Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/559046
Whether they're from your garden or the market, or you received them as a gift, you can persuade cut flowers to remain beauti- ful for at least a week — maybe two weeks or even longer, if you carefully fol- low a few fabulous flower secrets. The two enemies of cut flowers are bacteria and drought. Defeat both and your flowers will last and last. You will be amazed! Startwithaclean vase Scrub it with soap and hot water, rinse well and fill with tap water. Next, add teaspoon of liq- uid bleach for each quart of water. This will retard the growth of bacteria and fungus in the water but not harm the flowers. Remove any leaves below the waterline Submerged leaves will rot and promote bacteria and algae growth. Condition the stems Flowers can die of thirst even when standing in wa- ter if the stems have not been conditioned to draw that water all the way to the blooms. That's because when cut, a flower stem quickly seals its wound. That can prevent it from drawing water. Just be- fore plunging the stems into the vase of water, cut stems at a forty-five-de- gree angle to allow for the greatest amount of water to be absorbed. Change the water every day The moment that wa- ter turns cloudy, you know bacteria are present. Some flowers, such as lilacs, dogwood, crab ap- ple, azalea, camellia and forsythia, have "woody" stems. They appear to be more like branches than stems, and require a spe- cific treatment to help them draw water. Split the last two inches of the stem with a sharp knife. Pound that part of the woody stem with a hammer un- til it is well frayed. Now the stem will allow water to draw all the way to the blooms. Certain types of flowers require specific stem treat- ments. For example, when cutting carnations and similar flowers, make your cut between the nodes of the stalks, so that they can more easily draw the water they need. Lilies, particularly the stargazer variety, have or- ange pollen that will leave a permanent stain on any- thing they touch, espe- cially clothing and table linens. Remove the sta- mens with manicure scis- sors before proceeding to condition the stems for placement in the vase. When you purchase roses from a florist, the thorns have most likely been removed. When you purchase flowers in bulk from a flower mart or other bulk source (some- times called a "grower's bunch") or cut them from your own garden, you will need to remove the thorns from the stems with a sharp knife, working from the top down to put less stress on the stem. There's nothing quite so lovely as a bouquet of beautiful flowers. Fol- low these simple tips and you'll be able to display them with confidence for longer than just a few days. MaryHuntisthe founder of www. DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website. You can email her at mary@ everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Ste. B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE How to double the lifespan of cut flowers If you have insurance through the Health Insur- ance Marketplace, you may be getting advance pay- ments of the premium tax credit. These are paid di- rectly to your insurance company to lower your monthly premium. Changes in your income or family size may affect your pre- mium tax credit. If your cir- cumstances have changed, the time is right for a mid- year checkup to see if you need to adjust the premium assistance you are receiving. You should report changes that have occurred since you signed up for your health in- surance plan to your Mar- ketplace as they occur. Changes in circum- stances that you should re- port to the Marketplace in- clude an increase or de- crease in your income; marriage or divorce; the birth or adoption of a child; starting a job with health insurance; gaining or losing your eligibility for other health care coverage; changing your residence. To estimate the effect that changes in your cir- cumstances may have upon the amount of premium tax credit that you can claim — see this change in circum- stances estimator at www. irs.gov/Affordable-Care-Act/ Affordable-Care-Act-Esti- mator-Tools. Reporting the changes will help you avoid getting too much or too little ad- vance payment of the pre- mium tax credit. Getting too much means you may owe additional money or get a smaller refund when you file your taxes. Getting too little could mean missing out on premium assistance to reduce your monthly pre- miums. Repayments of excess premium assistance may be limited to an