Dear Annie: Finding topics of conversation can often be difficult during long visits. Since “Grinding My Teeth” feels that this may be the last time she and her husband will visit with these in-laws, why not take this opportunity to encourage these people to talk about their lives? When ...

Dear Heloise: In the Tribune Chronicle in Warren, Ohio, a while ago, you stated that something has to be done to solve the problem of plastic waste around the world. Our local PBS recently interviewed a young man in Akron, Ohio, who is starting up a plastic cycling plant to liquify tons of ...

Does anybody need tomatoes? For most of you, that’s no. A hard no. You probably have a countertop full of them. Or your neighbor has set several boxes on your porch before ringing the doorbell and running away. After a couple of down years, we are back in the business of excessive ...

Autumn is my favorite time of year because I enjoy the brilliant tree color, the crisp leaves that fall to the ground, and the geese that fly over on their way to a winter home. Part of what makes fall color and migration interesting is that we don’t know everything about them. We just know ...

Dear Annie: We have this wonderfully helpful neighbor who is always willing to help folks in the neighborhood when needed and quite often does. The only problem is he masks his sarcasm and insults as jokes and everyone laughs. This is directed at everyone EVERY TIME we talk with him. Honestly, ...

Dear Heloise: I have a problem with fleas in my carpets due to my three dogs. I use flea control on the dogs, and that helps somewhat. But every spring, I can feel fleas jumping on my feet and legs. How do I get rid of those pests? -- Amy M., Penn Hills, Pennsylvania Amy, before bedtime, ...