Home and Garden 10/21/17

Look inside for these specials and many others.

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017

Simplify YEAR ROUND GARDENING:

Prepare your vegetable garden for spring planting KEN MOON:

Time to replace the water heater Fall tree service actions

fall leaf cleanup

YEAR ROUND GARDENING

Now is the time to prepare your vegetable garden for spring planting

F

BY DEBRA STINTON OTHITIS, COLORADO MASTER GARDENER

all is the best time of year to improve the soil in your vegetable garden beds.

Preparation now gets your gardens into a “planting ready” state, so you can begin a new gardening season whenever spring temperatures are favorable.

Adding soil amendments in fall also takes advantage of winter’s repeated freezing and thawing of the soil, to gradually mix and incorporate them.

As it is estimated that 80 percent of all gardening problems are the result of poor soil, it is important to gain a basic understanding of the composition of good soil. Well-managed western soil should have around 50 percent empty space (comprised of equal amounts of air and water) and 50 percent of solid materials (comprised of organic matter and mineral solids such as decomposed rocks or sediments). Also, your soil is a living ecosystem containing living organisms in the organic matter. Although many of these are not visible to the naked eye, they are continually making nutrients available to plants and improving soil tilth — the suitability of the soil to support plant growth.

The goal of annual soil amendment is to improve the environment for your plants so that they produce healthy and abundant produce next year. Amending your soil now will: 1. Improve the soil’s physical properties, such as water retention, permeability, water infiltration/drainage, aeration and structure 2. Increase the activity and number of the soil organisms 3. Replenish nutrients important for plant growth.

A soil amendment is any material added to a soil. To do its work, the amendment must be thoroughly mixed into the soil.

If it is merely buried, its effectiveness is reduced and it will interfere with water and air movement and root growth. In selecting soil amendments, you must first consider the type of soil and your desired results.

To improve the water and nutrient-holding capacity on sandy, gravelly, and decomposed granite soils, select well-decomposed materials like finished compost, aged manure and peat. To improve aeration and infiltration

Soil Terminology Amendment – Any material mixed into soil to improve tilth (typically derived from carbon based sources) Tilth – The physical condition of the soil especially in relation to its suitability for planting or growing a crop Mulch – Material placed on the soil surface Photo by Fredricka Bogardus and improve structure on clayey soils, select fibrous materials like sphagnum peat or straw.

To improve soil tilth using organic amendments, consider using sphagnum peat, grass clippings, straw, compost or manure. Vermiculite, perlite, tire chunks, pea gravel and sand are inorganic options for this purpose. These amendments are the most significant amendments for enhancing the photosynthesis process of your vegetables:

NITROGEN This stimulates vegetative growth or top growth and should not be used in high concentrations where root or fruit production is important. Leafy crops such as lettuce and spinach require more nitrogen than root crops. Blood meal or fish emulsion are excellent organic sources of nitrogen.

PHOSPHOROUS This produces flower buds, fruit and root development. Root crops and crops that produce fruit such as carrots, tomatoes and peppers perform better with adequate phosphorus which can be achieved with organic bone meal. However, most Pikes Peak soils contain plenty of phosphorus and

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 21, 2017

since it does not readily leach from the soil, care should be taken to not over use this nutrient.

POTASSIUM Potassium contributes to root development, drought tolerance and overall plant vigor. Kelp is an excellent source of potassium. Colorado soils generally contain adequate potassium.

Mulching on top of the soil surface after the soil amendment will help regulate fluctuating soil temperatures throughout the winter months, minimize soil compaction forces of winter storms, and prevent evaporation of winter moisture. After application, secure the mulch from blowing away with netting or wire fencing. Organic mulches such as straw, grass clippings or dried leaves may be incorporated into the soil as amendments next year after they have decomposed to the point that they no longer serve their purpose as mulch.

Soil improvement is a continual process but making fall amendment an annual practice is a way to achieve optimal garden soil in a measured and gradual way. And you will see the results of your efforts in next

Permeability – Property of a soil which permits the flow of water Retention – A measure of how much water a particular type of soil or grow medium can retain Aeration – The process by which air is circulated through and mixed with the soil

summer’s harvest.

