LEX CANIS THE Lee Berlin Andrea Brown
A Thankless Job Here’s to All the Great Dads Out There
If you ask me, Father’s Day doesn’t get a fair shake. Now, before you ask, I don’t have any kids of my own, so I assure you this isn’t a bid to win myself extra privileges on this special Sunday. But as the not-so-ceremonious holiday draws near, I can’t help but reflect on its utter lack of fanfare and how little we do for our dear old dads on the one day set aside to honor their sacrifices. I know celebrations when I was growing up were certainly lackluster. My dad was always one to discourage us spending money on him. So although my brothers and I would go all-out for our mother the month before, with all the candy and cards our arms could carry, all Dad would get is a card and a pat on the back. Sure, we would typically have a barbecue that day, but Dad did all the grilling! Looking back, we should have done more to let him have a day to relax, at the very least. Now, some may argue that because our father asked for us not to make a fuss about Father’s Day, we were just respecting his wishes. But how many of us would acquiesce our mothers if they asked us to not spend any time or money on them for Mother’s Day? Heaven help my brothers and me if we ever fell for that. The truth is that the parents who most deserve to be celebrated tend to be too accustomed to self-sacrifice. It can be hard for them to learn that it’s okay to put their feet up and be honored for one day a year. Dads are especially guilty of this, but that’s not an excuse to avoid giving them the day they deserve.
Cultural perceptions of fatherhood definitely play a role here. We’re used to treating dads as the stoic breadwinners and disciplinarians of the household. In turn, I think many dads internalize that role, thinking they don’t deserve more than just a day to watch golf. In truth, this self-sacrificing attitude goes back further than you might imagine. While we mostly think of Father’s Day as the time of year power tools go on sale, the celebration dates all the way back to the Middle Ages. Back then, it was known as St. Joseph’s Day, celebrating Jesus’ “legal” father and patron saint of dads everywhere. Of course, you don’t have to be Catholic to know that Joseph doesn’t exactly play a leading role in the Bible. Compared to all that is written about and done to honor St. Mary, her husband is little more than a background character. All we really know about him is that he was a carpenter, so perhaps those deals on power tools aren’t too far off the mark. Coincidentally, my dad’s name is Joseph, and while he isn’t a carpenter, he certainly tries to keep himself out of the spotlight. Whenever I ask him if he has plans for Father’s Day, his response is usually along the lines of, “I don’t know. Maybe your mom and I will walk around the block or something.” Dad, you deserve better. I want to be clear that I’m not arguing for any changes to Mother’s Day. That holiday is right at the level of appreciation I think it needs. What I’m calling for is making an effort to raise Father’s Day to be somewhere
on the same level as what we do for our mothers. Getting there will mean kids will have to learn to go that extra mile without being asked, and dads will have to learn to actually accept the honor and affection they deserve on their
special day. Being a great dad isn’t easy. The least we can do is show them that we see their sacrifices and appreciate them. Now, if you’re at a loss of what to get your old man beyond a new Makita drill set, might I suggest doing something most people just don’t do anymore? Send your dad a handwritten note. I know it seems simple, but if you really take the time to do it — I’m talking full paragraphs here — it will be one of the best gifts your father ever receives. My dad has told me my letters are, in his words, “worth so much more than a present.” This is a great way to circumvent the “don’t spend money on me” request while really showing your father you care.
Happy Father’s Day,
–Lee Berlin
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Andrea’s Book Club
What I’m Reading Now
I know ... I am behind the times. Much like when I discovered “Harry Potter” after four books had already been released, I have recently discovered the Cormoran Strike novels. Once I picked up “The Cuckoo’s Calling” by Robert Galbraith, I could not put it down. The same happened for the second book in the trilogy, “The Silkworm.” I am now nearly finished with the third book in the series, “Career of Evil.” What attracted this bookworm to pick up these novels? It was a friend’s recommendation, of course. As a literature major and avid reader, I am always looking for the next good book, even if it is not newly published. There are so many great books, making it is easy to miss some gems as they are released to fanfare before fading in our memories. It is no longer a secret that Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling. I initially avoided “The Cuckoo’s Calling” because I read “The Casual Vacancy” by J.K. Rowling and didn’t like it. I wrongly assumed that J.K. Rowling was a one-trick pony. Perhaps her literary genius was confined to the walls of Hogwarts. But I was wrong. In short, these are fantastic detective novels. The books are crime fiction at its best. From investigating a dead supermodel to a quirky novelist, with a war veteran and a bit of romance, these books have it all. They are fast reads with a likable narrator. Each one is a whodunit to the end. Critically acclaimed and selected by National Public Radio as one of the best books of the year, I suggest you buy or borrow “The Cuckoo’s Calling” immediately. And once you have fallen in love with Detective Cormoran Strike’s latest adventures, there is good news on the horizon for both you and me: Late last year, Galbraith (Rowling) published a fourth book in the series. Sometimes it pays off to be late to the party. If you haven’t already, check out the latest in the series, “Lethal White.” I know I will.
