Southern Indiana Living Magazine - July/August 2024
The July/August 2024 issue of Southern Indiana Living Magazine includes wedding venues, a local watercolor artist, and more!
The July/August 2024 issue of Southern Indiana Living Magazine includes wedding venues, a local watercolor artist, and more!
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Watercolor Beauty: Local Artist Cathy Hillegas<br />
<strong>Southern</strong><br />
<strong>Indiana</strong><br />
<strong>July</strong> / <strong>August</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
<strong>Living</strong><br />
The Barn @ Marengo Cave<br />
A Unique Wedding & Event Venue<br />
Plus:<br />
Summer Fun<br />
in So IN!
Honoring every<br />
moment together.<br />
Jacob’s wife, Emily, was his rock. When illness struck, Hosparus Health <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong><br />
became their lifeline. Our compassionate team provided dignified care, easing Emily’s pain<br />
and offering support to Jacob. If you’re on a similar journey, don’t wait. Call 812-945-4596,<br />
scan the QR code or visit HosparusHealth.org to experience our warmth and expertise.<br />
Because every moment matters — for your loved one, for you, for all of us.<br />
2 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong>
Missi Bush-Sawtelle, Owner<br />
812-267-3030<br />
MerryM Ledges L<br />
IN THE WOODS<br />
Rustic Wedding Facility<br />
www.MerryLedges.com<br />
• Charming • Private<br />
• Rustic • Unique<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 3
4 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong>
<strong>Southern</strong><br />
<strong>Indiana</strong><br />
<strong>Living</strong><br />
JULY / AUG <strong>2024</strong><br />
VOL. 17, ISSUE 4<br />
PUBLISHER |<br />
Karen Hanger<br />
karen@silivingmag.com<br />
LAYOUT & DESIGN |<br />
Christy Byerly<br />
christy@silivingmag.com<br />
COPY EDITOR |<br />
Jennifer Cash<br />
COPY EDITOR |<br />
Sara Combs<br />
ADVERTISING |<br />
Take advantage of prime<br />
advertising space. Call us at<br />
812-989-8871 or e-mail<br />
karen@silivingmag.com<br />
20<br />
Featured Stories<br />
12 | A MAGICIAN WITH A BRUSH<br />
Local artist Cathy Hillegas<br />
20 | THE BARNS AT MARENGO CAVE<br />
Unique, local wedding & event space<br />
SUBSCRIPTIONS |<br />
$25/year, Mail to: <strong>Southern</strong><br />
<strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong>, P.O. Box 145,<br />
Marengo, IN 47140<br />
Contact SIL<br />
P.O. Box 145<br />
Marengo, IN 47140<br />
812.989.8871<br />
karen@silivingmag.com<br />
ON THE COVER:<br />
Wedding bouquet / Andrew<br />
Angelov / shutterstock.com<br />
Check out more<br />
features and stories<br />
at www.silivingmag.com<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> is<br />
published bimonthly by SIL<br />
Publishing Co. LLC, P.O. Box<br />
145, Marengo, Ind. 47140. Any<br />
views expressed in any advertisement,<br />
signed letter, article,<br />
or photograph are those of<br />
the author and do not necessarily<br />
reflect the position of<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> or its<br />
parent company. Copyright ©<br />
2018 SIL Publishing Co. LLC.<br />
No part of this publication<br />
may be reproduced in any<br />
form without written permission<br />
from SIL Publishing Co.<br />
LLC.<br />
12<br />
20<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong><br />
In Every Issue<br />
7 | FLASHBACK<br />
In the News, Mauckport, IN, 1940<br />
11 | A NOTE TO BABY BOOMERS<br />
Man’s Best Friend<br />
27 | REAL LIFE NUTRITION<br />
Go with your gut<br />
29 | EVERYDAY ADVENTURES<br />
A Coyote Close Call<br />
JULY / AUG <strong>2024</strong><br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 5
Sunshine<br />
BRING HOME<br />
A LITTLE<br />
THE SPICE & TEA EXCHANGE ® OF NEW ALBANY<br />
115 EAST MARKET STREET, NEW ALBANY IN<br />
812.913.0111 · NEWALBANY@SPICEANDTEA.COM<br />
SPICES • BLENDS • TEAS • GIFTS • TEA BAR<br />
6 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong>
Flashback Photo<br />
In the News<br />
Mauckport, <strong>Indiana</strong><br />
ca. 1940<br />
// Photo courtesy of the Frederick Porter Griffin Center, Harrison County Public Library<br />
According to library records, a group gathered in front of Lucy Rogge’s store to discuss a newspaper article that reported<br />
the U.S. government might be purchasing land in the <strong>Southern</strong> part of Harrison County. Pictured are Grant Gary, Lucy<br />
Rogge, Herman McBride, and Clayborn Breese.<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 7
8 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong>
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 9
Discover What Makes Washington County a<br />
Great<br />
Destination!<br />
3rd Junior Rodeo of the Season<br />
<strong>July</strong> 6th | 9:00AM-1:00PM<br />
This is a very kid friendly environment. The events are designed for grade<br />
specific children.<br />
• Pre- Kindergarten Division<br />
• Kindergarten—2nd Grade Div.<br />
• 3rd Grade—5th Grade Division<br />
• 6th Grade—8th Grade Division<br />
The events are designed to prepare cowboys and cowgirls for future rodeos.<br />
We look forward to seeing past participants and meet new ones!<br />
For more information: sijra.org<br />
Pekin 194th Annual Independence Day Festival & Parade<br />
<strong>July</strong> 3rd & 4th | 9:00AM-1:00PM<br />
Pageants |Contests | Food and Craft | Youth Activities | Fireworks<br />
The Independence Day parade will begin at 10AM on <strong>July</strong> 4th.<br />
Parade Registration Deadline: June 28, <strong>2024</strong> at 5PM<br />
30th Annual Campbellsburg Country Festival<br />
Kick Off Event<br />
<strong>July</strong> 20th | 4PM-10PM<br />
Food, Music, Craft and Commercial Vendors | Fireworks Show<br />
174 E Vine Street | Campbellsburg, IN 4710<br />
216th Birthday Party at Beck’s Mill<br />
<strong>August</strong> 24th | 11AM<br />
Featuring The Corydon Dulcimer Society playing at 11:30am, birthday<br />
cake provided by Walmart, spinning, blacksmithing and tomahawk<br />
throwing.<br />
Parking Lot Activities: Blue River Fire Department will serve food<br />
