Columns

Take a Moment And Write

Dear Heloise: I know some people have more time on their hands these days and ask how they should fill the hours. I’ve recently started writing letters to seniors in assisted living or nursing facilities. Many can no longer have visitors or go on outings to fill their days. I found a website that collects and sends out letters to seniors in isolation, letting them know they are on people’s minds. I’ve sent letters to seniors in Canada, Minnesota and Illinois. I’m not creative, so I just write letters like I would to an acquaintance. I talk about the area I live in, and if ...

Grandma Raising Young Girls Grows Tired Of Mom’s Antics

DEAR ABBY: I am raising my two granddaughters and trying to allow their mother, my daughter, to visit with them. My problem is, the entire time she is with us, she stays on her phone or Snapchat. Last weekend, I drove to the place where she resides, and the whole time we were there she ignored the girls. I have a ton of family and friends who say I’m wrong for allowing her to even see the girls, period. I don’t want to be the bad guy when they grow up. Help, Abby. — FOR THEIR GOOD IN OHIO DEAR FOR THEIR GOOD: Either your daughter doesn’t know how to relate to her children, ...

Tiny Letters On The Page

Today’s Sound Off is about small print: Dear Heloise: I’m beginning to see a trend in printed materials that concerns me. I’ve noticed recently that publications like magazines and catalogs are using an extremely small font that is practically impossible to read. I noticed this in a recent issue of a well-known women’s magazine. Almost the whole magazine was printed with this tiny font. Just looking at the pages gave me a headache. I also noticed this in a couple of catalogs (fortunately, only on the order forms) and even in a recent coupon flyer. Some of the print in these ...

Grind of Pandemic Taking a Toll On Couple’s Ability To Connect

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have experienced a serious disconnect since the COVID-19 outbreak. I have very little interest in him and ZERO desire when it comes to sex. We have two small children at home, so Mommy/Daddy time is now nonexistent. We haven’t left our home in five months and I’m beyond frustrated. I know he wants to keep us safe, but when I see pictures online and hear about my friends and family still going out — living their lives — it makes me depressed, anxious and to be honest, grumpy! He says he loves me, but he has started to resemble a Neanderthal. He ...

Normal A1C Remains the Same for All Ages

DEAR DR. ROACH: Do you find in your practice that “normal” A1C for non-diabetics changes with age? — D.D. ANSWER: The hemoglobin A1C is a measure of how much sugar is on a hemoglobin molecule. Blood sugar will attach to hemoglobin, and the more sugar in the blood, the more that will become bound to hemoglobin over the lifetime of a red blood cell. The A1C then provides a very good (but not perfect) guide to blood sugar over the past two to three months. The A1C is not reliable in people with abnormal or unusual hemoglobin types, or in people with a condition of increased ...

Grandparents Have No Idea Why They’re Out In the Cold

DEAR ABBY: My brother “Brian” and his wife, “Laurel,” have an adult son, “Dick,” who dated a girl I’ll call “Crystal” for 10 years before they got married. Everyone got along fine, until Crystal gave birth. After their first child was born, Crystal started withholding visits from my brother and his wife. Crystal and Dick had two more children. The oldest is now 6. The only way Brian and Laurel see their grandchildren is if there’s a family reunion, wedding, etc. Crystal allows her parents to see the kids and spend time with them whenever. Brian and Laurel are ...