In the third part of our tomato series, we discussed garden layout and water. In this edition, we will talk about plant support and pruning. This is an area where we can make it easier to manage our gardens and harvest the fruits of our labor. Also, depending on the type of tomato plant, pruning can yield larger fruit when the plant can devote as much energy as possible into fruit production.

Q: How is a chiropractic adjustment performed?

A: Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills developed during the doctor of chiropractic’s intensive years of chiropractic education. The chiropractic physician typically uses his or her hands—or an instrument— to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order to restore or enhance joint function. This often helps resolve joint inflammation and reduces the patient’s pain. Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.

Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is an interesting plant found in rich, moist, forested areas in deep hollows and drains. East and north facing lower slopes are its favored habitat, where it can be pretty prolific

Ginger has a stem (called a rhizome) that grows low along the ground with pairs of heart shaped leaves sticking up through the leaf litter. The leaf stems are very hairy. If you scratch around under the leaves in the spring you may find a brownish purple flower with three petals. If you break off a piece of the rhizome it will have the strong smell like ginger.

I watch a lot of television these days. With my knees bothering me so much, it is most comfortable to lie back in my recliner and watch mysteries on TV. I have noticed only two Easter-related commercials. One is the ever popular Cadbury Bunny tryouts and other is the Swiss chocolate commercial. Where are the Easter baskets? Where are the colored hard-boiled eggs?

The Easter Bunny came this year.
I wondered if he would.
Gloved and masked,
Going about his task,
His traditional job, with fear.

With handshakes no more;
I waved and I cheered,
”You Sweet Springtime Honey
Mr. Cotton Tailed Bunny.
I'll see you again next year.”

Full disclosure, this is my daily musing written from the viewpoint of a Christian. Read, or ignore. Agree, or disagree. Two freedoms that are ultimately still yours, along with many others.

As a believer, in trying to maneuver through this C-19 crisis in the best way I can, I frequently find myself shifting between some fear and a little arrogance while attempting to find the perfect point between the two. In speaking with others, while many are exactly where I am, I hear a lot of fear, and a lot of arrogance in some of them as well.

t was March, 1939. John Clark Mosley set out to school that first day of first grade for the second time in two years with his brother (and best friend) Bobby Henry. “Hen”, as everybody in Tatum Holler called him, was for the most part a quiet, reflective child. He was a veteran of White Deer School, having spent two years already in the first grade, once when he was five and again when he turned six.

I don’t like waiting. At all!

A few years ago, we were driving south on I-75 to visit relatives in Florida. Being the history buff that I am, I asked Tim if we could take a little detour through Savannah. I was so excited when he agreed.

On the way in, we drove by the Talmadge Memorial Bridge. It’s a suspension bridge that’s absolutely breath taking. That alone was worth taking the detour.

One of my all-time favorite songs is “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra. I was only twelve years old when that song hit the airwaves in 1977. It struck a chord with me (no pun intended) because it seemed so hopeful and so happy. It also ended with a strange robot-like voice at the end, which was extra intriguing for a nerdy pre-teen like me. (More on that later.)

As if the blizzard of ’93 wasn’t enough, two months later, east Tennessee experienced the flood of ’93. The blizzard set the stage. When the snow melted it went a long way to filling creeks and other bodies of water. Then the rains began and kept coming.

It wasn’t just discouraging to have clouds and rain for days on end, but then after a particularly heavy night’s rainfall, it became impossible to get around town. Just as it had during the blizzard, school was cancelled.