(Pulled pork BBQ, Coleslaw, Baked beans and Chips). Craft and flea market<br />
vendors will be onsite. Beck’s Mill Moonshine History by Alan Bishop.<br />
Special adult admission of $2.16<br />
Contact Judy: 812-896-3447<br />
Be sure to check visitwashingtoncounty.org for more information and<br />
other events planned, or call 812-883-5533 to plan your trip!<br />
REMEDI PERMANENT MAKEUP<br />
& LASH EXTENSIONS<br />
BROWS EYELINER LIP BLUSHING<br />
LASHES<br />
LOCATED AT TAYLORD DESIGNS SALON & SPA<br />
695 HILLVIEW DRIVE | CORYDON, INDIANA<br />
812-267-2289<br />
10 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong>
A Note to Baby Boomers<br />
Man’s Best Friend<br />
I<br />
root through our nearest closet<br />
for a rawhide chew. Toby<br />
chomps the treat and I settle in<br />
at the desktop.<br />
Deadline looms.<br />
Every other month, the dog<br />
gnaws until his worn-out gums<br />
nearly bleed. While every other<br />
month this dog’s owner tries to<br />
write something readable. Journalism<br />
used to come easier.<br />
Then again, so did digesting<br />
food and hearing TV and everything<br />
else. I am old.<br />
Toby is older.<br />
I left out the part where Toby<br />
meets me at the closet door. He<br />
hears the beep of our relic coffee<br />
pot — only used, yes, every other<br />
month — and invariably recalls<br />
Dad is about to commit hours to<br />
emptying the dictionary.<br />
Toby just knows. He need not<br />
be beeped twice. I search for ideal<br />
adjectives and adverbs and Toby<br />
chews. I stop to check email and<br />
Toby chews.<br />
I get up for more coffee and<br />
Toby chews.<br />
Toby joined the family 12<br />
years ago, not long after I retired<br />
from full-time newspapering. I was<br />
around and he was around and<br />
in no time, we fell in love being<br />
around together.<br />
Mostly black, mostly herding<br />
dog, Toby was a rescue, a bit older<br />
than a puppy. He already had been<br />
through way too much, it seems.<br />
Move the wrong way, touch him at<br />
the wrong time, Toby might growl,<br />
possibly nip usually at the nearest<br />
foot. Not every day, not every<br />
month, but it happened from the<br />
start. It still does. Toby has his moments,<br />
his moods. For instance, no<br />
dog digs a vet visit, I figure. Then<br />
there’s Toby. He is on his way to being<br />
blacklisted at every clinic this<br />
side of Seymour.<br />
Toby is a dog who needs<br />
a therapy dog. Relatives think<br />
twice about visiting, though they<br />
shouldn’t. The grandkids likewise<br />
love Toby but love him more from<br />
across the room.<br />
To be groomed meant to be<br />
anesthetized.<br />
My last Toby mark — a thumb<br />
scrape — long since healed, I never<br />
hesitate to rub noses, to scratch ears<br />
or stop for a second believing this<br />
dog remains this man’s best friend.<br />
Toby is at my side not just through<br />
writing but through lunches and<br />
naps and book-club reads. His routines<br />
sync with mine.<br />
I feed him too much people<br />
food because he loves too much<br />
people food. Guess what, Toby resembles<br />
a beached manatee. But<br />
it makes me happy to make Toby<br />
happy. Sharing sandwiches and<br />
pizza and popcorn and animal<br />
crackers makes him happiest.<br />
He no longer can jump on<br />
our bed, which he also loved to<br />
share. He struggles to climb steps.<br />
He gave up taking neighborhood<br />
walks with my wife. Trimming<br />
nails is a dream. Hobbling even on<br />
his best days, the hips, the legs, they<br />
are not what they used to be.<br />
Whose are?<br />
I grew up an only child, officially.<br />
Reggie, our dog, was my<br />
brother, my confidant. Not all my<br />
friends’ families owned dogs. I did<br />
not understand why.<br />
I still do not.<br />
Dogs are absolutely, positively,<br />
always worth it — whatever it<br />
proves to be. Sure, they are costly<br />
and messy or sometimes do not<br />
fit every life situation or plan. And<br />
once in a while, a dog comes along<br />
that, yes, won’t always keep his<br />
teeth to himself.<br />
No matter, I can manage an occasional<br />
Band-Aid. Toby remains as<br />
loved, as welcome, as the first time<br />
he chewed through his leash. I hate<br />
that he does not have another dozen<br />
years to perk up when the coffeemaker<br />
beeps.<br />
I have written column by the<br />
thousands. Among those most<br />
memorable — to readers as well<br />
as to me — were ones honoring<br />
Toby’s predecessors. They, too, had<br />
their quirks. They also tested the<br />
Moss family hospitality. Suzi, Scarlett,<br />
Christopher, Duffy, Hershey,<br />
George, Friday, each became my<br />
favorite until the next came along.<br />
One after another after another,<br />
the family dog greeted me at the<br />
door, licked the dinner plates, shed<br />
until vacuum cleaners wore out. My<br />
children are not like me in a way or<br />
two or 37. But both likewise love<br />
dogs, have more than one. Neither<br />
kid considered the alternative.<br />
Like now, I wrote then about<br />
my dogs so readers would be reminded<br />
of theirs. I shared the anguish<br />
of that is-this-the-end decision.<br />
Readers, strangers, called me<br />
in tears to relive their own heartbreak.<br />
Adopt again when ready, they<br />
urged, I urged. For every void there<br />
Toby joined the family 12 years ago, not long<br />
after I retired from full-time newspapering. I<br />
was around and he was around and in no time,<br />
we fell in love being around together.<br />
is another dog — too many — every<br />
bit as lovable as was the last. I<br />
offer decades of proof.<br />
Toby is part of the proof. He<br />
is far sweeter than screwed up. He<br />
cares far more than he threatens. He<br />
leaves be the cat. I feel blessed for<br />
every day Toby wakes up from my<br />
bedside. I want that feeling to go on<br />
and on and, of course, it will not.<br />
He still eats like crazy, though.<br />
He still lets himself in and out of the<br />
dog yard’s door, still hoots and hollers<br />
at the barks of neighbor pets. I<br />
