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Focus on emotional, physical, spiritual health during ‘heart month’

Here we are, already in the second month of our new year. Wow! February is American Heart Month, recognizing the importance of physical heart health. And, as we all know, Valentine’s Day is right in the middle of the month, celebrating another type of “heart health.” I think most of us know what Demar Hamlin, who plays safety for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills has gone through. During a January game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin had a heart attack and collapsed on the field, stopping the game. This event shook the world’s mind about how quickly things can happen and change your life. I know what a heart attack is like — I had one a few months ago and am still recovering. Let’s take a look at the heart. Blood flows through the heart, and the heart cleanses the blood to keep us safe from infection. If the passages in and out of the heart get blocked, it will shut down and stop cleansing blood. This can lead to death. Just see where I am trying to lead your thoughts. Think about Jesus and his cleansing blood. We, like blood, flow through the heart of Christ daily, as he cleanses us. How many of you have heard of the Sacred Heart of Jesus? And how many have heard the hymn, “Are You Washed in the Blood?” Have you been washed in the cleansing blood of the lamb? Well, now hopefully you know a little bit more about the flow of blood and its cleansing power. Just think of all your sins flowing through the heart of Christ and being cleansed as they flow through those ventricle channels. We enter Christ’s heart dark with sin, but we come out snow white — clean and refreshed. The sin has been washed away, and we are renewed in Christ. He shed his blood on the cross for our salvation. He carries us daily in his love and washes us clean. There are no catches. There are no strings attached. All we need to do is say, “I’m sorry,” and he washes us clean again and again. Just as our hearts cleanse blood continually in our body, so are we constantly washed clean through the blood of Christ. However, just a heart attack can stop the flow of blood in our bodies, so can an unrepentant spirit “clog” the heart of Christ. Still, he will give us time to repent, be revived in spirit and flow freely again. All we need to do is repent, to ask for cleansing. He knows we make mistakes as humans, but his love for us lets the cleansing blood clean us again and again. Never underestimate the power of the flow of blood through the heart, because it is the source of life in us — just as it is the source of life in Christ. Don’t stop that flow, because it’s the difference between life and death. Only you can decide to live in freedom from sin or death; only you can ask for the cleansing Christ offers us. He gives us the nitroglycerin pill, so to speak — the grace that jump-starts our hearts to let the blood flow again. Only you — no one else can do it for you — can accept that grace, flow through Christ’s bloodstream and heart, and come out clean again. Are you ready for freedom from a heart attack, whether physical or spiritual? February is called Heart Month for many reasons other than Valentine cards, flowers and boxes of candy. It’s a month of revitalization for all of us. Best of the roads, and all gears forward in Jesus.

Follow these tips to help avoid tummy troubles while on the road

If you travel for a living, nobody knows the woes of a grumpy gut like you do. You got that right: We are talking specifically about truck drivers’ health issues today. So, what should you do when you’re bothered by an upset stomach while you’re en route to a new destination? Better yet, how can you avoid tummy troubles while travelling? Here are six tips that can help you enjoy the journey and travel tummy-trouble free. Don’t overeat. It can be hard to resist all any new restaurants and cuisines you could be trying out, but that’s a fatal mistake. Overeating can cause painful cramps, gas and bloating, making it difficult to drive. Next time, try drinking water 30 minutes before you eat. You’ll hydrate yourself and feel less full. Second, set your fork or food down between bites, and try to chew it completely. Don’t swallow your food whole. Eat a high-fiber diet. Fiber regulates your bowel movements, so enrich your diet with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Wheat products are a good example of high-fiber foods. Also, make sure to wash your food and eat safe meals to avoid getting sick easily. Fiber will save you from uncomfortable constipation, so don’t underestimate the importance of a fiber-enriched diet in truck driver health. Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate! Dehydration causes constipation, muscle spasms and unnecessary tummy troubles. Try to limit your intake of beverages with alcohol, caffeine and high sugar content Some of these can actually dehydrate you, and others can cause blood-sugar spikes that make you want to grab for unhealthy food choices. In addition, these beverages can easily upset your stomach, even though they taste great on the drive. Use the bathroom when you have to. All of us know the discomfort of using a public restroom or a bathroom in a shared hotel room. But research showed that not using the restroom when you need to can cause bowel discomfort and possibly constipation amongst many other truck driver health issues. Not only that, but it can also lead to diarrhea. You should go whenever you have to. Take a daily probiotic. In today’s fast-paced world, filled with fast foods and processed meals, gut disorders are common — and sadly almost becoming the norm. But not all probiotics are created equal. The next time you stop to shop for a probiotic, look for spore-based probiotics, why? Spores are a great choice because of their colonizing habits, resilience to stomach acid and resistance to heat and light. Most over-the-counter probiotics never make it past the gut (or even TO the gut) before they break down and lose their potency. Spore-based probiotics, on the other hand, stay in the gut 21 to 28 days and then exit through your feces, helping you at every stop when it comes to gut health. Plus, with spore-based probiotics, you get the support you need for your stomach lining. This helps you reduce inflammation that can cause “leaky gut.” Stay clean. Stomach bugs can be easily transmitted through unclean surfaces. The only way to truly solve this issue is to ensure you keep your hands and utensils free from as much contamination as possible. Wash your hands as per the recommended method, keep your utensils in a safe place, and wash your fruits and vegetables. Ditch the chemical cleaners; consider making your own using water, vinegar and lemon essential oil. Try this: Fill a spray bottle with water and then add a few tablespoons vinegar and one to four drops of lemon essential oil. Keep it packed in your truck for easy cleaning. Traveling is not fun if your tummy has other plans. But with a little preparation and willingness to try something new, you can be on your way being tummy trouble free the next time you hit the road. Hope Zvara is the CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga, a company devoted to improving truck drivers’ fitness and wellness standards. She has been featured in Forbes and Yahoo News, and is a regular guest on SiriusXM Radio. Her practical strategies show drivers how they can go from unhealthy and out of options to feeling good again. Find out more at www.mothertruckeryoga.com.

New government regulations coming in 2023: The gifts that keep on giving

Those of you who actually read my monthly columns are likely aware that I am fundamentally lazy. By this I mean that deep down, at the core of my being, I am totally happy to sit with my feet propped up, sipping a cocktail and watching the world go by. “What in the world does that have to do with the price of tea in China?” you may ask. Well, it means I am having a bit of writer’s block — probably the lingering effects of all tryptophan in my system from the gluttonous amount of turkey I ate over the holidays. So, instead of coming up with an original, insightful and slightly humorous article (which I have never been able to accomplish, ever), I decided to go with a “list” type article. But instead of listing my favorite Christmas songs (the Dean Martin version of “Baby it’s cold outside” if you really want to know), or my New Year’s resolutions, I decided to list some potential regulations the folks at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have on the plate for this year. See, I told you I was lazy. However, while I may be lazy, the FMCSA is working hard to pursue a number of rulemaking proposals in 2023. SPEED LIMITERS First out of the gate is speed limiters. OK, this one is not new, and the notice of proposed rulemaking was published and open for comment last year. To that end, the FMCSA is currently reviewing over 14,500 comments received on this issue. Just like most things in life, I may not know the answer, but I am never short on opinions. If you want to know my thoughts and potential issues with speed limiters, go back and read my article from June 2022. Regardless of my thoughts or opinions, however, the FMCSA has said it “intends to proceed with a motor-carrier based speed limiter rulemaking” with a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to be published by June 30. BROKER & FREIGHT FORWARDER FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Next up are changes to the broker and freight forwarder financial responsibilities. Way back before COVID-19 — in September of 2018, to be exact — the FMCSA published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on this issue and asked for comments about the financial responsibilities of these entities. Well, the FMCSA has said it plans to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) by Jan. 25 that “will propose changes to the broker and freight forwarder financial responsibility requirements as required by MAP-21.” I am interested to see the NPRM and what will be proposed. AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEMS Also on the FMCSA’s agenda is a plan to publish an NPRM amending certain regulations related to the introduction of commercial trucks equipped with automated driving systems (ADS). Proposed changes would include operations, inspection, repair and maintenance regulations of ADS trucks. The purpose of this is to “prioritize safety and security, promote innovation, foster a consistent regulatory approach to ADS-equipped CMVs and recognize the difference between human operators and ADS.” The NPRM is scheduled to be published by Jan. 18. I suspect I will have some pretty strong opinions on this matter, so stay tuned. AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEMS In addition to the foregoing item, the FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) plan to join forces and issue an a NPRM to require/standardize the performance of automatic emergency breaking systems. This proposal is expected to publish by Jan. 30. SAFETY FITNESS PROCEDURES Finally, the FMCSA plans on publishing an ANPRM on safety fitness procedures. In essence, this would focus on how to use current data and resources to identify unfit carriers. The FMCSA will also seek comments about possible changes to the current rating structure and changes to the methodology used to calculate these scores. Needless to say, this one has my attention, and I am curious about which direction FMCSA ultimately takes in this matter. This ANPRM is scheduled to publish by Jan. 30. So there you have it … my incredibly lazy list of things the FMCSA will be up to in the current year. Interestingly, I think I may have just identified my next four or five columns for 2023. You have been warned. Brad Klepper is president of Interstate Trucker Ltd. and is also president of Driver’s Legal Plan, which allows member drivers access to services at discounted rates. For more information, contact him at 800-333-DRIVE (3748) or interstatetrucker.com and driverslegalplan.com.

