Vol. 20: #31 • Pain Relief • (7-28-2024) Tidbits of Coachella Valley by Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Tidbits Is Aching To Talk About

by Kathy Wolfe

Itʼs a common affliction experienced by all of us in our journey through life, and unfortunately some of us suffer from the effects of pain more than others. How do we deal with this often agonizing problem? This week Tidbits shares the facts on some causes of painful discomfort and how we cope with it.

• The ancient Egyptians and the Greek physician Hippocrates used the bark of the willow tree to relieve pain. It was effective because of a natural compound known as salicin, one with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Today, it’s an ingredient in aspirin. In 1763, a British clergyman, after chewing on willow bark, experienced relief from fever and shared it with his congregation, reducing symptoms in 50 rheumatic fever cases among the members.

• Aspirin is a salicylate, which works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. In 1853, a German chemist produced acetylsalicylic acid for the first time. But credit for the invention of aspirin has been given to another German scientist named Felix Hoffman, Pain Relief: Turn to page 3

TRIVIA NEWSFRONT

(Answers on page 16)

1. TELEVISION: What is the longest-running talk show on television?

2. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: In terms of letter count, what is the longest month of the year?

3. MOVIES: Which famous action movie is set on Amity Island?

4. SCIENCE: What is heliocentrism?

5. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What kind of horses are featured in Budweiser beer ads?

6. U.S. STATES: Which state’s nickname is “The Land of 10,000 Lakes”

7. FOOD & DRINK: How many goodies are in a baker’s dozen?

8. INVENTIONS: Who invented the battery?

9. LANGUAGE: What does an ampersand symbol signify?

10. GEOGRAPHY: In which desert is Las Vegas, Nevada, located?

Answers

your body

"Fearfully

Headaches are the most common form of chronic, recurring pain. All sorts of factors can contribute to a headache, and this week Tidbits educates you on some of the causes and solutions.

• The official name for a headache is cephalalgia. There are more than 200 different classifications of headaches, ranging from harmless to lifethreatening.

• Primary headaches, which account for 90% of all headaches, are the result of changes to blood vessels, nerves, and chemicals in the brain, with the nerves sending pain signals to the brain. While they can be very painful, they are not dangerous from a physical point of view. Tension headaches are the most common type of the primary variety, affecting about 22% of the population.

• Primary headaches are frequently triggered by lifestyle factors, such as dehydration, fatigue, stress, sleep deprivation, loud noises, lack of physical activity, overexertion, poor posture, alcohol or nicotine use, skipped meals, and even laughing or crying.

• Secondary headaches are caused by another condition, and can be a sign of a potentially life-threatening situation, such as an infection, a head injury, a brain bleed, spinal fluid leakage, or a tumor.

• Those who suffer cluster headaches experience a series of short but very painful headaches for weeks or months at a time. They might only last 15 minutes, but can continue for three hours before they disappear. It’s not unusual to have three a day, while some unfortunate people get them up to eight times a day. Oddly, cluster headaches usually occur at the same time each

year. Facial nerves produce intense pain around one of the eyes that can be even more severe than a migraine. Cluster headaches aren’t as common as migraines, affecting fewer than one in 1,000 people.

• Migraines, a type of primary headache, affect about 12% of the U.S. population. While it’s not exactly clear what causes migraines, changes in the level of the body’s serotonin seem to be a factor. When serotonin dips, blood vessels dilate and the swelling brings on a migraine. They begin with a dull ache, which develops into a constant throbbing and pulsating pain, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise, and can last for at least four hours up to days.

• About 20% of those who have migraines experience aura, visual symptoms that appear just before the migraine attack. It might appear as sparks, flashes of light, wavy lines, tunnel vision, blind spots, and even hallucinations.

• When you have a headache, it might feel like your brain is throbbing, but in fact, the brain itself is not sensitive to pain because it lacks pain receptors. The pain comes from nerves near the muscles and blood vessels of the face, neck, and scalp that do have pain receptors.

• Mild headaches can be treated with over-thecounter remedies. Natural ways to relieve a headache include applying heat or cold packs to the head, doing stretching exercises, a massage of the head or neck, resting in a dark, quiet room, sipping an herbal peppermint tea, and taking a walk. Magnesium supplements have been shown to reduce the number of headaches and migraines.

• Although there are plenty of conventional methods of dealing with headaches, some folk remedies passed down through generations include making a poultice of cornmeal and applying to the temples or swallowing a spider web. Other folklore cures involve putting hair from your comb under a hidden rock, carrying one of your teeth around your neck, or attaching the leaf of a horseradish plant to the head. 

16)

1. “The Tonight Show” debuted in 1954.

and wonderfully made" One in a series

• Bayer introduced the first commerciallyavailable aspirin in 1899, the first mass-marketed drug. The name was derived from “a” for acetyl, “spir” from the spirea plant, which is also a source of salicin, and the suffix “in.”

• Anacin is one of the oldest continuouslymanufactured brands of pain relievers in the U.S. Minnesota chemist William Knight added three other ingredients to the acetylsalicylic acid –acetaphenetidin, quinine sulfate, and caffeine – to create his own remedy, patenting it in 1916. He registered the trademark “Anacin” in 1918. Business didn’t boom for Knight, though, and after making less than $1,000 during 1919, he sold the business and patent.

• Bristol Labs introduced Bufferin in 1948 for the treatment of headaches. Excedrin Extra-Strength followed in 1960, containing acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. Excedrin PM, the first combination headache and sleeping pill product hit the shelves in 1969. Excedrin Migraine, offered in 1998, was the first migraine medication available without a prescription.

• Although it was known that aspirin took care of a headache, it wasn’t until 1971 that scientists knew why. A British scientist named John Vane identified two substances in the body, called prostaglandins, fatty acids that cause swelling and pain and send these messages to the brain. Studies revealed that aspirin was inhibiting the synthesis of these prostaglandins, minimizing their effects. Vane and his colleagues received the Nobel Prize for Medicine in recognition of his work.

