Any body, at any age, can suffer a sports injury, but we baby boomers are famous for them. There’s actually a term for it—boomeritis—and it refers to the high number of sports-related injuries that happen to people born between 1946 and 1964—the first generation of Americans who grew up working out, with or without the Jane Fonda leg warmers. (I still have mine.)

We’re facing a classic good news/bad news scenario. On the upside, we have millions of boomers who share an enlightened view about the benefits of regular exercise—hiking, biking, Downward Dogging our way to stronger bodies and longer lives.

The sad news is we’re going about it like maniacs, and our hips, knees, thighs, shoulders, ankles and other important body parts are wearing out in record numbers.

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot circled over the Great Salt Lake, tipping the wings ever so slightly so we could witness the unusual reddish-purple color of the water—a phenomenon, he explained, that occurs when a particular species of algae meets up with a certain bacteria. It was quite fascinating.

Just as he was bringing the plane level so we could be on our way, CRACK! A loud kind of popping noise sent a chill up my spine. “I believe we’ve hit something, so we will be returning to the gate,” an audibly shaken pilot reported.

Dear Carrie:
I’m the mother of a very creative 12-year-old daughter who wants to take classes in art, drama and dance, but I have a limited income. While we live a comfortable life, paying for all these extras is a real stretch. I don’t want to disappoint her, but I’m struggling. How can I handle this on top of everything else?  —A Reader

Dear Reader:
This is a question I’m sure a lot of parents can relate to. From sports to music to dance to computer coding, the world of kids’ extracurricular activities keeps growing—and getting more expensive. According to a recent survey, 46% of parents spend more than $1,000 annually on their kids’ activities, and 27% spend more than $2,000. Not only that, 62% go into debt to do it, with credit cards being the most popular form of payment.

Even though I haven’t been in a classroom for years and years, I still have an inner alarm that plays in my brain when August ends and Labor Day reappears. The tune is so familiar, and so is the slight anxiety it creates.

It’s back-to-school time! Do I have my three-ring binder, my ruler, a pencil sharpener—three items that have no meaning whatsoever in classrooms today?  

And still, I find meaning in that back-to-school feeling, and I’ll bet plenty of you do, too. Summer is over. Your two weeks of vacation are a faint memory, though the smell of burgers and bug repellant lingers on. The kids are back to their routine, and I hope it includes some limits on small-screen media. It’s time to buckle down and get back to work.

There’s something warm and inviting about a well-placed, thriving houseplant. Experts call this “interior landscaping,” and it’s becoming increasingly popular, not only in homes but in offices and other commercial settings. I would have assumed that’s because houseplants can be quite inexpensive. But now, we’re learning that houseplants offer surprising physical and mental benefits as well.

NO. 1: CLEAN INDOOR AIR
A number of studies reported by NASA give conclusive evidence that plants are excellent at removing toxins from the air -- over 80% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) every 24 hours. VOCs are chemical compounds often found in common household items such as carpets, toys, paint and more. These VOCs can evaporate and compromise air quality, posing health risks to inhabitants. One large plant—or two smaller plants—per 100 square feet is recommended for noticeably improved air quality.

Flying is back.

More people boarded commercial planes in the U.S. this past Thursday than the comparable same pre-pandemic day in 2019. The Transportation Security Administration reported that 2,147,090 travelers passed through its security checkpoints, a good indicator for what's to come over the next few months. If you plan to travel by air anytime soon, one thing is for certain: You won't be alone. The TSA estimated that this summer’s air travel is going to break records.

Are you hooked on your favorite sport?

Do you spend all your workout time either running, biking or swimming, believing that single-minded dedication is going to make you stronger and faster, better and better?

Sorry, dear reader. That’s not how it works. It’s time to learn about the benefits of cross-training, a fancy name for simply including a mix of activities in your exercise regimen.
Cross-training isn’t just for uber-exercisers or competitive triathletes. It’s for all the rest of us who want to live healthier, happier lives with more fun and fewer injuries.

