Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/10957
Monday, May 24, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES 37-year-old married witch writes in Dear Annie: I am a 37-year-old mar- ried witch. I do not hide my practice. After my grandfather’s death, my extend- ed family began taking it upon themselves to say grace before family meals as a way to honor his memory. This, despite the fact that my grandfather did not attend church or express any religious views. I find this change not only offensive to my husband and me, but also to my grandfather, who would not have approved. I have said nothing to them about it because I do not want a religious sermon. However, I am getting tired of biting my tongue or finding ways to avoid this part of our family get-togethers. My mother is very accepting of our way of life. My father either doesn’t know or doesn’t understand. How do I contin- ue to endure this offense? I do not expect them to change their faith, but it would be nice if they realized it isn’t the way my grandfather ran the family. — Pagan in a Christian Fam- ily Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Pagan: How your family chooses to celebrate the rituals of their religious beliefs is up to them. If they say grace at their table, please try to remain respectfully silent. You do not have to participate, but you also don’t get to decide how they behave in their own home. They are not try- ing to offend you. As you would like them to be tolerant of your beliefs, please return the favor. Dear Annie: Several years ago, I lost my mother. After her funeral, a relative handed me an envelope. I opened it to find pictures of my mother in her casket. This was devastat- ing and emotionally upsetting. My mother was a wonderful, loving, fun person. That is how I want to remember her and how she would want to be remembered. Those pictures were the worst things anyone has ever given me. I realize the relative had good intentions, but truly, it was horrible to open that envelope. It has been several years, and I have done my best to put this out of my mind. But not long ago, another relative hand- ed me casket photographs of my recently deceased aunt. Why would people take pictures of loved ones when they are dead? I have asked my husband to have my casket closed when I die because I can’t bear the thought of people standing over my remains with a camera. I understand not everyone feels as I do, but I would like to ask all well-meaning folks to save the photo opportunities for weddings and family reunions and leave the dead alone. Or at least ask the family whether they would mind if pictures are taken. — No Photo Op Dear No Photo Op:Your last sentence is the key. A cen- tury ago, it was common to take photographs of the deceased, and some families truly appreciate and find com- fort in these pictures. But as a matter of respect and consid- eration, it is important that the photographer first ask whether it is OK. Handing someone an envelope of such pictures can be unwelcome and upsetting. Dear Annie: This is in response to ‘‘Getting Anxious,’’ the recently engaged young woman who suffers from hyper- hidrosis. I, too, suffered from this embarrassing condition for many years. I tried prescription as well as over-the-counter treatments, to no avail. Finally, I had a bilateral sympathectomy. That was 11 years ago, and it truly was one of the best decisions of my life. I can now shake hands, wear latex gloves and do all the things ‘‘normal’’ people take for granted. Please encourage her to look into it. — Not Sweating it Anymore in Pennsyl- vania Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column.Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Readers provide more help for schizophrenia DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your column about the family with a daugh- ter/sister with schizo- phrenia. I agree with the advice that you provided the family: Seek psychi- atric help for the daugh- ter/sister. I would also like to add a suggestion: Let the family and all your other readers know about NAMI National. This is a grassroots organization with a mission to educate, support and advocate for families and consumers. It has more than 200,000 members worldwide. There are NAMI affiliates in all 50 states. For more information, the website is www.nami.org. DEAR DR. GOTT: Regarding your Dr. Peter Gott excellent column about schizophrenia, I hope you will also make your readers aware of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, a family-support group offering education, understanding and hope. Our family has Whiskeytown National Recreation Area will offer ranger-guided kayak tours during the Memorial Day weekend beginning Satur- day, May 29, through Mon- day, May 31. “Whiskeytown is a won- derful place to visit with family and friends on Memorial Day weekend,” said Superintendent Jim Milestone. “We encourage park visitors to join us for a special kayak program so they can learn about why Whiskeytown NRA is spe- cial enough to be included with Yosemite and the Lin- found it indispensable. Thanks for your advice and guidance on a topic not often addressed. DEAR READERS: