*Be continually grouchy with your family and expect them to love, honor, and want to be around you. *Demand miracles from your staff at work and expect total loyalty from them – and to just love working for you. *Be a Christian who consistently gives God less than He has instructed in Scripture, and yet expect Him to pour extravagant blessings on your life. *Treat your body like a filthy worthless trash can, and stuff every kind of unhealthy food or product into it, then sit around and wonder why you feel lousy so much of the time. These examples are just a few illustrations of “It Just Don’t Work That Way, Dummy!” Here’s how it really works, dummy. Family. Originally designed to be our Safe Zone. A place of encouragement, forgiveness, acceptance, and patience. When you are constantly ignoring everyone, or coming through the door spewing anger and resentment - after unending rounds of this garbage your family will probably agree with the first person who quietly mentions disowning you. And your workplace? Not one of you unfair, demanding business owners pay your employees enough to get them to outright lie and say, “My boss? Absolutely the best there is! Kind, cheerful, understands that we are not perfect robots, and has reasonable expectations of us employees! Everyone just loves working there!” Christians. You really believe that You alone, without the blessings of your God, got you where you are today? That you owe Him nothing? He has promised to bless you, yes, but He also promised those blessings according to your commitment to Him. And everyone of you that inhabits a human body…surely you understand the concept of ‘garbage in, garbage out?’ A steady diet of sugary desserts, fattening foods, and processed meats – combined with your snacks of drugs and alcohol while you veg on the couch? Definitely not the recipe for feeling great and on top of the world. But, it definitely is your choice. We live in a country where you and I are free to choose our lifestyle and the way we treat people. You just need to be prepared for the inevitable consequences of your carefully selected decisions. I would suggest that you have an Emergency-Go-Bag filled with your worthless foods and beverages standing by the back door. So that when your family has had enough of your behavior, you will be ready to lurch that weak, broken body out that door. And you detested, unreasonable business owners? Remember that you were already warned, when your employees begin filtering into your office with their resignation notice in hand. Giving reasons ranging from, “Sorry, but my dog is too lonely with me working eighty-three hours a week” to “I’ve been offered a better position working for the local Hate-Miser for minimum wage, so I’m outta here!” Like the title says, life just doesn’t work well that way….Dummy.

By Kara Kimbrough "Don't go, summer!" The headline from a food magazine at the checkout line couldn’t have been more direct: Big, bold red letters practically leapt off the page as I unloaded my cart. Despite a silent acknowledgement that the author of the article probably doesn’t live in the south, I bought in anyway. Inside, the food article brought home the message that the days in which grilled burgers can be enjoyed are coming to a close. I was surprised to read that many Americans feel Labor Day weekend is the last blast for burgers. They obviously don't realize it stays hot in the Deep South until Thanksgiving. In short, our weather accommodates year-round grilling. More about grilled burgers in a minute, but first, here’s a tip for freezing and defrosting ground beef, chuck or turkey, which many supermarkets will have on sale as Labor Day approaches. Buying in bulk, using what is needed and freezing the remainder just makes sense. However, defrosting a large chunk of frozen meat when a last-minute cookout or burger crazing emerges is a tedious task. To counteract this problem, section meat into one-pound portions, place inside a large freezer bag and roll out with a rolling pin to remove air and flatten to a manageable size. Seal, stack and place in the freezer. The next time a burger crazing hits, meat is ready to use within a few minutes. But back to burgers. A reoccurring question from readers during summer months revolves around new ways to change up “the same old burger.” Ground meat lends itself well to a number of additions, including onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings. But one of the most inventive ways to add interest to the burger buffet is by hiding the ketchup and instead, serving a variety of burger sauces. One of my favorites actually came from the back of the Heinz ketchup bottle. To make it, combine a cup each of ketchup and mayonnaise, quarter cup of sweet relish, tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, two teaspoons sugar, tablespoon and a half of jarred minced garlic and a dash of salt and pepper. It’s delicious spooned over burgers and hot dogs and in a pinch, serves as a backup dip for chips and crackers. And of course, nothing’s more impressive than making your own barbecue sauce. An easy recipe calls for a cup of chopped yellow onions to be sautéed in a little oil, then combined with a cup of ketchup, quarter cup of water, two tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, tablespoon each of brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and chili powder and half teaspoon of garlic powder. Boil gently for about 20 minutes and serve over burgers or grilled chicken. Despite northern friends’ warnings about burgers’ last hurrah, the arrival of Labor Day doesn’t mean it’s time to place burgers on the back burner. So, enjoy a juicy burger during the long weekend while making plans for many, many more. Labor Day Burgers with Caramelized Onions and Secret Weapon Sauce For burgers: 1-1/2 pounds ground chuck Approx. 