We wouldn’t live in the South if we couldn’t handle a little heat, but how can you tell when it’s just too much? There’s no shame in admitting when you’ve reached the limit of your heat tolerance. Heat-related illnesses range from mild to severe and can affect even the toughest Southerner out there. As the summer heat peaks, it’s imperative to remember the importance of hot weather safety. Staying cool, hydrated and informed can make a big difference!

There are several types of heat-related illnesses, each with its own symptoms and treatments. Knowing which type you or a loved one may be suffering from can make a huge difference in deciding how to proceed. As you take advantage of all the fun summer activities available in the Lowcountry, be aware of the potential health hazards the sun, heat and humidity can bring on. Anyone can be susceptible to these effects of high temperatures, so familiarize yourself with the following facts before spending a significant amount of time outside. You could save a life, even your own!

Members of the Golden Isles Veterans’ Village Initiative, LLC (GIVVI), hope to have the first five tiny homes completed in the community in Downtown Brunswick by July 31, 2021. The site, located at G Street, between MLK and Amherst, will eventually be home to 30 tiny dwellings, along with a community center and a hydroponic gardening center, according to Margaret Jacobs, chair of the GIVVI.

While living in the Village, veterans will not only have a place to call home, but will also receive any medical and mental health services and any training for jobs or other skills, like cooking, that they need. “We formed our LLC in 2019, and everyone was unanimous in supporting building the village in Downtown Brunswick,” Margaret said. The project is modeled after the Cove at Dundee community in Savannah. “We have the advantage of having all of their information and knowing what worked and didn’t work for them.”

What causes a person to turn draperies into clothing? For Fraulein Maria in The Sound of Music, it was a matter of conservation. Those old nursery curtains would have been thrown away if she hadn’t turned them into play clothes for the children. For Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With The Wind, it was a matter of desperation. She was broke and just had to have something new to fool Rhett.

There’s no better way to spend a summer day than with your toes in the sand and your nose in a book. If you’ve read everything on your shelf, these five new novels should definitely be on your summer reading list!

I love the Fourth of July. Fat, juicy hot dogs, exploding firecrackers,
fried Oreo sandwiches with big scoops of strawberry ice cream on top.
These are a few of the things I avoid on this, our most John Philip Sousa of holidays.

So, what are your plans for July Fourth? Since this only-in-America holiday is first and
foremost a celebration of freedom, why not liberate yourself from old ways of
thinking and create some new traditions. I’ve got some ideas:

Dear Carrie:
I’m a single mom with a decent income, but I’m always living paycheck to paycheck. How can I break that cycle and start to save, not only for an emergency but also for my bigger goals like retirement and maybe even a home? -A Reader

Dear Reader:
Living paycheck to paycheck isn’t uncommon these days. Recent studies suggest many Americans are doing just that, which makes it next to impossible to save and invest. Overspending can be part of the problem, but even more often, people get squeezed through no fault of their own—low wages, unpredictable income and high costs for essentials like childcare, health care, housing and college. On the other hand, even people with high incomes can find themselves caught in a seemingly never-ending cycle.

It’s summer. Yippee. Run to the hammock and let’s play a game. I want you to lie back and relax into thinking about something you want to accomplish this summer. Here’s the sentence.

Fill in the blank:
“This is the summer I want to ...”

What? Name your heart’s desire. Keep it clean. Think about your own well-being.

Want to run a 10k? (Great for the body.)

Learn to play guitar? (Good for the brain.)

Meditate for 15 minutes a day? (Marvelous for equanimity and everything else.)

You know my theory: When the seasons change, so can we. In summer especially, we tend to take more time for ourselves, play more and have more fun. If you’re ready this summer, you can create new habits and attitudes that make your life richer and riper.

It’s 3:58 AM. Apart from the rural sounds of roosters crowing and the occasional rumble and whistle-blast of a passing train, all is peacefully silent. Then a gong rings, its long resonance drawing out in the dark. This is a wakeup call for the 4:30-6:30 meditation session.

