After everything Elizabeth Edwards has been through, many of us would pull the covers over our heads and tell the world to mind its own business. She is battling cancer described as incurable. Her husband the presidential candidate was exposed for having an affair during the campaign and for purportedly fathering a child with his mistress. A federal probe into the use of campaign funds is ongoing.

Give Elizabeth Edwards credit for not escaping behind closed doors. In fact, she is more visible than her husband now. John Edwards tends to slink around in the background of his wife's media events.

She's been on TV to promote her new book, aptly titled "Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities."

She spoke on Wednesday to remember Sen. Edward Kennedy, and to announce she will attend the N.C. Literary Festival at UNC Chapel Hill Sept. 10-13.

She also opened a furniture store in Chapel Hill, "Red Window," featuring folk art, furnishings and accessories.

We do have one word of advice. When she fields the inevitable questions about her husband, Edwards turns her ire on "the tabloids." As we're sure she is aware, it's really not their fault.

n We tend to forget about the Great Drought of 2007, when reservoirs nearly dried up and citizens were warned that less than 30 days of potable water remained.

But just in time, the heavens opened up, and our area was saved from drought.

The after-effects are still being felt. We have restructured, tiered water rates that mean more expensive bills for many residents. And the following restrictions have remained in place for lawn watering:

Odd-numbered addresses may water once on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays either before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.; Even-numbered addresses may water once on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays either before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

It's good to remember, because we are back in a "moderate drought." No need to panic. It's not serious yet.

But it's good to remember to conserve by following those watering rules, taking shorter showers and flushing toilets less often. If we do that, we'll help delay the next Great Drought.

n Maybe it's not so unusual to garden when you're 80. We imagine a lot of people who have reached that level of maturity still get out and dig in the dirt.

But the reason we single out Clydie Pugh-Myers as an example of Durham grit is because she's taking up gardening for the first time.

Her story was related in Monday's Herald-Sun by columnist John McCann.

Pugh-Myers, as McCann noted, has been taking care of people almost her entire life. As one of Durham's first licensed black nurses, she has been looking after Durhamites of all races and social strata.

But she was recently inspired by first lady Michelle Obama, who planted a garden at the White House. Pugh-Myers thought that was a good idea, so she decided to grow tomatoes, okra and snap beans in her own garden.

Someone helps her with the heavy jobs, but Pugh-Myers provides the nurture. And last week she was rewarded with a tomato.

Durham Council for Senior Citizens Executive Director Gail Souare put it in perspective.

"If there's something you want to do, go for it," she said. For embodying that spirit, Pugh-Myers is the winner of this week's Durham Grit Award.