Estella Wright (Mayhue-Greer)

Birth of an Anthem

You'll hear the up tempo favorite Rocky Top played between 40 to 50 times at any University of Tennessee football game—especially when the team is on fire.

"There's no set number," says Dr. Michael Stewart, director of Tennessee's Pride of the Southland Band. "We play it after any touchdown, any field goal or any big play. We incorporate it into our pregame show and our 'March to the Stadium' parade route. It's a tradition for the trombone section to keep track of how many times we actually play the song—and it's not unusual for the opposing team's band to count too because we do play it so often."

Del Bryant, son of songwriters Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, has gone on record about what occurred on August 1967 in Room 388 of the Gatlinburg Inn, the couple's favorite creative retreat. Felice, born in Milwaukee, was battling burnout during a writing session with her husband, a native Georgian. "They were working on a series of [slow] songs for Archie Campbell when my mother suggested they write something peppy," Bryant said. Reportedly, Boudleaux grabbed his guitar, and 10 minutes later Rocky Top was born.

It landed on the B-side (the generally ignored side) of a record by the Osborne Brothers. One day, on a whim, popular deejay Ralph Emery flipped the vinyl and played the Rocky Top side. “He said, ‘the phones started ringing’ and the song had a life of its own after that," said Bryant. Despite the couple's major hits for the Everly Brothers and other notable artists (Wake Up, Little Susie, Bye-Bye Love, and more), Rocky Top is decidedly the most successful tune in their 800-song repertoire.

For the record, we're talking about a song that contains only five basic chords. And a title that repeats itself 19 times. A song about a mythical place nobody's ever been, with a melody that wiggles its way into your head and stays there long after the final score is in the record books. Introduced on October 21, 1972, Rocky Top was merely one of many songs in a halftime medley—but the fans heard something they liked. Then-band director W. J. Julian later noted, "Not playing it [from that time forward] would cause a mutiny among Tennessee fans."

Today Rocky Top, recorded again and again across the globe by performers like Dolly Parton, stands as an official Tennessee state song. While "Down the Field" is UT's official fight song, Rocky Top is widely known among fans and rivals alike. It serves to drive coaches, fans, and bands from opposing teams delightfully over the edge with its roaring crowd enthusiasm and volume.

Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     You have the health you deserve. Real soup is to the body what peace is to the soul. The fastest-growing population in the United States is the older people, because we are living much longer, healthier lives. The problem is individuals often don't have the resources to take care of older people as they age. This is something that is happening, and we have to deal with it. It was happening also in my life.
     My mum said that as you age you have to smell good and be clean and don't hate anybody because that makes you older. Um I don't agree. I think that of course you have to smell good and be clean but there's much more that you have to do. Don't complain, exercise, be strong, um work, be creative, be related to the world, have causes, fight for them passionately. I think all those things are important. I'm not going to give up and just smell good. We want a world where life is preserved, and the quality of life is enriched for everybody, not only for the privileged.

~Isabel Allende~

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY

Doctor Explains Leading Cause of High Blood Pressure

and It Isn’t Sodium
Story by Mandi Jacewicz - https://delishably.com/

     In the last few decades, the rates of high blood pressure have only continued to increase. Many believe that excess weight, stress, and salt intake are the primary factors. There’s another culprit lurking in the shadows that rarely gets enough attention.
     Dr. Glidden explains that the leading cause of hypertension is actually a magnesium deficiency. He tells us we have two types of blood vessels in the body: arteries and veins. Our arteries carry blood away from the heart, while our veins bring it to it. The arteries have a muscle around them, which allows for this pumping action. He describes their constriction and relaxing to be like flexing a biceps muscle, or any other muscle in the body.
     Magnesium and calcium trigger the body’s ability to constrict and relax. When we do not have enough magnesium, he explains muscles can contract, but they cannot relax, so they remain constricted. This mineral depletion, he describes, is the leading cause of hypertension, not genetics or a poor circulatory system.
     According to the NIH, this well-documented cause of high blood pressure can also lead to other problems. They have also shown having proper magnesium levels lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes or having a stroke. It may even reduce the occurrence of migraine headaches. We know it has reduced ours, along with giving us a much better night’s sleep.
     They also tell us that nearly half of all adults are deficient in this mineral. If you have high blood pressure, kidney disease, or use PPIs and you want to take magnesium supplements, talk to your doctor first. Although impossible to eat more magnesium than your body can process, it is possible to take more magnesium in supplement form than the body can handle. This can lead to toxicity, as the kidneys cannot excrete the additional mineral. Eating more foods high in this essential mineral, like almonds, avocados, bananas, and leafy greens, might be the perfect place to start. If you’re suffering from these conditions, having proper magnesium levels may make all the difference. It's a simple fix with so many extraordinary benefits.