1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules, dissolved in hot water to make at least ½ cup of beef broth 4 hamburger buns 4 lettuce leaves For onions: 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 medium yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced 1 teaspoon cider vinegar 1 teaspoon brown sugar For sauce: ¼ cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons each: Dijon mustard and prepared horseradish 1 tablespoon snipped chives Dash each of salt and freshly ground pepper In large skillet over medium high heat, heat oil, then add onions and dash of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions begin to soften, about 8-10 minutes. Add vinegar and brown sugar and continue to cook until onions are soft and golden, about same amount of time. To make sauce, combine all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. To make burgers, mix ground chuck, 3-4 tablespoons of beef broth mixture (more to taste), Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Form into four patties, about 3/4” inch thick. Make a small indentation on top of each one to prevent a dome from forming during cooking. Grill patties over direct heat with lid closed until cooked to 160 degrees, about 10 minutes. Turn only once. During last minute of cooking, place buns, cut side down, on grill to toast. Build each burger by lightly coating each side of the bun with sauce, then adding lettuce leaf, burger patty and caramelized onions. Makes 4 servings, recipes double and triple easily. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Bob Garver Bad news, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” fans, new installment “Mutant Mayhem” gets the Ninja Turtles all wrong. You know how the characters are usually voiced by adults that make you forget that the characters are even supposed to be teenagers? This movie settles for real teenagers that can play off each other with age-appropriate chemistry. You know how the jokes are usually so lame that the joke itself is how lame they are? This movie can’t go a straight sixty seconds without getting a genuine laugh from me. You know how every big-screen version of the Ninja Turtles has been critically lambasted until this point? This movie has a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and a glowing recommendation from me. This movie may not follow in the tradition of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but only because it’s something else, something better, entirely. Don’t get me wrong, the setup is still the same: four baby turtles and an adult rat are exposed to radioactive ooze and become anthropomorphic mutants. The rat, Splinter (Jackie Chan), raises them in the sewers of New York City to become ninjas, but only so they can sneak around undetected and defend themselves if necessary, which they won’t have to do if they’re good enough at staying undetected by the humans that surely want to kill them. But now that the turtles have come of age, they yearn for adventure outside of the sewer, including taking in human culture and even making human friends. The turtles consist of self-appointed leader Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu), brainiac Donatello (Micah Abbey), muscle Raphael (Brady Noon), and goofball Michelangelo (Shaman Brown Jr.). They team up with teenage reporter April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri) to track down a gang of dangerous thieves that have been terrorizing the city. What they find are more mutants, including insect Superfly (Ice Cube), rhino Rocksteady (John Cena), pig Bebop (Seth Rogen), alligator Leatherhead (Rose Byrne), and gecko Mondo (Paul Rudd, possibly this movie’s biggest scene-stealer), among others. These characters are all so funny and likeable that the film briefly runs into a problem where it looks like there’s no one to root against. We get a forgettable villain in evil corporate executive Cynthia Ultrom (Maya Rudolph), but we know this series is just biding its time until another, more popular villain shows up. I could go on and on about how much “fun” this movie is, but I don’t want to spoil any of the many great jokes, and the actors’ cadences might not translate well to the page anyway. Okay, since this is a movie about teenagers, I think I can give away that my favorite line includes the word “hormones.” Aside from the jokes, another area where this movie is fun is in its animation. I’ve never seen quite this style before, but I love it. Many frames look like the animators just threw paint at a canvas and added in some squiggles with a magic marker, but at the same time it’s completely effective and gorgeous. Like the movie itself, it’s sloppy and reckless, yet the artists’ competence and dedication to creating an immersive world is never in question. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” isn’t performing as well at the box office as I thought it would. Not only did it lose in its opening weekend to the third weekends of both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” it technically lost to the first weekend of “The Meg 2” (but it did finish with a higher total thanks to a two-day head start). So now I find myself feeling compelled to advocate for a franchise that I had previously written off as violent toy-commercial garbage. I still feel that maybe the turtles are a little too quick to violence, but otherwise this is a terrific family film, right on par with the “Spider-verse” movies. Kids will love it, and for the first time ever, they’ll be right to love it. Grade: B “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” is rated PG for sequences of violence and action, language and impolite material. Its running time is 99 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

