4 | AUGUST 3 • 2023 

for openers

A Wordy Workout
P

ilates? Jogging? 
Calisthenics? These 
workouts are familiar 
to the many who exercise 
regularly. 
However, 
are you 
familiar with 
the exercise 
involved in 
your everyday 
conversations?
If you get 
misinformation, it may 
cause you to jump to 
conclusions. You will then 
have to swallow your pride 
and maybe even bend over 
backwards to make amends.

It is important you rise 
on the ladder of success but 
try to do so without blowing 
your own horn. Your 
career choice may find you 
wading through paperwork, 
balancing the books or even 
running around in circles 
until you finally are able to 
hit the nail on the head.
Also, try to avoid making 
mountains out of molehills. 
True, some folks’ actions 
may have you climbing the 
wall or even dragging your 
heels. Nevertheless, there 
should be no need to throw 
your weight around or push 
your luck.

If you 
know a situation is ripe for 
controversy, you may not 
wish to open a can of worms 
by going over the edge and 
pulling out all the stops. 
Without some self-control, 
you may end up adding fuel 
to the fire and having to eat 
crow after putting your foot 
in your mouth.
My advice to gain a 

successful niche for yourself? 
Do not beat around the 
bush or pass the buck. 
When others seek your 
cooperation, do not hesitate 
to jump on the bandwagon.
I hope that I have helped 
you to get the ball rolling in 
your vocabulary workout. 
Now you can sit down and 
exercise some caution. 

Sy Manello
Editorial 
Assistant

PURELY COMMENTARY

from the Executive Director
Three Lessons I Learned in the Woods
I

’ve always considered 
myself an active, outdoorsy 
person. From skiing in 
the winter to hiking, biking 
and swimming in the warmer 
months, I love to 
spend as much 
time in the fresh 
air as possible. 
So, when my 
partner, Rich, 
suggested we 
spend our 
summer vacation 
in the Upper Peninsula, I 
jumped at the chance. 
Even though I grew up in 
Michigan, I had never been to 
the UP, and I was excited to 
spend time up there. Until I 
heard the catch. We would be 
camping for four nights. Not 
staying in a romantic, rustic 
cabin. Nor a furnished RV
. Not 

even glamping. But camping. 
In a tent. Sleeping on the 
ground. With bugs. Suddenly 
my excitement turned to 
apprehension. 
Now, I know how to “rough 
it.” I spent my childhood 
summers at Camp Tamarack. 
I’m not afraid of a little dirt, 
and I’m not a germaphobe. But 

as much as I love the outdoors, 
I have always opted to sleep 
inside, preferably in close 
proximity to running water. 
That said, I was determined 
to be a good sport. I opened 
myself up to what would come. 
Ultimately, I am so glad I 
did.
The UP is everything I 

dreamed it would be. It’s 
basically a playground the size 
of a state, and we took full 
advantage of it. We spent our 
days mountain biking, paddle 
boarding, hiking and exploring 
local breweries. 
In the evenings, we cooked 
dinner and took long walks on 
the shores of Lake Superior, 
taking photos and skipping 
stones. It didn’t get dark until 
almost 11 p.m., and we stayed 
up late looking at the stars 
and sitting by the open fire 
listening to music, reading 
and talking about life. I even 
enjoyed sleeping in the tent. 
I found it’s peaceful listening 
to the sounds of nature while 
drifting off to sleep. 
I share this experience 
because it reminded me of 
some important lessons about 

Marni Raitt

continued on page 6

“Roughing it” in our tent