Columns

Not So Neighborly Neighbors

Today’s Sound Off is about yard maintenance: Dear Heloise: With the fall comes yard maintenance: cutting trees back, mulching and raking leaves. Two of my neighbors use those blowers that blow leaves and debris out into the street, but unfortunately they don’t bag the leaves and twigs. The first strong wind that comes along blows everything back where it was, or worse, it ends up in everyone else’s yard. My neighborhood is in the suburbs, and everyone takes great care with their yard. This makes our street look nice, keeps property values up and makes this a healthy, happy ...

Coin Collector Is Blindsided by Wife’s Sale of Gold Piece

DEAR ABBY: My wife recently came back from a gold/silver/coin merchandiser event and told me she had sold an old U.S. $5 gold piece (for probably less than it was worth). I was hurt, not only because I have a coin collection and would have been interested in knowing about and seeing the coin, but also because she didn’t seem to understand how disappointed and hurt I was. She gleefully announced she was going to use the proceeds to purchase an exercise bike. I took a two-hour walk to work off my feelings and then skipped dinner because I had lost my appetite. Sometimes I feel that my ...

A Fashion Plate In Plaid

There is a lot of serious business happening in the news these days. I don’t know about you, but the statistics on the COVID-19 cases and deaths are trying my soul. While I feel terrible for the families who have lost loved ones, and send them my prayers, I will try today to bring a smile to ...

Antiques Bring Beauty to the Holiday Table

As we enter the holiday season, things aren’t quite right. Thanksgiving had no traditional outdoors Macy’s Day Parade, no big gatherings and instead featured mask-wearing, social distancing and small groups. It is a holiday like no other that’s for sure. However, we must prevail and hang in there. How can antiques and collectibles help? It’s obvious — these small treasures offer a bit of beauty and distraction at any table, no matter how small the group gathered for a meal. For example, Croesus ware. This pretty style of glass adds a beautiful glimpse of elegance to ...

There Is Help For People Who Have Difficulty Swallowing Tablets

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 78 and have some difficulty swallowing. I must take calcium and magnesium tablets, and they are very large. I have to chew them to get them down properly. I have actually choked on pills in the past. But chewing some tablets gives a terrible taste. Any suggestions? — P.P.L. ANSWER: Older people often have difficulty swallowing for several reasons, including loss of elasticity of the tissues, dryness and neurological changes reducing sensation, and nerve and muscle changes in the muscles involved with swallowing. Some general advice might be helpful. A proven ...

Letters From Elderly Dad Are Only Thinly Veiled Criticisms

DEAR ABBY: I could use some advice on the best response to my 89-year-old father’s letters. He cleverly inserts insults into them without writing anything for which he could be criticized. For example, he has always talked about how he hates fat people. I am very overweight. My father sends me letters talking about how fit and trim another relative is who had just visited. That’s all he says about them, and it’s all he writes to me about. I can certainly read between the lines. This isn’t a one-time thing, just one example. I know my father will never change. He was abusive ...