relish these signs.<br />
I want to grow older with Toby,<br />
grow grumpier and slower and<br />
grayer. There are more columns to<br />
write, after all, more bones to chew<br />
and more coffee to drink.•<br />
After 25 years, Dale Moss<br />
retired as <strong>Indiana</strong> columnist<br />
for The Courier-Journal. He<br />
now writes weekly for the<br />
News and Tribune. Dale and<br />
his wife Jean live in Jeffersonville<br />
in a house that has been<br />
in his family since the Civil War. Dale’s e-mail<br />
is dale.moss@twc.com<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 11
Artists of <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong><br />
12 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong><br />
“Autumn Fire,” a watercolor by Cathy Hillegas // Photo by Cathy Hillegas<br />
A Magician with a Brush<br />
Students enrolled in Cathy<br />
Hillegas’ advanced watercolor<br />
class at Arts Alliance of<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> (AASI)<br />
on Market Street in New Albany are<br />
grateful to be there, learning with a<br />
Master.<br />
Advanced student and artist<br />
Judy Wasson summed up her experience:<br />
“My skills have taken a leap<br />
forward under Cathy’s guidance.<br />
She is a generous and constructive<br />
teacher who brings out each student’s<br />
unique gifts.”<br />
A former student and artist,<br />
Cathy Thorpe, saluted Hillegas’<br />
talent: “She is a magician with a<br />
brush.”<br />
For Hillegas, teaching is as rewarding<br />
as painting. The two activities<br />
do not compete in her life. “In<br />
order to teach, I have to learn,” Hillegas<br />
said, “so teaching pushes me<br />
to grow as an artist. It is also gratifying<br />
to watch my students move<br />
forward. When a student sells a<br />
work or gets accepted into a show,<br />
I am elated, proud of their achievement.”<br />
The classroom space at AASI<br />
appeals to Hillegas, who often<br />
paints there after class.<br />
“The light is first-rate,” she<br />
said. “There is a monarch garden<br />
on the grounds that I have often<br />
photographed and painted, and it<br />
is quiet.”<br />
Hillegas has been teaching<br />
watercolor painting classes for 24<br />
years. She began teaching at Preston<br />
Arts Center in New Albany in<br />
2000.<br />
“I was invited to teach the<br />
same watercolor class in which I<br />
had been a student,” Hillegas said.<br />
When that business closed 12 years<br />
ago, she taught at the Mary Anderson<br />
Center for the Arts at Mount<br />
St. Francis and other venues before<br />
settling at AASI.<br />
Painting is not Hillegas’ first<br />
career. She pursed counseling, interpreting<br />
for the deaf and writing<br />
in her younger years. But painting<br />
and drawing were always part of<br />
her life.<br />
“Both of my parents loved to<br />
draw and paint and encouraged me<br />
to do the same,” she said.<br />
The story of how she turned<br />
back to art and became a full-time<br />
artist is fascinating. Her mother<br />
had been captivated by a watercolor<br />
painting of a mill, offered for<br />
sale at an art show at Spring Mill<br />
Park. Hillegas, then around 37, secretly<br />
purchased the painting as a<br />
Christmas gift for her mother. As<br />
she waited for Christmas to arrive,<br />
she studied the artwork.<br />
“I decided that I wanted to<br />
learn to paint like that; it was a powerful<br />
feeling,” she said. When Hillegas<br />
gave her mother the gift, her<br />
mother offered, in return, to pay for<br />
the two of them to take watercolor<br />
classes. “After those classes,” Hillegas<br />
said, “I was hooked.”<br />
Within a few years of that first<br />
watercolor class in 1993, Hillegas<br />
Watercolor artist Cathy Hillegas<br />
Story by Judy Cato<br />
Photos by Lorraine Hughes (except where noted)<br />
began winning contests and awards<br />
and was invited to exhibit her work<br />
in some prestigious art shows.<br />
In 2020, her painting “Rise<br />
Up” was accepted into the National<br />
Watercolor Society’s 100th International<br />
Exhibition. In 2021, her work<br />
“Autumn Fire” was accepted into<br />
the 101st exhibition, only this time<br />
she received the Winsor & Newton<br />
Award and was granted signature<br />
status in the National Watercolor<br />
Society.<br />
“Rise Up” is a painting of bare
white sycamore branches against<br />
a bright blue winter sky filled with<br />
light that cascades over the tree, revealing<br />
minute details of the bark.<br />
“I am particularly drawn to<br />
objects or scenes that are filled with<br />
light,” Hillegas said. “Light transforms<br />
the mundane, making colors<br />
glow, illuminating details and causing<br />
unexpected color to spill into<br />
shadow. For example, I had passed<br />
by that tree every day for years, without<br />
paying much attention, until one<br />
day the light was brilliant. I grabbed<br />
my camera and immediately began<br />
snapping shots.”<br />
Hillegas eventually spent over<br />
200 hours painting the complex<br />
composition.<br />
The reference photos for “Autumn<br />
Fire” were taken while Hillegas<br />
was hiking at Mount St. Francis.<br />
“I have loved spending time<br />
outdoors in nature since childhood,”<br />
she said. “Family time often<br />
included long walks in the woods<br />
where my father would teach me<br />
the names of wildflowers and trees.<br />
I have developed a spiritual connection<br />
to nature.”<br />
Jim Book, Owner<br />
Artist Cathy Hillegas<br />
“I am particularly drawn to objects or scenes that<br />
are filled with light. Light transforms the mundane,<br />
making colors glow, illuminating details and causing<br />
unexpected color to spill into shadow.<br />
- Cathy Hillegas<br />
“Sun-filled,” a watercolor by Cathy Hillegas<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 13
This is evident in her painting<br />
and in her conversation. When<br />
asked if her paintings have more<br />
detail and more color than can actually<br />
be found in nature, she is firm<br />
about nature’s splendor: “If you really<br />