Learn more about soil amendments from CSU Fact Sheet No. 7.235 Choosing a Soil Amendment available online at extension. colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/ choosing-a-soil-amendment.

Learn more about this subject from CSU Fact Sheet No. 7.602 - Saving Seed available online at extension.colostate.edu/topicareas/yard-garden/saving-seed-7-602.

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. Follow the El Paso County Master Gardeners on www.facebook.com/ ColoradoMasterGardeners.EPC.

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Simplify

fall leaf cleanup

A METRO SERVICES

pple pie, pumpkins and blooming chrysanthemums are symbols of autumn.

But nothing signals the arrival of fall more than the millions of leaves that begin to cascade from the trees as the

temperatures dip.

Many people feel nothing is more beautiful than the yellow, red, purple and

orange leaves that coat neighborhoods and country sides each fall. But in spite of their beauty, leaves might be a nuisance to homeowners tasked with removing the growing piles of them from their lawns.

Those with large oak and maple trees in front of their homes understand the seemingly endless work of leaf removal.

As the days begin to grow shorter and colder, these changes trigger a hormone release in trees, prompting them to drop their leaves. This chemical message

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causes the formation of abscission cells where the leaf stem meets the branch, said botanists at the Missouri Botanical Garden. So rather than merely dropping off of trees when the wind blows, the leaves actually fall off deliberately.

Left untouched, fallen leaves can contribute to lawn problems such as poor aeration, mold growth and moisture issues. Leaves also can cause staining on driveways and walkways. Prompt removal can help prevent any problems. To make faster and easier work of leaf removal, keep these tips in mind.

Mow over thin leaf coverage. If only a few leaves have fallen, use a mulching mower to shred the leaves until they are small enough that they won’t suffocate the lawn. The small pieces will decompose in the lawn, reintroducing nutrients as a result.

Use an ergonomic leaf rake. Ergonomic rakes can prevent back and arm pain, much in the way that ergonomic shovels do when shoveling snow.

Invest in a quality leaf blower. Using a rake is good exercise, but homeowners with large properties might want to use a

leaf blower. These machines can dislodge leaves from bushes and hard-to-reach crevices, and they work faster than rakes.

Use a tarp. Rake or blow leaves onto a tarp and then drag the tarp to the curbside or to the back of a truck for proper disposal. Special leaf scoopers enable you to grab more leaves if they need to be picked up and transported. Otherwise, you can use the covers from two garbage pails to achieve a similar effect.

Work with the wind. Rake in the direction the wind is blowing and downhill if your property slopes. This way it will be easier on you, and you won’t be working against Mother Nature.

Spread out the job. Do not attempt to remove all fallen leaves in a single day.

Schedule a few cleaning days during the season to make lighter work of the job than if you tried to do it all at once. Keep in mind that leaves will continue to fall throughout the season and you may need to spend a few days removing leaves from your yard.

Removing leaves is a large part of fall home maintenance. Employ these tips to make this task less strenuous.

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AROUND THE HOUSE

Time to replace the water heater

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Dear Ken: I would like to remove years-old paneling. Is there any easy way to get the glue off afterwards?

— Ed I wouldn’t even try KEN MOON to get the sheets off the wall, unless you want to re-sheetrock. They were probably with construction adhesive — super strong stuff — and I’m afraid that you’ll damage parts of the wall surface. Then you’ll have a real mess on your hands; it’s difficult, if not impossible, to smooth and patch over a drywall surface of which the paper has been damaged.

I like the idea of covering over the old ugly paneling with a smooth surface. My favorite trick is to, first, fill in the knots, distress marks and grooves on the paneling’s surface with drywall patching compound and then to paper over it. Next apply some primer/ sealer on the now-smooth paneling surface, followed by a muted, textured heavy vinyl wallpaper. That will help the wall blend into its surroundings and will save you a lot of grief in the process.

Dear Ken: We have what looks like green mold growing on the inside of the north wall of the basement. Our drainage is fine, but we do run a dehumidifier in the basement and get half a gallon per day.

— Liz The Boy Scouts always said that moss grows on the north side, but I don’t think they included basements in the discussion.