amount between $300 and $2,500 depending on your income and filing status. However, if advance payments of the premium tax credit were made, but your income for the year turns out to be too high to receive the pre- mium tax credit, you will have to repay all of the pay- ments that were made on your behalf, with no limita- tion. Therefore, it is impor- tant that you report changes in circumstances that may have occurred since you signed up for your plan. Changes in circum- stances also may qualify you for a special enrollment period to change or get in- surance through the Mar- ketplace. In most cases, if you qualify for the special enrollment period, you will have sixty days to enroll following the change in cir- cumstances. You can find Information about special enrollment at HealthCare. gov. Find out more about the premium tax credit and other tax-related provi- sions of the health care law at IRS.gov/aca. TAX TIPS It's time for a mid-year Premium Tax Credit checkup ORLAND Lynda Sekora knew she was losing some of her vision, but the night she realized she couldn't read her insulin pump anymore the Orland resident sank into a deep depression. "I cried all through din- ner," Lynda said. "I flat had a nervous breakdown and quit living." Due to a lifetime of Type 1 diabetes, Lynda was blind in one eye and had macular degeneration and glaucoma in the other. As her husband, Palmer, watched her sink further into anxiety and de- pression throughout 2012, he knew something had to be done. Lynda's ophthalmol- ogist in Chico did not know any place that could provide resources, so Palmer began digging through the phone book and newspapers. He kept hitting dead ends. Then he came across Soci- ety for the Blind, and one of the instructors came to their house to visit with them. The instructor described her as a "big ray of sunshine." The instructor told the Sekoras about Society for the Blind's Senior IMPACT — Improving and Maintain- ing People's Ability to Care for Themselves — Project that starts with a weeklong retreat. Though the retreat is geared toward the person losing vision, Palmer decided to participate with his wife so he would understand her experience. During the training, they learned to cook using real knives and a real stove. They learned how to nav- igate streets using a white cane, shop and know which bills they were using, thread a needle, read braille and use talking gadgets like a labeler. After the retreat, Lynda's de- pression lifted. Three years later, she is proud that she can cook, tend her house, go out to dinner, go on trips and have lunch with her friends. Palmer manages her insulin pump, but Lynda makes all of the decisions regarding her care. Because of their experi- ence searching to find help, the Sekoras now volunteer at expos around the Sacra- mento area, distributing in- formation and talking about Society for the Blind so that others will never have to ex- perience the same isolation. "For us, this experience was like wandering in the wilderness and finding your way out and realizing you're not alone anymore," Palmer said. SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND Orland woman loses sight, but gains independence The past few weeks have been very eventful and fruitful. I'll start off with fighter news. The guys both had awesome fights at the Tough Man Contest. Jes- see made it all the way through his first very tough bout and threw some killer punches but lost to a decision. Erik won his first fight against a tall, seasoned fighter and was able to dominate him and win his first bout. He lost his second bout to a decision. Next up, Rocky and Kole look to be fighting on a King of The Cage Card. More details to come. My friend, Maria An- daverde, is having her pro boxing debut this month. She came down from Shasta Lake to train with me. We had 8 tough rounds, and I pity the girl she is going to brutalize. It was a blast. Kind of made me think about stepping back into the ring. Maybe some day, but not now. I have way too much on my plate to dedicate 3 hours a day to training, and I'm liking food a bit too much to suffer through a fighter's diet. Anyone out there look- ing to sponsor an amazing fighter, please let me know. Maria could use a good sponsor to defray the costs of training. It's been a roller coaster ride for me lately, doing paperwork to get my non- profit status, worrying about getting approved by the IRS. It seemed like I needed to get out and have an adventure. Many years ago, my friend Debi and I took my