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Does Iceland sound like a vacation destiny for you? By the name, I would say no. It would not be my first choice. However, you may want to rethink that. In April, my husband spent nearly a week there. Tom wants to go back, preferably, in the summer months. However, I am not so sure the summer months are any different in climate and temperature than in April. At that time, it was in the low 40s for the most part. The Gulf Stream warms Iceland’s temperature and the average winter temperature is comparable to New York City. I have from time to time used the weather app on my phone to keep up on the temperature and it hasn’t varied much from high 40s to low 50s since then. As I write this, it is mid-July and the highest temperature this week is 57 and only a few days with sun and it rains a lot. The days are long this time of year—the longest being in June when there are only three to four hours of darkness. Today (mid-July) the sun rises at 3:47am and sets at 11:29pm. But Iceland is an absolutely beautiful island country and should be on your bucket list. If you are interested here is a little snippet of their history. Iceland was first inhabited by Irish monks in early 9 th century and then shortly thereafter the Vikings arrived in 874 making this a permanent settlement and called it Snow Land. The world’s first parliament was established here in 930. It has been said that Leif Erickson may have led the first European voyage to Iceland and even Christopher Columbus may have visited on a trading mission in the 15 th century. Iceland is on two Continents: North America and Europe but is considered to be part of Europe. It is surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean, Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea—due West is Greenland and due East is Norway, Sweden and Finland. Fast forward many years (late 1700’s), the Laki Volcano erupted resulting in a 1/5 th of Iceland’s population being wiped out and half of the livestock died. It took two decades to recover. Britain invaded in 1940—where didn’t they invade? However, Iceland remained neutral. Even though Iceland was settled in the 9 th century, the island country did not become independent until 1944. There was Prohibition most of the 1900’s in which beer was banned until March 1, 1989. This day is celebrated annually as Beer Day. My husband and his friends caught up on that celebration in April. Today Iceland has a very small population of just over 300,000 with two thirds of everyone living in Reykjavik. Geothermal power is primary source of home and industrial energy. Currency is the krona. Icelanders are an odd sort and are pretty quirky. People are called by their first names only—with no titles and no surnames or family names. This is called patronymic or matronymic which is composed of father’s or mother’s first name and a suffix if a son or a daughter, such as:   Gunnarsdottir, Jonsdottir, Jonsson, Gunnarsson, Einarsson. And women do not change their last name when married. They speak on the in breath. They have barbeques all year round in all types of weather and I read where the food is coated in sauce on everything. And more than 50 percent of the population believe in elves and trolls. Other interesting things to mention, Iceland (per capita) publishes the most books and giving books is very common. Iceland ranks (per capita) the Best Country in the World, have the most beautiful women, the strongest men and the most Noble Prize winners per capita—1 out of 300,000. Thursdays there was no TV from 1966 to 1987 to promote human interaction and the whole month of July (for vacation) there were no broadcasts until 1983. That does not sound like such a bad thing. I also read where people drink more Coke there than anywhere else. Cars are parked everywhere. When traveling, do not leave the track or road that you are on. It is illegal to travel across lava, moss and snow and black sands. This can result in a hefty fine. It is also illegal to pick up rocks for souvenirs. Nudity is normal in Iceland. Sometimes you may have to shower naked (in public) to enter a pool (which is not chlorinated), the hot springs or the sea. I strongly suggested to my husband that he find hot springs that did not heed this rule. What you will see in Iceland are the most striking landscapes. There are volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, snow, glaciers, ice caves, waterfalls, geothermal spas and the northern lights. The Aurora Borealis can be seen from mid-September to mid-April. There are wild horses everywhere. It goes without saying that hiking and horseback riding are very popular. The whales are a sight to see in the summer months. But no mosquitos—yay. If you decide Iceland is worth seeing, travel time is a 6-hour trip (give or take) with an airline (that I have never heard of) out of Pittsburgh which is not terribly expensive surprisingly. The people are the friendliest you will find anywhere. It is expensive in some respects to eat and drink there. You can pay $30 for a small pizza and $12 for beer. Tom and his buddies were able to find a watering hole that only charged $8 for a beer. I will tell you reindeer is not at all appetizing. Tom loves venison so he was up for trying the reindeer but he was only able to take one bite. So now he knows reindeer meat is not the same as our white tailed deer that are plentiful in our neck of the woods. Reykjavik means smoke bay and the crime rate is low there. Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavík is worth seeing, as are the museums that are full of Viking history. Besides Reykjavik and the usual hotels there, you have to do some traveling and stay in a bed and breakfast along the route. See the waterfalls, immerse in the hot springs, walk on the coast and see the ice that seems to be just floating and is astoundingly beautiful. Gullfoss Waterfall is a popular tourist attraction some distance from Reykjavik. Tom and his buddies visited Glazier Bay and watched seals devour fish. They also visited Westman Islands, climbed a 1000 foot peak, observed numerous waterfalls and glaciers and walked on volcanic black sand beaches. Iceland receives over 2,000,000 travelers each year. That sounds sort of overwhelming to a population of 300,000 but tourism is a large part of the economy there. And if you go, do remember your cell phone service’s international roaming charges. My husband racked up $100 very quickly by sending a couple texts and some pictures. And be mindful of your carry-on luggage-sized bag. There is no wiggle room. The currency is the krona and the exchange rate is about one to one in dollars. Tom found that it was best to use a debit card or credit card. Our bank charged a very nominal fee for each transaction. He also had to upgrade from his passport (card) to a passport (book). If you’re up for adventure (and you do not have to be laying on a hot beach somewhere) do visit Iceland. Everyone speaks English. You will be welcomed with open arms.

