TIDBITS PONDERS THE MYSTERIES OF SPACE
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of his hands. --Psalm 19:1
by Janet Spencer
Who in the entire history of mankind has not gazed at the nighttime sky and marveled at the wondrous display of countless stars and mysteries that fill the heavens? Thanks to advancements in science, technology and powerful telescopes, we can now probe deeper into space, revealing still more mysteries and even more questions than answers. This week Tidbits ponders some of these questions and presents some of the facts science has learned about this vast universe in which we all live.
SOLAR SYSTEM
• Our solar system consists of eight planets that orbit the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. There are also five officially
TRIVIA NEWSFRONT
(Answers on page 16)
1. ACRONYMS: What phrase does the acronym URL stand for?
2. MOVIES: What is the name of the ghost that haunts the girls’ bathroom at Hogwarts (“Harry Potter” series)?
3. HISTORY: Which decisive battle ended the Revolutionary War?
4. LITERATURE: What is the pseudonym of the author Eric Arthur Blair?
5. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which of the national parks is the most visited in the United States?
6. TELEVISION: Which medical series is based at Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital?
7. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of Denmark?
8. U.S. STATES: In which state is Glacier National Park located?
9. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the first vice president to die in office?
10. SCIENCE: What are elements like neon, helium and radon called? Answers
(Trivia Test answers page 16)
One of the most memorable blunders in college football history was caused by not just a single referee but by the entire officiating crew who simultaneously messed up together
• It was October 6, 1990 and the Colorado Buffaloes were up against the Missouri Tigers in a Big Eight game in front of 46,856 fans.
• In football, a team is allowed four plays called downs to move the ball forward ten yards toward their goal line. If they are successful, they are awarded four more tries. If, after four attempts, the team has not scored or gained ten yards, the other team gets the ball. No team is allowed five attempts. But in this game, Colorado was given a 5th consecutive down.
• With less than 3 minutes to go, Colorado took possession of the ball on their own 3-yard line. Colorado was trailing Missouri 31–27.
• On the 1st down, Colorado’s Johnson spiked the ball to stop the clock. On the next play, with the down marker accurately indicating 2nd down, Eric Bieniemy rushed the line but was stopped just short of the goal line. Just then, several things happened.
• Colorado called its 3rd and final timeout. Referee J. C. Louderback went to discuss whether or not they still had a time-out left, and an argument ensued until it was determined that they were allowed a last time-out. This distracted Louderback.
• Just at that moment, a fan in the stands had a heart attack. The people holding the down marker chain were preoccupied with the EMTs giving CPR to the fallen fan, who unfortunately did not survive.
• Because of the numerous distractions, the down marker was never flipped over to indicate it was now the 3rd down.
• For the 3rd down, still marked as the 2nd down, Bieniemy made another run but was stopped
just short of the goal line. Thinking it was now the 3rd down, Johnson spiked the ball to stop the clock with two seconds left in the game. Had he known it was actually the 4th down, he never would have done that.
• On the next play, supposedly the 4th down, but actually the 5th, Johnson appeared to cross the goal line to score the game-winning goal. It was hard to see if the ball really crossed the line due to the pile-up. Regardless, Colorado fans swarmed the field in victory
• Finally, Louderback and his officiating crew realized their mistake, and conferred to decide their course of action. Radio and TV announcers noticed that Colorado had scored with the help of an extra play. After a long consultation, officials announced the decision: the touchdown counted, giving Colorado a 33–31 lead. Colorado was awarded the standard extra point, which they flubbed.
• Colorado football coach Bill McCartney did little to soothe the controversy and refused, when asked, to forfeit the game.
• Missouri appealed to the Big Eight, arguing that since the game-winning touchdown had come on a play that should have never been run, Missouri should be declared the winner at 31–27. The commissioner rebuffed the plea, saying it was “not a correctable error.” Colorado’s win would stand. The only fallout was that Louderback and his officiating crew were suspended for a week.
• Colorado won the championship that year, though their win was under a cloud, and the record books have an asterisk next to the score. It was a final play that will forever go down in history as the one that should never have occurred.
• Meanwhile, Missouri ended the season with a win/loss record of 4-7.
recognized dwarf planets: Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris.
THE PLANETS
• Earth's distance from the Sun is critically placed to support life as we know it, residing within the “Goldilocks zone” (habitable zone) where temperatures allow for liquid water. If Earth were even slightly closer or farther, the conditions would become uninhabitable for either human or animal life.
• If you could sort all the elements on Earth into piles of material, you’d get 32.1% iron 30.1% oxygen, 15.1% silicon, and 13.9% magnesium. Together those four elements comprise 91.2% of the Earth’s makeup. The other 8.8% is made of the other 114 elements.
• Most of Earth’s iron is located in its molten core, which is why the planet has a magnetic field. The center of the Earth is 88% iron.
• 47% of the earth’s crust consists of oxygen, mostly combined with other elements.
• If the earth were shrunk to the size of an ice cube, it would equal the density of a black hole. If the Sun were condensed into the density of a black hole, its diameter of 865,000 miles (1,392,000 km) would be shrunk to just 1.8
miles (3 km) wide.
• The Sun does not have the mass necessary to become a black hole. A star needs to be about 20 times bigger than the Sun to become a black hole. Instead, our Sun will become a red giant when its fuel is expended.
• Of the 9,113 official geographical features on the Moon, just over 95% are craters, and just under 5% are other features consisting mainly of mountains and valleys.