canoe down the river from the Bend. We dumped it in China Rap- ids, getting caught in a whirlpool and barely made it out alive. I sold the canoe and swore I'd never go down the river from the Bend again. Well, years later and lots of hours logged in on the paddleboard, I decided it was time to give it a go again. Donelle Lazott was brave enough to make the journey with me. We very cautiously made it through China Rapids with no in- cidents, avoiding all the whirlpools. What a rush, and lots of fun. It was nice to conquer a fear. After at least 2 years of trying to make my way through the Bible, I de- cided to dedicate my lunch hour to reading it. Finally, I was able to make it to the end. This was a monumen- tal goal for me, and it felt so good to reach it. Talk about a good book. Now, I'm not sure if this is a coincidence or not, but on the same day, I also heard back from the IRS. They had approved my sta- tus as a non-profit. Two wonderful goals in one day. God is so good. Next up, waiting for ap- proval from the state for the non-profit, learning Spanish and trying out for another obstacle course show. I am known for fac- ing my fears and going af- ter my goals, and I some- times get asked how I do that. My advice is as fol- lows: never give up, dedi- cate time each day towards your goals, face and con- quer your fears and pray. Avery Vilche is a fitness instructor who owns Psycho Fitness & MMA at 1450 Schwab St. in Red Bluff. You can reach her at 200-0526 or vilcheavery@ yahoo.com. COLUMN Howtoconqueryourfearsandreachyourgoals Avery Vilche COURTESYPHOTO The author and a friend ready to take on the rapids on paddleboards. Walk-in tubsandsafetyshoWers $700OFF Walk-in tub Not valid on other offers or prior purchases Offer Ends September 15, 2015 safety, security and independence Financing available O.a.c. - easy access offering safety grab bars, seats - Walk-in Tubs, Soaker & Jetted Tubs - Tub to Shower conversions - barrier Free Showers CallforBrochure&Pricing (800) 886-5898 promo code 4949 SanSpafivestar.com Lic. #711042 labor day special ALL OCCASION GIFTS ~ GLASS ART, LITTLE DISHES ~ TRINKET BOX WITH CRYSTALS ~ SHAWLS/BEADED BAGS ~ WOMEN'S CLOTHING, JEWELRY ~ BATH & BODY, ESSENTIAL OIL ~ ROCKS AND MINERALS 744 Main St., Red Bluff GreenvilleRancheriawouldliketo welcome three new employees: Max HempingisanativeofRedBluff. Hehas39yearsofexperienceasa PA-C and 24 years in Tehama County. His practice is Family Practice. He cares for a large age range performing CHDP's on children to geriatric patients and with an emphasis on diabetes. He is willing to accept compli- cated patients that overlap with Internal Medicine. Stephanie McGarity was also raised locally and graduated from Red Bluff Union High School. She comes to us with over 12 years' experience in health- care such as; emergency medicine, pre and post-operative care and ICU/CCU experience. She also has had FEMA experience. She will be assigned to tri- age duty, performing diabetes education, overseeing our Community Outreach program, FEMA projects and writing and administering small grants. Dr. Dass who is certified in Pediatrics recently joined us in April. He cares for newborns to 18 years of age and performs, CHDP's, well child exams, school sports physicals and orders immunizations. GreenvilleRancheriawouldliketomentionanewserviceofallergytesting offered by Dr. Timothy Frantz, ENT which will begin August 14, 2015. We have 11 sub-specialties: Cardiology, Pulmonolgy, Physical Therapy, Orthopedics, Pain Management, Native American Mental Health Services for Psychiatry and Therapy, Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Pediatrics, Women's Health and Gynecology. We are open 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday – Saturday, offer transport and accept Medicare, Medi-Cal, Managed Care insurances, and Partnership with a referral for sub-specialties. As a courtesy we will bill private insurances. MaxHemping,PA-C Stephanie McGarity, BSN, PHN Take15%offyourmeal with this ad dineinonly 723 Main St. 527.5470 www. palominoroom .com PrimeRibonFridaynights Open Tues-Sat Regular Haircut $ 2 00 off KWIK KUTS FamilyHairSalon 1064SouthMainSt.,RedBluff•529-3540 ANY RETAIL PRODUCT 20 % off withanychemicalserviceof $50 or more Notgoodwithotheroffers Expires 9/30/15 With coupon Reg. $13.95 We'reonline!FollowusonTwitterandFacebookforupdatesandmore. LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, August 20, 2015 MORE ATFACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A4