The Charlie Daniels Band excelled at toeing the line between Southern rock and classic country

As a caveat to what you’ll read if you continue reading this column, I admit I am no expert on Southern rock music. After all, Gregg Allman of The Allman Brothers — a band some label as the first Southern rock group — once said another term for Southern rock is “rock rock.” As most of my readers know, I have little interest in rock music … unless the word is followed by “-abilly.” I must admit, however, to a brief peer-pressured KISS phase in 1977 that I still work to live down. (Yeah, I was 11 years old. I got the belt buckle — and I later scrapped the KISS sticker off, leaving myself with a buckle that could easily display a Johnny Cash decal.) Gregg Allman had a good point. Despite what it became, rock music largely grew from the South, with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly. The blues heavily influenced rock, and performers like Janis Joplin and Creedence Clearwater Revival appealed to fans of both rock and the blues with performances like “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Proud Mary.” Kris Kristofferson penned the former, and country artists ranging from Johnny Cash to Roger Miller have covered the tune. On occasion, what came to be described as Southern rock crossed over to the country charts. The Marshall Tucker Band’s 1977 hit “Heard It in a Love Song” reached No. 51 on Billboard’s country charts. The tune, featuring — of all instruments — the flute, still receives occasional airplay on classic country radio stations today. Other Southern rock bands touched the fringes of country music on occasion, especially those like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Barefoot Jerry. More recently, groups like The Kentucky Headhunters offered no apologies as they blazed a trail that blended Southern rock with country to the point that fans couldn’t tell the two apart. But when it comes to a Southern rock group that consistently walked the tightrope between “rock rock” and country, arguably, none managed to do it as well as The Charlie Daniels Band (CDB). CDB emerged from North Carolina shortly after Charlie Daniels graduated from high school in the late 1950s. Daniels was natural musician who played the guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin. Some critics credit Charlie Daniels with starting the “outlaw country” movement, one that didn’t officially catch on until the 1970s. But to prove his direct connection to Southern rock, Daniels often played with The Marshall Tucker Band and Barefoot Jerry. CDB officially crossed into the country genre in 1975 when the band recorded a Southern anthem, “The South’s Gonna Do It Again.” Another tune, “Leave this Long-Haired Country Boy Alone,” also helped cement CDB as a regular on country airwaves. But it wasn’t until 1977 that Charlie Daniels and his band hit their stride. “Million Mile Reflections,” an album now certified as triple platinum, took both the Southern rock and country music worlds by storm. The album — a compilation that reached No. 1 on the country charts — included CDB’s most popular song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” A 1979 release, the single hit No. 1 on the country charts and No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 before ultimately earning CDB a Grammy Award. Heavily influenced by bluegrass in both lyrics and instrumentals, the single made CDB a mainstay on country radio for decades to come. While Charlie Daniels performed until his death in 2020, the songs country fans best remember came in the 1980s. In fact, “In America” followed up “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and served as a direct appeal to country music’s patriotic fan base upon its release in 1980. The lyrics — a breath of fresh air to a nation mired in the embarrassment of the Iran hostage crisis, high fuel prices and double-digit inflation — reminded Americans and the rest of the world that the U.S. was not on the verge of collapse. The song capitalized on the U.S. National Hockey Team’s capture of the gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics, as well as on the “It’s morning in America” vision of hope Ronald Reagan promoted during his presidential campaign. “In America” offered Charlie Daniels a chance to summarize, in just a few words, the patriotic Southern man’s view of the status of the U.S. and the springing optimism about what lay ahead:      “The eagle’s been flying slow,      And the flag’s been flying low,      And a lot of people sayin’      that America’s fixin’ to fall.” From the three-line stanza summarizing the fears of many Americans and the hopes of some overseas foes, CDB then goes into a patriotic frenzy — one that, at least on country radio, helped pull the nation through some dark days.      “But speakin’ just for me,      And some people from Tennessee,      We’ve got a thing or two to tell you all.      This lady may have stumbled,      But she ain’t never fell,      And if the Russians don’t believe that,      They can all go straight to hell.” The song reminded those who believed, and some who even relished the thought, that America’s weaknesses would push the nation over the edge that the U.S. had started to rebuild its confidence. And when it arrived — well — “God bless America again.” CDB pointed out that Americans were “walking real proud” and “talkin’ real loud.” The U.S. was a country that might have seen a little infighting, but when it came to disrespect around the world, “We’ll all stick together,” and that included the “cowboys and the hippies and the Rebels and the Yanks.” After “In America” topped out at No. 11 on the Billboard Top 100 and No. 13 on the country charts, CDB followed with the haunting single, “The Legend of Wooley Swamp.” The song was a success on the Top 100 where it reached No. 31. But despite tremendous airplay, country fans dismissed it, and it only reach No. 80 on country charts. The band didn’t have another successful song until 1986 when “Drinking My Baby Good-Bye” rose to No. 8 on the country charts. To finish out the 1980s, CDB released “Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues” (No. 10) and “Simple Man” (No. 12). After 1990, CDB’s new material never again reached the popularity of his string of 1980s hits. While CDB may have been a Southern rock band, it also had a tremendous influence on the country music scene. The proof is in the pudding. Charlie Daniels became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2007, and in 2016, he was enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Until next time, happy New Year! Let’s all hope this year someone like Charlie Daniels will step up and reunite our seemingly disjointed union again.

