Home and Garden 12/16/17

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, DECMEBER 16, 2017

Look inside for these specials and many others.

Keep calm during the holidays

CREATE TIME TO RELAX • PREPARE FOR GRANDMA’S VISIT • HOME UPDATES

Keep calm DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Just 30 minutes of walking per day can lower your blood pressure, reduce stress, boost mood, aid in weight loss and bring about mental clarity.

T

BY GINA CRONIN, HOME AND GARDEN

he holidays are exciting — time off from work, gathering with friends and family, giving and receiving gifts, it’s a time of year like no other. However, all that excitement can quickly turn into anxiety if you don’t set aside time to breathe and relax. The air is crisp and the winter solstice — shortest day of the year — is just around the corner. In many traditions across the globe the winter solstice represents a time of repose, that

is, a time of rest, quietude and tranquility.

The winter months are a perfect time for reflection, self-acceptance and growth as you enter into a brand new year of possibility.

So while it can be a busy time, it’s important to strike a healthy balance between movement and stillness; between doing and not doing. Here are some ways to slow down this season:

MEDITATE

Maybe you’ve thought about trying meditation before, but were intimidated

to give it a try. Or maybe you sat for a full 60 seconds and felt so overwhelmed by worry that you quit right then and there.

The fact is, when you sit for meditation, you are reaping the benefits regardless of if your mind is blissfully clear or tangled in thought. It is called a practice for a reason, and with breath and a little bit of patience, you can find some mild or perhaps profound relaxation.

Set aside 30, 15 or just 5 minutes every day to close your eyes, breathe and observe without self-judgment.

Accept where you are in your meditation

practice. It can help to tell yourself silently: breathing in, I feel that I am breathing in; breathing out, I feel that I am breathing out. Meditation music (just type that in on YouTube) may support your experience. If thoughts arise, that’s perfectly okay —with loving awareness, allow the thought or concern to pass.

WALK

Whether through the neighborhood, up and down the street during your work break or on one of the countless trails of this beautiful mountain terrain, make sure CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, DEC 16, 2017

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KEEP CALM

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

to walk! Just 30 minutes of walking per day can lower your blood pressure, reduce stress, boost mood, aid in weight loss and bring about mental clarity. Further, a dose of sun has been found to reduce symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or the “winter blues” as some call it.

You can take your walk alone and practice mindfulness — walking meditatively and aware of each step, the birds and the blue sky. Or, you can walk with family, friends or your four-legged companion and make it a positive, uplifting social event. The time with loved ones can boost levels of oxytocin,

sometimes referred to as the “love” or “feel good” hormone.

TAKE A BATH

When it’s cold, nothing soothes the body and mind like a warm bath. Find that perfect water temperature, ease in and let everything outside of the shower curtain melt away. Maybe even turn off the artificial bulbs and light a candle in a safe spot to add some ambiance. Indulge in a little bit of pampering, which just so happens to also prevent colds and viruses, reduce stress, improve sleep, boost

immunity, improve circulation, detoxify the body and more.

Want to take your bath to the next level?

Two words. Essential oils. Peppermint, chamomile, geranium, eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender are all wonderful options. You can either get the pure essential oils and add 3-5 drops, or find natural Epsom salts that often have pure essential oils mixed in and add according to package instructions. Epsom salt baths are found to ease sore muscles and inflammation, and relieve headaches and tension.

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relax

Now On

CREATE MORE TIME TO

It’s Time To Get The Best For Less

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$49.95 (+ PARTS)

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on select inventory.

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Husqvarna, Exmark, Toro, DR.

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METRO SERVICES

Finding time to relax is an elusive goal for many people. Busy professionals with responsibilities at work and around the house may feel like there’s no way to find a minute or two to exhale.

Fitting relaxation time into a typical day can have a profound impact on a person’s overall health. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, relaxation techniques can help manage a variety of health conditions, including insomnia and anxiety associated with illnesses or medical procedures. Men and women having trouble creating more time to relax each day can try the following techniques.

device-free hour when they do not check updates on their smartphones, tablets and other devices. Use that hour to unwind and avoid potential sources of stress, such as work.