look at nature, you will see so<br />
much color, even in the shadows. If<br />
you look, you will see it,” she said.<br />
One of the judges for the Winsor<br />
& Newton Award referred to<br />
Hillegas’ painting as “hyperrealism,”<br />
a genre of painting that looks<br />
like a high-resolution photo. When<br />
Hillegas takes the reference photos<br />
for her paintings, she sometimes<br />
holds the camera just a few inches<br />
from the object, zooming in to capture<br />
the most intimate details of the<br />
natural world.<br />
The process by which Hillegas<br />
creates a painting is both painstaking<br />
and intuitive. She begins with a<br />
detailed drawing, very lightly penciled<br />
because watercolor will not<br />
hide pencil marks.<br />
“The key to creating the effect<br />
of light in a watercolor is to leave<br />
the white paper untouched,” Hillegas<br />
said. “White paint will not<br />
achieve the same effect. It makes<br />
the painting chalky.”<br />
So, she begins the painting<br />
by applying a masking fluid to the<br />
parts of the painting where she<br />
wants to keep the paper dry and<br />
free of paint — where she wants<br />
light. After applying the masking<br />
fluid, pale colors are painted first,<br />
and darker colors last. While each<br />
layer is drying, Hillegas thinks<br />
about the painting.<br />
“I am not a fast painter,” she<br />
said. “I spend as much time stepping<br />
back and thinking about the<br />
piece as I do applying paint.” Perhaps<br />
this is the point where her<br />
brush with magic happens. •<br />
The watercolors of Cathy Hillegas will<br />
be on display in her solo show, “Chasing<br />
the Light,”at Harrison County Arts in<br />
Corydon from <strong>July</strong> 12 to Sept. 7. There<br />
will be an opening reception for this<br />
show on Saturday, <strong>July</strong> 13, from 5:30<br />
to 7:30 p.m. You can also check out her<br />
work at cathyhillegas.com.<br />
Pictured: (top) “Pink Water Lillies,” a watercolor by<br />
Cathy Hillegas.<br />
14 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong>
Seamless transfers and transitions between<br />
Norton Healthcare and Harrison County Hospital ensure<br />
that your follow up care and<br />
rehabilitation can be delivered here,<br />
in the community that you live.<br />
Visit us at<br />
www.hchin.org<br />
+123-465-7980<br />
Call Us<br />
(812) 738-4251<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 15
Compassionate Care When It’s Needed Most<br />
Story and photos submitted by Hosparus of <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong><br />
“I want all families to have access<br />
to the same compassionate<br />
care my parents had.”<br />
Beth and Tony Jenkins<br />
experienced the profound impact<br />
of Hosparus Health over 20 years<br />
ago when Beth’s mother, Marcella<br />
Sheets, was diagnosed with lung<br />
cancer. Initially unfamiliar with<br />
hospice care, the family found immense<br />
comfort and guidance from<br />
the Hosparus team. The compassionate<br />
support they received during<br />
this challenging time left a lasting<br />
impression on their hearts.<br />
A Family Affair<br />
Following their experience,<br />
the Jenkins family became involved<br />
in Hosparus Health’s “Dancing<br />
with our <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> Stars”<br />
fundraiser. This annual event offers<br />
local support to ensure hospice<br />
care is accessible for everyone in<br />
the community, regardless of their<br />
financial situation.<br />
Rex, Beth’s father, was known<br />
for bringing people together. As<br />
owner of Ernie’s Tavern in New<br />
Albany, friends gravitated around<br />
him. Rex also cherished intimate<br />
family gatherings that he affectionately<br />
called “Whiskey Saturdays.”<br />
The COVID-19 pandemic influenced<br />
the drive-by party for<br />
Rex’s 87th birthday celebration.<br />
Deep down, he appeared to know<br />
it might be his last, saying, “This is<br />
the end of the trail for me.”<br />
Compassionate Care<br />
A month later, Rex received<br />
a terminal cancer diagnosis. The<br />
family, familiar with the benefits<br />
of early hospice intervention, immediately<br />
reached out to Hosparus<br />
Health. From the moment the team<br />
arrived, the family was treated<br />
with the utmost respect and kindness.<br />
Tony reflected, “They become<br />
embedded into your family – they<br />
were family.”<br />
During a cherished Whiskey<br />
Saturday gathering several months<br />
later, Rex passed away with Beth by<br />
his side. She noted feeling a sense<br />
of comfort in believing her father<br />
was at peace and reunited with her<br />
mother. She was grateful to lean<br />
on her hospice team for support at<br />
each stage.<br />
“Everything happened so fast<br />
when my mom was in care that I<br />
didn’t appreciate the full scope of<br />
its services,” Beth shared. “Hosparus<br />
Health’s hospice care made a<br />
huge difference in the quality of life<br />
my dad experienced after his cancer<br />
diagnosis. Their focus was on<br />
supporting our entire family as we<br />
faced his final days. With their help,<br />
my dad spent his time exactly as he<br />
wanted – comfortably at home surrounded<br />
by loved ones.” •<br />
Anyone can contact Hosparus Health<br />
to inquire about our services and determine<br />
the level of care that’s right<br />
for you or your loved one’s serious illness.<br />
Simply call 812-945-4596 or visit<br />
https://hosparushealth.org/schedule-aconsultation/<br />
Change a life, even your own... lend a helping<br />
hand to patients and families right here<br />
in Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson,<br />
Orange, Scott, and Washington counties<br />
navigating serious illnesses. We have upcoming<br />
training sessions on <strong>July</strong> 24, September 24,<br />
and November 18 at our New Albany office.<br />
To sign-up. please email Vonya Gresham at<br />
vgresham@hosparus.org.<br />
16 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong>
We Are More Than Just<br />
A Flower Shop<br />
Jessica Bliss<br />
