Home and Garden 09/23/17

Look inside for these specials and many others.

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017

sanctuary Home yoga Plus: common poses to know

YEAR ROUND GARDENING: Fall garden clean-up, a conundrum KEN MOON: Annual furnace checkup

YEAR ROUND GARDENING

Fall garden clean-up, a conundrum

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BY FREDRICKA BOGARDUS, COLORADO MASTER GARDENER

ast fall I attended the Colorado Master Gardeners state conference. In one afternoon I attended two classes, both addressed fall garden cleanup, but the classes drew totally opposite conclusions.

The first class was on vegetable gardens.

The instructor stressed the importance of meticulous cleanup in autumn. When growing plants for food production, where an abundant harvest is the goal, it is really important to minimize any health risks to the plants. Fall cleanup removes plant parts that may carry disease-causing pathogens, as well as overwintering sites for harmful insects.

If you expect to grow vegetables in the same soil next year, you must be really careful to cleanup your garden at the end of the growing season.

The second class was on wild-scaping in an urban garden. Wild-scaping practices are those that make your landscape a good habitat for native plant and animal life. It emphasizes planting native plants and providing water and shelter for critters.

Wild-scaping has a naturalized look, and there is little to no emphasis on preventing disease or damage from insects. Food produced in a wild-scape is intended for birds, bees and butterflies, not a human family. This landscaping concept emphasizes leaving debris to shelter bees, butterflies (not all migrate), and nesting spaces and food for birds.

Then there is fire risk. Does leaving debris around increase the risk of providing more fuel for a fire in the urbanwildland interface zone?

What is a gardener to do? I like birds, butterflies and bees; but I am not so wild about voles, rabbits, squirrels and mice. I also do some vegetable gardening. There is a certain amount of cleanup that really should be done — then there are other tasks that can be deferred until spring.

LEAVING BLACK-EYED SUSAN SEED-HEADS ON THE PLANTS WILL PROVIDE WINTER FOOD FOR BIRDS. PHOTO BY FREDRICKA BOGARDUS SHOULD-DO TASKS

1. Remove leaves from the lawn (you can mow and bag). You might be able to avoid this one if the leaves cover no more than 10 to 20 percent of your turf. If that is the case, you can mulch them with a mower and leave them on the lawn.

2. Remove annuals once they die back.

3. Mulch perennial and shrub beds, if needed.

4. Harvest vegetables and thoroughly

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 23, 2017

remove all plant material from the garden.

OPTIONAL CLEANUP

1. Remove seed heads from perennials, you may choose to leave some in place for the birds to snack on and to provide winter interest. Be aware that some plants self-sow and can spread to the point of being weedy. Native birds will eat seed from purple coneflowers, aster, goldenrod, little bluestem, big

bluestem, black-eyed Susan and many other native flowers. If you do cut back seed heads do not remove green foliage, wait for it to die back. Foliage left on perennials will help shade the crown of the plant, as well as the soil in the immediate root zone. This shading can moderate drying and heaving caused by freezing and thawing. Foliage also acts as a snow catcher, providing a bit more insulation and capturing a bit more moisture. You may also want to leave some foliage in place as habitat for bees and other beneficial insects. However, if you are plagued by voles and rabbits, those areas will also provide shelter for them.

2. Cut ornamental grasses back and clean up under shrubs. This can be done in autumn or late winter. If vole or rabbit damage is an issue in your garden a fall cleaning may eliminate some cozy nesting spots for voles and rabbits.

3. Remove fallen leaves from perennial beds. You can use them as mulch in other parts of the garden.

4. Remove any dead trees from your garden, this will reduce fire risk. Dead trees can provide shelter for birds, many species of birds rely on dead trees for nesting, food storing, and hunting, roosting and resting. If the tree doesn’t pose a fire risk then leaving it in place may be beneficial.

Consider the purpose and intent of your landscape, then weigh the pros and cons and decide what is important to your gardening goals. Then clean up as much or little as those goals dictate.