• Although aspirin was created as a pain reliever,

it has the added benefit of helping prevent heart attacks. While blood platelets are beneficial in stopping bleeding by forming clots, they can also block blood flow to the heart, triggering a heart attack. They can also block arteries to the brain, causing a stroke. Aspirin lowers the risk for blood clots by making platelets less sticky, preventing the clots from forming.

to create a painkiller that would be suitable for long-term use for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis. Finally in 1961, their team had created a compound they called ibuprofen, and a patent was secured in 1962. After seven years of clinical trials, the drug was approved in the U.K. for prescription use only, marketed by Boots a research chemist for Bayer Industries, who devised a method of synthesizing the acid found in willow bark to produce a pain reliever.

• The Tylenol brand was introduced in 1955 by a pair of brothers who owned McNeil Laboratories. Widely known overseas as paracetamol, in North America it’s referred to as acetaminophen. While Tylenol is effective for easing pain and lowering a fever, it is not an anti-inflammatory medication, such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen.

• In 1982, seven people died in the Chicago area after taking Tylenol that had been deliberately laced with cyanide. More than 31 million bottles of Extra Strength Tylenol tablets were pulled back, one of the first major product recalls in U.S. history. As a result, the world’s first tamperresistant capsules were created, and labeled Tylenol Gelcaps. Triple-sealed containers were also introduced within ten weeks of the recall, with other manufacturers following Tylenol’s launch.

Women are three times more likely to get migraines, most commonly occuring in the ages between 35 and 45. One in four American households has a migraine sufferer. Those with chronic migraines experience them at least 15 days of each month for at least six months of the year.

• The Tylenol tragedy cost the company upwards of $100 million. To date, the murderer has never been found, and a $100,000 reward for the capture remains unclaimed.

• Opioids are found naturally in the opium poppy plant, with some prescription drugs made directly from the plant, while others are manufactured in the lab using the same chemical structure. Opioids attach to and activate receptors on cells of the brain, spinal cord, and other organs, and block pain signals sent from the brain.

• Because opioids target areas of pain and pleasure, they can make people feel very relaxed and “high,” leading to recreational use and abuse. Examples of opioids include morphine, codeine, oxycodone, fentanyl, hydrocodone, and heroin. While low doses are used to treat severe pain, misuse can cause hypoxia, a slowing down of breathing and heart rate, resulting in too little oxygen reaching the brain. The outcome can be psychological and neurological damage, including coma, permanent brain damage or, most frequently, death.

LeGrave

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs for short, are those that relieve pain, fever, and decrease inflammation. In 1953, a pharmacist and a chemist employed by Britain’s Boots Pure Drug Company began research Week of July 28,

NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE

While the lack of physical activity can lead to a headache, so can working out too hard. Intense exercise can inflame the blood vessels in the head, increasing blood pressure in the skull, causing what is called an exertion headache. Exercising in hot and humid weather increases the chance of exertion headaches, as does working out at high altitudes.

1. What is the generic term for the over-the-counter pain reliever Aleve?

2. Aspirin is not suitable for people with ________.

Rolfing in the Desert 1/8 pg BW 6x disc. July 21, 2024 Vol. 20 - No. 30

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By Lucie Winborne

* Venus is the only planet to spin clockwise.

* Around 600 B.C., a Greek athlete by the name of Protesilaus threw a discus 152 feet from a standing position. His record remained unbroken for over 2,000 years, until Clarence Houser threw a discus 155 feet in 1928.

* The nursery rhyme “Humpty Dumpty” doesn’t state that Humpty Dumpty was an egg.

* In the 1950s, Quaker Oats devised a clever marketing scheme in which the company bought 19.11 acres in the Yukon, divided them into 21 million parcels of just a square inch apiece, and included deeds to the tiny plots in boxes of Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice.

* A game of bridge contains 53,644,73 7,765,488,792,839,237,440,000 possible ways in which the cards can be dealt.

* To encourage his fellow Norsemen to settle a large, snow-and-ice-covered island he discovered in the year 982, Eric the Red called it Greenland. The ploy worked.

* Niagara Falls is slowly eroding by 1 to 2 feet per year. Since their formation some 10,000 years ago, the falls have already withdrawn 7 miles upstream, and if that rate continues, they should meet up with Lake Erie, about 20 miles from their present site, within the next 35,000 years.

* In movies and television, scientists are more likely to suffer a violent death than members of any other profession.

* The lead-acid battery, the type most commonly used in cars, was invented by Martha C. Weston, who patented it in 1859 when she was only 17 years old.

* Lemons float, but limes sink. ***

Tell them you saw their ad in Tidbits! advertisers, Tell the advertisers you saw their ad in Tidbits!

Thought for the Day: “I believe ambition is not a dirty word. It’s just believing in yourself and your abilities. Imagine this: What would happen if we were all brave enough to be a little bit more ambitious? I think the world would change.”

-- Reese Witherspoon

Everyday CHEAPSKATE®

by Mary Hunt

Potatoes in the Dishwasher? Let the Debate Commence!

DEAR CHEAPSKATE: I am an avid walker/cyclist living in Vancouver, British Columbia. This is a beautiful province famous for its rain. I need advice on how to best waterproof my expensive nylon/suede hiking boots and a jacket. Thank you. -- Meg

Everyday CHEAPSKATE®

by Mary Hunt

DEAR CHEAPSKATE: I’m writing in response to a past column in which you gave a tip on washing loads of dirty potatoes. As a first thought, it may sound like a good idea to put your potatoes through a dishwasher cycle to clean them. Two reasons it’s a bad idea:

1) In a well-maintained dishwasher, there will be “clearing agent” like Jet-Dry that will be introduced in the rinse, and 2) the food filter has trapped food. Dishwashers were never designed to wash food for human consumption. Terrible idea. There are always residual chemicals left behind. Check with the manufacturer. I’m sure they never intended their dishwasher to be used as a food prep device. -- Robert, email

Dear Robert: Points well taken. However, isn’t the purpose of a dishwasher to sanitize and present dishes, glasses and utensils clean and ready to handle food for human consumption?

