Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/149067
www.shelbyinfo.com Thursday, August 8-August 14, 2013 Through A Woman's Eyes By Martha Hynson mhynson1@gmail.com One Thing A few weeks ago, while on a business trip with my husband, I had a chance to visit Walnut Grove, Minnesota, home place of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House books. As a young girl in the seventies, watching Little House on the Prairie on television, I wanted to be Laura Ingalls. I could just imagine how much fun it would be to wear a cute sunbonnet and walk to the one-room schoolhouse in Walnut Grove. I miss that show. I think reruns of it might still come on, but I can't say for sure since I have an impairment that prevents me from finding out such information - I don't know how to work our television. This is because the people with whom I usually watch TV seem to have a psychological need to control the remote. Usually this doesn't bother me at all. Recently, however, I was home alone on a Friday night and decided to see what was on. After half an hour of punching buttons, I sent my sister a text that said, "I'm longing for the good old days, when I could easily change the channel with a pair of pliers." (For those of you too young to remember those days, picture a brown, wood grain box with a missing knob…) I guess my message put her in a nostalgic mood, because she texted back, "Remember how, on Saturday nights, we would eat hamburgers on TV trays while we watched Hee-Haw?" Ahh, yes, the good old days… I remember them well. What I also need to remember, though, is that my warm, fuzzy memories of days gone by are filtered through the eyes of childhood. So were the writings of Laura Ingalls Wilder. The truth is, there were problems then just like there always have been. Ecclesiastes 7:10 says it's not wise to ask, "Why were the old days better than these?" A better question would be, "Lord, how do you want to use me during this time?" There were plenty of problems around in Bible times. The story of Esther, for instance, takes place during a very treacherous period in Jewish history. Yet, in the midst of the confusion, God used one girl, who believed He had placed her where she was for His purposes, to save the entire nation. When Esther was a young woman, she was forced to leave her home and become part of the king's harem. Scripture tells us that each girl in the harem had one chance to meet the king and, on that night, she was allowed to choose whatever she wanted (jewelry, clothes, etc.) to take with her. We're told that when it was Esther's turn, she asked for only what was suggested to her, and that she pleased the king so much that he chose her to be the new queen. As a result, she was later in a position to help her people, the Jews. Esther was wise in choosing only what was suggested. I've often wondered exactly what that might have been. Thankfully, we don't have to wonder what will please the true King. We're told in Luke 10:39-42, where we read of another woman who chose wisely. Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen intently to him. We're told that her sister, Martha, was busy about the house and, in frustration, asked Jesus why he didn't tell Mary to help her. Jesus gently told Martha that she was distracted by many things when only one was needed. Mary, he said, had chosen what was best. We live in a world that is full of distractions. Like Martha, it's easy to be so troubled and worried about what's going on around us that we miss the most important thing. I know because my attention is easily diverted. That's one of the reasons I don't turn on our television. Yet, God chose to put me here, at this time in history, with things like smart phones, and blogs, and complicated remotes, for a reason. I believe God has called each of us to play a role in His Story, and He has all kinds of things planned for us to do, but it has to start with the thing that matters most- knowing Him and spending time with Him. That's where we find true peace and fulfillment. The good days are not really over. In fact, they haven't come yet. Sometimes we get glimpses of them, but the days on this earth will never be truly good. God has placed that longing in our hearts, but it's not meant to be a longing for what was. I believe what He wants us to long for is a deeper relationship with Him, and that He wants nothing more than to satisfy that longing, beginning now, and lasting throughout eternity. 4,0 0 0 4 , COP IES 2 DR IVER 1 DR I V IN 729 M G ILES t o 750 LO CATI ONS WITH 2 GR EAT PAPER S! S Michael Smart CIRCULATION weekly circulation e & in sohpelrby fo sh p VERIFICATION COUNCIL & WEEKLY RUTHERFORD 704/484-1047 - shelby shopper & info - Page 11 Tick-Borne Diseases by Michael Waldvogel, PhD, NC State University This month, Michael Waldvogel, PhD of The CDC also reports that 10% of people NC State University sent out some pest infor- infected with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever mation about common pest problems in and do not develop the characteristic rash that we around homes at this time of year. Most of read about (and of course, rashes on children you have probably heard that the CDC recently or adults can have many other non-disease causes). The best approach is to confirmed that the death of six year circle the date of the "tick encounter" old Buncombe county child was due on the calendar and if you develop to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever flu-like symptoms, severe headaches (RMSF). or joint pain within the next 3-14 days, When most people think of ticks Female contact your physician immediately and tick-borne diseases, they focus Male American Dog Tick and mention the tick incident. Most their attention on Lyme Disease doctors will take the cautious route which is more prevalent in the northand prescribe antibiotics which when ern states but certainly is on the taken early on usually take care of rise in North Carolina and can have the problem. severely debilitating effects if it is not Spotted Fever is one of those diagnosed promptly. In 2012, we had Male Female illness that are a piece of cake to 584 cases of the Rocky Mountain Black Legged Tick treat and cure IN THE FIRST TWO