When you have questions, Colorado State University Extension has research-based answers. Get answers to your horticulture questions by visiting ask.extension.org any time day or night. You can also visit or call the help desk 719-520-7684 Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., or email CSUmg2@elpasoco.com. The help desk will be staffed with volunteers during those hours through the end of September.

sanctuary

Home yoga

T

BY GINA CRONIN, GINA.CRONIN@GAZETTE.COM

his time of year, things can get a bit hectic.

The summer glow is wearing off, the kids are back to school, the weather is getting cooler and the holidays are fast approaching.

As you settle back into your daily routine, why not add some calming yoga to the mix?

Better yet, why not create a tranquil space in the home that is dedicated to this ancient practice of breathing, meditating, stretching, balancing and strengthening?

Yoga is known to increase flexibility and strength; manage pain; maintain

metabolism; improve circulatory and respiratory health; increase mental clarity, calmness and body awareness; and simply deepen your connection to yourself, your friends, your family and your surroundings. Add 30 minutes of yoga to your daily routine, and you may notice some or all of these benefits. If you can’t commit to a daily practice, pencil two to three longer sessions into your weekly calendar.

Many people either don’t have convenient access to a yoga studio, their schedules do not align with the studios’ schedule of classes, or the costs do not fit their budget. These factors should not squander your practice. Yoga is for all. There are countless YouTube videos,

DVDs, online tutorials and books that can assist you in your at-home practice.

If you have some experience going to classes and can remember the postures, you can even create your own sequences as you tune in to your body. Take care that you have proper alignment — it is a good idea to get guidance from a professional a few times before trying on your own.

Whether you have a whole room to work with, or just a portion of a room, the following will be helpful in creating your own personal yoga sanctuary:

DE-CLUTTER

This is a golden rule throughout the whole home, but it becomes even more

essential in a yoga room. You need space for a whole range of motion to stretch and twist. Clear areas also clear the mind. The yoga space should only have items that are useful or inspirational.

There should not be an excess of furniture or knick-knacks. Openness is key to an uninterrupted session.

SELECT A SPOT

The area that you choose for your yoga space should be one that does not have excessive foot traffic. A quiet corner of the home with ample natural light and enough space to fit your mat both lengthwise and widthwise will work well. Windows allow for energizing light and uplifting fresh air to enter your space CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

SATURDAY, SEP 23, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 3

HOME YOGA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

and encourage your practice. If it is not a dedicated room for yoga, make sure everyone in your home knows that you are practicing meditation and yoga, and to please give you peace to practice for 15 minutes to an hour. If there is enough space, you can even invite a family member to join you.

CHOOSE YOUR FURNITURE

Furniture needs to serve a purpose — be it spiritual or practical. It’s even better if it can serve both functions to save space. A low-lying piece works well in a yoga room. Check your thrift store, you’ll be amazed at the treasure you can find in the furniture arena. The top surface of the furniture can serve as an altar, holding sacred, precious or inspirational items — whether a crystal, religious statue, plant, candle or other meaningful item. Take some quiet time to arrange your altar with love and intention.

In the shelves, drawers or cabinets of the furniture you can house your props — blanket, block, strap, sand bag, eye pillow and any others that you like to have for your practice.

RELAXING COLOR SCHEME

“

With a few alterations to an existing room or

“

space in your home, you can encourage a regular yoga practice and enjoy the physical, mental and spiritual benefits.

HG 4 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 23, 2017

Choose soothing colors reminiscent of nature — think sand, sage, sky, earth and sun. A soft sand colored wall and deep hardwood floors are a great place to start, adding small or large plants, a sky blue mat and pillow, and a gentle burst of color in the form of yoga-inspired wall art or decal. You can work quite liberally within your color scheme, so long as you keep it calming and relatively simple.

MOOD LIGHTING

Complete the color scheme with mood lighting. While you want the space to be evenly lit to avoid slippage, you do not want lights to be blaring in your face.

Avoid overhead lights, sticking instead to Zen-inspired, pink salt, and other soothing decorative floor and table lamps. It’s always helpful for the lamps to be on a dimmer for the different portions of the session. A simple Google search can get you excited about all of the affordable lamp options out there. Don’t forget to finish off your lighting with a beautiful array of candles.