Kenneth Davis

   T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     You can do anything if you have enthusiasm. The secret of success is to understand the viewpoint of others. Don't expect people to respect you for what you are "planning" to do. If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.
     Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.

~Henry Ford~

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Kenneth Davis

  BIRTH ANNIVERSARY GREETING

TO

LILLIE ANDERSON CALDWELL
  
     Don't wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy your life. We must remember there are different seasons in our lives and let God do what He wants to do in each of those seasons.
~Joyce Meyer~

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     I was born swinging and clapped my hands in church as a little boy, but I've grown up and I like to do things other than just swing. But blues can do more than just swing. Jazz music is a language of the emotions. I'm trying to play the truth of what I am. The reason it's difficult is because I'm changing all the time.
     Life has many changes. Tomorrow it may rain, and it's supposed to be sunshine, 'cause it's summertime. But God's got a funny soul, he plays like Charlie Parker.

~Charles Mingus~

WELCOME TO SMOOTH

 CONTEMPORARY JAZZ 
FRIDAYS

Kenneth Davis

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS
TO
AUDREY JOHNSON
& 
LARRY MILLIGAN

     One day you will wake up & there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now. Each morning brings a hidden blessing; a blessing which is unique to that day, and which cannot be kept or re-used.
     If we do not use this miracle today, it will be lost. Imagine a new story for your life and start living it. Never save the best for later. You don't know what tomorrow holds.

~Paulo Coelho~

Kenneth Davis

   T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     They say the blues is sad, but when B.B. sings 'I got a sweet little angel, I love the way she spreads her wings,' that don't sound too sad to me! Listen to the lyrics - we're singing about everyday life: rich people trying to keep money, poor people tying to get it, and everyone having trouble with their husband or wife!
     Someone told me once that blues is like whiskey. They keep whiskey in the barrel for so many years, and then they talk about how well it's aged. If you don't think you've got the blues, just keep living, and if you don't think you're drunk, just keep drinking what you're drinking.

~Buddy Guy~

PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR ANOTHER 
"ALL BLUES SATURDAY" 
WITH ESTELLA W.

Kenneth Davis

 SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns

     September 24, 2023: You will have opportunities to be more effective in My kingdom than you have ever been, but you must make good choices. Put Me first, live a life of faith, be honorable, have integrity, and treat others with respect and dignity. Come to Me in the secret place of your spirit, and allow Me to transform you, says the Lord. Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     All but God, is changing day by day. There are two freedoms - the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where he is free to do what he ought. Make it a rule and pray to God to help you keep it . . . never, if possible, to lie down at night without being able to say "I have made one human being at least a little wiser, a little happier, or a little better this day. Life is too short for mean anxieties.
     A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend; one human soul whom we can trust utterly; who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults; who will speak the honest truth to us, while the world flatters us to our face, and laughs at us behind our back; who will give us counsel and reproof in a day of prosperity and self-conceit; but who, again, will comfort and encourage us in days of difficulty and sorrow, when the world leaves us alone to fight our own battle as we can. 

~Charles Kingsley~

Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     The world belongs to those who set out to conquer it armed with self confidence and good humour. There might be some credit in being jolly. Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers, and are famous preservers of good looks.
     There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor. This is a world of action, and not moping and droning in. Train up a fig tree in the way it should go, and when you are old sit under the shade of it.

~Charles Dickens~

IT'S TIME FOR 
JUST JOKING MONDAYS

      A pair of cows were talking in the field. One says, “Have you heard about the mad cow disease that’s going around?” “Yeah,” the other cow says. “Makes me glad I’m a penguin.”