If, as you posit, the potatoes get coated with a rinse agent, wouldn’t the dishes come out that way, too? If the rinse agent is properly removed from the dishes at the end of the rinse cycle, wouldn’t the potatoes get the same treatment? If a rinse product like Jet-Dry were toxic, would any of us be comfortable using it to clean the glasses we drink from and utensils we eat with?

As for the food filter, my common sense dictates that thing should be cleaned routinely, like every day. But if not, isn’t that residual food being sanitized with water temps of 140 F (recommended temperature by dishwasher and detergent manufacturers) each time we run that appliance?

That being said (can you tell I love a good debate?), I trust my readers will take all of this under advice and carefully consider your points before dishwashing a big load of spuds.

Dear Meg: There are lots of so-called waterproofing products out there. In my experience and research, the best (don’t even consider others because they do not work well) is KIWI Boot Waterproofer for anything made of leather or fabric, including boots, tents, tarps, sleeping bags, backpacks, hunting and any other rugged outdoor camping gear, including materials like Gore-Tex -- but NOT for suede leather. It simply will not waterproof suede. For suede leather, you must use KIWI Suede & Nubuck Waterproofer.

I am unclear if your jacket is also suede or only your hiking boots, so chances are pretty good you will need both.

Both products carry a very strong odor when applied, and both become completely odorless and invisible once dried and cured. Provided you follow the label instructions carefully, you will be amazed and thrilled with the outcome. These products are available online, or there’s a chance you may find them at a good shoe repair store near you.

DEAR CHEAPSKATE: I recall reading in a past column about your favorite kitchen trashcan. And now I can’t put my hands on that information. Could you please give me that again? -- Theresa, email

Dear Theresa: Sure thing! That column featured photos of my Simplehuman 30-liter/8gallon round step trashcan. But I do not use the Simplehuman trash bags (so expensive!). I use 13-gallon white kitchen trash bags I get at Costco, but similar ones are readily available in most grocery or supermarkets.

I gather the cinching ties enough so the bag fits the can tightly, then pull them through hole in the back of the inner liner. You’ll understand once you take a look at that Simplehuman product, which you can see when you do an online search.

Hope that helps! * * *

Remember: You read it in tidbits!

DON’T FORGET!

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For the record, I contacted the folks at Finish, who manufacture Jet-Dry, about this issue. Not only do they tell me that washing potatoes in the dishwasher is one of their favorite dishwasher hacks, but they also recommend steaming salmon that you’ve first wrapped in foil!

Thanks for forcing all of us to bone up on our critical thinking.

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate. com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”

We all know they “melt in your mouth, not in your hand,” but what else do you know about one of our favorite treats, M&Ms? Follow along as Tidbits dishes out some fast facts for you.

• These sweet little morsels take their name from the two men who introduced them; Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie. Forrest Mars was the son of the founder of the Mars candy company, the folks that today produce Milky Way, Snickers, and Three Musketeers.

• Forrest had a bitter falling-out with his father and headed to England to strike out on his own in the candy business. On a visit to Spain in the midst of their civil war, Mars saw soldiers eating chocolate candies that were coated with a hard shell. When he returned to the U.S. he devised and patented a process for making his own chocolate candies. He began production in 1941 in Newark, New Jersey.

• Mars decided to seek a financial partner and contacted Bruce Murrie, the son of the president

of Hershey’s chocolate company, who also happened to be at odds with his own father. The two formed an immediate friendship and joined forces to produce the candy treats they named M&Ms, using Hershey’s chocolate as the filler.

• When M&Ms were first released, they were sold only to the U.S. military, and were included in soldier rations packaged in a cardboard tube. It wasn’t until 1948 that the candy became available to the general public, packaged in the now-familiar brown plastic bag.

• But by 1949 the two gentlemen were differing in their opinion of how the company should be headed. Mars bought out Murrie’s 20% stake for $1 million and became the sole owner.

• From 1941 to 1949, the five colors of M&Ms were red, yellow, green, brown, and violet. In 1949, violet was discontinued and replaced with tan.

• When a 1970s health study linked the red food dye amaranth, also referred to as Red Dye No. 2, to cancer in humans, it produced a public scare. Even though red M&Ms didn’t contain the substance, Mars discontinued the red candies in 1976 and replaced them with orange. Finally, when red M&Ms were reintroduced in 1987, the orange candies were kept, bringing the number of colors up to six.

• In 1995, Mars decided that having both tan and brown candies in the bag was redundant. They ran a consumer voting campaign to choose a new color to replace it. The promotion asked consumers to select pink, purple, or blue to replace tan M&Ms. After garnering 54% of the votes, blue won. The Mars Company promoted the winning color by having the Empire State Building illuminated in blue.

• The candies didn’t always have the familiar M&M stamp on them. There was no stamp on M&Ms until 1950 when the logo was added in black lettering. In 1954, the switch was made to white lettering. That was also the year that their famous slogan, “Melts in your mouth, not in your hand” made its debut, as well as the introduction of M&Ms peanut chocolate candies.

• There are only two U.S. factories that produce M&Ms, one in Cleveland, Tennessee, and the other in Hackettstown, New Jersey. Between the two, it’s estimated that between 400 and 600 million M&Ms are produced daily. It takes

10 to 12 hours to create a bag of the candies.

• M&Ms became the first candy to go into space after being chosen by NASA in 1981.

• In case youʼre wondering, the average bag contains 30% brown, 20% yellow, 20% red, and 10% each of green, orange, and blue. One M&M has about 5 calories. 

by Dana Jackson

Q: Is it true that Mandy Patinkin is returning to “Criminal Minds”? Wasn’t he on the first season, then got replaced? -- K.K.

