COMICS & GRAPHICS

from King Features Weekly Service Directory

If you can watch it from your couch, our fearless entertainment correspondent Demi Taveras offers a synopsis and review to help you avoid endless menu scroll.

TOP 10s

We’ve scoured the web for the wildest and most informative rankings out there and present them to you in a handy Top 10 graphic that’s a conversation starter no matter the topic.

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AMERICANISMS

Each week, Americanisms features inspiring and thought-provoking quotes that reflect the traditions, institutions and ideals of our great United States.

GARDEN BUG

Pests and plant diseases, buds and blooms, the Garden Bug covers it all with helpful hints for the plant parent in your life. Helpful text is delivered alongside charming garden drawings.

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Stan Smith Tennis

Get tips from the master in an illustrated panel weekly giving advice on serves, equipment and other tennis tactics.

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POLITICAL CARTOONS A-H

Choose from a curated selection of six of the best political and editorial cartoons every day from some of the most talented political commentators around.

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Tiger

By Bud Blake

Journey back to the innocent and carefree days of childhood with a young boy and his pals.

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Flash Gordon

By Jim Keefe

Originated in 1934, Flash Gordon has set the standard for sci-fi adventure. Join Flash and his love Dale Arden has they travel the galaxy.

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Grin And Bear It

By Fred Wagner

The inconsistencies, irrationalities and absurdities of everyday life don’t stand a chance against this witty panel cartoon.

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Popeye

By Hy Eisman

Pop open a can of spinach and join in the adventures of the famous sailor and his friends and foes.

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Prince Valiant

The epic adventures of a medieval knight as he carries forth the ideals of Camelot as beacons of light and civilization in an often dark and violent age.

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Illustrated Bible

Passages in the Bible are brought to life in a beautiful illustrated panel that’s perfect for snipping and sharing.

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Jack Nicklaus Golf

Put your swing in order with an illustrated golf guide presided over by professional player, course designer and instructional legend Jack Nicklaus.

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OLIVE & POPEYE

Olive, Popeye and their friends and family navigate the modern world in this brand-new take on the classic comic couple.

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Barney Google And Snuffy

By John Rose

Snuffy Smith enjoys a laid-back way of life in Hootin’ Holler, joined occasionally by city slicker Barney Google.

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R.F.D.

By Mike Marland

Farm-fresh humor from America’s heartland that follows the seasonal rhythms of rural life.

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AMBER WAVES

By Dave Phipps

Follow along with the hilarious day-to-day antics of a young boy, his loving family and their life in the country.

JUST LIKE CATS AND DOGS

By Dave Phipps

They fight just like cats and dogs.

Are we talking about men and women, or canines and felines? The answer is “Yes!”

OUT ON A LIMB

By Gary Kopervas

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THE SPATS

By Jeff Pickering

Maze Toons

1. Is the book of III Chronicles in the Old or New Testament or neither?

2. What “holy” thing did Paul tell Timothy that Christians should lift up in prayer? Hearts, Hands, Voices, Children

3. From 2 Kings 9, which king of Israel drove his chariots like a madman? Manasseh, Ahasuerus, Zimri, Jehu

4. Who succeeded Belshazzar as king of the Chaldeans? David, Darius, Daniel, Daegel

5. What place was known as the “Land of Promise”? Israel, Canaan, Babylon, New Jerusalem

6. Who was the brother of Moses? Noah, Aaron, Eli, Seth

ANSWERS: 1) Neither, 2) Hands, 3) Jehu, 4) Darius, 5) Canaan, 6) Aaron

1. “In Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford, what does the reference to owing your soul to the company store mean?

2. Who released the 1981 version of “Bette Davis Eyes”?

3. Name the artist who released “All Those Years Ago.”

4. Who were the musical guests on the first “Saturday Night Live”?

5. Name the song that contains these lyrics: “I saw your lips, I heard your voice. Believe me, I just had no choice. Wild horses couldn’t make me stay away.”

Answers

1. The song is about coalminers. They were paid in scrip, not cash, and that scrip was only good at the company store. This kept the miners from saving cash and leaving.

2. Kim Carnes. The song netted Grammy awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

3. George Harrison, as a tribute to slain fellow Beatle John Lennon.

4. Janis Ian and Billy Preston, on Oct. 11, 1975.

5. “Hello Mary Lou,” by Ricky Nelson, in 1961. There was a plagiarism problem when the record label was sued by a Catholic priest who’d formerly been in a band when he wrote “Merry, Merry Lou.” The settlement included giving the priest co-writing credits and royalties.

FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-708-7311 EXT. 257

SPORTS QUIZ #DOC_ID_HERE

FOR RELEASE SEPT. 12, 2022

By Ryan A. Berenz

1. What member of the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame was nicknamed “The Greek God of Walks” because of his patience at the plate?

2. How many times was Houston Texans quarterback David Carr sacked during the 2002 season?

3. What annual motorsports event in Colorado is known as “The Race to the Clouds”?

4. The Avco World Trophy was awarded to the season champion of what professional ice hockey league that operated from 1972-79?

5. Name the Lithuanian immigrant who adapted basketball rules for women in the late 1800s and was the first woman inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985?

6. Name the brothers who played center in the NFL and were both on the New Orleans Saints’ roster in 1993.

7. What driver beat Kurt Busch by 0.002 seconds — the closest margin of victory in NASCAR Cup Series history — at the 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington Raceway? Answers

1. Kevin Youkilis.

2. 76, an NFL record.

3. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

4. The World Hockey Association.

5. Senda Berenson Abbott.

6. Jay and Joel Hilgenberg.

7. Ricky Craven.

1. GEOGRAPHY: Which European country has the largest population?

2. HISTORY: The storming of the Bastille took place in which country in 1789?

3. ASTRONOMY: What is the brightest star in any constellation called?

4. MYTHOLOGY: Who is Thor’s father in Norse mythology?

5. COMICS: Where is the superhero Aquaman from?

6. MOVIES: How many characters does Mike Myers play in the “Goldmember” movie?

7. LITERATURE: How many lines does a haiku poem have?

8. TELEVISION: What was the name of the ranch on the 1960s western “Bonanza”?

9. U.S. STATES: Which state’s official animal is the raccoon?

10. BUSINESS: What is the Ford Mustang automobile named after?

1. Russia.

Answers

2. France. It is celebrated on July 14.

3. Alpha.

4. Odin.

5. Atlantis.

6. Four (Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, Fat Bastard and Goldmember).

7. Three, with a total of 17 syllables.

8. The Ponderosa.

9. Tennessee.

10. A WWII fighter plane.

Who Says Bipartisan Cooperation Is Dead?

Joe Biden and Donald Trump are proving that even sworn enemies can cooperate to promote one another’s political interests.

President Biden, with his criticism, and his Department of Justice, with its search of Mar-a-lago and related investigation, have boosted Trump’s profile to the benefit of both Biden and his party and of Donald Trump.

Everyone wins, except Republicans increasingly worried about the midterms and anyone hoping that the GOP would turn the page in 2024.

Several weeks ago, Republicans were nervous that Trump would announce his latest presidential bid prior to the midterms. Now, it is almost irrelevant — Democrats and the DOJ have effectively announced for him.

Whenever things aren’t going well for a White House or a political campaign, the natural advice is to try to change the subject. This often doesn’t work — the maneuver is too obvious, or the new hoped-for subject can’t possibly compete with the old unwelcome subject.

That’s not the case here. Trump is something everyone wants to talk about: people who love him, people who hate him, journalists whose work gets more clicks and viewership, and of course, above all, Trump himself, who has never found any other topic quite as compelling or important.

To the extent Republican officials and candidates identify themselves with Trump’s delusions about 2020 and get sucked into debating whether the FBI should exist, they are creating vulnerabilities or distractions where none need exist.

According to a new CBS News poll, 47% of voters say that how they feel about Trump will have “a lot” of influ- ence on how they vote. Independents who say that Trump is a factor for them are voting to oppose him by a 4-1 margin.

All of this is good for Democrats in general and Biden in particular. If the president can define himself as the last, best obstacle to Trump returning to the White House, it helps quell the extensive doubts about him within his own party.

Biden is barely above 40% approval in polling averages, a nightmarish position, and yet he’s only down 2.2% in a hypothetical rematch with Trump in 2024, according to RealClearPolitics.

Trump is his life-preserver and comfort blanket, providing a political boost based on the easiest political argument in the world — “See that guy over there obsessed with fanciful theories about the 2020 election? I may not be a very good president. But at least I’m not him.”

Meanwhile, the Trump phenomenon has always been a form of political jujitsu, using the force deployed against it as a source of strength. The more Trump is called names and investigated, the better. Not to make light of it, but if the FBI had shown up at Mar-a-lago with an armored vehicle and a couple of helicopters, Trump’s lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, which had dwindled before jumping back up after the search, would be all but insurmountable.

If Trump is bolstered by Biden’s hostility, he also benefits from his weakness. Trump’s favorable rating is about 40%, a poor showing that would be enough to make him the underdog against any president who hadn’t been cratering over the past year. Trump doesn’t just narrowly beat Biden in prospective 2024 polling, he handily defeats Vice President Kamala Harris. There’s being fortunate in your enemies, then there’s hitting the jackpot. So Trump and Biden compensate for one another’s weaknesses, and they are effectively working together to get Trump nominated — which Trump wants because it’s the first step back to the White House and Biden wants because Trump would be the riskiest GOP candidate in a general election. It’s not the most edifying relationship. Indeed, it’s a de facto partnership toward a demoralizing re-run of 2020. But neither Trump nor Biden is as likely to get where they want to go without the other.

Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review.

FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, Orlando, FL 32803

SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT.

2 tablespoons kosher salt

1/4 cup mustard seed

1 tablespoon celery seed

1 tablespoon black peppercorns

6 bay leaves

Fresh dill (optional)

For the vegetables:

3 cucumbers, sliced in discs or quartered lengthwise

ERICKSON'S BEST BITES #DOC_ID_

24-Hour Refrigerator

Vegetable Pickles

OCT. 3, 2022 Erickson

On a recent afternoon when my son texted me to check in, I nimbly replied with sticky fingers, “I’m preoccupied with taking pics of pints of pickled ....” While laughing at the preponderance of P’s, I accidentally pressed “send.” He immediately wrote back, “Pickled PEPPERS? ... ha!”

OK, so I may have left the peppers out of this recipe, but keeping with the “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled ...” verse that took us back to his childhood, I simply replied, “perhaps.” Wordplay and food play are interchangeable with kids, no matter their age.