TURN OFF YOUR DEVICES

USE ALL AVAILABLE VACATION TIME

Technology has simplified life in many ways, but the amount of time many people spend on their mobile devices may be robbing them of time to relax. Data from Flurry Analytics found that, in 2016, U.S. consumers spent five hours per day on their mobile devices. People scrambling to find time to relax may benefit by designating at least one hour per day as a

A 2017 study from the job site Glassdoor found that the average U.S. employee who receives paid time off had only taken 54 percent of that time off in the previous 12 months. So it seems that many people not only need to find time to relax, but also need to commit to using the relaxation time they have already earned.

Professionals should make an effort to

HG 4 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, DEC 16, 2017

ALTER YOUR COMMUTE While few might associate mass transportation with relaxation, commuting to work via train or bus can be more relaxing than sitting behind the wheel in a rush hour traffic jam. Use the time on a train or bus to read a book, take a nap or do something else that’s relaxing, such as watching a movie or television show on a tablet.

use all of their available paid time off each year. Taking that time off may even prove beneficial to professionals’ careers, as a 2016 report from Project: Time Off found that workers who took 11 or more vacation days were more likely to have received a raise or bonus in the previous three years than their counterparts who took 10 or fewer days off.

STOP WORKING DURING VACATION The Glassdoor report also found that many workers who are taking time off are still working while on vacation. In fact, two in three employees reported working while on vacation, while more than one in four indicated they were expected to know what was going on in the office while they were away, and even chip in if needed. Men and women who need more time to relax can resolve to leave the office behind when beginning their vacations, informing both their bosses and subordinates that they will not be reachable while away.

Finding time to relax can benefit shortand long-term health and is not as hard as many people may think.

TURNING THE TABLES

How to prepare when grandma comes to your house for the holidays

I NEWSWIRE

f a senior loved one will be jingling all the way to your house this holiday season, a few simple steps can make your home safer and more welcoming. With falls posing a particular threat to older adults, and additional challenges facing those with dementia, Brookdale Senior Living experts say these easy measures can ring in a jollier time for everyone.

“While a fall could happen almost anywhere, being in a less familiar environment can contribute to a senior’s risk,” said Sara Terry, Brookdale’s senior vice president of resident and family engagement. She notes that the CDC reports that falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries to people 65 and above. “They are navigating a layout that’s different than their own home, without the accustomed lighting, and possibly dealing with stairs and other features that could be difficult.

Fortunately, simple solutions you can put in place ahead of time can make a major difference.”

Clear clutter: Remove items lying on the floor; put away accent rugs, and remove or tape down power cords. If you need to keep the mat in your entryway, make sure it is secured with non-slip material. Clear leaves and other debris

from the outside pathways leading to the house.

Add light: Replace soft light bulbs with brighter or higher-wattage bulbs. Add nightlights throughout your home to help the senior see not only during the night, but also on a dark winter day.

Provide one-level accommodations: Select a room on the main floor with easy access to the bathroom, kitchen and living room. Furniture, including the bed and chairs, should be at a comfortable height that’s not too low or high. If stairs must be used, place contrast strips on each step to make it more visible.

Make the bathroom safer: Add nonslip strips in the tub or shower and a shower chair for comfort and ease of use.

food of varying hues, so that meat and vegetables are easy to differentiate.  Serve the meal in a shallow bowl and provide a spoon, rather than using flat plate and a fork. It will be easier for your loved one to maneuver the food against the side of the bowl and into the spoon than manipulate it by fork against the plate.  Reduce possible confusion by cutting down or eliminating centerpieces and other decorations.  Make sure the dining area isn’t too warm or cold and that it’s not overly noisy. A comfortable environment makes it easier and more enjoyable for your senior guest to remain at the table throughout the meal.

In addition to taking these measures, talk with your senior loved ones before they arrive. “Find out what will make them comfortable and relaxed in your home,” Terry said. “Bringing the generations together to celebrate is what the holidays are truly all about and this way, you can enjoy the season to the fullest.”

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is the leading operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The Company is committed to providing senior living solutions primarily within properties that are designed, purpose-built and operated to provide the highest-quality service, care and living accommodations for residents.

OVERCOME DEMENTIA’S DINING CHALLENGES

If you are hosting a guest with dementia for a holiday meal, keep in mind the disease can cause visual and physical changes that have an impact on the dining experience. “As with home preparation, several simple measures can make mealtime easier and more enjoyable for these seniors,” Terry said. 

