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January/February 2025
ELEPHANTS IN HARMONY A STORY OF TEAMWORK, JOY, AND CONSERVATION
In the heart of Thailand’s lush jungles, you can hear the soft notes of xylophones, rhythmic drums, and the heavy stomps of elephants tapping their feet to the beat. As the group of musical pachyderms creates songs, their ears flap along, and they fill the air with their joyful harmonies. It’s a sight and sound that has to be experienced to completely understand — proof that the world can surprise and delight us in the most unexpected ways. The incredible Thai Elephant Orchestra captivates audiences and teaches us life lessons about creativity, connection, and the power of collaboration. Founded in 2000 by musician Dave Soldier and conservationist Richard Lair, the animal musical group sought to test a theory about elephants’ ability to remember melodies and distinguish between basic scales. What would happen if these gentle giants were encouraged to compose their own songs? Soldier teamed up with Lair, who thought the band could be a great way to raise awareness and funds for elephant conservation. They built over 22 giant instruments designed for the elephants, including steel drums and harmonicas they could play by blowing air out of their trunks. The elephants quickly proved they could play instruments and had an artistic flair and desire to express themselves creatively. The wild performers improvise, collaborating to create concerts for the guests at the conservation center where they live. They have even released multiple albums showcasing their musical prowess and unique style. The orchestra can range from small groups of four up to 16 elephants working together. Along with improvised tunes, they can all play specific notes on cue, and Soldier was surprised at how quickly they picked it up. Elephants are well known for their deep social bonds, intelligence, memory, and range of emotions. Herds and family units are highly cooperative and commonly engage in activities together. In a world where we often feel disconnected, this unique orchestra
reminds us that connection can occur in unexpected places. As the elephants create music together, they reveal their innate teamwork and joy for bonding. Soldier said the elephants are composers, not just animals making disorganized sounds. In 2012, he sought to test their compositions by having a human orchestra perform one of their original arrangements for a live audience. Once the concert was over, guests and performers were asked to guess who wrote the music. Many shouted out big talents like John Cage and were delighted and surprised to learn animals had written the piece. The Thai Elephant Orchestra reminds us to embrace creativity and collaboration. When these majestic, gentle giants create music together, they continue a deep bond, express themselves, and share joy. The elephants’ willingness to explore and create without the fear of failure calls us all to break free from
self-limitations and discover new passions. As you imagine the sounds of drums and flapping elephant ears, it’s hard not to feel a sense of wonder and astonishment at the unexpected beauty that can come when we try something new together.
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-Jeff Robinette
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When life feels overwhelming, or you just aren’t feeling your best, it can be difficult to find hope or joy. Sometimes, the best medicine is a little self-care in the form of simple activities and treats that you enjoy most. One of the best ways to boost your mood is by planning something to look forward to. Whether it’s a favorite movie, a new painting class, or a tasty latte, prioritizing things that bring us happiness can empower us with hope. It’s like adding a bright spot in the future, making the tough days more manageable. What do you love? Your plan doesn’t have to be grand or complicated. Start by identifying activities that make you happy or that interest you. Do you love comedy movies or enjoy going to concerts? You might sign up for an improv class or buy tickets to see a play. It can be anything that brings a smile to your face. Plan it. Once you know the activity, start planning. Our busy lives sometimes lack time for the little things that make us feel good. Treat your happiness like a necessary The Happiness Hack Why Small Plans Can Make a Big Difference
appointment and get it on your calendar. Spending time with your loved ones and friends also has a wealth of benefits for your mental health, so decide whether you want someone to join you. By planning to do things that bring you joy, you’ll feel more hopeful, balanced, and better equipped to handle whatever life throws your way.
Beat the Heat and the Cold How to Bring Your Outdoor Workouts Inside
Home or Gym Gyms come with full suites of equipment, locker rooms, and exciting classes that help you get a workout — they even have fitness coaches to make workouts more efficient. You can improve your flexibility with a yoga class or develop your left hook at a boxing class. Building muscle mass is easier at a gym’s weight room, and you can always find a partner to help spot you or a trainer to show you the ropes. However, while most associate an effective indoor workout routine with a monthly gym membership, you can also achieve similar results at home and for a fraction of the cost. Rather than investing big money to replicate the equipment you may find at a gym, get the bare essentials, like an exercise mat, dumbbells for weight training, resistance bands, and a stability ball. Instead of working with a personal trainer, find exercise videos online you can follow along with. You would be amazed at the yoga, dance, and boxing instructors you can find online to help you build a routine at home. Row, Row, Row at Home If you are an avid fan of kayaking or canoeing, take solace in knowing there
are indoor methods to replicate those exercises. Rowing machines and resistance bands can help you simulate the strain on your shoulders, building strength, mobility, and flexibility in your upper arms. Once the weather allows you to hit the water again, working out indoors will make you an even more capable rower than ever! Treadmills and Exercise Bikes You can find excellent alternatives to outdoor cardio exercises at the gym or in your home. A treadmill is an ideal alternative to an outdoor job, walk, or even sprint. You can set your incline to replicate an upward climb or decrease it to simulate a downhill reprieve. You can increase or decrease the speed to your heart’s content, helping you train for speed and/or endurance. Similarly, exercise bikes can help you replicate an outdoor bike ride when the weather makes it impossible. You can follow along with preset exercise routines, speeding up and slowing down to simulate difficult terrain or increased intensity during your bike ride. Best of all, exercise bikes and treadmills come in various forms to fit almost any budget and complexity to meet your needs.