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Kenneth Davis

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns

     September 26, 2023: This is a time to evaluate the complexities in your life and move in the direction of simplicity. Ask for wisdom in making changes that will not only be expedient for you but will be more beneficial for everyone concerned. I will show you the way and direct your steps in the process, says the Lord. Isaiah 45:2-3 I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     Speak tenderly; let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile. Don't only give your care but give your heart as well.
     Whenever you share love with others, you'll notice the peace that comes to you and to them." Intense love does not measure, it just gives." "Don't expect your friend to be a perfect person. Help your friend to become a perfect person. That is true friendship.

~Mother Teresa~

Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     Backyard barbecues are really just about getting together. It's all about making people come over, having a really good time, talking about their lives, and sharing some great recipes.

     When you think about a barbecue, most people think of slabs of ribs, but you don't need to do that in today's culinary barbecue world. Short ribs, barbecue chicken, skewered shrimp, vegetable kebabs, lobster mac and cheese with or without the lobster, and a donut bread pudding for dessert that's absolutely amazing. These are things that are safe whether you're a novice or a professional. Be creative and stay within your culinary pantheon.

~G. Garvin~

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY

Intermittent Fasting: What is it, and how does it work?

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/food-and-nutrition

     Intermittent fasting is an eating plan that switches between fasting and eating on a regular schedule. Research shows that intermittent fasting is a way to manage your weight and prevent — or even reverse — some forms of disease. But how do you do it? And is it safe?

What is intermittent fasting?

     Many diets focus on what to eat, but intermittent fasting is all about when you eat. With intermittent fasting, you only eat during a specific time. Research shows fasting for a certain number of hours each day or eating just one meal a couple days a week may have health benefits. Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Mark Mattson has studied intermittent fasting for 25 years. He says our bodies have evolved to be able to go without food for many hours, or even several days or longer. In prehistoric times, before humans learned to farm, they were hunters and gatherers who evolved to survive — and thrive — for long periods without eating. They had to: It took a lot of time and energy to hunt game and gather nuts and berries.

     Experts note that even 50 years ago, it was easier to maintain a healthy weight in the United States. There were no computers, and TV shows turned off at 11 p.m.; people stopped eating because they went to bed. Portions were much smaller. More people worked and played outside and, in general, got more exercise. With internet, TV and other entertainment available 24/7, many adults and children stay awake for longer hours to watch TV, scroll through social media, play games and chat online. That can mean sitting and snacking all day — and most of the night. Extra calories and less activity can mean a higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses. Scientific studies are showing that intermittent fasting may help reverse these trends.

How does intermittent fasting work?

     There are several different ways to do intermittent fasting, but they are all based on choosing regular time periods to eat and fast. For instance, you might try eating only during an eight-hour period each day and fast for the remainder. Or you might choose to eat only one meal a day two days a week. There are many different intermittent fasting schedules. Mattson says that after hours without food, the body exhausts its sugar stores and starts burning fat. He refers to this as metabolic switching.

     “Intermittent fasting contrasts with the normal eating pattern for most Americans, who eat throughout their waking hours,” Mattson says. “If someone is eating three meals a day, plus snacks, and they’re not exercising, then every time they eat, they’re running on those calories and not burning their fat stores.” Intermittent fasting works by prolonging the period when your body has burned through the calories consumed during your last meal and begins burning fat.

Intermittent Fasting Benefits

     Research shows that the intermittent fasting periods do more than burn fat. Mattson explains, “When changes occur with this metabolic switch, it affects the body and brain.” One of Mattson’s studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed data about a range of health benefits associated with the practice. These include a longer life, a leaner body and a sharper mind.

     “Many things happen during intermittent fasting that can protect organs against chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, age-related neurodegenerative disorders, even inflammatory bowel disease and many cancers,” he says. Here are some intermittent fasting benefits research has revealed so far:

⦁ Thinking and memory. Studies discovered that intermittent fasting boosts working memory in animals and verbal memory in adult humans.

⦁ Heart health. Intermittent fasting improved blood pressure and resting heart rates as well as other heart-related measurements.

⦁ Physical performance. Young men who fasted for 16 hours showed fat loss while maintaining muscle mass. Mice who were fed on alternate days showed better endurance in running.