A: Mandy Patinkin lasted two full seasons on the hit crime drama “Criminal Minds” before choosing to depart early on in season three. He had an issue with the moral content of the show, saying that he never thought they were going to conduct such violent acts against women “every night, every day, week after week, year after year.” He told New York Magazine, “It was very destructive to my soul and my personality.”

He was worried that he wouldn’t be hireable again, but he was soon cast on the Showtime drama “Homeland,” where he was nominated for an Emmy on four separate occasions.

Joe Mantegna filled the void left by Patinkin when he joined “Criminal Minds” in season three. The show ended on CBS in 2020 after 15 seasons, and a spin-off, “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” emerged on Paramount+, with Mantegna and several other cast members of the OG series.

As for Patinkin, you might be confused by the news that he’s guest-starring on a couple of episodes of an upcoming new series called “Brilliant Minds.” Zachary Quinto (“Heroes”) stars as a neurologist named Dr. Oliver Wolf, who is based on the famed physician and author Dr. Oliver Sacks.

In “Brilliant Minds,” Quinto’s Dr. Wolf leads a team of interns at a fictional Bronx hospital “as they explore the last great frontier -- the human mind -- while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.” It will air on NBC beginning Monday, Sept. 23, at 10 p.m. ET.

***

Q: Is Justin Hartley’s new show coming back with new episodes this fall? I still miss “This Is Us,” but I’m happy if he’s on my TV regardless. -- D.A.

A: Yes, there will be a sophomore season of “Tracker” on the CBS fall schedule, but not until Oct. 27. Justin Hartley returns as an “experienced survivalist” who travels the country using his skills to help solve crimes, including missing persons cases.

Jensen Ackles (“Supernatural”) will be returning for a few episodes. He was introduced later in the first season as Hartley’s brother. Melissa Roxburgh (“Manifest”) is also expected to return as another sibling. So, in a way, you’re getting to see Hartley in another family drama. It might not be the same as “This Is Us,” but perhaps it’ll do.

***

Q: Is “Severance” ever returning to Apple TV+? I know it was delayed, but I thought they started filming again. -- D.J.

A: Yes, the second season of “Severance” will premiere on Apple TV+ on Jan. 17, 2025. It’s still a long way off, but it’ll give you plenty of time

to rewatch the complex but gripping first season, in case you’ve forgotten all of the intricate details. Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry and John Turturro will all be back as the severed workers, along with some new faces like Bob Balaban (“The Chair”), Gwendoline Christie (“Game of Thrones”), and Alia Shawkat (“Arrested Development”).

* * *

Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

Mandy Patinkin (“Criminal Minds”)

Courtesy of Hulu

Pork, Pineapple and Red Onion Kebabs

A little brown sugar brings out the natural sweetness of the pineapple and the pork, and the bite of red onion gives these grilled skewers a lively kick.

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons olive oil

Kosher salt

Pepper

1 1/2 pound pork loin, cut into pieces

1 medium red onion

1/2 small pineapple

1. Heat grill to medium-high. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, chili powder,

cumin, 2 teaspoons oil and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the pork and toss to combine.

2. Cut the onion into 8 wedges, then cut each wedge in half. In a medium bowl, combine the onion, pineapple and the remaining tablespoon oil.

3. Thread the pork, onion and pineapple onto the skewers and grill, turning occasionally, until the pork is cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

Shrimp Sweet Corn Grits

Adding sweet corn puts a fresh summer spin on classic shrimp and grits.

6 cups fresh corn kernels

4 slices thick-cut bacon

1 leek (white and light green part only)

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

3 tablespoons olive oil

Kosher salt

Pepper

1/4 cup fresh basil

20 large peeled and deveined shrimp

1 pinch smoked paprika

1. In a food processor, pulse 3 cups corn until almost smooth, about 1 minute. Add the remaining 3 cups and pulse twice just to combine.

2. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 3 to

5 minutes. Add the leek and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes; transfer the leek-bacon mixture to a bowl.

3. Wipe out skillet and melt butter with 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add corn mixture, 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, just until heated through, about 3 minutes. Stir in leek-bacon mixture and basil.

4. In a second large skillet, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Season the shrimp with paprika (if using) and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook, in a single layer, until golden brown and opaque throughout, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Serve with the corn grits. Serves 4.

For hundreds of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipes/.

NEXT WEEK in

TIDBITS ROCKS WITH

7/28 World Hepatitis

7/29 National Chicken Wing Day

7/30 Father-In-Law Day

7/31 National Avocado Day

8/1 Respect For Parents Day

8/2 National Water Balloon Day

8/3 National Watermelon Day

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

By Matthew Margolis

If It Looks Like a Dog...

Perhaps you’ve heard the expression: If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.

Anyway, that’s writer Douglas Adams’ version of the line. The point is, things usually are what they seem, notwithstanding physical evidence to the contrary. The key is to treat them as such.

This cuts to the core of our relationships with our dogs. Understanding that your dog is a dog is the solid slab of concrete on which the rest of your relationship is built. Understanding what it means that your dog is a dog is our first priority as responsible dog owners.

The vast majority of the people who call me for help with their dog problems are actually, themselves, the real problem.

They refer to their dogs as their baby, their sweetheart, their cutie pie -- terms usually reserved for a romantic partner. And yes, women are more guilty than men of anthropomorphizing their dogs.

Dog commands from these people sound a little something like: “Don’t do that.” “Don’t sniff there.” “Don’t you run away from me.” None of which is decipherable to a dog.

This type of dog owner calls me because they’re convinced their dog is angry that they have to go to work in the morning, or he’s upset about their upcoming move to a new city, or he’s jealous because she’s started seeing someone new. Would you ask a horse whether he was content with his new stall? Why is it any different with a dog?

When most people bring a dog home, he becomes a full-fledged member of the family. He’s lovingly welcomed into the nest, where he remains for about 15 years. As it should be. But he’s still a dog.