With a few alterations to an existing room or space in your home, you can encourage a regular yoga practice and enjoy the physical, mental and spiritual benefits.

BEAT THE RUSH

Common yoga poses to know

Lawn Mower Tune-ups

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The popularity of yoga has grown considerably in recent years. Though yoga may trace its origins to ancient India, nowadays this popular approach to balancing the mind and body is practiced all over the world.

For those who want to give yoga a try, it helps to be familiar with some of the basic poses one can expect to encounter at the gym or yoga studio. While few can master the following poses on their first day, beginners should know that if they commit to regularly practicing yoga, these poses will get easier over time.

CHAIR POSE

This is a bended position pose in which the knees are bent over the ankles. Arms are up, and the torso forms a right angle over the thighs. Beginners can experiment with moving the feet closer together for a more advanced pose. Do not extend the knees over the toes and rest on the heels.

your thighs and lengthen through the waist, drawing in the navel. This serves as the basis for other poses.

TREE POSE

Tree pose is an introduction to balance poses. You stand on one foot as the other lays nestled against the thigh on the standing leg.

WARRIOR ONE

This pose places a leg forward into a right angle in which the knee is over the arch of the foot. The back leg is extended into a 45-degree angle behind the body.

Arms are raised above the head. Both hips

should be facing forward.

WARRIOR TWO

Warrior two is similar to warrior one, but the arms are stretched in opposite directions parallel to the floor. Turn the head and look out over your arm in the direction you are facing.

Various poses may be covered in beginner yoga classes, and beginners unfamiliar with certain poses can simply pause and observe their fellow classmates if they are unsure of certain poses. Always begin slowly and breathe when working through these poses; consult with a yoga instructor to help develop proper form.

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CHILD’S POSE

This is a pose for rest and stretching.

Get in a kneeling position with toes touching and hips and knees spread apart.

Extend the arms overhead on the floor and lower the forehead to the ground.

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DOWNWARD-FACING DOG

This is an inversion that opens up the entire body and can stretch the spine and the back of the legs. The back should be straight and the tailbone should be pulled away so your body forms a “V” shape.

FORWARD FOLD

When performing a forward fold, you are bending over from the waist. Having a straight spine is more important than having straight legs.

MOUNTAIN POSE

Mountain pose is perhaps the most basic of all the poses and also one that is quite important, as it aligns the spine with the rest of the body and grounds you. Lift

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AROUND THE HOUSE

Now is the time to schedule annual furnace checkup

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Dear Readers: The heating season is just around the corner so this is the ideal time to schedule that furnace checkup. Why? When the first cold snap hits, the heating KEN MOON and air conditioning companies get swamped with requests to light pilots and to clean and service heating systems. You’ll have to get in line then and may not be able to schedule a visit when it’s most convenient for you.

There’s also enough warm weather left so the technician can check the central air system. If you combine the two services, you’ll realize big savings compared to the cost of two separate trips.

Every heating system — whether

forced air or hot water boiler — should be checked out by a licensed heating contractor before winter gets here. This is a good annual habit to establish, even for newer homes, because theoretically any furnace can fail at any time. Plus, a well-adjusted furnace will use less fuel and save you big bucks over our long heating season.

I’ve seen special prices advertised for this checkup for as low as $69, although the average is probably closer to $90 or so. Interview your company to make sure — at a minimum — that they will vacuum out the cabinet, adjust the burners if needed, check the electricity loads, inspect the heat exchanger, do a carbon monoxide check and provide a new filter.

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Look for answers on Monday.

(Bob Jones welcomes readers’ e-mails at tcaeditors@tribpub. com)

denniS The menaCe

The Family CirCuS

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rhymeS wiTh orange by hilary Price

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Funky winkerBean

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PeanuTS

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HG 8 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 23, 2017

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

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edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

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BeeTle Bailey across 1 The punch in Planter’s Punch 8 Set overly easy goals 14 Disk problem 15 Curly-haired “Peanuts” character 16 Foreshadows 17 Like rattlers 18 Drawn 19 Former Haitian president 21 Policy at certain clubs 22 Display some guns 23 “Wuthering Heights” setting 24 Gulf States leader 25 Taylor of “American Crime” 26 Wedding announcement 27 It’s in many poems 28 Sachet filler 30 Informal passing remark?