In my lifetime, I’ve seen many new technologies that were meant to save us time. I remember how awesome it was to watch my mom heat up a meal in our new microwave oven. I remember saving my money so I could get rid of my slide rule and buy my first calculator. I’ve been an eyewitness to computers, smart phones, and the explosion of the internet. All of these innovations have made it faster and easier to get through our daily routine. But these time-saving technologies come with a price tag. We always seem to be in a hurry. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not pointing fingers. Goodness knows I’m as guilty as the next guy. But stop and think about it. As a generation, we consume a steady diet of 30-second sound bites and short, snappy posts on social media. We don’t have time for anything more. If we can’t compress what we have to say into 140 characters, why bother? This kind of hurry-up mentality has caused us to lose something important along the way. It may sound strange, but we’ve lost the art of letter writing. And believe it or not, that’s a big deal. Like us, earlier generations longed to communicate. Years ago, you see, writing letters was the only practical way of sending a message from person to person. But the pace of life was slower then. Writing a letter wasn’t done in a rush. It took time. It was slow and methodical, sometimes tedious. And unlike twitter or Facebook, a letter was usually written with one specific reader in mind. This freed up the writer to be honest and vulnerable. We don’t see the kind of shallowness that’s so common on social media today. There was a bond of trust, meaning that the writer was willing to share real hurts, real struggles, real hopes and dreams. If you’re lucky enough to lay your hands on a whole series of letters, you actually feel like a part of the conversation. In all honesty, I’ve never really thought much about letter writing. I’m not much of a writer myself. But not long ago, as I went through my dad’s belongings, I discovered a box filled with old family letters. As I read through them, I found myself drawn into their lives and getting to know them more deeply. Hearing them tell their stories in their own words was truly eye opening for me. Here, I realized, was a treasure of the rarest kind. Join me in my next blog as I unpack some of these letters. *Image courtesy of Unsplash/Pixabay

As we move into August, and closer to the end of summer and start of the school year, we want to thank some of the people who help to make summer safe, special, and memorable for everyone. A big thanks to instructors, coaches, and those who officiate tennis, golf, softball, baseball, swim team, and other summertime recreational sports for giving kids the opportunity to learn and improve on physical activities and for instilling in them an appreciation for teamwork and healthy competition. These are skills that benefit children in more than just a game or match, and these summer sports help keep kids healthy and active while they are out of school. Similarly, those who work at summer camps of all kinds can be thanked for keeping kids watched over and safe while parents go to work, and for helping kids learn new hobbies, make new friends, and have fun during summer months. Many older teenagers and adults who serve in these roles are giving up some of their own free time to do so, often for little or no pay, and their participation is greatly appreciated. Thank you to lifeguards and others who help keep families safe while they enjoy their favorite outdoor activities. Police officers, firemen, and community officials are especially to be thanked for the extra time and service they often provide to help organize and patrol community events such as farmers’ markets, parades, fairs, and carnivals. These individuals perform services that range from helping lost children reunite with parents, to preventing and stopping real violence, and all of these roles are important in bringing communities together for special summertime events and ensuring the safety of all who attend. Those responsible for planning and organizing such events are also to be thanked. Many spend the majority of the year planning and coordinating an event that may only be a few days long so