• Neptune has 16 moons. The largest of them, Titan, is half again as big as our Moon, and is the 2nd biggest moon in the solar system after Jupiter’s Ganymede. Titan’s atmosphere is made of nitrogen and methane. The surface has mountains, dunes, rivers, deltas, lakes and seas of liquid methane and ethane. There are distinct seasons. It’s more similar to Earth than anything else in our solar system.
• Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, is the smallest planet in our solar system. It's known for its extreme temperature fluctuations, its heavily cratered surface, and its lack of a significant atmosphere. Mercury also has a weak magnetic field and a large iron core.
• Which planet is the coldest? That would be Uranus, the 7th planet, an ice giant. Although Neptune, also an ice giant, is the 8th planet and even farther from the Sun, Neptune has more methane in its atmosphere than Uranus does. Methane keeps the heat in. The coldest temperature ever recorded on Uranus was −371.56°F (−224.2°C).
• Which is the hottest planet? Venus is the hottest because its atmosphere is composed of about 96% carbon dioxide and 3.5% nitrogen, which creates a strong greenhouse effect. Temperatures reach 863°F (462°C). Venus is also closer to the Sun.
• Atmospheric pressure on Venus is 92 times greater than Earth’s. For a human standing on the surface of Venus, the pressure would equal standing submerged at the bottom of the ocean.
• It takes 243 Earth days for Venus to spin on its axis just once to complete a single day, yet it takes only 225 Earth days to orbit the Sun completely. This means a year on Venus is shorter than a day.
• Which planet has the shortest day? Gas giant Jupiter’s day is 9 hours and 55 minutes, yet its year lasts 11.8 Earth years.
A leap year occurs approximately every four years. This is because Earth takes about 365.2422 days to orbit the sun. To compensate for this extra fraction of a day, we add one day to the calendar (February 29) every four years. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Century years (years divisible by 100) are not leap years unless they are also divisible by 400.
• Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and is the 5th planet from the Sun. It is 2.5 times more massive than all the other planets in the solar system combined. Because it is made primarily of gases it is known as a “gas giant”.
• The Great Red Spot on Jupiter is a storm that has been raging continuously since it was first spotted in 1831. No one knows what makes Jupiter’s Great Red Spot red.
• Jupiter’s atmosphere is the solar system’s largest planetary atmosphere. It is composed of hydrogen (90%) and helium (10%), in roughly the same proportions found in the Sun.
• Olympus Mons, a volcano on Mars, stands 13.2 miles (21.2 km) high. That’s nearly three times taller than Mount Everest, Earth’s highest peak. It’s the largest volcano in the solar system.
SPACECRAFT
• The Russians were the first to launch a spacecraft, Sputnik, in 1957. The U.S. was the
1. How many astronauts are typically on the international space station?
2. How many toilet facilities are there on the international Space Station?
By Lucie Winborne
* Benjamin Franklin never actually lobbied for the turkey to become the national bird, but he did write that the bald eagle was a fowl of “bad moral character” and that the turkey was “a much more respectable bird.”
* While digging up stones to build a house in 1885, Australian miner George Harrison found gold ore near Johannesburg, beginning the South African gold rush.
* Victorian floriography, the practice of assigning codes to flowers to send messages via bouquets and arrangements, associated basil with hatred! The curious link came from the ancient Greeks, who felt basil leaves resembled the opening jaws of a basilisk.
* In the 1800s, ducks were called “arsefeet,” as their feet are so close to their posteriors.
* Painting designs and pictures on fingernails isn’t just a modern trend. It was a familiar practice with the Incas, many of whom sported eagle motifs on their nails.
* One percent of people are born with a 13th rib.
* To preserve the quality of the U.S. Constitution, on display in the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., its protective cases contain argon gas and are kept at 67 Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 40%.
* In the U.K., fish and chips were traditionally wrapped in old newspapers, giving the meal a unique newspaper ink flavor. The practice eventually ended for health reasons.
* During the 1904 Summer Olympic Games, American athlete George Eyser won six medals in a single day, including three gold and two silver, in the vault, parallel bars and rope climbing competitions ... with a wooden prosthetic left leg. ***
Thought for the Day: “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”
-- Maya Angelou
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
by Mary Hunt
Frugal Advice for Perplexing Situations
one leg from a clean pair of pantyhose. Drop an onion into the toe, use a tight knot to close it off. Drop in another, repeat until filled. Hang from a nail in the pantry. Need an onion? Cut right below the lowest knot. Suspended with air circulation encourages long life and discourages sprouting. This technique works well with garlic and potatoes too. And you won’t believe how many you can fit in one pantyhose leg!
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
DEAR MARY: I am wondering if it is a good idea to refinance my home and pay off all my debt. I owe $132,000 on my first mortgage and $24,000 on my second. I also have about $20,000 in credit card debt.
by Mary Hunt
My house is worth about $250,000 and my lender tells me it is a good idea, but I’m not really sure. The interest rate is now 8.1% and my FICO score is about 642. They are also offering a reward program where as long as I pay on time every month, my interest rate goes down 0.4% every year.
What do you think? Is this a good idea? Thank you for your help. -- Stephanie R.
Dear Stephanie: You cannot get out of debt by borrowing more money any more than an alcoholic can become sober by having another drink. What you suggest is not a way to pay off all your debt -- you will simply move your unsecured debt to your home. The interest rate you suggest is not particularly attractive because your credit score is below average.
Given the information I have, I would not advise you to do this. As bad as your situation is now, if you are unable to stay current on your credit card payments, they’ll trash your credit score. But if you were to move that debt to your home and then miss a payment, this lender (who clearly does not have your best interests in mind) will start foreclosure proceedings faster than you can pack your stuff and get out.
