Dear Annie: Every December, my life starts to feel like one of those “year in review” videos -- only mine looks more like the blooper reel. Back in January, I sat at my kitchen table with a brand-new planner, a cinnamon latte and all the determination in the world. I even wrote, “This ...

Dear Heloise: I sympathize to some extent with the writer in a recent column of yours lamented how doctor’s offices will say the appointment is at 10:00 a.m. but ask that you arrive at 9:30 a.m. for paperwork. However, I think it actually makes sense to do it this way. Ten a.m. is the time ...

In 1860, 10 days after South Carolina seceded from the Union, the state militia seized the United States Army arsenal in Charleston. In 1896, José Rizal, whose writings inspired the Philippine Revolution, was executed by Spanish army troops after being convicted of rebellion, sedition and ...

Dear Annie: My son lives at home, but he has no interest in talking to me. He doesn’t eat meals with me and my husband. He just stays in his room and comes downstairs to cook his own food, which is invariably a pan-fried sandwich, possibly with air-fried breaded chicken, followed by crisps ...

Dear Heloise: I started using plastic bags to freeze baked goods in. They hold up well. I now save all the food bags that contain products I buy. This includes the thin cellophane ones, which I use for short-term storage. I fold over the tops to let the air out and staple the ones for long-term ...

Dear Dr. Roach: What can you tell me about the cause and treatment of immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP)? I am a 71-year-old male, and after lab results showed a low blood platelet count, I underwent a spleen and liver scan as well as a bone marrow biopsy. They all showed normal function, ...