Retired Again!

by   November 6, 2021 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I retired from teaching in public schools in 2019, prior to the arrival of the COVID pandemic. I look back and think how wise that timing ended up being in my life. Many of my former colleagues have told me how challenging teaching has become during the pandemic. I admire them for the way they have adapted to the new reality of these difficult times.

            I knew I needed to work once I retired. I pursued several very strong leads that all seemed to evaporate right before they materialized. I couldn’t understand at the time why those doors seemed to be closing, but can look back now and understand how God was leading and protecting me.

            I landed a job teaching English to Chinese students over the internet. The hours were crazy. I had to be online by six o’clock in the morning. Naps became a regular part of my daily life. I absolutely loved teaching my kids in China. It was a fun job.

            In late summer, an announcement came that the Chinese government had decided that all the tutoring was putting a heavy burden on parents. They decided to close down the whole industry, both the private lessons there in China and the public companies like I worked for. The rumor mill went crazy on Facebook about when the end would arrive.

            The end has finally arrived and I am “retired” again. Saying good-bye to those precious little children has been an emotional challenge. They didn’t understand, as most children wouldn’t, why their government had made this decision. Most of my children have avoided tearful good-byes. One of my little favorites decided he wanted to laugh with me until the very last second. It was the only thing that kept me from crying.

            Another door has closed. Another chapter has ended. If we think about it in terms of writing, I now have a blank page with the cursor blinking, waiting for the new chapter to begin. This moment brings about two very different emotions. There is the anxiety as I watch the cursor blink, blink, blink. What will come next? Did I miss an opportunity?

            The other emotion is one of excitement and wonder about the new adventure that awaits me. What has God got up his sleeve now? What has He been planning for me? The opportunities and possibilities seem endless. As I fill out applications and send off resumes, I wonder: could this be my next adventure? Is there something else around the corner waiting for me to discover?

            It depends on the moment which emotion is gripping me. I try my best to keep my mind focused on the positive and believing good things about my future. When I find myself struggling with bad thoughts, I remind myself what God promised in Jeremiah 29:11, that He has made GOOD plans for my future. That gives me hope and strength to carry on.

            Today I find myself writing this to myself as much as I am writing it for you. God is watching over our lives, every moment of every day. Nothing has escaped His attention. He knows that we have our physical needs that must be met. He knows that I need a new job.

            He knows everything. He knows if we are sick. He knows if we are having relationship problems. He knows if we are dealing with the loss of a loved one. He knows if our boss is working against us. He knows if we have been treated unfairly. He knows!

            We have to remind ourselves that God is our provider. We have to believe that God is our healer and deliverer. We have to trust that God will take care of injustice. He is the God who sees all and will defend the weak, rescue the downtrodden, and free the captive. He is our safe haven from the storms of life. There is nothing too difficult for Him. He is the God of the impossible. He loves when we feel surrounded, so He can show Himself strong in our defense.

            I want to encourage you (and me) to remember that God is our provider, our strong tower, our ever present help in time of need. There is nothing beyond His ability to repair, restore, or make totally new. He is the God of the impossible. He is on our side. He will see us through whatever challenge we face. His eye is keenly upon us. He loves us and He will carry us. He is always and will always be there for us.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

David Whisenant on 40 Years of Running

by   November 2, 2021 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Everybody around Salisbury knows David Whisenant. I can’t remember when we met, but it was a long time ago and probably at a race. David is a good runner who often attends the local races. Here are the facts about how he got started and what keeps him running today, more than 40 years after he started.

David began running as a sophomore at Salisbury High. He said, “I really wanted a letter jacket and figured the only sport I had a chance to earn a letter in was track. I ran the 880 and mile and did get my letter with the winged foot symbol in the middle of the S.”

He continued, “I now run 3-4 times a week, 4-5 miles each time. I have a route that goes through my neighborhood, the Salisbury Greenway, the Crescent, Catawba College near the softball field and Newman Park, and back home. I also run the occasional 5K. I run because it’s a nice way to shake off the stresses of the work week, it’s a time to be alone with God, and it gives me a good feeling of accomplishment. I feel guilty if I miss a run, so I’m pretty dedicated to it. I’m not fast, but I’m consistent.”

David’s most memorable race was the International Widow’s Day 5K in June 2013 in London. The race wound through Hyde Park, the largest of four royal parks in London. He said, “I ran by the Diana Memorial, the Serpentine, and other points of history. That was a thrill. When the race was over, I got to speak with Cherie Blair, the wife of the former Prime Minister Tony Blair. It was a charity race, and she was there in support of The Loomba Foundation that sponsored the race. We were in London on vacation, and I just thought it would be fun to try to get a race there. That was one of the highlights of that vacation. I’d love to run another race or two in a foreign country, but no trips are planned right now.”

David’s wife is Jtan, after they met at ASU. They have a son, Kyle, and his wife, Anna. David said, “We’ve been blessed with two granddaughters, Ava, 8, and Maisie, 5. I have a sister, Pam, who lives in Maui with her family.”

