“What doctor should I see for my knee pain?”

If you had a problem with an old, valuable piece of furniture you would do well to take it to an antique furniture refinisher and not someone inexperienced. But we often don’t treat ourselves that way.

Seeing a general practitioner first is often best. But when indicated, see a specialist because they will know more about your problem since that’s all they do.

But be careful. Today’s specialists are often brilliant in their very narrow scope of expertise, but often know little outside of that particular area. So choosing the right doctor is important or you may end up being one of the “wandering wounded,” going from doctor to doctor seeking relief.

If your knee pain is due to an injury or overuse, see a good orthopedic surgeon; if possible, one that just does knees. But remember, orthopedists are surgeons. So if your knee pain is due to arthritis, a far better choice might be a rheumatologist.

Rheumatologists are board certified internists who have sub specialized in arthritic problems of the joints. They are like “super” internists, not surgeons, and are experts on the best medications to take for arthritic problems. Physical therapists can also be helpful, but it’s best to find out what you’re treating first.

And if your knees hurt for any reason, see someone who specializes in structural analysis,

because other specialists usually don’t evaluate or treat the abnormal structural components we all have that can either cause or make your knee pain worse. And without fixing your “bent frame,” only part of the problem is being addressed.

These days everyone is looking for ways to save money, but certain expenses remain elemental to mental and physical health. Necessities. You can't live without them.

Food, shelter and pedicures.

If you don't think pedicures a necessity consider yourself blessed. And you certainly are not a member of the Feet Uglier Than Dirt Society (FUTDS). I am. A past president actually. Several terms.

Moving pictures show dainty Cinderella demurely placing her foot in a glass slipper. Everyone remembers her. No one fixates on the stepsisters cramming their size 10s in size six glass shoe. Anastasia and Drizella were founding members of the Feet Uglier Than Dirt Society. Not that the FUTDS likes to claim them, as the sisters are 10 times meaner than their feet are ugly. Each month, I pray their meeting e-mail reminder will get lost in their spam folder. Hasn't happened yet. But I still can dream.

Maybe this Cinderella tale is the crux of my foot-related beauty anxiety? A handsome male gazing down at comely size six. My bared-foot issues surfaced long ago with a old boyfriend. First, he casually suggested I wear shoes...all the time. Certain pairs I was to avoid like garlic on a first date. Then came the day that he confessed he could never work as a shoe salesman for worry that some woman would come in with extra sensual feet and he would leave his wife.    
 
Leaving your wife over a perfect pixie foot. Sure. That made sense.

In an extreme exercise of self-discipline, he turned down a sales position in the Nordstrom's shoe den of iniquity and went to medical school. Now he is a successful doctor...who cheats on his wife. I guess all goes to show selling shoes is not integral to falling in lust with a foot attached to someone other than your wife.

There’s nothing wrong with the last minute.

Doug Flutie’s last-minute Hail Mary pass to beat the University of Miami in a 1984 college football game has gone down in sports history as one of the best comebacks of all time.

Hunter S. Thompson’s last-ditch effort to turn in his seemingly botched assignment on time became the classic “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” And gonzo journalism was born.

This very editorial was put together at the last minute and, well, you’re reading it.

However, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s zero-hour decision to force the state’s teachers and school system personnel, through cuts in funding, to take three furlough days is a last-minute move that surely won’t end well.
Not only does this move call for money (the budget’s been trimmed down to the bone, we know), it calls for time.
Planning days have been cut throughout the state’s school systems. What’s more, in a dramatic move to soften the blow, the Peach County School System will move to four-day weeks this year in an effort to save money. Locally, Morgan County is eliminating the planning half of the school year’s two Early Release days to count as one of the furlough days. Each school was then allowed to choose which two planning days to take off.
Can Georgia, a state where public education hasn’t always received high marks, really afford for its teachers to have time cut from their preparation?

Probably not. But teachers really don’t have a choice. They may still come to school on what is now their own time to prepare for the school year.

Fair? No. Likely? Yes.

By: Dick Hodgetts

In 1940 in the Apalachee Community of Morgan County a black youngster is born to a cotton farmer.  He had older brothers who already worked on the farm, and this kid named: Willie Moon, would grow up, special.  We would do well to look at his life and attempt to find the lessons it contains.  For, despite a second or third grade education, despite limited literacy, despite some form of institutionalized discrimination; Willie Moon succeeds.  He prospers in good times and in difficult times.  How and why does that occur?

    Willie Moon had a strong father, who set standards of work and conduct for his boys.  From the age of five, Willie could plow with a tandem of two mules. The fields were immense, a small boy could not see from one side to another.  His world literally was the cotton fields.  At the end of the week, Willie would get 25 cents and his older brothers 50 cents for their work.  Willie might spend five cents on peanuts, and save the remaining 20 cents in a jar.  He dug a hole in the field and hid his savings from overly curious brothers.

By: Fred Johnson