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Cardboard aeronautics crumble under weight of bad idea

Burton Cole

“I don’t think this is a good idea.” “It’s a perfect idea.” Falser words were never spoken than whenever Ollie — my third cousin twice removed, but not removed far enough to keep me from getting bent, folded, spindled, stapled or mutilated — declared something as a “perfect idea.” Nothing ever was perfect with Ollie. This hairbrained scheme was no exception. Yet there I was, climbing the ladder, a cardboard box whapping against the rungs behind me. The cardboard box once held a refrigerator or a water heater or some other heavy, nonflying object like that. I ...

Vance writes of journey to Catholicism in ‘Communion’

Lifestyles

Vice President JD Vance, a convert to Catholicism whose faith has been central to his adult life, writes about his religious journey in a new book that could ultimately serve as a sort of origin story for a future presidential campaign. “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith” comes out Tuesday from Harper, and The Associated Press obtained a copy ahead of its release. The HarperCollins imprint also put out “Hillbilly Elegy,” the best-selling memoir from 2016 that helped make Vance a national figure. Vance has been working on and off on his new book since then, a tumultuous ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

Lifestyles

1. Two hearts. Partner’s double indicates the values for at least an opening bid and also implies good support for the unbid suits. Because you are required to answer the double regardless of the strength of your hand, you must distinguish between a forced response based on possibly no ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Value of RFA for pain in shoulder

Lifestyles

DEAR DR. ROACH: Could you please comment on radio- frequency ablation (RFA) for chronic shoulder pain with rotator cuff disease? I’m 78, in good health with arthritis and a small separation of the rotator cuff. I’ve received epidurals that do work very well. I don’t want to keep getting them, but I also don’t want surgery. My shoulder orthopedic doctor dismisses RFA out of hand. “Nothing there to burn,” he says. I’ve researched this, and it seems like it’s being done, but I want to make sure that this is legit. I have full insurance, so I don’t think there is ...

How caring for aging parents brings families back together

Lifestyles

In spite of burnout and exhaustion, most Americans who are caring for an aging parent said it has healed their relationship with them. That’s according to a recent survey of 2,000 sandwich generation parents who also care for an aging parent, in which most (88%) said that caregiving has given them a life-changing reset with their aging loved one. As part of the survey, the seniors were also asked a few questions, and their responses proved that the reconciliation is mutual: 89% of seniors agreed that being cared for by their adult child has healed their connection. The study was ...

Older exercise instructors speak their peers’ language

Lifestyles

SEATTLE — Bengie Santos was a dancer and choreographer for 30 years before reaching an age when most artists hang up their dancing shoes and take a seat in the audience. But she wasn’t ready to sit back and enjoy the show. So Santos began her third act as an exercise instructor. Now 72 ...