ‘thank you cards’ in the mail from women saying they just love the magazine. These acknowledgments are priceless and will always be appreciated.”
It is also very special, Janie said, when a first-time author tears up while looking at their first book in print. “That never gets old,” Janie said. “It is a dream come true for many of them.
A dream that they thought would never happen, and to have JCP be a part of that carries me through the toughest times.”
When asked what she is reading right now, Janie said she loves mysteries. “I am reading John Grisham’s Camino Series,” she said. “Grisham may have had many contacts when he began writing, but he seems to never forget his roots of his beginnings of becoming an author. I really enjoy reading his books.”
Janie has several Christmas traditions that she looks forward to each year, including attending a Christmas Eve church service and decorating a beautiful Christmas tree. “I cannot imagine Christmas without a Christmas tree decorated with the ornaments from the different countries and regions I have vacationed, and all of them hanging between the blinking colorful lights,” she said.
Another tradition for Janie is family getting together on Christmas Eve. “It is a special time of receiving friends,” she said. “Friends we haven’t seen in a while will stop by to just say hello. Much like the old traditional ways, we laugh, tell stories, and eat lots of food. Later, with just family members, we open presents. And we always save a few special presents to open on Christmas morning, because they were brought to us by Santa Claus. Yes, I believe!”
When it comes to the new year, Janie plans on dedicating more time to taking care of herself. “The goal is to walk more, eat healthier, and enjoy the outdoors,” she said. “And with my mom turning 95 years old in December, family time in 2025 will be a priority. I like to make a rhyming poem of my goals each new year, so here is mine for 2025: I plan to be more grateful and enjoy being alive...in 2025!”
Tara Sizemore has worked for JCP and Voice Magazine for Women for over 16 years as a graphic designer. “I develop the advertisements and the overall design and layout of Voice Magazine ,” she said. “I also create all of the book layouts — from choosing fonts; deciding where photographs, illustrations, and text should go; creating the book cover; and creating e-books.”
Tara’s favorite part of her job is getting to be creative, “and how every day of the job is different.”
When asked what she’s reading right now, Tara said the last book she read was Liane Moriarty’s Here One Moment. “I am currently reading Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver,” she said.
Tara’s holiday traditions include traveling to Mexico every year in December just before Christmas. “We travel before all the holiday hustle and bustle,” she said. “Then, when we get home, it's all about family time and soaking in all of the holiday fun!”
Her favorite thing about Christmastime is the lazy days spent at home with family (Ben, Maya, and Paxton). “We love to cook, bake, watch movies, play games, and listen to music,” she said.
Tara’s goal for the new year is “to be more active in the community — politically and socially.”
Draco Bailey is JCP’s communications director and publishing assistant. “I act as the first line of communication for new and returning authors,” Draco explained. “My role is to help authors know what to expect from the publishing process and help them prepare for their marketing. Something authors might not know is that marketing starts as early as possible—not just once their book is released!”
Draco’s favorite part of the job? “My favorite part is definitely the creativity I get to express in making promotional emails, social media posts, etc.,” they said.
Right now, Draco is reading The Reluctant Suitor by Kathleen Woodiwiss. “I love historical romance,” Draco said.
Draco’s holiday traditions are almost “too many to count,” they joked. “My favorites are decorating on November 1st and baking cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.”
The best thing about Christmastime, Draco said, is how exciting and magical the world feels. “Everything feels a little more magical this time of year,” they said. When it comes to their 2025 goals, Draco said they hope to “be more artistic.”
ASSISTANT
Allison Chudina is JCP’s magazine content editor and editorial assistant. “I wear many hats!” she said. “My ‘main job’ is to edit new manuscripts that come in, which I love. Something people may not realize is that editing a manuscript can be super time-consuming and takes a lot of concentration and effort! People may think it’s just the same as reading, but it’s actually a lot more complicated. I also help with our podcast and manage our weekly blog — both called Bookmarked — and I write for Voice Magazine every month.”
Allison said her favorite part of the job changes from time to time. “Right now, I’m really enjoying the editing side of things,” she said. “I think it’s so cool to play a key role in a book’s journey from its initial stages of receiving the manuscript to the book actually being published. I love knowing that I’m a part of our authors’ journeys like that.”
At the moment, Allison said she is reading a lot of Freida McFadden. “If you like mysteries with lots of plot twists you won’t see coming, her novels are perfect,” she said. “I’m also currently rereading The Secret History by Donna Tartt, which is my favorite book of all time. It’s a mystery with a 1980s dark-academia setting. I can’t recommend it enough!”
Allison’s holiday traditions include visiting her parents with her fiancé, Mason, to “help them pick out their Christmas tree. Then, we all go home and decorate it and listen to Christmas music! Other traditions include marathoning holiday movies like Elf, Christmas Vacation, and The Grinch .”
Her favorite thing about Christmas is how it brings people together, she said. “Life can be so busy, but luckily at Christmastime, everyone is usually able to spend time together. I also love Christmas music and movies…and, of course, Christmas cooking.”
When asked about her goals for the new year, Allison said she hopes to continue to grow and better herself as a person. “I want to make more time for self-care, which (for me) includes reading more books,” she said. “I hope to read even more in 2025 than I did this year. I’m also getting married in 2025, so one of my goals is for the wedding to all go according to plan!”
Boxing Day is celebrated in Great Britain, Canada and British Commonwealth nations like Australia and New Zealand. The holiday originated in the United Kingdom but other European nations have since embraced it.
Boxing Day dates back to 1871, according to Love to Know, and came about as a custom for tradesmen and women to collect “Christmas boxes” of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas in exchange for good service throughout the year. Many workers, particularly household servants, had to work on Christmas Day, so Boxing Day provided an opportunity for them to visit with their own families. The workers took home boxes filled with foods and other gifts. In the U.K., Boxing Day is a government-mandated holiday. If it falls on a weekend, then the holiday will be observed on
the following Monday. Schools and many organizations are closed on this day. Stores tend to be open, as Boxing Day sales are very popular.
As with most events, Boxing Day features some notable customs.
• Workers, especially those in service positions, are honored. It’s customary to give a financial gift to people who provide services throughout the year. This includes mail carriers, sanitation workers, hair stylists, and others.
• Contribute to the less fortunate. People often donate food to local food banks and support charities.
• Watch or attend sporting events. Boxing Day also is marked by sporting events like horse racing and football, with the U.K. often hosting a full day of Premier League games.
• Take a chilly swim. Some individuals enjoy participating in Polar Plunges to raise money for charities. One annual event features people jumping into the English Channel, and similar plunges are held elsewhere.