Mold does come in a rainbow of colors — including green. As you probably know, it needs a pretty constant supply of moisture to survive, and your basement environment sounds like it’s contributing to the problem.

Even though you may have the surface drainage under control, your basement floor may be sitting on wet soil from an underground source and so water vapor is transpiring into the space. Try some extra mechanical ventilation down there. Install an inexpensive bath fan — vented outdoors — plugged into a simple light timer. Run it a couple, of hours each day to draw upstairs, drier air through the room.

To get rid of the mold, apply a fairly strong

solution of Clorox and water to kill it. Then apply a clear concrete sealer or primer, like our old friend KILZ.

Fall tree service actions homeowners can take to protect tree health

T NEWSWIRE

Dear Ken: I’d like your help finding a shower head without a flow limiter. Our tankless hot water heater already has one built in, and the combination is too slow.

— Amber Good luck. A far as I know, the federal government requires manufacturers to limit the flow rate through shower heads — why wouldn’t they!? — usually to two or twoand-a-half gallons per minute. This can be especially irritating for folks in older houses with pipes full of scale, or systems with low water pressure. Some of these heads have a restriction disk with a small hole in the center. Pop it out with a pocket knife and toss it. In other styles there is a plastic cylinder with a similar hole running right through the center of the head. Use a drill with bits in ever-increasing sizes to gradually enlarge this hole to a bigger diameter (if you try too large a drill initially, you may crack the fitting).

Dear Ken: My water heater is 31 years old. I drain some water every six months, and all of a sudden it’s rusty. Do I need to replace it?

— Jack Probably. Water heaters usually fail when the bottom of the tank rusts out. The accumulation of material, like scale, grit and other water-born impurities, encourages this eventual breakdown. That’s why it’s important to drain the tank at least once a year, as you indicate you’ve done. In spite of your efforts, it’s time to replace your aged friend, before it really fails. And it seems that always happens at the wrong time — like on a weekend or when company is in town. Because today’s water heaters have been redesigned to comply with stricter efficiency standards; they heat water a little less quickly than you’re used to. So, I would upgrade one size, from say a 40 gallon to a 50 gallon model.

••

his fall, homeowners need to be on the alert for the five major warning signs that a tree’s health is in jeopardy: leaf Issues, decay, disease, insects and excessive deadwood. The following are the key fall tree service actions homeowners can take now to

protect tree health and safety.

1. START WITH A PROFESSIONAL TREE INSPECTION Spotting problems or hazards early is the main purpose of the inspection.

An ISA Certified Arborist will check for cracks, decay, excessive deadwood and other problems that may require action.

2. PRUNE NOW FOR HEALTH, BEAUTY AND SAFETY Fall is a great time to prune most trees. Tree trimming should include CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

17-CSU-02070_Residential_PRINT_4.64x5.43_4C_FNL.pdf

1

9/12/17

12:38 PM

Save money and make your home more comfortable with our rebates for efficient appliances, insulation, air sealing and renewable energy.

Take the pledge and win prizes at changethecurrent.com.

Ken Moon is a home inspector in the Pikes Peak region. His radio show airs at 9 a.m.

Saturday and is carried on KRDO, AM 1240 and FM 105.5. Visit AroundTheHouse.com.

SATURDAY, OCT 21, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 5

5. FERTILIZE TREES

A fall injection of time-release fertilizer stimulates root growth, improves root absorption capability, and provides vital nutrients to help the tree get through

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HG 6 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 21, 2017 SIDING & TRIM

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Fall treatments are available for pests such as Emerald Ash Borer, Spider Mites, Lace Bugs, Hemlock Adelgid and Scale.

Treatments must be completed before cold weather hits.

Respond Respond by Phone: by Respond Phone: 719.304.1785 719.304.1785 by Phone: or 719.304.1785 Email: or Email: woolfstudio@gmail.com or woolfstudio@gmail.com Respond Respond byby Phone: by Respond Phone: 719.304.1785 719.304.1785 by Phone: or 719.304.1785 Email: or Email: woolfstudio@gmail.com woolfstudio@gmail.com orwoolfstudio@gmail.com Email: woolfstudio@gmail.com Itcannot Itpart cannot be reproduced Itreproduced cannot be or reproduced transmitted or or in whole transmitted in or part or in part without whole without or permission part permission without of the permission of the publisher. publisher. of the publisher.

