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Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 4:08 AM
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Is This You? Colorful Drinks

Is This You?  Colorful Drinks
Image by Ernest Rand.

Summer is so close I can almost taste the smoothies made with fresh berries. The lemonade of summer holds memories. Yes, I did have a lemonade stand with my friend one year, many years ago. When you think that I grew up in Ely, Nevada, where the street walkers - well, that doesn’t sound right! - where the people who happened by a lemonade stand in Eastern Nevada were very few and far between. We made a few pieces of pocket change that hot day. Pretty sure we decided that a lemonade stand was not ever going to make us rich. But. Yes, a nickel a swallow “but.”  Oh, it was fun. Sticky, messy, and fun. 

The years that come and go can be played out in many colorful things to quench a thirst. But really, none are as welcomed as something icy cold on a hot summer’s day. At the county fair in Eureka, every year, a man and woman bring over a little trailer that is their grown-up lemonade stand. They make the prettiest tall drinks. They use clear, tall plastic cups. They fill them with fruit and sugary syrup and water and ice. Even if you aren’t thirsty, you lick your lips at the thought of slurping down one of their concoctions. Talk about good marketing and good timing. 

Just this morning, though, I was treated to a commercial about making and enjoying a refreshing drink that is touted as good for me. The guy was happy as he put some miracle power in his magic stir-em-up mixer that went at the speed of light. Added cool, clear water. He then poured his creation into a clear, tall glass and lifted it to his waiting, lip-licking mouth. Now that all sounds pretty desirable, right? Well, up until I tell you, his drink was green. Yes, green. And thick. I can do a lot of taste testing, but I draw a line in the sand at drinking something green. Green and thick. I know, I know. It’s the generation of kale and spinach and cukes and any other off-the-wall thing someone tries to tell me is good for me because it is green. But nope. My line in the sand is deep, etched with a big stick, and maybe even cemented. 

You know how sometimes when you go to eat or drink something, just as it gets close to your mouth, you can feel that finger down your throat saying, “Thank you, but no thank you,” in the utmost severe and thorough way? Not caring where you are or who is in your air space. Something tells me that I wouldn’t dare try getting that stuff past my lips. Over the teeth and through the gums, look out, tummy, here it comes. Not. That green goo is not going to be welcomed into my gastrointestinal tract.

And why? Why, in the name of blueberry and peach summer frozen treats, would I trade for something green---and thick, for a watermelon and nectarine smoothie with a few raspberries thrown in for good measure? Did I mention it, the drink he was about to drink was thick and gooey? As I sit here writing this story I have a glass of pink lemonade at the ready to swill as I need it. I have to admit I have no idea if there is a difference between pink and yellow lemonade. I suppose since I am a girl, the pink just seems a better fit. 

There is a new “mix up a drink” place in a nearby town that I got a free coupon for from, of all people, my podiatrist. (That is neither here nor there; I just found it amusing.) You should see their menu. Truly, the only things they sell are drinks of flavors that one cannot shake a stick at. From tropical to outer space names that I think may have something to do with video games. But do you know, in the list of all the ways they will spin, shake, crush, melt, freeze, or smoothie a drink, not one is green? So it can’t be just me. 

Soon the beads of sweat will form on your forehead as you are out and about in your yard or at a park. Playing or working, you’re going to desire something cool and refreshing. Know this it is okay to say “no” to green and yes to a lovely shade of lavender or perhaps orange.


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COMMENTS
Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
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