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Why are mattresses getting thicker?

DEAR HELOISE: Mattresses keep getting thicker and more expensive, and they require special deep-pocket sheets on top of this. Are they actually more comfortable or just harder to get into, especially for shorter people and those who have mobility difficulties? — Marlene K., in Regent, North Dakota Marlene, over the past 20 years, mattresses have gotten thicker mainly because of marketing trends and additional foam layers. For people who are shorter or have difficulty moving around, these tall mattresses can be challenging to use. Getting in and out of bed shouldn’t feel like ...

The quiche that made Michael Anthony love leeks

Michael Anthony learned to love leeks and their rich and mild flavor while in cooking school in Paris. He includes a recipe for the Leek Quiche he learned there in his cookbook “V Is for Vegetables.” The quiche consists of three main components: dough, filling and an egg mixture. It’s ...

Lessons from California

Every great wine region has garnered respect for its vintages by growing quality fruit and developing winemakers serious about their craft. Those are certainly givens, but are truly only part of the story. In our area, as we seek to move from regional respect to national acclaim for our wines, there are many things we can learn from our friends in California. The words and images associated with the names “Napa Valley” and, more recently, “Sonoma” are synonymous with “exceptional California wine." They have some of the state’s best soils and climate for producing great, ...

Lovina helps family prepare for church service

It is a dreary April morning with no sun in sight. We had a thunderstorm during the night with lots of strong wind and rain. My garden beds are still empty and I haven't even started with getting seeds, plants etc. around. I should have onions and potatoes already in the ground. Time has a way of slipping by and we will enter the fifth month of 2026 on Friday. How can it be possible that we are entering May already? Last week on Wednesday my daughters Elizabeth, Susan, Verena and Lovina, along with their preschool aged children and daughter-in-law Grace spent the day at daughter ...

DEAR ANNIE: Later-in-life baby only needs family’s love

DEAR ANNIE: My husband and I are raising a surprise baby at a stage in life when we thought our child-rearing years were mostly behind us. Our older children are already teenagers and young adults, and while we adore this little one, I would be lying if I said the large age gap has not brought some unexpected emotions with it. On one hand, this baby is deeply loved and has brought joy to our whole family. On the other, I sometimes worry that he will grow up feeling more like an only child than part of a sibling group. By the time he is old enough to really know his brothers and ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: Wear it out, use it up

DEAR HELOISE: I read your column every week and have become concerned about how frequently your readers are offering hints that make life easier but aren’t good for the environment. For example, in a recent column, a reader suggested using a plastic tablecloth while cooking, painting and crafting to catch spills before they can damage a tabletop. This is a good suggestion; however, they go on to say that you can just throw away the plastic. I would like to see Heloise step up and use her public platform to help make a point about how harmful plastic, especially one-time-use plastic, ...