A woman called me recently to discuss her dog, who sleeps in her bed. “Why does he growl when I move around?” she asked. Because he thinks it’s his bed. He’s no longer being treated as a dog, he’s now confused, and here comes the

Corner:

(CryptoQuip Solution on page 14)

SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles © King Features Synd., Inc.

Downgrading to a Simpler Phone

Tired of having a fancy cellphone with all the bells and whistles that are confusing to use? Want a phone that makes a call, takes a call, snaps a few pictures and sends text messages, minus all the fancy apps that you never use and are not interested in learning how to master them? You're definitely not alone, and you can include me in this group.

When I turn on my cellphone I'm overwhelmed by all the app logos that clutter my screen. Rows and rows of these things are displayed, available features that I either do not use, cannot use or will not use.

The “location finder” that will pinpoint where I am is a bit scary. It could be a very handy feature if I happen to be lost, but it's also a signal that "Big Brother" is watching. The ability to surf the internet and read email via a phone is lost for me if I can’t even read the tiny screen.

A phone with a “digital wallet” that keeps credit card info and allows purchases right from

The Art of DESIGN

by Joseph Publillones

Bamboozled

Bamboo, rattan, reed, cane and wicker have been around since the beginning of civilization. There is historical evidence of these natural grasses being used for household goods since 8000 B.C. From Egypt to China, samples have been found, all claiming to be the oldest pieces furniture and accessories in existence. Indisputably, ancient baskets and containers are a part of the history of mankind throughout the world due to their daily use.

Furniture of wood and grasses span civilizations from Mesopotamia to ancient Rome and Greece. Initially, furniture was enjoyed by kings and the upper classes as a form of art. Designs were made to show off the strength and quality of the weavers and furniture makers. As the material was easily grown in Japan, China and the Philippines, bamboo and rattan furniture were widely used in Asian furniture.

the phone just sounds risky to me. And do I really want a “health” feature that stores my data?

I guess my age is showing here, but I also know I'm among a large number of seniors who still hang onto "old school" thinking and would prefer a dumbed-down version that just has the basics. But we're not alone. Many in the younger generations are getting burned out on the fancy (expensive) smartphones and being on social media for too many hours every day. They’re opting for what they call the cheaper “dumb” phones that only have basic features, and, especially, cheaper data plans.

That’s not to say all of the non-smartphones will be suitable. There’s a drawback on some with the keyboard where three letters are assigned to each key. To type a “c” in a text message, you need to hit that key three times. Others, however, have the QWERTY keyboard, just like a computer. And some of those phones do have internet access and email.

If you’d like to consider leaving the world of fancy, expensive cellphones behind, make a list of the features you absolutely need to have. There’s sure to be a less-expensive minimalist phone out there just for you.

* * *

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@ gmail.com.

elaborated.

Caning is quite popular in tropical furniture. Cane is produced by shaving off the layers from bamboo and weaving the material into patterns. Everything from rocking chairs to chaise lounges have used caning as a lightweight yet durable material that has the added benefit of allowing air to flow through it. This makes it the material perfect for hot climates.

In the Western world, bamboo and rattan furniture became popular during the Victorian era as travel to Asia became accessible via passenger ships. Well-heeled travelers became fascinated with the sturdy yet light nature of these crafty creations. These became the preferred furniture of loggias and sleeping porches. They became accents to the global and eclectic decor of the times.

Fast-forward several decades, to the 1930s and ‘40s, as Hollywood studios began filming movies that were set in faraway locations. Bamboo and rattan furniture became quite popular on movie sets. They evoked an exotic air of travel, and the materials lent themselves to curvaceous designs that foiled well with the streamlined designs of the art deco and moderne styles of architecture.

trouble.

Although sometimes the terms “bamboo” or “rattan” are both used to describe any casual wood furniture, there is a great difference between both materials. Bamboo is from the grass family, and it is hollow and unbendable, whereas rattan is a type of palm tree, and its core is solid and therefore can be bent and woven into intricate designs. “Wicker” is a term to describe the process where slim strands of bamboo or rattan are woven around wood or metal frames. Wickerwork was highly coveted because of the extravagant shapes, especially curves that could be

To this day, posh places from Beverly Hills to Palm Beach seem to enjoy the relaxed sense of luxury that these crafted furnishings bring. Vintage bamboo that harkens back to tiki huts and tall cocktails are all a part of the lore and are considered highly collectible. Even in contemporary interiors, these quirky pieces are great accents that can bring a special touch to the most austere interior and make you feel “bamboozled.”

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida.

If you treat your dog like a dog, love your dog like a dog and train your dog to be the best dog he can be, you won’t confuse him -- or yourself.

If you’re going to bring a dog into your home, into your life, you need to understand canine behavior. You need to educate yourself first, then your dog, in order to bridge the communication gap.

Living with a dog when you have little to no understanding of canine behavior and when neither of you has been taught to effectively communicate with the other is like traveling in a country where you don’t speak the language: stressful at times and not nearly as fun as it would be otherwise.

But the saddest part of turning your dog into a person is that you inevitably lose sight of the dog. He becomes a surrogate child or a surrogate friend or a surrogate lover instead of the wonderful dog he is.

Woof! Cody’s Corner (from page 9)

* * *

Dog trainer Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis is the co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and the host of the PBS series “WOOF! It’s a Dog’s Life!” Read all of Uncle Matty’s columns at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com. COPYRIGHT

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

by Tom Margenau

Senior Citizens Who Become Disabled

Disability benefits for senior citizens: It’s a topic I’ve written about before. But because older folks are always asking me about getting disability benefits from Social Security, I don’t mind updating the column every year or so.

First, here are some ground rules that vary depending on your age. If you are over your full retirement age, forget about it. Once you reach that age, disability benefits are no longer payable. To put that another way: The retirement benefit you are getting pays the same rate as any disability benefits you might be due.