Owner<br />
411 Capitol Plaza<br />
Corydon, IN 47112<br />
812-738-7556<br />
CorydonFlorist.com<br />
E<br />
L<br />
C<br />
E<br />
FINANCING AND PAYMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE<br />
C<br />
E<br />
T<br />
L<br />
C O<br />
R<br />
I<br />
C<br />
L<br />
A<br />
CELCO Electric, LLC.<br />
Electric & Generator Contractor<br />
Industrial | Commercial | Residential<br />
Don Collette, ME/EE<br />
President/GM/Owner<br />
Toll Free: 888-657-4877<br />
Email: info@celcollc.net<br />
Lic# ME10800-CE10801-KY<br />
Lic# 0536-E/2015465-IN<br />
LICENSED, INSURED, BONDED<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 17
VANWINKLE<br />
Family Fun Awaits!<br />
• ALIGNMENTS<br />
• OIL CHANGE<br />
• TIRES<br />
812-347-3134<br />
CALL RAMSEY TODAY!<br />
Let’s Make Memories!<br />
#MyFrenchLick | 812-936-3418 | vflwb.com<br />
Do you know someone<br />
scheduled for elective<br />
surgery, such as joint<br />
replacement, who may<br />
require short-term<br />
rehabilitation or<br />
post-acute care?<br />
CLARKSVILLE<br />
Clark Rehabilitation &<br />
Skilled Nursing Center<br />
517 N. Little League Blvd.<br />
Riverview Village<br />
586 Eastern Blvd.<br />
One quick call and we<br />
can match you with a<br />
location that best fits<br />
your needs!<br />
Important Pre-Surgery Planning<br />
Scan QR codes with your cell phone camera to take a Virtual Tour<br />
of any of our Clarksville communities!<br />
Care Coordination Center<br />
here when you need us:<br />
888-996-8272 ASCCare.com<br />
Visit ASCCare.com for more information about locations, services and career opportunities.<br />
JEFFERSONVILLE<br />
Hillcrest Village<br />
203 Sparks Ave.<br />
LEAVENWORTH<br />
Todd-Dickey Nursing<br />
& Rehabilitation<br />
712 W. 2nd St.<br />
SCOTTSBURG<br />
Hickory Creek<br />
at Scottsburg<br />
1100 N. Gardner St.<br />
Lake Pointe Village<br />
545 W. Moonglo Rd.<br />
18 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong><br />
CLK-mkt 7.5x4.75_SInd<strong>Living</strong>Mag-PreSurgery_06.24.indd 1<br />
6/13/24 11:33 AM
In 2023, the Harrison County Community Foundation (HCCF) awarded $4.3 million<br />
in grants and scholarships, honoring our mission to enhance the quality of life in<br />
Harrison County, <strong>Indiana</strong>, making it the best place to live, work, and raise a family.<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 19
Events in So IN<br />
The Barns at Marengo Cave<br />
A new wedding and events venue for simply elegant celebrations<br />
Story and Photos submitted by The Barns at Marengo Cave<br />
20 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong><br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> welcomes<br />
an elegant and unique addition<br />
to its wedding and<br />
events scene with the opening<br />
of The Barns at Marengo Cave.<br />
Nestled just a few yards from<br />
Marengo Cave in Marengo, Ind.,<br />
this venue promises unparalleled<br />
charm and versatility for those<br />
seeking the perfect setting for their<br />
celebration.<br />
The Barns boasts 4,800 square<br />
feet of elegant space, with two lofts<br />
overlooking the main venue area.<br />
Privately owned and operated with<br />
a genuine commitment to serving<br />
its guests, The Barns offers a unique<br />
blend of simplicity and sophistication.<br />
“We set out to create a unique<br />
experience where people could relax<br />
and enjoy their celebration,”<br />
says Steve Calhoun, owner of both<br />
The Barns and Marengo Cave. “Our<br />
venue combines the rustic charm of<br />
a newly constructed barn with the<br />
timeless elegance of open lofted<br />
ceilings and beautiful chandeliers.<br />
It’s the perfect canvas for unforgettable<br />
receptions, weddings, and<br />
other events.”<br />
The Barns integrates indoor<br />
and outdoor spaces. The expansive<br />
veranda, surrounded by rolling<br />
fields, a tranquil lake, and lush<br />
greenery, offers a picturesque backdrop<br />
for any event. There is even a<br />
fire pit surrounded by comfortable<br />
Adirondack chairs. All spaces are<br />
included in the easy package pricing.<br />
“We wanted our clients to<br />
have the flexibility and freedom to<br />
customize their celebrations and<br />
reflect their own style and vision,”<br />
Calhoun continued.<br />
Adding to its allure is the<br />
proximity to Marengo Cave, one<br />
of <strong>Indiana</strong>’s most visited natural<br />
attractions and a designated U.S.<br />
The expansive veranda, surrounded by rolling<br />
fields, a tranquil lake, and lush greenery, offers a<br />
picturesque backdrop for any event. There is even<br />
a fire pit surrounded by comfortable Adirondacks.<br />
National Natural Landmark. For<br />
couples seeking something truly<br />
unique, The Barns offers the option<br />
of hosting weddings inside the<br />
cave. Weddings in the cave provide<br />
a backdrop of unparalleled beauty<br />
and enchantment. Soft, ambient<br />
lighting and natural acoustics create<br />
a magical setting. Exchanging<br />
vows in the cave promises to be an<br />
unforgettable experience for couples<br />
and guests alike.<br />
“We wanted to offer more than<br />
just a venue. We wanted to create<br />
lasting memories,” adds Calhoun.<br />
“We are committed to personalized<br />
service and attention to detail.<br />
We’ve tried to make the process of<br />
planning easy and stress-free.”<br />
Decorations, tables, chairs and<br />
serving ware are included in the
price. The Barns offers catering but<br />
clients are also welcome to bring in<br />
their own food.<br />
Whether it’s a wedding, anniversary,<br />
birthday, dance, meeting,<br />
or solar eclipse party, The Barns at<br />
Marengo Cave ensures that every<br />
event is an unforgettable celebration.<br />
Located just 45 minutes west<br />
of Louisville, Ky., 1.5 hours east of<br />
Evansville, and a quick two-hour<br />
drive south of <strong>Indiana</strong>polis, The<br />
Barns can accommodate up to 200<br />
guests.•<br />
To learn or to book your event, visit<br />
TheBarnsatMarengoCave.com or contact<br />
812-365-2705 or RO@Marengo-<br />
Cave.com.