Buckle down and stop looking for shortcuts and phony fixes. Get serious about paying off your credit cards now. ***
DEAR MARY: I often keep onions, garlic and potatoes in my cupboard for weeks before finding the time to cook with them -- and by then they’ve gone soft or sprouted! What’s the best way to store these ingredients to keep them fresh as long as possible?
Your column is fabulous! Keep up your good work! -- Amy M.
Dear Amy: Never refrigerate potatoes or dry onions (as opposed to scallions or the sweet varieties). Never wash until ready to use. Store in a dark, cool space like a closet or pantry. These root vegetables require good air circulation. To get dry onions to last for months: Cut
As for storing potatoes, I love the research done by the folks at TheKitchn.com They discovered what has turned out for me to be the very best way to store potatoes: in a cardboard box! I keep a small cardboard box that is just big enough to hold them in a single layer. I do not seal the box, keeping the top flaps barely folded down, so that it remains mostly open. This fits easily in a bottom cupboard in my kitchen where it is dark. Stored this way, potatoes remain nice and firm, mostly sprout-free (depending on the type of potato) for at least six weeks! I follow this same storage routine for fresh garlic but in a separate, small cardboard box. Should you give these options a try, I’d love to know what you think.
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https:// www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”
COPYRIGHT
• The emu cannot walk backward.
• The hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backward.
• Flamingoes can only eat with their heads upsidedown.
• The eyes of an ostrich are the size of billiard balls, the largest eyes in the bird world.
• All clownfish are born male, but can turn female. Once female, they cannot revert to male.
• Termites never sleep.
• A newborn panda is about the size of a mouse.
• Some species of snails have hair-like protrusions on their shells, which helps them grip slippery surfaces.
• A human has around 8,000 taste buds, but a dog has only 1,500.
• The tongue of a giraffe is black.
• Squirrel teeth never stop growing.
• Buzzards urinate on their legs to sterilize them from germs they may have picked up while hanging out with animal carcasses.
• Quahog clams are thought to be one of the planet’s longest-lived species. Specimens collected from the ocean have been estimated to be 500 years old.
• The saltwater crocodile has a stronger bite force than any other animal, at 3,700 pounds per square inch (psi).
• Komodo dragons can lay fertile eggs without ever having interacted with a male.
• Snails may have up to 14,000 tiny teeth on their tongues.
• The trunk of an elephant has more muscles than
are contained in an entire human body.
• Cuttlefish can change color as fast as a human can blink.
• The animal with the densest hair is the sea otter, which has up to 25,000 hairs per square inch. An adult otter may have more than a billion hairs on its body.
• The mammal with the most teeth is the giant armadillo of South America, with 74.
• The duck-billed platypus has no nipples. Instead, milk oozes from the motherʼs skin.
• When caterpillars enter the chrysalis phase, their entire body first turns into a liquid soup, which then reforms into the butterfly. When they emerge as a butterfly, they retain all their memories from their life as a caterpillar.
• A snake called the inland taipan has the most potent venom on the planet, which is capable of killing about 290 humans with a single bite. It lives in the desert regions of Australia. Most deaths result from snakes kept in captivity.
• The chemical compound used to make fake banana flavoring is the same compound honey bees use as an alarm pheromone.
• All halibut are male until they reach 45 inches (114 cm) in length. Then they all become female.
• Bears can make a sound similar to purring.
• Butterflies taste with their feet.
• A group of squid is traditionally called a “shoal.” However, there has been a movement to rename a group of squid a “squad.”
• Whale milk has such a high level of fat – up to
50% - that it has the consistency of toothpaste. This allows it to shoot into the baby whale’s mouth without dissolving in the water.
• Dolphins get high off of pufferfish venom.
• Kangaroos cannot move backward.
• Woodcocks and owls are the slowest flyers.
by Dana Jackson
Q: What ever happened to actor Shia LaBeouf? I remember hearing bad things about him. Was he “canceled”? -- D.E.
A: While Shia LaBeouf’s film career isn’t what it used to be with blockbuster hits like “Transformers,” he’s still getting acting gigs. In 2024, he actually costarred in a movie starring Adam Driver (“Ferrari”) and directed by Francis Ford Coppola (“The Godfather”) titled “Megalopolis,” but it was no blockbuster, having grossed only $12.5 million worldwide.
Worry Darling,” but despite all the bad press, he does have one upcoming project called “God of the Rodeo.” It’s based on the true story about inmates in the 1960s who participated in a prison rodeo.
Q: When is “Resident Alien” coming back? I know it was renewed, but is there a premiere date? -- K.S.
A: Mark June 6 on your calendar because this is when your favorite alien played by Alan Tudyk returns for an all-new season! Based on the comics from Dark Horse, the series was originally going to move to the USA Network, but SyFy decided to renew it as well. “Resident Alien” was originally facing cancellation on the network due to budget concerns, but I’m guessing that the show increased in popularity after season three recently aired on Netflix.
According to Deadline, the USA/SyFy simulcast model was previously used for the series “Chucky.” “Resident Alien” is the only scripted series on USA at the moment, whereas it’s one of four scripted shows on SyFy. All the core cast members from the prior seasons are returning to “Resident Alien,” along with two new additions: Jewel Staite (“Firefly”) and Stephen Root (“Barry”).
***
with Jon Hamm and Juno Temple ended in January 2024, but there doesn’t appear to be another one on the horizon.
Hawley has a new upcoming series on the same network, FX, that is also based on a film. “Alien: Earth” will serve as a prequel to the 1979 sci-fi film “Alien” and will star Timothy Olyphant (“Justified”), Sydney Chandler (“Don’t Worry Darling”), and David Rysdahl (season nine of “Fargo”).