⦁ Type 2 diabetes and obesity. In animal studies, intermittent fasting prevented obesity. And, in six brief studies, obese adult humans lost weight through intermittent fasting. People with type 2 diabetes may benefit: Most of the available research shows that intermittent fasting can help people lose body weight and lower their levels of fasting glucose, fasting insulin and leptin while reducing insulin resistance, decreasing levels of leptin and increasing levels of adiponectin. Certain studies found that some patients practicing intermittent fasting with supervision by their doctors were able to reverse their need for insulin therapy.

⦁ Tissue health. In animals, intermittent fasting reduced tissue damage in surgery and improved results.

Is intermittent fasting safe?

     Some people try intermitting fasting for weight management, and others use the method to address chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, high cholesterol or arthritis. But intermittent fasting isn’t for everyone. Before you try intermittent fasting (or any diet), you should check in with your primary care practitioner first. Some people should steer clear of trying intermittent fasting:

⦁ Children and teens under age 18.

⦁ Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

⦁ People with type 1 diabetes who take insulin. While an increasing number of clinical trials have shown that intermittent fasting is safe in people with type 2 diabetes, there have been no studies in people with type I diabetes. Mattson explains, “Because those with type I diabetes take insulin, there is a concern that an intermittent fasting eating pattern may result in unsafe levels of hypoglycemia during the fasting period.”

⦁ Those with a history of eating disorders.

⦁ But people not in these categories who can do intermittent fasting safely can continue the regimen indefinitely. It can be a lifestyle change ― and one with benefits.

     Keep in mind that intermittent fasting may have different effects on different people. Talk to your doctor if you start experiencing unusual anxiety, headaches, nausea or other symptoms after you start intermittent fasting.

Kenneth Davis

    T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     Life is a series of moments. The quality of attention and action that we bring to each moment determines the quality of our lives. Life has three rules: Paradox, Humor, and Change. - Paradox: Life is a mystery; don't waste your time trying to figure it out. - Humor: Keep a sense of humor, especially about yourself. It is a strength beyond all measure - Change: Know that nothing ever stays the same.
     May you find grace as you surrender to life. May you find happiness, as you stop seeking it. May you come to trust these laws and inherit the wisdom of the Earth. May you reconnect with the heart of nature and feel the blessings of Spirit.

~Dan Millman~

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N 

Music. – There is something very wonderful in music. Words are wonderful enough: but music is even more wonderful. It speaks not to our thoughts as words do: it speaks straight to our hearts and spirits, to the very core and root of our souls. Music soothes us, stirs us up; it puts noble feelings into us; it melts us to tears, we know not how: – it is a language by itself, just as perfect, in its way, as speech, as words; just as divine, just as blessed.

~Charles Kingsley~

WELCOME TO 
SMOOTH
 CONTEMPORARY JAZZ 
FRIDAYS

Kenneth Davis

   T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N 

     I loved IRON MAN: Robert Downey Jr. has been and probably will be my favorite actor for a long time…but IRON MAN, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, SUPERMAN RETURNS and all the others feel a little like Saturday morning cartoons next to the carbon black glory that is 'The Dark Knight.' Trust me, *this* is the future of this sort of thing.
     X-Men is not a story about superheroes, but a story about the ongoing revolutionary struggle between good/new and bad/old. The X-Men are every rebel teenager wanting to change the world and make it better. Humanity is every adult, clinging to the past, trying to destroy the future even as he places all his hopes there.

~Grant Morrison~

Estella Wright (Mayhue-Greer)

Kenneth Davis

 SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns

     October 1, 2023: In a vision I saw a fork in the road where a traveler would have to choose which way to go, and the Lord said: You are coming to an intersection in life where you must choose the direction that your life will take. The choices will be clear, and you will be able to distinguish between the two. One path will draw you closer to Me, and the other path will take you further down the road of worldliness and self-interest. Choose wisely. 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and you are not your own?

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

          If you hold back on the emotions--if you don't allow yourself to go all the way through them--you can never get to being detached, you're too busy being afraid. You're afraid of the pain, you're afraid of the grief. You're afraid of the vulnerability that loving entails. But by throwing yourself into these emotions, by allowing yourself to dive in, all the way, over your head even, you experience them fully and completely. ...You can go your whole life collecting days, and none will outweigh the one you wish you had back.

