​As a child growing up, my mother used turpentine as a remedy for just about every ailment you could imagine. She would give it to me in a teaspoon with sugar. Once she put some on a rag and wrapped it around my neck believing she had fixed me once again.  But not so fast--my neck started burning. After a few agonizing minutes of pacing back and forth, I finally interrupted mama's conversation with a neighbor. "Go and sit down," she said, believing I was not appreciative of her makeshift handiwork. Finally, I couldn't take the pain any longer and I ripped the rag from my neck. Mama looked at my neck and her eyes sprang from their sockets. What did she see? My small fingers reached for my neck and brushed against the large welts that had been unleashed and spreading like a red hot wild fire. I naively patted at my neck thinking I could put the fire out.  Mama now understood my dilemma and I didn't have to put the rag back on.

I am not sure if mama used the commercial grade turpentine you clean paint brushes with, or the pharmaceutical grade. However, my little turpentine story seems a bit watered down  after a friend  told me that her mother gave her  kerosene and sugar. 

Mama  also  put pine sol on  my arms when I had bouts of eczema. However, when I had a brief bout of eczema during my first pregnancy, it  made the situation worse. I would not suggest you try it.

​I'd love to hear about your mothers’ and grandmas’ remedies. I smile at what I am about to  say, "Those remedies that will do us no harm or kill us."

About a month ago, I was going through the drawer in my kitchen where I keep booklets on warranties for appliances and technical equipment. I was having a problem with my laptop. I reached for my Toshiba Resource Guide GMA 500938010.  I thought I had read all of the accompanying booklets  and safety instructions when I first purchased my laptop.  When I opened the booklet, to my surprise, my eyes were directed to language I never noticed before.  I will share it with you because if you are in the technology world it applies to you too.

"Warning. Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known in the state of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.  Wash hands after handling."

I had been handling this cord for years. Never washing my hands after its use. I can tell you that at my age, over 60, I certainly do not plan on giving birth to no baby, but what about my grandchildren, my friends children, and anybody else of reproductive age?  What other harm could handling this cord cause?
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​How many of you plug in your laptops on a regular basis and had no clue  you needed to wash your hands after handling the power cord/cable to the AC adaptor? Find your manuals for your laptop and other equipment and see if you find similar language. Do you thoroughly read all instructions in the booklets before using your  electronic equipment, tools or appliances? It not, maybe the time to start is now.

​Pat Crews