Hawley also has a feature film in the works called “Nowhere Fast,” which sounds more like “Fargo.” He wrote the original screenplay and will also direct Chris Pine in the film. It’s about a smalltown criminal in Texas who inadvertently kills his boss’ nephew.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Coppola and LaBeouf also butted heads while filming, with Coppola later saying that “[Shia is] so talented, but he’s had a string of problems. And on set, he does create tremendous conflict. His method was so infuriating and illogical; it had me pulling my hair out.”
Q: Is there going to be another season of “Fargo”? I always look forward to hearing which time period the new season will take place in and who will star in it. -- A.D.
your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections.
A: Inspired by the Coen Brothers’ film of the same name, Noah Hawley created the anthology series “Fargo,” which has won a total of seven Emmys over five seasons. The most recent season
LaBeouf was also fired from the film “Don’t
Shia LaBeouf (Upcoming in “God of the Rodeo”) Depositphotos
Good Recipes from
Pasta Toss With Summer Basil
Use any short pasta for this delicious dish chock-full of garden eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes and peppers. If you like, you can substitute yellow summer squash for the zucchini.
3 medium red peppers
2 medium yellow peppers
1 package (16-ounce) penne, radiatore or fusilli pasta
Salt
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium red onion, chopped
3 medium (6 ounces each) zucchini, each cut lengthwise in half then thinly sliced crosswise
1 medium (1 1/4 pounds) eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
3 medium (1 pound) ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 cup (loosely packed) fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1. Heat broiler. Line broiling pan (without rack) with foil. Cut each pepper lengthwise in half; discard stems and seeds. With hand, flatten each pepper half. Place peppers (half the amount at a time, if pan is small), cut-side down,
in broiling pan. Place pan in broiler 5 to 6 inches from source of heat, and broil peppers until charred and blistered, 10 to 15 minutes. Wrap foil around peppers and allow to steam at room temperature 15 minutes or until cool enough to handle. (Repeat with remaining peppers.)
2. Meanwhile, prepare pasta in boiling salted water as label directs. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water, and drain again. Set aside.
3. Remove peppers from foil. Peel off skin and discard. Cut peppers into 1/2-inch pieces.
4. In nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat until hot. Add onion and cook 6 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add zucchini and 1 tablespoon oil, and cook 7 minutes or until zucchini are tender-crisp, stirring frequently. Add eggplant, 3/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and cook 8 minutes or until eggplant is tender, stirring frequently.
5. Transfer vegetables to large bowl; stir in tomatoes, basil, capers and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add pasta; toss well. Serve salad warm, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 12 servings.
Each serving: About 225 calories, 6g total fat (1g saturated), 0mg cholesterol, 285mg sodium, 38g total carbohydrate, 3g dietary fiber, 7g protein.
Micro-Baked Apples
A quick and easy update on an old favorite -- baked apples.
4 large apples such as Fuji or Gala (about 8 ounces each)
4 teaspoons margarine or butter 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup maple syrup
1. Remove cores from apples but don't
cut through to bottom. Beginning at stem end, peel apples one-third of way down. Stand apples in 8-by-8 inch glass baking dish. Fill each apple with 1 teaspoon margarine and 1 tablespoon cranberries. Pour maple syrup over and around apples.
2. Cover with vented plastic wrap and cook on Medium-High (70 percent power) 10 to 11 minutes or until apples are very tender. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Makes 4 servings.
Each serving: About 235 calories, 5g total fat (1g saturated, 1g protein, 51g carb., 6g fiber, 55mg sodium.
For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/ (c) 2025 Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved
HEADS
By John Allen
DIAMOND LIL
by Brett Koth
Donald Duck by Walt
Holidays & Observances This Week
5/25 Indianapolis 500
5/26 Memorial Day
5/27 Women's Golf Day
5/28 U.S. Border Patrol Day
5/29 Learn About Composting Day
5/30 Heat Awareness Day
5/31 Smile at a Stranger Day
Dog Talk with Uncle Matty
By Matthew Margolis
Just the Facts, Ma’am
“There is nothing as deceptive as an obvious fact.” -- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
People always give themselves away. In my many years as a dog trainer, I’ve learned to look and listen for the clues. These little nuggets of truth are dropped in letters or in conversation or even in body language. Thinking about them after, a brow will often rise. They are that shot of pepper spray with green dye that lights up the perpetrator for identification purposes. In this case, the dye spells “denial.”
“My 3-year-old Lab-Chow mix, “Scooter,” attended puppy obedience class when he was younger -- and was kicked out for being unruly. Since then, two trainers have labeled him a hopeless case. I am very patient with him. I take him for 30-minute walks or runs every day. He is great off-leash and knows all the basic commands -- stay, OK, sit, down, here, leave it, back up, your bed, off. He also plays well with other dogs and adores humans.
“The problem started with food aggression. He began growling if we walked by him or looked at him while he was eating. I have broken him of this habit. Scooter now will wait for my command to eat and will back up if I ask him to, although he still gets tense.
“At this point, his mood swings are the biggest problem. My boyfriend and I know the signs -ears back, refusal to make eye contact, head down -- and leave him alone. If he growls at us, we grab the fur on the back of his neck and hold him until he lies down with one of us directly on top of him. He shakes and growls for about 10 minutes and then submits into a good mood again. He has responded well to our training.
“The one thing we cannot break him of is how he is around other people. He has bitten my mom, my boyfriend’s mom, two friends and my boyfriend. All of these attacks were in times of stress: Twice he was turned over on his back and someone reached down to pet him; once was when he was barking at another dog and someone touched his rear; once was when my friends
(CryptoQuip Solution on page 14)
SENIOR NEWS LINE
by Matilda Charles
Okay, You're Retired: Now What?