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Use contrasting colors on the table to help overcome depth-perception issues. Set light-colored plates against a dark tablecloth or vice-versa. Prepare

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AROUND THE HOUSE

Large and small-scale home updates

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Dear Ken: I have a pocket door that’s acting strange. I want to try to adjust it, but do I have to cut sheet rock to get at it?

– Sean

new home seems to be hollow underneath.

There are spaces on the sides and when I hit it with a hammer it sounds like a drum.

The builder wants to add dirt. Is that the best idea?

– Tom

Usually not. Pocket doors are accessed by simply removing one of the wood strips that hides the track overhead. Look up at the top of the door opening and you should see one casing strip screwed and the other nailed in place. Remove the screwed side first. Next remove the vertical strip on that same side of the “hole” the door hides in.

Then, when you pull the door out, you can unhook it from its track and make whatever adjustments or repairs you want.

Chances are your driveway was built over a utility ditch — like the sewer or water line — and that disturbed soil has settled.

Adding dirt at the sides is okay, but it doesn’t do much for the interior of the subsidence, where the heaviest loading occurs. A better way is to inject a concrete slurry (soupy sand and cement) underneath. A mud jacking company can give you a price on this.

KEN MOON

Dear Ken: The concrete driveway at my

Dear Ken: Tell me about water softeners.

I see salt-free, magnetic and potassium. Are they easy to install yourself?

– Jerry

I’m a fan of the traditional sodium ion exchange models. They are reliable, timetested and the least expensive to operate.

You can buy a good softener at any large home center or online for $600 or so.

They are fairly easy to install if you know how to solder pipes — or you could use a PEX (plastic) piping setup. If it’s possible, I recommend that you isolate the cold kitchen faucet pipe so that it remains “hard” water. That way your family, pets and house plants will avoid the extra sodium intake.

Dear Ken: We are thinking about extending the living room 20 feet or so. We are wondering if the scope of this is too much for us regular homeowners.

– Mike That you asked the question indicates

you may not be as familiar with the vagaries of construction as you need to be. An addition as you describe — at least the parts to close it in from the weather — should probably be left to a contractor. You may be able to find a company that will pour the foundation; frame, roof and side the new room; and then leave the inside to you. Once it’s closed in, there’s no hurry, so you can sort of learn as you go and add a lot of “sweat equity” to the project.

A couple of other suggestions to make things go easier: If access is a little tight, consider a post and beam underpinning versus a traditional foundation. That way you won’t have to get excavating equipment and concrete trucks in your yard. Finally, pull the building permit yourself and be extremely careful about advancing money beyond what’s actually in place on your site.

GOREN BRIDGE

WITH BOB JONES ©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Weekly bridge quiz q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

SOuTH 1♣ ?

♠ 10 5 2 ♥ 8 6 5 2 ♦ k q 7 4 ♣ k 9

What call would you make?

Partner opens one no trump, 15-17, and right-hand opponent passes.

What call would you make?

q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A 5 4 ♥ k J 9 6 ♦ k 10 4 ♣ 7 5 4

Two passes to you in third seat. What call would you make? q 3 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ q J 6 ♥ k q 10 7 6 ♦ A 10 3 2 ♣ 5 SOuTH 1♥ ?

WeST NOrTH eAST Pass 3♥* Pass

*10-11 points, four-card support What call would you make?

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HG 6 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, DEC 16, 2017

q 4 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ A q 9 8 5 ♥ k 6 ♦ Void ♣ A J 10 9 6 2

WeST NOrTH eAST Pass 1♦ Pass

♠A32♥Akq72♦k82♣42

As dealer, what call would you make? q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ k J 7 6 ♥ A k 8 4 ♦ k 10 ♣ 10 5 2 SOuTH 1♣ ?

WeST NOrTH eAST Pass 1♦ Pass

What call would you make?

Look for answers on Monday.

(Bob Jones welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001.

