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P int -S ize P rotector and G ood L uck C harm Our Yorkie Reminds Me of How Far I’ve Come
Sometimes people refer to August as “the dog days of summer.” Well, at my house, it feels like every day is a dog day with Winter around. Winter is our family’s Yorkie, and over the 10 or so years we’ve had her, she’s become a vital part of our household. She’s older than my youngest daughter, and if we use dog years, she’s the oldest member of our family! Though she may be small, she is our family’s good luck charm and faithful protector. I got Winter as a Christmas present for my family in 2008. As it was for many hardworking Americans, 2008 was stressful financially for me and my family. I was working in the mortgage industry at the time, and I only earned a quarter of my 2007 salary that year. To make up the difference, I had to get creative on how to support my family. I decided to go to bartending school. For five days a week, eight hours a day, I learned how to be a bartender until I earned my certification. I got a job immediately, and thankfully I made enough money to make up for the losses to my salary. I still made less money in 2008 than I did in 2007, but I was able to pay for everything. I bought all my birthday and Christmas
gifts with my tip money — including Winter. Bartending while holding an MBA may have been a blow to my pride, but it was a necessary step back toward financial security. Winter is a reminder of that season of my life and of how far I’ve come since then.
“WINTER IS BOUNDLESS ENERGY AND JOY STUFFED INTO A TINY, 14-POUND BODY.”
Winter is boundless energy and joy stuffed into a tiny, 14-pound body. The first thing my wife does when she gets home from work is pet Winter and give her attention. She will literally drop everything at the door for our dog! It’s like watching Dino tackle Fred or Wilma in the Flintstones — she’s just so happy her people are home. Winter is also our family’s pint-size protector. She yaps anytime someone is near our property, letting me know with just enough time to grab my gun if necessary. Thankfully, it’s never come to that, but it’s nice to know our dog can help me protect my family. Finally, Winter is incredibly obedient. I only had to discipline her once, albeit a bit forcefully, so she would come inside when I called her, and she’s almost never needed potty training. Her breath might smell like a dog’s, and she might sometimes eat things that she shouldn’t, but she’s our dog, and we love her. Every night,
she curls up in my gym bag at the foot of our bed and goes to sleep. If you’ve heard of the Apollo Theater in New York City, you’ll know that there’s a certain stump right outside that many rising stars have rubbed for good luck before their singing careers have taken off. Similarly, every time I leave my house in the morning, I pet Winter for good luck and remember how blessed I am to be able to provide for my family.
–Duane Hamilton 1 770-744-1855
take a friend for a spin and ask for their honest opinion. Love at First Drive Humans are emotional animals, and if your car holds a special place in your heart, you’re not the only one to fall for an inanimate object. In 2008, one woman even went so far as to marry the Eiffel tower. Consider whether memories made in your car are the reason you’re still driving, and if they are, maybe keep the car but give up the keys. Money, Money, Money According to a recent AAA study, older drivers tend to put fewer miles on their cars, but that doesn’t correlate to lower crash rates. In fact, seniors who drove less than 3,000 miles per year actually had higher crash rates Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — who needed to come up with something to keep the little ones entertained and out of their hair. Soon, however, it became popular among the adults, and they ended up spending more time on the court than their children. “Frankly,” McCallum says, “the kids got pushed out.” Since its early days, pickleball has transformed from an ad-hoc game to a full-fledged sport, complete with official rules, equipment, and leagues. Despite the more formal structure in place today, pickleball is incredibly easy to pick up and play. Investing in some paddles and balls won’t cost more than $100, and you can easily convert a tennis or badminton court for pickleball. One of the appeals of pickleball for older adults is that it is not excessively strenuous. It also doesn’t have the steep learning curve and high barrier to entry that
per mile than those who drove more. Crashes lead to expensive insurance premiums and pricey doctor bills, so you could save by driving less. Selling your car could also pad your retirement fund. If you’re concerned about your performance behind the wheel but can’t bring yourself to give up the car, don’t worry — there are steps you can take to scale back, like avoiding driving at night and sticking to familiar roads. In a pinch, services like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash have your back. Whichever move you make, remember that, at the end of the day, this tough decision should come down to not only what’s best for you, but also what’s safest for everyone on the road. sports like tennis or golf do. Due to the nature of a pickleball, which contains strategically placed holes similar to those of a whiffle ball, the game is much more about finesse than pure power or athleticism. While you can definitely hone your skills with practice, you’ll start having fun from day one. In addition to being a fun form of exercise, pickleball also offers older adults the chance to socialize with their peers. Leagues often lead to long-term friendships. Courts are small, and each game consists of only four players, making it easy to engage in some casual conversation or playful, competitive banter between points. If you’ve never picked up a paddle, consider joining a league or buying a set for your next family outing. You can introduce your grandkids to a fun new sport — and then school them for the bulk of an afternoon.
You’ve probably heard of pickleball, especially given its rising popularity in the United States and Canada, but you may be wondering what the big deal is about this relatively new fad. Pickleball is an awesome, low- impact sport that people of all ages can enjoy. It’s great exercise and great fun, and it’s the perfect game for family get-togethers. Pickleball originated on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1965. It was the creation of three fathers — Joel
To Drive or Not to Drive?