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SIDING & TRIM

GARAGE DOORS

“Homeowners who want healthy and safe trees, need to get outside and look for warning signs of health problems,” said Lou Giroud, ISA Certified Arborist and President of Giroud Tree and Lawn.

“If there is a concern, the best place to start is for an ISA Certified Arborist to inspect the tree and ensure it gets the tree service needed to make it through the winter and emerge healthy and strong next spring.”

Expires October 31, 2017

Expires October 31, 2017

Expires October 31, 2017

♠62♥642♦9865♣kq87

Partner opens one no trump, 15-17, and right-hand opponent bids two spades. What call would you make?

q 3 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠J62♥A♦Ak975♣J932

SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST 1♦ Pass 1♠ Pass ?

What call would you make?

q 4 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

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4. TREAT DESTRUCTIVE PESTS Cold wind sucks moisture from leaves and needles on evergreens. Antidesiccants provide a protective coating that prevents moisture loss.

719-602-5871 719-602-5871

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Trees with multiple trunks or included bark often require tree cable supports to keep from splitting apart. The hardware must fit the specific problem and be installed at the proper height and tension.

719-602-5871

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

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the winter and have a strong start in the spring.

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3. INSTALL CABLE SUPPORTS IN WEAK LIMBS

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deadwood removal, elimination of crossed branches and establishment of a healthy growth pattern.

Respond Respond

by Phone: byRespond Phone: 719.304.1785 719.304.1785

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TREE SERVICE GOREN BRIDGE ©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

WITH BOB JONES

weekly bridge quiz

q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 10 ♥ J 8 4 3 ♦ A k 9 5 ♣ k q J 6

6. STOP DEER DAMAGE

♠ 9 6 ♥ q J 9 5 4 ♦ k 10 8 7 ♣ A 10 Right-hand opponent opens one heart.

What call would you make?

Fall and winter are prime times for deer damage. An arborist can determine the best deer repellent for the property.

Partner opens two hearts, weak, and right-hand opponent bids two spades.

What call would you make? q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

7. PREVENT WINTER BURN q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ A 10 9 6 ♥ A k q 6 5 2 ♦ J 3 ♣ J SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST 1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass ?

What call would you make?

q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ A ♥ q 9 8 7 4 2 ♦ A J ♣ 10 7 6 5

As dealer, what call would you make?

Look for answers on Monday.

(E-mail: com)

tcaeditors@tribpub.

denniS The menaCe

The Family CirCuS

by hank ketcham

Sherman’S lagoon

PiCkleS

by Brian Crane

mr BoFFo

by Joe martin

by J. P. Toomey

by Bil keane

rhymeS wiTh orange by hilary Price

marmaduke

by Brad and Paul anderson

Baldo

by hector Cantu and Carlos Castellanos

SATURDAY, OCT 21, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 7

Blondie

by dean young and John marshall

muTTS

by Patrick mcdonnell

Funky winkerBean

luann

by greg evans

PeanuTS

by Charles Schulz

by Tom Batiuk

HG 8 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 21, 2017

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey 8 Hard heads across 9 Buttermilk holder?

1 Get lovey-dovey 10 Indian tea region 8 Ramble 11 Bachelor’s last words?

15 Fertilizes, in a way 12 Rodents on wheels, 16 Spousal consent perhaps 17 Dryer component 13 Attended informally 18 Creamy rice dish 14 Like the wind 19 Tiruchirappalli title 21 Muppet friend of Elmo 20 California region named for a 24 Any one of the male literary hero “Big Bang Theory” main 22 It can lead into day or night characters 23 Shade-loving plant 27 Shoot for the moon 25 Big chunk of time 29 Softened 26 State probably named for a 30 Man of La Mancha French province 33 Nada 28 Mobile app?

35 Whale group 29 Relay settings 38 Buffet featuring 31 Object of veneration tortillas and fixings 32 Edible conifer seed 39 Hog’s call?

