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DEAR ANNIE: Kids’ sports have squashed their summer fun

DEAR ANNIE: I always pictured summer as the one time of year when our family could finally slow down. During the school year, we are all racing from homework to practices to carpools to late dinners. I thought summer would bring beach days, lazy mornings, cookouts and maybe one real vacation where we could reconnect without everyone checking a team schedule. Instead, our summers have become just as busy as the school year, maybe busier. My 13-year-old son plays on a travel baseball team, and my 15-year-old daughter plays competitive soccer. Between practices, tournaments, showcases and ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: Whip up a fat-free cream soup

DEAR HELOISE: You had a recipe for a fat-free cream soup base that was delicious. Since my husband and I love preparing soup all year, I wanted to ask if you’d print this recipe for me and other soup-lovers. With a little leftover chicken and mushrooms, I can make a tasty soup. — Linda A., in Ponca City, Oklahoma Linda, of course! For this recipe, you’ll need: 2 cups nonfat dried milk powder 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon powder 1/2 teaspoon basil 1/2 teaspoon thyme 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Put all of ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: When your legs are 2 different lengths

DEAR DR ROACH: I’m an 80-year-old female who sustained a right femur fracture in February. I had surgery within 24 hours of the incident. Surgery went well, and I was discharged two days later. Recovery at home has also gone well. I’m using a walker and a cane for mobility assistance. The hospital referred a home-based physical and occupational therapy company that set up a twice-a-week program at my home. So far, I’m doing well at 14 weeks, just not quite back to my usual activities. When I try walking around my house without the walker or cane, I have a very distinct limp, and ...

Bridge by Steve Becker for July 21

Assume you’re in six clubs and West leads a heart. If you were a relative beginner, you might estimate your chances of making the slam at 50%. You would reason that there was a 50-50 chance that West was dealt the king of diamonds, in which case finessing dummy’s queen would land the slam ...

Are Ohio’s fireflies fading?

On warm summer nights in Ohio, few sights feel more familiar than fireflies blinking over lawns, gardens and fields. When those flashes seem fewer than they once were, many residents wonder whether lightning bugs are disappearing. The answer, however, is nuanced. Ohio State University ...