TIDBITS STOPS TO SMELL THE
ROSES
by Kathy Wolfe
Roses are red, violets are blue… This week in commemoration of National Rose Month and National Red Rose Day on June 12, Tidbits presents some interesting facts about the “Queen of Flowers.”
• There are more than 300 species of roses along with tens of thousands of cultivated varieties and hybrids. Some are shrubs or bushes, while others climb or trail.
• Roses require a lot of water to produce their blossoms – nearly 3.4 gallons (13 liters) for the life of just one flower.
• The world’s oldest known living rose can be found growing on the apse of the Hildesheim Cathedral in Hildesheim, Germany. This 1,000-year-old dog rose bush grows on the large column of the cathedral to a of height 33 feet (10 m). It’s a tough and hardy bush, and continues to blossom proudly despite the cathedral being bombed by allied forces during World War II.
TRIVIA NEWSFRONT
(Answers on page 16)
Most of us are familiar with the fast-paced game of hockey when teams attempt to score points by shooting the puck into the opponent’s net. But what about a submerged version of the game hockey thatʼs played underwater? This week Tidbits dives into the facts about this rather obscure sport.
• During the 1950s, the British Navy came up with an idea to keep their divers in shape during the winter and to improve their dexterity underwater. They called the exercise Octopush, based on the teams of eight players each, “octo-,” and the pushing of a puck with a small shuffleboard stick called a “pusher.”
• The game expanded beyond the Navy when the Southsea Sub-Aqua Club introduced competition among civilians. (Today’s rules allow six swimmers in the playing area at a time.)
• Played at the bottom of a swimming pool, the game requires skills in snorkeling, free-diving, and, of course, hockey regulations. However, unlike ice hockey, underwater hockey has very limited contact with other players.
1. ACRONYMS: What do the acronyms “AM” and “PM” stand for?
2. TELEVISION: What is the name of the Jack Russell Terrier in the sitcom “Frasier”?
3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which vice president went on to win a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007?
4. MOVIES: How many Infinity Stones are in “Avengers: Endgame”?
5. U.S. STATES: In which state would you find the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve?
6. GEOGRAPHY: What is Scotland’s official national animal?
7. LITERATURE: Which cities are the settings for Charles Dickens’ novel “A Tale of Two Cities”?
8. SCIENCE: Which two planets in our solar system have no moons?
9. HISTORY: Who was the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives?
10. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which branch of the U.S. military uses the recruiting slogan, “It’s not just a job; it’s an adventure”?
1.
• During actual play, team members are not allowed to use breathing devices, but must hold their breath. They do wear diving masks that cover the eyes and nose, since this allows more vision than standard swim goggles. Fins are also part of the game’s equipment, as is a protective glove worn to protect the hands from abrasion from the pool’s textured bottom.
• Penalties are incurred when a player uses the stick against something other than the puck or by moving or stopping the puck with something other than the stick. Players are not allowed to block another player’s movement and strike or hook an opponent’s stick, a penalty known as “hacking.”
• The first official competition took place in 1955, with the founding Southsea team taking the tournament win. That team remains highly ranked, triumphing in 20 out of 52 national championships.
• Underwater hockey came to North America in 1962 when it was introduced to Vancouver by an Australian scuba diving instructor. Underwater hockey is now played worldwide in 30 countries, with the first world championships held in Canada in 1980.
• The majority of championships have been won by Australia, with 27, and New Zealand, with 24. The United States has won six victories.
• The puck, called the “squid,” is plastic to ensure a smooth glide across the pool’s playing surface, but is weighted with lead in order to sink to the bottom of the pool. It weighs between 2.9 and 3.3 lbs. (1.3 to 1.5 kg). The stick measures no more than 3.9 inches x 2.0 inches x 13.8 inches (100 mm x 50 mm x 350 mm).
• The goals are referred to as “gulleys” and measure 9.8 feet (3 m) wide, and are situated at opposite ends of the pool bottom.
• The game consists of two halves, fifteen minutes each, and a three-minute half-time break, when the teams switch ends.
