MAY 2021

PET Strengthen
Mysteries
Solved! YOUR
By RD’S EXPERT VET IMMUNITY
From AARP BULLETIN

THE BEST

IN AMERICA
Great Drives in Every Region

HUG
13
Secrets of
From THEHEALTHY.COM

Surviving a 9.2
Earthquake!
A DRAMA IN REAL LIFE

Arlington Sisterhood of the

National Traveling Chair
An RD ORIGINAL By EMILY GOODMAN
 Knowing you’re covered, wherever life takes you.
SM
That’s the Benefit of Blue.

Learn more about the Medicare coverage

trusted by more doctors at
BenefitOfBlue.com

Blue Cross Blue Shield Companies are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
 A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World

Features 90
life well lived
102
the strangers who

64
changed my life
Fast Food Was
Our Love Language The Sisterhood of the
In his short, difficult Traveling Fish Chair
cover story
life, a cheap, greasy A funky furnishing
ROAD TRIPS! with a backstory sparks
After a long, seques- meal and a soda were
a balm for my father. a week these women
tered year, many of us will never forget.
feel the itch to travel by c pam zhang from
the new york times by emily goodman
again. These five signa-
ture drives will inspire
your wanderlust. 94 106
drama in real life
pets
by melissa klurman
Your Pet Questions “Don’t Panic!”
Answered After the worst
78 It’s not easy to know earthquake in North
my most unforgettable
character how to help our American history
nikolay maslov/unsplash

Jerry’s Dirt animals, considering shocked Anchorage,

My father-in-law’s they can’t talk—and Alaska, an unlikely
love of the land was don’t always listen. savior came to the
legendary, right up Here’s some help. rescue.
to the very end. by katrina warren, bvsc by jon mooallem from
the book this is chance!
by jacob baynham from
the georgia review

64

rd.com | may 2021 1

Reader ’s Digest Contents

Department
6 Dear Reader
8 Letters
everyday heroes
10 Not on His Route!
by andy simmons
13 The Vaccine
Hunter
by rebecca meiser
a world of good
18 A SpaghettiOs
Shortage, and
More
how to
22 Strengthen Your
Immune System
by mike zimmerman
from aarp bulletin
your true stories
28 A Merit Badge
in Manners, and
More
30
shutterstock. this page: joleen zubek

On the Cover
on the cover: fotoluminate llc/

The Best Road Trips in America............................ 64

Strengthen Your Immunity ................................... 22
The Health Benefits of a Hug ................................ 53
Surviving a 9.2 Earthquake! ...............................106
Sisterhood of the Traveling Chair ...................... 102
Pet Mysteries Solved! ............................................ 94
13 Secrets of Arlington National .......................... 40

2 may 2021 | rd.com

 48% of victims will stay in an abusive
situation rather than leave a pet behind.
WE’RE WORKING TO CHANGE THAT.

arked pac
ia lly-m ka g
ec es
sp in
e
es

st
o

I N H O N O R O F N AT I O N A L P E T M O N T H ,
Purina and our family of brands are working
to create more pet-friendly domestic violence
shelters across the U.S. We’re aiming to donate
more than $1M to our partner RedRover in support
of the Purple Leash Project—giving hope to pets
and people when they need it most.

Visit PurpleLeashProject.com/PetMonth and see how you can join us

and give hope to pets and people.
PURINA TRADEMARKS ARE OWNED BY SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A. ANY OTHER MARKS ARE PROPERTY
OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
Reader ’s Digest Contents

we found a fix
30 Rejuvenate Soft The Healthy
Strawberries, 53 The Benefits of
and More Cuddling
by charlotte hilton
the food on andersen
your plate
58 News from the
34 I Am Rice World of Medicine
by kate lowenstein
and daniel gritzer
where, oh where?
38 Tulip Central
13 things Humor
40 Saluting Arlington
Cemetery 20
by emily goodman All in a Day’s Work
best pet pals 32
121

from top: getty images (2). moviestore/shutterstock. james wojcik/trunk archive

44 A Hare-Raising Humor in Uniform
Rescue 43
everyday miracles Laugh Lines
50 Brief Encounters 48
of a Close Kind Life in These
by rachel martin
from theatlantic.com
United States Brain Games
76 117 Quick Crossword,
quotable quotes
Laughter, the Best and More
62 Chris Stapleton, Medicine 121 Word Power
Shonda Rhimes,
Alex Trebek 124 Photo Finish

Send letters to letters@rd.com or Letters, Reader’s Digest, PO Box 6100,

Harlan, Iowa 51593-1600. Include your full name, address, e-mail, and
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4 may 2021 | rd.com

 Impact Sponsor of the

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Reader ’s Digest
DEAR READER
Hit Refresh
or me, change is in the air.
F The snow is thawing in the town
where Susan and I are living. We
both got vaccinated (I’ve never been
so happy to have type 1 diabetes,
which qualified me for early shots).
And by the time you read this, our
daughter will have been married,
surrounded by family, on a Mexican
beach. Hooyah! This spirit of change
and joy has struck RD too. In this is-
sue, you’ll find new sections meant to
delight you as much as tossing rice at
your grinning daughter—i.e., a lot.
A knowledge quiz. Sharpen your
pencils. Brain Games now features
“Fact or Fiction” (page 117) to test
your recall and worldliness in equal
measure. I scored six and got the
bonus question only by cheating and
consulting 13 Things on page 40.
May you do better.
A new health section. You
already know RD’s sister site,
thehealthy.com. Now we’re
curating its content into The
Healthy (page 53), full of ad-
vice, first person narratives,
and medical news.
Where, Oh Where?
There’s nothing like seeing
a gorgeous photograph
6 may 2021 | rd.com
(like the one above) shot somewhere
in America and wanting—no, needing
to know where the heck it was taken.
We turn that irresistible sensation
into a visual quiz (page 38).
Smile-inducing news. RD editors
here and around the world are always
finding never-before-seen examples
of charity and ingenuity. We’re rolling
them into A World of Good (page 18).
Animal stories! Because who can
resist? To continue the celebration
of our animals’ ability to bond, Best
Pet Pals (page 44) will spotlight one
priceless submission to our contest.
Finally, on page 1, we introduce
RD’s new tagline: “A Trusted Friend
in a Complicated World.” As always,
we hope to be that friend who brings
from top: rd photo studio. matthew cohen
fun ideas to your kitchen table,
who helps everyone laugh and
cry together about what makes
us all human. Write to let me
know whether our new bits
get us nearer that goal. And
thanks for reading!
Bruce Kelley,
editor-in-chief
Write to me at
letters@rd.com.
 above or below 50 in the
result and respectively
LETTERS
Notes on the
subtract or add that
number to find the
March issue Fahrenheit equivalent.
So: (0°C × 2) + 30 = 30;
30 + 2 = 32°F. Or (100°C
× 2) + 30 = 230; 230 − 18
Does This Dog Know = 212°F. With practice,
Whether You Have Cancer? you’ll convert in your
head faster than the dis-
My mother was playing bridge at a friend’s play at the bank can!
house. She never liked going there because —David Miller
of the less-than-friendly Chihuahua. On this San Jose, California
particular day, the dog was sniffing all the la-
Rules for Being
dies; when it came to my mother, it bit her on the Age You Are
the calf. The bite was so severe that she had There are no rules for
to see a doctor, who discovered the dog had being a certain age. In
bitten a mole on my mother’s leg that turned my 50s, I learned to ride
a horse, took up swim-
out to be melanoma. Mom might not have ming, and raced up the
admitted it, but that little dog saved her life! hills of Rio de Janeiro
—Judy Starkweather Hendersonville, North Carolina on a motorcycle. In my
60s, I needed a deck, so
10-Minute Life Fixes for this small paragraph I googled how to build
I’ve never written to a in your magazine. one. There are no play-
magazine, but at age 83, —Pat Iliff books to follow. Jump
I had to let you know Forest, Virginia right in and keep swim-
that I’d been battling ming (and if you don’t
the charred bottom of Your method to convert know how, learn!).
my favorite pot and was Celsius to Fahrenheit —Annette Thomas
about to give up. I’ve will give a rough con- Clarkston, Michigan
gone through so many version. Go one step
“this will do it” fixes, further for more accu- Everyday Heroes
rd photo studio

but boiling a dish- racy: After doubling The story about lighting
washer tablet in the pot the Celsius temperature a runway with car head-
is the one that finally and adding 30, count lights for an emergency
worked. I’m so grateful the number of tens landing was read with a

8 may 2021
 Reader ’s Digest

smile. We lived in a re- Brain Games PISTACHIO

mote fly-in community One of your “This, Not
in Alberta where a girl That” riddles states that
PROBLEMS
broke her leg sledding Marianne only likes
✦ My mother would of-
one day. That night, a French things. It’s odd ten grade assignments
local storekeeper and that she would like while eating pistachios,
I ran down the town’s French fries, which are leaving red fingerprints
lake-ice runway to light actually from Belgium. on the papers. When her
tuna cans with wicks —E.K. via rd.com fifth graders figured out
stuck in them—our what created the marks,
makeshift signal lights From the Comfort they would bring her pis-
for the emergency plane of Their Jail Cells tachios instead of apples.
coming to pick her up. I’m not tech-savvy, —Peter Jebo
—Mark Hoefle but after reading this wilmington, california
Richardson, Texas article, I had a thought: ✦ Years ago, I read an RD
Instead of trying to story about a lady whose
News from the stop cell phones from car wouldn’t start again if
World of Medicine entering the prison sys- she stopped for pistachio
Weighted blankets help tem, isn’t there a way ice cream. Chocolate and
with insomnia, but be to block cell service vanilla were no problem.
It turned out that those
courtesy justine lee stocks (baby), rd photo studio (photo border)

careful if you have a altogether? With all we

popular flavors were pre-
small pet. A woman’s can do with technol-
packaged, but pistachio
shih tzu snuggled under ogy, stopping people
was scooped on demand,
one and almost suffo- already behind bars and it took so long that
cated because it was too from laundering mil- the car wouldn’t start
heavy for the dog to get lions of dollars should after waiting in the Texas
out on its own. be kind of a no-brainer. midday heat.
—Cindy Woodworth —Kaline Dillion —Allison Dolan
Hudson, Indiana Suffolk, Virginia peabody, massachusetts

Keeping It in the Family

Can a magazine become a family heirloom? As Reader’s Digest
approaches its 100th birthday in 2022, we’re looking to hear
from folks for whom RD is something of a hand-me-down, passed
along from parents or grandparents. Is that you? And do you think
you might know the magazine’s oldest (or youngest!) living sub-
scriber? If RD has been special to you and yours since, well, for-
ever, go to rd.com/familyties to share your story and see terms.

rd.com 9
 EVERYDAY HEROES

Not on
His Route!
A bus driver jumps into the fray
after witnessing a brutal assault on
an innocent grandmother

By Andy Simmons

n a lazy Sunday morning, was that the man was carrying a large

O 54-year-old Winston Douglas

maneuvered his bus along a
normally bustling but then quiet
Ormond Street in the Peoplestown
section of Atlanta. A woman using a
walker was slowly crossing the street,
so Douglas, a driver for the Metro-
politan Atlanta Rapid Transit Author-
ity ( MARTA ), tapped the brakes as
he turned the wheel to the left to go
around her.
As he did so, he noticed a muscular
young man in his early 20s standing
shirtless on the sidewalk. That wasn’t
all that remarkable for a late summer
day in Atlanta. What was remarkable
kitchen knife.
“I was looking and thinking, ‘Why
does he have a knife in his hand?’ ”
Douglas told 11Alive in Atlanta.
Within seconds, Douglas says, he
saw the man sneak up behind the
unsuspecting woman, pull back his
arm, and then bring it down quickly,
stabbing her before she reached the
sidewalk. The two collapsed onto the
road between two parked cars, and
the man continued his assault.
The bus passengers witnessing the
attack gasped. June Jarrett thought she
was watching a horror movie come to
life. “I’m screaming at him to stop,

10 may 2021 | rd.com Photograph by Andrew Hetherington

 Reader ’s Digest

Winston Douglas
says he did nothing
special. The woman
he saved disagrees.
Reader ’s Digest
saying, ‘You’re going to kill her.’ And
he looks up at me and just continues
to stab her,” Jarrett told WSB-TV.
Douglas immediately stopped his
bus. Quickly unbuckling his seat belt,
he threw open the folding doors and
jumped out. He grabbed a hefty four-
foot-long stick from a construction
site nearby.
The woman was now flat on the
ground, howling in pain as the at-
tacker continued his assault. Douglas
ran the few steps over to them and
brought the stick down as hard as he
THE ASSAILANT, HIS
CHEST COVERED IN
HIS VICTIM’S BLOOD,
TURNED TO DOUGLAS.
could on the man’s back. He hit the
man again and again, until the assail-
ant, his chest covered in his victim’s
blood, turned toward Douglas. The
bus driver stood his ground.
Douglas is not a violent man, but
his determination to save the woman
was clear. The attacker backed off and
bolted down Ormond Street. Douglas
and two other bystanders gave chase,
eventually tackling the assailant to the
sidewalk. They tied his hands with an
orange extension cord and called po-
lice and an ambulance.
The victim, a 63-year-old grand-
mother named Terri Bradley, lay on the
road bleeding profusely. Passengers
12 may 2021
jumped off the bus to offer what aid
they could until EMS arrived. Terri
was transported to a nearby hospital,
where she spent five days recovering
from more than 20 stab wounds to her
neck, hand, and thigh, as well as severe
bruising.
Terri never did find out why the
stranger chose to attack her on that
day in 2018, though the assailant’s
mother told WSB-TV that he suffers
from emotional issues and at the time
of the attack had not taken the medi-
cation that controls his violent out-
bursts. He was arrested and ultimately
pled guilty to charges of aggravated
assault, aggravated battery, and pos-
session of a dangerous weapon.
Two weeks after the assault,
Douglas visited Terri at her home.
He brought along his one-year-old
daughter and a bouquet of flowers.
Seeing Douglas, Terri became teary
and asked her son, Derrick Bradley,
to help her to her feet so she could
greet her savior.
“No, you don’t have to get up,”
Douglas told her.
“Yes, I do,” said Terri in a firm voice.
It was the only way she could give him
a proper hug.
“Thank you, Jesus. Glory. You’re all
I had to help me,” she said, crying into
his chest.
“I just did what anybody would
have done,” Douglas replied.
Derrick disagreed. Shaking his
head, he said, “Not everyone would
have done what you did.” RD
 Everyday Heroes

Zwinggi’s vaccine hunting started

The Vaccine on February 1, when she learned that
her parents—her father has leukemia
Hunter and her mother is a breast cancer
survivor with a heart condition—
were unable to get appointments
By Rebecca Meiser themselves. She hated that they had
to wait. Clicking around on vaccine
arty Verel, a 59-year-old registration sites, Zwinggi, who has

M kidney transplant recipient in helped her husband develop web-

Ohio, should have been near sites, discovered just how difficult it
the top of the list to receive a COVID-19 was to book an appointment. “It was
vaccine. Yet like mil- like trying to get a
lions of others, he World Series ticket,”
wasn’t having any she says.
luck scheduling She applied strat-
an appointment. egies that web insid-
Marty and his wife, ers are familiar with
Nancy Verel, would (keeping multiple
sit with computers browsers open, re-
on their laps trying freshing sites every
for hours to book 20 seconds, erasing
Marla Zwinggi with the first person
an appointment on she helped: her dad, David Komocki cookies) and added
different sites, all a few of her special
of which were slow and convoluted. skills. “I’m tenacious. I drink a lot of
“I felt hopeless,” Nancy says. coffee, and I’m a fast typer,” she says.
Then Nancy heard about Marla Soon enough, Zwinggi had secured
Zwinggi, a 40-year-old mom of three appointments for both of her parents.
from a Cleveland suburb who was “I felt like a rock star,” she says.
spending up to ten hours a day on- Zwinggi decided that helping others
line trying to secure appointments would be her way of giving back.
for vulnerable individuals. So Nancy “I feel like I need to will us out of this
courtesy marla zwinggi

messaged Zwinggi on Facebook: Can pandemic,” she says. On February 10,

you help? Twenty-five minutes later, she logged on to Facebook to let peo-
Zwinggi responded by asking for ple know that she was assisting with
Marty’s legal name, date of birth, and bookings. By March 2, she’d secured
other information. Nine minutes after appointments for 400 people, a feat
that, Zwinggi reported back—Marty that made Nancy conclude, “Marla is
had an appointment to get the vaccine. some sort of COVID angel.” RD

rd.com 13
 IS YOUR Urgency
BLADDER
Frequenc y
ALWAYS
TAKING Leakage

YOU ON A Take charge of your

TRIP OF overactive bladder (OAB)
symptoms by talking to your

ITS OWN? doctor about Myrbetriq today.

In clinical trials, those taking

Myrbetriq made fewer trips to the
bathroom and had fewer leaks than USE OF MYRBETRIQ (mirabegron)
those not taking Myrbetriq. Your
results may vary. Myrbetriq® (mirabegron) is a prescription
medicine for adults used to treat overactive
bladder (OAB) with symptoms of urgency,
frequency and leakage.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Myrbetriq is not for everyone. Do not take
Myrbetriq if you have an allergy to mirabegron
or any ingredients in Myrbetriq. Myrbetriq may
*Based on 24-month TRx shares for all branded cause your blood pressure to increase or make
OAB medications, IMS Health National your blood pressure worse if you have a history
Prescription Audit, March 2018–February 2020. of high blood pressure. It is recommended
THIS INFORMATION DOES NOT IMPLY that your doctor check your blood pressure
SAFETY OR EFFICACY OF ANY PRODUCT;
NO COMPARISONS SHOULD BE MADE.
while you are taking Myrbetriq. Myrbetriq
may increase your chances of not being
able to empty your bladder. Tell your doctor
right away if you have trouble emptying your
bladder or you have a weak urine stream.
Myrbetriq® is a registered trademark of Astellas Pharma Inc.
All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
©2020 Astellas Pharma US, Inc. All rights reserved. 057-4141-PM
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (continued)
Myrbetriq may cause allergic reactions that
may be serious. If you experience swelling of
the face, lips, throat or tongue, with or without
difficulty breathing, stop taking Myrbetriq and
tell your doctor right away.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take
including medications for overactive bladder or
other medicines such as thioridazine (Mellaril™
and Mellaril-S™), flecainide (Tambocor®),
propafenone (Rythmol®), digoxin (Lanoxin®) or
solifenacin succinate (VESIcare®). Myrbetriq
may affect the way other medicines work, and
other medicines may affect how Myrbetriq
works.
Before taking Myrbetriq, tell your doctor if
common side effects of Myrbetriq include
Like us on Facebook
and visit Myrbetriq.com
increased blood pressure, common cold
symptoms (nasopharyngitis), dry mouth, flu
symptoms, urinary tract infection, back pain,
dizziness, joint pain, headache, constipation,
sinus irritation, and inflammation of the bladder
(cystitis).
For further information, please talk to your
healthcare professional and see Brief
Summary of Prescribing Information for
Myrbetriq® (mirabegron) on the following
pages.
You are encouraged to report negative side
effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch
or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Myrbetriq® (mirabegron) extended-release tablets 25 mg, 50 mg
Brief Summary based on FDA-approved patient labeling
Read the Patient Information that comes with Myrbetriq® (mirabegron) before you start taking

place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.
What is Myrbetriq (meer-BEH-trick)?
Myrbetriq is a prescription medication for adults used to treat the following symptoms due to a
condition called overactive bladder:
• Urge urinary incontinence: a strong need to urinate with leaking or wetting accidents
• Urgency: a strong need to urinate right away
• Frequency: urinating often
It is not known if Myrbetriq is safe and effective in children.
Who should not use Myrbetriq?
Do not take Myrbetriq if you have an allergy to mirabegron or any of the ingredients in Myrbetriq.
See the end of this summary for a complete list of ingredients in Myrbetriq.
What should I tell my doctor before taking Myrbetriq?
Before you take Myrbetriq, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
• have liver problems or kidney problems
• have very high uncontrolled blood pressure
• have trouble emptying your bladder or you have a weak urine stream
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Myrbetriq will harm your unborn
baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Myrbetriq passes into your breast milk.
Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Myrbetriq.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Myrbetriq may affect the way other medicines work,
and other medicines may affect how Myrbetriq works.
Tell your doctor if you take:
• thioridazine (Mellaril™ or Mellaril-S™)
®
• )
• propafenone (Rythmol®)
• digoxin (Lanoxin®)
®
)
How should I take Myrbetriq?
• Take Myrbetriq exactly as your doctor tells you to take it.
• You should take 1 Myrbetriq tablet 1 time a day.
• You should take Myrbetriq with water and swallow the tablet whole.
• Do not chew, break, or crush the tablet.
• You can take Myrbetriq with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of Myrbetriq, begin taking Myrbetriq again the next day. Do not take 2 doses
of Myrbetriq the same day.
• If you take too much Myrbetriq, call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room
right away.
What are the possible side effects of Myrbetriq?
Myrbetriq may cause serious side effects including:
• increased blood pressure. Myrbetriq may cause your blood pressure to increase or make your
blood pressure worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. It is recommended that your
doctor check your blood pressure while you are taking Myrbetriq.
• inability to empty your bladder (urinary retention). Myrbetriq may increase your chances of not
being able to empty your bladder if you have bladder outlet obstruction or if you are taking
 other medicines to treat overactive bladder. Tell your doctor right away if you are unable to
empty your bladder.
• angioedema. Myrbetriq may cause an allergic reaction with swelling of the lips, face, tongue,
q and tell your doctor right away.
The most common side effects of Myrbetriq include:
• increased blood pressure • dizziness
• common cold symptoms • joint pain
(nasopharyngitis)
• dry mouth • headache
• constipation
• urinary tract infection • sinus (sinus irritation)
• back pain
(cystitis)