34 Part 40 Biting 36 Many an IKEA buy 41 Conditioned response?

37 Slangy refusal 42 Repro man?

38 Brought down a Giant, say 43 Source of some 42 Arrivals annoying online 46 Kyrgyzstan range messages 47 Interior design 44 Crowing type 49 Glitzy affair 45 The blues 50 Informed, with “in” 48 Gear tooth 52 Sound heard going up a 51 Mercury money mountain, maybe 53 Medium board 53 Film in which the title character says, “I don’t permit 56 Source of folic acid 57 Quaint retail adjective the suffering. You do” 60 Letters on some tee tags 54 Yoga class syllables 62 Ancient Greek statuary site: 55 “Please, please ... ” Abbr.

58 Half-hearted 59 Asphalt Friday’s Puzzle Solved 61 Prevailing conditions 63 Absinthe flavoring 64 Solemnly commands 65 Gets new players for 66 Hooks or lures down 1 Road wreck 2 Capital south of Addis Ababa 3 Not yet up 4 Bloke’s address 5 Actress Scacchi 6 Siberian river to the Arctic Ocean 7 Where the Boss’ band once rehearsed

by mort, greg, and Brian walker

hagar The horriBle

moTher gooSe

Tundra

by Chris Browne

by mike Peters

by Chad Carpenter

SATURDAY, OCT 21, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 9

Bizarro

by dan Piraro

argyle SweaTer

by Scott hilburn

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.

B.C.

by hart

ziTS

by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

JumP STarT

Frazz

by robb armstrong

by Jef mallett

HG 10 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 21, 2017

dilBerT

by Scott adams

Sally ForTh

by Francesco marciuliano and Jim keefe

BaBy BlueS

by Jerry Scott and rick kirkman

PearlS BeFore Swine by Stephan Pastis

PooCh CaFe

by Paul gilligan

SATURDAY, OCT 21, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: Do you think it is nor-

mal for a parent to be jealous of their partner’s love for their (shared) child?

When my dad was alive, my mother would constantly get jealous of my relationship with AMY him. I grew up a tomboy, and my DICKINSON father and I were very close. My mother would make comments that disgusted me, insinuating that our relationship somehow competed with their marriage.

Recently, I became aware that this isn’t as unusual as I’d previously believed it to be. I hear and see comments from parents, jokingly or otherwise, stating they are jealous of the attention/ affection their child gets from their partner. If things are truly unbalanced, I suppose I can understand it. But generally, I would think that a parent would love seeing their kid be adored by their partner. Am I missing something?

I am childless and intend to remain so, therefore I do not offer my opinions to people who feel this way (except for my mother, who would sometimes apologize after comments). But inside, I can’t help but feel that jealousy is immature for anyone, let alone in this dynamic. Can you offer some insight? — Confused by Competition

ADVICE

Question: I took a new job, and now my health insurance plan won’t cover my old pain medication. (I deal with chronic pain DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN after losing a vertebra in a car accident.) But long-acting morphine is covered. I don’t know if I can do my job on that kind of medication, and I really don’t want to face an addiction. What can I do? — Jessica B., Kissimmee, Fla.

Dear Confused: I have news for you: Adults can be immature, and while many parents rise to the challenge of having children — for others, the strain of folding another relationship into the family system causes them to act out.

If you think of a marriage relationship as a straight line between two points, adding a third point creates a triangle, and in the geometry of human relationships, the triangle is the toughest shape to navigate.

So yes, I believe that jealousy between partners is quite common. I’ve seen marital jealousy expressed regarding babies, children, house pets, close friendships, and a person’s career or hobbies. It can be tough to witness a child’s preference toward the other parent. But yes, mature and balanced people learn to not only tolerate, but celebrate this closeness.

Answer: Insurance companies are a bureaucratic nightmare these days, but usually in the end, if you jump through enough hoops and over enough hurdles, you’ll get what you need. It looks like you have to start filing appeals for an exception. Your doctor(s) will have to get involved, too. If the insurer denies your appeal, keep appealing away. It often takes more than two or three tries.

The New York Times and ProPublica recently did a piece on a situation that’s similar to yours, showing how, in the middle of an opioid crisis, insurance companies are refusing to cover less-addictive pain meds that cost more and are doling out opioids, often with no co-pay. This will happen as long as insurance companies are shortsighted, for-profit entities. It would be cheaper in the long run to treat you with better, more-expensive drugs now, because that will help you avoid additional medical visits and addiction services, which the insurance company will just have to pay for down the road. But no one ever accused insurance companies of being too smart.

