Lifestyle

Jacki King, the women’s minister at Second Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas, first felt a call to ministry as a college student. She decided to follow it, giving up her pre-med major and her spot on a college softball team for ministry training at a small Bible school with a mostly male student body.

It’s going to be a long month. The holidays are over, it’s cold outside and I’m already bored with cleaning out my closet.

Yesterday, when I sat down at the computer to write my column, I looked around and saw pieces of Christmas everywhere. Shreds of wrapping paper, curling ribbon, priority boxes, laundry, and unopened mail are scattered across the room.

One positive side effect of the coronavirus pandemic was a spike in participation in active, outdoor and fitness activities. According to a 2021 study by the Outdoor Industry Association, “Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, more Americans have turned to the outdoors, some for the first time and others for the first time in many years.” h More than 60% of those who started or resumed walking, bicycling, fishing or running/jogging intend to continue even after restrictions lift. Walking and hiking saw the biggest spike, followed by running, cycling and camping, but participation in just about every outdoor activity – from skiing to kayaking – grew. Meanwhile, purchases of home fitness equipment such as exercise bikes and treadmills saw 170% growth during the pandemic, according to a study by ResearchAndMarkets.com. h As the travel industry rebounds and Americans start vacationing again, there is increased interest in active trips. Companies specializing in active travel such as Butterfield & Robinson (butterfield.com), Backroads (backroads.com), DuVine (duvine.com) and G Adventures (gadventures.com) are reporting record bookings for 2022 and beyond.

Dear Doctors: Is it true that we’re being told to eat even less salt than before? I’ve been hearing that there are new rules about that, but I don’t know what they are. How much salt is OK to eat? Why is it that this kind of advice keeps changing?

Dear Abby: I have been with my boyfriend for eight years. When I met him he was married, but his wife lived in another state. Although he said he loved her, he would visit her only for a week every other month or so. While he was there, instead of concentrating on her he spent most of his time visiting his friends.

Dear Abby: I am married to a wonderful man who has a teenage son, “Teddy,” from a previous relationship. I have no children of my own. I love them both and have no resentments about or issues with having stepped into the role of stepparent.

Dear Doctors: My husband and I are hosting a family party this year. It will include one set of grandparents, our three adult children and the grandchildren. Everyone except the youngest is vaccinated. What can we do to make sure everyone stays safe?

Dear Abby: My 52-year-old twin brother – whom I’m close to – is getting married soon for the first time. His fiancee, who divorced after 18 years of marriage, is doing all the planning. She has not included me or my kids (my brother’s only niece and nephew) so far, nor are we included on the wedding day except as guests at the ceremony and reception.