22 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong>
COMETOCRAWFORD.COM/PLANAVISIT<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 23
WE BECAME CHAMPIONS FOR<br />
CRAWFORD COUNTY.<br />
CONTACT US TO MAKE YOUR<br />
CONTRIBUTION TRIPLE IN VALUE<br />
WITH A $2 MATCH FOR EVERY $1<br />
GIFT OF ANY SIZE TO ANY EXISTING<br />
OR NEW UNRESTRICTED<br />
COMMUNITY GRANTMAKING FUND.<br />
CALL US TODAY AT<br />
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OR GO TO<br />
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SUSAN & MARK MASON<br />
TRIPLE THE VALUE OF YOUR GIVING.<br />
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Brandon Stevens, Sales Specialist<br />
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Mark Stevens, Agent<br />
Brandon All Lines Stevens, Sales Specialist<br />
Mark Stevens, Agency Agent LLC<br />
- All Lines<br />
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Mark All Lines<br />
Stevens Agency LLC<br />
Bus: Mark (812) Stevens 283-8600 Agency LLC<br />
Mark R Stevens Agency LLC<br />
Bus: (812) 283-8600<br />
2066 Mark Old Stevens Highway Agency 135 NwLLC<br />
Bus: 2940 (812) Holmans 283-8600 Ln Ste Let us HeLp protect Your dreAms.<br />
2066 Corydon, 2066 Old Old IN Highway Highway 47112 135 135 Nw<br />
Nw<br />
2940 Holmans Ln Ste C<br />
2940 Jeffersonville, Holmans IN Ln 47130 Ste Corydon, IN 47112<br />
Jeffersonville, IN 47130<br />
Corydon, Bus: (812) IN 734-0612 47112<br />
Jeffersonville, mstevens@amfam.com IN 47130<br />
Bus:<br />
Bus: Brandon (812) 734-0612<br />
(812) 734-0612<br />
Stevens, Sales Specialist<br />
mstevens@amfam.com<br />
mstevens@amfam.com<br />
Mark Stevens, Agent<br />
- All Lines<br />
Mark R Stevens Agency LLC<br />
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Bus: (812) 283-8600<br />
2066 Old Highway 135 Nw<br />
2940 Holmans Ln Ste C<br />
24-Hour cLAims reporting customer service 1-800-mYAmfAm (692-6326)<br />
Corydon, IN 24-Hour 47112 cLAims reporting & customer service 1-800-mYAmfAm Jeffersonville, (692-6326)<br />
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American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and Its Operating Companies, American Family Insurance Company, American Family Life Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783<br />
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Brandon Stevens, Sales Specialist<br />
- All Lines<br />
Home | Auto | Life | Business | fArm Mark & rAncH<br />
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24-Hour cLAims reporting & customer service 1-800-mYAmfAm Mark R Stevens (692-6326)<br />
Agency LLC<br />
Bus: (812) 283-8600
Hot Outside?<br />
Come in to spend<br />
FREE time researching<br />
YOUR local information!<br />
Quality, Integrity, and Knowledge Matter<br />
When Buying Hemp Products<br />
812 Hemp is <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong>’s premier hemp education<br />
wellness center. We offer the largest variety of local, quality<br />
CBD/hemp products in store and online.<br />
Crawford County Historical & Genealogical Society<br />
Tuesdays & Thursdays 11 AM–2 PM<br />
310 Oak Hill Circle, English, IN | CCHGS.org<br />
Reserve, Kick Back, and Enjoy!<br />
The Hawk’s Nest<br />
The Eagle’s Nest<br />
(812) 968-4334 | BigTimberRiverCabins.com<br />
Overlooking the Scenic Ohio River<br />
319 E. Lewis and Clark Pkwy | Clarksville, IN 47129<br />
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Talk to your<br />
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then talk<br />
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812-736-3928<br />
Theresa J Lamb Ins Agency Inc<br />
Theresa Lamb, Agent<br />
1523 State Street<br />
New Albany, IN 47150<br />
Bus: 812-945-8088<br />
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26 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong>
Real Life Nutrition<br />
Go with your Gut<br />
Have you ever given much<br />
thought to your gut health?<br />
If you haven’t, it might be<br />
time to start! Gut health<br />
affects many aspects of the body, including<br />
sleep; digestion; allergies; the<br />
immune system; mental health; autoimmune<br />
diseases; and the risks of diabetes,<br />
cardiovascular diseases and cancer.<br />
There are about 200 different species<br />
of bacteria, viruses and fungi that<br />
live in your large intestine and are<br />
known as the microbiome. They help<br />
to break down and digest food for your<br />
body. There may be both good and bad<br />
bacteria in your gut. The diversity of<br />
the gut microbiome can indicate overall<br />
health.<br />
Symptoms of poor gut health can<br />
include gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea,<br />
heartburn, fatigue, trouble sleeping,<br />
anxiety and frequent illnesses.<br />
The gut microbiome can be affected<br />
by things we cannot control, such as<br />
environment, age and the circumstances<br />
of our birth. However, it can also be<br />
affected by things within our control,<br />
such as stress, limited sleep, inactivity,<br />
smoking, alcohol use and antibiotic use.<br />
How could you improve your gut<br />
health? Try eating a healthy diet, including<br />
fibrous fruits, vegetables and legumes;<br />
getting exercise; reducing stress;<br />
getting adequate sleep; avoiding antibiotics<br />
as preventative care; and increasing<br />
water intake. (Refer to <strong>Southern</strong><br />
<strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> magazine’s November/<br />
December 2023 issue, where dietitian<br />
Bailey Lankster discusses ways to add<br />
fiber to your diet.)<br />
Probiotics and prebiotics are<br />
supplements growing in popularity to<br />
help improve gut health. Prebiotics are<br />
a nondigestible food ingredient that<br />
promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms<br />
in the intestines and can<br />
be found in foods such as legumes, oats,<br />
bananas, berries, garlic, onions and asparagus.<br />
Probiotics are live microorganisms,<br />