that everyone who attends can have a great time. A thank you is also owed to teachers and others who work to make summer school or summertime tutoring and other assistance possible for children who need it, so that they can continue to progress as needed and prepare for the next school year. This is an often overlooked summertime role, but one that is very important to many. No matter what your contribution to the season, we are grateful to those who dedicate themselves in some way to make sure that we all, and especially children, have the enjoyable, safe summer that is looked forward to and deserved! *Image courtesy of Unsplash/Pixabay

Having recently traveled outside of the country for my honeymoon, I found myself thinking about the various procedures and processes one has to engage in in order to make it to their foreign destination. Not only must you be aware of what appropriate documentation you need to fly to and from your destination, you also have to become somewhat familiar with the basics regardingyour destination city or country. Based on my recent trip, I have a few tips for your summer travel. First, before your scheduled departure date it’s important to do some elementary research on your chosen airline. How far in advance do you need to be at the airport? Are there any rules regarding how many checked bags and/or carry-on bags you can take with you? What can, or can’t you bring with you in a carry-on? Second, make sure to take a look at your boarding pass. If you have “SSSS” on your boarding pass you’ll need to plan ahead for additional time to get to your gate because this term which will be highlighted on your pass means that you have been selected for additional security screening which can include anything from a full pat-down to an x-ray of any and all electronics you may have with you. Although most people dread seeing the “SSSS” on their pass it can be a relatively harmless security procedure although it does add time on to the security process. Third, make sure to check that your departure gate has not changed. This recently happened to my husband and I when we were at the airport in the Bahamas. We made it to the airport early so that we could timely get through customs and to our gate. However, after about an hour of sitting at our gate, we looked up at the screen to notice that the destination city listed had changed and was clearly not going where we were scheduled to go. Luckily, we had enough time to get to our new departure gate; but it was a reminder to always check to make sure you are still where you need to be. Lastly, although this is likely common sense for you regular travelers, before you depart for another country you should do some research on the language spoken at your destination, the form of currency used, as well as how will you be able to communicate with those at home (if that’s in your plan!) while you are away. Having this knowledge will provide you with some peace of mind and will ensure that you are prepared for what comes your way upon arrival. Happy travels!

I’ve been watching a lot of documentaries lately either on Netflix or Amazon Prime. So many interesting and life-learning documentaries are out there. You can find a documentary on many, many subjects. Take, for instance, “Finders Keepers.” This is about a man that keeps his amputated leg, stores it in a grill in his storage unit and then doesn’t continue paying for the storage unit. The contents go up for sale and someone ends up with the amputated leg because the individual bought the grill. It’s a crazy story – but true! My favorites are the documentaries about true crimes. True crime stories are my favorite books also. “The Evil Genius” was a good one. It is about the Pizza Bomber that took place in Erie, Pennsylvania. The event happened in 2003 and was national news – how did I never hear of it before? Last week I watched one titled “Iris” about a 93-year-old fashionista and how she spent her entire life buying clothes and jewelry. No crime involved in this one unless you think about all of the money that had to have been spent on her wardrobe! If it’s one of those evenings where you just can’t seem to find anything interesting to watch on TV, check out a documentary. You’ll be glad you did.