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away or if you have
swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, hives, skin rash or itching while taking Myrbetriq.
These are not all the possible side effects of Myrbetriq.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA
at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store Myrbetriq?
• Store Myrbetriq between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C). Keep the bottle closed.
• Safely throw away medicine that is out of date or no longer needed.
Keep Myrbetriq and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about the safe and effective use of Myrbetriq
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in the Patient Information
ot prescribed. Do not give Myrbetriq
to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.
You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about Myrbetriq that is written for
health professionals.
For more information, visit www.Myrbetriq.com or call (800) 727-7003.
What are the ingredients in Myrbetriq?
Active ingredient: mirabegron
Inactive ingredients: polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, butylated
hydroxytoluene, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, yellow ferric oxide and red ferric oxide
(25 mg Myrbetriq tablet only).
What is overactive bladder?
Overactive bladder occurs when you cannot control your bladder contractions. When these muscle
contractions happen too often or cannot be controlled, you can get symptoms of overactive bladder,
which are urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and urinary incontinence (leakage).
Marketed and Distributed by:
Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
Northbrook, Illinois 60062

Myrbetriq® is a registered trademark of Astellas Pharma Inc. All other trademarks or registered
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
©2012 - 2018 Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
Revised: April 2018
206813-MRVS-BRFS
057-2652-PM
 A WORLD OF GOOD
KINDNESS
UH-OH: SPAGHETTIOS
SHORTAGE
ike many kids, 11-year-old
L Ashlyn MacDonald of Attleboro,
Massachusetts, has a favorite
meal: SpaghettiOs with meatballs,
which she eats at least once a day,
and sometimes three times. Unlike
other kids, Ashlyn’s need for this
comfort food is serious. She is autistic
and nonverbal, and a mouthful of the
canned pasta soothes her. “Structure
is what centers her—it gives her a
sense of control when everything else
18 may 2021
seems chaotic and overwhelming,”
says her mom, Crystal MacDonald.
“Ashlyn is most comfortable when
she feels as if she’s living Groundhog
Day every day. SpaghettiOs are a
sensory experience for her.”
Naturally, the MacDonalds keep
from top: lleerogers/getty images. courtesy jefferey macdonald
their pantry stocked with SpaghettiOs,
but during the run on supplies caused
by the pandemic last year, stores
suddenly ran out. Crystal had to drive
farther and farther every week to find
them. Her search became so time-
consuming that a local newspaper ran
a story. And then something amazing
happened: Strangers in the region
scoured their local grocers’ shelves
and shipped what they found to Ash-
lyn. All told, she received 400 cans
from the community and another 782
from the Campbell Soup Company.
Crystal is thrilled and relieved, but
not nearly as much as Ashlyn. “When
she sees all those cans of SpaghettiOs,
she’s very happy,” Crystal says.
 Reader ’s Digest

NATURE
Making Turbines
Bird Friendly

Birds colliding with turbine blades

is one of the main negative effects
of onshore wind farms. But a nine-
year study at a wind farm in Smøla,
Norway, has found that bird strikes
from top: picture alliance/getty images. courtesy roel may/norwegian institute for nature research

can be cut by more than 70 percent

Made-to-order Lego ramps simply by painting one blade of a
provide barrier-free travel. wind turbine black. Scientists believe
this reduces what they call motion
smear, allowing birds to see the three
INGENUITY
rotating blades. Trondheim-based
Legos to the Rescue researcher Roel May says further
tests at other wind farms are needed
Disabled by a car accident 25 years to confirm the findings. RD
ago, Rita Ebel had long been frus-
trated by the number of shops and
cafés that were inaccessible to wheel- ➜ Painted
chair users. A year ago, the 62-year- blades help
old grandmother from Hanau, reduce bird
Germany, came up with a simple so- strikes.
lution: ramps made of Legos. Helped
by her husband, Ebel has constructed
dozens of these surprisingly sturdy,
made-to-order Lego ramps for shop
entrances. “I’m trying to sensitize the
world a bit to barrier-free travel,” says
Ebel. “Anyone could suddenly end
up in a situation that puts them in a
wheelchair, as happened to me.”
“It’s a brilliant idea,” says Malika
El Harti, who has one of Ebel’s ramps
at the entrance to her hair salon.
“You can see from afar that you can
get in here without any problems.”

rd.com 19
 “Hack into the Acme Pie Company and get their recipe for blueberry scones.”

All She shrugged, “It Our friend gave a

in a Day’s would be OK if people response that only a
wouldn’t keep asking mother who’s analyzed
WORK for stuff.”
—Charles Finlon
one too many patients
could give: “Honey,
Bradenton, Florida normal is what people
Our teenage grand- are before you get to
daughter was thrilled We were dining with know them.”
when she landed her my husband’s col- —Mary-Anne Reed
first real job waiting league, a therapist, Ventura, California
tables. But after one who told us that her
shift, the excitement seven-year-old daugh- A customer called
seemed to have waned. ter had recently asked, our Los Angeles travel
“How do you like be- “Mommy, what’s agency asking how
ing a waitress?” I asked. normal?” much a round-trip

20 may 2021 Cartoon by Harley Schwadron

 Reader ’s Digest

I can’t believe Zoom gives away THE OFFICE-

their best feature, limiting meetings LINGO-TO-ENGLISH
to 40 minutes, for free. DICTIONARY
—Daniel Jalkut, founder of redsweater.com
✦ keyboard plaque:
The disgusting buildup
flight to Hawaii would meeting, he started of dirt and crud found on
cost. Evidently, she snoring. computer keyboards.
didn’t care for the price —xsited1
✦ mouse potato:
I quoted her, because ✦ As a teenager, I
The online, wired
the next thing she worked at a bowling generation’s answer to
asked was, “How far is alley. Within an hour the couch potato.
it if we decide to drive?” of starting, a new girl
✦ stress puppy:
—Gloria Melville was fired on the spot
A person who seems to
North Hollywood, for dropping a ball on thrive on being stressed
California the foot of a complain- out and whiny.
ing patron.
✦ tourist:
At a mall in Brooklyn, —jeff_the_nurse
Someone who takes
I watched as a gentle- ✦ I work construction. training classes just to
man was approached We had two new hires get a vacation from his
by a kiosk vendor. “Ex- who were friends. or her job.
cuse me,” said the ven- Boss told one to take a
✦ treeware:
dor, “can I ask you a coffee order and come Hacker slang for printed
question?” back. He took every- documentation.
The gentleman one’s money and said
✦ uninstalled:
smiled as he replied, he needed his friend
A euphemism for
“You just did,” and kept to go with him because being fired.
right on walking. it was a big order. They —berkeley.edu
—John Lewandowski never came back.
South Boston, Virginia —Dendad1218
joebelanger/getty images

Reddit.com contributors
remember colleagues Anything funny
who got axed fast. happen to you at work?
✦ Guy slept through It could be worth $$$.
two meetings on his For details, go to
first day. The second rd.com/submit.

rd.com 21
Reader ’s Digest
 HOW TO

Strengthen Your
Immune System
Scientists don’t have all the answers,
but exercise, proper diet, and stress management
can make you more resilient at any age

By Mike Zimmerman
from aarp bulletin

ne aspect of the COVID-19 slowly decline as we age. Doctors call

O pandemic that has kept us

guessing since the early days
is why some people who get the virus
it immunosenescence. It’s slow and
insidious. Think of a photo of yourself
from ten years ago versus one taken
jonya/getty images. illustrations by maria amador

don’t suffer much and others become
desperately ill. All the more, while
the elderly have been particularly
hard hit, some—even centenarians—
survive, whereas countless younger
people, whose immune systems are
supposed to be more robust, have
succumbed to it. So what factors give
some people a stronger immune sys-
tem than others, regardless of age?
What does it mean if, for example,
your partner or child gets sick and you
don’t, or vice versa?
We know that our immune systems
this afternoon. “You see changes in
your face, skin, and hair color,” says
Insoo Kang, MD, director of allergy
and immunology at the Yale School
of Medicine. “It takes time. Same pro-
cess with your immune system.”
The difference in rate of decline be-
tween individuals is one of science’s
big mysteries. The immune system is
complex, but most of us understand
the basics: Our bodies detect an
intruder—a virus, bacterium, parasite,
or foreign object—and produce white
blood cells to combat the problem.

rd.com | may 2021 23

Reader ’s Digest
How many of these cells you produce
when you’re, say, 73 versus when you
were 45 is the million-dollar question.
And it’s at the heart of the COVID-19
pandemic.
Fortunately, we won’t always be in
a pandemic. But we can use this one
to gain an understanding of how the
immune system changes with age and
how we might slow the decline and
stay stronger in the future.
WHAT FACTORS
GIVE SOME PEOPLE
A STRONGER
IMMUNE SYSTEM?
Immunity and Aging
No one knows why our bodies don’t
produce as many immune cells as
we get older, says Atul Butte, MD,
distinguished professor of epidemi-
ology, biostatistics, and pediatrics
at the University of California, San
Francisco. Dr. Butte worked with a re-
search team on a review of 242 stud-
ies that revealed some insights,
especially regarding T cells, which
are white blood cells that attack vi-
ruses. We possess two broad catego-
ries of T cells: “memory” cells that
24 may 2021
have encountered a certain pathogen
and “remember” how to fight it and
“naive” cells, which have yet to fight
anything. “We’ve seen especially that
the number of naive T cells seems to
be lower as we age,” Dr. Butte says.
And those are exactly the cells
“needed to recognize newly emerg-
ing microorganisms like the COVID-19
virus,” says Dr. Kang. This means that
when that virus—something our im-
mune systems haven’t seen before—
shows up, most of us don’t have
memory T cells to mobilize, so the
naive cells have to take on the fight.
Since older folks have fewer naive
cells to fight with, as a group they are
more vulnerable.
But Dr. Butte observed in his study
review that some healthy older peo-
ple had little or no decline in T cells.
Some had as many as younger people,
and women generally seemed to have
higher amounts as they aged.
The reasons these key cells decline
over time could be manifold. “We
know genetics plays a part,” Dr. Butte
says. “But it’s debatable how big a
part compared with environment and
lifestyle.”
Chronic low-grade inflammation
that develops with advanced age can
also affect the immune system. Life-
style factors—poor sleep, ongoing
stress, and weight gain—are common
causes, as are systemic issues such as
autoimmune diseases and decreased
liver or kidney function. This inflam-
mation causes the immune system

to operate abnormally by constantly
firing, which accelerates the aging
process on a cellular level and can
lead to heart disease, type 2 diabetes,
Alzheimer’s disease, and more.
“Most systems in our body are
tightly regulated,” says Sean Xiao
Leng, MD, a professor at the Geriatric
School of Medicine at Johns Hopkins
University. “The immune system is no
exception, which is why this dysregu-
lation is so dangerous.” What’s more,
chronic inflammation is silent and
produces no symptoms. Your immune
system may be compromised and you
don’t even know it.
Taking Charge
When we talk about vulnerability in
older adults, there are two important
parts: incidence (whether you get an
infection of any kind) and severity. If
you do become infected, “having a
stronger immune function may de-
termine how badly you’ll be infected,”
says Dr. Leng.
While you can’t do anything about
your genetic makeup and you may not
be able to completely stop the decline
in your immunity as you age, slowing
it down can mean a higher immune
reserve when you need it most. For-
tunately, many factors that positively
affect your immune system are within
your control, including these:
Movement R e g u l a r w o r k o u t s
boost immune function and lower
inflammation. A 2019 study in Na-
ture Reviews Immunology noted that
How to Strengthen Your Immune System
skeletal muscle is a “major immune
regulatory organ” that generates anti-
inflammatory and immunoprotec-
tive proteins called myokines. A 2018
study found that higher-intensity
workouts may blunt immune system
decline in older adults. “Exercise
strengthens the body and may be the
most important lifestyle intervention
you can add,” Dr. Kang says.
Self-knowledge Dr. Butte suggests
that people gain a better understand-
ing of where their health is right now.
For example, those with asthma may
want to start measuring their peak air-
flow to know what their normal lung
function is. “The more we can use
digital devices and tools, the more
we’ll understand,” he says. “If some-
thing changes, you’re not just going
to the doctor and saying, ‘I’m having
trouble breathing.’ You can say, ‘My
airflow has dropped 8 percent.’ ” Stay-
ing on top of chronic conditions will
allow you to spot declines quickly so
you and your doctor can decide on a
better course of therapy.
Nutrition Eating right and avoid-
ing obesity, whose inflammatory ef-
fect is deadly, are common sense. But
research also reveals specific effects
of diet on immune function in older
adults. A study reviewed in the jour-
nal Nutrients in 2018 showed that ba-
sic nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D,
and E and the B vitamins, along with
folic acid, iron, selenium, and zinc, are
essential for “immunocompetence,”
with deficiencies causing lower T cell
rd.com 25
Reader ’s Digest

production and an inability to resolve Vaccines Vaccines are designed to

inflammation. Strive for balance. “Eat
not just vegetables but also good pro-
teins and fiber,” Dr. Kang says. The
latter is important because it feeds
the good bacteria in your gut and can
help lower inflammation. “We have
a lot of immune cells in the gut that
help regulate health. Dietary fiber
may have more than the single effect
of making the bowel move.”
Calm Research has shown that un-
regulated stress can accelerate im-
munosenescence since a chronic
immune response to whatever’s
stressing you can result in inflamma-
tion. Self-care in this area is critical,
from anti-stress activities (meditation,
mindfulness, exercise) to asking for
help in unresolved stressful situations
(work, money, caregiving).
provoke the production of antigens,
but our aging immune reserve doesn’t
respond as robustly as it did in our
earlier years. That shouldn’t make
you lazy about vaccines. “It’s true they
become less effective as people get
older,” Dr. Kang says. “But even if you
do get infected, the disease will be less
severe. People should get whatever
vaccines their doctors recommend
based on age and underlying medical
conditions.”
Medications Certain prescription
medications may inhibit your im-
mune system. For example, oral and
inhaled corticosteroids (common
treatments for arthritis, allergies,
asthma, and inflammatory bowel
disease) may raise your risk of fungal
infections. The same is true for tumor

IS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM VULNERABLE?

These are among the health conditions that can cause you to be immunocompro-
mised, meaning your immune system is less able to fight off a viral infection. If you
have been diagnosed with any of the following, take every precaution to protect your-
self, and talk with your doctor about whether it’s necessary to adjust your treatment.

Obesity According to Diabetes High blood Cancer Cancer and its

emerging research,
adipose tissue—fat—can
inhibit immune function.
A 2018 study of patients
over three flu seasons
found that obese adults
took 42 percent longer
to fight off the virus than
did nonobese people.
sugar (hyperglycemia)
is an inflammatory condi-
tion that tends to inhibit
the immune response
and raise the risk of infec-
tion. People who have
uncontrolled high blood
sugar are particularly
vulnerable.
various treatments can
reduce white blood cell
counts and make patients
more open to infection,
while at the same time
making it harder to fight
any infection that they do
get. If you are a cancer pa-
tient or survivor, discuss

26 may 2021
 How to Strengthen Your Immune System

necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors that
treat auto immune conditions such
as rheumatoid arthritis and psoria-
sis. “Even antibiotics could kill gut
bacteria and trigger some kinds of
infection,” Dr. Kang says. If you’re
on any ongoing medications, talk to
your doctor about possible immune
system side effects and how to ad-
dress them.
COVID-19 Lessons
In addition to a newfound appre-
ciation for handwashing and how far
away six feet is, the COVID-19 pan-
demic will, in the end, teach us more
about our health vulnerabilities, indi-
vidually and as an aging population.
Dr. Butte believes the pandemic
will usher in a new era in immunity
research. “We’re going to learn a lot
in a hurry,” he says. Dr. Leng foresees
a large push into learning more about
aging and immunity by studying the
older adult population and unlocking
the unknown mechanisms in the im-
mune response. He’s already part of a
massive National Institutes of Health
geriatric science initiative involving
hundreds of researchers.
“The traditional medical model fo-
cuses on individual disease,” he says.
“But we’ll try to see if we can find an
underlying mechanism in immunity,
something upstream in the process.
Then we can do a wider search rather
than chase after individual diseases. If
we can do that, the older population
will handle all immune challenges
better.” RD
aarp bulletin (may 2020), copyright © 2020 by aarp,
aarp.org.

your situation with a vulnerable to lung infec- infection risk. Also,

doctor who is familiar with
your medical history.
Asthma, COPD, and
other respiratory
diseases Viruses love
to attack the lungs, so
people who have existing
lung conditions are at risk
of more severe symptoms
when they do get sick.
Chronic obstructive pul-
monary disease (COPD)
patients are particularly
tions, which can further
damage the already com-
promised air sacs.
Autoimmune diseases
Not only can an infection
trigger a flare-up of auto-
immune diseases such as
rheumatoid arthritis, mul-
tiple sclerosis, or psoria-
sis, the treatment of those
conditions often involves
immunosuppressive
drugs that can raise your
autoimmune conditions
can cause interstitial lung
disease, a dangerous
condition that can cause
scarring of the lungs.
Heart disease Based
on early data, as many as
40 percent of COVID-19
patients who required
hospitalization had exist-
ing cardiovascular dis-
ease, the American Col-
lege of Cardiology reports.

rd.com 27
Reader ’s Digest

A Merit Badge in Manners

YOUR While spending the day at Mount Rushmore,
I decided to get lunch from a stand being
TRUE worked by Boy Scouts. The three hot dogs
STORIES
in 100 Words
I ordered cost $4 each, and I also picked
up beverages worth $7. “That’ll be $10,”
said the young Scout ringing up my order.
Recognizing his math error, I said, “You
Mommy’s Little Girl?
might want to try that again, son.” He
Priceless
Many years ago, my two replied, “That’ll be $10, please.”
sons spent time coach- —Jim Moeller Rice, Minnesota
ing their toddler sister
to say something special
to me on Mother’s Day.
They had been teaching
her, “You are priceless.”
Certain that she had
the words lined up right,
they watched, peeking
out from behind their
door, as their little sister
made her way down
the hall. She called out
to me and then proudly
announced, “Mommy,
you are worthless.” Nothing Slows I was in the van with her,
—Helen L. Zimmerman Her Down a cop pulled Muriel over.
elkhart, indiana When I first met my friend “You know, you were
Muriel, she walked with speeding,” he said. “Yes,”
a limp. Polio. As she grew she replied, “and I slowed
older, Muriel moved to down just before you
using a walker and then nabbed me.” The cop let
To read more true
a scooter. Undaunted, Muriel go but heard her
stories or submit one, she purchased a huge say to me, “No ticket—
go to rd.com/stories. van outfitted with a ramp. yay!”
If we publish yours in Tiny but mighty—and —Amy Greenberg
the print magazine, it now 96—Muriel is a dare- stamford,
could be worth $100. devil driver. Once when connecticut

28 may 2021 | rd.com Illustration by Hallie Bateman

 INTRODUCING
NERVIVE

RESULTS
START IN
14 DAYS* HELPS
YOU
FALL
ASLEEP*

WORLD’S 1 SELLING NERVE CARE †

COMPANY
†
Nicholas Hall’s global CHC database, DB6, 2019 value sales at MSP
*THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.
 WE
FOUND
A FIX
5 Tricks to
Improve Your Life*

1
Rejuvenate
Strawberries
That Go Soft
food With strawberry
season almost upon us,
try this if yours turn a bit mushy before you get a chance to
finish them: Move them to a large bowl, taking care not to mash
any and leaving an inch between the berries and the bowl’s rim.
Cover with ice and pour cool water over the top so the ice is
floating. After 20 minutes, the strawberries will have a plumper
shape and lighter color. This trick works for wilted lettuce too!
joleen zubek

*From RD.com and THEHEALTHY.COM

30 may 2021 | rd.com

 Reader ’s Digest

2
Keep Your Plants
3
Buckle in Your Wineglasses Too
Safe in the Car cleaning No matter how strategically you play
gardening dishwasher Tetris, your more oddly shaped glassware
When you head to (wineglasses, champagne flutes) sometimes doesn’t
the nursery this spring, sit quite right in the rack. Prevent breakage and worry
don’t forget the step- by stretching a rubber band around the body of the
ladder—not for climbing, glass and over the rack spokes during a turbulent wash
but to secure your plant cycle. Now that’s a fix worth toasting!
haul. Lay the ladder
down in the trunk and
place your most top-
heavy or fragile plants
in the spaces between
the rungs to hold them
4
Unmute Yourself with
upright. No more spilled
a Simple Keystroke
tech Zoom errors can happen to the best of us.
soil on the carpet or
You try to unmute yourself during a work meeting or
driving home with a
family video call but instead you turn off your camera
peace lily in your lap.
or accidentally disconnect from the call entirely.
But Zoom is pretty smart. It will mute you with a
simple press of the space bar. Ready to be unmuted?
Press the space bar again.