• Those players waiting to be substituted into play use snorkels that enable them to observe the game’s progress and the position of the puck without having to lift their eyes from the water. They must wait outside the playing area and hold their position on the pool surface.
About one-third of a person’s life is spent sleeping. This week, Tidbits wakes up these facts about the importance good
• adult hours of sleep for optimum health. About one-third meet During repairs body’s processes and improves energy levels. Chronic inadequate sleep can contribute to anxiety, depression, irritability difficulty thinking clearly, and poor performance Seven hours or more of sleep helps regulate blood sugar. Those who get less have an increased risk of Type 2
Ante meridiem and Post meridiem (before noon and after noon)
2. Eddie Crane (real name is Moose).
Week of
Roses: (from page one)
• More than 250,000 people in South America are employed in the rose business. About 54% of Ecuador’s land is planted in roses, and 25% of all the roses sold in the U.S. come from there. About 4 billion cut flower roses are sold every year in America, with 80% of those coming from Ecuador and Columbia.
• Roses are also big business in Zambia in southcentral Africa where more than 80% of cultivated land is in roses.
ROSE COLORS
• The various colors of roses symbolize different meanings. It’s no surprise that red roses signify love and romance, while yellow roses represent friendship. White roses are a symbol of purity, spirituality, and innocence, and are often favored for weddings, but also represent sympathy, and are a popular choice for funeral arrangements. Orange roses denote optimism, happiness, and wishes for success, making them a wise option for a graduation bouquet. Pink roses indicate feminine elegance and sophistication.
• Do you think you’ve seen a black rose? If so, you’re mistaken as there are no roses that are black in color. There is one, the Black Rose of Turkey, or Turkish Halfeti rose, that appears pitch-black, but in reality is a very dark reddishcrimson color.
HYBRIDS
• Rose breeders frequently name their hybrids after celebrities, such as the Elizabeth Taylor rose, which is a bright pink tea rose. The Barbra Streisand rose is a lavender flower with a citrusy scent, while the Julia Child rose is butter yellow and smells like licorice. Former First Lady Laura Bush asked for a rose with colors of orange and cinnamon to reflect the sunset of her Texas home.
The War of the Roses was a series of English civil wars which took place from 1455 to 1487. The House of Lancaster and the House of York battled over control of the English throne, both claiming control through descent from the sons of Edward III. The House of York was was represented by a white rose, while the House of Lancaster used a red rose as their symbol.
• Of the tens of thousands of hybrids, many are named after historical figures such as Empress Josephine, Leonardo daVinci, Marie Curie, Mozart, and Anne Boleyn. The Claude Monet rose, named after the famous French impressionist painter has large stripey yellow and pink blossoms.
• It took rose breeder David Austin 15 years to create the Sweet Juliet rose, a bloom with about 70 large peach petals and a deep apricot center and a fragrance of sweet vanilla. It cost Austin about $5 million to produce the variety, succeeding in 2006. Understandably, the Juliet is considered the world’s most expensive rose.
• Breeders tried for decades to create a blue rose, but found it impossible due to rose petals lacking the enzyme needed for blue pigment. However, success was finally achieved in 2009 through genetic engineering by implanting the gene that synthesizes the blue pigment Delphinidin. Accomplished in Japan, the rose was named “Applause.” Prior to that, blue roses could only be created by artificially coloring white roses.
ROSE RECORDS
• The record for the largest rose ever bred belongs to the Nikita K. Rulhoksoffski rose, bred at a California farm. This pink rose blossom measured approximately 33 inches (84 cm) in diameter with a stem 6 feet (1.8 m) long.
• If you visit Tombstone, Arizona, take time to view the world’s largest rosebush. The Lady Banks, a white rose that came from Scotland, was planted just a few blocks from the community’s OK Corral in 1885 at a hotel/boarding house during the silver mining boom. This mammoth bush covers 9,000 square feet with a trunk that measures 12 feet (3.67 m) in circumfrence.
ROSES IN RECIPES
• Roses are more than just a beautiful flower. Their petals are edible and are used in many Indian and Chinese dishes and as flavoring in jams and jellies and vinaigrette salad dressing.