Sadly, like many other states, Pennsylvania has experienced an alarming rise in drug overdose deaths, and its overdose death rate is more than twice the national average. In fact, more deaths now occur as a result of overdosing on prescription opioids than from all other drug overdoses combined, including heroin and cocaine. “The Office of the Attorney General arrests on average more than four drug dealers a day," Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a statement. "Our arrests of medical personnel and others for illegally diverting prescription drugs are up 72 percent. Our national investigation with 41 attorneys general of the pharmaceutical industry and the opioid painkillers fueling this epidemic is ongoing and active." The opioid epidemic is tied closely to another epidemic in our country, that of chronic pain—although the ties are very complex. Opioid prescribing for chronic nonterminal pain has increased in recent years, although evidence for its long-term effectiveness is weak and its potential for harm is significant. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reviewed studies on the effectiveness and risks of long-term opioid treatment of chronic pain. The results are eye-opening: No randomized trials or comparative observational studies meeting the reviewers’ criteria were found that addressed opioids’ effectiveness for chronic pain or comparing their effectiveness to other treatments, making it impossible to know whether long-term treatment with opioids adequately addresses patients’ symptoms or improves their functioning or quality of life. At best there was weak evidence regarding optimal dosing strategies with these medications. According to Governor Wolf’s administration, “proper treatment of chronic pain includes an interdisciplinary and multi-model approach that is tailored to help the patient control pain and relieve suffering.” Specific treatment options should be based on best evidence whenever possible. People who experience chronic pain should know and have discussions with their physicians and family concerning alternatives to opioid therapies. For instance, there are non-opioid medications such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, anti-seizure medications, and local anesthetics. In addition, there is growing interest in the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of a variety of chronic pain conditions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness- based therapy can provide improved symptom control, physical functioning, adaptive coping and self-efficacy. Moreover, treatment of comorbid depression and anxiety can improve biopsychosocial functioning. Physical therapy, including aquatic therapy, and massage therapy can be a critical component in improving pain control and physical functioning in most patients. Even supportive modalities such as yoga and Tai Chi may be very effective in improving pain and physical functioning in some patients. Interventional therapy, such as epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency procedures and spinal cord stimulation, can also provide effective pain relief in patients experiencing specific pain disorders. Pennsylvania has established 11 prescribing guidelines for health care providers including: Worker’s Compensation Prescribing Guidelines; Treating Chronic Non-Cancer Pain; Emergency Department Pain Treatment Guidelines; Opioids in Dental Practice; Opioid Dispensing Guidelines; Obstetrics and Gynecology Opioid Prescribing Guidelines; Geriatric Pain; Use of Addiction Treatment Medications in the Treatment of Pregnant Patients with Opioid-Use Disorder; Safe Prescribing Benzodiazepines for Acute Treatment of Anxiety and Insomnia; Safe Prescribing Guidelines for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine; and Safe Prescribing of Opioids in Pediatric and Adolescent Populations. The following guidelines address the use of opioid pain medication for chronic noncancer pain. They are intended to help healthcare providers improve patient outcomes and to supplement, but not replace, the individual provider’s clinical judgment. 1. Before initiating chronic opioid therapy, clinicians should conduct and document a history that includes a detailed review of the patient's pain experience, including assessment for co-existing: depression, anxiety disorders and sleep disorders; past and current substance use disorder, as well as risk assessment for development of aberrant drug-related behavior following chronic opioid administration. Evaluation should include assessment for conditions that increase the risk of harm from chronic opioid administration, including sleep-disordered breathing, pulmonary disease, and concurrent use of centrally-acting sedating medications. 2. Appropriate testing to confirm the underlying diagnosis should be completed before starting chronic opioid therapy. 3. A urine drug screen should be obtained and reviewed before initiating chronic opioid therapy. In addition, Pennsylvania state law requires clinicians to obtain and review a report from the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) before prescribing all controlled substances. Care should be taken to obtain PDMP data from all relevant states, which usually can be accomplished through the Pennsylvania PDMP program. 4. Medical records from past health care, including the results of relevant laboratory and radiological studies, should be obtained and reviewed, as they often are a valuable source of information regarding past care, including response to medications, specifically opioids. 5. The initial patient evaluation should include documentation of a diagnosis, treatment plan and goals of therapy. Goals of therapy should be specific and measurable, and should be integrated into ongoing patient monitoring throughout treatment. To view the Guidelines for Initiation, Continuation and Discontinuance of Opioid Therapy, click here. While not specifically referenced in above referenced guidelines, health care professionals should consider encouraging patients with chronic pain being managed by opioids to include their family members in their treatment plans, as valuable information can be gleaned from these sources that may improve the treatment plan, and therapeutic outcomes. For more information on the above topics, check out these links: https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2014/09/opioids-chronic-pain-gap-in-our-knowledge http://6abc.com/health/gov-wolf-declares-a-disaster-emergency-over-opioid-crisis/2924563/ https://www.pilot.health.pa.gov/topics/Documents/Opioids/Non-cancer%20Pain%20Guidelines%20Final.pdf