5
BYOB: Be Your Own Bandage
health You already know that the quickest way
to heal a bothersome paper cut is to cover it.
But what are you supposed to do when it’s in
a tricky spot, say, in the webbing between two
fingers? Crack open the trusty first aid kit
and buddy-tape the two fingers together for
yasu+junko

the day. This will help prevent germs from

getting in and the cut from stretching. RD
Reader ’s Digest

“I sure hope the negotiations go well.”

“I’ve been to visit he complained, “Some-

Humor in the colonel,” my sister
joked. The Marine
UNIFORM looked confused.
“Colonel Sanders!”
she explained.
My mom was ex-Army, “Sorry, ma’am,” he
so during the holidays said, “I don’t know
she and Dad would in- those higher-ups.”
vite local Marines from —Steve Chiales
Camp Pendleton over Corona, California
for dinner. One night,
my sister came home A young airman
from work at Kentucky showed up at forma-
Fried Chicken, still tion needing a shave.
in her uniform. One When I asked why he
of the Marines asked hadn’t taken care of
where she’d been. that before he arrived,
body moved my piano.”
“Why would moving
the piano cause you to
miss shaving?” I asked.
His reply: “My razor
was on the piano.” james patterson/cartooncollections.com
—Robert Rhodes
Fallon, Nevada
Got a funny story
about the military or
your military family?
It could be worth $$$.
For details, see page 4
or go to rd.com
/submit.

32 may 2021 | rd.com


 
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Reader ’s Digest

ometime in the 1960s, a group

FOOD
the
S of Japanese businessmen from
Hitachi Corporation ventured to
rural Louisiana to learn what was driv-
ing the remarkable sales of its Chime-
ON YOUR O-Matic rice cooker in the town of
Ville Platte. They toured the Louisiana
PLATE countryside, taking in expanses of rice
fields that might have reminded them
of home. They also discovered Cajun
music producer Floyd Soileau, owner
of the legendary Floyd’s Record Shop,
who was so convinced of the Chime-
O-Matic’s ability to nail beautiful rice
for the Cajun kitchen that he was sell-
ing it alongside the tunes of greats like
D. L. Menard.
In solving one mystery, the Hitachi
men were confirming that America
had discovered the answer to another.
How can you cook a bowl of perfect
rice over and over? Sure, a human
can learn how, as you have done for
centuries around the earth—by em-
ploying the same dedicated metal
or earthenware pot set on the same
timeworn hearth every time. But alter
just a couple of variables and the per-
I Am Rice … fect grains you seek are not remotely

A Perfect guaranteed. The margin of error be-

tween undercooking me and over-
james wojcik/trunk archive

Staple Made cooking me is simply too narrow.

For Louisiana cooks of jamba-

Better laya, étouffée, and gumbo and, soon

enough, American cooks everywhere,
the rice cooker delivered total control
over me. Even the most basic model is
By Kate Lowenstein a marvel, relying on an ingenious set
and Daniel Gritzer of temperature sensors and carefully

34 may 2021 | rd.com

crafted magnetic alloys attuned to the
MADE TO
boiling point of water. Once I absorb HELP FILL
the last drop of water, the temperature
shoots up past the boiling point and
the magnets disengage, turning off the
YOU UP
cooker for a perfect pot of me every
time. No wonder the rice cooker today
is nearly as ubiquitous worldwide as
the microwave. Grab a bowl of me at
the corner Chinese restaurant, and it
surely came from a rice cooker. I don’t
mind—I’m always put at ease when I
realize I am being dumped into one
and can emerge as my best-cooked
self. Now you understand why that
Hitachi on sale for $17.95 was flying
off the shelves at Floyd’s.
Still, even when you humans had to
toil in ancient kitchens to master me,
I was always your most-consumed
food—and still am, underpinning
daily meals from Brazil to Brunei. You
love me so much you domesticated
my grass three separate times on three
separate continents: in China about
10,000 years ago, in what’s now known
as Brazil about 4,000 years ago, and in
West Africa about 3,000 years ago. The
species from Africa and Brazil have
mostly fallen by the wayside, but the
one domesticated in China, Oryza
sativa, is still going strong. That’s no
surprise given my versatility in both
kitchen and field.
As a crop, while rice paddies may
come first to mind, I don’t require a
flooded pond’s worth of hydration
to grow. I actually thrive in dry land-
scapes too. But because I tolerate
 Reader ’s Digest

10
LAYERS
being submerged, farmers can use
water as a natural weed and pest
control.
In the kitchen, I boast a dizzying
OF WHEAT array of varieties—Carolina, arborio,
basmati, jasmine, black, red, white,
IN EVERY BITE brown, etc., etc. (I will leave out wild
rice because it’s the grain of another
type of grass—not mine!) Keep one

CLASSIC CREAMY
RICE PUDDING
In a 3-quart saucepan, combine 3¼ cups
whole milk with ½ cup uncooked long
grain rice and a pinch of salt. Add the
whole spices of your choice: 4 carda-
mom pods, a cinnamon stick, or a split
and scraped vanilla bean pod and its
seeds. Bring to a simmer over medium-
high heat, stirring and scraping the sides
and bottom frequently with a silicone
spatula to prevent scorching. Lower heat
to maintain a bare simmer and cook,
stirring often, until rice is soft and the
liquid has taken on a thick, creamy con-
sistency, about 40 minutes. Discard the
whole spices. Stir in ½ cup sugar until
dissolved. Serve warm or chilled. (When
chilled, the pudding will thicken consid-
erably; stir in milk a tablespoon at a time
until the desired consistency is reached.)
daniel gritzer
 The Food on Your Plate
NEW!
basic distinction in mind, though:
the difference between my long grain
A CEREAL FOR
indica and shorter grain japonica CINNAMON
subspecies. I get a kick out of cooks ROLL LOVERS
who believe them interchangeable.
No! Imagine using indica’s slender
grains—so perfect for pilafs, biry-
TO LOVE
ani, or alongside an order of General
Tso’s—for sushi. I can just see the bits
of dry rice raining from the seaweed.
Or try serving up a jambalaya packed
with a stout, moist japonica. I’d be so
sludgy you’d get a lifetime ban from
Mardi Gras.
And when I’m brown? That’s my
whole grain form of any of the above,
with bran still attached, which means
I can pack a better nutrient and fiber
payload—perhaps not the traditional
pairing with Chinese takeout but a
heart-healthier choice nonetheless.
Of course, I’m also milled into a
flour to make fry batters, noodles,
and spring roll wrappers, and I am a
key ingredient in sake and in soybean
pastes such as miso. You’ve even used
me as currency over the eras. It’s when
you’ve turned to me to represent fer-
tility and prosperity, including toss-
ing me at American newlyweds, that I
must balk. Please don’t waste me like
that. Perhaps a better tradition would
be gifting the happy couple a shiny
new rice cooker. RD

Kate Lowenstein is a health journalist

and the editor-in-chief at Vice; Daniel
Gritzer is the culinary director of the
cooking site Serious Eats.
Reader ’s Digest

WHERE, OH WHERE?
An RD Photo Quiz

darrell wyatt/getty images

38 may 2021
 few things you might not know about tulips: They occur naturally in

A every color—except for blue. Their petals are edible. (Some taste like
lettuce; others, more like peas or cucumbers.) And the 17th-century tulip-
buying craze in Holland didn’t make the country go broke. The Netherlands does
produce about 60 percent of the world’s supply, but tulips grow like weeds across
coastal swaths of Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, and even the United States.
Also thriving here: Dutch-inspired place names, though only a lucky few are also
tulip meccas, like the location of this photo. Where is it? (Answer on page 123.)
A Holland, Michigan C Dutch Mills, Arkansas
B Wooden Shoe Farm, Oregon D Rembrandt, Iowa

rd.com 39
 13 THINGS

Saluting
Arlington
Cemetery
By Emily Goodman

Three million people visit

1 Arlington National Cemetery each

year to honor the 400,000 veterans
(and their dependents) who are in-
terred, inurned, or memorialized
within its 639 acres. Arlington has the
distinction of being the only national
cemetery with service members from
every major U.S. war and conflict.

40 may 2021 Illustration by Serge Bloch

 Reader ’s Digest

The property be- Truman desegregated marble headstones that

2 longed to George
Washington Parke
Custis, who was both
the military in 1948.

All presidents
dot the landscape. Just
before Memorial Day,
soldiers place flags in
the adopted grandson
of our first president
and the father-in-law
4 can be buried at
Arlington, yet only
two are: William Taft
front of the more than
200,000 headstones (as
well as the urn niches).
of Robert E. Lee. His and John F. Kennedy.
daughter Mary Custis Abraham Lincoln’s son In addition to
Lee inherited the land,
but when the Civil War
broke out in 1861, the
Robert is also at Arling-
ton, despite his wishes
to be buried beside his
7 service members,
there are war cor-
respondents, chaplains,
Lees abandoned their father in Springfield, and military doctors—
Arlington estate. The Illinois. (Robert’s wife such as yellow fever pa-
U.S. Army seized it arranged his services thologist Walter Reed—
to help defend the and chose Arlington.) laid to rest at Arlington
capital—then buried as well. And since the
the North’s war dead Even though the Geneva Convention
there as a further insult
to the Lee family. 5 cemetery conducts
up to 30 funerals
each day, Arlington
mandates that prisoners
of war who die in cap-
tivity be honorably bur-
Those early buri- isn’t keeping up with ied, the cemetery is also

3 als were racially

integrated. But
once Arlington became
demand. Officials give
priority to active ser-
vice members over vet-
home to one German
and two Italian POWs
from World War II.
a national cemetery in erans and to military
1864, all subsequent members over family Among those
graves were segregated
by race until Harry
members. The wait list
is so long that months
can pass between a
8 buried at Arlington
are boxer Joe Louis
(an Army vet), actor
death and the funeral. Lee Marvin (a former
Marine), and the archi-
Arlington does tect of Washington, DC,

6 not charge for

funeral services
or for graves and their
Pierre Charles L’Enfant
(who joined the Ameri-
can Revolution). Glenn
maintenance. The U.S. Miller, whose Army Air
government also foots Force Band entertained
the bill for the white more than a million

rd.com 41
Reader ’s Digest 13 Things

troops, has a memorial 1998 revealed the sol- Months after the space
(since he is still MIA). dier’s identity as Air shuttle Challenger
Force first lieutenant exploded in 1986, the
In 2013, Arlington Michael Joseph Blassie. commingled remains

9 launched a free
mobile and web
app, ANC Explorer.
Blassie was exhumed
and reinterred in his
home state of Missouri
of all seven crew mem-
bers were buried there.
The Columbia memo-
The tool allows users at his family’s request. rial is dedicated to the
to locate any grave at seven astronauts lost
the cemetery and view The guards of when that space shuttle
burial records as well
as photos of the head-
stones and memorials.
11 the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier
are also called senti-
exploded in 2003.

The cemetery
The app also provides
directions to each one.
nels. The guard on duty
marches 21 steps down
the mat behind the sar-
13 is running out
of room. About
95,000 burial spaces
More than cophagus, waits 21 sec- remain, but 22 million

10 2,000 soldiers
lie within the
Tomb of the Civil War
onds, then turns and
waits another 21 sec-
onds before taking
living armed forces
members are currently
eligible for them. Pro-
Unknowns. Inside the 21 steps back. This rou- posed restrictions to
Tomb of the Unknown tine represents the high- the rules of eligibility
Soldier there are just est symbolic military will severely limit who
three, one from each honor: the 21-gun salute. can be buried there
world war and another (far fewer retired vets,
from the Korean War. Two of the for instance), but they
An unknown Vietnam
vet had been there as
well, but a DNA test in
12 memorials at
Arlington are
dedicated to astronauts.
will allow for continued
burials for the next
150 years. RD

Abolishing a Smile
Frederick Douglass was the most photographed man of his time—reportedly
photographed more than Abraham Lincoln. But there’s one thing you’ll almost
never see in Douglass’s photos: a smile. The famous American abolitionist
believed that smiling would play into 19th-century stereotypes of Black people
as cartoonlike objects of ridicule. Of the 160 known portraits of Douglass,
he’s smiling in only one, which shows him with his wife and sister-in-law.

42 may 2021
 Reader ’s Digest

LAUGH LINES
Do you think during the Accidentally closed a browser
Great Depression they were, with 20+ tabs open. This
must be what the scholars of
like, “Ugh, 1933, am I right?” Alexandria felt when their
—@deadeyebrakeman great library burned.
—@Caulimovirus

I wonder how many

medieval chefs were The Greeks believed
executed because
the king’s food taster
Blasts their gods lived atop
a very hikeable
had food allergies.
—@TheWeirdWorld
from the mountain and no
one went to check.

Past —@MiahSaint

The saddest part of

Medieval Times is the Just got an e-mail
horses think it’s all real. from a student
—@JDShapiro where they referred
to the ’90s as “the
acinquantadue/getty images

late 1900s.”
—@__al_b

rd.com 43
Reader ’s Digest
BEST PET PALS
Contest
A Hare-Raising Rescue
Jeannie & Chad
bonita springs, florida
had is an English Lop bunny
C who believes he is a dog. He
eats from dog bowls, sleeps in
the dog’s bed, and follows us around
the backyard like a dog. Naturally, his
best friend is our dog, Jeannie.
We actually have four rabbits. Fun-
nily enough, Jeannie loves to chase af-
ter wild rabbits and will pull until the
leash is taut if she sees one on a walk.
44 may 2021 | rd.com
Jeannie (left) and
Chad lounge
together in
the grass.
But she never chases ours, and Chad
has always been her favorite. When
we let them out in the yard together,
they each do their own thing at first:
Jeannie wanders and sniffs around
while Chad munches on grass. But
courtesy andrea stetson
eventually, Jeannie will come back to
find a spot in the shade, and Chad will
come lie next to her and be greeted
with a sloppy kiss.
All four of our bunnies participate
in a Read to Rabbits program at a
nearby education center for migrant
 Trademarks owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.

OF TRUSTED NUTRITION
COME HOME TO

TAKE COMFORT IN OVER 50 YEARS

CAT CHOW
®
Reader ’s Digest Best Pet Pals Contest

children. Kids who usually don’t want
to read can’t wait to sit down with the
bunnies to read them a story. One boy
with special needs who rarely speaks
said his first full sentence to one
of our bunnies. At the end of every
school year, Jeannie joins her bunnies
at Read to Rabbits sporting her own
pair of bunny ears.
On one occasion, Chad and Jean-
nie’s friendship had lifesaving conse-
quences. Chad was hopping around
the grass in the backyard one after-
noon when my parents visited with
their dog, Bradley. Since Chad’s best
friend is a dog, he had no fear of hop-
ping over to 68-pound Bradley to
say hello. But Bradley responded by
grabbing the ten-pound bunny by the
face and shaking him. Jeannie bolted
across the yard and chased Brad-
ley away, but by the time we got to
Chad, he was lying on the grass with
blood gushing from his mouth. We
rushed our beloved bunny to the vet.
Chad had a broken jaw and a low
chance of survival. We administered
antibiotics and fed him through a
syringe for weeks, hoping he would
recuperate.
Jeannie was his vigilant compan-
ion the entire time. She’d stand next
to us and wag her tail while we sat
down with Chad to feed him. It took
weeks for him to eat solid food. He did
eventually recover fully, with Jeannie
by his side. She was always protective
and so gentle.
—Nominated by Andrea Stetson
Have a Pet Pals tale? Enter your
story and visuals and see terms
at rd.com/petpals. Nominees
may appear in print and online.

The Most Popular Man in Houston

When the power went off and the cold came and the pipes burst in Texas
in February, one man found himself in demand in ways he’d never
experienced before: the local plumber. “My hero!” Lora Ratcliff squealed
when Troy Watts arrived at her house to fix the broken pipes that had left
her without water for days. Watts, 49, is used to rescuing people in their dankest
moments. But the scale of the Texas disaster transformed him into
something more than just a hired wrench. “Most of what I do is repairing
plumbing stuff, but there’s a lot of me being their shoulder to cry on,” he says.
“I try not to get emotionally involved. I can’t let them see me like that.
I’m there to help them feel better. That’s why I love my job—I’m helping people.
There’s a lot of relief in just taking a shower in your own home.”
washingtonpost.com

46 may 2021 | rd.com

 Family Adventure
Explore
Hendersonville, NC
More than ever, getting
outdoors is important.
Head to the Blue Ridge
Mountains for hiking trails,
biking trails, orchard trails,
craft trails and the Cheers!
Trail, showcasing wineries,
cideries and breweries.
Call 800.828.4244 or visit
VisitHendersonvilleNC.org
for more information.
Explore Greensboro, NC
Centrally located in North
Carolina’s picturesque
heartland, there’s something
for everyone. We’re taking
extra precautions to keep
you healthy, a part of Count
on Me NC. Feel at home in
Greensboro, NC.
Call 336.274.2282 or visit
VisitGreensboroNC.com for
for a free Visitors Guide.
Visit Anchorage, AK
Alaska’s wide open spaces
have a way of drawing
generations closer together.
Reconnect over glaciers,
gold panning, wildlife
watching, and more —
it all begins in Anchorage.
Start planning today.
For more information,
visit VisitAnchorage.net
or call 1.907.257.2363
For More Information Visit RD.COM/TRAVELTIPS
Explore Fairbanks, AK
Explore Fairbanks, Alaska.
Be inspired by the light
of the Aurora Borealis.
Renew your energy
under the Midnight Sun.
Experience the warmth
of Fairbanks. Imagine
Yourself Here. Explore
Fairbanks Responsibly.
Call 1.800.327.5774 or visit
ExploreFairbanks.com
for a free Visitors Guide.
Explore St. Lawrence
Cruise Line
Experience the beauty
and history of Canada’s
rivers aboard a classic
riverboat. Our small
ship overnight cruises
are designed for safety
and comfort.
Request our travel guide at
StLawrenceCruiseLines.com
or 1.800.267.7868
FREE TRAVEL INFORMATION!
Check as many boxes as you like! Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.
T1. Historic Hendersonville T2. Explore Fairbanks
T3. Greensboro Convention T4. St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
& Visitors Bureau T5. Visit Anchorage
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY STATE ZIP CODE
E-MAIL
TYes, I would like to receive additional Travel Information at the e-mail
address above.
Mail to: Readers Digest P.O. Box 413050, Naples, FL 34101-3050
Fax: 888-847-6035
 “Scotch and toilet water?”

owner, “do you have living on a planet

LIFE
in these
today’s newspaper?”
“Yes, I do,” answered
with wind!”
—Bill Spencer
the man. “It’ll be here Cullowhee,
United States tomorrow.” North Carolina
—H.H.via rd.com leo cullum/cartooncollections.com

After our Siamese

On a trip to a rural Irish My wife often surprises kitten ran up our
village, a friend of me with her unusual expensive curtains,
mine stopped off at perspective on life, snagging them, my
the only shop in town but never more so wife took him to the
to buy a newspaper. than when she walked veterinarian to have
However, all it had outside one breezy him neutered, hoping
was the previous day’s afternoon, threw it would calm him
edition. “Excuse me,” open her arms, and down. A few weeks
he asked the shop announced, “I love later, my sister-in-law

48 may 2021
 Reader ’s Digest

A friend is someone you can text by Civil War reenactors

“Do I look good in yellow?” and three that announced, “Civil
War Battle November 6,
dots appear and disappear twice 10 a.m.”
before you get back “No.” My disappointed
—@bessbell sister asked, “Whatever
happened to the
brought her new Update: My husband element of surprise?”
boyfriend over to meet is mad because I didn’t —James Metz
us. Before entering warn him the cake Honolulu, Hawaii
the house, she offered I PUT IN THE TRASH
him this bit of advice: CAN doesn’t taste good.
“Whatever you do, — @BraveTart Got a funny story
don’t touch the about friends or fam-
curtains.” I was visiting my sister ily? It could be worth
—James Bell in Tennessee when we $$$. For details, go to
Orland Park, Illinois noticed a sign placed rd.com/submit.