32 Repository for spare or unused parts 36 Cheerleading outfit?

38 Lummox 39 Covered carriages 42 Reverse of a knit 43 Selfish sort 44 Be the first to say 45 Pâté base 46 Month after diciembre 47 Immortal Kiev-born pianist 49 Company whose name appears in an odometer in its logo 50 Commonly seen brown vehicle 51 Gross out 53 It may be rolled up on a farm 54 Like the praying mantis 55 In Tupperware, say 56 Ready to ride down 1 Cost-effective 2 Dessert with a kick 3 Mad __ 4 Took courses at home 5 West Coast ZIP starter

6 Neatnik’s possible condition, briefly 7 Mississippi explorer 8 Tack on 9 Line 32 items on 1040 forms 10 D, P or S, on quarters 11 Vast multitude 12 Had way too much of 13 Angler’s gear 14 Grand children?

20 Pull over, say?

22 Fin 25 Lighter 26 Give a little 28 Wranglers alternative 29 Part of DINK 31 Fleming work 33 Ride cost before taxes and such 34 Ran 35 Ran off 37 Subway alternative 39 Speed down a slope 40 Rockers Mott the __ 41 Like some offshore rescues 43 “Are you kidding me?!”

45 Punished in court, in a way 46 Let up 48 Parade greeting 49 Helped on stage 52 Literary assortment

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hagar The horriBle

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CeleBriTy CiPher by luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

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HG 10 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 23, 2017

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SATURDAY, SEP 23, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: My 30-year-old son returned to live at home from several states away.

He has a college degree, is handsome, charming, and quick-witted.

His former position with a wellAMY known insurance company endDICKINSON ed when the contract ran out.

Initially I thought he would be living at home for two or three weeks, but we have now hit 12 weeks. I am getting frustrated, as he seems to have become very comfortable with not really doing much to help around the house, and not helping with utilities.

He is going to interviews often, but hasn’t been offered a position yet.

I am also raising my 12-year-old grandson, and have my elderly parents here. My plate is full.

Can you offer advice on how to approach the subject of helping to pay the utilities and helping at home, without an attitude? — Concerned Mother

ADVICE

DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN

sing, Mich.

Question: Is there any difference between this year’s flu shot and last year’s?

And if there isn’t, do I still need to get one?

— John E., Lan-

Dear Concerned: Your son is a functioning adult. Obviously, you have every right to expect him to step up at home. But your inability to ask him to step up is your problem — not his.

There is no “attitude” involved in communicating your needs clearly. You speak to him adult to adult, and expect him to understand and do what he can to comply.

It is not unusual in the current job climate to spend several months interviewing at various companies for a professional position. You should assume that this is a potentially lengthy process.

Have a meeting with your son. Say, “Here’s what I need from you in order for this to work, longer term.” Surely there are ways he can help with your grandson and your parents. Assign regular and reasonable tasks that will help to relieve your burden.

If he is receiving unemployment insurance or has savings, he should pay toward living expenses while he is with you. If he doesn’t have income or savings, he should also look for a part-time job in order to help with the bills while he is living with you.

Answer: There always is a difference. The influenza vaccine is adjusted to target the flu strains that experts predict will be most prevalent, which can change from year to year. New vaccinations are based on information from 142 national influenza centers in 113 countries. Scientists from the World Health Organization Collaborating Centers for Reference and Research on Influenza analyze the data and decide which strains of the virus are most likely to cause illness in the upcoming flu season. That’s why you should get inoculated annually.

Plus, protection from a yearly flu shot can add up: If you receive the flu vaccine every year for 10 years, you’ll reduce your risk of getting the flu by over 70 percent. And if you do get the flu, it’ll be much less severe.

Vaccines have gotten a lot safer in the past 30 years. The odds of an adverse reaction, relative to a beneficial effect, are about 1 in 40,000.

2017 flu vaccine facts: • Trivalent/three-component vaccine targets: A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus; A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus; B/ Brisbane/60/2008-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus.

There’s a high-dose version for those 65-plus.