Every year dogs are left in cars with the window rolled down just a little bit in the hot and humid weather. This was the case over the weekend at the Highlands in Wheeling, WV. The person was form out of town and stated that they do it all the time where they’re from. Well you don’t do it here. I thank God that the Ohio County Sheriff Office and our very own Doug The Dog Warden were there in record time, I asked them if I could have five minutes alone with this person, but the dog wardens’ wife said when they got to the car that she was asked to please stay in the truck. I know that she and I were thinking the same exact thing. I can’t preach this enough, DO NOT leave your four-legged or your two-legged children in the car even for a few minutes in this hot and humid weather, this is a life or death situation for them. Please check the back seat to make sure you haven’t forgotten your child in their car seats if you don’t hear them, they are more than likely are sleeping. Do a double check if you have children that you take to a sitter or any type of day care especially this time of year. Write yourself a note if need be if you normally don’t take your child and you must do it on that day. Please if you have an outside animal make sure they have shaded area where they can get to, so they can get out of the hot sun and they also need access to plenty of clean cool water to drink. Dogs can have heat stroke just like you and me. Be mindful of your pets and if you see a dog who has been left in a car call your local authorities to handle the situation. I’ve called before and trust me they are right on it to get the dog out and to make sure they are safe and if they need to get them to a vet. We in Ohio County are blessed to have a fantastic dog warden and Sheriff’s Department who take every call very seriously in the situation of a dog being left in a hot car. If you think you can do this and get away with it here in Ohio County, you’re dead wrong, you will be charged with animal cruelty and if I had my way your name would be on the front page of the newspaper, and you would never be allowed to have another dog the rest of your life. Adopt don’t shop and dog fighting is not a sport it is abuse and needs to be reported to the local authorities. Bark on Bordas Dog Nation Bark on.

I’m sure that by now, most folks who are reading this column have seen the video of the latest “stand your ground” shooting that occurred in Florida. That video serves to confirm a fear I have expressed to many of my friends since our state passed its “constitutional carry” law a few years ago. Let me get a few things out of the way from the outset. First, I am an outdoorsman. I fish, I hunt, and I own guns. In fact, I own lots of guns. Handguns, rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, you name it. I also have a permit to carry a concealed weapon that I have held for over 25 years. I very rarely actually carry a handgun with me, but I have done so on rare occasions in the past. When WV passed its “constitutional carry” law in 2016, I was worried about the effect of having more guns out among the public, particularly in the hands of people who were not necessarily trained in their safe and proper use. I specifically recall a conversation I had with one of my buddies, telling him I could foresee someone being shot in the parking lot at Wal-Mart in a dispute over a parking space. Fast forward now to July 2019 in Florida. From all news accounts, a 47-year-old man named Michael Drejka became upset over the fact that a lady had illegally parked her car in a handicapped parking space outside a convenience store while her boyfriend had gone inside. Drejka approached and chastised the woman, telling her she should move the car. Reports also had him using foul language directed at the lady. A customer who had overheard the conversation went into the store and reported what was happening, and the boyfriend, Markeis McGlockton, went out to investigate. McGlockton approached Drejka and shoved him to the ground, quite violently. Drejka then sat up and pulled out a pistol that he had a license to carry. Even before the pistol was brandished, McGlockton had taken no further steps toward Drejka. He didn’t pounce on him, kick him, or stand over him in a threatening fashion. He just stood there, and when Drejka pulled the pistol, McGlockton took a step or two backward. Drejka took aim and fired once, striking McGlockton in the chest. He stumbled into the store, fell to the ground and died. I don’t want anyone to misunderstand what I am suggesting here. First, the young woman had no business parking in a handicapped spot. People who do that deserve to be fined, and heavily so. Second, Mr. McGlockton was guilty of a crime (battery) when he forcefully shoved Drejka to the ground. At that point the police should have been called, and McGlockton should have been arrested, charged and prosecuted. What cannot be reasonably argued, however, is that McGlockton did not deserve to die when he shoved Drejka to the ground. Drejka overreacted, and because he had a firearm on his person when he did, three children will grow up without a father. I support the Second Amendment. I’m fine with handguns, and I’m fine with concealed carry permits. My fear has always been that the easier we make it for people to carry a gun, the more likely it is that we will have people being killed in situations where the use of deadly force is completely unjustified. The right to carry a firearm necessarily includes the duty to do so responsibly. Michael Drejka should be prosecuted. If he is not, we are going to see more situations that used to be little more than shouting matches escalate into gunfire and death. We can’t allow that to happen.

