Breaking News

Uncategorized

Employ kindness with wait staff

Dear Heloise: A letter in your column that ran a few days ago about getting service in a restaurant reminded me of something I do whenever I need help or service from a company. As soon as they answer, and we establish contact, I tell them that I am pleading insanity and am throwing myself at their mercy. It always gets a laugh and sets a good mood. I almost always get the help or service I need. Try humor and kindness. It works every time. I read your column in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. -- Tom Desaulniers, in Conway, Arkansas GET A BETTER GRIP Dear Heloise: As I’ve gotten ...

Regional Calendar

The Independent calendar lists upcoming meetings, facility hours and events in and around Marshall. To have your group’s events listed, email the information to news@marshallindependent.com or submit the information to our virtual newsroom. Today Household Hazardous Waste Facility, open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Public Works Building, Marshall. Call 532-8210 for more info. SW MN Arts Council Gallery, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m., 509 West Main Street, Marshall. Marshall-Lyon County Library hours, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., 201 C St. Lyon County Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 301 W. Lyon St., ...

Pain persists around puncture site after medical procedure

Dear Dr. Roach: Nine days ago, I had a medical procedure under general anesthesia. One of the lines was put in the artery in my left wrist. Aside from deep bruising that went halfway up my forearm, it seems that there is some nerve damage. I have constant pain from my thumb, through my wrist, and up to about 3 inches on my arm. Overnight, the pain becomes intense and radiates all the way up to my shoulder. Tylenol and an arthritis sleeve only provide minimum relief. Should I request to see a neurologist, or is there another type of doctor to seek out for a diagnosis? This has become ...

Happily married, but hardly intimate

Dear Annie: I’m 73, and my wife is 74. We’ve been married for 53 years and have never spent a night apart due to marital conflict. Admittedly, each of us may have spent a night or two on the couch, but my point here is that I think we’re still happily married. The problem is that we’ve not been intimate for nearly 10 years. The closest we get is maybe a hug or peck on the cheek. Nothing else! When I attempt to discuss this issue with her, she only mentions her chronic urinary tract infections and blames me for not understanding how uncomfortable it is for her to have ...

Teeth cleaning is all about time

Dear Heloise: Your answer to me about rinsing your teeth turned the question into a matter of time. The original question was, “Do I rinse or not?” The time you spend on your teeth is a matter of personal preference. My husband doesn’t spend nearly the time on brushing that I do, but he also rinses. He doesn’t have any cavities either. However, I do what I do because I love the everyday feeling of “I just got my teeth cleaned!” -- Clean, in Montana ANOTHER BEDSHEET HINT Dear Heloise: I enjoy reading your column in the Springfield News-Sun and wanted to share how I save ...

Finding solutions to bitter brews

Dear Heloise: We tried the hint for how to make coffee less bitter by adding 1/8 teaspoon of table salt when making drip coffee. Ugh! It tasted terrible; I’ll take the bitterness! My favorite creamer balances any bitterness perfectly. No offense meant to the person who wrote in about the salt. I just wanted to weigh in so others readers are warned that they might have to dump a pot of coffee if they don’t like the salt either. -- Jen, in New Jersey Jen, coffee has always been a bitter brew, but many people like it this way. We get suggestions all the time on how to take the ...