Dear Heloise: My wife and I love your column, and we like to read and talk about every hint! Recently, a reader suggested putting critical medical information on your phone in case they need it at the doctor’s or at the hospital. While that could be useful, it may not help you if you are ...

Dear Annie: I was at home making a sandwich recently when my close friend’s wife from next door came through the back door. She called out and said she just wanted to see how I was doing. I said I was great and asked if she wanted a sandwich and a beer. She said no to the sandwich but yes to ...

Dear Heloise: Our weather seems to be getting worse every year. Climate change has created a need for us to be prepared for an evacuation if needed. With that in mind, it’s always best to have a “disaster kit” ready and waiting in case we do need to leave our homes immediately. If you are ...

Dear Annie: When I was a young adult out living on my own, I used to get subscriptions to Christian magazines from my very religious aunt every Christmas. I happen to be an atheist and did not appreciate the magazine, nor did I appreciate all the mailing lists that having a subscription to that ...

enter into this holiday season with Thanksgiving starting tomorrow, it is a good time to start to live in the “gratitude flow” with life. When we are grateful for big and little things, we are actively and purposefully living a more grounded life. What we appreciate is appreciated. The ...

Dear Heloise: I recently made a Vietnamese dish that called for white pepper. I had a hard time finding white pepper, though, and was shocked by the price. Why is it so expensive, and where does it come from? -- Charlotte H., Denver Charlotte, white peppercorns come from pepper plant berries ...