I previously shared with you my first experience of being called “grandma.” Now, I can say I am no longer a “first time” grandma. After a lot of thought, discussion, and down-right guilt-trips (by our dog-you know, those sad eyes that make you feel so guilty when you’ve done nothing to feel guilty about), we decided it was time for him to have a brother and playmate. It was a very difficult decision to make because I now had the experience of the “puppy days”. By “puppy days,” I don’t mean the cute, roly-poly, clumsy, puppy breath things. I mean the going outside every two hours, the constant energy, the rushing home to make sure their needs are met, the messes, and the chewing on everything because they are teething. Although I honestly was enjoying the quiet and for the most part relaxing evenings, we agreed that an addition to the family would be in the best interest of our dog, and us by extension. A happy dog makes a happy (less destroyed) home! So, we began our search. Of course, we wanted to rescue a dog from the shelter, so we spent hours researching the local shelters; but we had never done this before and didn’t want this to have a negative impact on our dog or the “adopted” dog who may have already been traumatized. We honestly didn’t know how our dog was going to react. We finally agreed that our new addition would need to be a puppy. My daughter looked at a lot of puppies, but there was one that really caught her eye…and they weren’t very far from us. The “meeting” of the dogs was set up, with my daughter telling me that she was “NOT coming home with a puppy.” Well, you don’t have to be a mom to know that any animal lover who meets an available puppy IS going to come home with a new puppy. The “meet and greet” went very well. Both the dog and the puppy behaved well and seemed to like one another – so we came home with my second “granddog.” I think our dog thought this was just a “play date” and once he realized the puppy was staying, he did as any older sibling would do – “No, that’s mine!!  I’m not sharing my toys, my food, my mom, my grandma…” The first week was very difficult. Through the sleep deprivation and exhaustion, we had many moments where we questioned whether we had made the right decision. Then we would see them playing together, running in the yard, and the smile on their faces, and that reassured us that it was going to work out great. We know it is going to take work, patience, discipline, and time, but the outcome is going to make it all worth it! So, to all you first-time puppy owners, I encourage you not to give up. I believe puppies are more work than babies, but they will grow up and will no longer require the exhausting care-giving that newborns require. So, just as any new parent, nap when they nap; provide training and discipline (which can be more exhausting than exercise); do what it takes to drain their energy; enlist the help of family and friends; give yourself breaks; and most of all enjoy watching them grow! Remember, they grow up faster than babies!

July 20 th is the anniversary of the first manned mission to land on the Moon. In 1961 President John F. Kennedy announced the goal he had set. The goal was before the end of the decade a man will land on the Moon and return safely. He accomplished this goal July 20 th, 1969 from the Kennedy Space Center. The “Space Race” was ended with the launch of the Apollo 11. An estimated 600 million people around the world tuned in to watch the historic event. Not only did President Kennedy deliver on his promise of sending a man to the moon he also made well on his promise of bringing them home safely. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and crew returned safely home from the Moon and became legends. The astronauts were celebrated with a vast amount of parades and personal appearances. The famous quote from Neil Armstrong, “That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind” is still etched into the American psyche. The Apollo project was one of the United States most expensive projects costing roughly $25.4 billion. But well worth the money, the Moon landing inspired new generations to become scientists. Also, the technology of the Apollo 11 led to the development of space stations and new spacecrafts. The moon landing was deemed impossible, but NASA scientist made it possible.

This past Thursday, a St. Louis jury delivered a staggering verdict against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of 22 ovarian cancer victims whose cancer the jury found to be caused by these women’s exposure to Johnson & Johnson’s asbestos-containing talcum powder. The jury slammed J&J with an eye-popping $550 million in compensatory damages and another $4.14 billion in punitive damages for a total verdict of $4.69 billion (with a “B”). After a six-week trial, it took the St. Louis Circuit Court jury less than a full day to deliberate and return a verdict in favor of the claims of 22 women, six of whom have died, against J&J and its subsidiary Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. The jury unanimously held both J&J and J&J Consumer strictly liable and liable for negligence as to all of the plaintiffs. The jury voted 11-1 for the J&J punitive damages verdict, and unanimously for the J&J Consumer punitive damages verdict. For the better part of two years now, juries across the country have been rendering verdicts against J&J to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, making their voices heard time and time again in support of the unwitting victims of J&J’s Shower-to-Shower and other talcum powder-based consumer products. But last week’s verdict was, by far, the loudest outcry yet against the company who, the evidence shows, knew all about the deadly hazards of its talcum powder products at least four decades ago, while doing nothing to warn the American consumer and continuing to market and promote its talc products as perfectly safe, particularly for women of all ages. J&J continues to deny any wrongdoing and tries to cast the jurors who stand up to it as uninformed dupes who are having the wool pulled over their eyes by “slick-talking” lawyers. But the record size and punitive nature of the verdicts that continue to be delivered against J&J, through the country by ordinary Americans from all walks of life, is a clear signal that there is ample scientific evidence to support the link between exposure to J&J talcum powder products and ovarian cancer, as well as ample evidence that J&J knew and tried to cover up that danger to the American consumer. And that the average juror understands exactly the nature and scope of the harm J&J has vested upon thousands of women in the name of profit. The public could not be any clearer in telling J&J to pull its talc products from shelves and sell only its safe cornstarch alternative instead. Here’s hoping it will finally listen. If you suspect you have been the victim of J&J’s dangerous talcum powder products, you should contact an experienced lawyer right away to discuss your rights.