We all know how it feels to have done it. We wanted to be brave, but at the last minute we pulled up stakes and ran for the hills. Our self-preservation the only thing on our chicken-liver minds. Then we spend the rest of our life beating ourself up for not saying or doing what was right. And also trying to outrun that self-defeating feeling inside that somehow, we are ‘less-than.’ Ahhhh, bliss – the life of secret self-humiliation and shame. All because of that never to be forgotten time you didn’t act the way you should. There is a humongous problem with this – for everyone. And I am not referring to the fact that you may have caused hurt for anyone else involved. Oh yes, you really did make that gigantic mistake, that tragic error in judgement. And it has cost you, and others, way too dearly. Like I said, hurting people was wrong, but that is really not the humongous problem. The probable repeating of your behavior is the real problem now. Bringing on pain again. Here is why. There is likely a recording in your head that seems to be on auto-run, the one about shame and guilt, and it is causing you to think endlessly of the past. Therefore being controlled by that past. The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7, “As a man thinketh in his heart, that is how he will behave.” If you keep beating yourself up in your thoughts, never asking God to forgive you and not forgiving yourself, then you are destined to fail again. And again and again. I didn’t say it. God did. There is another truth you need to realize: The world will keep on turning, regardless of what you did, or did not do. The survival of this world does not rest totally upon your shoulders, you are definitely not that important. So, give yourself a needed break. How do you do this? If you truly hate what happened, and you despise yourself for your part in it, then ask your God to help you, and start to forgive yourself. Be willing to apologize to those you hurt. Then you can start over with a clean slate with healthier thoughts about you. Which, according to Proverbs 23:7, will free your heart and mind …and therefore change your behavior in the future. A new chance at a new tomorrow. One with self-acceptance and peace in it. All you have to do is swallow your pride. Own up to your God that you’ve blown it badly, and that you need His help. And then accept the forgiveness that comes. You gotta admit, that is truly something to think about doing. A lot better than spending so many nights repeatedly reliving the shame and guilt of that ‘something’ that you did or said. Or chickened out and didn’t do. Been there. Done that. Much better life.

Apelah, a Mississippi-based non-profit provider of specialized foster care and in-home care services, is seeking individuals and families throughout Mississippi who will open their homes to help care for the growing number of children in need of foster care. More than 4,000 Mississippi children are living in foster care or are currently in need of placement with foster-care families that are willing to offer safe and compassionate living environments for children, many with special needs, who do not have a home of their own. “At Apelah, we specialize in developing amazing hero homes for children who need individualized medical and emotional care while providing a safe and loving environment,” said Tammy Pierce, associate vice president of development and corporate outreach. “Apelah’s dedicated staff recruits, trains, and supports our exceptional foster parents, who provide homes of healing and refuge while nurturing and caring for these children.” Apelah provides its foster families with: ● Access to 24-hour case management support. ● Coordinated care focused on effective communication and planning related to the child’s health and well-being. ● Foster parents who are well-matched to the needs of each child. ● Ongoing training for all foster parents. ● Board payments to the foster parents, including personal and clothing allowances for each child in care. According to Pierce, Apelah is always available to answer questions and respond to any concerns of foster parents. ‘We provide guidance so that all of our foster parents feel supported and ready to provide excellent care to the children,” she said. To become a foster parent, Apelah first conducts a home-study and background check of each foster parent/family. All future foster parents then receive the essential training necessary to be successful. Foster parents may be married or single living with or without children. Apelah is looking for foster parents who are willing to: ● Give of themselves without expectations. ● Have sufficient room to house a foster child comfortably. ● Have enough time day/night to care for a foster child. ● Learn and use proven behavior management skills. ● Love and care for children regardless of their challenges. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, please contact Apelah in Ridgeland, MS., at 601.991.2224, or by email at MSRecruiting@apelah.org. To learn more, please visit our website at Apelah.org. Please stop by our Open House, September 7, 2023 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Apelah, Inc., 304 Highland Park Cove, Ridgeland, MS 39157.