Set goals in 2023 for a healthy ‘mother-truckin’ lifestyle

We’ve all heard it: “New Year, New You.” But after about two weeks post-New Year’s Day, less than 8% of people see much of anything new in their year. Why is that? Where do all those ideas, aspirations, dreams and goals go to die? For that matter, why do they have to die at all? After 20 years and coaching thousands of people to make life changes their life to be a healthier — and happier — version of themselves, I’ve learned a few things. If you want 2023 to be your best year yet, you’ll need to consider a few things before setting those big goals. Why do you want what you say you want? You want to lose weight. Why? You want to make more money. Why? You want to eat healthier. Why? You want to spend more time with your family. Why? You first need to find clarity about why you want what you say you want. What is driving that desire, that goal? If you want to lose weight, what will that give you? Ease of movement, more energy, more confidence, more freedom? If so, freedom to do what? When you set that goal, keep asking yourself “why” until you have no more reasons. Then you will finally see what is driving that desire (which is what you want). And the goal? Well, that’s a barrier we need to overcome. Start smaller. It’s easy to be initially excited and go “all in” on Jan. 1, but very few people can take a giant leap and never look back. Why? Because there are no new established habits to support that new lifestyle … at least, not yet. Starting small means that chunking down that huge goal of yours into several smaller, more straightforward goals. For example, if your goal is weight loss, decide what needs to happen to make you lose weight? Eat more veggies? Drink more water? Get out and do some yoga or walking? Once you decide what the changes should be, break them down even smaller. Start with one, say, eating  one to two veggies a day. Then add drinking more water, one glass at a time. Then start walking short distances, and increase the time by five minutes every few weeks. You get the point? You should also stretch every day. I’ve got some great yoga stretches designed just for truck drivers that anyone can do!  At first, just focus on one or two stretches until you can do them automatically; then start adding new ones. Find a tribe. It’s hard to do anything alone. Having someone “in your corner” is essential. Even more important, having someone to support you and call you out on your excuses (yes, those “reasons” are often excuses) can be the difference between reaching your goal and not reaching it. Find someone (or several someones) who have similar goals, or who have experienced issues similar to yours, and team up. Change your mind set about your goals. Stop treating your goals like outfit changes. It’s not enough to “get fit for summer,” or “get healthy because my spouse wants me to.” Whatever goal you set is yours alone, and it should help to better your life and everyone in it. If you aren’t “all in” on your goal, don’t expect to reach it or reap the benefits of it long-term. You matter. Your life matters. You deserve to live the highest quality of life possible. However, only you can make those changes, and only you can reach those goals. With some prep work and clarity, 2023 can be your best year. Hope Zvara is the CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga, a company devoted to improving truck drivers’ fitness and wellness standards. She has been featured in Forbes and Yahoo News, and is a regular guest on SiriusXM Radio. Her practical strategies show drivers how they can go from unhealthy and out of options to feeling good again. Find out more at www.mothertruckeryoga.com.

Driving with pets can provide added incentive for exercise

I’ve been waiting to write about this topic for some time and I think now is the appropriate time. Why? Come January, health, fitness and wellness are always top of mind, no matter what industry you are in. But this January I want to talk about health and fitness for drivers who travel with pets, especially dogs. These traveling buddies and really can be your best workout companions. Why? Because they will never say “no” to chance to get out and walk or run. Their enthusiasm will help keep you dedicated to that New Year’s resolution, not just in January but all year round. A survey of 2,000 pet parents, conducted ahead of National Pet Appreciation Week in early June, revealed that 67% of pet owners prioritize their pet’s well-being over their own. However, researchers add this isn’t a one-way relationship. Eight in 10 respondents agree that taking care of their pet actively encourages them to take better care of themselves too. In addition, a Dec. 8 article published on TheTrucker.com reported the results of a survey by supply chain technology company Transfix that queried drivers about their daily lives, their preferences, likes and dislikes. Transfix officials noted, “(In total) 60% of truckers share their space with a dog or cat, with some mentioning driving with both or even multiples. “Companionship from a pet can relieve stress by an astonishing 84%, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine,” they continued. “Four-legged friends on the road can also help with feelings of isolation and solitude that often come with the truck driving profession.” This year, I encourage those of you with pet companions to take care of each other’s health, not just your own. Known as The Trucker Trainer, Bob Perry has played a critical role in the paradigm shift of regulatory agencies, private and public sector entities, and consumers to understand the driver health challenge. Perry can be reached at [email protected].

Change the world, one hug at a time

As we start this New Year, let’s all look at the intertwined trees in the photo above. They seem to be sharing a warm, heartfelt hug. This image shows us how love is to be spread this next year for everyone we meet, and especially for family. If we can, let the past year just be that — the past — and not carry the baggage of 2022 into the year. Instead, “hug” each new day as a beginning of sharing the love and friendship just imagine how much better the world will be in 365 days! We all need to understand a hate-filled, disgruntled day is just as bad as a foggy day. On foggy days, we don’t see the clarity of the sun, or the brightness we can bring into our lives and the lives of others. A gloomy day is depressing … but just imagine a hug, and how much it radiates happiness to all. Have you ever seen someone who just needed a hug to feel better? And once you hugged that person, did you notice that smile on their face? Often, a hug can bring a quick change of attitude for a child. Even pets respond to hugs: Notice the wag of a dog’s tail or hear the purr of a kitten when you pet or gently hug it. Life is so much brighter once a hug is shared. If trees can hug, like in the picture, then why can’t we as humans do the same to change a gloomy day into a bright, sunny day? Don’t look back; instead, look ahead to much brighter days. We are the only ones who can make a change. We are the only ones who can help change the world — one hug at a time. If we don’t, then all we have is gloom and despair. I’m not one who wants to spread a foggy and gloomy day. I want the “sonshine” of the love of Christ to spread like light of the sun every day in this new year ahead. Can you imagine how much better life will be if each one of us just spread the love of Christ one hug at a time? Wow — that’s what we all need to do! We need to hug each other, both physically and emotionally, to strengthen our relationships and family connections. This is the dawn of a new year. This is our chance to brighten the lives of others, as well as bring a little joy into our own lives. Gloom has no place in life. “Sonshine” is what’s needed. Are you ready to hug the new year and spread the love of Christ, one hug at a time? Give it a try, and you will see how happy you will become, and how happy others will be. Once you start “hugging” life the way Christ hugs us daily, no one can take that light away from you. Have you ever felt alone and said a prayer, and felt better after that? Well, that’s the hug of the “sonshine” you were feeling. The warmth of a hug goes a long way. I’m hoping each of you have a hug ever day of this new year, and the warmth of love all year every day. God is not gloomy. God doesn’t spread gloom. Mankind does that. Get out of the gloom and step into the “sonshine,” and feel the warmth of a sunny day through a hug. Life is too short for gloomy days. Instead, hug your day and smile. Spread the hugs to all you meet along your way every day. Are you ready for 365 days of hugs? I am! Best of the roads, and all gears forward in Jesus.