Preparing pickled veggies this time of year is the perfect antidote for using and enjoying the abundance of fresh, tender and tasty produce in our gardens and markets. You and your kids can create jars full to stack in the refrigerator in less than an hour for a month of tasty sides. Discover, like my family, that the vegetables will be sweet like bread and butter pickles, but will pack more flavor than the traditional grocery-store fare. Here’s how to “pickle it” all:

24-HOUR PICKLES

Makes 6 pints

For the brine:

5 cups distilled white vinegar

5 cups sugar

6 medium carrots, peeled and quartered lengthwise

2 big handfuls of green beans

1 medium cauliflower, broken into pieces

2 onions, halved and sliced

1. In a saucepan, combine the first six brine ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved.

2. Place the vegetables in a large bowl.

3. An adult should pour the hot brine mixture over the vegetables. Cool. Transfer equally to six clean jars, tucking a bay leaf and dill (if you choose) in each one. Screw lids on tightly and place in the refrigerator.

Cool Solution for Quick and Easy Lunches

Life is complicated, right? So let’s make one thing very uncomplicated. Why not put lunch on autopilot?

Here’s the plan: We’re going to make a bunch of delicious heatand-eat burritos to stash in your freezer for a quick on-demand lunch, snack or dinner.

Compared with commercially frozen burritos, these taste better and are far healthier. Just look at the ingredients on frozen burrito packaging if you need further convincing.

You’ll find that these belly-filling burritos are easy, inexpensive and delicious, and you get to choose exactly what to put in them.

1/2 cups filling, and using less makes folding even easier.

How to fold a burrito: Warm the tortillas for easier handling, either individually in the microwave for 10 seconds each, or heat the whole package in the oven by wrapping the tortillas in foil and heating for 10 minutes at 350 F. Spoon fillings onto each tortilla just below the center. First, fold in the sides that are perpendicular to the lines of ingredients. Pull the bottom edge over the top, squeezing the filling toward you as you roll the burrito away from you. Continue rolling, leaving the seam at the bottom.

Beef And Bean Burritos

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 8 burritos

2 pounds (85/15) hamburger

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

Taco seasoning, purchased or homemade, to taste

1 (16 ounce) bag frozen pepper and onion blend, defrosted

1 (15.5 ounce) can refried beans

2 cups cooked rice

1 cup shredded cheese

8 burrito size flour tortillas

Preheat a large skillet to medium-high; cook the hamburger until no longer pink. Drain excess fat and add the tomato sauce and taco seasoning, stirring to combine. Add the defrosted pepper and onions, squeezing most of the liquid out before adding, and cook thoroughly. Let cool.

Meanwhile, gather the rest of the ingredients and warm your tortillas. It’s unnecessary to heat any of the other ingredients because we’re freezing these. Evenly divide ingredients between the tortillas, and fold and freeze as directed above. The easiest way is to assembly-line the process, with extra hands if possible.

4. Refrigerate for 24 hours before serving. Keep refrigerated and use within one month. ***

Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com.

You’ll need burrito-size (10-inch) flour tortillas for this purpose. They come in packages of eight, so that’s the quantity used for this recipe. If we’re going to the effort of making burritos to freeze, might as well make a whole bunch, as this recipe easily multiplies.

The burrito rule of thumb is one generous cup filling for each 10-inch tortilla. If you’re making eight burritos, you’ll need eight cups filling.

One issue people have with making burritos at home is folding them so they don’t burst and make a mess. My tip: Don’t overfill them! A 10-inch tortilla can handle no more than 1

How to freeze a burrito: Place burritos seam side down on individual pieces of foil. Wrap tightly in the same manner as you folded the tortillas. Use a permanent marker to date and label them. Place in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to three months.

How to heat a burrito: Take a burrito from the freezer, remove the foil and wrap in a damp paper towel. Place the wrapped burrito on a plate and microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, until heated through. You also can heat foil-wrapped burritos in the oven at 350 F for 20 minutes. That’s best for heating several at once.

Usually, when life is complicated, I’d suggest taking something off your plate. Instead, I’m suggesting putting something on your plate that’s delectably easy. Buen provecho!

***

Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime — Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) This week could offer more opportunities for ambitious Lambs eager to get ahead. But, don’t rush into making decisions until you’ve checked for possible hidden problems.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)

Some light begins to shine on professional and/or personal situations that have long eluded explanation. Best advice: Don’t rush things. All will be made clear in time.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)

Although you might want to protest what seems to be an unfair situation, it’s best to keep your tongue and temper in check for now. The full story hasn’t yet come out.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22)

Work prospects are back on track. But, watch what you say. A thoughtless comment to the wrong person — even if it’s said in jest — could delay or even derail your progress.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) A colleague might try to goad you into saying or doing the wrong thing. It’s best to ignore the troublemaker, even if they rile your royal self. Your supporters stand with you.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Be careful not to let your on-thejob zealousness create resentment with co-workers, who might feel you shut them out. Prove them wrong by including them in your project.

LIBRA (September 23 to October

22) Although it’s not quite what you hoped for, use your good business sense to make the most of what you’re being offered at this time. Things will improve down the line.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A more positive picture of what lies ahead is beginning to take shape. But there are still too many gaps that need to be filled in before you make definitive plans.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Continue to hold onto the reins so that you don’t charge willy-nilly into a situation that might appear attractive on the surface, but that actually lacks substance.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) The Sea Goat’s merrier side dominates this week, and this means that, despite your usual busy schedule, you’ll be able to squeeze in parties and all sorts of fabulous, fun times.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You’ll find that people are happy to help you deal with some difficult situations. And, of course, knowing you, you’ll be happy to return those favors anytime. Won’t you?

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Give that special someone in your personal life a large, loving dollop of reassurance. That will go a long way toward restoring the well-being of your ailing relationship.

BORN THIS WEEK: You are a delightful paradox. You like things neat and tidy. But, you’re also a wonderful host who can throw a really great party.

