Greetings all! Because of the unprecedented situation we are in right now, I’m announcing a price change on all the books in my catalog that are available as ebooks. This new price will stay in effect at least through the end of April and as much longer as needed. All of my ebooks are now $.99; this includes the novels "Tango" and "Rock, Paper, Scissors," the short works "Journey" and "Glimpses," and all three books in the Boone series. The links are on my website www.housemountainviews.com; look for the catalog page.

A new study shows that more than half of office-based physicians in the U.S. recommended at least one complementary health approach (CHA) to their patients during the previous 12 months, with female physicians more likely to recommend a CHA than male physicians.

We seasonally have a pair of bluebirds build a nest under the eve of our house that I allow because I enjoy having them around. They are pretty creatures with an appetite for insect pests. The first sighting of bluebirds is considered a sign of Spring.

Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) are easily identified by their sky-blue back and rusty colored throat and breast (they are cousins to the robins). Females are not as brightly colored as males. The birds are most often seen sitting on an isolated perch or hunting for insects on the ground.

This was a common refrain during the Great Depression. Yes, we did get three meals a day, but a child craves more. I have always had a sweet tooth. Sugary treats were seldom included on Mother's shopping list.

Oh, Lord, please help me get there before it’s too late. This and many similar thoughts swam through the nearly delirious Della Maude’s mind as she struggled through the thick brown bed of fallen leaves. She stumbled many times and would have fallen had it not been for the support and steadying hand of her husband’s niece, Bella.

There’s a disease we all have, but some of us have it more severe than others. It’s known as Selectedhearingitus.

Here’s an example of its effects on my husband Tim. I’ll ask him, “Do you want green beans or pinto beans for supper?” He’ll give me the short answer, “Yep.” To which I reply, “Yep to which one?” Then he gives me his classic response, “Which one what?”

I guess you can say that I’m the one who truly suffers from it since Tim’s responses drive me crazy. Over the years, I have wondered if he does it sometimes just to have fun and aggravate me.

The second part of growing a yard-full of fruit and vegetables is preserving them. Again, I have to thank my parents for that knowledge as well as for the love of gardening. Mom and Dad canned everything from fish to salsa. When Mom got sick, Dad took the reins. He had a steam juicer to make juice for jellies, a strainer to make puree, huge pots and small ones. (I recently found a small Presto cooker at a Goodwill and packed it in my suitcase when I flew home.) Then there is the pressure canner. I had a big yellow one that I used so much the bottom became slightly rounded.

When I see a reasonable price on fresh salmon fillets, I snap them up. Fresh salmon enjoys companionship with several fruits. Pineapple is a favorite of mine. You can find pineapple juice in small 6 ounce cans on the grocery shelf. Try this recipe. You might use it when you have a special guest. It is fancy and good.

GLAZED SALMON
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
4 salmon fillets, 6 ounces each

Uniquely Union host Dr. Ronnie Mincey interviews Martin Shafer.

Social Distancing

Social distancing is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to limit the spread of coronavirus. Social distancing means avoiding close contact with others (keeping a distance of 6 feet or more), avoiding crowds, and suspending social practices, like shaking hands. Individuals can practice social distancing by avoiding places and events where keeping a 6-foot distance from others is unlikely or impossible. Organizations support social distancing when large gatherings are cancelled to slow virus spread.