• Head to the stores. Boxing Day is similar to Black Friday in the United States. Boxing Day is filled with slashed prices and bargains for shoppers who are eager to spend holiday gift cards.
• Meet up with friends and families. On Boxing Day, friends frequently get together to socialize and go out for dinner or drinks.
Boxing Day is celebrated the day after Christmas and provides a chance to continue the merriment of the holiday season.
By Doug Fields
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. – Luke 2:17–18, 20, KJV
Intrepretation: After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished…The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard. – Luke 2:17–18, 20 (NLT)
When I was a child, it seemed like forever for the next Christmas to get here. Now, as an adult, when Christmas approaches, it seems like I just finished last year’s Christmas activities. Actually, the truth is, I just finished paying for last year’s Christmas activities.
So, now it’s Christmastime again. There’s tension in my home because I am the only one in my family who doesn’t love all the decorating, the music and the lights. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I’m the one who has to do all the actual work. I’m the one who has to survive the black widows in the attic getting everything out to decorate. Then, there are those long green plant ropes, whatever you call them, but I’m the one who has to hang them up everywhere. And, there are the lights–strings and strings of them—enough to light up a small town–but of course, aren’t working—and I only discover this until after I spend hours installing them on the house.
1. Armchair linguists might know that the Latin word “decem” means “ten,” which is a little curious given that December is the twelfth month of the year. So why isn’t December the tenth month of the year? Like other months on the modern calendar, including October and November, December once occupied a different place on the calendar, namely the Julian calendar that was used prior to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. Back then, December was the tenth month on the calendar. Though its position changed when the Gregorian calendar was adopted, its name remained the same.
I also experience Christmas shopping tension. Am I the only one who hates Christmas shopping? For me, it’s not the actual shopping that I hate, but it’s the crowds. I don’t want to navigate through crowds. I don’t want to shop in crowds. I don’t want to stand in line with crowds. They make me feel, well, uh, crowded. Bah humbug! For me, “survive” is the operative word that describes my life for much of the Christmas season. I’m guessing that I’m not alone, that this strikes a familiar chord with many.
Evaluating my overall Grinch-ness, I find myself too focused on surviving the tension surrounding Christmas, rather than celebrating Jesus. When I go into survival mode, I overlook and forget about the Christ of Christmas. When I’m in celebration mode, I focus on Him.
I want to snap out of survival mode and move to celebration. I only have to look as far as the Christmas narrative to see celebration at work in the lives of lowly shepherds. For them, there was something about Jesus that triggered absolute joy within their souls. They ran to see Him! And, when they had left Jesus, they told everyone about Him and celebrated! I want to be like them!
Do you need some reasons for celebrating Jesus? Here are some that can help you move from survival to celebration:
• We can celebrate because Jesus was born to save us.
• Because of Jesus, we can celebrate that we don’t have to pay for the sickness of our sins.
• Because of Jesus, we can celebrate that we have God’s presence in our lives and we have access to His power
• Because of Jesus, we can celebrate that we have a place waiting for us in heaven.
• Because of Jesus, we can celebrate that while we’re living here we can keep growing to be more like Him.
It’s Christmastime! Life’s too short to make surviving the season our goal. Get on with the serious business of celebrating Jesus! He is worth celebrating 365 days a year! Everyday can be like Christmas! (Although I have a hunch that my wife won’t agree with my idea to keep the decorations up year-round.)
Source: www.homeword.com
2. It’s easy to overlook in a month populated by holidays like Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, but the winter solstice on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 4:19 a.m., is a significant day on the calendar as well. The winter solstice might not be sun worshippers’ favorite day of the year, as it’s the day with the least amount of sunlight all year long. However, one positive to keep in mind is that, once the winter solstice occurs, each day thereafter experiences a gradual increase in daylight. That should give anyone yet another reason to celebrate in December.
3. January might be the month people most associate with efforts to change their fortunes, but the birthstone of December also is considered a symbol of good fortune. The Farmer’s Almanac notes that one of the birthstones of December is turquoise, which some believe is symbolic of good fortune and success.
As hosts prepare their homes for loved ones this holiday season, they can consider these tips to make guests rooms as welcoming as possible for friends and family.
• Check the bedding and replace, if necessary. It’s easy to overlook the comfort of bedding in a guest room, particularly since hosts may never sleep in their own guest rooms. When furnishing a guest room, it’s not unheard of to repurpose an existing mattress from an owner’s suite or another room and use for guest room bedding. Though that’s acceptable, it’s necessary to periodically inspect a guest room mattress to make sure it’s still comfortable and supportive. If not, replace the mattress. A mattress topper, a new comforter and a new set of soft sheets also can make guest room bedding more comfortable.
• Clear out the clutter. Guest rooms can easily become depositories for old furniture and other items, which can create a cluttered and less than welcoming atmosphere in a space. Give each guest room a thorough once-over before guests arrive, removing pieces that might be creating a claustrophobic vibe. Keep in mind that guests will bring luggage, so a less cluttered space with ample room for their bags can make it easier to settle in.
• Take a cue from hotels. Hotels ensure guests have ample creature comforts at their fingertips. Holiday hosts can do the same when welcoming loved ones into their homes. Provide ample bed and bath linens, ensure the room has ample lighting so guests can read at bedtime and get dressed in plenty of light in the morning. A foldable luggage rack is another nice touch that can keep guests from having to dig through their suitcases on the floor.
• Add an armchair where possible. A spacious guest room allows hosts to provide some extra creature comforts. If the room allows, place a comfortable armchair and side table in the space so guests can read a book or catch up on the news on a tablet or smartphone. A comfortable, quiet and secluded place to sit provides guests a respite from the hustle and bustle of a home filled with holiday guests.
• Install window coverings, if necessary. A feeling of privacy is another important creature comfort guests will appreciate. Replace existing window treatments if they do not provide adequate privacy or if they do not keep the elements out in the morning. For example, a room that is sun-soaked by early morning each day may make it hard for guests to get sufficient sleep. Some blackout curtains or a new set of blinds allows guests to determine the amount of natural light that will greet them each morning.
Some simple tips can help holiday hosts turn their guest rooms into welcoming spaces for their loved ones.
Readers can pursue many avenues to find new books. The following are just a few ways to find the next book you won’t want to put down.
• Visit the library. With so much content at your fingertips, it may be tempting to turn to the internet to find a new read. Instead, go back to where many people first fall in love with reading. The local library has many great offerings and personnel who can help you find something that will prove a good match.