Spotted fever with the peak occurring OR THREE DAYS OF ILLNESS, but in June and July. The American dog which can be a nightmare if treated tick is the primary vector (transmitter) later. If given early, the antibiotic of RMSF. The blacklegged tick is the treatment is virtually 100% effective, primary vector of Lyme Disease in North Carolina. Male Female and quickly so, with close to zero adverse effects. But if delayed much Many people may be inclined to Brown Dog Tick beyond that, disability or death are try outdoor chemical treatments and fairly common, despite all treatment. that's certainly their option (if the So everything hinges on early recogweather cooperates). They need to nition and treatment. bear in mind that tick management So how to recognize it? You are requires a thorough (NOT excessive) application of the chemical. Unlike Male Female right in observing that there are no blood tests, or any other medical with mosquitoes where the goal is to Lone Star Tick procedures, that can help diagnose treat foliage where the mosquitoes are resting, ticks are often down on the soil it in the critical early stage. Everything hinges itself and so the chemical application needs on the doctor suspecting it. And anything the to cover the soil. With that in mind, your best patient can do to help him think of it. When you say Rocky Mountain Spotted options are going to be a garden hose sprayer attachment or a granular insecticide. Both Fever, everyone thinks of a fever and a rash. need to be done when the grass is not exces- But the rash often comes too late --- only after sively wet (the granules can get caught in the three or four days. And sometimes doesn't wet grass and not reach the soil surface where even happen. So the key is when to suspect they're needed). Point #2 to keep in mind - you that a fever, out of nowhere, may represent may "control" the tick population in the treated spotted fever. The knowledge that a tick fed on you a week areas of your yard, but this does nothing to address the ticks in the weedy overgrown areas or two before is of course a big clue. (We think that remain untreated and may be home to it has to be imbedded for at least several hours rabbits, feral cats (not likely both at the same to transmit the disease.) But there are times when a tick can attach itself, feed for a while, time), etc. This is a good time to reiterate the good then detach, without your knowing it. So you practices for protecting yourself from ticks and can't count on that. The critical symptoms are fever (usually *all* of the tick-related diseases. - Whether you're outdoors for work or recre- pretty high), headache, and terrific muscle ation, keeping ticks off of you is important. One aches. Especially the muscle aches. Of way is to wear light-colored clothing to make it course all sorts of illnesses --- flu, etc --- can easier to spot ticks making the ascent up your start off with fever and achy muscles. But the leg and preferably wear long pants and tuck the muscle aches of spotted fever are something pant legs into your socks. Whether you wear else! If a patient comes to an experienced NC shorts or long pants, apply a repellent to your doctor's office during tick season (late spring to socks and pants or in the case of shorts, only early fall), with no symptoms except a sudden to *exposed* parts of your skin. fever and severe pain in his muscles, --- even - Check yourself (and children) over care- with no knowledge of any ticks biting him, and fully after working or playing outdoors. no rash --- the doctor will usually let fly with - If you do find a tick that's feeding on you, doxycycline treatment without further ado. This remove it carefully with a pair of tweezers. If is one of those illnesses where early treatment possible, keep the tick for identification (sug- is so safe and effective, and delayed treatgest that they keep it in a small jar filled with ment so potentially devastating, that doctors rubbing alcohol. reverse their usual routine of diagnosing first - Just because you find a tick on you, and treating second. Here we will treat even doesn't mean it's been feeding, particularly if on suspicion. it's still wandering around. Ticks attach their So in the summertime, the sudden onset of heads to your skin with a type of "cement" and fever and severe muscle aches is a reason for then the feast begins. a doctor visit, THAT DAY! Even if you have - Also, just because the tick is identified as seen no ticks, nor any rash. The fever will American dog tick or the blacklegged tick does be high enough, and the muscle pains severe not mean that is actually infected with Rocky enough, that you won't likely dismiss it as "a Mountain Spotted Fever or Lyme Disease. little virus that's going around." You will susPeople may rush to their doctor to get a blood pect something more severe is afoot. And if the test done. However, at this early stage a blood doctor does not consider spotted fever, bring it test isn't helpful because the tests rely on up with him. detecting antibodies that develop in response Two other caveats come to mind: 1. If you to the pathogen and it can take several weeks find a tick on you, but aren't sick, don't go to the for the antibody levels to reach detectable doctor with that. Remember you have to have numbers. Also, some healthy people who a sick tick (one carrying spotted fever) to make have been exposed to RMSF may already you sick. And 99 out of 100 ticks probably have detectable levels. For that reason, blood aren't carrying it. So we would not prescribe tests are usually done twice a few weeks apart the antibiotics just because the tick was on you. to look for a significant rise in antibody levels Just watch for the fever and muscle pain over (indicating a likely infection rather than just a the next two weeks. previous exposure). 2. Don't take some left-over antibiotics that Remind people that 20% or more of the you were supposed to have taken last year for people infected with the Lyme Disease patho- some other illness. Rocky Mountain Spotted gen do not develop the classic "bull's eye" rash Fever requires a very specific antibiotic --- one that they just saw after doing a Google search. not often prescribed for other illnesses.