THANKS, KIDS …
On this Mother’s Day, let’s not forget just how much
Mom has had to put up with over the years.
✦ No one makes more ✦ Scene: Family at the
observations than a dining room table
child sharing a stall with Daughter: Mom, is there
his mother in a public any more open wine? put it where it belonged.
restroom. Me: In the wine fridge. He put it in my purse.
—@Lhlodder Daughter: There’s a —@mommajessiec
sergeyryzhov/getty images

wine fridge? ✦ Five-year-old: Just

✦ While I was applying
Son: That’s what she one more question!
face cream, my husband
calls the fridge. What are the lines on
asked our daughter
what I was doing. She — Kathy Nieman your forehead?
mequon, wisconsin Me: ...
yelled back, “She’s
applying Oil of Delay.” ✦ My four-year-old threw Five-year-old: Now they
— MJ Robarts a wrapper on the floor. I look angry.
punta gorda, florida told him to pick it up and —@PaigeKellerman

rd.com 49
 EVERYDAY MIRACLES

Brief Encounters
of a Close Kind
By Rachel Martin
from theatlantic.com

don’t know how to say it except as they conjure up horrible outcomes.

I to say it. It sounds like the para-

noid nightmare of an overprotec-
tive parent, but it is what happened.
I saw my eight-year-old son go over
a waterfall.
At this point, I need to tell you that
he’s fine. Because when I tell this
story, I can see people’s faces contort
It wasn’t a huge fall, but in many other
ways it was huge.
It was last August. We were on va-
cation, having driven from our home
in Washington, DC, to New Hamp-
shire. We wouldn’t see friends or
family—it would be just me, my hus-
band, and our two kids out for a nice,

50 may 2021 Illustration by Gel Jamlang


safe, socially distanced week away.
We had hiked about half a mile to
a popular spot called Diana’s Baths,
near the town of North Conway,
where the water falls off a series of flat
boulders layered up the mountain-
side like an M. C. Escher drawing. The
baths were full of families, so we made
our way to one of the upper levels of
rock to keep our distance.
Both where we sat and down be-
low, the water cascaded and fell into
small pools, where kids in swimsuits
were splashing around. I watched as
some younger parents nervously cor-
ralled their toddlers away from the
rocks’ edges, feeling grateful that my
husband and I were out of that stage—
that our kids, at six and eight, could
navigate their physical space with
more confidence. Don’t get me wrong:
I was still terrified as I saw my two
boys jump between the slippery rocks.
“No running,” I said again and again.
“Stay away from all those edges.”
But I soon relaxed, and we were all
having fun, splashing in the pools, my
kids laughing as my husband dunked
his head under the cold running wa-
ter. Then, seconds later, every fear I’d
ever had rose to the surface.
I turned and saw my son Wyatt sit-
ting down between two boulders in
a fast-moving stream. I yelled at him
to get out. He yelled back something
that I couldn’t hear, and then he dis-
appeared over the edge.
All I remember from the moments
after is screaming, over and over, like
Reader ’s Digest
a prayer, “Somebody help my son!” I
didn’t even know what help he needed,
because I couldn’t force myself to look.
My husband was already sprinting
down the rocks. I finally looked. Wyatt
was sitting up—he was alive. My big-
gest fear was erased. As I held my
younger son, Jed, close, I heard an-
other woman scream. “That child just
went over the waterfall!” she shouted
at her husband. “We are leaving!”
They walked away, never even looking
back to see whether our child was OK.
LISA WENT TOWARD
THE UNTHINKABLE
INSTEAD OF
TURNING AWAY.
It was about 12 feet from the top of
the waterfall to the pool below, which
was studded with huge rocks. Wyatt
had fallen on his back, straight onto
the rocks. That’s what Lisa told us.
We didn’t know her name was Lisa
at that point. All we knew was that
while everyone else looked on from a
distance, too afraid or unbothered to
help, this petite brunette with a mask
didn’t hesitate. In fact, by the time I
had climbed down the rocks and my
husband had pulled Wyatt out of the
water, she had already called 911. She
told me that she was a nurse. She gave
Wyatt a red, white, and blue striped
towel to put under his head. She im-
plored us to keep him still and on his
rd.com 51
Reader ’s Digest Everyday Miracles
back in case he had injured his spinal
cord. I finally had the wherewithal to
ask her name. “Lisa,” she said. “And
I’m not leaving you.”
I knew she was a mother. I saw
her kids standing a few feet back. I
couldn’t see her face. Just her eyes.
But she looked at me so deeply, as
if she were trying to take every bit of
energy, love, and strength in her body
and push it out through the only part
of her face I could see. I held on to that
energy like a rope that could pull us to
safety—to some other place and time
where my son wasn’t writhing in pain.
The rescue team came. They took
Wyatt out of the park on a stretcher.
An ambulance took us to the small
local hospital. From there, Wyatt was
transferred to a larger trauma hospital
in Portland, Maine, where they could
better assess him. There were tests
and scans. A sleepless night in the
hospital. But by morning, we got the
all-clear. Wyatt had three broken ribs
and a punctured lung—injuries that
sound horrific but heal on their own.
As soon as I knew that Wyatt was
going to be OK, my thoughts fell to
Lisa. If she had not stepped up, would
someone else have done so? Perhaps.
But it was her. She was the one who
went toward the unthinkable instead
of turning away.
And something else had happened
that I hadn’t realized right away. I felt
so drawn to her, so strengthened by
her, because she stepped into what
had been a void in my life during
52 may 2021
the pandemic. I missed strangers.
Meeting Lisa reminded me how I
long for connections with people I do
not know: a random shared joke with
someone in an elevator. A quip that
turns into a conversation with a store
clerk. The banter with a chatty res-
taurant server. Even the most casual
interactions with strangers make me
feel less strange. I need to feel as if we
aren’t all floating around in our own
bubbles. If we stop connecting with
those we don’t know, if we stop being
able to see ourselves in them, where
are we as people? As a society? What
are we left with?
On that mountainside in New
Hampshire, the circumstances were
anything but casual, and as a result
the moment had even more intimacy
and power. All of that has sustained
me since.
Lisa and I have exchanged several
text messages. She sent gifts for our
kids—individually wrapped Lego sets
with a handmade card. We told each
other how nervous we were about
our kids going to school in person.
It’s not the drama of two mothers on
the side of a waterfall, one holding the
other through her worst fear. But every
interaction that now follows, no mat-
ter how mundane, will be built on that.
And in this world that has violently
shaken all of us, that has dizzied and
bruised us in our own isolation, we are
two strangers who are less strange. RD
theatlantic.com (september 2, 2020), copyright
© 2020 by rachel martin.
 Reader ’s Digest

Wellness from Thehealthy.com

The
Benefits of
Cuddling
The COVID-19 crisis has
reminded us all that
humans don’t just crave
a hug or a friendly touch.
We need it.

By Charlotte Hilton Andersen

s a nurse working on the front

A line in Denver, 32-year-old

Janae Hixson knows a few
things about the stress brought about
by the pandemic. In addition to all the
well-documented strains on health-
care workers, she adds another one:
minimal human interaction at work
(where she’s wearing PPE all day) and
fewer hugs and cuddles at home.
“I always shower and change
clothes before I touch the kids. They

illustrations by James Steinberg rd.com 53

Reader ’s Digest

know the drill now. My daughter will
jump up and down and say, ‘Mom,
you have hospital germs! Take a
shower so we can snuggle!’ ” she says.
Which Hixson does—stat. “Nothing
beats hugs and snuggles with my hus-
band and kiddos after a rough shift at
the hospital. Cuddling with them on
the couch makes me feel instantly
happier and calmer.”
As a result of COVID-19 precau-
tions, many of us are part of this sec-
ondary epidemic: people who really
need a hug. More than half of the
40,000 people who participated in the
BBC’s Touch Test, a survey conducted
in 112 countries in collaboration with
Wellcome Collection, said they didn’t
get enough physical interaction: an
arm around the shoulder, a sympa-
thetic touch, or a long snuggle. And
that was before the pandemic set in.
By April 2020, as the COVID -related
lockdowns were taking effect, that
number increased to 60 percent, ac-
cording to a study published in the
Medical Research Archives of the Eu-
ropean Society of Medicine. It was true
regardless of whether a person lived
alone or with others. Health-care pro-
fessionals have given a name to this
condition that is affecting so much of
society: touch starvation.
Cuddling and hugging aren’t for
every one, of course. Some people
feel uncomfortable when others
touch them, though nearly 90 percent
of participants in the Touch Test re-
ported liking physical affection from
their partners, and 79 percent said
they liked it when a friend touched
them. That instinct to seek out human
touch is more powerful than most of
us realize.
“We are born as cuddlers, and we
never really outgrow it,” says James

I TRIED IT
Telemedicine
Once my appointment was scheduled, I received
specific instructions to download an app for my smart-
phone. Whatever device you are using, make sure it
is fully charged. As with in-person doctor visits, you still
courtesy lisa marie conklin

might have to wait to see your doctor. (But at least you

are waiting in your own home.) Pick a quiet space for the
visit, avoiding high-traffic areas such as the kitchen or
living room. Often, just navigating the technology can
Lisa Marie create stress. I wrote down my questions ahead of time,
Conklin which is a good idea for in-person visits as well.
from “get the most out of your virtual doctor visit, ” thehealthy.com

54 may 2021

Córdova, PhD, a psychology profes-
sor and clinical psychologist who
directs the Center for Couples and
Family Research at Clark University in
Worcester, Massachusetts. “I honestly
think cuddling should be among the
most basic prescriptions for human
flourishing.”
Touch star vation may sound
touchy-feely in the most literal sense,
but the idea is supported by hard-
core biology. It starts with hormones.
“Cuddling increases levels of oxytocin,
the bonding hormone, and decreases
levels of cortisol, the stress hormone,”
The Healthy
says Lina Velikova, MD, an immunol-
ogist, researcher, and assistant pro-
fessor at Sofia University in Bulgaria.
Those same hormones can affect your
cardiovascular system, your sleep, and
even your mental health.
“Cuddling activates our para-
sympathetic nervous system, bring-
ing feelings of calm and ease while
settling feelings of anxiety and sad-
ness,” Cordova says. Blood pressure is
often linked to stress, so anything that
reduces stress can help bring it down.
In addition, oxytocin has a protective
effect on the heart.
rd.com 55
Reader ’s Digest
Physical touch is also an essential
part of how human beings communi-
cate, according to Sabrina Romanoff,
PsyD, a clinical psychologist at Lenox
Hill Hospital in New York City. “Part
of the power of physical touch comes
from the very fact that it does not
involve spoken language,” she says.
“Body language is often harder to
fake. The act of cuddling implicitly
communicates trust and safety in
ways you can’t speak.”
And most of us are unaware of
the power of touch. People who got
regular hugs were less likely to get
sick when exposed to a cold virus
than people who didn’t get physical
affection, according to research pub-
lished in Psychological Science. Snug-
gles can even reduce physical pain.
Reaching for a loved one’s hand for
comfort is a natural reaction. A study
published in 2018 in Proceedings of
the National Academy of Sciences
found that this very act can help di-
minish pain, especially if the person
you are touching is someone you
feel close to personally. “Even minor
physical contact can be beneficial to
both of you,” Romanoff says.
Cuddlers and snugglers also sleep
better. More than 60 percent of those
who responded to the Touch Test
survey said a hug from a partner be-
fore sleep had a positive effect on
their night. The oxytocin triggered by
touch helps reduce the fight-or-flight
impulses that stress produces, help-
ing you fall asleep faster, Dr. Velikova
56 may 2021
says. It also aids digestion, making for
a more restful sleep.
How to Cuddle
Not all cuddling is created equal,
and there’s no one right way to do it.
It can be lying next to each other in
bed, spooning, or other types of loving
touches, Romanoff says. If one way
doesn’t feel right, try something else.
Foot rubs, head rubs, back rubs,
hand-holding, laying your head on
someone’s chest, sitting on a lap or
side by side on the couch with legs
touching—all these things count.
There are even different types of hugs.
For people who aren’t fully com-
fortable with physical touch and are
not accustomed to giving or receiv-
ing physical affection, it’s important
to start slow, both in the quantity and
quality of physical contact. Take the
time to find out what you like, what
your hug-partner likes, and what your
friends and loved ones enjoy. “Learn
to speak their physical love language,”
Romanoff says.
Don’t focus solely on snuggling
with your partner. Children are natu-
ral cuddlers, and appropriate cud-
dling between parents and kids is
essential to development, teaches kids
about good physical boundaries, and
helps form tight, loving bonds.
“Parents need to hold their kids in
their arms,” Dr. Velikova says. “Even
a gentle pat on the hand or forehead
can do wonders. While doing it, say
something loving to increase your

kids’ sense of security and warmth.”
You can also look beyond humans
to meet your cuddling needs. Pets are
awesome snuggle buddies. There’s a
reason why therapy animals exist—
petting and loving animals can help
you feel better. This can be especially
important for people who don’t have
a human companion to cuddle with.
Can CBD Help
You Sleep?
annabidiol ( CBD ) has been
C touted as a treatment for pain,
depression, and epilepsy—and
even anxious pets. More than 40 per-
cent of CBD users say they’ve tried it
to help them sleep. Yet evidence of its
effectiveness as a sleep aid is limited.
A review paper in Current Psychia-
try Reports points to studies showing
that CBD can be effective for sleep
joleen zubek
apnea, REM sleep behavior disorder,
PTSD nightmares, and sleep issues in
people with chronic pain. But people
The Healthy
Hixson gave birth at the begin-
ning of the pandemic, which added
another layer of stress, responsibil-
ity, and worry. However, the new
little one has been a blessing to the
whole family, in part because of her
need to be held and cuddled often.
“Baby snuggles are the best medi-
cine,” she says.
who believe that CBD helped them
with more generalized sleep prob-
lems might be reacting instead to its
antianxiety properties, says Martin A.
Lee, cofounder and director of Project
CBD, a California nonprofit that pro-
motes CBD research. Another study,
published in Current Neuropharma-
cology, found that low-dose (15 mg)
CBD may actually keep some people
awake, and Lee emphasizes that CBD
does not work like a sleeping pill.
“If you take [ CBD ] before you go to
sleep, you’re liable to be up all night,”
he says.
Even if continuing research proves
CBD effective for sleep in some peo-
ple, check with your doctor, especially
if you take medications such as blood
thinners. CBD tends to be well toler-
ated, but it can have side effects. RD
To learn more,
check out RD’s new
book, The Essential
Guide to CBD, at
shop.rd.com/CBD.
rd.com 57
 When Pain or
Weakness Lingers
After COVID-19
News From the After surviving
COVID-19, some people
WORLD OF are left with pain,

MEDICINE numbness, or weakness

in their hands, feet,
arms, or legs. While
some of the causes of
these nerve-damage
symptoms are known—
including inflammation
from the body’s im-
mune response and
hematomas caused by
DEEP SLEEP MAY DEFEND blood thinners used for
COVID-19 treatment—
AGAINST ALZHEIMER’S doctors have been at
a loss as to what to do
Each day, as your brain cells consume en- about them. A new
ergy, they create waste products. These in- Radiology review pro-
clude beta-amyloid, a compound that’s found poses a good first step:
in abnormal levels in the brains of people a high-resolution ultra-
sound or a magnetic
with Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists believe resonance neurography.
that a healthy brain cleans out this unneeded A damaged nerve in one
substance during the deep, dreamless part place can trigger symp-
of the sleep cycle known as slow-wave sleep. toms elsewhere, but
these imaging methods
In a six-year California study, seniors who can pinpoint the exact
experienced less slow-wave sleep tended location and nature of
to accumulate more beta-amyloid. This the injury. Depending
suggests you could reduce your Alzheimer’s on what is revealed,
treatment might include
the voorhes

risk by practicing good sleep habits and pain medication, physi-

seeking treatment for sleep disorders such cal therapy, immuno-
as chronic insomnia and sleep apnea. therapy, or surgery.