• Visit a local bookstore. If you’d rather purchase a book, your local bookstore is an ideal place to get feedback on books. Whether it’s a chain store or
• Try an app. Options like Whichbook enable you to find your next book based on various qualifiers, such as emotion, geography or type of character.
• Go with a classic. Browse a list of classics and find books that you haven’t read yet or even ones you may want to reread now that you are older. There are reasons these books have withstood the test of time.
Ask family and friends. Query the people in your life who love to read and find out what they are reading. You may be introduced to an author that you weren’t familiar with or a book series that is right up your alley.
Jan-Carol Publishing, known as JCP, is recognized as the largest book publisher in the region with over 400 titles of books and publishing the monthly magazine, Voice Magazine for Women, for over 20 years. We are locally owned and operated.
• How do you get your book published?
• How do you submit your manuscript?
• What steps are needed for editing?
• How do I get an ISBN?
• Will your book be on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc?
Let us assist you in navigating through the book publishing process!
423.926.9983 submissions@jancarolpublishing.com www.jancarolpublishing.com
Join a book club. A book club will expose you to a rotation of new books for as long as you are a member. Since books tend to be suggested by members each go-round, you won’t fall in the trap of only choosing one genre or “safe” titles that you are used to.
Go with authors’ recommendations. If you like a particular author, research who he or she is reading. Some authors recommend others in the industry. While some of these recommendations may be for compensation or publicity, many are legitimate suggestions.
Let your reading history dictate. Reading services like Amazon’s Kindle will recommend new titles based on your reading habits; otherwise, search for “books like (name title)” online to discover books that have a similar theme or style.
Reading is a popular pastime that can strengthen the brain and relax the body. There are many ways to find new books to read to keep one’s library fully stocked.
By Ken Heath
Having the flu sure hasn’t made this much of a holiday. But it’s not my worst Thanksgiving by far. Growing up, my grandfather was more like a second father to me. So much so that we called him “Daddy Richard.” I didn’t know until much later, but he’d always wanted a son. He’d lost his only boy shortly after birth. My mom was the only baby of the three he and my grandmother had that didn’t pass in infancy. So, when I came along, he found his fishing buddy, his gardening buddy, his copilot on the Tom’s Peanut Truck, his shadow. We’d pull out the electric skillet to the patio on warm summer Saturdays to cook sausage and gravy, go camping in the Saltville well fields with his Boy Scout troop, sneak off early Friday afternoons to check in to the Embassy motel in Salem so we’d get the best seats to the Saturday night rasslin’. But as families too often do, along the way, there was a huge split. My siblings and I were far too young to understand much of it, but we did know we were not to speak to our grandparents. As a teenager, it was terrible. For my younger sister and brother, even more so.
The weight of the split took its toll. Holidays were always special times together, with Roanoke trips extended to shopping and more toys than we ever needed. Gatlinburg trips, staying in cottage cabins, and eating pancakes. But that came to an abrupt end one summer. As colder weather moved in, the trees dropping their leaves to reveal the bleakness of winter here in the mountains, my grandfather felt it, I imagine, just as he did years earlier when he lost his children. Not being able to stand being in their Sprinkle Avenue home that, just a season earlier, we’d filled with laughter and wrapped presents, he and my grandmother decided to get out of town that Thanksgiving weekend. Roanoke, Gatlinburg—our family destinations—were just as hollow as his house was, so they settled on Bristol. Far enough
away, yet still close, they took a room at the Twin City Motel near Hills Department Store and settled in for the night. Our traveling tradition was always a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Sprite for our “motel supper,” and I don’t doubt that was his choice that night as well. The stress of the times, the food, a combination—he told my grandmother he was having a terrible bout with heartburn. She fixed him an Alka-Seltzer, and they laid down hoping to sleep it off. But the pain just got worse. By the time rescue was called, it was too late. Daddy Richard passed of a massive heart attack on Thanksgiving Eve at just 60. And I never got to say goodbye.
We got the call in the very early morning hours of Thanksgiving. I was shocked at how it hit my parents. Just days before, they’d sworn they were mortal enemies of our grandparents. Now, in this finality, they were visibly shaken.
We didn’t go to the funeral, but we did go to the funeral home to see him one last time. My best buddy, my partner in crime, the man who got me my first dog, taught me how to use a pocket knife, how to bait a hook with salmon eggs, how to enjoy squared corned beef sandwiches with Penrose sausages, set me up with my first business (a roadside candy stand), and taught me so much, was gone. I still struggle with all of the “whys.”
I have his Bulova watch, a handful of Tom’s lapel pins, a couple of his career awards, scout badges from the Camp o’ FishAree, and a heartful of memories. I also carry the regret of being too young, too immature, too naive to realize just how quickly life can turn, and not figuring out a way to have kept him in my life.
I’ve realized that he left me one last gift. As I grew into adulthood, I chose to love unconditionally, forgive readily, and to avoid being hard-hearted out of stubbornness or pride.
I haven’t been fishing since Daddy Richard took me some fifty years ago. But I treasure the memories and the life lessons taught along the creek beds with a can of corn, a jar of salmon eggs, and a couple of wax paper-wrapped corned beef sandwiches over tales of rasslin’ matches and Saturday patio breakfasts with a man who’ll never know just how much I loved him.
{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.
The event highlighted YWCA Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia’s commitment to economic empowerment and family resiliency in the region.
OnNovember 12, 2024, the YWCA Powerhouse Community Wellness + Resource Center hosted a ribbon cutting and open house to officially launch their facility at 204 Town Square Street in Glade Spring, Va. The event, in partnership with Smyth County and Washington County Virginia Chambers of Commerce, showcased YWCA Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia’s commitment to economic empowerment and family resiliency in the region.
The excitement during the event was a true testament to what this facility means for the Southwest Virginia region, and the organization is grateful for the overwhelming support that community leaders, partners, and individuals have shown and continue to show.
“We’re thrilled at the opportunities that come with this expansion,” said Kathy Waugh, CEO of YWCA NETN and SWVA. “The Powerhouse provides a hub of holistic services for communities in Southwest Virginia. Through this facility and with our partners and major stakeholders—including the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Town of Glade Spring—we are committed to supporting our families and children.”
YWCA NETN and SWVA has been a pillar organization in the region since 1943. Capitalizing on the organization’s existing skill sets and long-term success in relationship building, the Powerhouse was created to offer wraparound services to bridge gaps in unmet needs within the community. Located in Glade Spring’s historic town square, the Powerhouse currently serves communities in Washington and Smyth counties. Along with YWCA programming and a boutique fitness center, the facility provides opportunities for multiple partner organizations to offer services and classes on a variety of topics. A key focus of the center is to bring more programming to rural areas so community members don’t have to travel farther afield.