If you are under age 62 and disabled, then you should definitely file for Social Security disability. There is information about how to do that later in this column.

If you are over 62 and not yet on Social Security, then you should file for retirement and disability benefits at the same time. The Social Security Administration can start your retirement payments right away. If your disability claim is eventually approved, they will switch you to the higher disability rate.

But if you are between age 62 and your full retirement age and already getting Social Security retirement benefits, you may or may not want to file for extra disability payments. Or to be more precise, the closer you are to your full retirement age, the smaller your disability boost will be -- and you may decide it’s just not worth all the hassle.

That’s because your disability rate (normally equal to your full retirement age benefit) must be reduced for every month you’ve already received a Social Security retirement check. And you will eventually reach a point where you simply gain very little by filing for Social Security disability.

Here is a quick example of that. Sam filed for retirement benefits at age 62. His benefit was reduced roughly one-half of 1% for each month he was under his full retirement age of 67. So he is getting 70% of his FRA rate. At 66, he had a heart attack. If he files for disability benefits and his claim is approved, his regular disability rate -again, equal to his FRA benefit -- must be reduced by about one-half of 1% for each month he’s already received a retirement benefit. At age 66, he’s received 48 retirement checks, so his disability rate must be cut by about 24%. So instead of a 100% disability rate, he’d get about 76%. Sam would have to decide if it is worth all the hassle of filing for disability just to get bumped up from his current 70% rate to 76%.

I’ve used the phrase “all the hassle” twice already. Let me tell you what the hassle is by giving you a quick rundown of the Social Security disability application process.

First, you will fill out a bunch of papers. The primary one is a form that asks you to describe your disability and how it prevents you from working. That latter point is the key. The rules say you don’t get disability benefits simply because you have some kind of physical or mental impairment. Instead, the law says that to get disability, you must have a physical or mental impairment that keeps you from working. So you must describe in detail how your disability prevents you from doing your job.

That form also asks you to list your medical providers. The government can’t make a decision about your case without having the evidence to back up your claim. So make sure you thoroughly

list the names, addresses, phone numbers and any other contact information you have for every doctor, hospital, clinic or other medical professional from whom you’ve received treatment.

The Social Security Administration contracts out disability decisions to an agency in each state that is staffed with doctors and other medically trained personnel. They are the folks who decide if you meet the legal definition of “disability” for Social Security purposes. In a nutshell, the rules say your impairment must be one that will keep you from doing any kind of work for which you are suited and one that is expected to last at least 12 months.

There is a pretty good chance you will be asked to go to a Social Security doctor for additional evaluation. Make sure you don’t miss that appointment.

Your disability claim will usually take about three months to process. If it’s approved, you’ll start getting disability checks six months after they say your disability began. (That six-month waiting period is built into the law.)

If your claim is denied, you will have to decide if it is worth it to appeal that decision. If you decide to do that, the first appeal is usually just a review of your case by the state agency that made the first decision. If your claim is denied again, then you can file for a hearing before a Social Security judge. Because of backlogs, those hearings can take a year or more to set up.

By the way, the “word on the street” is that all disability claims are denied the first time and that it takes a year or more to get a final decision. That’s just not true. About 35% of all disability claims are approved the first time in the aforementioned three-month window. Another 15% or so are approved after the first appeal. It’s only those claims that end up in the hearing judge’s backlog that take a long time to process.

Do you need a lawyer to handle your disability claim? Quick answer: not right away. You certainly don’t need legal help to file a disability claim or to file for the first review if the claim is denied. But if you find yourself heading for a hearing before an SSA judge, many folks feel more comfort-

1. The book of 2 Samuel is found in the a) Old testament b) New testament c) Neither

2. In Luke 21, what shall they see the Son of man coming in? a) Chariot b) Cloud c) Whirlwind d) Great flames of fire

3. Who distributed to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat and a raisin cake? a) Saul b) Solomon c) David d) Jonathan

4. From Exodus 4, who did the Lord provide to Moses as his mouthpiece? a) Noah b) Jethro c) Aaron d) Joshua

5. To whom did the Word of the Lord say, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city"? a) Jonah b) Noah c) Abraham d) Lot

6. In Psalms 22:14, what did the psalmist say his heart was like? a) Water b) Tears c) Bitters d) Wax

Sharpen your understanding of scripture with Wilson Casey's latest book, "Test Your Bible Knowledge," now available in stores and online.

(Answers on page 16) For comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com

able having a lawyer there to represent them. Just be aware that they are usually going to take about 25% of any back pay benefits you receive if they win the case for you.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net. To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Estate Planning Attorney

“Don’t

Debilitating Menstrual Pain Might Be Due to Endometriosis

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a woman who has had terrible experiences with menstruation. I’ve probably seen two dozen different gynecologists, and I complained to every one of them about my painful periods. Not even a painkiller was prescribed.

Most of them seem to think that debilitating pain is part of being female. This pain is so bad that it is incapacitating. I’ve missed work and school because of it. I would throw up anything that I tried to eat or drink for a full day. It drives me nuts that everyone can empathize with a migraine headache, but no one has empathy for someone with menstrual cramps.

Once, I told the nurse practitioner that I had a really painful episode, and she asked, “Why didn’t you come into the office? You might have ruptured something.” Had I come into the office, it would have required an ambulance. By then, I had heard about endometriosis. I asked her if she thinks I have it, and she said, “Oooh, you probably do. You’d have to get laparoscopic surgery to know.”

Well, that would have been great to know 40 years ago. I could have gotten the surgery and spared myself years of agonizing pain. Did I explain myself incorrectly all those times when talking to my doctors? It’s too late for me (thankfully, I’m past all this), but please help us learn how to talk to our doctors in order to get through to them. These are not your garden-variety cramps that can be treated with Midol. -- S.N.

ANSWER: I am very sorry to hear of your experiences, and I’m glad you have written to try to help others avoid this outcome. While it is true that most women have discomfort during menstruation, some women experience a lot more than discomfort, and what you had is not typical at all for dysmenorrhea.