FAST FACTS ABOUT HICCUPS
Everyone knows the feeling of impending dread that arises when a hiccup first escapes your throat. While hiccups usually go away on their own within a few minutes, they can interfere with eating and talking in a frustrating way. As a result, many people have come up with creative tricks to get rid of them. With common solutions like having a friend scare you or eating a heaping spoonful of sugar, how can you tell which of these remedies actually works? Hiccups occur when your diaphragm — a thin muscle in your chest that assists with breathing — spasms involuntarily, causing you to suddenly inhale. When this happens, your vocal cords snap shut, resulting in the hiccup’s distinctive guttural sound. While many household remedies are supported by centuries of anecdotal evidence, only a handful of studies have evaluated their effectiveness. Here are three natural methods backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). BREATHING While there are countless remedies that involve holding your breath, only one is encouraged by the CDC. Place a paper bag over your nose and mouth and breathe in and out deeply and slowly. This increases the carbon dioxide levels in your blood, which is thought to calm nerves and relax the diaphragm. PRESSURE POINTS Applying pressure to certain points on your body may relax your diaphragm or stimulate your vagus and phrenic nerves. The CDC recommends gently pulling your tongue forward once or twice to stimulate the nerves and muscles in your throat. If that doesn’t help, you can try plugging both your nostrils and ears while simultaneously drinking a glass of water. EATING AND DRINKING Some remedies include ingesting strange products through even stranger means, but only a few food- or drink-based remedies are actually touted by experts. While your favorite uncle might argue that a tablespoon of mustard, honey, or peanut butter does the trick, the CDC suggests that you gargle with iced water, suck on a thin slice of lemon, or drink an entire glass of warm water very slowly without breathing. Similar to the pressure point remedies, these methods are thought to relax your diaphragmatic nerves. While everyone seems to have a tried-and-true method they swear by, the next time you’re plagued with the hiccups, perhaps you should consider one of the CDC’s official solutions.
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CONGRATULATIONS, JUSTIN!
We are pleased to announce that Justin Underhill is the Parrot Head winner of our Jimmy Buffet Concert Giveaway. Justin and one of his lucky friends will be going to see Jimmy Buffet in concert at the BOK Center here in Tulsa on June 4! Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!
Inspired Be
Miso Soup With Mushrooms and Kale
Ingredients
Inspired by OneGreenPlanet.org
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3 tbsp yellow miso paste
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1 splash olive oil
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8 oz. extra firm tofu, pressed and drained
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4 oz. mushrooms, sliced
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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3/4 cup kale
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4 cups water
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1 tbsp rice vinegar
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1 cup vegetable broth
Directions
1. In a stock pot or Dutch oven, heat oil to medium. Add mushrooms and sauté until mushrooms just begin to shrink. Add garlic, water, broth, miso, and tofu. 2. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes. 3. Stir in kale and rice vinegar; cook until kale softens. 4. Divide into bowls and serve.
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Phone: 918-770-0172 DefendingTulsa.com
Inside This Issue
Changing Up Father’s Day Page 1
How Do You Get Rid of the Hiccups? Andrea’s Book Club Page 2 Jimmy Buffet Contest Winner Miso Soup With Mushrooms and Kale Page 3
JOURNEY DOWN A RIVER OF NO RETURN The Unspoiled Beauty of Central Idaho
There’s more to Idaho than potatoes. Sitting square in the center of the Gem State is one of the largest contiguous areas of protected wilderness in the U.S. While the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area may not roll off the tongue as easy as Yellowstone or Yosemite, this 2 million-acre swath of mountains, gorges, and alpine lakes offers something for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. ominous at first — who wants to travel down a river of no return? — but in truth, it’s a title from times gone by when canoes and small watercraft could travel down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River swiftly but couldn’t fight the current going back up. Today, those same rapids make the Middle Fork a wildly popular whitewater rafting destination, with plenty of local and out-of-state enthusiasts making a return journey every summer. RAFTING ISN’T FOR ME. WHAT ELSE YOU GOT? If crashing down 300 Class III rapids isn’t your speed, the Frank Church Wilderness has plenty RIVER OF NO WHAT, NOW? The name of the wilderness may sound a little
of other ways to enjoy the wild mountain country. There are several lodges that were grandfathered in to the wilderness area, most of which are only accessible by jet boat, light aircraft, or good old-fashioned hiking. Some, like the Middle Fork Lodge, offer five-star accommodations, located conveniently close to one of the area’s many natural hot springs. Those with the right permits will find the rivers and lakes full of fishing opportunities, and the surrounding pine forests are teeming with game. LODGES? I JUST WANT TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL. For those looking for a truly unplugged experience, backpacking to the many campsites scattered throughout the region can be an incredible journey. If you spend a night beside the crystal-clear waters of Langer Lake, hundreds of miles away from any light pollution, you’ll find peace, quiet, and a sky bursting with stars. If you’ve ever wanted to experience a truly untamed part of the United States, Idaho is the hidden gem you’ve been looking for.
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