Guinea Pigs Hide Signs of Illness

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My male guinea pig, Dale, was always healthy. He was fat and not losing weight. One day, we cleaned his cage and noticed that he was sticking his head out repeatedly and opening his mouth — like yawning. The vet said to come in right away, and within five minutes of hanging up, Dale was dead. The vet looked at him and said he looked healthy and that maybe he had a heart attack or stroke, but I didn’t see any symptoms. Any help would be great, because we have two others. — Julie G., via e-mail

DEAR JULIE: Sadly, it often can be difficult to tell when a guinea pig is getting ill. They’re very good at hiding signs of illness, and often they are acutely ill before their owners can tell what’s wrong. It’s clear that you pay close attention to your guinea pigs, as you were aware of Dale’s weight and normal behavior.

However, guinea pigs can become ill very quickly. You were right to contact the veterinarian immediately after noticing Dale’s strange behavior, which I agree, could have been a sign of a stroke or heart attack.

I’ll refer to the late Peter Gurney’s brilliant Guinea Pig Health Guide. One suggestion, which you may be able to apply to your surviving guinea pigs, is to have the vet listen to their heartbeat. A heart murmur can indicate valve problems. Another possibility is an undetected fungal or bacterial infection that got into Dale’s system, eventually causing a heart attack. But as you pointed out, he showed no external signs of illness.

For this mystery, I’ll turn to my readers. Any suggestions for Julie on monitoring her two surviving cavies?

Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.

Meals When the Larder Is Empty

I learned of a neighborhood group, six seniors, who are trying to keep themselves fed against all odds. They’ve come up with a brilliant plan: At the end of each week they pool whatever foods they have left over and have dinner together. They split the leftovers to take home.

The woman who told me about this talked about a website she discovered where all manner of ingredients could be entered, with the machine scouting the internet for recipes that could be created using those ingredients. Whoever created the SuperCook website (www.supercook.com) did a fantastic job. Meats, grains, fruits, vegetables, dozens of cheeses, nuts, spices, dairy substitutes ... it’s all there, ready to be clicked. You only need to scroll down the left side and select the ingredients you have on hand.

I tried it out, clicking that I have butter, milk, onion, ground beef and rice. The result came back that I could make a potential 521 recipes. Some of them actually sounded pretty good. When I swapped the ground beef for bacon, it was even better. A little suggestion note at the top of the screen said that if I had certain other ingredients on hand, I could find an additional 51 recipes.

Another website, My Fridge Food (myfridgefood.com), offers the same thing, although on a more limited basis. There’s even a phone app, and when you click on a recipe it tells you the cooking time, calories and serving size of each recipe.

Once I found those two sites I went on a hunt for more and found a public library database titled “Finding Recipes for Ingredients You Already Have.” You can check it out at www. penningtonlibrary.org/finding-recipes -for-ingredients-you-already-have.

Maybe you don’t need another trip to the grocery store, at least not yet. Maybe you have on hand what you need to make a meal once you find a creative recipe.

The VA OIG Strikes Again

I have the utmost respect for the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and even more respect now. It appears they’ll go after anyone breaking the law, bending the rules, doing wrong … even one of their own. In this case it came to their attention that a senior OIG employee was still carrying an OIG-issued firearm and credentials after no longer being eligible to do so. Having been transferred out of one position into another one where carrying the firearm was not authorized, the individual should have turned the firearm in when he switched jobs. Didn’t happen. Further, others knew of this and didn’t speak up ... for six months.

Enter the OIG investigators.

They unearthed a tangle of job classification language that revealed that nobody was reading the fine print nor filling out the correct forms, even the ones who should have done so. And nobody stepped forward to take the firearm away from the employee, even the ones who knew he wasn’t authorized to have it.

Eventually word reached two people in the organization who knew instantly that the employee was not authorized to carry an OIG-issued firearm and credentials, and acted pronto to retrieve both the firearm and the credentials.

The end result is a thing of beauty. The employee in question retired. Two senior executives are no longer employed by the OIG, having resigned during the investigation. Another employee received a letter of reprimand. And the two employees who were in charge of the firearms program are no longer in charge of the firearms program.

If you suspect something is wrong in either the VA programs or operation, contact the VA OIG hotline at 800488-8244. You also can go online to www.va.gov/oig/hotline. If you need to submit a complaint about violations, abuse, fraud, mismanagement or other problems, that’s where you do it. They don’t take regular email submissions. To see the OIG’s reports, go to www.va.gov/oig.

All important championships, whether local, regional, national or international, are played in a duplicate format in order to reduce the element of luck that might otherwise determine their outcome. Nevertheless, the luck factor cannot be entirely eliminated.

For instance, the succession of opponents you meet might or might not play well against you, which certainly will have an impact on how you fare. Also, you (or your opponents) might get to excellent contracts that go down because of horrendous distribution or get to poor contracts that make because of very favorable distribution.

Consider this deal played in the Blue Ribbon Pairs many years ago by Dorothy Hayden and B. Jay Becker, former editor of this column. They reached three notrump on the bidding shown. Hayden’s three-notrump bid with the singleton king of clubs was certainly imaginative and was amply rewarded when she made the contract after West led a low club.

She won East’s queen with the king and ran six diamonds, subjecting West to severe pressure. He followed twice and was able to discard a heart and a spade comfortably, but then, in order to protect the king of spades, he was forced to discard two clubs.

Hayden next led a heart. West took the ace and cashed three clubs, but that was the end of the line as he was forced to lead from the K-8 of spades at the end.