“We know that many in our rural communities find it challenging to travel for services,” explained
Jessica Lawrence, director of the Powerhouse. “Our goal is to both lessen that burden for individuals and families and to offer opportunities for providers to utilize our spaces to serve clients within the community. It’s a win-win for everyone!”
Lawrence noted that the Powerhouse includes both classroom space and a private office that can be reserved on an as-needed basis by providers and organizations.
“We’re looking to add a rotating roster of providers who might come once a week, once a month, or even occasionally to meet with clients or offer classes or other activities. The spaces are equipped with Wi-Fi, and the classroom includes equipment for video conferencing.”
The Powerhouse Community Wellness + Resource Center is a YWCA Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia outreach facility created as a resource hub for Southwest Virginia. Through YWCA and partner programming, and with a trauma-informed lens, the Powerhouse empowers citizens of all ages and backgrounds to embrace healthy habits and lives—thus strengthening their families and communities.
For more information on the Powerhouse and its programming, contact them at powerhouse@ywcatnva.org. For information about the important work of YWCA, visit www.ywcatnva.org.
Consumers likely need no reminder that inflation has taken a notable toll on their finances in recent years. The cost of products and services has seemingly skyrocketed in recent years, leaving consumers with little recourse other than to scale back and find ways to save.
Consumers can consider various strategies to save even when inflation is keeping costs up.
• Use rewards to your advantage. Consumers now have an array of ways to pay for products and services at their disposal. Conventional wisdom has long suggested credit cards should be used only in emergencies, but consumers who are confident they can pay off balances in full each month can consider using rewards-based credit cards to their advantage. Such cards return a certain percentage of each purchase (typically around 1 to 2 percent) to consumers, and they can be used to purchase everyday items like groceries and gas. Of course, this only benefits consumers if they pay off their balances in full each month. If not, the interest charges on credit cards will almost certainly exceed the 1 to 2 percent cash back consumers earn.
• Prioritize an emergency fund. Unforeseen expenses, whether it’s major auto repairs or unexpected medical bills, can quickly land consumers in financial hot water.
• Utilize automatic transfers via your bank. Banks enable account holders to set up automatic transfers, which make it easier than ever to save money and thus avoid debt.
• Open a high-yield savings account. The days of earning significant interest on savings accounts may seem like a distant memory, but high-yield savings accounts are still available at many financial institutions. Consumers intent on building their savings in the face of a higher cost of living can look into high-yield savings account options at their own bank or another financial institution. High-yield savings accounts typically mandate account holders maintain a minimum balance that is considerably higher than the minimum balances on accounts with lower interest rates, so this might not be an option for everyone. But consumers who have already squirreled away a significant sum in their savings accounts may be able to grow their money, and thus overcome inflation rates, by transferring the balance to a high-yield savings account.
• Examine your spending. Perhaps the simplest way to save when inflation is high is to periodically assess your spending habits and make tweaks designed to save money. Such assessments can include everything from identifying ways to save at the grocery store to determining if entertainment subscriptions are worth the investment. Many consumers have lamented the high cost of groceries since 2022, and it’s possible a membership to a wholesale retailer like Costco® can help reduce expenditures on various items, including paper products, that tend to be expensive at more traditional grocery stores.
Data indicates inflation has cooled considerably in 2024. But the cost of many items remains high, forcing consumers to rely on various ways to save money.
• Build and maintain a good credit rating. When borrowing money for big-ticket items like homes and vehicles, individuals with high credit scores generally receive better lending terms, including lower interest rates.
• Become a disciplined consumer. Online shopping has made it easier than ever to spend beyond one’s means. By resolving to remain a disciplined, savings-first consumer, individuals can avoid the pitfalls of debt.
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 Linda Hudson Hoagland
Lindsay, Emily, Ellen, and Ryan snoop into the reasons for the murder of Otis Greene, a neighbor. When the children disappear one at a time, Ellen asks her friend, Jed, to help her find them and bring the family together for Christmas. Follow Lindsay and Jed as they try to find the children, even after Lindsay gets shot in the pursuit.
Online readers: click here to order.
Written by Justin Shepherd
When Victoria’s beloved red balloon floats away at the county fair, she never imagines it will lead to an out-of-this-world adventure! In a dream that feels amazingly real, Victoria travels to a distant planet where she meets Nova, a friendly three-eyed alien who’s found her balloon. As Victoria and Nova become friends, they learn valuable lessons about sharing, accepting differences, and the joy of new experiences. Through games, laughter, and cultural exchange, they discover that the best gifts are often the ones we give away.
Online readers: click here to order.
Written by Bev Freeman
After Rick is exchanged for Madison’s parents by their abductor, Rick warns Madison not to search for him. A stranger provides a hideout until Rick’s abductor is captured. The wilderness setting of Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains brings Madison and Rick together in the twisted mix of trust and love, while upholding the law.
Online readers: click here to order.
Written by Meaghan Thomas
Illustrated by Miriam and Sean Balsano
DAISY DIANA DISCOVERS: THE WONDERS OF WEATHER is an entertaining and informative story that teaches the reader the science behind different types of weather and how to stay safe if severe weather occurs. Whether you love meteorology or are reading this to ease storm anxiety, you’ll have fun learning along the way with Daisy Diana and friends. Online readers: click here to order.
Written by Donna Snow King
Donna Snow King is back with more winding adventures and life-changing experiences as she regales readers with tales from her childhood, growing up a house mover’s daughter, and joining the family business. Snow Much Love: Book 2 comes after readers fell in love with Donna’s conversational tone in Snow Much Love and found themselves looking back on their own memories. The author hopes that readers will join her again in reminiscing on precious moments of times past. Each story shared has a lesson to be learned. Online readers: click here to order.
Written by Aubrie Abernethy
This story evolved from a visualization I had as I struggled to find a way to lean more consciously into the last quarter of the century of my birth. What I sought was a healthier way to live, so I could be more fully present with my family and friends. I realized that intentional walking helped to clear my headspace, creating space to examine my life. Three threads wove through this tapestry of intentionality: walking with intention personally , walking with intention for charity , and walking with intention to inspire others. Online readers: click here to order.
Written by Patricia Hitchcock
Illustrated by Patricia Hitchcock and Neva Austin
The Adventures of Allie & Molly is a book based on the true-life events of a girl and her dog, her best friend Molly, and all their shenanigans. Online readers: click here to order.
Written
by G. S. Craft
Illustrated by Emily Land
This book is based on the true story of Louie, our Great Dane. Louie was a joy to everyone that knew him. He was a gift from God to us, and I want to share his memory with you. Online readers: click here to order.