such as those found in yogurt,<br />
kefir, sauerkraut and other fermented<br />
foods. Due to the wide variety of prebiotics<br />
and probiotics found in food,<br />
supplementation is not always necessary.<br />
Consult a health professional prior<br />
to beginning any supplements.<br />
No matter which route you take,<br />
paying attention to your gut health<br />
could be beneficial to your long-term<br />
health!<br />
•<br />
Do you have a food, nutrition or cooking<br />
question you’d like answered by one of our<br />
experts? If so, send your query to katharine.<br />
perkins@bhsi.com. It may be answered in a<br />
future issue!<br />
About the Author<br />
Kate Perkins, MS, RD,<br />
LD is a clinical dietitian<br />
at Baptist Health Floyd<br />
in New Albany, <strong>Indiana</strong>.<br />
She graduated from<br />
University of Kentucky<br />
and completed her internship<br />
in Lexington,<br />
Kentucky. Although she has practiced in a<br />
variety of settings in the past 11 years, she<br />
finds most joy in clinical nutrition applying<br />
evidenced based practices to improve patient<br />
care. In her spare time, she loves reading,<br />
staying active and trying local restaurants.<br />
Tired of joint pain?<br />
Want to avoid surgery?<br />
joint and nerve pain in the back, shoulders, knees and hips.<br />
Avoid the knife and call 812-949-3482<br />
for a second opinion or consultation today!<br />
NOW OPEN! 708 Highlander Point Drive, Floyds Knobs, IN 47119<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 27
Personal Counseling Service<br />
Unmasking Mental Health<br />
Personal Counseling Services’ annual<br />
The Norman Melhiser Samaritan<br />
Awards Gala will occur<br />
on <strong>August</strong> 15, <strong>2024</strong> at Huber’s<br />
Winery Plantation Hall. If you would<br />
like to see amazing people and organizations<br />
receive prestigious awards recognizing<br />
their selfless accomplishments,<br />
join us to celebrate them. Our community<br />
judges had a difficult task choosing<br />
only one winner in four categories. The<br />
judges commented, “all of the nominees<br />
were worthy of an award”. All of<br />
the nominees were stellar but only one<br />
could be selected in each category.<br />
AWARD WINNERS<br />
Personal Counseling Services Award<br />
of Excellence (First Responder/Healthcare)<br />
- Officer Chris Bartley<br />
Nancy & John Keck Award of Excellence<br />
(Non-Profit) - The Mustard Seed<br />
Les & Virginia Albro Award of Excellence<br />
(For-Profit) - Family Time, Inc.<br />
Alice and Richard Schleicher Award of<br />
Excellence (Individual) – Jessica Sawyer<br />
Mental health touches everyone in<br />
one way or another; at home, work or<br />
play. When we have a physical concern<br />
we have no problem sharing that with<br />
others. Why do we have concerns about<br />
expressing how we are feeling mentally<br />
or emotionally? Our theme this year is<br />
Unmasking Mental Health.<br />
According to the Newport Institute<br />
we all mask our true feelings at<br />
times to hide our vulnerability. Even<br />
though we may be worried about money,<br />
angry at a friend, blue from a breakup,<br />
or exhausted with work, or grieving<br />
over the loss of a loved one we still<br />
answer “Fine”, “I’m Okay” or “Good”<br />
when people ask how we are. We are<br />
afraid of how we will be perceived; will<br />
I be accepted or shunned? We ask ourselves,<br />
do people really want to know<br />
how we are doing?<br />
People with mental health issues<br />
may routinely hide their true emotions<br />
28 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong><br />
beneath a “mask.” Over time, the consequences<br />
of concealing their real feelings<br />
can be detrimental to their well-being.<br />
This is known as mental health masking.<br />
Hiding our true feelings can result<br />
in physical conditions such as; elevated<br />
blood pressure; over eating or eating<br />
disorders; anger and many other health<br />
conditions. Our mind, body and spirit<br />
are all interconnected and when one is<br />
out of alignment so are the others.<br />
Key Takeaways<br />
• Mental health masking means camouflaging<br />
or suppressing your mental<br />
health symptoms so you fit in with others.<br />
• People mask their mental health<br />
symptoms because they want to maintain<br />
their relationships, keep their jobs,<br />
and be socially accepted.<br />
• It can be hard to identify mental health<br />
masking because people who mask<br />
behave as if they don’t have a mental<br />
health issue.<br />
• Long-term masking can increase<br />
stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal<br />
thoughts and behavior, especially<br />
among those with autism.<br />
People who are unconsciously denying<br />
their distress and don’t seek treatment<br />
may eventually experience a mental<br />
health crisis. If you genuinely care<br />
about someone and ask them how they<br />
are doing, be prepared to listen to what<br />
they desire to share because it could<br />
change their life and yours. Everyone<br />
needs someone to listen and know that<br />
they are cared for without judgment.<br />
Come join us to celebrate our<br />
award winners, to Unmask Mental<br />
Health and raise money for those who<br />
are marginalized, at-risk or traumatized<br />
and have no insurance to get help desperately<br />
they need. Your support may<br />
truly save a life.<br />
There will be a Live Auction with<br />
some amazing Florida condos, beautiful<br />
Jewelry donated by Kinkade Jewelers<br />
and a Silent Auction. Hear the Jamey<br />
Aebersold Quartet and enjoy an evening<br />
with our amazing emcee, Dawne<br />
Gee, WAVE-TV Anchor.<br />
Individual seats are $150, a Table<br />
Sponsorship with 10 seats is $1,500 and<br />
other sponsorship levels are available.<br />
For more information contact Doug<br />
Drake via e-mail: ddrake@pcs-counseling.org<br />
or call 812.206.4273.