You could call the hand a brilliant success — if you were so minded — but, all the same, there was a lot of luck attached to it. At another table, against similar bidding, West made the inspired lead of the ace of clubs against three notrump, and East-West collected the first seven tricks to put the contract down three!

Fortunately for Hayden and Becker, they were sitting at the right table.

Incontinence Caused By an Enlarged Prostate Calls for Medication

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 55-yearold male in good health and was diagnosed with a slightly enlarged prostate several years ago. My primary care doctor said he wasn’t concerned enough to prescribe any medications. I get an annual physical, and there haven’t been any changes. However, in the past couple of years, there have been times when, once I get the urge to urinate, I’ve got to get to a restroom posthaste. But, it’s comical at times! Once, I was halfway through a threehour road trip and started thinking I should stop. I made it all the way home without a problem, but couldn’t make it from my driveway to the restroom. I read up on Flomax, which appears to work for those who have trouble urinating. Are you aware of any over-the-counter medications for my situation? — R.J.

ANSWER: I’m glad you can see the humor in the situation. With even one episode of incontinence, I would consider medication if the person wanted it after a discussion. There are several herbal treatments (such as saw palmetto, South African star grass, stinging nettle and Africatn plum) for an enlarged prostate with recurring symptoms. Some of my patients take them and feel like they are effective, but the evidence is not definitive. Supplements are not subject to the same standards of purity that prescription medications are. Consequently, I do not recommend these treatments. Tamsulosin (Flomax) and similar drugs are safe and welltolerated for most men.

One way to assess severity of prostate symptoms is using the AUA score, available at tinyurl.com/BPHscore. Men who have a result of moderate or severe symptoms benefit from treatment. ***

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please tell the public about prolapses that women may experience and the fact that surgery may be totally successful. I was lucky to find my surgeon and, after surgery, have a dandy little old body. A majority of women do not know about the problems nor the solutions. — M.

ANSWER: Many women experience pelvic organ prolapse, especially older women who have had one or more children. The symptoms that alert a woman may be varied, but one screening question that identified most women with this issue was whether they had symptoms of “a bulge, or that something is falling out of the vagina.”

Other symptoms include urinary incontinence, difficulty voiding and problems with bowel movements, either constipation or incontinence.

Many women do not bring these symptoms up with their regular doctor, so I am glad you wrote. Unfortunately, some doctors are not experts at making the diagnosis of mild prolapse by examination, so consultation with a gynecologist is ideal. Women with mild prolapse and no symptoms do not need treatment.

Many women with mild symptoms will do well with conservative treatment such as a vaginal pessary, a silicone device that supports the pelvic organ. Pelvic floor muscle exercises also may be tried before considering surgery. Surgery is indicated when conservative treatments have not been effective.

I am glad you had a good outcome with surgery, because not all women are so lucky — a third, or perhaps half, of women who get surgery for prolapse will require a second surgery for recurrence of symptoms.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@ med.cornell.edu.

Centennial Exhibition

Nations, like people, have special parties and observances to celebrate birthdays and other successes. In 1876, the United States celebrated its 100th birthday with the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia. There have been many other exhibitions and fairs, and some collectors specialize in souvenirs, posters and even pieces of buildings or exhibits from these important national events. Medals, photographs, postcards, even sugar packets and other special food-related items have been saved, as well as toys, books and clothing from the fairs, and they sell easily today.

Many items, like this red cloth bandanna, had pictures of presidents Washington and Grant, images of some of the exhibition buildings and of course, the official name of the event. This bandanna souvenir sold at Conestoga Auction Co. for $71. It can be stitched to a piece of unbleached muslin and framed as a picture (the stitching can be removed leaving it in nearly perfect shape), or it can be dry mounted and framed.

Q:Webought a Drexel dining -room table and six chairs in the 1960s. The style is midcentury modern, but the chairs have unusual backs with spindles that are flattened about two-thirds of the way up. The table is 60 inches by 29 inches by 40 inches and has two leaves. It’s stamped underneath with “Drexel Declaration, 850-33037, 2/61.” I’ve heard midcentury modern furniture is popular again. What is this set worth?

A:DrexelFurniture Co. began making moderately priced oak furniture in North Carolina in 1903. In the 1950s, Drexel began buying other companies, including the Heritage Furniture Co. After changes in ownership, Drexel became part of Authentic Brands Group in 2020. Drexel’s Declaration line was designed in the late 1950s and was made of walnut with a choice of white porcelain or brass pulls on drawers. The line has the spare look of Danish modern, but the dining chairs are inspired by Shaker furniture. The numbers stamped on your table include the model number and indicate it was made in February 1961. Midcentury modern furniture is popular again, and pieces sell for high prices. A Drexel Declaration table and six chairs are worth about $1,000 to $1,500. * * *

TIP: Keep humidity levels between 45% and 55%. Over 65% encourages mold, fungus and mildew. Too dry an environment encourages wood cracking, color change, flaking paint, yellowing of paper and destroys fabrics. * * *

Current Prices

Advertising, soda fountain tumbler, 7 UP, green glass, cylindrical with pinched sides, white, UP logo with bubbles on each side, 1940s-1950s, 5 1/4 x 2 7/8 inches, $35.

Paperweight, scarab, blue matte glaze, impressed Grueby mark, 1 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches, $625.

Radio, Sparton Bluebird, round, blue mirror with painted wooden case, black ball feet, Walter Dorwin Teague for Sparks-Withington Co., 1934, 14 1/2 inches diameter, $1,875.