Now it’s 6:40 AM. All is still silent but for the clinking of spoons in cereal bowls, the pop of the toaster and hot water steaming into tea mugs. No one is catching up on the morning news; no one is sharing their dreams from last night; no one is making to-do lists. The agenda here is very simple: meditate. Whether ambling silently around the walking paths, sitting cross-legged in the meditation hall, or laying quietly on their bed in their room, everyone is meditating.

There’s just something about a man and his chair. If a man’s home is his castle, then the king must have his throne, right? From Archie Bunker’s iconic recliner to Sheldon Cooper’s carefully positioned “spot,” pop culture is filled with men and their chairs. Here at Paisley, we usually focus on the women of our community, but each June we give the guys their time in the spotlight. Some of these gentlemen seem to be always on the move, never taking a moment to sit down, but our photographers managed to capture them with their favorite resting spots. They graciously answered our questions and opened up about themselves. We proudly present a few of Coastal Georgia’s Men and their Chairs:

Quit Itching! Here’s how.
Itchy dry scalp is a common problem for many people. Sometimes it is because of a skin condition, with visible signs of flaking and irritation. Other times, there are no visible symptoms and no other itchy areas of skin. When there are signs of redness and flakes, mild cases may be treated with medicated shampoos formulated for dandruff and itchy scalp. When there are no visible signs of irritation, there are several possible suspects to blame. You could be washing your hair with water that is too hot, or you may not be scrubbing your scalp enough when shampooing. Other possible culprits are using cleansers that are too harsh, or using too much product on your hair.

Adored author Dorothea Benton Frank was a mama bear in every sense of the word. Her protective motherly spirit not only applied to her two children, but also lovingly extended to her friends, family, Southern roots and ever-growing circle of fellow writers. She gave so much love, laughter and instant friendship while living, that in her death, her friends and family still feel the immense authentic embrace that Dottie so naturally enveloped people in.

Out this month, Reunion Beach, sure to be a No. 1 bestseller, pays homage to Dottie, holding vigil her legacy for all who love her. “When Dottie died in the fall of 2019, her friends in the literary community were bereft. Her loss was a hole in their lives that could not be filled. Inspired by the title Dorothea Benton Frank planned for her next book—Reunion Beach—these close friends and colleagues channeled their creativity, admiration and grief into stories and poems that celebrate this remarkable woman and her abiding love for the lush Lowcountry of her native South Carolina—a land of beauty, history, charm and Gullah magic she so brilliantly brought to life in her acclaimed novels.”

It's time to roll my shoulders, press through the balls of my feet and take a strong stand on proper posture. It's super-important to your health and wellness—right up there with eating real food and getting enough sleep—but it's just not top of mind when we think of ways to boost our energy and prevent pain. When it comes to awareness of the awesomeness of body alignment, the country is in a slump.

So let's look at a few things everyone with a spine ought to know about posture and why it matters, inspired by an article in IDEA Fitness Journal by personal-training specialist Ryan Halvorson.

Spring has sprung. So what? So now's an extraordinarily good time to notice that the birds are chirping, the buds are popping and your own body is primed and pumped to push you down the path to your own personal well-being. 
 
"Springtime is in the air," writes Kenneth Cohen, a qi gong master. "A good time for spring cleaning of mind and body through meditation, healing practices, eating spring greens, drinking herbal tonics and bathing in natural hot springs."

Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement. What started in the United States in 1970 became
a global phenomenon in 1990.

Earth Day is now recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, with more than one billion people annually marking the occasion.

In the Golden Isles, locals and visitors alike can celebrate Earth Day every day of the year in Brunswick at the Earth Day Nature Trail! On April 22, 1993, a dedication ceremony to officially open the Earth Day Nature Trail was held by Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (CRD). The Trail is self-guided and winds across salt marshes, tidal ponds and a coastal hammock high ground with stunning views of both the ocean and surrounding marshes. Originally created to extend the classroom outdoors for Glynn County students, the trail has become a favorite destination for individuals and families, too. All are invited to visit any time during daylight hours, 365 days a year with no admission fee.