Some of us are new to retirement and the question quickly becomes: What now? What do I do with all this free time? At least I no longer have to set that alarm for the same early time every morning. If you planned in detail for your retirement and have a long list of things you intend to do, you already know where to begin.
But the questions about what to do with our retired days can be a challenge for those who perhaps didn’t have a choice about entering retirement. Maybe there were health considerations. Maybe company policy required you to leave your job before you wanted to. But whatever the reason, you're now free -- ready or not.
Start with a pen and notepad. Make a list of every goal and interest you have. Then group these items into general categories, i.e.: Productive; Journaling; Hobbies; Income possibilities; Travel; Volunteering -- and so forth. The longer the list the better. Then make subheadings under those groups, adding even more areas to your lists. Then step back for an overview of your interests and what pursuits would likely provide the most personal fulfilment for you.
Here are some random possibilities: explore photography, teach swimming at the YMCA; write a novel; knit or crochet hats and mittens for
the local Santa fund next winter; create a family scrapbook with genealogy information and photos for the next generation; take up pickleball; become a Citizen Scientist (see CitizenScience. gov), take an art class. The list goes on.
Then there are the all-important brainstretcher activities: take piano or guitar lessons; take an online college course; take a computer class to upgrade your skills; learn a language online (see Duolingo.com); read a book a week; start doing crossword puzzles.
My personal list includes dogs at the animal shelter. There are lots of dogs who need to be taken on adventure walking afternoons to pick up their spirits. I can do that a few times a week.
Start working on your list. Do it now!
Cody’s Corner (from page 9)
stopped by when I was not home and came inside; once was when someone picked up food out of his bowl as he was eating. Please advise.”
The obvious fact: Scooter is an aggressive dog who requires professional training. His unpredictable nature makes him a danger to others. Where the facts don’t add up: Scooter doesn’t adore humans, at least not consistently. He is mistrustful of their intentions; he is fearful; he is overly territorial. Indeed, he will bite the hand that feeds him.
Further, Scooter has not responded well to their training. And it’s hard to blame him. Lying on top of a dog is an act of dominance, not training. Personally, I consider it animal abuse. But whatever you call it, it isn’t helping, and Scooter isn’t responding. He’s biting people.
Scooter has a serious problem with aggression. I would never advise a dog owner to attempt to tackle a problem like this without hands-on professional guidance. This isn’t something that can be cured in a letter. Someone (else) could get hurt.
Woof!
Dog trainer Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis is the co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and the host of the PBS series “WOOF! It’s a Dog’s Life!” Read all of Uncle Matty’s columns at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com.
REGAINING INDEPENDENCE AFTER A STROKE
Specialized rehabilitation can help with physical or cognitive impairments caused by strokes.
At Rehabilitation Hospital of Southern California, we’re committed to helping stroke patients maximize their recoveries so they can return to their homes with the highest level of independence possible.
We offer:
• Best practices through a patient-centered, rehabilitative approach
• Latest technology and equipment
• Individualized treatment plans
• Physician-led services provided through an interdisciplinary team
• Access to private patient rooms, therapy gym, therapeutic courtyard, daily living suite, and a transitional suite
• Home evaluations to ensure a safe return home Learn more at
icaid coverage can continue.
YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
by Tom Margenau
Retirees With Adult Children Who Are Disabled
Whenever I see a parent with a disabled child, it tugs at my heartstrings. On the one hand, I can’t imagine the hardships they must face almost every day. I think of our neighbors -- a retired couple our age (in their 70s) whose only child is a 40-year-old son with cerebral palsy. So much of their lives seems to revolve around the care for their son.
On the other hand, I’ve heard from readers who tell me that having a child with a disability can offer unique opportunities for growth and learning, both for the child and the family. While it can be challenging, there are benefits to be found in the increased empathy, adaptability, and family bonding it can foster. Additionally, there are various financial and support systems available to help families navigate these challenges.
Today, I’m going to talk about one of those support systems: Social Security.
Since almost the beginning of the Social Security program in the 1930s, minor children have qualified for benefits on a retiree’s record. A child gets an amount equal to one-half of the retiree’s full retirement age benefit rate, subject to rules that limit how much a family with children can get in total monthly benefits. (Those rules are too messy to explain in today’s column.)
Benefits to kids usually stop once the child turns 18. But those benefits can continue indefinitely if the child is disabled. And let me clarify that a little more. More often than not, once retirees reach Social Security age, they no longer have minor children at home. But they possibly could have a disabled “adult child” still at home, be living on their own or in some kind of facility that cares for disabled adults. And the law says if that “child” was disabled before the age of 22, he or she will get disabled adult child, or DAC, benefits. And just like a minor child, that DAC will get an amount equal to 50% of the retiree’s FRA benefit rate. (When the retiree dies, that bumps up to a 75% rate.)
That all sounds relatively simple. But now, let me throw in a little twist. Very often, these disabled adult children will be getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits before mom or dad files for Social Security. SSI is a federal welfare program that pays a small monthly stipend (currently around $970 -- although it can be less) to old folks or poor and disabled people. While a disabled child is young and living at home, the income and assets of the parents are counted in the SSI calculation and that usually keeps the child from getting SSI. But once the child turns 18, the parents’ resources no longer count. So, lots of these “disabled adult children” get SSI benefits until one or both parents file for Social Security -- at which point the child is switched from SSI to Social Security DAC benefits.