‘Double-necked biscuit board’ drives Junior Brown’s ‘semi-crazy’ career

If your musical tastes are confined to Top 40 country radio, chances are you’ve never heard of Junior Brown. Despite a career dating back to the 1960s, Brown hasn’t logged an extensive list of hit songs. In fact, his discography includes only five singles, all released in the mid-1990s. Still, this artist, billed as an “American Original” (perhaps mixed with a dose of Ernest Tubb), has left his mark on alternative country genres. And, along the way, he even applied his unique style to an original trucking song. Born June 12, 1952, in Arizona, Brown’s family relocated to Kirksville, Indiana, before he learned to walk. And, as Brown tells the story, his dad taught him to play the piano before he could talk. During his childhood, Brown says, he found country music unavoidable. He notes that, in Indiana, country music was “growing up out of the ground like the crops — it was everywhere; coming out of cars, houses, gas stations and stores like the soundtrack of a story, but country music programs on TV hadn’t really come along much yet; not until the late fifties.” After learning to play a guitar he found in his grandparents’ attic, Brown spent his teenage years playing before audiences ranging from private parties and school functions to 5,000 scouts at the annual Boy Scout Jamboree. During the ’60s, Brown perfected his instrumental skills performing with bands like The Last Mile Ramblers, Dusty Drapes and Asleep at the Wheel. He later broke out on his own and became one of the most prolific performers at clubs throughout the Southwest. “I played more nights in honky-tonks during the ’70s and ’80s than most musicians will see in a lifetime,” he said. All the while, he worked to hone his skill on another instrument — the steel guitar. In the end, his repertoire featured so much guitar and steel guitar that switching from one instrument to the other on stage became cumbersome. The search began for a solution to the problem of playing two instruments simultaneously — and the result was enough to earn Brown his “American Original” tagline. In 1985, Brown teamed up with Michael Stevens to invent an instrument country music had never seen. The guit-steel, as it’s now known, is a combination electric and steel guitar. The instrument, which Brown describes as a “double-necked biscuit board,” is larger and heavier that a double-necked guitar. On stage, the guit-steel rests on a specially designed stand that takes the weight off what would be the player’s shoulders, allowing the guitarist to easily switch between the two instruments mid-song and play them both with precision. In many ways, the guit-steel turns a Junior Brown performance into something akin to a one-man band, with Brown performing self-penned songs ranging from serious ballads to high-energy, instrumentally focused tunes. Accompanied by Brown’s increasing skills as a songwriter, the guit-steel led to the development of a “Junior Brown” style that few artists have attempted to replicate. In the early ’90s, Brown relocated to Austin, Texas, the unofficial home of alternative country music. His growing local popularity, along with his unique style, led to his first recording contract, a seven-record deal with Curb Records. He recorded 12 albums, but his commercial success was fleeting. As a result, you’ll often hear his music in the most unexpected places. According to the Junior Brown website, the artist received several Grammy nods, a CMA (Country Music Association) award for “My Wife Thinks You’re Dead,” and has made numerous appearances in movies and TV shows, such as “The X-Files,” “Me, Myself and Irene,” “Blue Collar Comedy” (tours 1 and 2) and, more recently, “Better Call Saul.” And there were the ad campaigns — The Gap, Lee Jeans and Lipton Tea. As his notoriety grew, Brown collaborated on projects with some of the performers he’d grown up listening to on the radio. Over the years, he has performed with Ralph Stanley, Hank Thompson, the Beach Boys, George Jones, Doc Watson, Ray Price and others. His website adds, “He even played guitar for Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys in a radio commercial.” In 1996, Brown released his fifth album, “Semi-Crazy.” Critics said the album’s songs brought back memories of the type of music country radio “used to play” … “the essence of Western Swing,” packed full of Brown’s “casually irreverent humor.” The album remains his most successful, reaching No. 34 on the country charts. And while the title song was never released as a single, Texas Monthly magazine touted “Semi-Crazy” as the “first decent trucking song in more than a decade.” As the truck driver narrating “Semi-Crazy,” Brown describes himself as “a slap happy, gear jamming coffee drinking truck driving fool,” but the lyrics’ mild irreverence toward truckers should be taken as nothing less than admiration. “The more I try to make a buck in this beat up truck, the more semi-crazy I get,” he sings, admitting he’s “half nuts to keep running up and down the road in these semi-trucks.” And make no mistake, this driver has thought about doing something else for a living — but “I’m never gonna give it up ‘til I’m pushing up daisies.” Why? Because he’s crazy for semi trucks. Two stanzas of “Semi-Crazy” are excellent displays of Brown’s dry humor, as the unique songwriter attempts to pay homage to those who keep the nation moving: “‘I’m just a truck driving fool who never finished school, I got my learning at the old truck stop. They said I won’t amount to much when a gear shift And a clutch was the only education I got.” And “I’m just an old blue collar, semi-crazy road scholar They tell me that I’m half insane. And I’ve been driving so long, I got diesel in my blood And ninety weight oil on my brain.” And for those who question the real intent of Brown’s lyrics as being something more sinister than humorous, another stanza casually (though still humorously) reflects the performer’s admiration for the truck driving profession: “Everybody says we’re dingy ’cause we’re too semi-crazy to stop. That’s the handle that we’re stuck with, no matter if we like it or not. Through the desert and the mountains The sunshine, the rain and the snow, We’ll be double clutching daddies ’til we’re over the hill And we’re never gonna take it slow.” To put the dot in the exclamation point, the final words Brown utters as “Semi-Crazy” fades offer a nod to one of country music’s best-known performers of truck driving songs: “What do you think of that, Dudley?” And with the song ended, Brown heads off to another tour stop where he pays his dues to the professional entertainers’ version of “Six Days on the Road.” Until next time, don’t forget to search the far corners of country music for alternatives to Top 40 radio. After all, listening to those same songs for days on end is enough to drive anyone semi-crazy.

On trucks, tolls and the US Constitution

On rare occasions, I am right about things. By rare, I mean about as often as I win an argument at home. That’s rare. Despite my abysmal track record, I was (finally) proven to be right about something — namely that the truck-only tolls in the great state or Rhode Island are unconstitutional! I know many of you may find this hard to believe, as I am the guy who thought the Supreme Court would grant cert to the California Trucking Association case challenging AB5. Well, they can’t all be home runs. To refresh your memory, back in 2016 the good folks in the Rhode Island legislature thought it would be a good idea to impose tolls on vehicles traveling on their roadways. That, in and of itself, would be fine. However, the state legislature decided to take it a step further and make the tolls just apply to trucks! And that, my friends, is where the problems began. In 2016, then-Gov. Gina Raimondo (now U.S. Commerce Secretary) decided that money needed to be raised to rehabilitate the state of Rhode Island’s highways and bridges. Moreover, the state alleged that 70% of the damage to the roadways was caused by big trucks (the methodology for determining this percentage was hotly disputed). In its infinite wisdom, the state decided that only trucks should be made to pay the tolls. This decision would result in only 3% of the vehicles traveling the state’s roadways paying 100% of the tolls. This did not pass muster with the court. At the time, it was argued by many that such a toll was unconstitutional. Well, we were right. In its decision granting a permanent injunction earlier this fall, the courts said: “Because RhodeWorks fails to fairly apportion its tolls among bridge users based on a fair approximation of their use of the bridges, [it] was enacted with a discriminatory purpose and is discriminatory in effect, the statute’s tolling regime is unconstitutional under the dormant Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution.” As background, the Commerce Clause refers to Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution which gives Congress the ability to “regulate commerce with foreign nations, and amongst the several states, and with the Indian tribes.” In other words, Congress can use the Commerce Clause to exercise legislative power over the activities of the states. In the very simplest of terms, the Commerce Clause allows Congress to pass laws and regulate commerce between the states. The Dormant Commerce Clause, implicit in the Commerce Clause, prohibits states from passing legislation that discriminates or excessively burdens interstate commerce. This means states can’t enact protectionist policies that favor state citizens or businesses at the expense of others conducting business in the state. Therein lies the issue with the truck-only tolling regime. Now, this may seem like a pretty straightforward case — and to most, it appeared to violate the Dormant Commerce Clause at its inception. However, it is of major importance to our industry. Quite simply, if truck-only tolling had been found constitutional in Rhode Island it is not a stretch to think that it would quickly be adopted by other states. I believe American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear said it best in response to the court ruling: “We told Rhode Island’s leaders from the start that their crazy scheme was not only discriminatory, but illegal.” Spears also added: “We’re pleased that the court agreed. To any state looking to target our industry, you better bring your A-game … because we’re not rolling over.” Brad Klepper is president of Interstate Trucker Ltd. and is also president of Driver’s Legal Plan, which allows member drivers access to services at discounted rates. For more information, contact him at 800-333-DRIVE (3748) or interstatetrucker.com and driverslegalplan.com.

