1. Partner’s one-notrump response shows six to 10 points, so you know immediately that the 26 points normally required for game are lacking. It might be tempting to bid two hearts, but that would not be the winning bid in the long run. This is a partscore hand, and the only question is ...
Dear Annie: Hopefully you can help me. I’ve read your column for years. My two kids are adults and have kids of their own, and they have always gotten along. However, last Thanksgiving, my son and his family decided not to stay when they found out my granddaughter was there. My granddaughter is gay and was recently married last fall to her partner. My son isn’t religious at all, but he follows his wife’s lead, and she is very Catholic. Both of them think that if they spend time with gay people, it will somehow hurt their children. They don’t want to expose their kids to my ...
Dear Heloise: Portion sizes used to get out of hand in my kitchen until I put a muffin tin to use in a new way. Instead of guessing or overfilling bowls, I now divide snacks into each cup, which creates instant portion control without any measuring tools. Nuts, cut fruit, crackers and vegetables stay neatly separated, making it much easier to stay mindful of how much you eat. This method has also been especially helpful for children since portions are clearly visible and snack time feels more engaging. During meal prep, ingredients stay organized and ready to grab, which saves time ...
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 82 years old and in very good health. I have no major medical issues so far, but I work on my health as I believe in prevention. During the past eight months, I’ve had three colds, plus COVID-19 for the first time this past November. I remember the old days when we used to wear camphor necklaces every winter in order to “scare away” viruses. Before I order one, I want your advice on it. — N.G. ANSWER: Camphor is a waxy substance that is derived from the camphor laurel tree. It is often used topically to relieve pain, but some people use it as ...
It is said that in the long run, good bidding is more important than good card play. This is probably true enough, but even good contracts sometimes run into bad luck, and when the play is over, it might be wise to re-examine the bidding to see whether a still-better contract could have been reached. Consider this deal from a team-of-four match. At the first table, the bidding went as shown, and West led a heart against six diamonds. East took the ace, and West later scored a trump trick, so the slam went down one. This was an unfortunate outcome, since South would have made the slam ...