Looking to declutter, downsize or settle an estate? Kovels’ Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide 2022 by Terry and Kim Kovel has the resources you’re looking for.

Q:Is the legal drama “Bull” being renewed, or has it been canceled? — D.K.

A:After six seasons on CBS, “Bull,” starring Michael Weatherly, has called it quits. Showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron and actor Freddy Rodriguez, who played Benny, left after five seasons following a workplace investigation. According to Deadline.com, Weatherly himself was accused of sexual harassment by former co-star Eliza Dushku, but he remained the star of the series for one more renewal.

In Weatherly’s words, via Twitter, it was “time to pursue new creative challenges and bring his [character’s] story to a close. It’s been an honor to work with this talented cast, crew and writing/ producing team, who helped reinvent the legal drama. Stay tuned for a big series finish.”

The series finale took place in May 2022 in a way that was satisfying to the majority of the show’s fans. As for Dushku, she played J.P. Nunnelly, the head of a criminal defense firm, for only three episodes. She appeared to have retired from acting, but told “People” magazine in 2021 that she hasn’t quit acting, despite relocating to Boston, getting a degree in holistic psychology and marrying real estate executive Peter Palandjian. As for Weatherly, it’s not confirmed, but he could very well pop up on “NCIS” again, which returns to CBS for its 20th season, beginning Sept. 19.

Q:Olivia Colman is one of the greatest actresses I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even hear of her until about five years ago, and to me, she’s as good as Meryl Streep. How long has she been acting professionally?

— M.P.

A:Olivia Colman has been wellknown to British audiences for the past two decades, years before she took home her Academy and Emmy awards here in the U.S. In 2011, she appeared opposite Streep’s Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady,” several years before Colman herself would take home the Oscar for her role as Queen Anne in “The Favourite.” After that, she became the critics’ darling, winning numerous awards for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series “The Crown.”

In the past two years, she’s been nominated for two more Oscars (“The Father” and “The Lost Daughter”), and has several upcoming projects that will likely garner more accolades — including “Wonka,” starring Timothee Chalamet. ***

What’s happening to “Days of Our Lives”? I heard it’s been canceled. How many years did it air? — W.C.

A:After

57 years, the daytime soap “Days of Our Lives” will no longer air weekday afternoons on NBC. Instead, beginning Sept. 12, viewers must subscribe to Peacock Premium to get their daily dose of shenanigans in Salem.

Fortunately, the streaming service is very affordable, at just $4.99 a month. Peacock also airs many of its primetime shows the day after they air on NBC, so if you miss an episode of “Chicago Fire” this fall, you can stream it the next day on Peacock. For more information, visit PeacockTV.com.

“Thor: Love and Thunder” (PG13) — The fourth film about Marvel’s much-beloved god of thunder is now out on streaming. Taika Waititi returned after directing the previous sequel (“Ragnarok”), which became the most successful film of the series so far. With the vision of making this a more romantic journey for Thor’s (Chris Hemsworth) character, Waititi brought back Thor’s ex-girlfriend, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who gains her own powers and can now wield Thor’s old hammer. Funny enough, Christian Bale (“The Dark Knight” trilogy) decided to dip his toes into yet another superhero universe but, this time, as a villain! He plays the angry, god-killing Gorr, who Thor, Jane and Valkyrie all must team up to defeat. (Disney+)

“Firebird” (R) — This critically acclaimed war film follows Sergey (Tom Prior), a private in Estonia’s air force under the Soviet regime. Sergey gets assigned to serve under an officer named Roman (Oleg Zagorodnii), and Roman and Sergey feel an undeniable attraction toward each other. They pursue their romantic feelings, all while knowing that they could be imprisoned in a labor camp because of their actions. Sergey and Roman attempt to keep their romance under wraps, but a secret like theirs could only be kept quiet for so long, especially as their feelings continue to build for each other over time. Premieres Sept. 16. (Prime Video)

“Do Revenge” (TV-MA) — High school students Drea and Eleanor couldn’t be more different. Drea (Camila Mendes) built an ideal life for herself, which — in a teenager’s language — means having the perfect boyfriend, the perfect friend group and the perfect look. Meanwhile, Eleanor (Maya Hawke) is quirky and eccentric, as well as a bit of a misfit after a malicious rumor about her gets spread over the entire school. When Drea gets outcast after her boyfriend leaks a nude video of her, she convinces Eleanor to team up and exact revenge from the people who’ve bullied and alienated them. For fans of shows like “Stranger Things,” “Riverdale,” “13 Reasons Why” and “Euphoria,” you’ll enjoy seeing a lot of familiar, favorite faces in this comedy out on Sept. 16. (Netflix)

Courtesy of Netflix Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke star in “Do Revenge.”

“Moonfall” (PG-13) — A conspiracy theorist named K.C. Houseman (John Bradley, “Game of Thrones”) discovers that the Moon has been knocked out of its orbit around Earth. He shares his findings with Brian Harper (Patrick Wilson), an astronaut who was fired from NASA after his mission to the moon went wrong. Being disgraced, Brian initially can’t provide much help, so K.C. has no other choice but to announce on social media the impending collision that the Moon will make with the Earth. As his announcement incites great panic, NASA steps in and begins working side-by-side with K.C. and Brian to save the world from incoming disaster. Halle Berry also stars in this sci-fi action film as NASA deputy director Jocinda Fowler. (HBO Max)

HOLLYWOOD — Move over, Tom Cruise, your aspirations to become a musical movie star at 60 are being challenged by 26-year-old Tom Holland (from the latest “Spider-Man” films). While Cruise hasn’t announced his project yet, Holland has committed to star in an untitled biopic on Fred Astaire. Unlike Cruise, who only toyed with singing in movies until he played a rock star in “Rock of Ages,” Holland portrayed the titular character in “Billy Elliot the Musical,” from 2008-2010 on stage in London. Ironically, Jamie Bell, who played the role of Billy Elliot in the 2000 film, is also set to star in an Astaire biopic for Amazon titled “Fred & Ginger.”