And that switch must be made. Why? Because SSI is a welfare program, and welfare rules state that if a person is on SSI, he or she must file for any other benefits they might be due.
One other point. SSI benefits almost always come with full Medicaid coverage. (Medicaid is kind of like the welfare version of Medicare.) Although the rules can vary from state to state, they generally say that if someone loses their SSI because they start getting DAC benefits, the Med-
To help clarify things even more, here are answers to questions from folks who have a disabled adult child.
Q: I am 64 and plan on waiting until my full retirement age to file for benefits. I will get $3,700 per month then. My wife is about to turn 62. She’ll get $1,400 per month if she files for her own Social Security. We have a 32-year-old developmentally disabled daughter getting $967 in SSI benefits. I don’t think my wife should file for Social Security because our daughter will lose her SSI. My wife wants to file anyway. Who is right?
A: I’m not a financial planner. But I think your wife is right. If she files, your daughter will get an amount equal to one-half of your wife’s FRA benefit rate. If her age 62 benefit is $1,400, her FRA rate must be about $2,000. And half of that, or $1,000, would be your daughter’s DAC benefit. And that is more than your daughter’s current $967 SSI check. So, your wife and daughter are financially ahead to file for Social Security. (And again, your daughter will likely keep her Medicaid coverage.)
Oh -- and when you file for your own benefits down the road, your daughter will be switched to 50% of your much higher monthly benefit. And now here is a similar question from another reader, with just a couple of little twists.
Q: I am a single mom about to turn 62 and want to file for Social Security. My monthly benefit would be $1,120. My disabled 25-year-old daughter currently gets $967 from SSI. I think her SSI check is more than she would be due from my Social Security. How do I keep her off of my Social Security so she can keep getting her SSI check?
A: You can’t keep her off your Social Security. You must file a claim for DAC benefits for her at the same time you file for your retirement benefits. But things will work out, as I will explain.
1. The book of Malachi is found in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither
2. Which king was stricken with leprosy because he disobeyed God's command and burned incense on a holy altar? a) Joab b) Uzzia c) Solomon d) Ahab
3. From 1 Kings 19, what prophet experienced an earthquake while standing on a mountaintop? a) Elijah b) Elisha c) Pekahiah d) Jotham
4. Who was the first woman to be ashamed of her lack of clothing? a) Esther b) Ruth c) Miriam d) Eve
5. From Acts 9, what dressmaker was restored to life by Peter's prayers? a) Lydia b) Naomi c) Dorcas d) Priscilla
6. Where did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead? a) Jericho b) Bethlehem c) Bethany d) Nazareth
(Answers on page 16)
or more Bible Trivia go
I’m guessing your full retirement age benefit is about $1,600. And that means your daughter will be due $800 in DAC benefits. But for reasons too messy to explain in this column today, only $780 of that counts against her SSI check. In other words, your daughter would get $800 in Social Security DAC benefits and $187 in SSI benefits ($967 minus $780 equals $187). So, your daughter will end up with $987 in total monthly benefits -- compared to the $967 she gets now. And to repeat, she will keep her Medicaid coverage.
* * *
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net. To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
Not Everyone Who Has Artery Blockages Requires Surgery
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have HIV and pulmonary hypertension. I was part of a research study, and a scan found blockages of about 50% in my carotid arteries. I’ve never had any symptoms or a stroke. Do I need to have surgery? -- V.P.
ANSWER: In general, screening for blockages in the carotid arteries that provide blood flow to the brain is not recommended, but occasionally, I do see people who get the diagnosis made as part of a study or as a result of a diagnostic test that was performed for some other reason. Screening means that there are no present symptoms, and the management of asymptomatic blockages is different from symptomatic ones.
Not everybody with blockages needs surgical intervention. Guidelines recommend against surgery in people with no symptoms who have less than 70% stenosis. Only when the blockage is greater than 70% is surgery considered.
Medical treatment is effective at reducing the risk of a stroke and includes a high dose of a potent statin agent, aspirin, the careful control of high blood pressure and diabetes (if appropriate), a healthy diet (such as Mediterranean-style), regular exercise, and weight reduction in some people.
HIV itself increases the risk of stroke by about 40% compared to people without HIV, so it is appropriate to be more aggressive at reducing risk factors. This is similar to what we see in people with chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, who have a higher heart disease and stroke risk than what would be expected based on their other risk factors.
Your HIV provider may wish to consult an expert in cardiovascular disease prevention to help you reduce your stroke risk, although many HIV experts are also skilled primary care doctors themselves. Keeping HIV under control (ideally with no detectable virus) may help reduce inflammation and consequently bring down the additional risk of heart attack and stroke associated with HIV. (See related advertisement pg. 16.) ***
DEAR DR. ROACH: My spouse is frustrated by a nagging case of plantar fasciitis. It’s been continuing for five or six months now. No amount of stretching, icing or resting seems to help. They are considering using a plantar fasciitis sock device that holds the foot in a specific position to provide relief. I am wondering if you could provide any other suggestions on how to reduce or eliminate this problem. -- M.R.
ANSWER: Plantar fasciitis is among the most common causes of foot pain, with nearly 1% of people complaining of plantar fasciitis pain during the previous month. Inflammation and pain most commonly occur at the bottom of the foot, just in front of the heel. The pain is often worst during the first step in the morning. Rest and cushioned shoes or heel pads are helpful for most people. I am cautious about recommending stretching, especially when the pain is severe, as overdoing stretching can make
be of benefit.
When symptoms do not get resolved with conservative management, I refer patients to a podiatrist. Some people just take a long time to heal, but 80% are better within a year. When conservative measures have failed to bring relief, your spouse’s podiatrist might consider an injection of a steroid.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.