58 may 2021

Stress-Related
Dental Problems
on the Rise
If you wake up with a
headache or sore jaw,
you might be grinding
your teeth in the night—
and you’ve not been
alone. Stress often trig-
decha huayyai/getty images (teeth). creativ studio heinemann/getty images (cabbage)
gers this problem, and
a survey conducted last
spring in Israel and
Poland found that the
COVID-19 pandemic is
making the condition
more widespread.
During Israel’s first lock-
down, the rate of people
who suspected they
were grinding jumped
from 10 to 36 percent.
To prevent tooth dam-
age, a dentist can make
you a mouth guard to
wear at night. To reduce
the stress at the root of
this habit, many activi-
ties can help: working
out, meditating, deep
breathing, watching a
funny show, or simply
indulging in a leisure
activity that you enjoy.
The Healthy Reader ’s Digest
KEEPING Older People
BONES at Risk of STIs
STRONG It’s not only high
WITHOUT schoolers who need
MEAT sex education. In a
survey of Europeans
In theory, you can get over age 45, two-thirds
the nutrients you need of respondents said
without eating meat they never used protec-
or dairy. Yet a British tion against sexually
study found a signifi- transmitted infections
cantly increased risk (STIs) and more than
of hip fractures in vege- half had never been
tarians, pescatarians, tested for those they
and especially vegans. could be carrying.
Protein and calcium, Shame and stigma
which are both essen- were cited as among
tial to bone health, the biggest barriers
are found in certain stopping people from
plant-based foods accessing sexual
such as beans, lentils, health-care services.
broccoli, and cabbage, Over the long term,
so be sure to include certain untreated STIs
them in your meals. can lead to chronic
pelvic pain, cardio-
vascular damage, and
an increased risk of
cancer. So unless you’re
in a long-term monoga-
mous relationship, it’s
a good idea to openly
discuss the topic with
your doctor.
rd.com 59
Reader ’s Digest The Healthy

CAN ONLINE DOCTOR Better Management

for Type 1 Diabetes
RATINGS BE TRUSTED? Instead of repeatedly
Online ratings make it easier pricking their fingers,
to choose which phone, car, people with type 1
or dishwasher to buy, but are diabetes can rely on
they equally useful when it continuous glucose
comes to picking a doctor— monitors (CGMs). With
or learning about the one the help of a tiny sensor
you have? Not always, ac- inserted under the skin,
cording to a University a CGM measures your
of Texas at Dallas study blood sugar level con-
focused on chronic dis- tinuously and can alert
ease care. you via a handheld
When a patient has a monitor whenever it
curable problem—strep isn’t within the right
throat treated with anti- range. Do they help?
biotics, for example—they Yes. In a Swedish study,
will clearly know whether their medical care was switching to a CGM
successful and may be more likely to give a satisfac- helped patients de-
tory assessment online. But when it comes to ongo- crease their average
ing diseases such as diabetes, asthma, or chronic blood sugar level. They
obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD )—which also suffered far fewer
aren’t cured but rather are managed—the signs that episodes of too-low
a doctor is doing a good job are less obvious. blood sugar. Most sub-
As you’d expect, then, when the researchers in- jects also found using
vestigated how patients with COPD fared with vari- the device more com-
ous doctors over a period of ten years, star ratings fortable than the alter-
on websites didn’t line up very well with more ob- native. The FDA has
jective ways of measuring the quality of their care, approved several CGMs,
such as the rate of patients who developed compli- including one that is
cations or needed to visit an emergency room. safe to use in patients
blackred/getty images

Some of the information written in online reviews as young as two years

might be reliable—observations about a doctor’s old. Most private insur-
friendliness or the cleanliness of their office. These ance covers those ap-
things matter too. But when it comes to medical out- proved by the FDA, and
comes for chronic diseases, you can’t depend too as of April 2021, Medi-
much on what you see on the web. care does as well. RD

60 may 2021 | rd.com

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Reader ’s Digest

QUOTABLE QUOTES

If not shaving or combing your hair is superstitious,

then I’ve been superstitious for years.
—Chris Stapleton, musician

What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these fleeting temples we
make together when we say, “Here, have my seat,” “Go ahead—you first.”
—Danusha Laméris, poet

It feels like this 10,000-pound weight went from

the left shoulder to the right shoulder now that I’ve
got the job because I’ve got to do it well.
—Kim Ng, baseball’s first female general manager

You can take a girl out of the Midwest

but don’t come for her baby back ribs.
—Shonda Rhimes, tv producer

Don’t spend any time whatsoever thinking

about what might have been.
—Alex Trebek, game show host
getty images ( 3 )

stapleton ng trebek

62 may 2021 | rd.com

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 TRAVEL

TRIPS! By Melissa Klurman

64 may 2021 | rd.com

 Reader ’s Digest

After a
l o n g , s e q u e s t e re d
ye a r, m a ny o f u s f e e l
t h e i t c h t o t ra v e l a g a i n .
B e f o re yo u s t a r t t o p a c k
t h e ca r, l e t t h e s e f i v e
s i g n a t u re d r i v e s i n s p i re
yo u r p l a n s — a n d yo u r
wanderlust.

CAUTION
The scenery in and
around Moab,
Utah, is highly
distracting.
 America’s Highway

ROUTE 66

starts chicago
ends santa monica,
california
2,448 miles

The Mother Road.

America’s Highway. The
Main Street of America.
The Will Rogers High-
way. Route 66 goes
by many names, but

previous spread: franckreporter/getty images.

there’s one thing every-
one can agree on: “His-
toric Route 66 is the
this page: sumiko scott/getty images

quintessential Ameri-
can experience,” says
Ken Busby, executive
director and CEO of
the Route 66 Alliance.
“It speaks to westward
migration during the
Great Depression, a road
of hopes and dreams
1 and opportunities.”

66 may 2021 | rd.com

 Travel Reader ’s Digest

2
Route 66 also repre-
sents the entrepreneur-
ial spirit of America.
From kitsch to classics,
bd images/shutterstock (cowboy). julien mcroberts/offset.com (dinosaur)
1 The Blue Swallow
welcomes new
cars too. (In fact, it
has Tesla charging more than 200 times
stations.)
since his first trip in
2 Scratch that kitsch 1949. “The people are
from all walks of life,

itch at Buck Atom’s

these only-here spots in Oklahoma (left) from every country in
are worth the trip and the Painted the world. It’s really a
in themselves. A few Desert Indian Center smorgasbord of cul-
favorite roadside pit in Arizona. tures and languages. If
stops: Follow the 1960s you travel Route 66 and
green-and-yellow neon or the graffitied mono- don’t immerse yourself
sign to Waylan’s Ku-Ku liths at Cadillac Ranch with the people, you’re
Burger drive-through in Amarillo, Texas. missing the key to the
for towers of sweet soft As with most road whole experience,” he
serve, crisp fried pickle trips, Route 66 is more says. “You’re more than
spears, and sizzling about the journey than likely going to come
burgers in Miami, Okla- the destination as you away from any trip on
homa. Hunker down for roll along from Chicago Route 66 with a whole
a nostalgic stay at Blue to Santa Monica, Cali- bunch of new friends.”
Swallow Motel (circa fornia. “It’s not the A fitting souvenir from
1940) in Tucumcari, road and it’s not the America’s Highway.
New Mexico. And don’t attractions—it’s the
miss the photo ops at people,” says CEO of
the World’s Largest Mother Road Enter-
Ketchup Bottle in prises Jim Conkle, who
Collinsville, Illinois, has traveled Route 66
 Ult imat e

FLORIDA
starts tarpon
springs, florida
ends sanibel island,
BEACH
florida Trip
170 miles

With 1,350 miles of seaside capital is— America—is Siesta Key,

unbroken coastline, Miami? Daytona? Key just south of Sarasota.
Florida is America’s West? In fact, last year If you’ve never heard
undisputed sand- Tripadvisor reported of it, perhaps that’s be-
and-surf playground. that the top beach in cause Floridians try to
And its undisputed Florida—in fact, in all of keep this most-coveted

1
 Travel Reader ’s Digest

1 Sunset off
2 the coast of Dunedin

2 Clockwise from left:

An unusual sponge
secret to themselves. Laboratory for Coastal collection in Tarpon
opposite page: matt english/getty images. clockwise from left: benedek/

Siesta Key is one of Research at Florida Springs; Sanibel

Island; an offshore
getty images. vito palmisano/getty images. patty barker/getty images

many underappreciated International Univer-

and not-too-crowded sity) has put at the top resident
beaches you’ll find of his own best beaches
on this drive along in America list. palm tree. Together, the
Florida’s aptly named The turquoise-tinged two islands claim the
Sun Coast. Start on beauty is everywhere. title of “seashell capital
Route 19 northwest of Fort De Soto Park deliv- of the world,” a distinc-
Tampa and head south ers sunsets to rival tion they owe to a quirk
through slice after Key West’s any day, and of geography. They are
slice of sandy Gulf it’s home to a menag- among the few barrier
paradise, including erie of pelicans, herons, islands that run perpen-
Tarpon Springs (the egrets, sea turtles, dicular to the mainland,
“sponge capital of the and Florida’s iconic which allows them
world”), the Scottish- dolphins. Travel a few to snag the current’s
like fishing village of hours south on I-75 and conch, whelk, and other
Dunedin, and Clear- over the Sanibel Cause- shells in their crescent-
water’s Caladesi Island, way to Sanibel and shaped clutches. Stop
which Dr. Beach (aka Captiva Islands, two Old over, and you might find
Stephen Leatherman, Florida retreats with no yourself captive to the
PhD, the director of the buildings taller than a islands’ charms too.

rd.com | may 2021 69

 Iowa’s
GREAT
RIVER ROAD
starts keokuk, iowa
ends lansing, iowa
241 miles
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Show-
boat. The Blues. The Mississippi River
is arguably our most inspiring natural
landmark. If you have a lot of time on
your hands, you can ride shotgun with
Old Man River all 2,350 miles, from the
Gulf of Mexico to northwest Minnesota.
Or you can sample what makes this
river unique by giving the Iowa stretch
of the Great River Road a try.
The Hawkeye State’s 328 miles of
the River Road wind by more cultural
and educational centers than it does
70 may 2021
in any other state. A good place to
start is Keokuk, home to the George rivernorthphotography/getty images
M. Verity Riverboat Museum. Its
collection of maritime artifacts and
information is housed, appropriately,
aboard a historic paddle wheel boat.
The water is the star of the trip,
but the scenery throughout Iowa puts
on its own show, from the low river-
beds to the dramatic limestone bluffs
sculpted over millennia by glacial
meltwater. A three-hour drive north
of Keokuk brings you to LeClaire,
 Travel Reader ’s Digest
A riverboat
cruise stop near LeClaire
(left) and the towering resting
place of town namesake
and settler Julien
Dubuque

America in historic McGregor, where

birthplace of Buffalo Bill Cody and
home to the museum that honors
both his contributions as an ex-
plorer of the West and the Native
Americans he encountered.
From there, it’s on to Dubuque,
Iowa’s oldest city and a favorite
jphelan/getty images
Pikes Peak State Park provides one of
the most expansive views anywhere
along the Mississippi.
About 15 miles to the north,
Harpers Ferry is home to Iowa’s
most significant Native American
relics: the 1,600-year-old represen-
tations of birds, bears, and more
at Effigy Mounds National Monu-
ment. The sacred spot preserves
200 mounds from more than 20 tribes
on 2,500 acres.
Ride along to the high scenic bluffs

haunt of Al Capone. You’ll find of Yellow River State Forest (home

the National Mississippi River
Museum and Aquarium here,
along with its resident alligators,
river otters, and turtles.
You can tour a bit of 19th-century
to 65 species of birds) on the way
to Lansing’s 450-foot-high Mount
Hosmer Park. On a clear day, you can
see for 50 miles—Wisconsin to the
east and Minnesota to the north.

rd.com 71
 N AT I O N A L
Five in
One Drive

Arches
National Park
contains 2,000
sandstone
skyscrapers.

72 may 2021 | rd.com


starts zion national
park, utah
ends canyonlands
national park, utah
352 miles
Sculpted by wind and starting with the red
water over countless rock landscape of
millennia, the remote chasms and hanging
canyons and plateaus of gardens at Zion Na-
southeastern Utah were tional Park. The views
among the last parts here may make you feel
of the American West as if you’re flying, espe-
to be seen by travelers cially at Angels Landing,
from the East. What a which juts 1,488 feet
difference a century or above the Virgin River.
two can make. Today, Head 75 miles north-
that rugged landscape west along 89A to Bryce
is home to some of the Canyon National Park.
most popular national You’ll spy the soaring
parks in the country. orange rock formations
Collectively known as (known as hoodoos)
the Mighty Five, they long before you arrive
boast dramatic desert at the park gates.
landscapes, soaring Next up, how about
arches, deep slot can- a trip to Mars? The red
leo/getty images
yons, and reach-for- sandstone of Capitol
the-sky rocky spires. Reef National Park,
You’ll need several 100 miles to the north-
days to take in all of east, so resembles the
the natural wonders, look of the Red Planet
Travel Reader ’s Digest
that a Mars Desert
Research Station is
located here. Roll
130 miles north for
another otherworldly
sight: Arches National
Park’s more than 2,000
dazzling stone arches,
the largest profusion
of natural arches in
the world. Bonus: If
you discover a new one
of these colorful stria-
tions, you get to name it.
Finally, drive on to
the needle pinnacles,
rock mazes, and re-
mote canyons carved
by the Colorado and
Green Rivers at neigh-
boring Canyonlands
National Park. The vast
wilderness area offers
crowd-free experiences
in its remote reaches
that will make you feel
as if you’re all alone
with these mesmeriz-
ing landscapes.
 NEW
ENGLAND H ist o ry
&
Foliag e
Other than a great cup of
chowder, New England vacation-
starts athol, ers essentially want two things: a little
massachusetts bit of history and a lot of foliage. You’ll
ends
williamstown, find them both on Massachusetts’s
massachusetts Mohawk Trail, one of the nation’s first
63 miles

74 may 2021

2
designated scenic highways. The Mo-
hawk people once used this byway
across the Berkshire Hills as a trading
route, and armies from Co-
lonial Boston traveled it to
defend the western frontier.
Among the gems you’ll find
today: a Quaker meeting-
house in Adams built in
1782 and the nearby birthplace of
opposite page: belia koziak/shutterstock. this page: lee snider photo
Susan B. Anthony.
They are both at the western edge
of this one-day drive, which follows
Route 2 east through the northwest
part of the state. Natural and con-
structed beauty intertwine every-
where, as in the hills of Natural Bridge
State Park, home to the only natural
white marble bridge in North America.
There’s a bridge of another kind in
Shelburne Falls—the blooming Bridge
of Flowers, a former trolley path
teeming with hundreds of varieties
of flowers, vines, and shrubs.
images/shutterstock
Drive on and you’ll encounter a
hairpin turn that will make you feel as
if you’re on a roller coaster, twisting
To find more routes in your region, steer to rd.com/americanroadtrip.
Travel Reader ’s Digest
1 The hills along the Connecticut
River, alive with color
2 Susan B. Anthony was born
in this house in Adams,
Massachusetts, 201 years ago.
almost 180 degrees straight down a
hillside. Not enough of an adrenaline
rush? Try flying through the treetops
on a zip line tour in Charlemont. If
you prefer to be amazed with two feet
firmly on the ground, stop in North
Adams to marvel at the visual and
performing arts offerings at the Mas-
sachusetts Museum of Contemporary
Art. Housed in the former Sprague
Electric Company plant, MASS MoCA
is one of the largest contemporary
arts centers in the country, with
28 buildings spread across 16 acres.
It’s home to indoor and outdoor
dance, music, and theater spaces as
well as some of the finest large-scale
sculpture exhibitions in the world.
After all that man-made art, you’ll
be ready for more of Mother Nature’s.
It’s only a five-mile drive to the top of
Mount Greylock, the highest peak in
Massachusetts. From the observation
tower at its summit, you’ll get a
bird’s-eye view of the entire sweep
of the Berks. You might even spot a
bald eagle from your perch. RD
rd.com 75
 LAUGHTER
The best Medicine

Sandy began a job as

a school counselor and
was eager to help. One
day during recess, she
noticed a girl standing
by herself on one end
of a playing field while
the rest of the kids
enjoyed a game of “My doctor says you should be drawing
soccer at the other. more fruits and vegetables.”
Sandy approached
the girl and asked “OK,” said the girl, When the spirit doesn’t
if she was all right. looking at Sandy suspi- move a thing
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you like me to be your ation, “I’m the goalie!”
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to Washington, DC,
When I find myself walking through the when a politician
in economy gets up
valley of the shadow of death, I remind
and takes a seat in
myself not to trust Google Maps again. first class. The flight
—Submitted by William Petticrew attendant sees him
Toms River, New Jersey do this and asks him

76 may 2021 | rd.com Cartoon by P. C. Vey

 Reader ’s Digest

to return to his origi- and then gets up and to make him move.
nal seat in economy. goes back to his origi- “Easy,” he says.
But the politician nal seat in economy. “I told him that first
says, “I’m an elected The flight attendant class isn’t going to DC.”
official, I’m important, and the copilot are —Submitted by
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getty images ( 3 )

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Reader ’s Digest

78 may 2021 | rd.com

 MY MOST UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTER

JERRY’S
DIRT
courtesy jacob baynham (family photos).
rd photo studio (photo borders)

When it came to selecting his final resting place,

my father-in-law knew to scout the land he loved,
with help from the entire family

By Jacob Baynham
from the georgia review
Reader ’s Digest My Most Unforgettable Character
I. The Cabin
Jerry McGahan was
not well when he
stepped out of his
Montana cabin on a gusty mid-
September afternoon in 2016. His hair
was wiry and white. Steroids had swol-
len his face, rounding the usual angles
of his jaw. He elbowed open the front
door and slowly crossed the porch. His
feet had memorized the distance.
The cabin was older than he was,
but solid. In 1973, he found it for sale
at the foot of the Mission Mountains
just north of here. He paid $300 for
it and gathered some friends to help
take it apart. Jerry numbered the
logs, loaded them onto a truck, and
re assembled them along the Jocko
River with his first wife, Libby. Using
skills he learned from carpentry books
and an eighth-grade shop class, he
framed the windows, wired the out-
lets, plumbed the pipes, and built the
cabinets. By the end of the summer, it
became a home in this sylvan oasis.
The cabin and the surrounding gar-
dens have a way of arresting people.
80 may 2021 | rd.com
Jerry with Janet on the cabin’s front porch
(right), and on the roof fixing the damage
from a fallen cottonwood in 1985
Those who come down the driveway,
whether the mail carrier or—once—
the poet Allen Ginsberg, know they are
seeing something rare and beautiful,
the fruits of an autonomous life. When
a hospice doctor visited, he stepped
out of his car, swept his gaze over the
house, the mossy rock gardens, and
the corkscrew hazel out front, and
said, “It looks like a hobbit lives here.”
This is where I first met Jerry on
a cloudless spring morning in 2007,
shortly after I had fallen in love with
his daughter in Missoula. Hilly first
described her father to me as a writer
and beekeeper who never ate fruit out
of season, refused to own a cell phone,
bought almost nothing, and knew
a lot about birds. In person, I found
Reader ’s Digest My Most Unforgettable Character
him to be self-possessed and encyclo-
pedic but simultaneously humble. He
listened more than he taught.
Hilly and I married in 2012, in the
shade of trees Jerry planted behind
the cabin. When Jerry was diagnosed
with prostate cancer in 2014, Hilly was
pregnant with our first son. The can-
cer was the type that could have been
removed if Jerry had gone in sooner,
but he thought of doctors the way he
thought of mechanics: The more you
saw them, the more they found to
fix. His lifestyle of homegrown food
and manual labor imbued him with
the immortality of a tree, for which
death is possible but implausible.
Jerry never scheduled the checkup
that could have sounded the alarm,
HE FOUND A GOLDEN
EAGLE, BROUGHT IT
HOME, AND TRAINED
IT TO HUNT RABBITS.
and his truancy came with a price: By
the time a doctor found it, the cancer
was aggressive and inoperable. His
oncologist said he might have months
to live. Almost three years passed.
On that September day as he
stepped out of his house, Janet, his
second wife for 35 years, took his arm.
Her body was riddled with disease
too. A third round of breast cancer
had metastasized to her bones. Un-
til recently, they scheduled oncology
82 may 2021
appointments together the way they
once went to the movies. For a while,
they were racing in lockstep toward
the end. Now it looked as though Jerry
would finish first.
But before then, he had one bit of
business left to attend to in the or-
chard, one final decision to make
before the cancer pulled the rafters
down around him. So, with all six of
his children and some grandchildren
alongside, Jerry slowly stepped down
from the porch and started walking.
II. The Birds
Jerry McGahan was born in the winter
of 1943 and grew up in Livingston, at
the mouth of Montana’s Paradise Val-
ley. He was a scrawny, awkward boy
with freckles and few friends, so he
learned to entertain himself. Once,
he found a baby pigeon, which he
brought home and named Sapphire.
The bird became his companion,
riding on his cap when he delivered
the Park County News. Jerry soon be-
came infatuated with birds. One day
in high school, he found a fledgling
golden eagle in a nest on a cliff out-
side of town. He brought it home and
named it Torrey. She lived in a large
cage outside his house and ate prairie
dogs that Jerry stored in the freezer.
On the weekends, he trained her to
hunt rabbits. When Jerry went to the
University of Montana in Missoula in
1961, he brought Torrey with him. She
lived in an enclosure behind the gym,
and between classes Jerry would fly

her on the mountain behind campus.
At UM, Jerry compiled his fastidi-
ous field research into a paper about
the hunting habits of golden eagles.
It’s still one of the most complete
studies on eagles in Montana. And he
met Libby, a liberal arts major from
Missoula who liked to hike as much
as he did. They married in 1966, the
same year Jerry finished his mas-
ter’s in wildlife biology at UM. Then
he and Libby moved to Madison,
where Jerry got a doctorate in zoology
at the University of Wisconsin. As part
of his graduate research, he received
a grant from the National Geographic
Society to study Andean condors
Jerry (above, with glasses)
was infatuated with birds,
including these golden
eagles and his Andean
condor, Gronk (left).
in South America. Jerry
filmed a documentary
and wrote a story for
the May 1971 issue of
National Geographic.
Libby took the pictures,
including the cover pho-
tograph of Jerry with a giant Andean
condor perched on his arm, almost
ten feet worth of wings flared, seem-
ingly ready to peck off Jerry’s nose.
Jerry named that condor Gronk and
brought it home with him to Montana
in 1973 before donating it to a zoo.
Jerry and Libby settled on a piece
of cattle-trod land in Arlee that to
him was ripe with potential. They
had adopted their first child in Co-
lombia and had named him Jay. In
1974, they had a daughter named Jor-
dan. With a new family to provide for,
Jerry bought a flatbed pickup, built
some hives, and started a honey busi-
ness that he called Old World Honey.
rd.com 83