Linda Hudson Hoagland
Bookmarked is a platform designed to highlight and promote authors and books associated with Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc., and beyond. The blog and podcast feature interviews with authors, updates related to JCP events, and other bookish content you won’t find anywhere else.
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: A Collection of Short Stories Books 1–6
Sunday, December 1, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Book Signing Big Walker Lookout Wytheville, VA
Friday, December 6, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Book Signing Food City Big Stone Gap, VA
Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing Food City Coeburn, VA
Sunday, December 8, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book Signing Food City Pulaski, VA
Friday, December 13, 10 am – 3 pm Book Signing Food City Galax, VA
Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Book Signing Food City
Abingdon, VA
Sunday, December 15, 2024, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Book Signing Food City
Bluefield, VA
Sharon Suskin
Author of The Blue-Eyed Butterfly
December 10
TV Appearance on Daytime Tri-Cities WJHL-TV
BOOKMARKED: What do you hope readers take away from reading your memoir?
AUBRIE : I hope readers of my book will be inspired to dream big and discover an avenue for themselves that will help them to lean more fully into their own lives — no matter the circumstances they find themselves in. Connect with a force greater than yourself, be strong, and encourage others to become their best selves. Your life will be enriched beyond measure. What was one of the most rewarding aspects of your walking journey?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my walking journey was sharing the insights and experiences with my family and friends While walking itself was mentally energizing as the endorphins flowed through my body, I felt deep connections with those alongside me as they cheered me on. That is really what it’s all about — setting goals that not only benefit ourselves, but also in turn inspire others.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers hoping to publish a book one day?
My advice to aspiring writers is to recognize that all of us have a story to share. Since this is my first book, I know how intimidating the idea might be. I encourage writers to believe in themselves, surround themselves with “helpers,” as Mr. Rogers was known to say, and take a chance that what you have to say might bring clarity to your life and make a difference in the life of your reader. It all starts with one step.
Imagine if you and your friends stumbled across a time machine. You’d have the opportunity to go anywhere you wanted. Kevin “Bubble Butt” Schafer and his friends, known as the “Bad Love Gang,” embark on a journey to rescue the Jews and Gypsies from the Holocaust using this time machine.
Emotional intelligence influences our ability to build strong relationships and achieve our goals. We can enhance emotional intelligence by learning to better understand ourselves and others. This book demonstrates how powerful the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is in helping us better understand how personality influences our behavior and the results we produce.
On Thanksgiving Day 1961, Wes Schum was unstoppable. His Central Electronics Company had produced the world’s most advanced single-sideband transmitter, setting the Amateur Radio World ablaze. Three months later, it was all over. 60 years later, learn why and what could have been. Learn from those challenges and keep pushing ahead.
Murder, passion, and intrigue follow the Reverend Michael Brandon as he attempts to redeem his life with a new career in the Church. This story is about how the most gifted of us fall prey to the contradictions in our own characters. As he excels in his vocation, Brandon is both rewarded and haunted by demons that tend to particularly torment the man of passion.
With each story set in the Appalachian region, Snowy Trails: A Collection of Short Stories presents a strong sense of place and belonging. Noted authors contributed stories capturing trials, tribulations, and triumphs, each one sprinkled with a gamut of emotions. In Snowy Trails, readers will be immersed in the varietal settings and characters, and will share the feelings of heartache in challenges and the joys of survival.
Order all of these book directly from JCP — for a discounted price and FREE shipping in December! Go to the “JCP Book Shop” at www.jancarolpublishing.com.
Meet Victoria, a curious little girl who wonders why she gets to see her mom’s family but not her dad’s. In Boundaries ., Justin Shepherd skillfully tackles the delicate topic of family dynamics and the importance of setting boundaries in a way that children can understand. Help your child navigate the complexities of family and boundaries with Boundaries . It’s a story of love, understanding, and the power of setting healthy limits
In this beautifully illustrated book, a very contrary fairy, a daughter, didn’t want to do the things she was instructed to do. This very contrary fairy sure has a lot to say about what she must do each day. So, with her bad attitude, she decides to run away. She got lost. She got scared. Can she get back home? Can she find her way? Her father is so sad. What will he do?
Delightful illustrations bring you inside Grandpa Charlie Green’s mountainside farmhouse. Join Maggie the cat, Pip the goat, Grandpa Charlie Green, Daddy, and of course, little Wilhelmina Olive Blessing, as she tells us this sweet wintertime story. What do they do to get little Maggie home? Join the fun. Read out loud yourself or read along with others! You will love the story of Maggie, the cat who comes home for Christmas.
Wonderful illustrations bring us back up to Grandpa’s mountain farmhouse for a Thanksgiving homecoming. Pip will soon have a Thanksgiving surprise, but what exactly will it be? Read along, and let’s find out together. We don’t have that long. Thanksgiving is coming very soon!
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!
www.Jancarolpublishing.com • www.Amazon.com • www.Barnesandnoble.com
By Cindy K. Sproles
Herewe are. We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and yet, despite our wealth, it seems there is never enough.
It has long been said that Medicare/Medicaid would end before many baby boomers have the opportunity to pull from the system. If we look around, one must wonder if that time has arrived. So much has changed in our nation over the last fifty years, and senior care is harshly affected.
For the most part, these past articles remained omniscient. Facts are given, and suggestions are made on caring for our seniors, but this article needed to be different. This article will be taken from an omniscient view to a first-hand perspective in hopes that the reality of the issues will move readers into a different mindset.
In 2017, our ninety-year-old mother was moved from her private home into an assistive living situation. She isn’t wealthy; however, she has been frugal, and with help to manage her long-term finances, she can survive. Our mother turned 98 this year. She has long been blessed with good health and happiness, and even in an assisted living situation, she manages her care from bathing, dressing, and keeping up with her medications.
When Mother entered into assisted living, her monthly costs were just over $3000.00 per month. With the sale of her home, we were able to extend her finances, give or take, an additional two to three years. Her monthly costs have risen from approximately $36,000 per year to over $55,000 per year. It is not hard to see that the extended two to three years of finances we’d squirreled away are taken down to about 1.5 years.
Understandably, costs rise. Food, insurance, maintenance, and employee costs continue to go up while Mother’s assets continue to decline. She is fortunate that her health is good and she has not been a drain on Medicare, however, recently, her body has begun to grow frail. Along with that frailty comes medical needs. And though hers have been minimal, others her age are not as fortunate.
As children of an elderly parent, we rejoice in the fact that we still have her to love and enjoy, but as the caretakers of her funds, my sibling and I worry.