With the image of 97-year-old Prince Phillip whizzing across the English countryside without a seatbelt, you might be wondering at what age you should hang up your car keys for good. If you’re considering giving up driving, here are a few things to think about before you boot your wheels. A Hard Road One of the biggest indicators that it’s time to leave the road is having difficulty driving. If you’re finding it hard to stay in your lane, see surrounding cars and road signs, or make turns, then you’re right to think about becoming a permanent passenger. However, if you aren’t having trouble getting from point A to point B, you likely have years to go behind the wheel. If you’re unsure about the quality of your driving, A Senior’s Dilemma
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A rt for A ll A ges 3 Museums to Visit in Atlanta
Atlanta is a hotbed of creativity, and its many destinations for fun, culture, and education prove it. The traditional oil paintings at the High Museum of Art and the interactive virtual exhibits at World of Coca- Cola are just a taste of the best of the Big Peach. World of Coca-Cola Widely acknowledged as the coolest museum in Atlanta and rated No. 1 on Trip Advisor, the World of Coca-Cola is an homage to the planet’s favorite beverage brand and features a “Milestones of Refreshment” history walk, interactive portrait wall, replica bottling line, and even the so-called “Chamber of the Secret Formula” where the company’s heavily guarded ingredient list is kept. Photo opportunities abound, and the museum offers its own app
to help visitors navigate the complex. Though the architect somehow overlooked the opportunity to shape the entire museum like an old-school Coke bottle, there is a massive sculpture of a cap caught in a bottle opener standing guard near the main entrance. High Museum of Art This spot made every list of must-see Atlanta museums on Conde Nast Traveler, Culture Trip, and others. This classic art museum features a rotating array of exhibits, frequent tours, and summer camps for kids. Some of this season’s highlights include European Masters, a selection of modern art from The Phillips Collection; an exhibit of 19th-century furniture, ceramics, quilts, and baskets called “Hand to Hand”; and a showcase of art from renowned author Maria
Kalman’s children’s books called “The Pursuit of Everything,” which just opened on June 22. National Center for Civil and Human Rights While it’s located right beside the World of Coca-Cola, this landmark museum couldn’t be more different. By telling the strikingly personal narratives of human rights advocates from around the world, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights seeks to accomplish a threefold mission: to educate, inspire, and empower visitors so they can truly take ownership of their fundamental rights. The museum is anchored in Atlanta’s history as a seat of the American Civil Rights Movement, but it also looks forward with programs that advocate for LGBTQ+ equity and an end to human trafficking.
S ummertime G azpacho
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
INGREDIENTS
• 2 1/2 lbs ripe tomatoes; cored, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 small cucumber; peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 red bell pepper; cored,
• 1 small Vidalia onion, peeled and cubed • 1/4 cup basil leaves • 1 clove garlic, peeled • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tbsp sherry vinegar • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
seeded, and sliced into ribbons
DIRECTIONS
1. Place a blender and medium mixing bowl on your workstation. 2. Divide the tomato chunks, cucumber pieces, and bell pepper slices evenly between blender and bowl. Place entire onion in blender. 3. Add basil, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper to blender. Blend on low, gradually raising speed to high until smooth, about 2 minutes. 4. Add blender contents to bowl and mix until just broken up, about 10–20 seconds. 5. Let mixture sit in fridge for a minimum of 2 hours. Transfer to bowls and serve. 3 770-744-1855
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Small Dog, Big Blessing
Why You Should Play Pickleball
Should You Still Be Driving?
3 Museums to Visit in Atlanta
Summertime Gazpacho
Staying ‘Cool’ With Your Canine This Summer
S taying ‘C ool ’ W ith Y our C anine
With all this late-summer sunshine, it’s the perfect time to take your dog out for some fun. And while spending time basking in nature’s beauty can be a great source of fun and exercise for you and your pets, it’s important to keep a careful watch on your dog’s core temperature to prevent heat exhaustion. There are several detectable signs of heat exhaustion that you can watch for, including abnormal lethargy, vomiting, or a brightly colored blue or red tongue. Here are some tips to keep your canine cool this summer. Water in All Its Forms While certain dog breeds thrive in hotter climates, all pups need a little extra care when it comes to staying hydrated during the summer. For starters, always make sure they have ready access to drinkable water. If you are going on an adventure, consider bringing a
collapsible water bowl. If you are doing some backyard chilling, consider filling up a small wading pool with water for your pooch to splash or lounge in. Some Invaluable Inventions There are many contraptions to help you keep your canine cool in the summer heat. Booties to insulate their toes and protect their paw pads from the hot asphalt, cooling vests that reflect sunlight off darker fur, and pressure- activated cooling pads are just a few of the gizmos you can purchase to stave off those scorching temps. The Dog People, a website powered by Rover. com, also recommends making frozen “pupsicles,” a yogurt-based frozen treat that can satisfy doggy cravings while keeping them cool. Time Is of the Essence While fun water toys and helpful cooling inventions are great, the best thing you can do to keep your dog cool is be
careful about when you decide to go outside. Taking your pup out in the early morning or later in the evening, when the sun isn’t at its highest point in the sky, will help keep them cooler in the long run. Additionally, keep in mind that some breeds deal with the heat better than others. If you’re unsure, do a little research to determine your dog’s susceptibility to heat exhaustion. Just because the heat is sizzling doesn’t mean your dog should be! Keep these tips in mind before taking your canine out in the summer sun. They will thank you for it!
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