E-mail: tcaeditors@tribpub.com)

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, DEC 16, 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, DEC 16, 2017

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey across 4 Went back and forth 1 Overwhelming place for many 5 Business issue country folk 6 Natural history museum 11 Once-a-week mantra objects 15 Early second-millennium style 7 “Ohio” group, initially 16 Modern-day carpe diem 8 Educational placement aids 17 ’80s scandal 9 Double-stuffed holiday dish 18 Pro shop purchase 10 Pro’s call 19 Remove fluff from, perhaps 11 Generally unstressed 20 Blond, in many cases 12 Stiff-legged stride 21 Moved to another table 13 Twitchy 22 Dispatch to the cutting room 14 Chair accessory floor 21 Big name in aluminum history 24 Easy money, in theory 23 Pilot’s ideal outcome?

26 Some retirement purchases 25 MLB stats 27 Pinkberry competitor 29 FedExCup seeker 28 Hardened, as concrete 30 Subject of the biography 29 Layers “Stormy Weather” 32 Make a mild romantic 31 Notwithstanding overture to 32 “Big deal” 33 Eastern way 35 Let out for a time 34 Causes to be 37 Jazz club highlight 36 Anka hit with a Spanish 40 Sail influence 44 Ordinary people 38 Iron-__ 46 One may be educated 39 Era, perhaps 48 Western Wyoming county 41 Place for a pin 49 Revolutionary diplomat Silas 42 Opening 50 Opening stakes 43 Facts and figures 53 “Oh mah __!”

44 Physical pros 56 “Unlikely!”

45 “Right, understood” 57 Banded Wonderland wear 47 Fig. at the state’s courtroom table Friday’s Puzzle Solved 51 “Odyssey” fruit 52 They have small roles 54 Unlike narrators, usually 55 Duty-__ 56 Could conceivably get 58 Hazzard County deputy 59 “Is it safe to talk?”

60 Calls the game 61 Plot markers down 1 Strained, e.g.

2 Large mass 3 Modern box filler

by mort, greg, and Brian walker

hagar The horriBle

moTher gooSe

Tundra

by Chris Browne

by mike Peters

by Chad Carpenter

SATURDAY, DEC 16, 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, DEC 16, 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, DEC 16, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: I have been friends

with three women since we were 13. We are all nearing 50 now. It has always been tradition for us to get together for birthdays and Christmas and exchange gifts.

The past few years, it has been AMY hard for me to afford the gifts.

DICKINSON I’m working multiple jobs and barely keeping up with my bills.

I have told them how difficult it is for me but all they tell me is not to worry about giving anything.

I feel very guilty. I would never feel right about attending one of our get-togethers empty-handed.

I won’t be buying gifts for my family this year. I love these ladies and enjoy their company, but I’m resenting my obligation to buy gifts when we only make time to see each other for these “gift grab” occasions. Should I continue to follow the pattern of giving gifts to them when I really can’t afford it? — Feeling Hopelessly Scroogey Dear Scroogey: You are sounding very resentful over this, and yet you also report that when you have brought up your situation, all of these women tell you not to worry about bringing a gift.

Your inability to drop your feeling of being obligated seems more like a refusal at this point.

These get-togethers do not sound like a “gift grab” to me, and it is unkind of you to refer to these celebrations that way.

In my family of (many) women, we have gradually stopped giving gifts for these occasions, and exchange cards instead. This practice started gradually, and now is a treasured aspect of our birthday lunches. The person being honored goes home with a stack of cards — some homemade, and some from the drugstore rack — and it is awesome.

It is time for you to be brave enough to trust these lifelong friends. What they are telling you is that your friendship is the gift they want to receive. If you give a card, it might inspire your friends to also make a transition away from material giving, but it is important that you respect their choices, too, and receive their generosity with grace and gratitude.

—

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

ADVICE

Why is it that when I’m outside with friends in the winter, it seems I always feel colder than everyone else, DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN even when I am dressed just as warmly? — Carmela V., Syracuse, N.Y. Question:

Answer: Different people’s bodies develop different cold tolerances. Your chilliness boils down to how well your body produces and retains heat.

When you’re in the cold, the network of blood vessels close to your skin’s surface retreats inward so you don’t lose heat. But you end up with cold fingers and toes. Some folks’ blood vessels make a deeper retreat (that may be you). The body tries to help by making you shiver: When muscles contract and release, they create heat. But how much heat you lose depends on lots of factors: Body fat. The more fat right under the skin, the more insulated your body is.