M<br />
y cat, Fluff, is not exactly<br />
a skilled hunter. In the 12<br />
years we’ve had him, I<br />
think I’ve only seen him<br />
catch one mole and one bird. That’s it.<br />
Not exactly an apex predator.<br />
When a groundhog or a raccoon<br />
turns up, he completely ignores them. If<br />
a chipmunk runs through our yard, he<br />
may stalk it for a minute, but he’s not<br />
ambitious enough to actually chase it<br />
down. That would require effort, and<br />
most of his effort goes into finding a<br />
sunny spot to take a nap.<br />
That’s why I was so surprised last<br />
week when I saw him on the prowl. I<br />
was working out in our living room<br />
early one morning, and I’d just let him<br />
out. A few minutes later, I glanced out<br />
the patio door and saw him crouched<br />
down, laser-focused on something<br />
across the yard.<br />
I didn’t think much of it at first. I<br />
figured it was a squirrel or something.<br />
Then I noticed he was slinking<br />
toward whatever had caught his attention.<br />
Since he was actually moving,<br />
I thought I’d better check it out before<br />
things turned ugly. I had no idea how<br />
right I was.<br />
Several years ago, I built a wooden<br />
clubhouse in the back corner of our<br />
yard for my kids. The playhouse is on<br />
the top level, but the first floor is open<br />
with three hammock chairs suspended<br />
from the ceiling. That’s exactly where<br />
Fluff was headed.<br />
When I looked out at the clubhouse,<br />
I expected to see a rodent or a<br />
bird, but instead I saw a coyote. It was<br />
just sniffing around the hammocks,<br />
looking for its next meal, which was<br />
about to be my cat.<br />
By the time I got outside, Fluff was<br />
about halfway across the yard, going in<br />
for the kill. I knew I only had seconds<br />
before the fur started flying.<br />
I ran out onto the patio and yelled,<br />
“Fluff, get back here,” which, of course,<br />
was dumb because that cat has never<br />
once come when I called him. Why did I<br />
think he would start now?<br />
Thankfully, though, it was enough<br />
to startle the coyote, and he bolted over<br />
the neighbors’ fence.<br />
Fluff, a cat who doesn’t even have<br />
his front claws, would never know<br />
just how close he came to meeting his<br />
maker. In fact, from his point of view,<br />
he probably thinks he scared the coyote<br />
away. In his little cat brain, that mangy<br />
mutt had invaded his yard, and, like a<br />
A Coyote Close Call<br />
marshal in the old West, he went out<br />
and took care of business.<br />
The reality, though, is that the<br />
coyote couldn’t have cared less about<br />
the foolhardy feline stalking him in the<br />
grass. It was the guy behind the cat who<br />
made the difference.<br />
But try telling Fluff that. Despite<br />
“Fluff the cat<br />
the fact that he was clearly outmatched,<br />
I will never get credit for saving the<br />
day. Cats aren’t exactly known for their<br />
gratitude, so it’s to be expected. Unfortunately,<br />
sometimes I see the same attitude<br />
operating in myself.<br />
How many times have I found<br />
myself in a jam, been bailed out by God,<br />
and failed to give Him credit? I’m sure<br />
there are far too many times when I’ve<br />
chalked up something going well to my<br />
own skill, wisdom, effort or just dumb<br />
luck rather than acknowledging the<br />
good God who is operating behind the<br />
scenes and helping me do things I could<br />
never do on my own.<br />
James 1:17 says, “Every good and<br />
perfect gift is from above” (NIV). I say<br />
I believe that, but do I really live like<br />
it? Sometimes, I don’t even stop to say,<br />
“Thank You, God!” Other times, even<br />
when I do, I don’t really take the time to<br />
reflect on what a big deal it was that the<br />
God who created the universe loved me<br />
enough to intervene on my behalf.<br />
That truth shouldn’t just change<br />
my circumstances, it should change my<br />
heart.<br />
Yes, in this sin-broken world, bad<br />
things happen that don’t make a whole<br />
lot of sense, but what about the good<br />
Everyday Adventures<br />
things that happen that don’t make a<br />
whole lot of sense either?<br />
Like my cat, we don’t always appreciate<br />
how much God has helped us,<br />
because we have no idea how close we<br />
may have come to disaster. His very intervention<br />
sometimes prevents us from<br />
seeing how He saved the day.<br />
If a chipmunk runs<br />
through our yard,<br />
he may stalk it<br />
for a minute, but<br />
he’s not ambitious<br />
enough to actually<br />
chase it down.<br />
That would require<br />
effort, and most of<br />
his effort goes into<br />
finding a sunny<br />
spot to take a nap.<br />
I don’t think we’ll ever know this<br />
side of heaven how many times God<br />
has protected us, provided for us and<br />
answered the prayers of those who have<br />
been praying for us from a distance.<br />
Why does this matter? Because not only<br />
does God deserve praise and gratitude,<br />
but this awareness of God’s activity in<br />
our lives helps us trust Him for the future.<br />
When I recognize the presence of<br />
the One who has helped me through so<br />
many struggles in the past, I really do<br />
begin to believe that there is nothing I<br />
will ever face alone. •<br />
Jason Byerly is a writer, pastor, husband and<br />
dad who loves the quirky surprises God<br />
sends his way every day. You can read more<br />
from Jason in his books Tales from the Leaf Pile<br />
and Holiday Road. You can catch up with Jason<br />
on his blog at www.jasonbyerly.com.<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 29
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30 • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong>
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Indiana</strong> <strong>Living</strong> • <strong>July</strong>/Aug <strong>2024</strong> • 31
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