After Jerry and Libby divorced, Jerry
married Janet, who had two sons, Si-
mon and Duncan. Together Janet and
Jerry had two more daughters, Romy
and Hilly. They were both born in
the cabin, within earshot of the Jocko
River, and, like their siblings, grew
up weeding the gardens and pulling
honey alongside their father.
Because Jerry spent so much time
outside, beekeeping, gardening, or
just walking, birds still inhabited his
days. One morning in 2010, he walked
out of the cabin and heard a song he
didn’t recognize. He found the bird in
84 may 2021
Even while turning
the dirt, Jerry had help
from a pigeon friend.
a bush and went back
inside to consult his
field guide. It was a Car-
olina wren. He reported
it to the wildlife depart-
ment at the University of
Montana, but they were
skeptical; the Carolina
wren is common in the
East but had never been
seen in Montana. Until
then.
III. The Dirt
From the moment he
began living along the
Jocko River, Jerry culti-
vated a sense of belong-
ing to the place. He filled
it with trees, flowers, and
vegetables. He spent so much time
working it that its geography became
a sort of map of himself. To dispose
of garbage—old kitchen timers, the
children’s trophies, and other refuse—
he put piles of the stuff in the yard
and covered it all with big, naturally
sculpted, lichened rocks that he and
Janet quarried in the mountains. Then
he filled in the gaps with soil and
planted flowers. If you cared about the
man, you cared about his flowers, and
given the opportunity, he’d introduce
you to them. Like the birds, they were
among his closest friends.
 My Most Unforgettable Character Reader ’s Digest
As were the trees. In total, Jerry
planted 54 apple trees here. He began
soon after he arrived. First, he planted
the rootstock. He waited a year for it
to sprout, then drove to experimen-
tal orchards to taste their apples. The
next spring, he returned to cut wood
from the varieties he liked and grafted
that onto his young trees. Slowly the
rootstock and the grafts matured into
trees, and after a decade or so, Jerry
picked his first apples.
They were wonderful, unusual ap-
ples, with names such as Incarnation,
Star Song, and Priscilla. He had Sansa
apples from Japan and an English vari-
ety called Ashmead’s Kernel that origi-
nated in the 18th century. One apple
called New Jersey 46 has soft pink flesh
that tastes like strawberry soda.
Jerry then crossed his favorite va-
rieties, hoping to combine one ap-
ple’s flavor with another’s texture,
for example, or its storability. After
four decades, Jerry’s trees contained
175 kinds of apples—82 standard va-
rieties and 93 of his own crosses. His
favorite cross, between a Sweet Six-
teen and a Gold Rush, had a clean
crunch and tasted faintly of fennel.
Jerry called it the Jocko.
Late in Jerry’s life, I learned that
he never actually ate his apples. He’d
take a bite now and then to feel the
texture and enjoy the flavor, but he
spat out the pulp. He made sure every
last one of them was picked at peak
ripeness and distributed to friends,
family, or the food bank. To me, the
utility of an orchard was its fruit, but
to Jerry an orchard was a laboratory
in which every apple was an incuba-
tor for its seeds. The fruit would ripen
and rot in a season. But the seeds?
They were eternal.
On that September afternoon,
we all filed into the grassy orchard,
where Jerry pointed out a limb of
Jocko apples. They weren’t ready yet,
but we hadn’t come to eat. Instead,
we watched as Jerry swiveled his torso
around the orchard, looking for some-
thing. Wind whistled through the tops
of the pines as Jerry clutched his mor-
phine pump in his left hand.
IF YOU CARED
ABOUT THE MAN,
YOU CARED ABOUT
HIS FLOWERS.
“What about this spot here?” he
finally asked. “You like this end? I
kind of like this end too. You come in
the gate, and you have this spot to go
to. You have to walk.”
He walked over to the spot and
scanned the ground.
“If it were camp, I’d kinda like my
head to go here,” he said, pointing
to the earth. Duncan, his 42-year-
old stepson, set a large rock on the
ground.
“My sleeping bag would come down
this way,” Jerry said. “Hey, Dunc,
move that rock two inches to the left.”
rd.com 85
Reader ’s Digest My Most Unforgettable Character
Jerry was looking down now, mak-
ing small measuring steps, as if he
were about to dive into water. Then
he got on his hands and knees, turned,
and flattened his back against the
earth. His palms lay flat on the grass,
his head rested on the rock like a pil-
low, and his pain pump whirred be-
side him.
“How do you like it, everybody?” he
asked. “OK?”
It wasn’t OK. Not to any of us, no
matter how long we’d known it was
coming. Death for Jerry was still in-
conceivable, oxymoronic even. But
if this man had to be confined to a
single patch of soil, no spot was more
fitting than this. Duncan gently sank
a shovel into the grass on either side
of Jerry’s head and again at his feet,
upturning four divots of sod.
No one talked. We were all star-
ing at our feet and this plot of grass
beneath an apple tree, next to a gar-
den hose; this ordinary piece of dirt
that death would sanctify. We stood
there, awkward under the uncertain
certainty of it all. Jerry read the mood
and did the kindest thing he could.
He walked over to a tree and shook a
limb so that ripe Noreen plums rained
down on us. It felt as if he’d shaken us
too. Soon we were all stooping down
to pick them up. The flesh was bright
red and juicy. Janet walked over to
her husband and wrapped her arms
around his waist.
“A graveyard and an orchard,” Jerry
said. “They go well together.”
86 may 2021
IV. The Hole
With this decision made and his en-
ergy waning, Jerry turned back toward
the house. As we walked down the
driveway, some of his older grand-
children and one great-grandchild
were already returning to the orchard
with shovels. No one knew how much
time we had, but it seemed sensible to
dig the hole before the ground froze.
In the end, more than a dozen fam-
ily members dug the hole. The job
took several days. The physicality of
the labor and the simplicity of the ob-
jective were a refreshing escape from
the anguish unfolding in the cabin. Af-
ter one spell of digging, I returned to
the house sweating and Jerry looked
“A GRAVEYARD AND
AN ORCHARD,”
JERRY SAID. “THEY
GO WELL TOGETHER.”
up at me from his pink recliner with
soft eyes. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
Meanwhile, Simon and Duncan
built a box. They scavenged scraps of
wood from the Honey House—the old
sides of Jerry’s honey truck, pieces of
his beehives, and the remains of an
old sign Janet had painted for a local
café. The sign became the lid of the
casket. Inside, the boards read SOUP &
SALAD, ESPRESSO, BREAKFAST. The cas-
ket sat outside on the porch, a thing of
beauty, with handles of purple-grained

juniper and a soft, sanded surface. Our
two-year-old son, Theo, and his three-
year-old cousin, Selah, would bang on
it gleefully, as if it were a drum.
In the midst of these preparations
also came new beginnings. One after-
noon, Jerry’s daughter Romy gave
birth to a daughter, Opal. Duncan
drove Jerry into Missoula to see her,
arriving just minutes after she was
born. Jerry looked gaunt and ex-
hausted, but his face glowed several
watts brighter when he sat down and
cradled his newest granddaughter.
“You look handsome holding that
baby,” Janet told him.
His dry lips smiled. “It’s just re-
flected light,” he said.
V. The End
Eventually, we moved him from the
bedroom upstairs to a hospital bed in
the living room. Janet oriented it to face
the window and the flaming-red sugar
maple outside. The room, like the rest
of the house, was filled with curiosities
Jerry and Janet had collected. There
was a handmade violin from Mexico’s
Preparing strawberries
for freezing, with the
author (right)
Copper Canyon, a whale
vertebra they’d found
on a beach, an obsid-
ian hunting knife, a pot
punctured by the teeth
of a grizzly. The house
hummed with stories.
Hospice sent out waves of nurses,
pharmacists, and social workers—even
a massage therapist and a harpist. The
nurses steadily increased the dosage of
the pain pump. In the evenings, when
the nurses had gone, Janet climbed into
bed with him and they ate ice cream
and watched Trevor Noah. I was in the
room on one of these evenings, sitting
on the sofa. I watched Jerry look over
at Janet, his companion of 35 years, the
patient, gregarious artist, the right brain
to his left. “Let me hold your hand,”
Jerry said. “Just to hold it, I guess.”
We held vigil over his bed, shuffling
seats around him, ceding chairs to our
superiors in the hierarchy of close-
ness. The grandchildren entertained
themselves outside, throwing leaves at
each other. Duncan’s wife, Jana, sang
Norah Jones. For long stretches, Hilly
sat at the old saloon piano and played.
Jerry’s eyes brightened with the
music. “Wow,” he whispered. “Wow.”
They were his final words.
A hospice nurse came to pronounce
the death. Looking tired but stoic,
Janet brought down fresh clothes: his
rd.com 87
 Jerry (right) in Livingston
with his siblings and his
pigeon, Sapphire
best pair of dark Levi’s, a rust-colored
corduroy shirt, a vest, and his sun hat.
We washed and dressed him, wrestling
his stiffening arms through the sleeves.
When we laid him on a bed of
sugar maple leaves inside the casket,
88 may 2021
I noticed his expression had some-
how shifted. He’d looked chagrined
when we washed him and contem-
plative when we dressed him. Now a
faint smile had crept into his lips. He
looked peaceful and a little bemused,
maybe even proud.
Janet knew he shouldn’t go into the
earth alone. She put a bottle of his
home brew into the box, a pair of his
 My Most Unforgettable Character Reader ’s Digest

hand-dipped beeswax candles, and
a stack of their old love letters. His
hunting partner, David Rockwell, put
in a raven’s skull and a bison hoof. Jay
Sumner, Jerry’s best friend from child-
hood, contributed a crumpled dollar
bill, a miniature cribbage board, and
the game’s best hand: three fives and
a jack. Hilly picked a ripe Jocko apple
and set it into her father’s palm. Some
grandchildren arranged a bouquet
of purple asters on his chest. Janet
bundled his decades-old duct-taped
parka under his head as a pillow. The
casket was now a kind of message-in-
a-bottle, a testament to the future of
who this man was and what he loved.
“Some of the best things in life are
in that box,” David said.
We walked with Jerry to the orchard
one last time and slowly lowered him
into the earth. Duncan said a prayer.
Jana sang a song. Swarms of woolly
blue aphids hovered in the air like
electric-blue storm clouds. Then, un-
der a gray sky, everyone began filling
in the hole, and the most alive person
I’ve ever known disappeared into the
dirt. Even his trees seemed to kneel.
The following spring, when the cro-
cus bulbs were poking out of the soil
again as if by magic, almost-three-
year-old Theo asked Hilly and me,
“Where’s Grandpa?”
We were out in Arlee visiting Janet,
and just then we were driving past the
orchard. Hilly said, “Well, his body’s
in the ground, right there.”
“But not his face?” asked Theo.
“No, his face too,” Hilly said. “His
whole body.”
WHEN JERRY
DISAPPEARED INTO
THE DIRT, HIS TREES
SEEMED TO KNEEL.
After a moment, I said, “I guess the
answer is that we don’t know where
Grandpa Jerry is. His body is in the
ground, but some people believe we
have souls and that when we die our
bodies stay on earth but our souls go
up to heaven.”
“Or they become a mountain,” said
Hilly.
“Yeah,” I said, “or they live in that
person’s favorite places.”
Theo considered this. Then he said,
“I think he’s an apple.” RD
the georgia review (fall 2019), copyright © 2019 by
jacob baynham, thegeorgiareview.com.

The Feline Mystique

Cats are absolutely obsessed with being just out of reach.
The illusion of access. The original celebrity.
@muna_mire

rd.com 89
Reader ’s Digest

90 may 2021 Photographs by Joleen Zubek

 LIFE WELL LIVED

In his short, difficult life,

a greasy meal and a soda were
a balm for my father.
Every time I eat a chicken nugget,
I feel close to him once again.

FAST
FOOD
WAS OUR

LOVE
LANGUAGE
By C Pam Zhang
adapted from the new york times

rd.com 91
Reader ’s Digest
t’s autumn again, the eighth
I since my father died, and I’m
craving chicken nuggets.
My father would have under-
stood. I don’t remember him
saying “I love you,” which isn’t a com-
mon phrase in Mandarin, his pre-
ferred language. We always had a bit
of a communication issue. But his love
language was the simple pleasure of
processed food.
I have a photo of the two of us,
taken when I was two, at the gleaming
flagship McDonald’s in Beijing. In the
photo, I’m feeding my father a fry. We
both beam.
My father was the fun parent, the
indulgent one. He introduced me to
fries, Cool Whip straight from the
tub, and fizzy drinks. My father never
reprimanded me for overindulgence
as my mother did. He laughed. It
didn’t seem to matter, then, that his
English wasn’t fluent, or that my
Mandarin was already slipping away.
Our language of junk food evolved
into one of secrets: a conspiratorial
Happy Meal on our fishing trip alone,
two liters of Coke guzzled together
before my mother came home. I felt
honored until I began to understand
that my father kept secrets from
me too.
In third grade, I came home newly
evangelized to the dangers of ciga-
rettes and threw away my father’s
packs. He raged, then promised to
quit, but I kept smelling smoke in his
clothes and car.
92 may 2021
My father was not virtuous. He was
a man of vices and quick pleasures:
processed foods, nicotine, gambling,
adultery. I didn’t ask why he turned
to these—that wasn’t how our family
operated, and anyhow, language re-
mained a barrier.
Instead, I distanced myself. I
knew the person I aimed to be, and
that person was not reflected in
my gambling-addicted, divorced,
blue-collar father. He had become
a shameful artifact, one I wanted to
leave behind. I focused on my own
life with the impersonal callousness
of youth.
My father died two years after I
graduated from college. He was 49.
I was 22. I grieved his passing, and
then I grieved the fact that I never
fully knew him. There were questions
I had never thought to ask and nu-
ances I hadn’t been able to articulate
in my language or in his.
I used to blame my father for the
weakened body that killed him—a
product, I thought, of his weakened
virtue. But the older I get, the more I
see myself compromising too.
And so, each autumn, I think: Now
I’m the age at which my father fol-
lowed his spouse to a country where
he didn’t speak the language; now I’m
at the age at which he was fired from
his job and took a minimum-wage gig;
now I’m at the age at which he found
his first online gambling website, as
irresistible to him as the dumb games
on my phone are to me.
 Life Well Lived

translation; how sugar might soothe

e r was not
th
My fa s. He was
u and pleasure, however short-lived.
virtuo vices and
of
a man pleasures.
quick
And at each intersection, I think:
The age I am is far too young for the
responsibilities he bore. How can I re-
sent my father for being the product of
such a staggeringly unfair world?
I can imagine the giddy power my
father must have felt upon moving to
America to discover that McDonald’s
was now the stuff of everyday. It was
cheaper than fish, more accessible
than fresh fruit, and simpler than a
long-distance phone call to Beijing in
which he felt compelled to hide his dif-
ficulties, his loneliness and alienation.
And I can imagine, too, the balm
of preternaturally smooth processed
meat to a tongue made clumsy by
an ego bruised by rejection, racism,
and the need to ask whether a store
accepts food stamps. Under such
conditions, the demand for perfect
virtue feels impossible, even cruel. I
can imagine how it might be easier to
hand your child a golden nugget—how
the gesture is a promise of abundance
There are vices we must allow
ourselves, even if they theoretically
shorten our lives by a day or a week or
a year—because first we have to get
through this day, this week, this year.
Is it wrong to compare my father to
a processed piece of deep-fried food?
Because I think of him whenever I
bite into one. It’s a more faithful rep-
resentation than the usual metaphors
of fathers as safe harbors, rocks, or
teachers. None of those rings true
when it comes to my father.
The next time the urge strikes, I’ll
have a nugget or two or four. There
will be the rush of additives, the hit
of engineered pleasure. And in that
moment, in a communion across a
golden crust, I will understand my
father completely. RD
adapted from the new york times (november 27, 2020),
copyright © 2020 by new york times, nytimes.com.

Supersize Me!
Before 1882, the word jumbo referred to a clumsy person.
But that year, P. T. Barnum bought a huge elephant named Jumbo to star
in his circus, and the original definition expanded by several tons.

rd.com 93
Reader ’s Digest

94 may 2021
 PETS

YOUR PET
QUESTIONS
ANSWERED
By Katrina Warren, BVSc
rd’s global pets columnist

It’s not easy to know how to help our animals,

considering they can’t talk—and don’t
always listen. We asked Katrina Warren,
sviatlana barchan/getty images

veterinarian and author of four books,

our most nagging questions about how to keep
our dogs and cats happy and healthy.

rd.com 95
Reader ’s Digest
I love my dog, but he might not be
the brightest, and I sometimes have
trouble getting him to do what I need
him to. Do you have any suggestions?
Just like a human’s, a dog’s intelli-
gence can be increased through edu-
cation and training, so invest time and
communicate with him. Contrary to
popular belief, you can teach an old
dog new tricks, so if you have an older
guy, it’s still worth the effort. But the
earlier you start, the more likely you
A DOG’S INTELLIGENCE
CAN BE INCREASED
THROUGH TRAINING,
SO INVEST THE TIME.
are to achieve results. Short bursts of
regular training throughout your dog’s
life are best. They can be brief and
spontaneous—what’s important is the
regularity. Run through simple com-
mands before you give him his dinner,
when he’ll be really keen to respond.
Can he learn actual words?
It’s possible for dogs to understand a
range of vocabulary similar to that of
a two-year-old child. Your dog may al-
ready understand treat and walk. In-
crease his receptiveness with rewards.
Dogs also respond to visual cues and
can comprehend human visual com-
munication, such as pointing. Dogs
are one of the few animals that un-
derstand the gesture. Back up voice
96 may 2021
commands with hand signals, and
your dog will respond enthusiastically.
Can you save our favorite armchair?
No matter how many scratching
posts we bring into the house, the cat
won’t stop attacking it.
Scratching is an innate behavior cats
use to remove the outer sheath of
their claws, and they don’t realize that
furnishings are inappropriate for this.
Provide a post tall enough for the cat
to extend upward at full length, and
place it in front of the object you want
to protect. Spend time teaching your
cat to use it by playing games that
encourage her to stretch out fully on
the post.
We are looking for a new pet. Where
do we start?
Buying pets online is risky because
you have no idea about their upbring-
ing or health. Consider adopting from
a shelter, as you will be helping pets
in need and they will be properly vet
checked. If you go to a breeder, aim to
speech bubbles: designer2 9 /getty images
see any animal in person and in the
place they were born, preferably with
their mothers. The premises should
be clean and animals well cared for.
Be prepared to wait and possibly
travel to find the perfect companion.
How can we be sure the pet we pick
will be the right fit?
Be realistic about how much time
and space you have, how much exer-
cise you can provide, and how much