Anna runs occasionally, and she joined David for a 5K at the Salisbury VA. He added, “I’ve tried on many occasions to get my wife Jtan to take up running with me, but she always says that the only time anyone will see her running is if she’s being chased!”

David graduated from Salisbury High School in 1979 and from Appalachian State in 1983. Salisbury has always been his home. He said, “I’m a news reporter with WBTV in Charlotte and in my 30th year on the job. I cover local news in Rowan, Cabarrus, Iredell and Mecklenburg counties. My job can be difficult and stressful, but also fun and rewarding. I feel like it’s where God wanted me, and I’m blessed to be able to do it.”

When asked about other interests, David said, “I spend a lot of time at church. I teach Sunday school and am the deacon chairman at First Baptist Church. I also read quite a bit, mainly British history. I follow sports like NASCAR and Formula 1 racing, the Washington Football Team, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, Premier League soccer and of course, App State.”

As for running in the future, David said, “My only running goal is to keep running. I do try to improve my times but I’m realistic enough to know that can only go so far. I just want to be able to keep putting one foot in front of the other at a pace that’s faster than walking.”

Next Sunday is the Rotary’s Spooky Sprint 5K at Catawba College at 2 p.m. Look for it and plenty of other upcoming races at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org. You Might Like

Lost in a Good Book

by   October 30, 2021 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I am semi-retired. I retired from teaching in the public schools, but I have continued to work part-time. My part-time job allows me a great deal of flexibility. One of the things that I get to enjoy more now that I am retired is reading. I read every day at lunch. I have read a number of books since I retired. If the weather is good, I will sit on my front porch reading.

            While I will read some non-fiction, my preference is fiction. I love to get lost in a good book. The characters become very real for me. Sometimes I catch myself worrying about them while I am busy doing something else. If the story is really moving along, I might stay up late to keep reading.

            I did not read much when I was in school. Most of the books that you are required to read in school did not hold my interest. I didn’t know reading could be enjoyable until my parents challenged me to read a book by Og Mandino: The Greatest Miracle in the World. I couldn’t believe that I both read and enjoyed a book.

            When Og came to town to sign copies of his new book, I couldn’t wait. I went to a small bookstore where only a handful of people showed up. I got to spend almost an hour with him. He gave me his address and I wrote to him. He wrote me back…a highly treasured letter. I became hooked both on reading and writing.

            Og has since passed away, but I have found other authors that I enjoy. My favorite author begins his books with a man whose life has fallen apart for some reason. He meets a woman whose life is also messed up. The two of them must work together against some evil plot and save both themselves and the world. Naturally, the two of them will fall in love. His novels take place around the world in exotic locations and they are fun to read.

            There are two other authors that I really enjoy who write gut-wrenching books. The characters are put through horrific situations, things I prefer not read, but somehow the story ends in a positive and uplifting way. Let’s just say the good guys win and the bad guys get what is coming to them. The stories stick with you and sometimes haunt you like a ghost.

            I just read the climax to a book yesterday at lunch. I set the book down to finish today. This particular author writes a few chapters after the climax to give the reader a chance to say good-bye. I like that about this writer, but he sometimes puts a little twist at the end just to keep you on your toes. I hate to say good-bye to the characters in a good book.

            As a writer, I want to create unforgettable characters. Some have told me that they love Uncle Charlie from my Bluebird Café books. I want to improve my skills so I can write as well as some of the authors that I enjoy. I have heard that reading is the best way to become a better writer.

            There is one book that I have really enjoyed reading. It has mystery, intrigue, murder and betrayal. There is plenty of action and adventure. There is romance and poetry. There are some good and bad people in the book. You can cheer for the heroes. The book also contains one of my favorite characters of all time. Can you guess the book? It’s the Bible.

            No matter what style of reading you enjoy, there is something in the Bible for you. It’s God’s love story written for you. It’s the history of God interacting with people. It is the greatest book ever written, with many great contributing authors. Good always defeats evil, and justice always prevails. It is a story of human frailty and God’s love, strength, compassion, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. It is a book filled with hope.

            I want to encourage you to read. There is something for every interest out there. Each of us enjoys different things. Find what interests you and find the joy and pleasure of reading. I also want to encourage you to read your Bible. Start in the New Testament and read about Jesus. I hope you discover that God is talking to you, wanting to help you and guide you through this crazy thing we call life. If you will excuse me, I have got to go see how the book I am reading ends….

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

Eating, Drinking before Exercise

by   October 26, 2021 with No Comments

By David Freeze

I’m just home from a running class as I write this. Our class topic tonight was sports nutrition and its always interesting to hear the opinion of anyone new to exercise. This topic should always be addressed quickly because meals and snacks that supply energy without upsetting the stomach are keys to a positive result. Having success in the first few weeks is likely to keep the new runner going. Each successful week helps develop a long-term habit. Runners in our class are building miles on the way to running their first 5K.