By Bob Garver The other half of this summer’s “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, “Oppenheimer” did so well in its second weekend that it gets a full review all its own. Sure, it came in a distant second to “Barbie” both weekends, but with an estimated $174 million at the domestic box office thus far, it’s more than on pace to become the biggest movie of all time to never win a weekend. The unofficial, counterintuitive, and highly-unusual “Barbenheimer” marketing campaign (“contrast the glittery comedy with a drama about the atomic bomb”) certainly helped this film’s box office, but it’s a strong enough movie that I’d like to think that it could have been a hit even without its unlikely pink ally. Cillian Murphy (who I could tell from the first publicity photo was perfect, Oscar-ready casting) stars as J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man credited as the “father of the atomic bomb.” Much like “The Social Network,” the film intercuts its usually-linear historical portion with the framing device of two hearings, one involving Oppenheimer himself, the other involving nemesis Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.), chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. As Strauss is not a scientist himself, he and Oppenheimer never get along well professionally, but after a perceived derogatory comment made toward Albert Einstein (Tom Conti), he has it in for Oppenheimer personally. Much of the movie is standard biopic territory: we follow Oppenheimer from his days at Cambridge getting advice from Niels Bohr (Kenneth Branaugh) to his role as director of The Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where the bomb was designed and built. In his personal life, Robert takes up a relationship with the married Kitty (Emily Blunt) while having an affair with Communist sympathizer Jean (Florence Pugh). Oppenheimer and his colleagues go through the expected setbacks and successes, culminating in a high-stakes demonstration and one of the most massive explosions ever put on film. Soon the bomb is taken away from the scientists and used in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, and Oppenheimer has to forever live with the knowledge that he played an integral role in arguably the most devastating event in human history. There’s surprisingly little violence in the film, outside of an offscreen suicide and a sequence where Oppenheimer imagines the effects of the bomb. There isn’t even that much “action,” really, unless you count carefully-orchestrated test explosions. But make no mistake, this is one of the most intense films of the year. Sure, some of it has to do with the urgency of the arms race and the stakes involved, but it’s more than that. Director Christopher Nolan knows how to expertly craft a thriller, and his tight pacing and editing will make your heart pound whether it’s bombs or tempers that are flaring. I’ll be honest, a lot about “Oppenheimer” went over my head, from science to politics to legalese to history. And even if I did know more about all these subjects, I still might get overwhelmed by the film’s crowded cast and all the time-jumping. Yet there was never any doubt that what was happening was of great importance, whether to world powers or the world of one. And it’s all done with Nolan’s trademark crispness. The bomb-building and hearings may not be pretty or “sleek” necessarily, but you’ll get the impression that these things cannot be done by anyone other than the people doing them. If you’re looking for a “party” movie where everyone will find something to enjoy while they socialize and pay minimal attention, then “Barbie” is the way to go there. But if you’re ready to be transfixed by a film that will occasionally blow you to the back of your seat (seriously, this is the time to spring for a premium theater experience like IMAX), then “Oppenheimer” is the movie of the summer, maybe the year. Grade: B “Oppenheimer” is rated R for some sexuality, nudity, and language. Its running time is an even 180 minutes, in a precision that seems only fitting. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Mississippi's Primary Election Day is one week away. The August 8 ballot features statewide, state district, county, and county district offices. To familiarize yourself with the upcoming election, visit the My Election Day portal to receive election information tailored to your specific address. Polls for the August 8 Primary Election will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Any voter in line at 7:00 p.m. is legally entitled to cast a ballot. Problems at the polls observed by State observers or otherwise reported to our Elections Division will be referred to the authorities, including the Attorney General’s Office or the appropriate District Attorney’s Office. As a reminder, the Secretary of State’s Office has no enforcement authority over election-related issues. For elections questions, call the Elections Division at (800) 