This week, I want to take a break from legal and political commentary and simply give our readers a “heads up” on a great vacation idea. It’s called the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and if you enjoy fishing and the outdoors as much as I do, it will be the trip of a lifetime for you and your family or friends. The BWCA consists of a little more than 1 million acres of water and wilderness that extends along the US/Canada border in Northern Minnesota. It has been carefully cultivated and regulated by the two countries with an eye toward protecting and maintaining the wilderness, and from what I have seen throughout my years of traveling there, they are doing a really good job. Permits are required to enter and camp, and the number of campers in a particular area is strictly limited. No glass containers of any type are permitted. And the big thing — the one that I think does the most to keep the area pristine — is that motors are not permitted. So, if you want to get from point A to point B, jump in your canoe and start paddling. Your trip to the BWCA will begin with a flight into Minneapolis. From there, you drive north for a bit over four hours to the quaint little town of Ely. There you will find outfitters, restaurants, and unique stores galore. Any camping necessities you forgot to pack will be available somewhere in Ely. I suggest the Ely Steakhouse for the best meal in town, or for a few adult beverages on the back end of your trip. From Ely you will travel to your outfitter to prepare for your trip. I have been using Moose Bay Lodge ( www.moosebay.com) since I first started making this trip, and owner John Herrick really knows what he is doing. He can also give you a few tips on catching fish; he holds the world-record for smallmouth bass on a fly rod. You’ll be fishing the same waters that produced his world-record catch. On the day you head into the BWCA, you’ll be traveling in a motor boat with your 20-foot canoe strapped on top of a rack attached to the boat. You will check in at the ranger station at the border, and then head off into the wilderness. When you hit the restricted area, you put the canoe into the water; transfer everything from the boat to the canoe; hop in and start paddling. I have done trips where the paddle was as short as 45 minutes, or as long as 4 hours. Everything depends upon where you are going and which way the wind is blowing. Paddling a big, loaded canoe into a stiff wind is a serious workout. Trust me on that one. An experienced guide is a necessity, as handling that big canoe in rough water is darn near impossible for those who have not done it previously. Your outfitter can set you up with a good guide. Once you hit your campsite, the fun begins. You set up your tents, rig up your fishing tackle, and head out. Smallmouth bass are the fish of choice in the BWCA, although there a plenty of big pike and some walleye as well. But for my money, it’s the smallies that make the trip worth taking. 2-3 pounders are the average, but I can almost guarantee you will catch some 4 and 5  pound hogs during your trip. It’s all catch and release (except for what you keep for dinner), and in over 10 years of taking this trip, I’ve never had a bad week of fishing. This year, my buddy Rich and I kept track of the fish we caught throughout 1 day. We fished just a little over 4 hours, during which time we caught a total of 77 fish. We were in a bay filled with Northern Pike when the guide called “last cast”, and each of us hooked a pike that was 10+ pounds on those casts. Unbelievable. Some folks call camping in the BWCA “roughing it”. Those folks haven’t been there before. We eat steak, pork chops, grilled/fried fish, ceviche, wine, cheese, and anything else you want to take with you, space and weight permitting. All of the pictures included with this article are from the BWCA. The one with my son and the dog gazing out over the lake is from our usual campsite. The pictures will give you some idea of what it’s like up there. For me, it’s a stress-reliever like no other. Give it a try, and feel free to call me at our Moundsville office if you have any questions.