Columns

Don’t Skip the Shots or the PT for Frozen Shoulder

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been diagnosed with frozen shoulder after an X-ray by an orthopedic doctor. He sent me to physical therapy, but this is the slowest recovery and the most agonizing pain. No over-the-counter products help, and I do not want surgery. He offered a shot for the pain. I declined. I could go back for it but, I do not want a temporary solution. I’m told this could last one to three years. Any suggestions? — D.E. ANSWER: A frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a painful loss of motion of one of the joints in the shoulder — the glenohumeral joint, ...

Man Who Threatened Suicide Demands His Guns Be Returned

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been friends with another couple for more than 50 years. The four of us have shared lots of good times together. After recent open heart surgery, the husband became very depressed and talked to his wife about “ending it all.” She asked me to take the few handguns (all legal) they had in their home to be safe. I didn’t feel I could say no. I’m not interested in guns, but it seemed a simple request. So she “snuck” them out to me during our last visit. When the husband discovered what his wife had done, she told him about my role in it. He now ...

Aluminum Cookware

Dear Heloise: My aluminum cookware has become dull and dingy looking. How can I bring it back to life? — Sherrie W. in South Dakota Sherrie, cream of tartar works fairly well; however, I would suggest a commercial cleaner made especially for aluminum. DO NOT use any cleaner that contains ammonia, because it will pit the aluminum. — Heloise QUICK WIPE Dear Readers: To avoid having to clean up those yucky, sticky drip rings left from the bottoms of condiment containers, such as ketchup and mustard, give them a quick wipe before returning them to your refrigerator shelf. It saves ...

Attention Paid To Ex-Fiancee Angers Wife For 20 Years

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I were married 30 years when we ran into an old girlfriend (an ex-fiancee) of mine at a function. I spent a good part of the evening dancing with her and ignoring my wife. My wife says I was “indecent” with the girlfriend, and it hurt her badly. It was 20 years ago, but my wife lets me hear about it every day. I can’t take it any longer. She refuses to get help or forgive me. Our marriage has gone downhill ever since. What do you recommend I do to make it up to her? I’ve tried a few things, to no avail. — PAST ISN’T IN THE PAST DEAR PAST: Your ...

An Erosion Of Privacy

Today’s Sound Off is about loss of privacy: Dear Heloise: Everywhere you look today there is a camera watching us. Stores have them to catch shoplifters, intersections with traffic lights have them perched high enough to see who isn’t obeying the law and every airport has them, just to name a few places. Even our computer cameras can be used to spy on us. I’m not paranoid, but I feel we have lost our privacy. Companies sell our name and addresses to other companies and gather information about our purchases, likes and habits and store this information. Our privacy is being ...

Girlfriend’s Online Spending Increased Despite Furlough

DEAR ABBY: For the past eight years, my son has been seeing “Tanya” and, according to him, she spends a lot. I’m concerned about it. Because of the pandemic, Tanya got furloughed from her employer. She lives in an apartment but has all deliveries sent to OUR home address. Since the pandemic, we are receiving many more packages for her every day from online stores. Our son has mentioned to us that she has huge credit card bills. I’m worried if these two get more serious (marriage), it will cause problems in the future. I’m tempted to say something to Tanya about the sudden ...