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Constant burning pain plagues the leg of a 71-year-old woman

Columns

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 71-year-old female who’s in fairly good health. I only take a statin for high cholesterol and have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis. In April, I began experiencing a burning pain that circles my upper left leg. The pain is constant and never wavers. I had blood tests and a hip X-ray done, which didn’t show a reason for the pain. A neurologist suggested an ultrasound with an injection of antibiotics into the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Do you agree that this might stop the pain, or might it do more harm? I can live with the pain but would rather ...

It is Ukraine today, will it be Taiwan or South Korea tomorrow?

Columns

As President Donald Trump turns his back on Ukraine and its president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it begs the question: Is Taiwan vs. China or South Korea vs. North Korea next? Dictator bullies seem to attract the admiration of one another. They could also regrettably gain Trump’s tacit support. Trump’s highly questionable claim that we have been in a war against Iran pales in comparison to wars (cold and hot) that we had with the U.S.S.R. (Russia) and North Korea. We won the former and tied the latter. Russia is not our friend, and is not to be trusted. The Cold War against the ...

What estate sales taught me about living a life well lived

Columns

Estate sales are a newer thrifting experience for me. I’ve always loved to shop at Goodwill and hunt for designer labels and hidden treasures, but estate sales have a different feel. I’d never gone to one until my mom got a house in Florida. The local retirement communities have estate sales going constantly. It’s interesting to walk through someone’s house and see all their items out for sale. It’s not just an item in a thrift store — it’s a life left behind. You get a sense of their personality, what they valued and how they spent their time. At first, shopping in ...

Grandma hurt over teen granddaughter’s behavior

Columns

Dear Annie: I recently had another unpleasant encounter with my 13-year-old granddaughter, and this time we both ended up yelling. What began as a simple conversation quickly turned into hateful answers, a bad attitude and her refusal to speak to me in a respectful or pleasant way. Unfortunately, this has become a pattern. I have tried to be patient and understanding, especially because I know 13 can be a difficult age, but I am finding the constant disrespect harder and harder to tolerate. Her father, my son, tells me he feels helpless. He says he has practically given up trying to ...

Antique Halloween candy labels can command surprising premiums

Columns

The origins of trick-or-treating are not entirely certain. Countries throughout Europe have had traditions of costumed revelers traveling from house to house and receiving treats since at least the Middle Ages. Ancient Roman Saturnalia festivals, medieval European mummers’ plays, cakes given ...

Dear Annie: New city, new heart

Columns

Dear Annie: My girlfriend, “Lucy,” and I started dating three years ago, during our senior year of college. After graduating, we both got jobs in the same city where we had gone to school, and we ended up moving in together to save money. Living together was surprisingly easy, as we’re both pretty low-maintenance people. Anyway, Lucy is a good partner. She’s always encouraged me to push myself to pursue my passions. She’s the reason I ended up applying to a dream job even though it was across the country. I never thought I’d actually end up landing it. But I did. I moved ...