money you can spend on care and
grooming, as well as how long the pet
will be left alone each day. You need
to spend plenty of time with your pet
or he may become lonely or bored
and develop problem behaviors such
as chewing and barking. Energy level
is also important: Some humans want
a frisky dog to take jogging, while oth-
ers want a lapdog to watch TV with.
Take the time to find the right animal
for your lifestyle.
We’ve settled into our apartment in
the city, and we desperately want a
gk hart/vikki hart/getty images
furry friend to keep us company. Is
a cat or a small dog the way to go?
Small size doesn’t necessarily mean
great for an apartment. Some small
dogs, such as terrier breeds, have
endless energy and need room to run.
Conversely, some large breeds, such
as Great Danes, can be calm, require
less exercise, and be well suited to a
Pets
smaller space. If you have little or no
outdoor space, consider whether you
can satisfy a dog’s toileting and exer-
cise requirements (all dogs require
daily exercise). Whippets, bichons
frises, poodles, Cavalier King Charles
spaniels, and Italian greyhounds are
good choices for apartment dwellers.
Cats may require little exercise, but
activity levels vary with breed and
maturity. Consider a Ragdoll, Birman,
Devon rex, or Persian breed.
Our puppy has a bad habit of excitedly
jumping up on guests as they walk in
the door. It’s cute now, but how do
we teach her to stop jumping before
she’s an 80-pound Labrador?
The best strategy is to teach your dog
that she’ll receive attention only when
all four feet are on the ground. When
she is about to jump up, turn your
body away and ignore her. Reward
calm behavior with treats. Start as
early you can, as it’s easier to prevent
this behavior than correct it.
Can we keep her from running to the
door too?
Dogs quickly learn that the doorbell
means visitors who bring excitement
and attention. Train your canine pal
to do something else when it rings—a
process that requires patience, repeti-
tion, and lots of treats. Start by walk-
ing to the front door when no one is
there and having your dog sit before
you open it. Repeat several times
over a few days, until she associates
rd.com 97
Reader ’s Digest
the process with sitting (and treats!).
Then arrange for someone to knock at
the door to continue the process. Re-
peat until your dog realizes she’ll get
treats, but only if she sits and doesn’t
bark.
I’ve noticed my pet has been packing
on a few extra pounds lately. How can
I tell how much is too much?
Society is becoming increasingly
overweight—and so are our pets. It’s
estimated that more than half of all
pets weigh too much, making them
prone to a raft of health issues. Stand
above your pet and look down. You
should see a tapered waist between
the hips and abdomen. Obese pets
will have a drooping abdomen and
noticeable hip and neck fat. You
should be able to feel ribs but not see
them. If there is a layer of padding
over the ribs, your pet is overweight.
We already take walks, and they don’t
seem to be helping.
A full checkup with your vet is re-
quired to rule out underlying medical
issues and make a safe weight-loss
plan. Many owners provide constant
access to food, assuming the pet will
regulate its own intake. This is espe-
cially true of cat owners. Don’t just
guesstimate. Measure out portion
sizes accurately.
What about treats?
It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeding
your pets whenever they beg. How-
ever, all those snacks add up. Some
dog breeds are hardwired to constantly
sniff out, and often steal, food. A strict
diet can be helpful for these breeds.
Any other weight-loss tips?
Provide things for cats to climb, as well
as scratching posts and inter active

toys. Spend time playing with your
cat, encouraging him to chase toys to
get him moving. With a dog, remem-
ber how linked her health is with your
own. Numerous studies have found
that dogs act almost as personal train-
ers, motivating owners to get up and
go. Daily walks of 30 minutes or more
can produce positive mental and so-
cial health benefits for all parties; the
activity is good for cardio vascular
health, bone density, and joint health
in canines and humans (and is great
fun as well).
Our pet has never been around a
pk-photos/getty images
newborn. How do we prepare our
fur baby for a baby baby around the
house?
Make any changes to your pet’s rou-
tine well in advance. For example, if it
won’t be fed in the kitchen or allowed
in certain rooms or on furniture, start
Pets
training months before hand. Play
crying baby sounds at a low level to
help it become accustomed. Practice
walking a dog with an empty stroller.
Allow all pets to smell baby items
such as diaper creams and wipes in
advance.
When the baby arrives, have some-
one else hold your little one for the
initial greeting. It’s fine for pets to be
curious; if they ignore the baby, that’s
fine too. The goal is for your pet to as-
sociate the newcomer with positive
experiences, so give lots of praise and
pats for calm behavior.
Is there anything we can do to keep
kids from accidentally provoking our
dog?
Children need to know the difference
between an animal and a toy—dogs
aren’t toys and shouldn’t be played
with roughly. When supervision isn’t
Reader ’s Digest
possible, kids and dogs should be
separated. Children should also know
when touching the dog isn’t allowed,
such as when he is sleeping, eating,
or chewing a bone.
We want to become a two-pet
household but are worried about a
cat and dog getting along. Can we
make sure they become friends and
not foes?
Ideally, you should acquire your dog
and cat together and when they’re
both young. This helps them get used
to each other at a time when both can
establish regular routines that include
socializing with each other. If that’s
not possible, research suggests that
you’re more likely to be successful
introducing a dog to a cat household
rather than the other way around.
Introduce the new pet gradually and
keep it behind a closed door at first.
The animals will discover each other
via smell and hearing and when in-
troduced face-to-face will already feel
familiar. Provide the cat with a place
to escape and feel safe. Cats like to be
elevated, so a perch is ideal.
When introducing a cat and a dog,
people usually worry that the cat
will be most at risk. However, you
also need to watch out for the dog.
Cats often try to establish that they
are the boss, sometimes by swiping
or scratching before running away.
Prevent the dog from chasing the cat
right from the start, as it can quickly
become a habit.
100 may 2021
My cat’s attitude has really taken a
turn for the worse lately, and I’m not
sure why.
There are many reasons why some
cats are cranky; their temperament
may have been influenced by their
upbringing or they may simply have
been born that way. However, even
the sweetest cats can suddenly be-
come bad-tempered. The problem
can generally be solved if you look for
the underlying issues. Pain can cause
cats to behave differently, and it’s easy
to mistake a problem as behavioral
when it’s actually medical, so head to
your veterinarian for a full checkup.
Watch for changes in eating, drinking,
or litter box habits, as well as hiding
and an unwillingness to be touched.
cynoclub/getty images
Many health problems can be readily
treated to ease pain and its symptoms.
Cats are creatures of habit, so moving,
the arrival of a new baby or pet, or any
other change in routine may cause
changes in behavior. Keep your cat’s
 Pets

environment as calm as possible and to a softer food or moisten kibble with

make sure she feels safe. Sometimes
confining a cat to a single room with
a litter box, bedding, and home com-
forts can help it settle.
How can I help my pets live better as
they age?
Elderly dogs are less able to cope with
extreme temperatures. Keep them
cool on hot days and away from drafts
on cold ones. Place pieces of carpet or
bedding where your dog rests to help
him rise from slippery floors. Help
cats with grooming, particularly be-
neath their tails and around hind legs.
Grooming remains important for dogs
and is an opportunity to check for
lumps, fleas, ticks, or pressure sores.
Make sure to check claws, which may
not wear down sufficiently with re-
duced activity.
I’m having trouble getting my pet to
eat as she gets older. How do I keep
her from losing too much weight?
It’s not unusual for pets to gain or lose
weight as they age. However, dry kib-
ble can be hard for older pets to chew.
If your pet is having difficulty, switch
water or broth.
How can I tell which behavior changes
are due to age and which are serious
health problems?
Pets inevitably slow down as they age,
but some changes can be the result of
underlying issues, and regular veteri-
nary checks are essential. Watch for
excessive thirst or urination and dif-
ficulty getting up, climbing stairs, or
MAKE SURE TO CHECK
CLAWS, WHICH MAY
NOT WEAR DOWN WITH
REDUCED ACTIVITY.
getting into the car. Also, the appear-
ance of lumps, bad breath, bleed-
ing gums, diarrhea or vomiting, and
changes in sleep patterns may be rea-
sons for concern. Pets can suffer from
dementia-like illnesses as they age—
they may appear confused, forget ba-
sics such as toilet training, or start to
bark or howl—but always discuss be-
havior changes with your vet. RD

The Sultan of Sobriquets

You can tell a great ballplayer by his stats—and his nicknames.
Who was called the Colossus of Clout, the Wizard of Whack,
the Rajah of Rap, the Prince of Pounders, the Great Bambino,
and the Big Bam? George Herman Ruth Jr., aka the Babe.
fanbuzz.com

rd.com 101
 THE STRANGERS WHO CHANGED MY LIFE

The Sisterhood of the

Traveling Fish Chair
A funky furnishing with a backstory sparks
a week these women will never forget
By Emily Goodman

ast Labor Day, 30-year-old Em- favorite Facebook groups, Weird (and

L ily Del Favero was enjoying a Wonderful) Secondhand Finds That

courtesy vicki esten

rare day off from her job as an Just Need To Be Shared.

auto mechanic. She was puttering
around her house in Syracuse, New
York, when she paused to check her
Facebook feed. To DelFavero’s delight,
there was a new post from one of her
The latest find, spotted at a shop in
Baltimore by Thea Lenna, was a chair
beyond compare, and when DelFavero
saw it, she just about fell out of hers. It
had pastel polka dots along its frame,

102 may 2021


clockwise from top left: courtesy emily delfavero. courtesy heather lorsong, card made by thea lenna.
bright stripes on the seat cushion, and,
as its back, two giant fish carved out of
wood. She recognized it right away.
This was the hand-painted handi-
courtesy pete theodore
work of well-known designer Victoria
MacKenzie-Childs. More relevant, it
was the image inked onto DelFavero’s
own right calf. On a whim, she had
gotten a tattoo of this exact chair
nearly two years earlier, based on a
dollhouse version of it that caught her
Reader ’s Digest
Clockwise from far left: two of the
chair’s delivery team, Sergent (left)
and Wetzig; the tattoo; a card of the
journey; Lenna (left), with Garrard
eye at the MacKenzie-Childs studio in
Aurora, New York, near DelFavero’s
childhood home. “I stood in front of
that dollhouse for 40  minutes,” she
says. DelFavero didn’t know that the
little chair she had gotten tattooed
also came in a full-size version un-
til she saw the picture on Facebook.
DelFavero felt this coincidence
was too mind-bending to keep to
herself, so she posted a picture of
rd.com 103
 DelFavero on
the day she
received the
chair (near
right); chair
and tattoo,
together at last
her tattoo to the group. Within mo-
ments, the Facebook page was in
a frenzy. Many of the women felt
this was a sign. DelFavero needed to
have that chair. Several of them took
it a step further and started a new
Facebook group, From Baltimore to
Emily D., to make a plan to get it to
her—even though the chair cost $700.
Group members started pooling
their money. In less than 48 hours,
they had more than enough, which
raised the question of what to do with
the surplus. And this is where the fish
chair took on an almost mystical aura.
As they traded messages and got
to know each other, the women re-
alized they had more in common
than just their passion for funky
furniture. “All of us had experience
with domestic violence,” says Del-
Favero, who, as a teenager, followed
her mom out of the house when she
left an abusive boyfriend. “The Na-
tional Domestic Violence Hotline
helped us get back on our feet,” Del-
Favero says. She suggested donating
the excess funds to this organiza-
tion, and the others readily agreed.
104 may 2021
DelFavero is quick to point out that
she has sweet memories of her child-
hood too. Emblazoning a crazy chair
on her leg actually was a way to re-
claim that history. “It reminded me of
the happy times,” she says. “We had
MacKenzie-Childs pieces in my house
growing up. My mom was a collector.”
DelFavero remembers eating dinner
off colorful plates shaped like fish and
lilting in the light of a brightly painted
lamp. It was those recollections that
left her mesmerized in front of the
dollhouse—and now inspired strang-
ers to bring her the chair’s full-size
version.
With the donation made and the
chair paid for, the only remaining mat-
ter was getting it across the distance
“from Baltimore to Emily D,” more
courtesy emily delfavero (2)
than 300 miles. Some volunteered to
transport it while others mapped out
the route into equal parts.
Jen Garrard led things off. She
picked up the chair in Baltimore
and drove it to Meredith Skyy, who
brought it to Maryann Wetzig. As fate
would have it, the exit Skyy had to
 The Strangers Who Changed My Life Reader ’s Digest

take for the exchange also took her to
the cemetery where her grandmother
had been buried just months earlier.
Because of the pandemic, her fam-
ily couldn’t hold a service. Skyy told
Wetzig she was making a detour.
Wetzig’s mother was buried at the
same cemetery—yet another connec-
tion she had with a woman she hadn’t
MANY FELT THIS
WAS A SIGN—SHE
NEEDED TO HAVE
THAT CHAIR.
known just days prior. When Skyy gave
Wetzig the chair, Wetzig had some-
thing to give Skyy: flowers. “For your
grandmother,” she said. From there,
Wetzig brought the chair to Jacqueline
Sergent, who drove it to Rhae Blumer,
who took it to Cyndy Buiniskis, who
delivered it to Sarah Edwards.
Edwards’s trek to Syracuse was the
last of the seven legs of the fish chair’s
journey. It had gone from sold to Syra-
cuse in just one week.
As Edwards presented DelFavero
with the chair, the two laughed and
celebrated, but they also shed a few
tears. “I was drawn to your story,” Ed-
wards told DelFavero, “because your
mom’s story was not my mom’s story.”
Edwards lost her mother to domes-
tic violence. Being part of this effort,
she said, “gave me something that I
needed, and I didn’t know I needed it.”
None of these women knew each
other before the sighting of the chair
in that Baltimore shop. Today, they
talk regularly. DelFavero, Lenna, all
seven drivers, and the four women
who mapped out the route now re-
fer to themselves collectively as The
Fellowship of the Fish Chair.
“At first, I couldn’t believe that all
these women wanted to come together
for what seems so silly,” DelFavero
says. “But now it makes sense. Know-
ing them, of course, they’re the kind of
people who would do this.”
As for the chair, it has become her
“guitar throne.” DelFavero started play-
ing at 13, but as she got older she didn’t
practice as much as she once did. “This
chair gave me a reason to sit down and
play every night,” she says. Sometimes
she films her strumming sessions and
shares the videos with the rest of the
fellowship. “It really is a gift,” she says.
“This chair has changed my life.” RD

Remembrance of Embarrassments Past

The three words a parent never wants to hear from their child: I googled you.
@my_hive_away

rd.com 105
Reader ’s Digest

106 may 2021

 DRAMA IN REAL LIFE

h q u a ke
r s t e art c k ed
ew o r ys h o
t e r t h h i s t o ed
Af i ca n l e a n
A m er h e city
t h , t
i n N o r g e , A l a s ka rt o s e e it
h o r a s a v i o
Anc u n l i kely a s ter
on a n h ed i s
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M o o al l e m c e !
By Jon t h i s i s c h a
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from

rd.com 107
Reader ’s Digest
a friend when her 13-year-old son,
Winston Jr., called Wins, appeared
at her bedroom door. He needed a
ride into downtown Anchorage to
buy a copy of the Red Cross lifesaving
manual for swim class the next day.
The bookstore didn’t close until six
o’clock, he told Genie. It was almost
5:30 p.m. They still had time.
Genie set her letter aside. “You’ve
known for a week you had to have
it,” she complained as they headed
downstairs.
Genie’s 11-year-old son, Albert, was
watching television in the living room.
“We shouldn’t be gone more than five
minutes,” Genie told him. Her hus-
band, known to all as Big Winston,
was still at work, and Genie’s young-
est, 8-year-old Jan, was at the neigh-
bor’s house. Genie pulled on her
boots and parka and marshaled Wins
into the car.
This wasn’t the first time that day,
March 27, 1964—Good Friday—that
Genie had been in town. She had set
out for the city’s Public Safety Build-
ing about 7 a.m., as she did every
108 may 2021
morning, to sift through the police de-
partment’s overnight logs and book-
previous spread: bettmann/getty images (town). image source/getty images (cracked cement)
ing slips, looking for news stories.
In her year and a half at KENI, one
of Alaska’s top radio stations, Genie
had transformed herself into an in-
dustrious roving reporter, covering
crime, the courts, and city hall.
Sometimes she handed her copy to
a male announcer to read, but often
it was her own voice on the air. The
37-year-old, lithe with short, wavy
blond hair, was said to be the first
female newscaster in the state. In An-
chorage, one of her coworkers wrote
that everyone knew that “when some-
thing happens, their Genie will be
right there telling them all about it.”
A working mother wasn’t supposed
to be so driven. Many of the men at
KENI dismissed her as stuck-up or
dramatic. Genie did her best to de-
fuse their discomfort. At the conclu-
sion of a dogsled race a month earlier,
she had signed off by thanking two
male colleagues “for allowing this
little gal to be a part of the broadcast
crew.”

Snow was falling as Genie turned
right on C Street. The city was quiet.
Most people had already left work for
the start of the Easter holiday week-
end. The Salvation Army had just
concluded its Good Friday worship.
Volunteers at the Third Avenue Elks
Lodge were coloring Easter eggs for
their upcoming hunt.
It was 5:36 p.m.
The traffic light turned red as Ge-
nie and Wins approached the inter-
section of C Street and Ninth. The car
started bucking as soon as Genie’s
courtesy jan blankenship
foot touched the brake. “Oh no,” she
said. She assumed she’d blown a tire.
For a moment, they bounced vio-
lently without speaking a word. The
shaking relented. Then came a force-
ful, heaving jolt. It knocked the traf-
fic lights out. The electrical lines
Drama in Real Life
Genie Chance, seen here a year
after the earthquake, liked “being
in the middle of everything.”
overhead started snapping
like whips.
“What is it?” Wins asked.
“It must be a hard wind,”
Genie said.
Across the street, a line of
cars parked at the service
station were bouncing into
one another and separat-
ing again. They looked like a
grotesque accordion opening
and closing, Genie thought.
A man and two women
came out of the liquor store
to her left. They did not seem to be
walking, exactly, but lurching. Then
they fell down. When they got back
on their feet, the man tried to protect
the two women by hugging each one
to the wall of the building they’d just
stumbled out of. But then the build-
ing swayed away from the three of
them—the building itself moved! Ge-
nie watched it bending left, then right.
And as it did, she saw a crack open in
the masonry over the man’s head and
then close again.
Through the windshield, Genie
watched the road roll away from the
car. The pavement didn’t break apart;
it was still solid. But it rolled, wavelike,
as though some humpbacked shadow
creature surged under its surface. As
Genie’s car hopped more ferociously,
leaving the ground and edging into
rd.com 109
Reader ’s Digest Drama in Real Life
the adjacent lane, she found the
words to explain the chaos: “This is
an earthquake!”
The onset of the quake unfolded
like this for many people. The mayor
of Anchorage stared at a raven outside
his car window, watching it try to land
on a thrashing streetlight for several
seconds until, finally, the bird gave
up and soared off. A woman watched
her cast-iron pot of moose stew hop
autonomously off the burner.
THE ROAD ROLLED, AS
IF SOME HUMPBACKED
CREATURE SURGED
UNDER ITS SURFACE.
The earth yawned open and swal-
lowed cars. One woman, watching
hers vanish, said “good” out loud—
she’d never liked that car. But then the
ground thrust upward and ejected the
vehicle again. Another woman found
herself jumping over three-foot-wide
crevasses as they split open in front
of her, escaping to momentary safety
again and again, cradling her baby the
whole time. She noticed, fortuitously,
that each new rupture was preceded
by an audible warning that sounded
as if “you dropped a dish and it
didn’t break, just bounced,” she later
explained.
The Great Alaska Earthquake, as
it would come to be known, was
the most powerful earthquake ever
110 may 2021
measured at the time and remains
the second most powerful one to date.
Its magnitude hit 9.2 on the Richter
scale; its epicenter was 75 miles east
of Anchorage and shallow, only about
15.5 miles underground.
The earthquake was so violent it
reshaped the surface of the planet as
it went. An uninhabited island south-
east of Anchorage was knocked nearly
70 feet from its original position. Most
of the landmass of North America
momentarily jostled upward, in some
places by as much as two inches. In
Baton Rouge, Louisiana—4,000 miles
away—a homeowner noticed his
swimming pool jiggle.
The quake lasted nearly five min-
utes, long enough for some people to
question whether it would ever stop.
Genie and Wins raced back home.
Their stout, wood-shingled duplex
was still standing, though the chim-
ney had crumbled. As they pulled up,
Jan and Albert shot out of the neigh-
bor’s house. “You ought to see the
inside of our house,” Albert shouted.
“It’s a mess!”
Safe and reunited with each other,
the Chance children understood that
Genie would be leaving again to re-
port on the situation. She hugged Al-
bert and asked, “Are you sure you’re
all right?”
“Don’t worry about me,” he said.
“Go on and do your job.” Genie hugged
him again and ran out to her car.
It was nearly six o’clock when Genie