Whether you’re visiting Georgia’s coast for the first time, or you’re a life-long resident, you’ll see it all differently from a scooter! You’ll feel simply fabulous with the soft island breeze in your hair and the sun’s golden glow on your face. Beach Scooter Boogie will deliver your fun ride right to you, no matter where you want to go. Scoot around the pier village; see the Victorian homes in Downtown Brunswick; or ride along Jekyll’s beaches.  You’re going to enjoy the freedom you feel scooting through the Golden Isles.

While you might have dreams of recreating the iconic scooter ride from Roman Holiday, with you and your beau filling in for Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to riding scooters. That wonderful scene is filled with “don’t try this at home” moments. Who can blame you for envisioning the 1953 film, since it started the whole scooter craze decades ago. Maybe one day you will zip around the streets of Rome, but it wouldn’t hurt to try it out a little closer to home first! Our area is much more relaxed and less hilly than Rome, but you’ll still want to consider these important safety guidelines:

Here are 10 small ways to volunteer and
make a difference this Earth Day:

1. Clean up a local beach.
Over 14 billion pounds of trash are dumped into the ocean each year. Help clean it up.

2. Plant a garden at your home or school.
Another fun way to give Mother Earth some love this Earth Day!

Forces of Nature   
Ben Carswell, Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) Director of Conservation, was happy to share tales of Jekyll’s Driftwood Beach, a captivating natural treasure located on the Island’s north end.

He began with how the iconic fallen trees beach location has slowly been moving a bit south. “Folks from the old days say Driftwood Beach was located further north and closer to the Jekyll fishing pier. They called it Boneyard Beach back then—more of a graveyard term. Driftwood Beach today has a nicer ring to it, but those sideways trees along the shore did not drift there, they all fell.”

As personality traits go, "compulsive" and "addictive"
are not generally considered all that terrific.
Those of us with an inclination to be obsessive struggle
to overcome our obsessions.
But hold on a minute! Being compulsive—easily addicted and slightly obsessive—can be a good trait when that propensity is harnessed and channeled in the right direction. Don't forget that compulsive people have great personalities, are driven to accomplish big things and bring a little sparkle to humanity.

At Paisley, we have two highly educated consultants with years of experience in helping clients to look their best: Makeup artist Iris Hopgood and master stylist Amanda Kicklighter. Both experts in natural beauty, their 2021 springtime advice is below!

Spring is a great time to get away from it all and take a giant deep breath. You can slip into escape mode the fast way with multiple margaritas, or you can slow down and figure out a plan to get back to nature, into the woods, on a lake, up a mountain, down a river—paddling, hiking, camping, fishing, walking, breathing, whatever suits your soul.

Your fitness goal? Renewal of the spirit. Your health will benefit greatly from a sharper focus and a serene attitude. That’s what a few days or weeks in the backcountry can do for you.
Here are some tips to help you plan and enjoy a hiking trip, especially if it’s your first:

Dear Carrie: My daughter is starting high school this year, and I'm worried about paying for college. I've saved some money, but as a single mom, I'm afraid I just won't be able to cover it all. Is there anything I can do to increase her chances of receiving financial aid? —A Reader

Dear Reader: I'm glad you're asking this question now while you still have several years to plan for college. As I'm sure you know, college can be expensive, but it's also one of the best investments you can make in your daughter's future—not only in terms of education but also for her career opportunities and lifetime earnings.

Dear Readers: If I were to ask couples to name the top three things that keep them together, I don’t imagine that shared knowledge and interest in their finances would make the list. Yet money is often cited as one of the main causes of divorce. A recent survey by Policygenius found that 1 in 5 people say their partner is financially irresponsible. And these people are over 10 times more likely to break up over money issues than people who say their partner is good with money.