That said, there’s a new chronic pain remedy that was just approved by the FDA that might be a good choice for you. It’s a spinal cord stimulator called Intellis (by Medtronic) that runs off a small implant that a clinician can control from a tablet. It sends an electrical impulse from a lead implanted in the epidural space to block pain signals from going to the brain. So talk to your doc and go see a pain management specialist to check out it and other alternatives. Good luck!

Send questions to askamy@tribune.com or to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 434 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60611.

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

—

—

ADVICE

Dear Heloise: My cat is a picky eater! Do you know why cats can be picky? — Sandra B. in Philadelphia

Hi, Sandra: Science to the rescue! Cats ARE finicky eaters, and here’s why: Cats instinctively HINTS know they need almost twice as FROM HELOISE much protein as fat (a ratio of 1 to 0.4), and they can tell how much protein is in the food presented to them.

They will hold out for protein-rich foods, regardless of the taste of the food. Even if something is delicious, cats won’t eat it if the protein isn’t right. (Source: rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org).

Now, if your cat is suddenly refusing to eat, this is a cause for concern. Call your veterinarian to discuss that. — Heloise Dear Heloise: I know I should be using sunscreen, but how long is it safe to use, and what SPF should I be using? What is “broad spectrum”? — Andrea H., Flagstaff, Ariz.

Andrea, first look for an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply it at least 15-30 minutes before going into the sun. Reapply sunscreen after 30 minutes of your first exposure to the sun. Look for water-resistant sunscreen. “Broad spectrum” means protection from UVA and UVB rays. Most sunscreen products are effective up to two or three years. Most physicians will tell you not to rely on sunscreen alone, but to stay out of the sun as much as possible, and to wear a hat and protective clothing.

— Heloise Dear Heloise: On TV shows about home makeovers, I’m dismayed to see perfectly good but “dated” kitchen cabinets destroyed by the contractor.

Can’t serviceable cabinets be carefully removed and made available to people who can’t afford new ones? ven if they were reused in a shop or storage shed, it would be better than dumping them. It just seems so wasteful. — Kathy B., Kettle Falls, Wash.

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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) Display a cool and calm manner to get the best results. Restrain your wildest impulses. Guard your wallet, as you are prone to aggressive spending.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Relationships that are tried and true are your best bet. Be like the tortoise: Wrap a hard shell around feelings so misunderstandings bounce right off.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) You may take good luck for granted. This is not a good time to hook your future to someone else’s star. You may be disappointed if you expect too much from family members.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Settle for structure. While you can control what you do, through a diet, for instance, or by setting up a budget or schedule, you can’t dictate what others do. Develop healthy habits.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Some extra money may burn a hole in your pocket.

You might receive a tip on an investment that tempts you to put your cash in a new venture.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Love can be the most compelling force in your life, but also the most impossible to define. The dictionary will not help you find the answer. Be gentle toward someone you love.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You might be wearing blinders when faced with a business deal or romance. Hold off on final decisions as you may be too anxious to please others.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Fulfill pending obligations while your enthusiasms are focused and under control. A key relationship might experience some rough weather. Steer clear of disputes and misunderstandings.

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 21, 2017

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Get there on time. People will judge you by how reliable and dependable you are. It is a good idea to be disciplined about your spending.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Don’t release confidential information or share secrets in an effort to impress someone. You could be pressured to put your money where your mouth is, to your distinct disadvantage.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Use caution when dealing with home repairmen or family dynamics. You could be too generous, too gullible or blind to someone’s faults.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Honesty is in short supply. Those who treat you with hostility may do so because they fear intimacy.

Remain patient: A stressful or tense social situation will improve in a few days.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Oct. 21

Business matters or job ambitions can distract you from the really important things the next six to eight weeks.

You may waste your time and energy on something that isn’t worthwhile in late November and December but the people you meet can become valuable allies. In March you may meet people who are trustworthy or could change jobs or careers with beneficial results. If you are single you could even meet an exciting romantic partner.