I was having lunch with a dear friend not too long ago. In the course of conversation, the phrase “pearl clutchers” came up. I am always intrigued with a phrase that I have never heard, and this one just tickled my fancy.
It did not bother me one bit to ask what the term meant. My friend informed me it was the gesture that some people make when they hear something unbelievable. The hand is raised in exaggerated amazement or disbelief to the neck, just where the knot in a strand of pearls would be if a woman was wearing it.

Have you ever tasted a Spice Spritz cookie? Try this one, it has an autumn flavor. In large bowl with mixer at low speed, beat butter and sugar until blended. Increase speed to high and beat until light and creamy, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Next, at low speed, beat in egg and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in flour and pumpkin pie spice just until blended.

Requirements for good wildlife habitat can be broken down into three basic needs: water, food, and cover. While the need for water and food is pretty obvious, cover is more dynamic, and the need varies from day to day and season to season.

Last Wednesday, August 7, 2024, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn stopped by the Union County Courthouse for a “stop and chat”. She landed in Tazewell and spent about half an hour with elected officials and some local citizens. Saying “you can ask me anything” in response to Mayor Jerry Lawson's question on the Secret Service changing of the top official, she fielded other questions on the the bipartisan legislation Kids Online Safety Act, human trafficking particularly connected to the Mexican border across the same border, and the influx of fentanyl through the cartels and immigration.

The UNION COUNTY Extensions began in 1917 on an Emergency War Time Basis. Agent E.G. Vickers was assigned to Union County by the University of Tennessee located in nearby Knoxville Tennessee. He only served three months and then was replaced by J.W. Kyker who was assigned to Union County to assist the local farmers and their families prosper. In 1911 the University of Tennessee Agriculture saw a great need and created the Extension Department with (6) Agents, hiring local farmers that were good at farming techniques. The first Agent arrived in late January 1918.

It had been a long, hot day. When I showed up at the American Legion Post 212 for their monthly free dinner, I was tired, not particularly hungry and not feeling very sociable. But then I opened the door and the aroma of wonderfully prepared BBQ came drifting out. That changed everything! The food was wonderful. Not only large quantities of pulled pork, but there was chicken, delicious cole slaw, and homemade beans with bacon (yum!). Desserts included cookies and chocolate cake. Margo McCaffery and Debbie Boeck, members of the Union County Veteran Volunteers, prepared this feast.

In a study published in Nature Mental Health, scientists have found that individuals suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) may face a higher high risk of brain aging.

CMP is a leading cause of disability, affecting more than 40% of the world’s population and impacting patients’ cognitive function. Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, thus hampering prevention and treatment efforts, research indicates that inflammatory markers associated with brain aging are higher in CMP patients, suggesting a link between brain aging and CMP.

Do you remember the first time you saw a fire truck? For me, it was in one of my favorite TV series: “Emergency.” It was so exciting when the emergency vehicles from Squad 51 drove out with their sirens blaring. The dramatic music played during this scene was awesome as well. This was set in Los Angeles. Out on Papaw’s farm in East Tennessee, I hardly ever saw an emergency vehicle, but when I did, it wasn’t the experience I thought it would be.

It was January of his fourth grade year. Charlie was playing quietly in his bedroom, just he and his mother at home.
He heard his father come home about 9:00 p.m. Charlie knew from the amount of noise his father was making that he was either drunk or well on the way. Charlie had learned over the years that when his father was sober that Charlie was to be seen and not heard. Charlie also knew when his father was “on the sauce” that Charlie could most likely make all the noise he wanted.

Sumacs are very common in our area, most often found in overgrown fields and areas that have been disturbed. While considered a weed by many, it does have the virtues of providing cover and food for wildlife, and nice fall coloration for human enjoyment.