Eating before exercise is important. Eating properly prevents hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and symptoms of lightheadedness and fatigue. Eating helps to settle the stomach, absorb some of the gastric juices and ward off hunger. Eating also helps us to exercise harder and burn more calories. Just knowing that a pre-exercise body is properly fueled helps to pacify the mind. Fuel the muscles and feed the brain!

Eating before exercise is also tricky, both with timing and content. I’m never surprised when any new runner tells me that they have not eaten for many hours and aren’t sure when they had their last bottle of water. Then they wonder why any exercise is a struggle. Here are some suggestions on what to eat and drink before a normal training run of anything less than one hour.

Any successful workout begins with hydration. Drink fluids during the day and within an hour of exercise. Water works best, don’t fall for the hype of sports and energy drinks, especially the high-sugar ones. Heavy sugar can upset the stomach during exercise and derail any good workout or competition. How much water is enough? Divide you body weight in half and drink that many ounces during the day. A 200-pound person needs 100 ounces of water daily. Any other color of urine other than clear or very pale-yellow means dehydration. Drink up! You can’t wait until just before exercise begins to start drinking.

Don’t eat anything heavy within four hours of exercise and longer if the exercise is very intense or of longer duration. But do consume a carbohydrate-rich snack or light meal to top off muscle stores. Include small amounts of protein to aid in muscle rebuilding after exercise. Choose foods that are low in fat and fiber to ensure optimal digestion and tolerance. Liquid meal replacements and various sports bars may be better tolerated than whole foods. They can also optimize digestion and energy availability.

Everything mentioned here should include lots of experimentation. Over the years, I have tried lots of things for my own pre-workout fueling. I have become prone to easily digestible things like peanut butter and honey on bread, a bagel, fruit, crackers, cookies and certain yogurts several hours before the workout other than early morning ones. Early morning runs gets just water and certain sports bars, plus a small amount of honey. Again, begin to experiment with what works for you. It won’t take long to figure out some good options.

Bottom line — eat something light and manage hydration. Don’t show up for your workout hungry! Or too full either. The most uncomfortable runs are on an overfed stomach. Don’t experiment during a race or hard training run.

Races are back! The Spooky Sprint 5K Run/Walk and fun run, plus a costume contest on Halloween Day at Catawba College. That’s five good reasons to join us at 2 p.m on Oct. 31 for major fun. The Clean Water 5K follows on Nov. 13 at Grace Lutheran Church. The biggest 5K in Salisbury follows on Thanksgiving Day at the Forum with the Butterball 5K.

Go to www.salisburyrowanrunners.org for more information on these and other upcoming events. 

The Walk Home

by   October 25, 2021 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

It was a combination of fun, freedom, and fear. Each day as our elementary school dismissal bell rang, I would meet the other children from my neighborhood so we could walk home together, with textbooks and lunchboxes in hand.

About halfway down the first block, there it was!

The GIANT DOG! It was always looking for me!

It would bark.

It would run.

It would chase me.

Everyone else kept walking and talking and laughing.

Not me! I would keep screaming, flailing my arms around, and running for my life.

The monstrous dog would eventually stop and head back home.

I had survived another walk down Juniper Street!

Sometimes, the GIANT DOG would be sleeping as we walked by.

Then, the walk was fun.

Then, I felt freedom.

But on a day that dog was looking for me, I felt fear.

No fun. No freedom. Only fear.

When I got closer to home, I could not see my home, but I could see my next door neighbor whose name was Cannon Mills. It was ‘loom’ing in the distance and getting closer every step I took. We were very close neighbors, for we were only separated by a cotton-filled chain link fence about six feet away from my house.

Yes, our home was directly beside the very huge mill – but it was merely a backdrop for me – because I was looking for something else – HOME!

Mama would be standing at the door looking for me. She would have a snack prepared for me. She would talk with me about my day. It was good to be home – away from the fears of the world.

Home – there really is no place like it.

It is never perfect, but it sure is special.

My mother is now in heaven.

The house has now been moved.

The land the house was on is now an extremely close neighbor to the NC Research Center.

I still hold that home in my heart.

I can feel it, even though I cannot see it.

I remember the walk.

I remember the way.

I remember the welcome.

One more thing: I like dogs now.

One more thing: I was a teacher at the school I walked home from as a child.

But the feeling of heading home – and being home – has not changed.

In a way, we are all walking home, aren’t we?

Yes, we will have fun, freedom, and fears along the way.

But – Jesus walks with us.

He knows the way.

Actually – He is the Way.

As scary as a neighborhood dog was and as huge and loud as Cannon Mills was – I never really made them my focus – because home ‘loom’ed even bigger in my eyes. It was the place where my loved ones would be standing at the door waiting for me – and looking for me.

As Billy Graham once said, “My home is in heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.”

I think I will say it also:

My home is in heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.

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