Estate Planning Attorney
VETERANS POST
by Freddie Groves
Changes at the VA
Under the new presidential administration, and under the guidance of the new VA Secretary Doug Collins, the Department of Veterans Affairs has made several significant changes.
The core mission: providing the best possible care and services to veterans, families, caregivers and survivors. As Secretary Collins said, “We have already stripped away many of the costly distractions that were coming between VA beneficiaries and the benefits they have earned.”
Here are a few examples:
What Collins called “DEI and gender ideology” has been taken off the table, saying that the “VA should not be in the business of helping people try to change their sex.” That’s going to save the VA $14 million.
Working from home is a no-no now, with a schedule being created to get everyone back in the office by summer. No more “phoning it in from home,” per Collins. And I have to agree -- service on the phone is much better when employees are in the office within earshot of colleagues, allowing interaction and discussion.
When it comes to duplicate and unnecessary contracts, so far the VA has identified “hundreds of millions of dollars” that they can divert back to services for veterans. They’ll continue to take a look at the 130,000 VA contracts to see what further dollars they can save.
The modernization of the electronic health record program was something that stalled over the last two years, but already, just since March, they’ve worked to be able to bring nine more medical facilities online by next year and all of them by 2031.
In his opinion piece and video, Collins addresses the pushback he’s gotten from various sources that only want the VA to keep going as before. Not going to happen, per Collins. His job is to work to put veterans first, and that is what he is determined to do.
The video Secretary Collins made can be found on his X (formerly known as Twitter) account. Or if you prefer to read it, search for his opinion piece “First 100 Days at VA: Putting Veterans First” at DCJournal.com
* * *
Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
M.D.
-- by Jim Miller
How Much Advil (Ibuprofen) Is Too Much?
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: I take Advil pretty regularly for arthritis pain and headaches, and it is working well in providing the relief I need. But I've also heard that taking too much of it can be harmful. How can I tell if I’m taking more than is safe? -- Achy Alan
Dear Alan: Ibuprofen – better known by one of its brand names, Advil – is one of the most popular medications on the market today for treating all different types of pain, including headaches, fevers, inflamation and cramps.
Given the drug’s broad pain-reducing
effects, safety record and availability over the counter (OTC), it’s no surprise that some people pop the little brownish-red tablets whenever they feel the slightest twinge of discomfort.
But ibuprofen, which is also sold under brand names like Motrin and Nuprin, can pose certain health risks, especially for those with kidney or stomach issues. Here’s what you should know.
What is Safe?
For most adults and children ages 12 years and older, the recommended OTC dose of ibuprofen is one (or two, if needed) 200-milligram tablets, caplets or gel caplets every four to six hours while symptoms persist. It's not recommended to take more than 1,200 mg (or six pills) in a 24-hour period.
If you haven’t consulted a doctor about how much is safe, or if you aren’t certain about your risk factors, it’s best not to exceed the recommended 1,200 milligrams per day limit.
If you have chronic pain, or were recently injured or had surgery, your doctor may prescribe ibuprofen for you at a higher dose. Prescription tablets are usually stron ger compared to the OTC dose, such as 600 mg and 800 mg. The maximum daily dose for prescription-strength ibuprofen is 3,200 mg in a 24-hour period. But it’s important only to take only what your provider has pre scribed for you.
Also be aware that ibuprofen is some times added to certain cold and flu medica tions, so always read the ingredient list on medications before using them.
Be Cautious!
Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, which reduce pain and in flammation by blocking the activity of certain enzymes.
People who take medications such as diuretics, anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors or ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) to manage cardiovascular issues should also be careful, because ibuprofen can stress the kidneys and the heart.
To reduce these health risks, don’t take the maximum recommended dose for more than a week or two at a time. If you are needing it for more than two weeks, or if you’re turning to ibuprofen every day to keep your aches and pains in check, you need to see your doctor for a qualified medical opinion.
When taken for long periods, ibuprofen can also increase the risk of stomach ulcers. The drug inhibits enzymes that, among other things, aid in the production of mucus that lines and protects the stomach lining, so without these enzymes, the stomach can become vulnerable to irritation and damage.
Some alternatives to ibuprofen you should talk to your doctor about include
But these enzymes also help main tain kidney and liver function and regulate the balance of fluids and electrolytes in your body. So, taking ibuprofen can be danger ous for patients with kidney disease or fail ure; those with liver damage or cirrhosis; and people with conditions that put strain on their kidneys, like high blood pressure or heart failure. Those at high risk for these conditions – as well as for stomach ulcers, heart attacks, strokes or bleeding problems – should consult with their doctors before taking ibuprofen.
GARAGES • GARAGES • GARAGES GARAGES • GARAGES • GARAGES
front with the name “J. Birbecksen.”
We hope to learn the history and value of the plates, and thank you for anything you can tell us.
ANTIQUE
by Anne McCollam Creators News Service
Eastlake Settee Was Made in Victorian Era
Q: This is a photo of an antique love seat I inherited. The wood has been refinished and the upholstery is new. It measures 3 feet wide, 35 inches long and 20 inches deep. I think it was made in the 1880s.
I hope you can tell me something about its history and value.
A: Your love seat or settee was made around 1870 to 1880 and is an example of Victorian Eastlake style. It was probably part of a factory-made parlor set that included a settee and two matching chairs.
They were often made of walnut, upholstered with velvet, had casters on the front legs, and seats that were constructed with springs. The incised carvings and reeded leg and arm supports are representative of the Eastlake period of design.
Settees like yours can be found selling in the range of $450 to $700.