But, first, Holland has to deal with his mental health, admitting, “I find Instagram and Twitter to be overstimulating, to be overwhelming ... I spiral when I read things said about me online, and ultimately, it’s very detrimental to my mental state. So, I decided to take a step back and delete the app.” Social media was instrumental in catapulting his film “Uncharted,” with Mark Wahlberg (a $120 million cost that lead to $406.7 million grosses.) All this time, no one made a film about Fred Astaire, and now, there’s three in the works ... tap, tap, tap! ***

Bill Paxton was an amazing actor and a wonderful human being. Some of his most popular films were “Weird Science” (1985), “Aliens” (1986), “Tombstone” (1993), “True Lies” (1994), “Apollo 13” (1995), “Twister” (1996) and “Edge of Tomorrow” (2014). In early 2017, he entered Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to correct a damaged aortic heart valve caused by rheumatic fever that began at 14 years old. His family alleges the open-heart surgery was botched and caused him to suffer a fatal stroke on Feb. 25, 2017.

Paxton’s family sued the hospital, and a week before heading into a Los Angeles courtroom to decide the matter, Cedars settled for an undisclosed amount, which must have been more than the $1 million that the anesthesiologist’s medical group paid them before their court date. The times I was fortunate to be in Bill Paxton’s company, he was cheerful, funny and an all-around regular guy who happened to be a movie star. It was a great loss. ***

In 1985, Paramount Pictures made a film based on the popular board game “Clue.” Despite casting some of the best comedic talents of the day — like Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull and Lesley Ann Warren — the film fell short $400,000 of recouping its $14.6 million cost. Now, a remake of “Clue” is in the works, starring Ryan Reynolds. Will the creators improve on the screenplay of the original, or are they “Clue-less?”

The Bold And The Beautiful

Liam confronted Thomas about his intentions with Hope. Sheila shared a stolen moment with Hayes. A conflicted Ridge thought back on his best moments with Brooke and Taylor. Paris modeled Zende’s newest design for Ridge and Thomas. Steffy urged Ridge to admit his feelings to Taylor. Hope attempted to process Liam’s concerns about Thomas’ intentions. Steffy and Hope battled over Taylor, Brooke and Douglas. Wait to See: Bill and Brooke talk about Katie, then reminisce about their past. Ridge returns home to find Brooke and Bill in an embrace. Thomas asks Carter for legal advice, as they work out at the Forrester gym.

Days Of Our Lives

Gabi was stunned to come face-toface with Stefan. Chanel and Allie were shocked by Paulina’s news. Alex invited Stephanie out for a drink. EJ found Ava and Johnny in a compromising position. Marlena, Kayla and Kate all suddenly became ill. John and Steve strategized about how to locate Orpheus. Rafe questioned Nicole about Eric. Eric opened up to Jada. Xander and Sarah’s state of wedded bliss came to an abrupt halt. Nicole had an enticing offer for Eric. Rafe and Jada got a lead on Orpheus. Gabi informed EJ that Stefan was alive. Chanel and Allie argued about Johnny and Ava. Meanwhile, Ava and Johnny kept up their charade. Rachel’s custody hearing turned ugly. Kristen made a shocking accusation against Brady. Wait to See: Chloe is surprised to find Stefan at her door. EJ has a proposition for Stefan. Johnny asks Allie for a favor.

General Hospital

Drew and Marshall cleared the air.

Portia visited Ava. Nikolas made a mysterious call. Carly’s travel plans hit a snag. Drew and Sam discussed their relationships. Sonny had a revelation. Jordan and Dante were summoned to a crime scene.

Trina talked to Rory about Spencer.

Michael reminded Dex that he was the boss. Carly encountered an unfriendly face. Willow lost her temper. TJ offered an update on a patient. Britt confided in Brad. Curtis voiced his suspicions. Cody and Leo bonded.

Sonny disagreed with Jordan. Wait to See: Curtis reassures Portia. Elizabeth uncovers more of her memories.

Josslyn vents to Trina.

The Young And The Restless

Victoria stood her ground with Nick. Nate’s plan backfired. Lily faced an ethical dilemma. Victor questioned Jack’s motives for hiring Adam. Diane uncovered Phyllis’ deception. Nick played with fire. Victor caught Jack off guard. Devon and Nate’s conflict reached a boiling point. Adam noticed a connection between Nick and Sally.

Victor helped Nikki prepare for battle. Jack extended an invitation to Diane.

Elena worried about Nate’s decisionmaking. Wait to See: Nick gives into temptation. Lily and Devon share a difference of opinion. Victoria makes a dangerous deal.

1. Top Gun: Maverick

(PG-13) Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly

2. Bullet Train

(R) Brad Pitt, Joey King

3. Spider-Man: No Way Home

(PG-13) Tom Holland, Zendaya

4. DC League of Super-Pets

(PG) Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart

5. The Invitation

(PG-13) Nathalie Emmanuel, Thomas Doherty

6. Beast

(R) Idris Elba, Liyabuya Gongo

7. Minions: The Rise of Gru

(PG) Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin

8. Jaws

(PG) Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw

9. Thor: Love and Thunder

(PG-13) Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman

10. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

(PG-13) Masako Nozawa, Toshio Furukawa

Here’s what to watch and where to watch it for the week of October 10, 2022.