Why do my feet hurt? Exercises to help relieve drivers’ foot pain

Foot pain can keep many adults stuck in a chair even longer than they already are during the normal course of a day at work. And when it comes to truck drivers, long bouts of sitting are both a job requirement and an unavoidable hazard, at least if you plan to keep trucking. Reasons you might have foot pain Foot pain can be caused by many factors like bunions, hammer toes, arthritis and scar tissue, but let’s not forget a reason that is often overlooked — lack of use and immobility. The hard, flat surfaces we walk on are, for the most part, not made for human feet. Walking on asphalt and concrete doesn’t stimulate our feet and muscles the way they should be daily. We can’t remove the pavement, but we can improve our foot function and mobility. 5 fitness exercises and strategies to reduce foot pain on the road Get your shoes off. Shoes are like casts, binding and restricting our feet. What does a cast do? It immobilizes body parts. It’s no wonder your feet feel stiff and sore, and it hurts to walk — those muscles haven’t moved in ages, and now they’re stiff, tight, aching and atrophied. Start small. Take your shoes off and walk around in a clean area in small doses. Try moving and stretching your toes and using your entire foot when you walk; this is a practice most shoes help you avoid. There’s a saying: “Use it or lose it.” If you’re wearing shoes 24/7, you might be losing it. Walk on uneven natural surfaces. Try to find patches of ground that require your body to balance, stabilize and use more muscles when you walk. Have you ever gone hiking and then your legs, ankles and feet were sore the next day? That’s because you were using muscles you usually don’t, and in new ways. When you can, opt to walk on grass or dirt instead of concrete. Roll out your feet. Inside your truck, you can roll your feet back and forth on a ball or frozen water bottle to break up the stiff, tight fascia (think of this as millions of spider webs restricting your feet) on the bottoms of the feet. Start gently, with varied pressure. All that crunching, cracking and discomfort is your feet saying, “It’s about time you moved me!” Stretch your calves. Everything is connected. You may have been told to immobilize your feet when you have pain. That pain may disappear, but the restriction causing the pain hasn’t. Moving any body parts has various benefits, such as increased circulation, proper lymphatic drainage, improved mobility and a reduction in pain. After teaching and working with thousands of people in pain, many with issues like plantar fasciitis and knee and hip pain, I’ve discovered that stretching the calves is a straightforward exercise that often has almost instantaneous effects. Here’s how: Standing, take a small step back with one foot. Point both feet forward. Level and square the hips. Slightly bend the front knee and keep it bent. Slowly bend the back knee without lifting the heel. Hold for five counts and then straighten the leg. Repeat this 10 times on each leg. Try using pain creams. Pain creams are an excellent topical solution that can help reduce discomfort so you can do the work you need to do. Always use creams as directed— and don’t forget to read the ingredients, as many are made with “junk” ingredients that don’t really work. Try any of these powerful driver’s exercises and find time to implement them before you head out for the day, on break while filling up with fuel, or before you go to bed. I believe you’ll experience less pain and cramping, as well as improved mobility. Hope Zvara is the CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga, a company devoted to improving truck drivers’ fitness and wellness standards. She has been featured in Forbes and Yahoo News, and is a regular guest on SiriusXM Radio. Her practical strategies show drivers how they can go from unhealthy and out of options to feeling good again. Find out more at www.mothertruckeryoga.com.

Be sure to take time to enjoy each season, every relationship in your life

Can you believe it’s already November? Later this month we’ll celebrate the fall harvest and God’s blessings with Thanksgiving feasts — and before we know it, Christmas and New Year’s will be here! For now, however, let’s just enjoy the beauty of the current season. I love the fall, with its colorful foliage in shades of red, gold and amber. In fact, I love the changes brought about with every season. Each season has so much to offer us. If we take and enjoy what God has prepared for us to enjoy during the changes of the season, our lives won’t be dull — they’ll be full of the glory of God. So many people never seem to see this beautiful mystery, of everything God has planned for us to see and experience with the passing of each season. We seem to rush through life, often missing the beauty of it. If we fail to notice the changes of the season each year, it makes me wonder: What else are we missing in the passing of the seasons of our life? Do you really know each person you come into contact with on a daily basis? Do you really know each of your family members completely? Ask yourself a few simple questions: Do you know what each of your children like to eat? Or enjoy for entertainment? I met someone who couldn’t even tell me the color of their child’s eyes. Are you shocked? We seem to rush through life without “taking time to smell the roses,” as the saying goes. Always keep in mind that life is something we can’t repeat. It’s like playing football. We grab the ball and run, but often don’t really “see” the other players rushing in the same direction. This is OK in football, but not in real life. Take time to notice others along the way. You don’t need to rush through life; take it one day at a time and enjoy it for what it is. We need to observe each other and know life is very short. Each passing day brings us closer to the end of our run — our goal post of heaven, to continue the football analogy. The footprints we leave on earth are as the changing of the seasons. We can’t rewind and start over. We can only move forward and enjoy each day for what it is. But we need to be observant of those around us and really get to know them as children of God. If you read about the life and travels of Jesus in the Bible, you will see he was very well aware of those around him, those he came in contact with. The lepers, the Roman soldier, the woman at the well, the woman who touched his garment in a crowd, Zacchaeus, who climbed a tree to see Jesus and, of course, the little children. So, if Jesus could slow down to meet and to know people for who they were, why don’t we follow his example? Slow down, and get to know the people you meet along life’s journey. This year, I’m driving a school bus for special-needs students, and I will have all new kids on my bus. The past few years I’ve had the same kids, and I got to know each one personally. I knew when they had good days, as well as when they had bad days. Along my new journey, I’m going to meet all new kids. I plan to take my time and find out about each one, so I will know them individually. Taking time to learn their ups and downs will strengthen my relationship with each child. These children won’t be just a number to me — each one is a real live person. Some I may have for only a short time, and others I may have for the whole school year. It really matters to me that I get to know them as well as they get to know me. That’s my goal. Now, what about you? How well do you know the people along your path? Do you know your dispatcher? Do you know the mechanic who works on your truck? And I mean, REALLY know them, not just as a passing person but who they are. When I drove a truck, I made it a point to know my dispatcher on a one-on-one basis. I knew his birthday, his favorite drinks (coffee, tea or soda) and even what he didn’t like. I knew him as a person, not just his title. We are human beings, and we need to find the love of Christ in everyone. As truckers, your neighbors are the people you meet traveling coast to coast, not just those who live next door to you. Treat every neighbor the way you want to be treated. If you’re having a good day, then bless someone with your smile and greet them as well. Or maybe you’re having a bad day. Just a  smile or a friendly word from one of those neighbors could just cheer you up. Best of the roads, and all gears forward in Jesus.

Are motor carriers responsible for their drivers’ health?

Who carries the responsibility for your health as a truck driver, you or your company? This is a topic I’ve been wanting to write about for some time now. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that long-haul truck drivers may develop health problems because of their work environment. If a driver has a medical condition that affects their ability to drive, it could cost them their CDL — and their livelihood. One survey found that long-haul truck drivers are more likely to smoke and be overweight than people in other professions. In addition, truckers are less likely to be physically active compared to other workers in the U.S. A driver’s motor carrier has the responsibility to ensure the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examiner is informed of the minimum medical requirements and the characteristics of the work to be performed. The motor carrier is also responsible for ensuring that only medically qualified drivers are operating its commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. I certainly agree that we each need to manage our own well-being. However, when you have a job that comes with a working environment that can have a direct negative effect on your health, shouldn’t the company share some responsibility? Shouldn’t companies support their employees with the necessary tools to be preventive and proactive when it comes to their health? Businesses do this when it comes to their equipment, with measures like oil changes, tire tracking devices, and testing the engines oil for potential breakdown. But what about testing your body, your “engine,” for potential breakdown? I have two thoughts on this on this subject. First: I’ve always felt that motor carriers need to educate and then support drivers in managing their well-being through educational materials, health screenings, the ability to talk confidently with a CDL health coach for guidance, accountability and motivation. Having a reward program is key. With the high cost of recruiting new drivers, why not reward the ones you have for passing their CDL re-certs? The message is, “Why not save the drivers you know today, before hiring the next unknown drivers of tomorrow?” Second: You, as a driver, have to be willing to engaged in any wellness programs that are offered and utilize the support your carrier is willing to provide. Show them that you do appreciated it by interacting and making your best effort to stay healthy and pass your re-cert exams. Ultimately, we must each take responsibility for our own health. Known as The Trucker Trainer, Bob Perry has played a critical role in the paradigm shift of regulatory agencies, private and public sector entities, and consumers to understand the driver health challenge. Perry can be reached at [email protected].