Q: This mark is on the back of eight porcelain plates that my father bought in 1967, when we lived in Virginia. The mark below the name “Cauldon” is difficult to read, and I hope you can make it out.
Each plate is decorated with a different game bird, and each plate measures 8 inches in diameter. The scrolled edges and borders are trimmed in gold. They are signed on the
Cauldon Ltd. was located in Staffordshire, England.
A: Your hand-painted game plates were made by Cauldon Ltd., which was located in Hanley, Staffordshire, England. It made porcelain from 1905 to 1920. Game plate sets were designed for serving fish and game, and often included a platter and sauce dish.
The blurry mark is that of retailer, Higgins & Seiter, located on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Joseph Birbecksen was the artist who decorated the plates. He was born in 1862. He came from a family of porcelain painters and spent his career as a porcelain painter for several companies in England. He was known for his beautiful atmospheric paintings of birds and fish. Birbecksen painted many dessert and dinner sets designed for the market in the United States.
Each plate was made around 1900 and would probably be worth $300 to $450.
Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has since retired and no longer receives inquiries nor answers reader letters. Due to the popularity of her column, this publication will continue to reprint previous columns of interest to our readers.
To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com
* On May 26, 1897, Bram Stoker’s now iconic horror novel “Dracula” went on sale in London. Stoker’s editors had deleted the first 101 pages from his manuscript and altered the text to seem less “real,” since there just so happened to be a serial killer known as Jack the Ripper on the loose in the city at that time.
* On May 27, 1949, the unemployed, 22-year-old model-actress Marilyn Monroe earned $50 for posing nude for a Los Angeles photographer against a red velvet backdrop. Though it became the most famous calendar photo in history, she never earned another cent from the picture, as she had signed away all her rights to it in a release form.
* On May 28, 2005, Carl Edward Roland, who was wanted by police in connection with the murder of his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Gonzalez, was removed from a crane perched 18 stories above a construction site in Atlanta, where he’d spent three days. After his capture, he was eventually found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
* May 29, 1954, Comedian and future “King of the One-Liners,” Bob Hope, hosted the very first NBC peacetime color television broadcast. It marked the dawn of a new era in entertainment and helped set the stage for the television boom.
* On May 30, 1993, after being stalled for four days by a blizzard 4,000 feet below the summit, Joni Phelps became the first blind climber to reach the top of Denali, North America’s tallest mountain. She was guided by her twin sons.
* On May 31, 1977, the song “God Save the Queen” by the British punk band the Sex Pistols was banned from the radio by the BBC. Three decades after its release, lead singer Johnny Rotten aptly remarked, “There are not many songs written over baked beans at the breakfast table that went on to divide a nation and force a change in popular culture.”
* On June 1, 1494, Friar John Cor distilled Scotland’s first whisky at Lindores Abbey, under a commission from King James IV to turn eight bolls of malt into “aqua vitae,” or “water of life.”
"I was on the fourth
at the
course down the street and hit a bad slice. One of your employees thought it came this direction and... oh, there it is. Thanks "
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
fairway
golf
This Victorian settee was made around 1870.
Space: from page 3
second country with the Explorer I in 1958. Who was third? Canada with Alouette 1 in 1962. “Alouette” is French for “lark.”
• The International Space Station sees 15 sunsets and 15 sunrises every 24 hours as it orbits the planet. It takes about 90 minutes to orbit the planet once, traveling at the rate of 17,500 mph (28,163 km/h).
• India was the 4th nation to reach Mars orbit after the U.S., the USSR, and China. The name Mangalyaan is Sanskrit meaning “Mars Craft.” It was India’s first interplanetary expedition. It took 298 days to travel from Earth to Mars after spending a month orbiting Earth. It was launched on November 5, 2013, and the mission successfully entered Mars orbit on September 24, 2014. It remained in that orbit for over seven years before communications died and could not be revived.
• The dividing line between the end of Earth’s atmosphere and the beginning of space is not a clear demarcation, but is generally considered to be 60 miles (100 km) above sea level. The division is called the Kármán line after the Hungarian aerospace engineer who calculated the height at which airplanes would be unable to fly and spacecraft would be required.
• Spacecraft have visited all the planets in our solar system.
FAST FACTS
• In space, there’s no sound because there is no atmosphere to carry sound waves.
• The average temperature in the void of space is about -518°F (−270.45°C).
• Earth doesn’t take 24 hours to rotate on its axis. It’s actually 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds.
• It’s estimated the Milky Way galaxy has between 200 and 400 billion stars. In the observable universe, astronomers estimate there are at least 2 trillion galaxies.
• The space between galaxies is not completely empty but averages one atom per cubic meter.
• Venus is the second brightest object in the night sky. The Moon is the only thing that’s brighter.
by Jason Jenkins
Unfortunately this is not an article about the greatest trio of golfers ever to have played –Palmer, Nicklaus, and Player. It’s about the three tremendously important fingers of the left hand that influence much of the success of any golf shot. The middle finger down to the pinky establish the foundation of grip pressure and control of the hands with the full swing and especially the short game.
Learn to be aware of the control and pressure your bottom three fingers exert by holding the club without the other fingers. Yes, even without the left thumb and forefinger. Practice hinging the club up and down with just the left arm and wrist. You will typically exert more of a squeezing pressure to maintain a solid hold of the club with those fingers. That’s where the majority of pressure should be felt in your normal grip, yet on a slightly lighter scale. Many pros can be seen making little swings or hinges with just the left arm and hand while waiting to hit a shot. Watch closely to see the way in which they use the arm and wrist. It simply cannot be done effectively without the control of the big