829-6786, email ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov, or visit YallVote.ms. ELECTION DAY REMINDERS In-Person Absentee Voting Deadline: The last day to absentee vote in-person is Saturday, August 5. Circuit Clerk Offices will be open from 8 a.m. to noon. Mail-In Absentee Voting Deadline: All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by August 8 and received by county Circuit Clerk Offices by August 15 in order to count. Voter ID Affidavit Ballot Deadline: Voters who cast an affidavit ballot by reason of voter ID must present an acceptable form of photo ID to their Circuit Clerk's Office by August 15. Polling Place Location: Visit the polling place locator on the My Election Day portal, or contact your county Circuit Clerk’s Office or local Election Commissioners to verify your polling place. Voter Photo ID: Voters are required to show photo identification at the polls. A voter without an acceptable form of photo identification is entitled to cast an affidavit ballot. Click here to view a list of acceptable photo IDs. Campaigning: It is unlawful to campaign for any candidate within 150 feet of any entrance to a polling place, unless on private property. Loitering: The polling places should be clear for 30 feet from every entrance of all people except elections officials, voters waiting to vote, or authorized poll watchers. Camera Phones: Voters are prohibited from taking pictures of their marked ballot.

By Mika Hartman This morning, I am writing this from the seventh floor of the Marriott in Orlando, in the quiet of my room; however, this weekend has been anything but quiet. The theme surrounding this years National Down Syndrome Congress Conference was “Dreams do come true…”. At each and every turn we were all witnesses to this theme. Families from all over the country and some from other countries, came together for this beautiful weekend to share dreams accomplished, dreams for the future, and discovering even new dreams. I was blessed to be able to attend the 51st NDSC Conference along with my daughter, Henley. Henley is 15; she has a pure and genuine heart and she loves her brother immensely. Having her as my sidekick for this has been such a delight. I can’t wait to see what opportunities like this do to shape her future, for many of the doctors and researchers here have been molded by their own experiences with having siblings with Down syndrome. These beautiful souls with an extra chromosome really shape the lives of their entire families. I, also, must mention the friendships she’s made over this four days. Lifelong friends with a commonality of our journey makes the tightest bonds. The toughest part of a weekend like this is choosing what sessions to join. Each child is a unique individual and a one size fits all class could never exist. So I always read the descriptions of the class and who is presenting to make my best informed decisions. What will help Hudson? What will help families I know? What will help me most? What will help Hudson’s therapists? The real answer is that all information is needed. Because of Hudson’s Law, a Down syndrome information law in Mississippi, I decided to attend the new updated guidelines for children and adolescents with Down syndrome published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This session was designed to go over the guidelines of what should be checked by pediatricians. Here is a link to the American Academy of Pediatrics: Health Supervision for Children and Adolescents With Down Syndrome: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/149/5/e2022057010/186778/Health-Supervision-for-Children-and-Adolescents?autologincheck=redirected AAP Updates Recommendations for Care of Children with Down Syndrome I remember exactly the moment this publication was shared with me in 2022… there was a celebration that took place at my house. FINALLY, it was being told for the doctors to CONGRATULATE the family receiving the diagnosis. Seriously, this was just added in 2022. Below is what was the updated guidelines for bedside diagnosis: At diagnosis, immediate advice remains pertinent regarding the need to: • first, congratulate the family • have infant present; refer to infant by name • use a respectful bedside manner • time discussion after labor is complete and as soon as diagnosis is suspected (not necessarily confirmed) • have a support person present for mother, father, and family members as appropriate • use a cohesive, physician-led team approach Helpful discussion will include: • up-to-date, accurate information • a balanced approach rather than relying on personal opinions and experience • person-first language (ie, child with Down syndrome); • connection to other parents and resource groups • discussion of life potentials for people with Down syndromeShare with families the interplay within families and individual perspectives: • individuals with Down syndrome: nearly 99% indicated that they were happy with their lives, and 97% liked who they are and