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On this Date

In 1885, Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was published in the U.S. In 1930, the dwarf planet Pluto was discovered by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. In 1970, the “Chicago Seven” defendants were found not guilty of conspiring to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention; five were convicted of violating the Anti-Riot Act of 1968 (those convictions were later reversed). In 1983, 13 people were shot to death at a gambling club in Seattle’s Chinatown in what became known as the Wah Mee Massacre. (Two men were convicted of the killings and ...

Struggling to revive our once-burning flame

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been together for more than 30 years. In the beginning, we were the couple who couldn’t keep our hands off each other. We smiled easily, held hands without thinking, and felt lucky just to be in the same room after a long day. Somewhere between raising three kids, becoming grandparents, and moving into our mid-50s, that warmth faded. We still love each other, and neither of us wants to leave. But our marriage feels quiet in a way that scares me. We rarely touch. I honestly can’t remember the last time we laughed together. We sit side by side in the ...

Cleaning hard-to-reach areas

Dear Heloise: When cleaning small or hard-to-reach areas, I rely on a handheld vacuum with a brush attachment. Using the brush helps loosen dust, while the vacuum captures it so that it doesn’t get stirred up and settle elsewhere. I use this method for baseboards, corners, shelves, and other nooks and crannies where dust tends to collect. It’s also perfect for cleaning computer keyboards and laptop keys, where crumbs and dust can build up quickly. This approach keeps messes to a minimum and makes quick cleanups much easier. Thanks for all the helpful tips; I enjoy reading them ...

On this Date

In 1876: Inventors Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray applied separately for patents related to the telephone. (The U.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled Bell the rightful inventor.) In 1929: The “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” took place in a Chicago garage as seven rivals of Al Capone’s gang were gunned down. In 1984: 6-year-old Stormie Jones became the world’s first heart-liver transplant recipient when the surgery was performed at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The girl died in 1990 at age 13. In 1989: Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling on ...

Using shower caps for gardening

Dear Heloise: Here’s an idea that I’ve benefited from for years. Whenever I stay in a hotel, I save the shower caps that are usually provided for free. Because I garden, I regularly track in grass clippings and dirt on my shoes. Putting the shower caps on over my shoes when I go outside prevents this. I keep the shower caps near my door so that I can just pull them on and off as needed. This really helps to keep my floors clean. A word of warning, though: If it’s icy or snowy, don’t do this. Too slippery! -- Robin W., via email Robin, I use them when I put a 30-minute ...

Outgrowing an old friend group

Dear Annie: I’ve been friends with the same group of women since our children were in grade school. We’re now in our late 50s and early 60s, and for years this group has been my main social circle. We’ve shared weddings, divorces, illnesses and losses. I will always value them for that. Lately, though, I find myself dreading our get-togethers. The conversation has narrowed to a steady loop of complaints -- about spouses, adult children, politics, health problems, you name it. When I try to change the subject or bring up something positive, it’s brushed aside or met with ...