Do you think breast health is only important for women? Think again!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We don’t often think about breast health — unless we hear the words “breast cancer.” Furthermore, when the words “breast health” or breast cancer” come up, most people think of women. However, there are a number of reasons both women and men should focus on the health of their chest area. Why pay attention to the chest area? The chest area is an essential area for both women and men to take care of because there is an essential network of lymph glands (nodes). It is also a center for much-needed circulation. What are lymph nodes and what do they do? Lymph nodes are located in your armpits, groin, neck and around the blood vessels of your chest and abdomen. The main functions of lymph nodes are to filter the lymph (fluid that flows through the body) and to remove harmful microorganisms, damaged or dead tissue cells, large protein molecules, and toxic substances. This plays a direct role with our immune system and fighting disease. Both men and women can practice these moves to improve breast and chest health: Arm circles help foster healthy circulation and lymph flow for the upper body and can reduce lymph fluid buildup that occurs when you move around less than you should. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and stretch your arms out at shoulder height. Move your arms in forward circles, starting small and gradually making bigger circles. Reverse the direction of the circles after about 10 seconds. Cherry picking is a simple move that gets your arms up and overhead, improving circulation and cardiovascular health. It also helps reduces lymph blockage. From a standing position, raise one arm straight above your head and reach for the sky (you’ll lean a bit to the opposite side); repeat with other arm. The downward dog pose encourages full-body blood circulation, strengthens the entire body and improves the immune system. The bridge pose helps create “opening” in the chest and deepen breathing and circulation. This pose is wonderful for drivers because they often sit all day, hunched forward behind the wheel, closing off the chest. It’s also easy to do in the sleeper berth! Neck and chest massage is easy to do, and it’s a great way to break up tension and allow blood and lymph to flow more easily through the chest. Use your fingers or a massage ball to massage around your clavicle, neck and shoulders in the morning and again at night. The truck step pull back stretch is an all-body stretch that particularly focuses on releasing the shoulders, underarm area and lower back. Grab the truck step, bench or bar and sit back; breathe deep and relax your arms to stretch deep. Walking is a great way to keep your lymphatic system working optimally. Lack of movement is one of the biggest challenges our lymphatic system faces, and every minute counts. Walk in place, add an extra lap about your truck or walk a lap around the parking lot — it all adds up. Finally, don’t forget to hydrate. Your lymphatic system and circulatory system rely heavily on fluids — not soda or coffee, but water. As a bonus, try adding a pinch of Celtic sea salt for a boost in essential minerals. As a driver, it may seem difficult to take care of your health, but a little goes a long way. Pick just one of the moves above and commit to doing it every day for a week. The next week, add a second move; the third week, add another. You’ll slowly build up a routine that promotes not just breast health, but your best health today, tomorrow and for years to come. Hope Zvara is the CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga, a company devoted to improving truck drivers’ fitness and wellness standards. She has been featured in Forbes and Yahoo News, and is a regular guest on SiriusXM Radio. Her practical strategies show drivers how they can go from unhealthy and out of options to feeling good again. For more information, visit www.mothertruckeryoga.com.

To avoid a frivolous lawsuit, attorneys must provide a nonfrivolous argument, theory

Brad Klepper is out of pocket this month, but we hope you’ll enjoy this “rerun,” which was originally published in the January 1-15, 2021, edition of The Trucker. Let’s get this out of the way up front: Nobody likes lawyers. I get that. I really do. I am a lawyer myself, and I don’t even like lawyers. Shoot, there are days I don’t even like myself. Which — the more I think about it — is something I should probably discuss with a professional. Regardless, there is one big reason why folks don’t like lawyers. (OK, I lied. There are actually several big reasons why folks don’t like lawyers.) But one of those reasons is that lawyers file frivolous lawsuits — which they are not supposed to do. Just so you know, lawyers are officers of the court and are required to follow certain rules when they file lawsuits. Of course, if a lawyer violates these rules, the suit can be dismissed, and the court may sanction the lawyer. Lawyers can also be disciplined if they violate jurisdictions ethics rules relating to the filing of lawsuits. While court procedures and ethics rules may vary slightly between jurisdictions, they all basically say the same thing: All lawyers are prohibited from filing “frivolous” lawsuits or suits otherwise without merit. In other words — and as my grandfather would say — lawyers, are not supposed to file lawsuits that are full of “horsesh*t.” I never understood what Grandad had against bulls, but whatever…. So, if we know lawyers are not supposed to file these lawsuits, why do we seem to see so many of them? The answer is that lawyers are permitted to file lawsuits when they know enough facts to believe the eventual proof will support the allegations contained in the lawsuit. This is done without knowing all the facts at the time the lawsuit is filed. In addition to lawsuits being free from “horsesh*t,” the lawyer is also required to cite the relevant settled legal theory or state a new one he or she believes should be adopted by the court. A good example of a “new legal theory” would include the school segregation arguments made by Thurgood Marshall in the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education and the same-sex arguments made in the Obergefell decision of 2015. Federal lawsuits are governed by Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (most states have adopted some version of this), which states that the new legal theory is “warranted by existing law or by nonfrivolous argument … or the establishment of the new law.” This means if a lawyer files a lawsuit based on a theory so far-fetched that no court could be expected to accept it, then that lawyer could be in violation of Rule 11 or its state equivalent. If this occurs, that lawyer could be sanctioned by the applicable state bar for violation of ethics rules. In light of all of the above, why don’t we see more lawyers getting fined or disciplined? The answer is that it’s a fine line that separates a “frivolous” lawsuit from one that might be “meritless” but argues for a new legal theory. So, while judges, the media and others may criticize a suit as “frivolous” and call for sanctions or other disciplinary action, the standard is high for imposing such sanctions. In fact, the standard of proof required in most jurisdictions for finding such a violation is “clear and convincing evidence.” That’s a high bar indeed. At the end of the day, whether a lawyer violated the rules of professional conduct will be determined by each state’s disciplinary agency on a case-by-case basis. But that still doesn’t mean we have to like lawyers. Brad Klepper is president of Interstate Trucker Ltd. and is also president of Driver’s Legal Plan, which allows member drivers access to services at discounted rates. For more information, contact him at 800-333-DRIVE (3748) or interstatetrucker.com and driverslegalplan.com.

Walking can be as good as medication — without a prescription

If you have read my columns in the past, you know I believe this: When it comes to weight loss it’s always about movement and what you put in your mouth. The next time you have a DOT exam, if your doctor tells you need to lose weight to manage your blood pressure, you might wind up with a prescription for medication. While you should always follow your doctor’s orders, here’s a proven “medication” that doesn’t require a prescription — walking. We all know that any physical activity can boost your overall health, and walking delivers extra value when time is sensitive for professional drivers. Here are some extra value points offered by walking. Walking doesn’t require special equipment; just invest in a good pair of shoes. Much like your truck, good tread on your feet makes a difference in performance, mileage and smoother ride. Walking helps control your appetite. It also helps to burn calories — which supports weight loss. Walking reduces stress levels. This is my favorite benefit of walking, and it really does work! I have found interval walking to be the most effective, as it fits a driver’s tight time schedule and is easy on the joints. After a brief five-minute warm up, pick up the pace for 30 seconds and then slow it down for two minutes. Repeat. Studies show that walking reduces arthritis-related pain. Walking protects the joints — especially the knees and hips, which are most susceptible to osteoarthritis — by lubricating them and strengthening your stabilizer muscles that support them. Walking, along with good nutrition and a vitamin regimen, can help boost your immune system. This is especially important during cold and flu season. In closing, please note that these benefits work best when you incorporate walking into your daily lifestyle. Give yourself at least 30 days to feel the difference; you will feel it first and, after a period of time, you will see the difference. Good luck, and thanks for all you do for all of us every day. Known as The Trucker Trainer, Bob Perry has played a critical role in the paradigm shift of regulatory agencies, private and public sector entities, and consumers to understand the driver health challenge. Perry can be reached at [email protected].

