By: Steve Roark
Volunteer Interpreter: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
With all the rainfall we’ve had, clouds have been pretty common of late. And when you look up at fluffy clouds suspended in the sky, you naturally think they do not weigh much since they are literally floating on air. But taken as a whole, there is a surprising amount of weight hanging up there.

I read a post on Facebook a few days ago that brought me a moment’s pause. Someone wrote that s/he never imagined ever entering a bank wearing a mask and asking for money.
Have you ever thought that if someone had predicted your future and told you certain things that you would have imagined yourself to be in a completely different place and circumstance than you presently find yourself?

Have you ever made hamburger stew? It's easy and cheap to make. Use ground chuck. The last thing you want is having to deal with the beef fat that is tallow. Use whatever vegetables you have, if you don't have the frozen mixed vegetables. That is what I do. The other veggies you always have on hand. Serve it over rice to extend the number of servings you get. It's called creative cooking 101.

A 1936 Ford. This would be the only new car my Dad ever bought. Back in the day, you paid cash for almost everything, and that included a new automobile.
You could buy furniture on a revolving credit plan, but I am not sure about buying a car. Anyway, Dad bought a 1936 Ford, two-door, with six cylinders and painted a nice shiny black. That is what I remember about it. The picture shows Dad sitting on a front fender, a classic pose of days gone by.

The Union County Health Department will be distributing cloth masks Wednesday, May 27th, from 11:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m. in front of Luttrell Elementary School. Individuals can pick up the number needed for their household. These masks should not be used on any child under two years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who could not remove the mask without assistance. These are not medical masks and they should not be used for medical or commercial use.

As we plan for fall and summer, we are faced with uncertainty. While food systems are secure and safe due to USDA oversight, there can be food shortages of some products at times. Food preservation is a great way to ensure access to food, decrease food waste, decrease trips to grocery stores, and save money. However, it must be done safely.

Randi McNutt, the owner of Cutting Crew Family Haircare, was shut down the last week of March due to Covid-19.
As of May 11, the shop is reopened, but things are a far cry from normal.
“We are wearing masks and our customers are too,” said McNutt.
Cutting Crew employs five staff members in the Maynardville shop and also has a salon in Blaine. McNutt says even with extended salon hours they are booked a week out.

It’s a pain. About 80 percent of adults in the United States will experience lower back pain at some point. Treating back pain typically involves medication, including opioids, surgery, therapy and self-care options. Efforts to reduce opioid use and increase physically based therapies to reduce pain and increase physical function and safety are crucial.

Driving down the road you may enjoy seeing pasture and hay fields full of lovely yellow flowers, which are buttercups. While I agree they create an attractive scene, they are a wolf in sheep’s clothing in that they are toxic if eaten by livestock and compete with the grass for nutrients, sun and other resources.

A few weeks ago I left three fictitious youngsters in the hayloft of Uncle Ex Newman’s barn as they laid out of school— Clark Mosely, his older brother Hen, and their still older cousin Jay Harvey Tatum.
“It’s hotter’n seven hells in this blamed hayloft,” Jay Harvey said.
“That sun’s a beatin’ on that tin roof. I bet it’s a lot cooler down on the barn’s dirt floor,” Clark said.
“Yeah, and a sight more like to be caught hiding out down there, too,” Hen said. “How long we gonna stay up here, Jay Harvey?”
“’Til time for school to let out, I reckon,” Jay Harvey replied.