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What is insomnia?

It’s not uncommon for people to have issues with sleep. Most will get back to regular sleep patterns sooner rather than later. What if the difficulty with sleep does not stop? What if sleep problems go on and on? Impaired sleep is a threat to a person’s general well-being and ability to function. The typical name for this problem is insomnia. Sleep disturbance is so important that it really should be addressed sooner rather than later. Impaired sleep, at a minimum, can impact your memory, your ability to think, your job performance, how you interact and socialize with ...

My Cororna

It started out as an ordinary, run-of-the mill winter cold. It’s been a few years since I’ve had a cold, so I thought OK, I’m due. Generally, my colds are simply an annoyance. Seldom do I take anything for it. Besides, the syrups that are commonly used to treat the symptoms of a cold taste so horrible that you want to scrub your tongue with soap and water. My cold journeys usually go like this: I develop a slight case of the sniffles. This is followed a day to later by some light to moderate coughing. A week later, it’s all over; the symptoms resolve, and life goes on. Not ...

Ice spoons for specks

When it comes to ice fishing, a hot bite for crappies under the hardwater is tough to beat. While sometimes these finicky fish need to be finessed with tiny jigs tipped with spikes, in presentations more suited for bluegills, the best bites where crappies are aggressively feeding and slamming small spoons are often the most memorable. That’s not to say one can’t get away with some small spoons these days though, either, as more and more lures cater to crappie anglers on the ice. What follows are some tips to get the most out of an enjoyable spoon bite for crappies. Line it up Of ...

It’s difficult

Please excuse me for being a downer, but in today’s world, it’s difficult to stay upbeat and positive. Why is it hard to see the light today? Well, let me list a couple of downers, and, then, finish with some uppers. Within the least few days, the happenings in our country scare the heck out of me. As a nation founded on the rule of law and democratic values, how did we become a nation similar to other non-democratic countries? How can we not respect territorial integrity? The short term and the long term repercussions of what’s happened will be felt by everyone, and the ...

Continue season of giving by donating blood

Along with being the month when we make resolutions or start a new diet or exercise plan, January is also the month to raise awareness about the urgent need for blood donations. Donating blood is a simple and relatively painless way to do something amazing: save lives. January is National Blood Donor Month, established to combat winter blood shortages by honoring existing donors and encouraging new ones, while highlighting the critical need for blood for surgeries, trauma and chronic illnesses like cancer. January is often the month when blood shortages happen. Otherwise regular ...

World Almanac: Still a valuable resource in an era of technology

About a month ago I learned firsthand how much things have changed when it comes to finding information. I went to the Marshall Lyon County Library to look at the 2025 World Almanac. There were several things I wanted to check (election statistics, biographies of famous people who died etc.) Much to my surprise there wasn’t an opportunity. The library’s almanac is dated 2023, with information compiled in 2022. The librarian at the desk checked the Internet and found that the World Almanac is still published. Maybe they’ll order one for 2026. It would be useful to me and to ...