More and more baby boomers enter the Medicare system per year. According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans 65 and older will increase from 58 million in 2022 to over 73 million by 2030.1 This statistic grows scary for those who may not have the means to provide for themselves other than Medicare.
It is hard to backtrack once you hit age 65 and try to establish savings when, even when you were able to build a savings account for retirement, rising costs took away what you may have planned to save.
1 https://usafacts.org/articles/how-does-america-care-for-the-elderly/
Statistics show that at least one family member will sacrifice their personal income to care for an aging parent. This means a shortfall in that family’s financial state as they age. Senior parents worked hard to establish a small nest egg to leave their children upon their passing, but due to the expense of caring for themselves, that dream goes by the wayside. Many aging parents will skip necessary medical care in order to keep their dream of leaving something financial to their children. It’s a sweet mindset but one that is growing increasingly more difficult to maintain. For our mother, the goal from the beginning was to keep her comfortable, worry-free, and happy in her golden years. There were times when getting that across to her was difficult, but once she saw that the best gift she could give us was herself, then she began to understand and has allowed us to keep her life as close to “her normal” as possible.
Many seniors choose to age in place—not leaving their homes until they are forced to do so due to illness. In-home, non-medical companies can step in by providing temporary caregivers who help manage the daily ADLS (Adult Daily Living Skills) for these seniors and help ease the burden of care. Even at that, families are still faced with the rising costs of care. Necessary care for seniors comes with a price, whether it be absorbed by a family member sacrificing their time, an in-home company, or a necessary facility.
It’s an age-old issue and one that this writer wonders if there is a resolution. Families do the best they can to care for their aging parents in a day and time when the odds seem stacked against them.
The decision for placement in a facility or in the home of a family member is difficult at best—it takes away their independence. For our mother, allowing her to maintain as much control over her life as possible in assistive living was by far the best option. We believe that, though her finances are tight, her life has been deeply enriched by allowing her as much independence as possible. Others are not as fortunate. Though our mother is happy in assistive living, my sibling and I are active participants in decision-making along with our mother. We are proactive in her life daily, and this is one thing we believe has helped her to blossom in her golden years. Being active and being present in your senior’s life invokes joy, happiness, and longevity—it encourages the desire to live a full life.
Though this writer sees no resolution in the costs of care, my sibling and I can rest assured we have done our best to provide for the woman who gave us her all. We can give our all. If nothing comes from this article other than the realization of being actively present in your aging parent’s life, then I have accomplished what I set out to do. We can’t prevent the costs of living from increasing, but we can improve our living. As the holidays approach, seek out and remember the important things. Spend valuable time in the care of your parents. It is the greatest gift you can give.
{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.
By Jami Lee
It’soften said that the most important relationship we can forge is the one we have with ourselves. This idea has lingered in my mind for years, unraveling in moments of self-reflection. When I first heard it, it felt like an uninvited mirror, forcing me to question if I truly loved myself. I believed I did— or at least, I told myself I did—but not in the way one deserves.
As I delved deeper, I realized I tolerated myself, even appreciated parts of who I was, but love? That felt dishonest. If a friend or partner had treated me the way I treated myself, I’d have called it betrayal. I broke promises to myself repeatedly, fed myself only after everyone else, skipped meals until hunger turned to headaches, and neglected my needs entirely. Worst of all, I lied to myself—pretending I was thriving when I was merely surviving, crumbling under the weight of denial.
Healing required the hardest separation of all: break ing up with the version of me who perpetuated this neglect. Only through that painful rupture could I begin to rebuild a genuine relationship with myself.
Like any toxic bond, the holiday season amplified my struggles. To be honest, I could out-snack Santa in a cookie contest without blinking. “Just one more,” I’d say, until I needed new jeans for Christmas. My inner critic tore into me for lacking discipline, while a self-loathing voice reminded me of my failures. I blamed external factors—a thoughtless spouse, dysfunctional family gatherings, or financial strain from seemingly ungrateful children. Yet deep down, I knew the truth: my external chaos mirrored the neglect within.
Neglecting self-love often invites physical neglect. Skipping meals, eating poorly, or sacrificing rest becomes habitual. The body suffers—persistent fatigue, aches, and a lack of energy. Over time, this can manifest into serious conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease.
The emotional toll is heavier. A lack of self-love fuels anxiety, depression, and inadequacy. It whispers lies: that we’re not enough, that happiness must be earned. It traps us in cycles of toxic relationships and destructive coping mechanisms.
But self-love isn’t selfish—it’s survival. It’s the foundation of health and resilience. When we embrace it, we learn to care for our bodies, set boundaries, and nurture our spirits. We heal, not just physically but also emotionally. Self-love reminds us, “You matter.” It’s the first step to truly living—and in that love, health flourishes. This Christmas, don’t lose sleep over the vacuum-shaped gift your spouse tucked under the tree. Instead, give yourself the one gift that truly matters—the one you’ve been yearning for all along: unconditional self-love. It’s the most precious gift you’ll ever receive, and it’s one only you can give.
{Jami Lee, a Certified Nutritional Health Coach, is the founder and visionary behind Alternative Healthcare Solutions. Her mission is to educate and empower individuals dealing with chronic conditions. For inquiries, she can be reached at alternativehcinfo@gmail.com. If you would like more information on Alternative Solutions to join the community, visit our website at www.join-ahs.org/get-started.
You might wonder, “What does this have to do with health?” My answer: everything. Neglecting self-love impacts our health profoundly. When we fail to value ourselves, we treat our well-being as an afterthought, making choices that slowly erode our vitality.
Imagine trying to pour from an empty cup. Without selflove, we overextend, saying “yes” to everyone but ourselves, which leads to chronic stress—a quiet thief that chips away at our health. Our immune system weakens, leaving us vulnerable. Our hearts carry unresolved emotions, while our minds become battlegrounds of self-doubt and criticism.
• 30 OR 90 DAY COACHING
• COMPLETE FOOD GUIDE
• HEAL THE BODY NATURALLY
• REDUCE INFLAMMATION
• REVERSE AUTOIMMUNE
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, advises the Cleveland Clinic. Unlike some other vision problems like cataracts that affect the lens or surface of the eye, glaucoma impacts the optic nerve directly. However, blindness from glaucoma often can be prevented with early treatment.
Glaucoma is brought on by abnormal pressure buildup in the eye. The American Academy of Ophthalmology® says the eye constantly makes a substance known as aqueous humor. When new aqueous humor flows into the eye, existing aqueous humor should drain out through an area called the drainage angle. But if the drainage angle is not working correctly, the fluid builds up and intraocular pressure in the eye increases. Over time, this pressure damages the optic nerve. The primary function of the optic nerve is to transmit visual information from the retina to the brain.