ON NOW: “Conversations With a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes” (Limited Series Documentary) — Netflix

ON NOW: “Terminator: Dark Fate” (2020) — Hulu

ON NOW: “Catherine Called Birdy” — Amazon Prime

ON NOW: “Monster High: The Movie” — Paramount+

12-Oct: “Easy-Bake Battle: The Home Cooking Competition” (Season 1) — Netflix

14-Oct: “The Curse of Bridge Hollow” — Netflix

14-Oct: “The Bachelorette: Season 16” Premiere (ABC) — Hulu

14-Oct: “Halloween Ends” — Peacock Premium

15-Oct: “The Purge: Complete Season 2” (USA) — Hulu

16-Oct: “Helstrom: Complete Season 1” — Hulu

• “If you have a fish tank, you can use the fish tank water to fertilize your rose bushes. I do this, and it’s rich in minerals that the bushes love!” — A.U. in Alabama

• Make your own bed buddy hot pad with a long sock and rice. Use a sock that’s knee high, and fill it about twothirds with plain, uncooked white rice. Knot it an inch or two from the top of the rice, so it’s nice and loose. Once it’s secure, you can stick the sock into the microwave for 1-2 minutes. The rice heats up and the heat is stored in the rice. It’s wonderful for aches and pains — or just for keeping toes toasty!

• Shower caps can be placed over a planter and used to make a kind of greenhouse for planting cuttings. Just water and place it in a sun-filled window. Be sure to check it often, because even though it may be moderate or even cool out, your little greenhouse can get pretty hot with only a few hours of sun.

• “Loosen tight jeans with a cutting board! First, wash in cold water, then button them around something that’s about an inch wider than the waist, say, a cookie sheet, chair top, cutting board, etc. Air dry. It’s magical.” — V.L. in New York

• “When I was a kid, the side of my yard was soft sand, but it’s where my brother and I kept our bikes. I liked my bike to stand up, because it kept the sand out of my gears. The kick stand was sinking in the sand, and my dad gave me an old tennis ball that he had poked a hole into. I put it on the kick stand, and from then on, it stayed standing up. Thought I would share.”

— M.N. in Florida

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

• On Sept. 30, 1868, the first volume of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved coming-of-age book “Little Women” is published. Alcott dedicated most of her life and writing to supporting her family after her father’s failure at running a school.

• On Sept. 28, 1901, Ed Sullivan, who will become the host of the long-running TV variety program “The Ed Sullivan Show,” is born in New York City. During the peak of its popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, Sullivan’s program showcased a wide range of entertainers.

• On Oct. 1, 1920, Scientific American magazine reports that the rapidly developing medium of radio would soon be used to broadcast music. Experimental concerts were being conducted from the Radio Laboratory of the Bureau of Standards with local radio operators being used to see if the transmissions could be heard hundreds of miles away.

• On Sept. 27, 1930, Atlanta golfer Bobby Jones wins his fourth major tournament of the year, making him the first person ever to win the Grand Slam of golf. Jones had the picture-perfect swing of every golfer’s dreams, despite never having taken a lesson.

• On Sept. 26, 1945, Lt. Col. Peter Dewey, a U.S. Army officer with the Office of Strategic Services in Vietnam, is shot and killed in Saigon. Dewey was the head of a seven-man team sent to Vietnam to search for missing American pilots.

• On Sept. 29, 1954, Willie Mays, center fielder for the New York Giants, makes an amazing over-the-shoulder catch of a fly ball hit by Cleveland Indians first baseman Vic Wertz to rob Wertz of extra bases in game 1 of the 1954 World Series. The catch has gone down as one of the greatest in the history of baseball.

• On Oct. 2, 1965, a team of scientists invent Gatorade, a sports drink to quench thirst, in a University of Florida lab. The name Gatorade was derived from the nickname of the university’s sports teams. A coach had asked for something to help his players who were negatively affected by the heat during play, and the salt and sugar drink was developed.

By Lucie Winborne

• A town in Washington has a treetop bridge over a busy road that’s just big enough for squirrels, called the Nutty Narrows Bridge.

• Russian author Vladimir Nabokov came up with the idea for smiley emoticons in 1969.

• Now here’s a great way to “go green”: Residents of Surabaya, Indonesia, can pay their bus fare with plastic waste, which will earn them two hours of travel time. The dual aim is to reduce waste as well as the number of cars on the road by encouraging the use of public transportation.

• A U.S. constitutional amendment was proposed in 1893 suggesting that the country be renamed The United States of Earth.

• If you’ve ever questioned the idea that smartphone addiction is real, consider the case of computer programmer Maneesh Sethi, who hired a woman (at $8 an hour) to slap him in the face every time he tried checking Facebook during working hours!

• The average MLB baseball lasts for just 5-7 pitches. In the beginning of a game, at least 90 balls are required on hand, with about 60-70 used per the average game.

• When Apple purchased rural land for a new data center in Maiden, North Carolina, an older couple refused to sell the one-acre plot they’d originally purchased for $6,000 more than three decades earlier. After all offers were rejected, Apple finally asked them to name a price. Success at last! For just a cool $1.7 million.

• The Spice Girls’ nicknames were created by Top of the Pops magazine in a 1996 article.

• Monopoly, originally called The Landlord’s Game, was invented by Lizzie Magie to share her views on the dangers of capitalism.

Thought for the Day: “Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson