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“I sensed God’s presence when he gave me courage to pull my cousin out of a deep ditch with a fishing net, and later that night, I knew God had helped me,” says Dustin, age 9.

Dear Aunt B,

There is a knot under my right scapula so large that it deserves a proper name. A dull migraine has been brewing for days, just behind my left temple. I am certain that my right hip is out of socket. There’s a pulled muscle in my right armpit and a permanent charley horse in my left calf muscle. All 10 of my fingernails are broken. You might wonder what happened to me. Was I in a car accident? Have I been burgled, pick-pocketed, or otherwise assaulted? Perhaps I fell down some stairs or stumbled while hiking? Nothing this problematic is causing my woes. In fact, it’s far more mundane. I just spent a week with my grandkids. It’s rough out here on a granny.

“Why do so many people visit Mount Airy?” I ask the old man at the antique store.

Alcohol-impaired driving deaths increased by a significant margin between 2019 and 2020. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,654 people died in traffic accidents that involved alcohol-impaired drivers in 2020. That marked a 14 percent increase from the year prior. The NHTSA notes that alcohol continues to pose a significant threat on America’s roadways. Data from the NHTSA indicates that nearly one-third of all traffic crash fatalities involve drivers whose blood alcohol content is above the legal limit.

The importance of giving back to one’s community is a value that parents can instill in their children at an early age. Learning about worthy causes in local communities can help develop empathy in children and give them insight into those who live outside of their social and economic spheres. In addition, encouraging children to take part in community service can teach them skills they would not necessarily learn in the classroom.

Families that want to spend more time together can find a fun way to do just that by working together on something they already do each day. Cooking meals together as a family can add some fun to a task that’s already a part of many families’ daily routines.

Body image is defined as how people feel about the way they look. The Office on Women’s Health says a healthy body image makes a person feels comfortable in his or her body, while a negative body image can put a person at higher risk of depression and eating disorders. Mental health experts say that a person’s thoughts about his or her appearance can affect how that person feels about himself or herself, which can affect self-esteem. A positive body image can result in high levels of self-esteem, fostering confidence and inspiring an individual to prioritize self-care. Conversely, a negative body image can result in lower self-esteem. Harsh criticism of oneself may lead to antisocial behavior or even disregard for one’s personal health. Fostering a positive body image and increasing selfesteem can involve a few strategies. InnerBody Research, a home health company, offers these tips:

Last summer, the Mesquite City Council passed revisions to the Solid Waste Ordinance in accordance with the actions recommended by the Clean City Initiative Committee. One of these revisions includes the requirement for residents to place bagged solid waste in authorized residential trash containers. In an effort to provide residents with an affordable, uniform container that meets the intent of the ordinance, a Trash Cart Program began on June 1, 2022.

Jack was laid to rest today at 12 p.m. sharp. It was a small service in the Peterson’s backyard. There were folding chairs. Jack’s pinewood box was decorated with white flowers and his favorite chew toys.

Summer offers numerous opportunities for Texans to enjoy the summer sun and water during the heart of boating season. Now more than ever, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is urging boaters to do their part to fight back against aquatic invasive species that threaten Texas lakes.

Forney ISD hosted over 700 students over the last few weeks for summer STEAM camps. STEAM camps (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) are held over weeks throughout June and July at Forney ISD campuses.

Your backyard, always a great for your health and well-being, can do even more for families this summer by being a place to hold a staycation. With the pandemic keeping more people closer to home, a backyard vacation can be a fun way to spend time together and build new memories as a family while spending time in green space.