     There is no such thing as 'too late' in life. You have to find what’s good and true and beautiful in your life as it is now. Looking back makes you competitive. And, age is not a competitive issue. We need to forgive ourselves. For all the things we didn't do. All the things we should have done. You can't get stuck on the regrets of what should have happened.

~Mitch Albom~

James Stone

Kenneth Davis

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     Comedians by and large are some of the most sensitive people on earth. Even if they're socially callous. Most people don't know what it's like to stand up there and speak their mind. I have a venue to do that. I get paid to do that. It's not like I'm doing heavy lifting up there. It's not like I'm solving the world's problems. It's like I'm hanging out with a bunch of people and it's cool.
     I have angst in my life, but I'm like anybody. We all have angst in our lives that we pick up and fidget with and then we put down and look at some other things that make us feel good or enjoy our lives. When I'm on stage, I get real happy there. Maybe that's the only time in my adult life I feel like myself.
     There's a lot of people who don't want anything from me but to laugh and have a good time. You see them at the show and they like - they dress up to come see your show and stuff. And they pack these auditoriums and it's a lot of fun, man. It's like, this is how I started, and it's still fun for me.

~Dave Chappelle~

IT'S TIME FOR 
JUST JOKING MONDAYS

     Newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane was telling his best cartoonist, Winsor McCay, that he was the second-greatest cartoonist in the world. A reporter standing nearby, his curiosity aroused, asked Brisbane who was first. “I don’t know,” replied Brisbane. “But it sure keeps McCay on his toes.” —Bits & Pieces

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Estella Wright (Mayhue-Greer)

Happy Birthday October Warriors

Research from the University of Chicago and the Journal of Aging Research found that people born in the fall, have a greater chance of living to see the 100-year mark. One possible explanation is because they were not exposed to the seasonal infections or seasonal vitamin deficiency early in life that can cause long-lasting damage to a person’s health. So, congrats October Warriors—here’s to many more birthdays to come.

Warriors born in October are more physically fit and athletic than those born in other months. A study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine tested the strength, stamina and cardiovascular fitness of 9,000 children between 10 and 16 years old and found that those born in October and November performed significantly better than their peers. One possible explanation is the moms-to-be were exposed to more sunshine and vitamin D which means stronger bones and muscles for their babies.

Another study from Bristol in Great Britain found that later-summer and early-autumn Warriors are slightly taller on average than those born in the winter and spring. Just like athletic prowess, these Warriors enjoyed a final stretch of pregnancy during summer, when mom got more sun exposure which helped her body produce higher levels of vitamin D, which aided in the fetus's skeletal growth.

October birthdays also bring strong mental health. Warriors born in October are Fortune's children, and have luck on their side at all times. They achieve their targets. But watch out, they are very difficult to argue with because they put up a relentless fight. If angered, they can become very vindictive.

These Warriors are lovers of art and literature and quick to envy. They are authentic and honest and are not given to pretense.

They have two birthstones the opal and tourmaline. Both are thought to bring good luck.

October has two birth flowers, the marigold and cosmos. Both stems prosper during the summer and fall and have rich legacies in history, gardening, and folk medicine. These pretty jewel-toned flowers symbolize peace and serenity.

More American presidents have celebrated their birthday in the month of October than any other month. This includes Adams, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Hayes and Carter, who just celebrated his 99^th birthday.

October Warriors also share this birth month with Bruno Mars, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Drake, India Arie, Russell Simmons, Bernie Mac, Toni Braxton, CeCe Winans, Jesse Jackson, Dr. Mae Jemison, Chuck Berry, Snoop Dogg and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Kenneth Davis

 8 Signs of Breast Cancer You Might Be Ignoring (Besides a Lump)
Alyssa JungAlyssa Jung  Medically reviewed by Tia Jackson-Bey, MD

     Nearly 250,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. It’s important to pay attention to any breast changes, and see your doctor if you notice any of the following possible breast cancer symptoms.
Stay vigilant
     While the advice for staying ahead of breast cancer can get confusing at times, the bottom line is that you need to frequently check your breasts so you can catch when something unusual—like a lump—turns up. And you definitely need to check with your doctor about when to start getting mammograms and any other types of screening that make sense based upon your risk factors. In the meantime, watch out for these suspicious signs.