encouraged health care professionals to value them, emphasizing that they share similar hopes and dreams as people without Down syndrome; • parents: 79% felt their outlook on life was more positive because of people with Down syndrome; • siblings: 88% felt that they were better people because of their siblings with Down syndrome; • a majority of families report unanimous feelings of love and pride • positive themes dominate modern families Everything listed is exactly why “Hudson’s Law” was so easy to pass in Mississippi. Providing information with a person-first approach is a game changer for families. And the truth about Down syndrome is way more positive than what you’ll find when you research on your own. Moving this approach to a recommended guideline is everything. So being in the room when these word were spoken aloud to hear doctors sharing this news to the audience was a real moment of goosebumps and tears. Dreams do come true. And just as I thought they could not top this topic, my mind was blown with new information that I had no clue about…. Even thinking about it now, my heart is racing and my hands are shaking. This news was specifically about Hudson. Let me start by saying that Hudson was born with Transient Leukemia. This diagnosis affects 4-10% of children born with Down syndrome. Hudson had blast cells found at day one of life and was immediately provided a team of HemOnc specialists. Hudson, the strongest person I know, fought his leukemia with no medication and in 4 weeks time… the blast cells were gone. This was 5 years ago. At this time, the information provided stated that his leukemia has the biggest chance to return between the ages of 4-10. Hudson is 5. Looking forward to birthdays always had background noise; the wonderful to celebrate him, the worry of what we couldn’t see, but knew could be looming. For those of you reading this, the slide that came up stated this: -Increased risk of AML in the 1st 4 years of life (up to 30%). I thought I was going to scream! I left the room, ran to the bathroom and cried and cried. I put myself back together and went back in. Dr. Brian Skotko, one of the doctors on this panel and a real leader for research and new tools created, was sitting just in front of me. I asked him if we could talk after the meeting, that I had so many questions. He smile and said, “of course”. Pretty sure my feet were tapping 200 times per minute and no telling what my heart rate was? I remember telling myself to calm down, this could be about something else, Hudson may not apply to this. I was setting myself up to be real… but I was right!!! Hudson is through this part of his journey… Praise The Lord! Now we can get back to celebrating birthdays with no clouds and we can remove one blood draw off of our list. These are both extremely exciting for us. I dreamed of this day, I just thought it was years away. Dreams do come true. This conference was filled with so much information and so much love for this journey. I attended classes about dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism. I attended a class about eyes and new developments. I sat in classes about speech, feeding, Down syndrome regression, Alzheimer’s, OT desensitization, advocacy bootcamp, potty training, aquatic exercise, and more. A very busy few days. I will write about more of some of these in the coming months. One this is clear, the research being done and the hope for the future in where it leads us, again proves that even unknown dreams will come true. Both Lily D. Moore (Hallmark’s Color My World With Love and Netflix’s Never Have I Ever) and Noah Matthews Matofsky (Disney’s Peter Pan and Wendy) were guest speakers at the opening ceremony. WOW! Both delivered speeches about dreams and how to make them come true; both are living lives that they dreamed of, visualized and were determined to live the life they want. Lily is in college and Noah is a leader in his inclusive school (just like his sister). They both are breaking barriers. And even as impressed as I am with these two role models to everyone, I was on the dance floor surrounded by Lily, Noah, Kayla, Brad, Raymond, Henry, Wesley, Abigail, David, Anna Brook, Courtney, Grace, Heather, Craig and so many more… all living dreams. The joy, the dance moves, the laughter and especially the love, all were reminders that each individual has dreams. No laws or people should ever stop someone from living them. You really want to know why you should be supporting your local Buddy Walk(s) and local organizations who support people living with Down syndrome? Knowledge is power for our loved ones, celebrating with them is everything and helping them achieve their dream(s) is one of the most important pieces. You can help. You are the difference. My family was given a $600 scholarship from Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Society. It was such a wonderful help. From fighting for needed change in D.C., to conferences like this, we will have spent over $10,000 this