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www.kevintharpe.com (770) 503-1022 CALLIE AT 21 Kevin’s Peace of Mind
July 2025
Poised, Proud, and Packing Bags
I blinked, and my baby girl grew up.
Back in May, Callie completed a stint as a student teacher in Norway. At her request, Missy and I flew to Norway to join her for a trip to Paris, London, and Dublin. From the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs- Élysées, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, to the Palace of Versailles, our visit to Paris was amazing. In London, we saw both Buckingham and Kensington Palaces, walked the famous Beatles “Abbey Road” crosswalk, went atop the Tower Bridge, and rode a red double-decker bus to see Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. We also saw two shows in London’s West End, including my all-time favorite musical, “Les Misérables” (a Father’s Day gift from Callie). Our time in Dublin, Ireland, was also unforgettable. We visited the Cliffs of Moher, Trinity College, and the Book of Kells — an ancient manuscript of the first four Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Since Callie and I are both music aficionados, we also visited the Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum. The site features a recording studio where U2, Thin Lizzy, Sinéad O’Connor, and other Irish music legends have created some of their musical masterpieces. The whole trip was a whirlwind of activities, and we accomplished so many things in such a short time frame.
My daughter, Callie, turns 21 this month. 21! Wow. Part of me is so proud to see her reach this point in her life and become such a grown- up young lady. But another part of me, though, still thinks she’s 5 years old on her way to her first day of kindergarten Those days are gone, of course — especially considering she will soon graduate from Berry College with degrees in education, history and German, and she is just weeks from leaving the nest again, this time to head to Calhoun, Georgia, to work as a student teacher. Naturally, part of me wants to tell her, “Lock the doors and bolt the windows! Don’t go outside until you’re ready to go to work, and then come straight back! Don’t talk to strangers!” ... but I know she’ll handle herself just fine. After all, we just spent time together all over Europe.
As things were winding down, I asked Callie, “Do you think you could have managed all this alone?” She and her mom simultaneously gave me a one-word answer: “Yep!” Although I had expected that response, it still made me miss the little girl who needed Dad’s help. I was reminded once again that those previous days were over. But then she followed up with: “I could have done it alone, but I’m glad that I did it with you and Mom.” Callie may have the birthday this month, but those words were among the greatest gifts she could have given me.
Happy Birthday, Baby Girl.
I love you!
—Dad
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SWIPE RIGHT AT ANY AGE
ONLINE DATING TIPS FOR OLDER ADULTS
Online dating can be intimidating at any age, but it can feel like learning a new language and culture for older adults who didn’t grow up using technology. While dating might seem like a younger person’s game, plenty of people your age (and older) are messaging, swiping, and making new personal connections online daily. A common misconception is that online dating is only for the tech-savvy, but most apps are user-friendly and designed to help you learn as you go. Various apps are available — like Bumble, Hinge, or Match — so you can find one that matches your specific goals. Whether you’re looking to meet new friends or want long-term companionship, there’s a platform for you.
Create a profile once you find a dating site that feels like a good fit. Your profile doesn’t need flashy language or complicated details, but it should highlight your values. You’ll also need to include photos. Focus on current pictures that reveal a bit about your personality and interests. After setting up your profile, you’re ready to look for potential dates. This is where things get exciting, but don’t forget to prioritize safety. Early conversations are best kept within the app itself, and always meet people you connect with in public places. Also, don’t let rejections discourage you. Online dating can take some patience, but it can also be fun. Stay open, stay safe, and you just might find someone special.
Nature’s Hidden Network How Plants Talk to Each Other Underground
You probably don’t think of plants as chatty, but they have a lot going on underground. Scientists have discovered that thin fungus threads in the soil connect many plants — nature’s version of the internet. These threads help plants share nutrients and even send messages to one another. The fungi grow around and between plant roots, building a bridge from one plant to the next. If one plant gets sick or bug-bitten, it can send a warning. Neighboring plants “hear” that signal and might boost their defenses. It’s somewhat like a heads- up before a storm.
nutrients around, especially from bigger, well-fed plants to smaller, struggling ones. In return, the fungi get sugars and energy from the plants. It’s a win-win. This hidden teamwork has real-world effects. Farmers and gardeners who know about these underground networks can change how they treat their soil. If the fungi are wiped out — say, by chemicals or heavy digging — plants lose their lifeline. But if the networks stay intact, crops tend to grow better and fight off threats more easily. This is still a growing field of research, but it’s changing how we see plant life. If you want to dig a
little deeper, check out a recent book, “The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth” by Zoë Schlanger. What looks like a quiet patch of greenery might be a neighborhood full of chatter. You just have to know where to look.
