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Last week, Britain’s Prince Philip was pulling out of his driveway into a busy road when his vehicle collided with another car, sending the Land Rover he was driving rolling on its side. Amazingly, the  97-year-old Duke of Edinburgh wasn’t injured, and the passengers in the other vehicle suffered only minor injuries. The crash, which occurred near the royal family’s Sandringham estate in eastern England, is still being investigated. Despite his age, Queen Elizabeth’s husband is an avid motorist who famously drove President and Mrs. Obama to lunch three years ago. But the incident has sparked new discussions about whether he’s too old to drive. Many commentators have suggested that the prince hand in the keys, even though it’s not yet been determined that his age had anything to do with the crash. What we define as “old” is often tainted with a lot of stereotypes and assumptions which might or might not be true. In August, I wrote … [Read more...] about Are you viewed as old at 50? 60? 70? Aging, perceptions a moving target

For those of us who continue to promise ourselves we’re finally going to make a clean sweep and part with material objects we’ve long held onto for their sentimental value – but from which we really draw little joy – Chris Cander starts 2019 with “The Weight of a Piano” (Knopf), a gentle push to examine when it’s time to let go. In this fictional tale, two women – years and miles apart – unknowingly share such an attachment to the same antique German-made Bluthner piano. The novel “plays out” the story of how the women came to love the same lovingly handcrafted piano while in the midst of very different relationships and life circumstances – and why examining what your heart is really telling you is what matters most.  The author of the previous novels “Whisper Hollow” and “11 Stories," Cander has also dedicated her talents to encourage children to discover the power of reading and writing, … [Read more...] about ‘The Weight of a Piano’: Author Chris Cander on latest novel, the need to own stuff

MERIDIAN — What started as way to lose weight for self improvement has turned into an inspiring journey for Leneathra Reed of Meridian. Once weighing 626 pounds, Reed has dropped 29.3 pounds through sweat, sheer determination and will. Reed said she was never skinny, but once weighed around 200 pounds. That changed several years ago when she got a breast reduction and was put on steroids during her recovery. The medication caused her weight to balloon, she said. "I didn't really acknowledge I was getting bigger because I didn't feel it," Reed recalled. Since sharing her story on social media, Reed, 39, of Meridian, has become a viral sensation, inspiring others to drop a few pounds. Reed said not eating the right foods, sitting at her desk and not exercising made her condition worse. Even walking down stairs was hard, because she couldn't breathe. But after her daughter Kenlyn was born about two years ago, Reed decided she needed to get healthy, so she could play with her little … [Read more...] about Determined to lose weight: Mississippi mom has 400 pounds to go. Journey inspiring others.

Jordan and Paul Yamas of Brandon are the new owners of an established business in Flowood that focuses on home-cooked meals ready to pick up and heat or place in your freezer. Jan. 14 was the grand opening of their business, The Hungry Goat, which is located at 671 A-2 Grants Ferry Road. It is in Grants Ferry Plaza, a strip center across from Sonic and Regions Bank. The couple purchased the business that was previously known as What’s Cookin’ from Nancy Crisco and Janis Burgess, who established it in 2005. “Nancy and Janis were looking to sell but wanted the right people to buy the business,” Jordan Yamas said. “We fell in love with the business. It is a perfect fit for us.” The Yamas husband-and-wife duo renamed the business The Hungry Goat as a playful nod to their four kids, who range in age from 18 months to 18 years old and who will eventually grow from kids into hungry goats. Paul Yamas, age 44, a 1999 graduate of Mississippi State … [Read more...] about No time to cook? This Flowood business has home-cooked meals ready to pick up

New Orleans, Mississippi and the rest of the Deep South are still in mourning over the Saints' loss of the NFC Championship to the Los Angeles Rams, with thousands of fans and several media outlets sharing the frustration over a pass interference penalty that wasn't called by referees. The decision helped launch the Rams into their first Super Bowl appearance in 18 years.  Facebook was rampant with angry status updates, Bird Box memes and instant stories about the call and Saints loss.  And one viral post intended for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was made by a Jackson-area teacher who's also a New Orleans native.  St. Joseph Catholic School journalism teacher Terry Cassreino started an online petition asking Goodell for a redo of the Jan. 27 NFC Championship game. Cassreino's irritation set in as he watched the ending of the game in Slidell with family. "The way the game ended was so disappointing and so frustrating. I was just looking for … [Read more...] about Jackson Saints fan’s online petition goes viral after controversial NFC Championship upset