year alone. This fight is one we are dedicated to. This information is a must to learn. Even the updates, like the transient leukemia, are so important. It is hope. It is information we have to know to share in our communities and with our own doctors. Think about what I just told you! The amount of money it takes to even learn about what we need to know is, undoubtedly, out of reach for many on this same journey. When you support groups like GCDSS or CMDSS, you are helping families provide tools they need to navigate this journey. I know I am blessed, I also know that I don’t make it to everything that is out there. Even if a monetary donation is not something you can do, you can still share articles like this and show up to walk at Buddy Walk. GCDSS’s Buddy Walk is free to all, you can make a donation, or you can buy a shirt for $10… many ways to get involved. Come join Team Hudson The Strong, or any team, you can be a part of this revolution we are living. Help us achieve EXTRA big dreams for our EXTRA big dreamers. To join our team, go to Team Hudson the Strong Team Page for the Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Buddy Walk®

By Kara Kimbrough You don't need to watch the 24-hour weather reports with the gloom-and-doom reports of this being the "hottest summer on record." We get it...it's HOT! And along with that no-brainer knowledge comes the fact that turning on the oven for any length of time will just make things worse. In short, the kitchen's steaminess and extreme heat will transform into a Brazilian jungle just after a rainstorm. There's only one thing to do when mealtimes loom and that's to find no or minimal-bake meals. Luckily, I have a couple to help you survive the intermittable heat. After not opening a fantastic "Foil Dinners" cookbook for years, I began a desperate search to find it last week. Luckily, it was still on hand and provided a wealth of recipes to get me through Labor Day. And my trusty slow cooker book containing 1,001 recipes for every recipes known to man is never far from my sight. I found a couple of recipes that will help all of us eat well while surviving in record-breaking temps. But first, here are my tried-and-true summer meals that take minimal time to prepare and require very little cooking time: 1. Summer salad spreads - Don't say, "we're just having salad tonight," or you're likely to rebel. Instead, put a more creative spin on things. Place a gigantic bowl of chopped green salad in the center of a table, but don't stop there. Surround it with bowls of chopped chicken, ground beef, cooked shrimp or tuna for the main ingredient. Add offerings like chopped carrots, celery, onions and olives; surround those with bowls of favorite salad dressings, bacon bits, croutons and cheese and call it a "Salad Charcutire Board" or "Make Your Own Salad Night." EVeryone will be so busy creating their own masterpiece they'll forget to grumble about dining solely on salad. 2. That's a Wrap - I discovered flabreads a while back after taking a cooking class dedicated solely to the versatility of this often-overlooked bread. Flatbread, a thicker, chewier upgrade from pita bread, can be served straight out of the bag or brushed with olive oil and grilled lightly on the grill or crisped under an oven broiler. Either way, they're delicious. Use them to make light but filling wraps by spreading mayo, olive oil or salad dressing over each one, adding favorite meats and cheeses and rolling to combine all ingredients. Secure with a toothpick and serve to family members who'll focus on the combined flavors instead of the fact that they're having a light meal. As you might guess from the name, flatbreads are equally delicious served flat, topped with similar ingredients. 3. Sandwich on Steroids - I've written about this before, but it bears repeating. One of the easiest and most economical ways to prepare sandwiches is making your own - for lack of a better word- submarine sandwich. And, it will feed an army. Take a loaf of bakery sourdough or French bread, slice it lengthwise and remove a good bit of the bread from the top half. On a cutting board, chop together an entire package of uncured turky meat (you can use your own favorite) together with chopped lettuce and onions. This mixture goes into a bowl, where it's mixed with a little salt and pepper and liberal dose of Ken's Steakhouse Thousand Island Dressing (again, use your own favorite dressing). Once everything is combined, spread the mixture along the bottom piece of bread, add sliced tomatoes (add chese slices if you like them), replace the top piece and press lightly. Last, wrap the sandwich in Saran Wrap, wrap in foil and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Once the flavors have combined, use a serrated knife to slice sections as desired. Here are three recipes that'll ensure you not only eat well during Summer '23, but stay cool while doing so. Fish and Veggies in Foil 5-6 thin fish filets (redfish or tilapia) or a thin piece of salmon 