2 Men I Trust The Most

I have to confess something: I am undeniably biased toward women when seeking health care practitioners for myself.  My prejudice stems from an unfounded hesitation toward intimate trust with men and my body.  It's enough that doctors are pushed by adhering to insurance regulations time restraints and skimp on bedside manner, but often, I've found, male practitioners' machismo takes precedence over nurturing care.  I point myself back toward the nourishing safety of my commonality with women, where at the very least, I can resound with them on an emotional level.

With all of that told, I would very much like to promote two outstanding male practitioners that have my unyielding trust when it comes to caring for my body: Dr. Thomas Morton, Jr.  DDS  and Dr Simeon Kuic, DC.

My Dentist
When I first moved to Asheville and was able to get dental insurance, I inquired from an RN friend whom she might recommend.  Dr Thomas Morton and his son in West Asheville have been providing care for... generations!  Dr Morton Sr has since retired, however Dr Morton Jr continues the practice with the same staff he and his father have been with for more than a dozen years.  They work with the quiet, efficient hum of a well-oiled machine, each team member supporting the next, following with practiced patterns and years of wisdom. 

Dr Morton Jr has the gentlest touch I've ever known in dentistry.  He is quiet, humbly confident and (his receptionist admitted to me during my last check-out) he is a perfectionist.  There is no pain when he numbs me, no pain during the drilling, the filing, the filling.  I lay there with my eyes closed, my hands on my abdomen and breathe deeply, fully trusting with my mouth wide open for the drill to hum and whirr inside my mouth.

I never knew how spoiled I was with Dr Morton and his staff until the price for gasoline went through the roof a few years ago. Having moved away from West Asheville, it was taking me about 25 minutes to get to their office now.  We had a dentist within walking distance at our new house.  The temptation was an easy one to make: we tried the gentle dentist in our neighborhood the next time our check-ups were due.

Not only were the receptionists there unwelcoming, unsmiling and obviously disgruntled with customers and questions, the waiting room was nearly full with a lengthy, loud wait.  When I was seen, they found many cavities that said needed to be filled as soon as possible.  That was odd.  I had been going for dental checkups regularly for 15+ years and never had a rash of cavities like this before.  I got them filled, as suggested by my new dental office, and listened to the dentist and three staff who were in the room with me, talk about t.v. shows and dinner plans and the like while the drilling and filling were being done inside my head. 

My husband had a similar experience of being pushed into more appointments, being unwelcomed and unknown as a client to this new dental group.  We soon decided that it was so very worth driving 25 minutes to West Asheville for all of our future dental visits.  My only regret was not letting Dr Morton continue to guide me with my oral health; he keeps an eye on the 'buckles' I have in my molars and let's me know when I truly need to get something filled.  I feel taken care of, I feel appreciated by all of the staff, and I am never disappointed in how smoothly my dental visits have gone every time. 

My Chiropractor
Having avoided chiropractic care all of life, something happened around the age of 40 and I think my body's warranty wore out.  My hip was hurting an awful lot sometimes when I tried to stand, and an old shoulder injury from my 20's was flaring up whenever I did yard work.  I guess I complained about it out loud enough that my husband said, "We pay a lot of money for insurance- go make an appointment and get yourself taken care of."  So today, I did just that!

It was an easy choice for me to schedule with Downtown Chiropractic.  I had met Dr Simeon Kuic and his wife Shannon several times separately and together at various networking events.  Before I knew they were a couple, I felt drawn to each of them separately because of the sincerity they both have, and the warmth they exude.  Shannon is open, inviting and very friendly.  Always animate and with a sun-shine smile, it's obvious that Shannon is passionate about helping people live a path of lasting health.  Her husband, Dr Simeon Kuic, is thoughtful, gentle and genuine.  Possessing a more sensitive demeanor that many male physicians lack, Dr Kuic spends precious professional time with his patients, and very consciously, very gently, works on aligning you back into good position.

The husband and wife team of Downtown Chiropractic is looking out for my best health interests; through their fresh-squeezed juices whenever you come for a visit and conscious chiropractic care,
 I know I am being treated as a person with potential, rather than a patient with problems.

Make a Game from Creative Writing

This year my daughter is in sixth grade.  In language arts, they have been studying all sorts of writing genres in literature.  From poetry to prose to drama, each category has several sub-categories, varying in degree from lyrical poetry to journalism to science fiction.  To help my daughter better understand these genres, we started playing a creative writing game.

This morning, we wrote down all the different types of fiction genres, drama and poetry which she has been studying:
fantasy
sci-fi
realistic fiction
myths
mystery
romance
historical fiction
westerns
horror
adventure
lyrical poem
narrative poem
essay
journalism
histories
tragedy
comedy

In another pile, we wrote down story titles (we got to show a bit of creativity here).  Some examples are:
2,000 Glorious Moons
The Fatter the Better
Cowboys Never Know the Difference
Down Below the Sea
Pickled Eggs at Sunset
The Rescue
Baking Cruel Pie
A Million Rats
Dying Quickly
The Strange Keep to Themselves

Each of us took turns choosing from the genre pile, then choosing from the story title pile.  After selecting four couplings, we sat down at our computers to write our stories.

I got started on my first assignment: "2,000 Glorious Moons" in the journalistic style. Sarah started her drama with the title, "The Strange Keep to Themselves." 

About 45 minutes later, we took turns reading our creative writing with each other.  We talked about what our favorite literary devices were, and I'm thinking that the next dimension to this game should include also selecting from a pile of literary devices (alliteration, personification, allegory, simile, metaphors, rhyming, puns....) by which the story should be told.

This is a fun activity for you to do with your kids, and will truly inspire them to be creative while learning all sorts of writing methods.

It's not personal, it's business

Close your eyes and imagine mixing family with business, such as hiring a friend,  or your spouse, or your mother; what comes to mind?  With varying degrees of comfort would you venture forth on such a course.  You know that person's fears and flaws, foibles and faults as well as their assets of experience and expertise.  Inevitably, you are bound by a firmer relationship which holds you both accountable to one another, and to the community that you share (your other friends and relations, classmates and congregation and colleagues). 

By common vested interest, the value of hiring a close relation can be immeasurable!  When trust and loyalty meet experience and enthusiasm, the shared vision is nigh guaranteed. 

There is a flip side.  With equal passion, and equal measure, the opposite is tempted to occur.

What this deepening of the relationship does is test the strength, durability and quality of the material which binds you together.  Like tug-of-war, each of you will be tested by your own merits and faults throughout the course of the relationship.  Will you be able to balance and endure one another so neither of you fall into the slimy pit?  You will if you both thoughtfully attempt equilibrium. 

When you fall, become unbalanced, (for no one is expected to be perfect at all times) is your partner able to lift you up without becoming unbalanced as well?  Will you be able to be forgiven, or will your stumbles be counted like pebbles in a jar, adding up in your partner's mind to be thrown against you in a weak moment of their own?  Will you be able to be the one who forgives when it is asked of you?

Entering a business relationship with a close friend or family member takes trust and constant assessment on both sides.  It is work on a different level, and the benefits are full of grand potential.  Now, close your eyes and imagine that your employee is your brother.  What comes to mind, this time?