The most common type of glaucoma is known as open-angle glaucoma, which occurs when the drainage angle becomes blocked or there is resistance to the fluid draining out, says the Cleveland Clinic. This disease may go undetected for years because most people do not experience symptoms early on. The Mayo Clinic says gradual development of blind spots in peripheral vision and, in later stages, difficulty seeing things in central vision may occur.
In closed-angle glaucoma, also called angle-closure glaucoma, a person’s iris is very close to the drainage angle and the iris itself can end up blocking the drainage angle. When the drainage angle becomes completely blocked, pressure in the eye can rapidly increase. The AAO says this is known as an acute attack and is a true emergency that can result in blindness. Signs of an acute attack include:
• Suddenly blurry vision
• Severe eye pain
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rainbow-colored rings or halos appearing around lights
Glaucoma can affect anyone, but the risk increases with age (over 60) and is higher among Black and Hispanic populations. Asian and Inuit populations are more susceptible to closed-angle glaucoma, says the Cleveland Clinic. People with diabetes also have a much higher risk of getting glaucoma. In addition, individuals with a family history of glaucoma; people with high blood pressure; and people with previous eye injury or surgery are at risk for glaucoma.
The main treatment for glaucoma includes prescription eye drops that will decrease fluids and improve drainage in the eye. Laser therapy also may be recommended to help improve fluid drainage. Surgery also can achieve better eye pressure, but it is more invasive, and additional methods may be tried first. Glaucoma is not something to take lightly. Routine eye exams that measure intraocular pressure can help determine if eyes are healthy.
Though people attempting to lose weight may love a quick fix or magic pill that could shed excess pounds, successful efforts that produce long-term weight loss generally take considerable time and effort. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people who lose weight at a gradual, steady pace tend to keep the weight off. The CDC advises individuals to aspire to lose one to two pounds each week
Working in concert with a doctor or a registered dietician is one of the ways to ensure that the weight loss experience is successful and healthy. In addition to following the advice of a professional, these tips can help.
• Think of it as a lifestyle change.
Managing weight is a lifelong commitment. That means that following a short-term diet may not prove a successful way to lose weight and keep it off in the long run. It’s important to put strategies in place that will help change habits that may be contributing to weight gain.
• Set short-term goals.
This can be something like a plan to replace sugary drinks with water or to exercise three days a week instead of being sedentary most of the time.
• Be sure the time is right.
Some people jump in at the start of the new year, even if they are not mentally ready to commit or lack the time to make the overhaul necessary to effect change. Begin a weight-loss journey when you have a strong desire to change habits and are not distracted by other pressures.
• Tame stress as much as possible.
High levels of stress can derail weight-loss plans. Many people turn to foods, beverages, and other unhealthy habits as a means to coping with stress. The Cleveland Clinic says stress raises cortisol levels, which increases insulin production. The resulting low blood sugar makes people crave sugary, fatty foods.
• Change your perceptions.
Focus on what you can eat rather than what you can’t eat. Healthy weight loss means finding balance and enjoying the foods you love, but not going overboard. Restricting any one food or food group could lead you on a path to feeling resentful or even binging on unhealthy items.
• Don’t skip meals.
Seriously restricting food intake is not healthy at all and could lead to fluctuations in weight. An eating pattern that includes a cycle of weight loss and weight gain can contribute to an increased risk of coronary heart disease, says Better Health, a resource of the Australian Department of Health. Plan meals to meet your daily calorie count, being sure to avoid skipping any during the day.
Healthy weight loss takes time and requires changing habits over the long haul.
ASPCA study found that pets received as gifts generally have a low return rate. According to the survey, 96 percent of the people who received pets as gifts thought it either increased or had no impact on their love or attachment to that pet. The survey also revealed no difference in attachment based on the gift being a surprise or being known in advance.
Even with such sunny outcomes, there is still the possibility that a pet given as a surprise gift may not be welcomed with open arms. In fact, many animal organizations frown upon giving pets as gifts. Rather than getting into a situation where an animal’s welfare could be at risk, it is important to keep a few things in mind when considering gifting a pet.
• Don’t make it a surprise. Unless it’s for your own children, do not give a pet as a surprise gift. Even if a person has expressed an interest in having a pet, he or she may not be ready at the moment. Talk the gift idea over with the potential recipient if your mind is set on gifting a pet so that you can make it a collaborative effort. The thought is still there.
• Pay for adoption fees. You can visit a shelter and preemptively pay the adoption fees if you know that a person will be adopting a pet in the near future. This
way you can make the gift a surprise and enable the recipient to choose the right timing to go pick out a pet.
• Offer supplies instead. Another pet-related gift idea is to offer a gift card to a nearby pet retailer so that the person will be able to stock up on supplies when the time comes to get a pet.
• Do not act on impulse. A pet is a very personal decision. Even if someone you know is very interested in getting a pet, he or she may want to pick out the pet rather than have that choice made by a loved one. Taking away the opportunity to select and bond with a given companion animal could backfire.
Although giving pets as gifts often works out for the best, it’s always best to test the waters and tread carefully to maximize the chances that the pet fits in at its new home.
Celebrate your love of pets with a good book! Check out our “Pet Pals” section in our online bookstore.
enough to roll. On a lightly floured surface, roll one disc of dough out to about 1⁄4” thickness. Using a 3” cookie cutter, cut out cookies. Cut out a top for each cookie using a smaller cookie cutter to cut out the center. Transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gather the scrap dough, roll, and repeat.
4. Place the first batch of cut cookies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill. Preheat the oven to 350 F and repeat the process with the second batch of dough.
Makes approximately 24 cookies
For the dough:
1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting
1 1⁄3 cups confectioner’s sugar, plus extra for dusting
3⁄4 cup almond meal
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon cold water
1⁄2 teaspoon fine salt
For the icing and decoration:
4 cups confectioner’s sugar
3 tablespoons meringue powder
7 tablespoons warm water, combined with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, assorted food color (e. g., red, pink and turquoise), assorted colored sugar crystals (e. g., red, pink and white)
For the dough
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, confectioner’s sugar and almond meal in a large mixing bowl. Stir well to mix. Add butter, egg yolk, water, and salt, and mix well with an electric mixer with spiral attachments until mixture starts to come together as a dough.
3. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead briefly until even. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
4. After chilling, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 0.25” thickness. Use assorted star-shaped cookie cutters to cut out approximately 23 variably sized star shapes. Arrange between prepared sheets, spaced apart.