When a woman has pain that doesn’t respond to the first-line treatments, such as a heating pad and regular exercise, most primary care doctors, including gynecologists, consider pain medication as well as a trial of hormone treatment (such as combined oral contraceptives -- “birth control pills”). I’m honestly surprised you weren’t ever recommended these treatments, even though I have heard horrific stories of pelvic pain being ignored before.

If pain medication and hormone treatment are inadequate, it’s time for a primary care doctor like me to refer the patient to a specialist. The specialists I choose are gynecologists who have special expertise and training in pelvic pain. They consider multiple reasons for this persistent pain, including adenomyosis, fibroids and endometriosis.

With endometriosis, there are lesions outside the uterus near the ovaries, pelvic ligaments, bladder, or the lining of the pelvic wall in the cul-de-sac (an anatomical structure in the pelvis). Just like the endometrial tissue in the

uterus, these lesions outside the uterus react to hormone levels, and at the time of menstruation, they can typically cause pain or pressure, bowel or bladder issues, painful sex, fatigue, and other symptoms.

While I can’t be sure that you had endometriosis, it is the most likely diagnosis. The diagnosis is often supported by an ultrasound, not usually by surgery at first. Medical treatments for endometriosis (such as GnRH-analogue drugs or aromatase inhibitors) are generally preferred to surgery, but surgery is still necessary sometimes.

I am concerned about your having seen two dozen gynecologists. One should have been enough to treat you with increasing levels of aggressiveness. I’d advise women in your situation to seek out a gynecologist with expertise in pelvic pain.

* * *

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

VETERANS POST  

by Freddie Groves

Blue Angels

Did you ever see the Blue Angels perform when you were younger? There’s something about their fantastic flight demonstration show that can make a kid out of any of us -- again.

I had the opportunity to see the Blue Angels again recently. Even at my age, and knowing the maneuvers were going to be perfectly executed, I held my breath during the Opposing Solos, when two F/A-18 Hornets approach each other on what appears to be a collision course, passing belly to belly with only inches to spare.

My personal favorite, though, in spite of the carefully choreographed maneuvers of the Hornets, is the awe-inspiring Fat Albert, a hefty Lockheed-Martin C-130T Hercules. Fat Albert is deceptively agile despite its huge size. With solidfuel rockets attached to the back of this monstrous warrior, Fat Albert can quickly climb to 1,000 feet on takeoff in just 15 seconds.

Here are a few Blue Angels tidbits you should find interesting:

* Did you know they were named after a bar? They were originally called the “Navy Flight Exhibition Team” until a team member made a trip to New York and saw a magazine ad for a nightclub called Blue Angel. He immediately liked the sound of it. He suggested the name to the rest of the team and it was unanimously voted to adopt it as their permanent moniker.

* They’ve gone through a number of different planes since their inception in 1946: Hellcat, Bearcat, Panther, Cougar, Tiger, Phantom II, Skyhawk, and the F/A-18 Hornet that has been used since 1986.

* In spite of the speeds reached, the pilots don’t use G-suits to keep blood from pooling in the legs (which causes the pilot to black out momentarily). Instead, the pilots train to rely on their own muscle contractions to keep blood flowing.

There are only two more shows in November, when the season ends, but plenty of time to plan next year’s vacation around a breath-taking Blue Angels show in 2025. Make a point to take a kid (or two or three) with you -- of any age.

* * *

Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.

M.D.

by Jim Miller

How Extreme Heat Affects Seniors: Tips to Stay Safe

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: I work for a county health department and every summer we’re seeing more and more seniors get sick and even die from heat-related illiness. Can you write an awarness piece on the affects extreme heat has on older adults, and what they can do to guard against this summertime risk. Thanks for helping keep seniors safe! --Health Advocate

Dear Advocate: Happy to oblige! Most people don’t realize that each year, extreme summertime heat kills more people in the U.S. than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined. While extreme heat can be deadly for anyone, older adults are uniquely vulnerable because of three key factors: biological changes that occur with age; higher rates of age-related diseases; and greater use of medications that can alter the body’s response to heat.

Here’s how to gauge the risk for a heatrelated illness for you or an older loved one and how to stay safe.

How Heat Affects Seniors

The human body has two main mechanisms to cool itself: sweating and increasing blood flow to the skin. In older adults, both of those processes are compromised. Seniors

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sweat less and they have poor circulation compared with younger people.

Chronic health conditions that are more common in old age, most notably cardiovascular disease and diabetes, can also exacerbate these issues. A diseased heart isn’t able to pump as much blood, further reducing blood flow to the skin. And if the nerves become affected in people with diabetes, the body might not receive the message that it needs to start sweating.

As people age, they also stop feeling as thirsty and so they tend to drink less fluids. In hot conditions, that can cause them to become dehydrated faster.

In addition, some older adults, particularly if they have some form of dementia or cognitive decline, may not perceive temperature changes as well. As a result, they won’t respond appropriately to heat, both biologically (through sweating) and behaviorally (by moving to someplace cool).

Finally, certain medications many seniors take like diuretics and other high blood pressure drugs can affect hydration, blood flow and even the sweat response. It is wise to ask your doctor about any medications you’re taking that may produce these results in hot weather.

How to Stay Safe

On excessively hot days, older adults and people with serious health conditions should limit outdoor activities to only the cooler mornings and evenings. The need to take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water even if they aren’t feeling thirsty. Listen to your body. If the activity starts to feel harder than normal, that’s a warning signal to stop and find a place to cool down.

Signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion include dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, flushed face, a racing heart or feeling lethargic. Low energy is especially important to watch out for in people with cognitive impairment, who may not realize how hot they are or be able to express it.

If heat exhaustion worsens to a heatstroke, it becomes a life-threatening emergency.

