Out and About – Week of October 11th

This past weekend, I had the honor of being one of the local veterans selected to take part on the Talons Out Honor Flight. This flight is made possible thanks to donors who wish to honor a veteran with an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. To those donors I offer my sincere gratitude for their generosity.

This flight is a one-day excursion that starts on a Saturday morning with a flight departing Kalamazoo International Airport at 5:30AM and returns that same evening. The day is spent in Washington, D.C. Touring many of the monuments and war memorials. A changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a visit to Arlington National Cemetery are just two of the many sights to behold. Visiting the many memorials made me proud to be an American, but being greeted by all of the well-wishers and being thanked and welcomed home, made me proud to be a veteran.

With most people practicing social distancing, it’s less likely that one will notice someone’s bad breath. Most of the time, you will not realize that you are the one offending someone’s sense of smell. If they are a true friend, that will gently let you know that your breath stinks. Here are a few hints on how to make sure you are not the offender:

Munch a sprig or two of fresh parsley after a meal to sweeten your breath.
Switch toothpaste. Research has said that toothpastes containing hydrogen peroxide may be more effective at controlling the germs that cause bad breath than regular fluoride toothpaste.
Always carry some breath mints in your purse or pocket. If, by chance, you find yourself in a close conversation with someone with bad breath, eat a mint yourself and offer one to your friend. Hopefully, the person will get the hint.
If you are plagued with chronic bad breath, this might be a symptom of periodontal disease or an underlying medical problem such as sinusitis. If your current form of dental hygiene fails to eliminate this problem, you should have a talk with your doctor or dentist. Try to keep some distance when talking with them. You might also consider wearing a face mask more often. After all, it has become quite stylish.

With the winter season rapidly approaching, now is the time to check your fireplaces and chimneys. A fireplace can be a comforting feature during those cold winter evenings. It’s a good idea to hire a reputable chimney sweep to clean the flue of your fireplace at least once a year. If you use your fireplace more than usual, have it checked more frequently. A chimney sweep will remove the buildup of flammable creosote, which can easily cause something other than the usual fire.

To enjoy more heat, install glass doors on your fireplace. This will prevent warm air from escaping when the flue is open.

If you’re interested in adding some spectacular colors to holiday fires, soak dried pine-cones in a solution of Epsom salts and water (one pound to one gallon) for a few hours or overnight. Let the cones dry and then toss one or two on a fire to create a rainbow of colored flames.

“With 200 kinds from which to choose, two million men prefer to use – BURMA SHAVE”

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

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