parked downtown and slammed the
car door behind her. The true scope
of the horror and destruction now
hit her. On D Street, Genie stopped
short in front of a slab of something
courtesy jan blankenship (2)
in the snow. She stared at it, mesmer-
ized and repulsed, but couldn’t place
what it was. Finally a man explained:
It was half a woman. He’d seen her get
struck by the falling debris.
Genie, feeling nauseated, moved
on quickly. On Fifth Avenue, the roof
of the new J. C. Penney had slumped
Genie snapped these photos minutes
after the earthquake. While many
buildings crumbled, others, often right
next door, were left undisturbed.
inward and massive swaths of the five-
story exterior had collapsed, spilling
plaster, lumber, and concrete up and
down the block. It looked as though
someone had stepped on the struc-
ture and its insides had slopped out.
Volunteers were clearing debris off a
flattened car with their bare hands.
A 55-year-old woman was inside, her
neck and arm broken. But she would
survive.
Genie turned the corner onto
Fourth Avenue and took in that im-
possible panorama. While one side of
the city’s main thoroughfare seemed
untouched by the earthquake, the
other side of the street had simply
rd.com 111
 A hospital barely
escaped being
toppled by an
ensuing landslide.
dropped. For two whole blocks, every-
thing was 11 or so feet lower than it
had been, wedged in a ragged chasm
that had ripped open under the street.
Some of the buildings still appeared to
be intact down there. Cars were lined
up beside their parking meters.
The D&D Bar, the Sportsman’s
Club, the Frisco Bar and Café, the
pawnshop, the Anchorage Arcade—
they were all now below ground level.
In the immediate aftermath, men had
emerged from the front doors of those
112 may 2021
sunken bars unharmed, many still
clutching their drinks, and looked up
like stunned miners.
smith collection/getty images
After briefly returning home
again to check on her family, Genie
called in to the station on her car’s
two-way radio while still parked
in her driveway. She was prepared
to make an initial report about the
destruction she’d witnessed down-
town. Though the station had been
knocked off the air for a time, it was

back on. “Go ahead, Genie,” the on-air
announcer said.
Genie was ready, but how to pro-
ceed? She felt obligated to shield
KENI’s listeners from the horror she’d
witnessed. She intuited that if she de-
scribed that body in the snow or the
woman in the car, listeners would
rush to assume it was their missing
mother, wife, sister, or daughter. “A
description of blood and gore could
cause panic,” Genie would later ex-
plain. “We could not have panic.”
Speaking fast between sharp, quick
breaths, Genie told those listening, “It
has become obvious that the earth-
quake that struck Anchorage was a
major one. A great deal of damage
has been done throughout the city.”
She advised people to check their
supplies and keep their doors closed
to retain the heat in their homes since
the temperature would be in the high
20s. “But, uh, now another thing,”
she continued. She was making it up
as she went along, warning about as
many hazards as she could remember
from when she had dashed through
downtown: Avoid tall buildings, which
may still be susceptible to aftershocks;
stay clear of power lines; stay put. And
most of all, don’t panic. “Check on
your neighbors. See if they have tran-
sistor radios. If they don’t, maybe they
could move in with you and share one
for the night. It seems like it’s going to
be a long, cold night for Anchorage, so
prepare to batten down the hatches,
and stay tuned to KENI.”
Drama in Real Life Reader ’s Digest
Another tremor struck just as Genie
finished. There would be 52 separate
aftershocks over the next three days,
11 of which measured higher than
6.0. When the aftershock subsided,
Genie drove back downtown. It was
just after 6:40  p.m. Only one hour
had passed since the quake. “For the
next 30  hours,” she would say later,
“I talked constantly.”
THE EARTHQUAKE
WAS SO VIOLENT IT
RESHAPED THE
PLANET AS IT WENT.
When Genie arrived at the Public
Safety Building, she told Anchor-
age’s fire chief, George Burns, and
police chief, John Flanigan, that they
were free to use her two-way radio to
broadcast announcements. Instead,
Chief Flanigan off-loaded that job to
Genie. She would essentially be the
city’s de facto public affairs officer,
feeding the public information.
G enie was caught off guard.
Shouldn’t authority figures such as
the police chief and city manager be
speaking to residents themselves?
The citizens might trust those male
voices more than hers.
Flanigan didn’t have time to dis-
cuss it. He was worried about people
streaming into the downtown area to
find loved ones, or just to gawk. Ge-
nie would need to tell the people of
rd.com 113
Reader ’s Digest
Anchorage that it wasn’t safe to travel
around the city just then.
While colleagues reported the gen-
eral earthquake news from the studio
or a mobile unit, Genie relayed mes-
sages from law enforcement from
inside her car parked just outside
the Public Safety Building. “City po-
lice report that a high-voltage power
line is down on Northern Lights Bou-
levard,” she said in one announce-
ment. “State police report that there
is a large crevasse in the Seward High-
way about two miles south of the city
limits of Anchorage. It is impassable
at that point,” she relayed in another.
In fact, “Both highways out of Anchor-
age are closed to through traffic … You
are urged to stay home. Do not drive
around to see the sights. Stay in your
114 may 2021
places and await further instructions.”
Soon, volunteers and city employ-
ees were rushing out of the Public
Safety Building and appearing beside
Genie’s car with more announce-
ments to broadcast. She listed the
locations of public shelters open-
ing up for the displaced and started
directing equipment and personnel
around the city. “A first aid station is
being set up at the old First Federal
Savings and Loan Building,” she re-
ported. “A doctor is needed there as
soon as possible.” An assistant fire
chief came to tell her, with some ag-
gravation, that his men were seeing lit
candles in people’s windows all over
town. “This is a fire hazard,” Genie
explained on the air. “If you are using
candles, please light them only when
it is necessary, and then use
them with extreme care.”
Something else was hap-
pening that Friday night—
p e o p l e s e p a ra t e d f ro m
family members were com-
ing to Genie and asking her
for help. They were desper-
ate to know whether some-
body they loved was safe or
to let loved ones know that
they were safe. They were
eager to find one another, to
bettmann/getty images
shout across their fractured
A building at the Anchorage
airport. The earthquake was
felt in locations as far-flung
as England, Libya, and Israel.
 Drama in Real Life

city in the dark. They hoped that
Genie might amplify their voices with
her own.
Genie had moved inside the build-
ing by this time, and among the first
to come to her, around 9 p.m., was
a couple.
“Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have lost their
children,” Genie said, relaying their
message over the air. “They said they
will be waiting at the home of Charles
Ball.” More people came. And as the
telephone lines in the Public Safety
Building reopened, many more called
in. “Mel Fleeger,” Genie said, “we’ve
received a call here at the fire sta-
tion. Mel Fleeger who lives on 86th
Avenue: The fire department dis-
patcher said it sounded like children
calling, and they said please come
home ... Howard Forbes would like it
to be known that he will be at Mike
Whitmore’s ... A message to Walter
Hart: Lee Hart is fine ... Jim Murphy
and Bill Sarville at Point Hope: Your
families are A-OK.”
In the ensuing years, after the rubble
had been cleared and the city rebuilt,
Genie went on to have a successful
broadcasting career and serve in the
Alaska legislature. She died in 1998 at
the age of 71. But during those tense
hours on the air that Good Friday
night, Genie couldn’t help wondering
how she wound up in the role of com-
municating instructions and hope to
the public. As it turned out, she was
the perfect person for the job.
While miraculously only nine people
died in Anchorage—115 throughout
the state—more than 1,400 properties
were significantly damaged and over
900 homes destroyed. The electrical
grid was down. Most phone lines were
dead. People were cut off from each
other.
One man who had fallen to the
sandy bottom of a pit later said, “You
just wonder, Where are you? You don’t
know if anybody else is alive. Maybe
you’re the last man.”
So it was reassuring to hear another
voice on the radio, talking to you—
especially a familiar voice.
“Genie Chance,” one listener ex-
plained, “was telling everyone, ‘You’re
not alone.’ ” RD
this excerpt was adapted from this is chance!: the
great alaska earthquake, genie chance, and the
shattered city she held together by jon mooallem,
published by random house, a division of penguin
random house, llc. copyright © 2020 by jon mooallem.

In This Magazine, Nothing Goes to Waste

Facility is a new publication that bills itself as the ultimate
bathroom read. Everything in it—the articles and reader surveys
and even the poetry—focuses on what we do in the loo.
(If you’re curious, look for the aptly named Issue Number One online.)

rd.com 115
 If You Purchased Certain Dollar General
DG Auto Brand Motor Oil Product(s)
You could get money from a Class Action Settlement.
Para una notificación en Español, por favor llame o visite nuestro website.
What is this about?
A settlement has been proposed in a class
action lawsuit claiming that Dollar General
Corporation, Dolgencorp, LLP, and DG Retail,
LLC (“Defendants”) deceptively marketed,
advertised, and sold DG Auto motor oils that were
obsolete and potentially harmful to automobiles.
Defendants have agreed not to sell certain motor
oil, add additional oversight, and provide money
to Settlement Class Members. Defendants deny
any wrongdoing.
Who is include in the Settlement?
If you live in the U.S. and purchased any of the
DG Auto motor oils below for personal use,
not for resale, between September 1, 2010 and
December 31, 2017:
• DG SAE 10W-30 (SF specification) for use in
vehicles manufactured after 1988; and/or
• DG SAE 10W-40 (SF specification) for use in
vehicles manufactured after 1988; and/or
• DG SAE 30 (SA specification) for use in
vehicles manufactured after 1930.
What does the Settlement provide?
The Settlement provides:
• Partial Refund Benefits, No Proof of
Purchase: Get up to $1.68 per quart for up to
10 quarts per Household (maximum $16.80 per
Household).
• Full Refund Benefits, With Proof of Purchase:
Get up to a full refund for the amounts paid for
each quart purchased with valid Proof(s) of
Purchase.
• Property Damage Benefits: Get reimbursed
for damage from using the DG Auto motor oil in
a vehicle built after 1988 or 1930. The amount
will vary depending on vehicle age, mileage,
damage, and documentation provided. Visit the
website or call the toll-free number for details.
You may file a Claim for Partial or Full Refund
Benefits, but not both. If you file a Claim for
Refund Benefits, you can file a Claim for Property
www.DGmotoroilsettlement.com
Damage Benefits. The Settlement provides up to
$28,500,000 to pay Valid Claims. The amount
paid to Settlement Class Members may depend on
the number of Valid Claims submitted and other
adjustments by the Settlement Administrator.
What are my rights?
• You must submit a Claim Form to get money
from the Settlement. Partial Refund and Full
Refund Benefits Claim Forms must be submitted
online by June 8, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. CT or
postmarked by June 8, 2021. Property Damage
Benefits Claim Forms must be submitted online
by August 23, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. CT or
postmarked no later than August 23, 2021.
• Do nothing, stay in the Settlement, get no
money, and give up your rights to sue.
• Exclude yourself, keep your right to sue
about the claims in this lawsuit, but you get no
money. You must submit your exclusion request
postmarked by May 10, 2021.
• Stay in the Settlement but tell the Court why you
don’t like it. You must submit your objection by
May 10, 2021. Details on how to object are on
the website.
A Final Approval Hearing will be held in the U.S.
District Court for the Western District of Missouri,
400 E. 9th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106
in the courtroom of the Hon. Gary A. Fenner
(Courtroom 8A), on June 22, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.,
to decide whether to approve the Settlement and to
award Class Counsel attorneys’ fees and expenses
of up to $10,000,000, and up to $135,000 for
Class Representatives. The Motion for Attorneys’
Fees and Expenses will be posted on the website.
You may hire an attorney, at your own expense,
but you don’t have to. Claims will be paid only
if the Settlement is approved and all appeals are
resolved.
This is only a summary. For more information,
visit www.DGmotoroilsettlement.com or call
1-833-326-0769.
1-833-326-0769
 Reader ’s Digest

BRAIN GAMES
7 Pages to sharpen Your Mind

Fact or Fiction?
medium Determine whether each statement is fact or fiction. To reveal the solution
to the bonus question at bottom, write the letter indicated in each of your responses
in the corresponding numbered blank. Turn page upside down for the answers.

1. The capital of 2. Tea leaves contain 3. The faces on Mount

Australia is Sydney. more caffeine than Rushmore are those of
coffee beans. Washington, Jackson,
Lincoln, and Theodore
Roosevelt.
fact: I fiction: S fact: E fiction: N fact: F fiction: N

4. There are as many 5. More dinosaur 6. One horsepower is

as 300 different types species have been equal to the maximum
of sign language. found in the United power production of a
emily goodman (fact or fiction), maria amador (illustrations)

States than in single horse.

any other country.
fact: T fiction: A fact: I fiction: N fact: T fiction: N

7. The world’s most 8. Jose Cuervo, 9. Our hearts skip

valuable sports team Fortaleza, Sauza, and a beat when we
is the New York Arette all come from sneeze.
Yankees. the town of Tequila,
Mexico.
fact: R fiction: E fact: L fiction: Y fact: D fiction: S

bonus question What are the soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
called? (Need help? Turn to 13 Things on page 40.)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
7. False; it’s the Dallas Cowboys. 8. True. 9. False. Bonus Question: Sentinels
is on Mount Rushmore, not Jackson. 4. True. 5. True. 6. False; a horse’s peak production is around 15 horsepower.
Answers: 1. False; Australia’s capital is Canberra. 2. True; but once brewed, coffee has more caffeine. 3. False; Jefferson

rd.com | may 2021 117

Reader ’s Digest

Quick Crossword
easy Happy Cinco de 1 2 3 4 5
Mayo! Before you
mash them into a deli-
cious dip, put these 6 7
guacamole ingredients
8
into the grid.
AVOCADO ONION
SALT TOMATO 9
PEPPER JALAPENO 10
LIME CILANTRO
JUICE GARLIC

emily goodman (quick crossword). marcel danesi (secret sequence), noun project (rainbow)
Secret Sequence
medium Of the three choices given, which is the next logical figure in
the sequence?

♣♣♣♣♣ ♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥
♥♥♥♥♥

♣♣ ♥♥♥♥

A B C

118 may 2021

 Brain Games

Moving Day
easy You have enough room in your moving truck for three stacks of three boxes.
The number in each box represents its weight. Each box can support no more than
half of its own weight sitting on top of it, whether that weight is from one or two
boxes. Each box with a red number is fragile and cannot have another box on top
of it. How can you safely stack the boxes without crushing the contents?

125 80 47 42 26 18 15 12 7

Double Trouble Mind the Gaps

medium Rephrase each
item below as a pair of
rhyming words. Hint:
Each item’s number is
also the number of
darren rigby (moving day, mind the gaps). emily goodman (double trouble)
difficult Your patio has been damaged and
needs to be repaved. What is the smallest number
of replacement paving stones you need to fix it?
Note: Paving stones may be cut if necessary.

syllables in each word

in the answer.

1. A child detective
2. A hypothesis that gives
you the creeps
3. A building with open
sides in Rio
4. An established expert
on sisterhood
5. A refusal to accept the
restoration of vigor

For more Brain Games, Replacement

go to rd.com paving stone
/crosswords.

For answers, turn to page 123.

rd.com 119
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 Brain Games Reader ’s Digest

9. philistine adj.
WORD POWER ('fih-luh-steen)
a allergic.
b uncultured.
c foreign.
May is Jewish American Heritage Month—
mazel tov!—so we’re celebrating words with 10. maven n.
Hebrew roots. You may know more than ('may-vuhn)
you think: balm, cherub, cider, kosher, and a expert.
b matchmaker.
Sabbath, for starters. See if you can schmooze c rebel.
your way through our quiz, and then say
shalom to the next page for answers. 11. messiah n.
(muh-'sy-uh)
a follower.
By Sarah Chassé b savior.
c traitor.

1. pharaoh n. 5. hosanna n. 12. jezebel n.

('fair-oh) (ho-'zan-uh) ('jeh-zuh-bel)
a ancient grain. a mountaintop. a hoopskirt.
b small boat. b shout of praise. b immoral woman.
c Egyptian king. c eldest daughter. c ram’s horn.

2. jubilee n. 6. babel n. 13. behemoth n.

('joo-buh-lee) ('bab-uhl) (bih-'hee-muth)
a 50th anniversary. a noisy confusion. a something huge.
b candied fruit. b skyscraper. b something old.
c lucky charm. c naughty child. c something holy.

3. cabal n. 7. matzo n. 14. chutzpah n.

(kuh-'bahl) ('maht-suh) ('hut-spuh)
a secretive group. a flatbread. a cookie.
b prayer shawl. b ceremony. b nerve.
c city-state. c card game. c blessing.

4. golem n. 8. scapegoat n. 15. manna n.

('goh-luhm) ('scayp-goht) ('man-uh)
a set of rules. a one who swears. a godsend.
b artificial human. b herdsman. b great-aunt.
c poached fish. c one unfairly blamed. c winged beetle.

rd.com | may 2021 121

Reader ’s Digest

A Not-So-Mighty Hunter
It wasn’t always rude to call someone a nimrod. In the Hebrew Bible
(aka the Old Testament), Nimrod was the name of an exceptional
hunter, and nimrod would later refer to any hunter. So how did his
name become an insult? One popular theory: Bugs Bunny often sarcas-
tically called the bumbling Elmer Fudd “Nimrod” in 1940s cartoons,
teaching generations of Looney Tunes fans that it meant idiot.

Word Power 6. babel (a) noisy 12. jezebel (b) immoral

confusion. “I can’t hear
ANSWERS myself think over all this
babel!” Akiko shouted.
1. pharaoh (c) Egyptian
king. The pharaoh com- 7. matzo (a) flatbread.
manded that a giant pyra- The only matzo I eat is
mid be built in his honor. the kind that’s been
covered in chocolate.
2. jubilee (a)
50th anniversary. 8. scapegoat (c) one
Our town celebrated unfairly blamed. Though
its jubilee with a parade the whole team played
down Main Street. badly, the starting pitcher
became the scapegoat
3. cabal (a) secretive for the loss.
group. The mayor and
her cabal of insiders 9. philistine (b)
have ruled this city for uncultured. Call my taste
decades. philistine if you like; I
still think that The Three
4. golem (b) artificial Stooges was hilarious.
human. In Frankenstein,
a young scientist brings 10. maven (a) expert.
a hideous golem to life. Jaden is the financial
woman. “In my day, you’d
be labeled a jezebel for
showing your knees!”
Aunt Betty said with a
laugh.
13. behemoth (a)
something huge. The
merger would create a
tech behemoth that could
crush all competition.
14. chutzpah (b) nerve.
“I can’t believe he had
the chutzpah to say that
to me!” Tamar fumed.
15. manna (a) godsend.
This cancer breakthrough
might be the manna that
so many patients have
been waiting for.
moviestore/shutterstock

maven of our group,

5. hosanna (b) shout of advising everyone on
praise. The new produc- saving for retirement.
tion of Wicked opened to
hosannas from theater 11. messiah (b) savior. Vocabulary Ratings
critics. The self-help guru has 9 & below: Meh
been hailed as a messiah 10–12: Kvellworthy
by his followers. 13–15: Such a mensch!

122 may 2021

 Brain Games

make
ANSWERS us !
laugh
WHERE, OH WHERE?
(See page 38.)
B. Wooden Shoe Farm,
Oregon
BRAIN GAMES
(See pages 118–119.)
Quick Crossword
across down
1. JUICE 2. CILANTRO
3. GARLIC 4. AVOCADO
6. JALAPENO 5. LIME
9. SALT 7. PEPPER
10. TOMATO 8. ONION
Secret Sequence
C. Multiply the number of
symbols outside a circle
to get the number inside. Caption Contest
The inside symbol moves What’s your clever description for this
outside in the next figure.
picture? Submit your funniest line at
Moving Day
RD.COM/CAPTIONCONTEST. Winners will
7 12 18
15 26 42
appear in a future Photo Finish (PAGE 124).
47 80 125

Double Trouble Mind the Gaps

Youth sleuth, eerie 11. Eleven squares are
theory, Brazilian pavilion, missing, but only ten
sorority authority, octagons are, so one
rejuvenation repudiation paving stone must be cut.
sylvain grandadam/superstock

Reader’s Digest (ISSN 0034-0375) (USPS 865-820), (CPM Agreement# 40031457), Vol. 197, No. 1170, May 2021. © 2021. Published monthly, except
bimonthly in July/August and December/January (subject to change without notice), by Trusted Media Brands, Inc., 44 South Broadway, White
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rd.com 123
Reader ’s Digest Brain Games

PHOTO FINISH
Your Funniest captions

Winner
“So, you’re the horse of a different collar.”
—Leah Davidson Lake Worth, Florida

Runners-Up
The invention of the horsey door had its share of setbacks.
—Robert McCulley Hendersonville, Tennessee
byllwill/getty images

“Why, yes, I was raised in a barn.”

—Theresa Anderson New Bloomfield, Missouri

To enter an upcoming caption contest, see the photo on page 123.

124 may 2021 | rd.com

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