Exercising outdoors can be enjoyable and beneficial — when the weather permits it. Working out helps keep your weight and blood pressure down and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. As important as that is, it is little consolation when Earth’s elements make outdoor forays miserable. When it is too cold, or the ground is covered in snow, your morning jogs become tiresome, and biking around the neighborhood becomes next to impossible. When the summer heat bears down on you, it is uncomfortable and tiring. The last thing we want is to leave a series of salty puddles of sweat in our wake as we struggle to bear a hundred degrees of ferocious Fahrenheit, leaving us red with sunburns. Fortunately, a fairly simple solution is to bring your outdoor exercises indoors. Here are three great ways to transition from outdoor to indoor exercises.
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UNPACK AMERICA’S QUIRKIEST STATE LAWS
From Forbidden Fortune Telling to Sandwich Shop Silence Every state has its own bizarre laws, and while they make for a fun read, the fact is that these rules were once created to address some specific “problem!” From unusual dress codes for hot dog vendors in Florida to bizarre regulations about fighting birds in Indiana, every state has its share of head-scratchers. Let’s take a stroll through six of the wackiest laws — you can’t make this stuff up! should keep their attire conservative to avoid stirring up more than just appetites. Fight Back Birds in Indiana In Indiana, you can only throw a rock at a bird if you’re defending yourself. Hopefully, you’ll never find yourself in such a peculiar predicament (or Hitchockian nightmare), but it’s good to know the law’s got your back — just in case.
No Clairvoyance in Cedar Rapids Fancy yourself a fortune teller in Cedar Rapids, Iowa? Think again. Practices like palm reading or phrenology are off limits, preserving the town’s focus on the tangible here and now rather than the mystical future. Grease Is the Word in North Carolina In North Carolina, stealing over $1,000 of used restaurant grease is a felony. Yes, used grease! As biodiesel’s popularity rises, so does the value of this slippery commodity — so keep your hands away from the grimy fryer vats.
Quiet Hours for Sandwich Lovers In Arkansas, think twice before honking your horn at a sandwich shop after 9 p.m. This law might have stemmed from one too many late-night sandwich cravings disturbing the peace. So, keep your sandwich enthusiasm to a respectable volume! Dress Code for Hot Dog Vendors In Florida, hot dog vendors must think twice about skimpy wardrobes as a marketing tactic. Dressing provocatively is a no-go, as it’s considered a serious traffic hazard. So, those planning to sell hot dogs
Oklahoma’s Animal Antics And finally, in Oklahoma, you’d better not find yourself tripping a horse or wrestling a bear. Engaging in or even promoting these dangerous and unusual animal antics is illegal. It’s all fun and games until someone gets a bear hug they didn’t ask for! So, next time you think you’ve heard it all, remember: The law books might have a few more surprises waiting for you.
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
One-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
“For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Ingredients
• 2 1/2 lbs skinless, bone-in chicken thighs • 1 tsp salt
• 4 celery ribs, chopped • 4 medium carrots, chopped • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp dried thyme • 3 cups uncooked egg noodles (about 8 oz) • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp pepper • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 10 cups chicken broth
Directions
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In an 8-quart stockpot over medium-high heat, add oil and chicken and cook until golden brown, 3–4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. 2. Add onion to drippings; cook over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and bring to a boil. Return chicken to pot. Add celery, carrots, bay leaves, and thyme. Reduce heat and cover; simmer until chicken is tender, 25–30 minutes 3. Turn off heat. Remove chicken to a plate. Add noodles and let stand, covered, until noodles are tender, 20–22 minutes. 4. Shred chicken meat into bite-size pieces, and return to pot. Stir in parsley and lemon juice, and discard bay leaves.
PSALM 100:5
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Call Now To Speak to An Attorney 304-594-1800 211 Everhart Drive Morgantown, WV 26508
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
A Wild Melody of Creativity and Collaboration
1
The Power of Planning Something to Look Forward To Indoor Options for Your Outdoor Fitness Routine
2
6 State Laws You Won’t Believe Exist! One-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
3
A Deaf Dog’s Remarkable Journey
4
MEET THE BOXER WHO CHANGES LIVES The Silent Healer
At first glance, Sullivan is already a special dog. An adorable white boxer with a dark patch of fur around his right eye, he’s the kind of canine humans of all ages instantly fall in love with. If his cuteness wasn’t enough, he’s best known in his community for bringing people together in extraordinary ways. Originally found in a shelter in Coachella, California, Sullivan — who is deaf — lives in Oregon with his guardian, Allyson Ridling. A social worker and family therapist, Ridling has made Sullivan’s sweet temperament and calming presence a significant part of her practice. After bringing Sullivan to reading sessions with children (much to the delight of the little ones in attendance), she began including him in walking sessions with her clients. Fluent in sign language, Ridling has also introduced Sullivan to hard-of-hearing people worldwide via online video chats.
Early last year, Sullivan and Ridling received a 2024 Oregon Humane Society (OHS) Diamond Collar Award for their compassionate work. Thrilled by the honor, Ridling credits her animal companion with helping her clients find greater joy and comfort. “Some of these people just needed to reconnect with love and feeling this undoubtable connection between the human and animal bond,” she says in a special OHS-produced YouTube video on the award. “That’s what they needed to help open up and take their next step moving forward in their life.” The OHS was proud to honor Sullivan for his fantastic work with humans. “As a therapy dog, Sullivan is a friendly presence for kids to practice their reading,”
the organization says on its website. “His comfort helps those who are struggling to open up. [He] may not be able to hear, but his impact on the mental health of those around him speaks volumes.” Proud of her furry friend’s loving nature and many achievements, Ridling believes that animals like Sullivan can work wonders for people’s therapeutic treatment. “I think the human/animal bond works really well because animals don’t judge. They have unconditional love to give people. As [a] society, we could all work better to strive to be as loving and caring [and] as open-minded as a dog can be.”
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