It’s not just gossip, either. These fungal helpers also help shuffle
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TAKE A BREAK
American Bicycle Cherry Fireworks Flag Independence Paddleboard Picnic
Kindness That Lasts
Ruby Stars Sherbet Trampoline
BEING THERE FOR SOMEONE WHO’S STRUGGLING
We’ve all experienced bouts of bad mood and even occasional depression. While difficult to go through, it can be equally challenging to see someone we care about hurting and not know how to help. The main thing to remember is that providing support isn’t about fixing things; it’s about showing up in meaningful ways. Skip the pep talks and listen. For many of us, our initial instinct is to rush to lift our loved one’s spirits and help them break out of a bad mood. However, offering them space and a calm ear is often the best thing we can do. Friendly company can be comforting even if they’re not ready to talk. Just be sure they don’t feel pressure to do or say anything. This might mean bingeing a favorite TV show together or just being with one another in the same room. Focus on small gestures. Along with providing company, you can support your loved one with simple gestures — a phone call, handwritten note, or warm meal. These acts remind them that someone cares and that they are not alone. Continuing to show up for your friend even after the rest of the world has moved on can have an even greater impact. There’s no specific script to follow, but small efforts all add up and may matter more than you’ll ever know. If you have a friend or family member going through a hard time, validating their experience and being present for them can be all they need. While they may not remember what you said, they won’t forget you showed up and stayed when they needed you most.
This recipe is quick, easy, and promises a restaurant-quality meal from your own kitchen. It’s perfect over pasta or with a green salad. Impress guests or indulge yourself on a weeknight! GARLIC PARMESAN SHRIMP
Ingredients
Inspired by CooktopCove.com
• 3 tbsp olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • Juice of 1 lemon
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 3. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss until fully coated. 4. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet. 5. Roast in the oven for 7–9 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and slightly golden. 6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley and fresh lemon juice before serving.
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(770) 503-1022 www.KevinTharpe.com 405 Broad St. Gainesville, GA 30501
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Love, Luggage, and ‘Les Mis’
1
2
An Older Adult’s Guide to Online Dating
The Surprising Ways Plants Support Each Other
3
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
The Art of Quiet Kindness
4
One Man’s Very Strange Appetite
MICHEL LOTITO: THE MAN WHO ATE AN AIRPLANE
Would you snack on a bicycle? How about a TV set or a shopping cart? Sounds completely absurd, but Michel Lotito — a French performer known to fans as “Monsieur Mangetout” (Mr. Eat All) — did exactly that. Although he certainly got attention, Lotito wasn’t just looking for it; his peculiar diet came from a rare condition called pica. People with pica crave non-edible objects, though very few act on these cravings. But Michel
an entire Cessna plane, taking two years to finish every last nut and bolt. How did he do it without getting hurt? Carefully and one bite at a time. Michel chopped objects into tiny bits and sipped mineral oil to help everything slide down smoothly. Lotito’s feats earned him a place in the “Guinness Book of World Records,” but his true legacy is simpler: He got people thinking. Scientists, doctors, and everyday observers began to wonder how adaptable — and, frankly, strange — the human body can be.
didn’t hold back. Doctors found he had an unusually strong digestive system and a thick stomach lining. These traits allowed him to safely digest things most people wouldn’t put near their mouths, let alone swallow.
Michel Lotito passed away in 2007 at 57, but his legend lives on. A guy who casually munched on bicycles might seem easy to dismiss, but his “normal” shows us that reality is sometimes far
The list of items Lotito managed to consume is hard to believe. He once famously ate
stranger than fiction.
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