5. From remaining dough, cut out one teardrop and two semi-circles of dough, using appropriate cutters or working freehand with a paring knife. Arrange on one of the baking sheets.
6. Bake cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden and dry to the touch. Remove to cooling racks to cool.
For the icing and decoration
1. Thoroughly stir together confectioner’s sugar and meringue powder in a large mixing bowl.
2. Gradually beat in warm water and vanilla extract mixture using an electric mixer until icing is smooth and of a flooding consistency; you may not need all of the water.
3. Divide icing between three bowls. Color two bowls pink and red, respectively, by
beating in enough pink and red coloring to achieve uniform colors. Leave the third bowl uncolored.
4. Spoon pink and red icing into separate piping bags fitted with small, round-tip nozzles.
5. To ice the cookies, pipe around their perimeters with the icings to create borders. Fill in middle of cookies with more icing; you can use a damp, warm offset palette knife to spread out icing to an even finish.
6. Carefully transfer iced cookies to cooling racks, decorating with the sugar crystals in festive patterns.
7. Using the same icing technique, ice teardrop cookie with red and white icing for Santa’s hat and beard, respectively. Ice the two semi-circle cookies with white icing.
8. Before icings have set, carefully attach semi-circle cookies to teardrop cookie to fashion Santa’s mustache. Color any remaining white icing with turquoise coloring and then dab onto teardrop cookie for Santa’s eyes. Pipe some pink icing below eyes for his nose.
9. Let cookies set and harden before serving.
Source: “Christmas Biscuits” from Lines+Angles
Makes 24 cookies
2 cups all-purpose flour
3⁄4 cup almond flour
1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3⁄4 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1⁄2 cup raspberry jam
1⁄2 cup powdered sugar
1. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, almond flour, salt, and cinnamon together. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add in the egg yolks, vanilla extract and lemon zest and continue to beat until well incorporated.
2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and continue to beat until just combined to form a dough. Divide the dough in half; pat each half into a disc, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
3. Remove the dough from the refrigerator, and let it soften for about 5 minutes, until soft
5. Bake the chilled cookies for about 12 minutes or until just starting to turn golden around the edges. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes until transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Once cooled, spread the bottom half of each cookie with some raspberry preserves, leaving a thin border around each cookie. Dust the tops of each cookie with powdered sugar and place on its corresponding bottom half. Use a spoon or piping bag to fill the cut-out center with a little more of the preserves.
“Christmas Linz Shortbread Cookies with Red Jam” from Lines+Angles
20 to 24 cookies
1 1⁄2 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 12-ounce jar pitted maraschino cherries, strained and stemmed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract
1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
1. In a stand mixer, with a hand mixer, or by hand, cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
2. Add the cherries, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Mix thoroughly. Fold into the flour and mix until it forms a crumbly but moist dough.
3. Lay a 16-inch sheet of parchment paper onto the counter. Sprinkle 1 cup of the coconut on the center in a loose rectangle, making sure it does not reach the edge of the parchment. Place the cookie dough on top, flattening a bit with your fingers, and sprinkle the remaining coconut over the top of the dough.
4. Form the dough into a 12- to 14-inch log, about 3 inches thick. Evenly press the coconut around the log and roll to make the log an even cylinder.
5. Roll the parchment up with the dough inside and twist the ends. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
6. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice cookies in 1⁄4to 1⁄2-inch rounds, place on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart, and bake 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. Store in an airtight container.
Source: “Butter, Flour, Sugar, Joy” (Sourcebooks) by Danielle Kartes
E3. Check breakability. Avoid gifts that seem flimsy or delicate. Stay away from toys made from glass or thin plastic, as they could shatter if dropped or thrown.
veryone wants their gifts to be well-received. For those giving presents to children, they want to see kids’ faces light up with excitement when they find a spectacular present underneath all that wrapping paper. In order to elicit that joy, some people may sacrifice safety in order to buy the “coolest” or the “hottest” gifts around. But that could be a recipe for injury. It is essential to consider safety anytime one is buying gifts for children.
Shoppers can consider these safety strategies:
1. Check the recommendations. Toys and games come with age recommendations for a reason. Note ages listed on boxes, never choose above the child’s age even if the youngster seems mature for his or her age.
2. Be mindful of small parts. Small toys can present a choking hazard. Also, check to see if parts are secure or can break off.
Short and sweet film reviews of old, classic movies perfect for a girls’ night in!
By Allison Chudina
4. Be mindful of antiques. Although older or antique toys and games can be interesting and readily found at garage sales and flea markets, some older toys could be unsafe. They may contain lead or toxic paints. Others may not have been made in adherence to modern toy safety standards.
5. Look for the ASTM label. ASTM International is a standards organization that publishes technical international standards for a range of materials. Games and toys that meet ASTM safety standards are better choices.
6. Check battery sizes. Selecting powered gifts that utilize larger batteries could be safer for children. Size D, C, and even double A are better than items that use very small, button-like batteries, which can be easily swallowed, potentially causing injuries to the digestive tract. Also, confirm that batteries are hard to access.
7. Include protective gear with the gift. If you purchase a gift like a skateboard or bicycle, include helmets and additional safety gear to ensure they are safer to use.
8. Learn how gifts work. Read the instructions and familiarize yourself with the operation of the gift so you can help the child use it correctly.
If you’re looking to return to your childhood or find your inner child this holiday season, cozy up next to your fireplace with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It’s a timeless, sweet story about determination and beating the odds, and what adult can’t relate to that?
Try a glass of Prosecco, a classic holiday sparkling wine, to enhance your movie-watching experience.
Happy holidays! In the spirit of the holiday season, I wanted to recommend a wholesome classic that both adults and children can enjoy: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964). This stop-motion animated TV special follows little Rudolph, a reindeer with an incandescent nose who, despite all odds, must help guide Santa’s sleigh through a bad storm on Christmas Eve. The TV special is very short, clocking in at just under an hour, and it was based on the 1949 song by Johnny Marks.
For kids who love Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer , look no further than The Adventures of Little Dooey: Santa’s Helper by Kim Rohrer. It captures the same spirit of other holiday classics you know and love.
For those looking for a more “adult” read, check out Reclaiming Christmas, a sweet holiday romance from Melissa Sneed Wilson.
The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3×3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9.
Jan-Carol Publishing, a small book press, brings book publishing tips, changes in the book publishing industry, introduction to authors, books, and working behind the scenes in the book publishing industry. Listen, learn, and enjoy the interviews with different authors.
1st
“Striving