While older adults face unique challenges in hot conditions, the ways to cool down are the same for any age. If you or a loved one start to experience any of the above symptoms, the best thing you can do is to go somewhere that has air-conditioning. If AC isn’t available in the home,

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check if there’s a local cooling center.

In the absence of air-conditioning, water is extremely helpful in reducing the risk for heat-related injury. Rubbing an ice cube or cold compress over your skin, spraying yourself with cool water or taking a cool shower or bath can also help.

visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at CDC.gov/extreme-heat

by Anne McCollam

Gingerbread House Is a Treasure

Q: This is a picture of a Victorian house cookie jar that I bought in San Francisco in 1978 and paid $35 for it. It was made by Treasure Craft and is in perfect condition. It is brown with yellow trim and measures 12 inches tall by 8 inches wide by 5 inches deep. I have found many Treasure Craft cookie jars online, but cannot find this one.

I have been wondering if it has increased in value since 1978.

value?

A: Heiress, Patty Hurst, was kidnapped in 1974 by the Symbionese Liberation Army. She was held hostage and eventually became part of the group. Hearst was arrested after taking part in a bank robbery. President Jimmy Carter commuted her sentence, and later President William Clinton gave her a presidential pardon.

If your poster only features Hearst, it would probably be worth $75 to $125. If it includes a group of the SLA and Hearst, it would probably be in the $200 to $400 range. * * *

Q: This mark is on the bottom of a porcelain hot chocolate pot that belonged to my great-grandmother. It is tall and narrow, has a lid and is decorated with multi-colored blossoms. The background is white with shades from pale green to aqua. It has been sitting in my china cabinet for years and is in perfect condition.

What can you tell me about it?

* On July 29, 1958, in response to the Soviet Union’s launch of its first satellite, Sputnik I, the U.S. Congress passed legislation establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the civilian agency responsible for coordinating America’s activities in space.

* On July 30, 1966, a three-chord tune penned by Chip Taylor (aka James Voight, brother of actor Jon Voight) called “Wild Thing” became a No. 1 hit for The Troggs. Interestingly, royalties earned from the song, which neither its writer or singer took seriously, enabled the lead singer to research and become an expert on the phenomenon of crop circles.

* On July 31, 1999, Linda Tripp, the only person involved in the impeachment proceedings against President Bill Clinton to face criminal charges, was indicted for illegal phone tapping after a 13-month investigation.

A: Treasure Craft was founded in Compton, California. They have made earthenware and stoneware since 1945. Alfred A. Levin founded his company, and most of his employees were family members. They made cooking accessories, canister sets, planters and cookie jars. Pieces marked “Treasure Craft” were earthenware, and those marked “Pottery Craft” were stoneware. They used paper labels or marks impressed in the mold.

Your Victorian Gingerbread house was made around 1970 and would probably be worth $125 to $150.

Q: I have an original F.B.I. Patty Hearst “wanted” poster. It is in very good condition. Do you have any information on its

A: Reinhold Schlegelmilch made your chocolate pot around 1880. They were located in Tillowitz, Silesia, Germany from the 1870s to 1956. Your chocolate pot would probably be worth $250 to $300.

Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has since retired and no longer receives inquiries nor answers reader letters. Due to the popularity of her column, this publication will continue to reprint previous columns of interest to our readers.

To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com

* On Aug. 1, 1929, inventor Thomas Edison held a competition in New Jersey to select his next 49 proteges. Among the challenging and extensive questions posed to hopeful contestants on the subjects of science, geography, history, chemistry and personal ethics was the especially pertinent “What new discovery or invention do you believe would be the greatest benefit to mankind?”

* On Aug. 2, 2007, Fisher-Price recalled more than 1.5 million Chinese-manufactured toys due to concern that the paint used on them could pose a health risk to young children if ingested. The affected toys included Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Elmo, which were targeted at kids more likely to put the figures in their mouths.

* On Aug. 3, 1916, Sir Roger David Casement, an Irish-born diplomat who in 1911 was knighted by King George V, was hanged for his role in Ireland’s Easter Rising.

* On Aug. 4, 1753, George Washington became a Master Mason, the highest basic rank in the secret fraternity of Freemasonry, in a ceremony held at Masonic Lodge No. 4 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was 21 years old and would soon command his first military operation as a major in the Virginia Colonial Militia.

Treasure Craft cookie jar was made around 1950.

Reinhold Schlegemilch made porcelain products in Germany This mark references work done around 1880.

Pain Relief: from page 3 as “Brufen.” It became available in the United States in 1974, and sold under trade names of Advil and Motrin, and was initially launched as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

• Many people avoid pharmaceuticals altogether and turn to the ancient Chinese art of acupuncture, a method of inserting very thin needles into various locations of the body at a range of depths. It’s based on the principle of Qi (pronounced “chee”), the body’s “life force” or energy flow created along pathways in the human body. These pathways connect the acupuncture points on the body, which connect to internal organs. The needles inserted at these sites (usually in place for 20 to 60 minutes) can affect pain processing and increase blood flow to certain parts, helping to manage chronic pain, headaches, and migraines.

• There are 361 acupuncture points in the body where needles are inserted in differing combinations to bring Qi back into balance. 

by Jason Jenkins

Describing the downswing or approach to impact can be a difficult one to put into words. There are few images that adequately illustrate the feels that one sees with top players. One image that has caught my attention over the years is the comparison of the left arm’s approach to impact like that of a karate chop into a board.

Martial artists will typically use a karate chop strike with the pinky pad side of the hand, not the back of the hand. Most blows are done downward, where the golf arm swing would be approaching from the side. Imagine the left arm swinging across the chest approaching the ball as if there were a board near impact. The pinky side pad leads the way with possible help from a leading elbow as well.

Trying to “hit the board with the back of the hand” means an early squaring of the clubface and a weak impact. All top powerful strikes are lead by the karate like action and then followed by forearm rotation. I’ve never liked the phrase “pull the handle” at the ball, so I’ve preferred this imagery instead.

Linda Thistle