October brings fall celebrations, reminders to let God’s light shine

The seasons are coming around faster now. We have entered fall, and soon winter will be upon us. October is the month for going to the pumpkin patch for school kids, and for folks to make those awesome pumpkin pies. As a kid, I always wanted to watch my grandma as she cooked the pumpkin, added those special spices and rolled out the dough for those pies. It was a special time of year for me growing up. I’m sure many of you have some of the same fond memories of childhood during the month of October. Of course, we all look forward to Halloween and its festivities. As a trucker I often would enjoy going to different areas of the country just to see what each area is like and how they prepared for fall events. Country folks put out bales of hay, topped off with all sorts of decorations. Of course, they always have a jack-o’-lantern as part of the decorations. City folks put up Halloween lights and orange and black streamers with scarecrows and skeletons. Witches and goblins are always popular for porch decorations. And, of course, candy is always a special treat for the youngsters that come to your door. “Trick or treat!” can be heard as giggling children approach your door to ask for their treats. But did you ever think, that along with all these wonderful things, there is also the fact that at some point in time we will not be here to celebrate occasions like these? Life is very fragile, and we need to understand that what we do here on earth in our lifetime is how we’re going to spend eternity. Our tombstone will give the dates of our birth and death — but will show nothing about how we lived our lives or how we treated people. If we want the “treat” of a heavenly reward, then we need to treat others as we want to be treated. Let God’s glow reflect in our lives — just like that candle does in the jack-o’-lanterns we carve for decorations. God took all the yucky stuff out of us and replaced it with that special glow, so we shine with his glory. Let’s not put that candle. Instead, keep it burning so it touches everyone we meet. If your candle dims, then Satan has pulled a “trick” on you, extinguishing your light. If Satan takes hold of you, you need to put him out of your life — and live so as to reflect the glory of God. Living a life filled with the glow of God is the most important thing you can do on this earth. You are the only one who can determine which way you are heading for in the afterlife. That tombstone only gives dates — but you give the rest of the world the information about what you did from birth to death. Halloween is just a holiday — one of many — but it’s also a reminder that life has a beginning and an end. Only you can fill in the space between your birth and death dates. Let’s all try to show the glory of God and let our candle glow through for all to see. Yes, sometimes it’s hard, but the more we try the better we’ll get at doing it. My wish is for all of you to have a great time this month — and enjoy the aroma of pumpkin pies and Halloween. Best of the roads and all gears forward in Jesus.

Trucking tunes from Down Under: Nev Nicholls enjoyed popularity with songs of the road

Big rigs, and of course, big rig drivers, are hardly unique to the U.S. Large numbers of Canadian and Mexican trucking firms employ drivers, and these three North American countries are likely the occupation’s geographic area for drivers. There are plenty of big rigs in Europe as well. But when it comes to matching the cultural popularity of drivers on a scale that the U.S. reached in the 1970s, perhaps Australia comes the closest. And, where truck drivers travel, trucking music follows. Considering trucking music is best connected with country music in the U.S., it’s only natural that fans in a place where other forms of country music are popular have their fair share of trucking music. Although the U.S. truck driving census of 3.3 million drivers dwarves that of Australia (245,000), the continent has a long connection to country music — both that popular in the U.S. and its native form. So, if you’re looking for foreign trucking songs, Australia is a good place to turn. And when you’re looking Down Under, there’s one name to search — Nev Nicholls. Nev Nicholls was born on a farm in the New South Wales area of Southeast Australia. After his father died when Nicholls was still a boy, he worked both the family farm and nearby farms to help the family make ends meet. In the meantime, when he was 11, Nicholls discovered the guitar and taught himself to play and write songs. His farming jobs kept his musical ambitions on hold for several years, but when time allowed, Nicholls appeared on the local radio station performing both his original songs and covers of popular music. In 1952, Nicholls left the farm and headed for Sydney on Australia’s Pacific Coast. There, he made some custom recordings that caught the ear of executives at Regal Zonophone Records. Soon he was recording original material for the record company. He became popular on Australia’s “Amateur Hour” and Tim McNamara’s “Talent Quest.” Nicholls permanently moved to Sydney to pursue his career, but he found opportunities in short supply. He made more money as an insurance salesman than a musical performer. In 1954, Nicholls signed with another Australian recording company, EMI. His popularity grew, and three years later, he went on tour with several other country recording artists. A year after his first tour, he set out on his second throughout New South Wales and Queensland. But his success didn’t hold. Unfortunately, fans soured on Australian country music through most of the 1960s. But in 1968, U.S. country music became popular on the continent, and for the next 10 years, Nicholls teamed up with numerous acts to play at a honkytonk, the Texas Tavern. Others appearing at the venue included Buddy Emmons, Roger Miller’s steel guitar player and the U.S.’s own Charley Pride. During this period, Nicholls formed the band that would bring him his most successful years, The Country Playboys. By 1974, trucking songs were all the rage in the U.S. Nicholls, always on the lookout for a niche, had a hunch that tales of truck drivers would attract listeners in Australia as well. His first album of such songs, “Keep on Trucking,” was certified gold. While Nicholls had a boatload of U.S. trucking songs he could have picked from to cover on his albums, he opted for original songs focused on Australia. Between 1974-1981, Nicholls recorded seven albums containing truck driving songs, and his new niche was well received. With albums titled “Just My Truckin’ Luck,” “Truckin’ Around,” “Supertrucker” and “Blazing Diesels,” it was clear Nicholls had cornered the market on Australian trucking music and had made his mark on his country’s music scene. In 1977, Nicholls was inducted into the Tamworth Hands of Fame, which is on par with Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Nicholls’ trucking songs were most often based on tales and issues facing the Australian trucking industry and Australian drivers. But his music took on the unique sound of American country music, primarily the Bakersfield Sound, made popular by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. With driving rhythms led by electric guitars, instrumental introductions to Nicholls’ music signal the listener a trucking song is on the way — the rhythm of the highway beats at a regular pace behind the lyrics. On occasion, however, Nicholls strayed from the ways of American country music and inserted a brass section into his tunes. The brass, out of place to American listeners, helped set a tone for some of Nicholls’ songs, particularly those with upbeat and positive lyrics. Geography has always played an important role in country music, and it’s evident in trucking songs. After all, Hank Snow set the stage with “I’ve Been Everywhere,” and most American trucking songs also have a sense of place to enhance the story behind the lyrics. Nicholls recognized the importance of geography, and his lyrics include many references to the highways, cities and landmarks of Australia. Whether it’s Western Australia, the Northern Territories or the informal “Outback,” Nicholls sang of drivers covering terrain across most of the Australian continent. To an American listener, however, Nicholls’ geographic references can be confusing. In his 1975 hit single “Truck Me Dead,” Nicholls sings of the last moments of Harry, a truck driver from Townsville, an oceanside city in Australia’s “Sunshine State” of Queensland. Unfortunately for Harry, the character was on his deathbed in southern Australia, and he knew he’d never find his way northward before he died. He laments being laid to rest in what he considers to be the “cold” area of the continent (even though southern Australia is considered to have a mild Mediterranean climate). He begs his “mates” to “truck me dead to Townsville,” where the climate is warmer and more suited to Harry’s tastes. To an American listener, it’s hard to conceive of the north being cooler than the south, but that’s the way it is in the southern hemisphere. After the long discography of trucking songs Nicholls turned out in the 1970s, he spent most of the remainder of his career performing on a roadshow heard on 90 radio stations throughout Australia. In the late ’90s, Massive Records re-released many of Nicholls’ trucking songs on albums such as “Aussie Truckin’” and “Interstate Truckin’.” Those releases brought renewed attention to Nicholls’ body of work. In 2002, he retired from the music business and was inducted into the Australian Country Music Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame. He died in 2012 at the age of 93. Until next time, when those old trucking songs get stale, spread your wings and see what performers in other countries have to offer. You’ll find a lot you’re already familiar with, but there’s plenty that will be new to the ear.  

How does the concept of ‘stare decisis’ impact the Supreme Court’s rulings?

