Dear Jack: Making Creepy Tapeworms Out of Play-Doh, Then Making Them Fight

8 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

As I was cleaning the bathrooms Saturday afternoon, I noticed that you grabbed several toothpicks as you were working on a Play-Doh project at the kitchen table.

Eventually, the commentary began:

“Hey Daddy, look! This snake totally just bit the other one but the the other snake stabbed him with the spikes on his back…”

I was happy to see your creativity in action. But I did have to point out that they reminded me more of tape worms. Once I showed you a picture of them on my phone, you easily agreed that you had indeed been unknowingly making and fight giant tapeworms.

Maybe that was better, actually- since tapeworms are arguably creepier than snakes.

Love,

Daddy

Jeep Wrangler Road Trip with My Wife Along Lookout Mountain Brow: From Fort Payne, AL to Rising Fawn, GA to Chattanooga, TN

Owning a Jeep Wrangler means that suddenly, any drive immediately becomes an adventurous road trip. That definitely was the case Labor Day Weekend.

My wife and I drove from my parents’ house in Fort Payne, Alabama to downtown, Chattanooga; the while time with the top off the Jeep and the whole time along the brow of Lookout Mountain.

We traveled through 3 states in doing so: Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.

About halfway through, we stopped for a hike along side of the mountain top, at Cloudland Canyon State Park.

From there, we stumbled upon some hang gliders who were flying all around us. This was quite a sight to see!

It was a fun date! I really enjoyed being able to spent time alone with my wife all afternoon, while my parents and sister watched our kids.

At age 38, having fun is still important. Having a cool wife and a cool Jeep helps make that possible!

7 Astonishing Benefits Of Aromatherapy 

1. Relaxation And Sleep

Essential oils have different applications, which includes help people to relax and unwind after a tough day. While the most common option in the use of these soothing oils is a direct application to the body for them to work their magic and help the body to relax, they can also be used in another way. You can use a diffuser to ensure that you take full advantage of the oils even when you are in the office. With a portable diffuser, you will be set to enjoy your essential oils of choice a the press of a button. You can partake in the same thing when at home in the evening. Place the diffuser on the bedside table and take in the scent of the essential oils as you drift into slumberland.

2. Mood Elevating

Aside from helping you to destress, a diffuser can also be an excellent answer when you want to energize your moods, especially when you are in low spirits or depressed. The diffuser can uplift your feelings by creating a positive atmosphere. As such, you can have these gadgets running in your home. It can also prove useful in social gatherings or business meetings. You also can use the diffuser to create the perfect romantic moods for the special date night with that special someone. Visit this website to find out more on the mood elevating benefits of essential oils.

3. Ward Off Illness

Are you tired of have the flu, cold or other nasty illnesses and are trying the best you can to keep them at bay in your home or office? You can use aromatherapy to achieve your goal. You will need a diffuser and an array of recommended essential oils made for such a purpose. They have powerful anti-microbial elements that are released into the air that will combat the airborne pathogens that you inhale and invade your body triggering such illnesses. The oils can also be used to enhance your immunity. Moreover, the diffuser can also be used as a humidifier.

4. Helps You Breathe Easier

The use of essential oils in aromatherapy can be useful in reducing congestion and inflammation of airways so that you can breathe with ease. Diffusing the oils when in your bedroom ready to sleep is recommendable if you are prone to airborne allergens that trigger breathing disorders. Take note that your sinuses will open and this may necessitate having a box of tissue or a few clean handkerchiefs at hand to clear your running nose.

5. Pain Relief

In as much as some people will suggest the direct application of the essential oils on the aching part of the body, you can bolster the effects of doing this by using a diffuser to extend the gains of using the essential oil. As such, the aromatherapy can be useful in combating persistent pain such as sore joints, aching muscles, back pain, and headaches.

6. Improve Cognitive Function

Research shows that the quality of the air we breath can impact the health and functions of your brain. You can super-charge your brain cells by inhaling fumes of essential oils. The effects of this work on multiple levels. Most of the essential oils are adaptogenic, that means they can have a soothing effect and able to boost your moods when you are feeling down or stressed. You will get the diffuser running with your preferred oils, and the fumes released into the air will help uplift your moods and enhance your focus. Some of these oils can also be used to balance hormones in the body. Furthermore, researchers have also discovered that the use of some essential oils can help deal with various things that hamper cognitive function.

7. Safer Alternative To Candles And Incense

If you have small kids and pets, then burning incense and candles in your home poses significant risk. But you can avoid such hazardous practices by switching to the use of essential oil diffusers. You will manage to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy but without the risk of wax spills, fires, burns, or other incidents and accidents.

Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, Georgia: Hiking the Trails Down to Hemlock Falls and Cherokee Falls

I was born and raised in Fort Payne, Alabama in the 1980s and 90s. My dad’s side of the family lived just an hour on the other side of Lookout Mountain; near Chattanooga, Tennessee.

At least half a dozen times each year, we would drive to see that side of the family for get-togethers. A little past halfway of the trip, I would always notice a brown government sign advertising Cloudland Canyon State Park; just 3 miles to the left.

But being that we already lived next to the Little River Canyon Preserve and DeSoto State Park, we were already quite exposed to the Alabama side of Lookout Mountain’s natural wonders.

So as a kid, I never visited Cloudland Canyon State Park. It wasn’t until 3 years ago when I took my 5 year-old son (at the time), that I finally realized how awesome that place is.

Last weekend during Memorial Day Weekend, I decided to take a fun backroads Jeep ride with my now 8 year-old son and my dad.

We had heard you could hike down in the the canyon and check out some waterfalls.

And is exactly what we did.

It had the appeal of a theme park… except, it is an actual real park.

One of the highlights for my son is when we he was able to catch a crayfish at the bottom of one of the waterfalls.

Granted, this isn’t a hike for the faint of heart. It’s a 2 mile hike, but it’s straight down… and then you still have to hike back up.

But I am already looking forward to going back!

Dear Jack: The Crayfish You Caught at the Waterfall

8 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

Last Saturday morning, you and I went hiking with Papa at Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia; which is only 30 miles from Nana and Papa’s house.

We took a long hike down into the canyon, where we were able to check out some waterfalls.

It was in a puddle formed in conjunction to one of the waterfalls that you had a hunch that there might be a creature to catch.

Unbeknownst to me, you had proactively brought a bug container with you on our hike.

You were so proud of the crayfish you caught.

As we hiked back up to the top of the park, several of the hikers making their way down said to one another, “Look at one that boy caught… some kind of fish?”

That was pretty cool.

Love,

Daddy