I received both your letters via my website just a day apart. The National Alliance on Mental Illness website states that it is “the most formidable grassroots mental health advocacy organi- zation in the country.” It has a national orga- nization and state organizations in each of the 50 United States plus Puerto Rico and Washington D.C., as well as more than 1,200 local affiliates across the country. Based on the sheer size of this organization, its claim at being the most formidable is rightly so. People who suffer from mental illness were often shunned, labeled as “crazy” and “put away” from public view. Thanks to fur- ther study and medical understanding of these illnesses, sufferers now often have several treatment options and do not require institutionalization, in most cases. The pub- lic’s view of these disorders has taken sev- eral steps in the right direction; however, coln Memorial as part of America’s National Park system.” In observance of Memo- rial Day May 31, American Flags throughout the coun- try will fly at half-staff. Vis- itors are welcome to join in a national moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. by pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence. “The peace and beauty of the park provide an ideal environment for quiet reflection and remembrance of those who made the ulti- mate sacrifice in defense of their country,” Milestone said. Reservations are for the kayak programs are required and can be made by calling 242-3462 starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 24. Reservations will be accept- ed on a first-come, first- served basis until all kayak tours are full for the week- end. Although participants must have a valid park entrance pass to participate, there is no fee for attending this program. The visitor center will begin its extended summer hours on Friday, May 28, there is still a stigma attached to mental ill- ness. Many people fail to realize that these disorders are not the result of something the sufferer did, in the same way that rheuma- toid arthritis, fibromyalgia, celiac disease and a host of other diseases and disorders are not. Thank you for writing to let me know about this organization and its positive impact on our society. Others who are interested in learning more about the National Alliance on Mental Illness can visit the above website or call the information helpline at (800) 950-NAMI. DEAR DR. GOTT: There have been a lot of people writing you with questions about shingles. I would like to give you a “recipe” my mother-in-law gave me. I know it worked for her, my father-in-law, my hus- band and me. Simply take this combination three times per day: one 400 IU vitamin E, two 100- milligram B-complex and four 1,000-mil- ligram slow-release vitamin C tablets. When the shingles symptoms are gone, stop and be will open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through September 6. Located 8 miles west of Redding at the intersection of Highway 299 and the vitamin E and B-complex and taper off the vitamin C slowly. If you have diarrhea symptoms, eat cheese. DEAR READER: I have not heard of this and have no idea why it would work. You failed to mention how long before symptoms typically start to disappear when using this “remedy.” I would also like to mention that the tolerable upper limit for those over 19 for vitamin C is 2,000 mil- ligrams, and for vitamin E, it is 1,500 IU. While vitamin C has a relatively low toxici- ty, vitamin E may cause hemorrhaging and interrupt blood coagulation when taken above recommended daily doses. I suggest everyone interested in trying this remedy do so only under physician monitoring. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com. Kayak tours return to Whiskeytown Memorial Day weekend Kennedy Memorial Drive, the Visitor Center offers exhibits on the history and development of the Whiskeytown area as well as information on summer interpretive programs, camping, and other local information. For more infor- mation, call the Visitor Cen- ter at 246-1225 or visit www.nps.gov/whis. – Thank You – thanks to the generosity of these local businesses & individuals. • M & M RANCH HOUSE • ROSE HABLITZEL, ENROLLED AGENT • RED BLUFF INTERIORS • MOTHER LODE HOLDING CO. • LP BUILDING PRODUCTS • LOUISIANA PACIFIC • STATE FARM INS. KEITH THOMAS • TEHAMA ESTATES • CALIFORNIA WALNUT CO., INC. • MR. PICKLE’S SANDWICH SHOP • AIRPORT AUTO REPAIR • JOHN WHEELER LOGGING D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 • KAY STEPHENS, MD • QRC • GREENWASTE OF TEHAMA • TRI COUNTIES BANK • MOSS LUMBER & HARDWARE • BRETNEY SUTTERFIELD • HOYT-COLE CHAPEL OF THE FLOWERS • TEHAMA COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS • FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE CO. • SUSANNE WHALEN, DMD INC • PLACER TITLE CO. NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION Please help sponsor a classroom subscription Call Kathy at (530) 527-2151 to find out how. Through the Newspapers in Education program, area classrooms receive the Red Bluff Daily News every day D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T HE V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5