I always work under the assumption that I and perhaps a handful of others are really the only people who care about stare decisis and how it impacts our legal system. The reason I am so confident in this is that I believe most folks have no idea what the doctrine of “stare decisis” means. Well congratulations, today we are going to address this issue. First, state decisis, is just a fancy Latin term they teach you in law school so you can justify an increase in your hourly rate. But seriously, in short the term means “to stand by things decided.” This is also known as precedent. Now you may wonder why I have chosen to write about this doctrine at this time. The answer is that the doctrine of stare decisis was an issue in the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (nearly two decades later). To be up-front, I am not going to discuss the pros and cons of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. I am not sure there is a more divisive legal issue in the country today, and I have no intention of wading into that debate. Few people like lawyers to start with, and I don’t want to reduce that number in half by expressing an opinion that would alienate two of the four folks who like lawyers. Instead, I am going to discuss the legal doctrine of stare decisis and how it comes into play in Supreme Court decisions. As background, the concept of stare decisis is not found in the Constitution or in any state or federal law. It is based on English common law and Alexander Hamilton’s comments in the Federalist Paper 78 in which he said, “to avoid an arbitrary discretion in the judges, they need to be bound down by rules and precedents … (and) the records of those precedents must unavoidably swell to a very considerable bulk.” In other words, courts should be bound by their prior decisions. This provides stability and uniformity in the interpretation and application of law to cases, thereby allowing society to rely on settled law. As Justice Lewis Franklin Powell Jr. once remarked, “The elimination of constitutional stare decisis would represent an explicit endorsement of the idea that the Constitution is nothing more than what five justices say it is.” In the real world, the doctrine of stare decisis applies both horizontally and vertically. Meaning that lower courts are compelled to follow the decision of higher courts (vertically). To a lower court judge, decisions by the Supreme Court are law and must be followed. Also, horizontal precedent refers to the Supreme Court following its prior decisions. Of course, the courts have adhered to the concept with varying degrees of loyalty. In fact, former Chief Justice William Hubbs Rehnquist said that “precedent is a principle of policy and not a mechanical formula of adherence to the latest decision.” In contrast, in a 2019 decision, Justice Elena Kagan said in a dissent that “judges do not get to reverse a decision just because they never liked it in the first instance.” She also said “it is hard to overstate the value, in a country like ours, of stability in law.” With that said, the Supreme Court has overruled its prior decision 141 times since 1851. This is less than once a year. Of course, precedent helps make sense out the conflict between the wisdom of past decisions and the rationality of the present. An example of where the courts ignored stare decisis can be found in Brown v. Board of Education, a unanimous decision that struck down the 1896 decision in Plessy v. Ferguson, which allowed “separate but equal” treatment of the races. This decision really started a revolution in civil rights law. Another example is Texas v. Lawrence in 2003, which overturned Bowers v. Hardwick, a decision that allowed states to criminalize sodomy. In that decision, the court said the earlier case “was not correct when it was decided, is not correct today and is hereby overruled.” In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the court noted that stare decisis “is at its weakest when we interpret the Constitution.” The court also found the quality of Roe’s reasoning, relying on a constitutional right of privacy arising from the First, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, and 14th Amendments, was incorrect and that no such right is conferred by the Constitution. From there, the court found the decision in Roe v. Wade was damaging and usurped the power to address a question of profound moral and social importance and that the Constitution unequivocally leaves for people. In other words, the court held that the Constitution does not create a constitutional right to an abortion, and the doctrine of stare decisis does not upholding Roe v. Wade. Whether or not you agree with this reasoning, it is important to note how the doctrine of stare decisis is addressed by and influences the court’s decisions.

To everything, there is a time: Don’t rush through the seasons of the year — or your life

We are now starting the fall season. Just notice the changes around you: Nature is starting to change colors and we are now in the “ber” season. All the next four months end with “ber” to let us know we are headed for a change. Have you ever thought about change in your life? Every day of your life there is a change that happens. It may be a small change, or it can be a very large change. Sometimes we don’t even notice it — but it’s there! We always look forward to each change of the seasons. Sometimes we, as humans, rush the season and don’t take the time to reflect on what each season offers. If we could just slow down and not rush through the seasons, I think we all could enjoy the beauty of each time of the year, and we would enjoy life so much more. We could notice the beauty of the changing colors and the coolness in the air as fall leads us towards winter. The old saying, “Take time to smell the roses” can be applied to any time of the year. Why are we always rushing to get to the next season in life? We all are guilty of the same thing. As kids, we can’t wait to be teenagers. As teenagers, we can’t wait to be adults. As adults, we can’t wait for retirement. We all do this with each season of our life. If we all took things as they come instead of rushing ahead, we would have less stress in our lives. Rushing always leads to stress — and less enjoyment in life. If we look in the Bible, we see that God never rushed ahead; instead, he did each thing in a positive order and in its own time. Each season — of the year and of our lives — has something special that we all can enjoy. But when we rush forward to the next season, we actually grow tired of it even before it comes around. Nature takes its time to change, so why do we as humans try to start getting ready for Christmas before Labor Day? Or Thanksgiving before Halloween? As a child, I never saw the Christmas tree until I woke up on Christmas morning. It was so beautiful to see those bright colorful lights. The joy it brought was awesome. Seeing the Christmas tree before Thanksgiving takes away that awesome excitement of a Christmas celebration. By December all that excitement has changed, and by Christmas we are already frustrated with that joyful feeling. Nowadays it seems the seasons are all jumbled up and confusing, and we have less excitement about the season as we should. Stop and think about the life of Jesus. Everything he did was not rushed; instead it was thought through before he did it. It’s the same today: Nothing in our lives should be rushed — but done with thought, and enjoyed. The seasons all arrive in their time, not rushed ahead of each other. No snow in July. No high temperatures in December. Each month has its time to shine. Let’s follow this with our lives. Live life to the fullest, but don’t rush ahead of it. Not having so much stress from rushing through life can give us a brighter future. Prepare now for the adventure of life as the seasons roll by. Fall leads to winter. Enjoy the rest of this year, and take it one day at a time. No rush. Happy fall! Best of the roads and all gears forward in Jesus.

What can yoga do for me? I’m glad you asked!

September is National Yoga Awareness Month — the perfect time to share a little bit about what yoga is and how it can help you. Yoga has been around for 5,000 years and, over time, has evolved since then. You are gravely mistaken if you are reading this and still think yoga is a bunch of hippies sitting and meditating in a field, or suburban women with tight yoga pants, expensive mats and fancy green drinks. What is yoga? To me, yoga is an approach to life. Unlike any other fitness modality, yoga is an approach to living, not just how you move your body. Yoga helped me when I felt lost. As recovering addict, yoga showed me that by learning to be still, breathe, feel and become more self-aware, I could live a life free of addiction. Yoga is the art of feeling the present moment in all aspects of life. How can I apply yoga to my life as a driver? First and foremost, deciding to stop, slow down and breathe is Step 1 to living your yoga. How much of the day do you spend rushing around, mindlessly jumping from task to task, utterly unaware of the moment you are in? Slowing down isn’t about stopping life; it’s about regaining the moment you are in. Try this: Stop. Inhale for four slow counts. Retain the breath for four counts. Exhale slowly for four counts. That’s yoga. When you feel overwhelmed with life, take a breath, be fully present and allow yourself to shift from overwhelming thoughts to breathing. That’s yoga. Try this for a few minutes before bed to help you relax for a deeper sleep. Yoga can help your physical body. If we don’t move, we will stiffen, tighten and slowly become immobile. Most of society has blamed this phenomenon on aging. However, I assure you: It’s less about age and more about how we take care of ourselves. Part of that care is paying attention to how we move. Like taking a daily vitamin, yoga should be your “daily vitamin” for healthy aging. And no, you don’t have to sacrifice 60 minutes of your day to practice yoga. It can be as easy as a taking a few minutes, sprinkled throughout the day. Try this before you even get out of bed: From toes to fingertips, move every joint in your body. Bend your knees and drop them side to side to stretch the back. Sit at the edge of the bed, reach overhead, arch your back and look up. Drop one arm and side bend each way. Stand up, turn towards the bed (or chair) and stretch into a half downward dog. That’s yoga. Find those pockets of time throughout the day where you can add in a stretch, a twist, a breath — that’s all yoga. And it all counts. Here are a few excellent benefits yoga can offer: Improves flexibility, mobility and strength; Increases oxygen and breathing; Lowers blood pressure, blood sugar and cortisol levels; Improves regularity; Improves coordination, reaction time and memory; Improves coping skills; Clears the mind of stressful thoughts; and Improves sleep. Yoga can help you live a higher quality of life. Yoga is a lifestyle approach, tuning into your actions and reactions. Harnessing the power of stillness and using the above practices help curb the desire to rise and grind until nothing is left. Yoga has taught me I cannot control most things that happen in life — but I can control how I perceive those things, how I respond to them and how long I hold on to them. Are you moving closer to wellness of mind, body and spirit or further away? Maybe it’s time for a little yoga in your life. For more information about Hope Zvara and Mother Trucker Yoga, visit www.mothertruckeryoga.com.