Tag: Family & Home

6 Generics That Are Truly a Great Buy

What do you associate with the word “generic?” Do the words “inferior” or “tastes like cardboard” come to mind? Or do you, like many people, associate name brands with people who are well-to-do, while people in poverty opt for generics? All of that is complete nonsense, but commonly held attitudes. The truth is that generics…


Plum Sprouts and Clematis Death

Q: My neighbor has a plum tree near our yard. This year, I have discovered about a dozen plum tree sprouts in my flower beds and lawn. Is there a way to control them, short of removing his tree? Digging them out is leaving holes in the grass and beds. A: First, you need to…


British Twins Aged 101 Meet Each Other Every Week Despite Living 80 Miles Apart

Britain’s oldest twins who celebrated their 101st birthday in June, still meet up every week despite living more than 80 miles apart. Edith Dumbleton and Dorcas Tobin were born on June 28, 1920, at their family home in Banbury, England. The nonidentical sisters have lived through 25 prime ministers and four monarchs. “It’s marvelous we’ve…


Canine Carsickness Is Common but Treatable

Q: We recently adopted Rufus, a young adult dog who becomes anxious every time he’s in the car. He pants, whines, drools, licks his lips, and sometimes even throws up. What can we do about this? A: The most effective way to help Rufus feel calm in the car is behavior modification. Through a series…


Surprising Other Uses for Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

It’s no secret that dishwasher detergent is specifically formulated to be used in automatic dishwashers whether it comes as powder, pods, pacs, liquid, or gel. What may come as a big surprise is that these products’ grease and dirt-busting abilities can be used outside the dishwasher in many useful ways. Case in point: My microfiber…


The Hounds of Antigua

In 2004, I spent seven glorious months on “de island of Antigua, Mon!” (And that is an-TEE-gah, for those who have not visited the place, as its history is British and not Spanish.) It’s about 300 miles east of Puerto Rico in the West Indies, the “Windies,” they call them. I was investigating a massive…


Diversions, Amusements, and Leisure: The Importance of Play for Adults

Recently, my daughter’s family came for a visit. One evening, the three younger grandkids, a girl and two boys, ages 8, 6, and 4, took turns running around the house while I sat on the porch and timed each race. In between these sprints, they climbed trees, the granddaughter danced and sang a song from…


Highly Effective Ways to Chop the Soaring Cost of Groceries

Perhaps you’ve noticed the cost of nearly everything is going up. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index, the agency that calculates the U.S. inflation rate, is predicting a very high inflation rate for 2021. Our annual inflation rate at the end of May was running at 5 percent. That is the highest rate…


NEW VIDEOS: Crosswalk Patrol Dog That Helps Schoolkids Cross the Street in Georgia Is Still at It

Anyone who spends much time on social media has probably seen the crosswalk patrol dog who helps schoolkids cross the street at a busy intersection in Georgia. The impressive feat, posted on social media last year, went viral. That dog’s name is Kupata. And he’s still at it—helping locals in his hometown of Batumi cross…


How to Plant a Window Box

Window boxes give gardeners an affordable outlet to do what they love most: experiment. Known as one of the first living walls, window boxes have been a longtime favorite of gardeners. They continue to be a popular landscape element today, and often stand in for front yards at homes that open to the sidewalk. Although…