Your nipples look scaly
     If the skin of your nipple is suddenly dry, flaky, and scaly-looking, and spreads outward toward the areola and breast, this may be a sign of breast cancer. “A lot of people just have dry skin that goes away, but if you notice the scaling and it doesn’t disappear, that’s concerning,” says Sharon Rosenbaum Smith, MD, a breast surgeon at Mount Sinai West in New York City. 

Your breast turns red
     Redness of the skin usually indicates some sort of infection, but when the affected area of the breast isn’t tender or hot to the touch and continues to expand instead of disappearing, that’s a red flag, says Dr. Rosenbaum Smith. “The redness may fluctuate from a light pink to a fiery red, but it will not look splotchy like a rash and it won’t hurt to touch it,” she says.

A swollen lymph node under your arm
     “Some people notice a lump in the armpit area but don’t feel any lump on the breast, so they don’t think it’s cancer. Unfortunately, it could still be breast cancer,” says Dr. Rosenbaum Smith. A non-cancerous lymph node that swells will feel tender to touch. A cancerous node is generally painless, firmer to the touch, and doesn’t move around as much when you press on it, she says.

Bloody nipple discharge
     Spontaneous bloody discharge, meaning you don’t have to squeeze the nipple to make it come out, is never normal, says Dr. Rosenbaum Smith. “You’ll usually just see it appear on your nightshirt or bra, and that’s definitely suspicious that it could be cancer,” she says. The discharge also generally appears from only one breast. Any other discharge that appears when you squeeze either nipple is probably nothing to worry about or stems from something that’s not cancer, she says.

Dimpling of the breast skin
     If your breasts develop dimples, you should see your doctor. Dr. Rosenbaum Smith suggests doing the following exam to check for dimples: Raise your left arm above your head. This causes the pectoral muscle to stretch. If you look down and see dimples appear, it’s possibly a sign of trouble. “You have little fibers that connect up to the skin of the breast, and if you have cancer in there, it can pull in on those ligaments and cause dimpling,” she says. 

Your nipple retracts
     If you were born with inverted nipples, in which they point inward instead of out, don’t fret. But if your nipples have always faced outward and you start to notice them retracting in (and not popping back out), that can be cause for concern. “A good rule of thumb: any change in nipple appearance, bring it to your doctor’s attention,” says Dr. Rosenbaum Smith. 

Your breasts change size
     Unexplained swelling or shrinkage of the breast, especially only on one side, is something to take note of, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Although it is common for some women to have asymmetrical breasts, and breast size can fluctuate with age, pregnancy, or because of certain types of birth control, if it’s something new, get it checked out. 

You’re a man and find a lump
     Breast lumps can be cause for concern on a woman, but in many cases, they’re not cancerous. However, if you’re a man and notice a breast lump, go straight to your doctor, says Dr. Rosenbaum Smith. “A lump on a man is never normal,” she says. “Most men think they can’t get breast cancer so a lump isn’t important, but it is.”

Kenneth Davis

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns

     October 3, 2023: There is so much uncertainty and negativity in the world around you that it sometimes seems beyond your ability to cope. Take time and put forth the effort to see the positive and to be reminded that you are standing on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Establish yourself in the certainty of the power of the Holy Spirit to protect you. Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

  T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     I had fooled myself into thinking that I was something important to the rest of the world. I wanted to tell people, "My depression is acting up today" as an excuse for not seeing them, but I never managed to pull it off. Sometimes I just think depression's one way of coping with the world. Like, some people get drunk, some people do drugs, some people get depressed. Because there's so much stuff out there that you have to do something to deal with it.
     It's so hard to talk when you want to kill yourself. That's above and beyond everything else, and it's not a mental complaint-it's a physical thing, like it's physically hard to open your mouth and make the words come out. They don't come out smooth and in conjunction with your brain the way normal people's words do; they come out in chunks as if from a crushed-ice dispenser; you stumble on them as they gather behind your lower lip. So you just keep quiet.

~Ned Vizzini~