• Quadrivalent/four-component vaccine contains, in addition to those above, protection against the B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus.

• Anyone 6 months or older should be vaccinated. Pregnant women should receive their ageappropriate influenza vaccine.

• Needle-shy? Fluzone Intradermal Quadrivalent vaccine for folks 18-64 has a 90 percent smaller, 1.5-mm microneedle.

Send questions to askamy@tribune.com or to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.

Email your health and wellness questions to youdocsdaily@ sharecare.com.

—

—

ADVICE

Dear Heloise: When our cairn terrier had some surgery on his back legs, the vet wanted him to wear the dreaded cone for two weeks to avoid licking.

He hated it, so instead I pinned a blow-up travel neck pillow HINTS around his neck, and he tolerFROM ated that much better. He could HELOISE eat, drink and see, and best of all, he had a built-in pillow for sleeping. The two weeks flew by. — Jan P., via email Jan, always follow your veterinarian’s directions to the letter. Yes, the “cone of shame” can be uncomfortable for the animal, and you’re right — the dog would be tempted to lick or chew on sutures, staples, etc.

There are inflatable collars for dogs with various conditions. Ask the doctor if this would be a suitable alternative, for the reasons you mentioned above. Thanks for writing in! — Heloise Dear Heloise: I use a stylus (soft rubber tip) from the discount store to punch numbers into the ATM. This is easier due to my long fingernails.

I also use it at the debit machine at stores and restaurants. — Shirley B., Simi Valley, Calif.

Dear Heloise: Makeup and skin care are getting pretty advanced these days. Are skin treatments like lotions and serums only skin deep?

What is the difference between a cosmetic and a drug? —Nancy D. in Pennsylvania Nancy, there are regulations regarding this.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, the definitions of “cosmetic” and “drug” depend on how the product is designed to be used.

A cosmetic is a device for “cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering the appearance” of the human body.

If a product states that it is to be used in the “diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease,” it’s a drug.

By the way, “cosmeceutical” (a mix of the words “cosmetic” and “pharmaceutical”) is not a legally recognized term. — Heloise —

Send hints via email to heloise@heloise.com or via post to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio TX 78279-5001.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPES BY JERALDINE SAUNDERS ARIES (March 21-April 19) You can profit from a chance meeting or contact.

Someone may agree to preferential treatment or an exception to the rules. Loved ones may be more loving than usual but may be serious about duties.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) You may be expected to meet new people for business reasons or make a donation. Luckily, you can be at your best in any social situation.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Curling up in front of the TV might not go over well with your mate. Others in close connection want to see results. Plan your leisure time and arrange a list of tasks so that everyone is happy with the day.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Leave the cocoon behind and be a social butterfly.

You might uncover a fresh source of income or an opportunity to make a profit.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Someone may give you a piece of their mind that gives you peace of mind. Friends may offer generous support and the advice you need. You may find ways to justify an impulsive purchase.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) If you, or someone dear, doesn’t receive daily doses of affection and attention, then self-confidence could be undermined.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Whether you are at the workplace or the playground, you will find that many people acting in tandem will contribute to the final result. Shop for nice things and don’t skimp on quality.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Little economies are like acorns that grow into oak trees. Because you are less competitive than usual, you may go along with a proposal or suggestion.

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, SEP 23, 2017

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You may be somewhat pessimistic and put a padlock on your piggy bank. Someone close has the answer to your predicament and may reassure you about a purchase that you hesitate about making.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Fantasies can come true. But this weekend you will have the best results if you exercise discipline and keep your feet firmly anchored to the ground.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Put your hands together and clap. Someone close needs to hear some applause. If you come up shorthanded, you will easily find someone who is willing to lend you a hand.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Pin a blue ribbon on the best of show. Those in close connection may be overly concerned with minutia but will prove their loyalty if needed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sept. 23 You are likely to experience good luck and unexpected help during the upcoming two to three weeks. Put your favorite ideas and deepest desires into motion as soon as possible if you want them to prosper.

A new circle of friends can brighten October. Ambitions for material success could grow in November, but you must exercise self-discipline.

Sidestep starting new projects or entering into agreements in December or early January.