Height. Generally speaking, the taller you are, more skin area your body has. That means more opportunity for heat to escape.

Age. Older bodies are less able to regulate temperature and are more cold-sensitive.

Sex. Vasoconstriction, that retreat of the blood vessels and resulting cold fingers and toes, happens more to women. Fluctuations in menstrual hormones also can make women more sensitive to cold at certain times of the month.

Underlying conditions. It’s possible that hypercoldness may indicate an undiagnosed disorder such as Raynaud’s or an autoimmune condition.

Talk to your doctor, and try building up your tolerance. There’s evidence exposing yourself to the cold for 20 minutes a day and avoiding prolonged stays in warm rooms is effective.

Other research shows that exercising regularly boosts your resting metabolic rate, so your body produces more heat. Start by getting 10,000 steps daily and having two to three weekly sessions of strength building (more muscles, more warmth).

—

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

ADVICE

HINTS FROM HELOISE

Dear Heloise: I am sending this to you, hoping you will print it as a tribute to all men and women in the armed forces who are serving their country this Christmas season, far from home and far from their loved ones. Thank you. — Wilma D., Meyersdale, Pa.

We are indebted to the fine members of the military. We wish all of them and their families the peace and hope this season is all about. — Heloise Dear Heloise: When training my dog, I’ve learned a good hint. If I have to correct her or tell her “no,” it’s best to lower the tone of my voice (deepen my voice) and say a firm “NO,” for example, instead of yelling at the dog.

Yelling excites the dog, and she will think it’s time to “fight back,” but if I lower the tone of my voice, she’ll know I’m displeased. — Holly W. in Indianapolis Holly, wonderful! Along the same lines, praise for the dog should be done in a positive and confident manner, but it shouldn’t be silly or exaggerated. Give a Heloise hug to your pup! — Heloise Dear Heloise: When I wrap my Christmas presents, I use one color of wrapping paper for each child. This saves them from riffling through all the gifts to find theirs.

The same theory works for Easter eggs, too! — Karen in Terre Haute, Ind. Dear Heloise: I read your column daily, and I enjoy all the fantastic hints. I want to share a custom I have started at Christmastime: I began giving a Christmas ornament to each child at birth and up to the age of 20.

They have at least 20 ornaments for their own trees. They comment on them and always show their appreciation.

Merry Christmas to you! — Lonnie B., Warren, Ohio —

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) This is a good time to make your pennies earn more cents. Start projects that need public acceptance or depend upon widespread networking.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) You can be convincing, so act with high-minded convictions. Those in close association may go along with your ideas and proposals like lambs.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.

Overconfidence or arrogance could be your downfall where finances are concerned. It might be better to donate to the local food bank.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) You can be wiser than usual and better equipped to evaluate situations. In communications or a public presentation your straightforwardness and honesty is likely to impress others favorably.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) People will admire your objectivity and business skills. Use every opportunity to change you have done wrong in the past that has curtailed success.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You possess strengths that you can show off in a public venue. You may win someone’s trust or simply prove that you are worthy of a pat on the back. Avoid making impulse purchases.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Inhale the sweet smell of success. The surprising events that you experience could motivate you to think about how to be a better negotiator.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) This is a day when you may learn what is meant by “for love or for money.” You might think something is an act of love and out of consideration of your feelings, but it is really a matter of business.

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, DEC 16, 2017

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) New ideas may light a fire within your soul. You may see distinct possibilities more clearly. This can be a good time to make financial decisions.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Learn all you can about a fascinating subject as it may help you achieve your aims. Collect information for a necessary improvement in your home.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Make your own reality. Spectator sports or watching TV reality shows may bore you to tears. Enjoy an escape from mundane existence by walking in the woods or diving into the pool at the local Y. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Grab a plate if someone offers you food for thought. A ringing phone signals popularity. You might be wise to accept an attractive invitation.

Curb a tendency to spend money too freely.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Dec. 16

Self-confidence and a polished public image makes you a likely candidate for success the next six to eight weeks.

You can receive recognition in your chosen profession or you could use this time to make a successful change. Be sure to keep your promises and don’t ignore the strings attached to a project. In June, your savvy will help you make smart decisions and you can impress people in high places with your sterling credentials.