1 onion, sliced into thin rings 1 pound thinly sliced vegatables (bell pepper, squash, cucumber, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes) 1 cup vegetable or olive oil 1/2 cup lemon juice Tony Chachere's Seasoning or a packet of seasoned garlic and herb soup mix Place fish on two large sections of heavy-duty foil. Top with vegetables, Tony's seasoning or soup mix, then drizzle 1/2 of oil-lemon mixture over each one. Bring foil up to wrap tightly, double-folding edges, leaving a sealed seam at the top. Grill or oven broil for 15 minutes until fish is flaky and vegetables are tender. Note: I add thinly-sliced potatoes, which take 15-20 minutes longer to bake. Makes 3-4 servings. Chicken and Vegetable Bowls 8-10 boneless skinless hicken breasts 2 14-ounce cans chicken broth 8 small new potatoes 1 package baby carrots 2 onions, sliced 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed Cup of bacon pieces (can use packaged variety) 1 teaspoon seasoning salt 2 tablespoons cornstarch Place chicken in sprayed Crockpot or use liner. Add broth, vegetables, bacon and seasoning salt. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 minutes. Combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in bowl and stir into Crockpot. Cook for an additional 10 minutes. Serve in bowls over cooked rice or noodles - or serve solo. Serves 6-8. Kara Kimbrough is a food and writer writer and travel agent in MIssissippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Circuit clerk offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. to noon for in-person absentee voting this Saturday, July 29. The last day to vote in-person absentee is Saturday, August 5. Circuit clerk offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. to noon. All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by August 8 and received by county circuit clerk offices within five business days of August 8 in order to count. To track an absentee ballot or locate a circuit clerk's contact information, visit the My Election Day online portal. For questions regarding Election Day, contact the Elections Division at ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov, call the Elections Hotline at 1-800-829-6786, or visit YallVote.ms.

Have you noticed that in these recent years, you really can’t believe anything anymore? If you see a photo on the internet, it’s most likely been doctored. Photoshop creates its own reality. Hear someone talking and you are absolutely convinced that you know who owns that voice? Better be careful before you place your bets on that. Voice-altering is real. Actually witnessed something with your own two eyes? What you saw may not necessarily be the truth, but simply a carefully constructed version to make you believe you saw the truth. And your feelings? Oh, believe me, they also lie to you! Emotions do not bother with the truth, and they certainly do not play fair. Facts mean very little to them. They can make you believe “She is actually doing this to me, on purpose. This is really happening!” When the reality was, hurting you was not her purpose at all. She just enjoys mindless talking. How do emotions lie to their owner? Scenario: A child grows up in a cold, lonely, abusive environment. No one truly cares whether she feels loved or not. She learns to cope with the pain by emotional closing off – from herself and from everyone else. No feelings are allowed inside her circle of one, so therefore, no pain there, either. Childhood shapes our adulthood to a large degree. So, as she gets older, she has enormous challenges in feeling compassion – for herself or for others. Frozen inside, she is convinced that nothing bothers her and nothing should bother anyone else either. Think this is actually true for that lady? That she feels no loneliness, anxiety, or depression? That her accepted emotional state of “I truly feel nothing, good or bad” is real? Of course not. She has been lied to. Her emotions are tightly locked away so that she can function in this world, and living this way is all she knows. Anger may be her one allowed emotion. It is her security, her safety zone. It very likely was her main companion growing up, and so it’s the one that she believes and trusts as real. There is a good chance that you have met this lady – or one who walks in her shoes. Or maybe, those same shoes are pinching your feet. If so, please realize this. You deserve a life bursting with more feelings than just the constant undercurrent of anger that can surge instantly within you. Emotions of joy, sadness, peace, anxiety, boredom, and yes, even anger when it is appropriate. You deserve to feel the whole spectrum of feelings that are supposed to come with living. Open yourself up to the possibility that there is more to living than always being in control. Tell yourself that you deserve to feel. That it won’t be near as scary outside your ‘circle of one’ as you think. Seek out a safe person and talk to them about this. Be open to learning to feel.