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Be sure to enjoy your summer safely

It’s June and we are finally seeing a change in the weather. We can go outside and enjoy the sunshine, work on our gardens or yards, or maybe just relax on a porch and watch the neighborhood. But just because the weather has changed doesn’t mean we do not need to be cautious. During the winter we worry about frostbite and slipping on ice, but during the summer we tend to forget there are other dangers as well. The heat is not something to just enjoy, it can come with a host of problems we do not typically think about. As we age, we tend to become more susceptible to ...

DEAR ANNIE: Sometimes friendships do run their courses

DEAR ANNIE: I’ve been friends with “Jessie” for several years, but lately, I’ve been feeling like the friendship is one-sided. I’m always the one reaching out, making plans and putting in the effort. Jessie has been responding to my texts with one-word answers, if at all. I value our friendship a lot, but I’m starting to question whether she feels the same way. How can I address this issue without seeming needy? Should I confront her or let it go and just hope it changes back to what it was like before? Any guidance would be appreciated. — Friendship on Uneven ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: Patience is a virtue to avoid spam

DEAR HELOISE: I make calls for work concerning client requests, and some numbers now have an app that screens all calls. This starts after waiting for the voicemail. You have to give a name, a reason for the call or a phone number, then wait some more while a list is checked. Then, if you’re on the list, it goes to voicemail. None of this is efficient, as it wastes my time and also ties up your phone. The person can see who’s calling, and they don’t have to answer. Not all calls are spam. This isn’t respectful to people you’ve given your number to. — Ann, via email Ann, ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Value of RFA for pain in shoulder

DEAR DR. ROACH: Could you please comment on radio- frequency ablation (RFA) for chronic shoulder pain with rotator cuff disease? I’m 78, in good health with arthritis and a small separation of the rotator cuff. I’ve received epidurals that do work very well. I don’t want to keep getting them, but I also don’t want surgery. My shoulder orthopedic doctor dismisses RFA out of hand. “Nothing there to burn,” he says. I’ve researched this, and it seems like it’s being done, but I want to make sure that this is legit. I have full insurance, so I don’t think there is ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

1. Two hearts. Partner’s double indicates the values for at least an opening bid and also implies good support for the unbid suits. Because you are required to answer the double regardless of the strength of your hand, you must distinguish between a forced response based on possibly no ...