• In late summer or early autumn after the blossoms have been pollinated and the rosebud falls off, roses have a berry-shaped fruit called rose hips that are orange, red, dark purple, or black in color. These can be dried to create a nutritious tea rich in Vitamins C, A, E, and B-complex, along with calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and other essential minerals.
• Studies have shown that rose hips help regulate
the blood sugar level of the body, reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, lower cholesterol, boost the immune system, and increase circulation.
• If you plan to utilize rose petals and rose hips, remember that one should never use those that come from a florist, as they frequently use pesticides on the flowers that are not approved for food.
1. What Egyptian queen was known to have bathed in rose petals to enhance her beauty?
2. According to Greek mythology, who gave the rose its name?
By Lucie Winborne
* A Bangkok restaurant has been serving customers from a “perpetual stew” that has been cooking for more than four decades.
* Each year, Americans spend more on beauty than education.
* The Empire State Building generates more revenue from its observation decks than from its 85 floors of office space.
* Vincent van Gogh fell in love with his cousin Kee Vos Stricker, and on one occasion proposed marriage, even putting his hand over a candle and saying he wouldn’t remove it until they could marry. Kee’s disapproving father, however, had other ideas: He blew out the candle and banned the artist from the house.
* A convicted con man once sold a “solar-powered clothes dryer” in national magazines for the bargain price of $49.95. Of course, buyers probably didn’t consider it such a bargain when all they got for their money was a length of clothesline.
* Actor Mark Ruffalo dreamed he had a brain tumor. The next day, a CT scan revealed a benign growth behind his ear.
* The town of Idyllwild, California, elected their first, and most unusual, mayor in 2012 -- a golden retriever named Max. After he passed away the following year, he was succeeded by Maximus MightyDog Mueller, aka Mayor Max II.
* In 1996, two neighbors in Devon, England, hooted at each other for an entire year while believing they were actually communicating with owls.
* In medieval Europe, butter was a luxury item that only the rich could afford to use regularly in their cooking. ***
Thought for the Day: “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” -- Zig Ziglar
by Mary Hunt
How to Save Money and Get Financially Confident
Start with a dollar and stuff it in a coffee mug if that is all you can manage. Then make it $5. Soon you will be saving $10, $20, even $50 a week, plus all the change from the sofa cushions and washing machine.
MAKE IT AUTOMATIC
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
by Mary Hunt
For a good deal of my life, I lived under a dark cloud of fear that I would end up financially destitute -- a bag lady. Studies reveal that I’m not the only one. Most of us have felt that way, not because we’re broke but because we lack confidence. That makes us timid, worried and financially insecure.
Look, we don’t have to accept financial insecurity as some kind of life sentence. And that constant and gnawing fear of becoming destitute? Forget it! We can do something about this.
BECOME A SAVER
Saving money is like magic because it changes your attitude and calms your fears. I saved my way out of a six-figure pile of debt (https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/aboutmary). Knowing I had cash tucked away in a safe place quieted my insatiable desires. That is where I found my determination to stick with repaying the debt. I taught myself how to save, beginning with a single $5 bill.
You must start now, today -- no matter your situation. Even if you are in debt and struggling to catch up and even if you are already contributing to a 401(k) plan at work. This is different. You need money in the bank to boost your financial confidence.
Setting up a plan where you have money automatically transferred to your savings will move your financial confidence to a new level. Check out an online savings account at SmartyPig, Capital One 360 or fill out an automatic deposit authorization form at the bank or credit union where you have your household account. Here’s the principle: If you don’t see it, you don’t miss it.
SET A FINANCIAL GOAL
Decide on one specific financial goal you want to accomplish. For any plan to succeed, it needs to be specific, reasonable and measurable. Example: Let’s say you want to save $2,400 -- about $50 a week. That is specific and it may be reasonable provided you are super motivated to stretch and make adjustments in other areas. And it’s measurable because you can check your account balance regularly.
GET ANGRY
Debt is the pits. It eliminates your options, keeps you awake at night -- can make you lie to your creditors, even lie to your spouse. I know: I’ve been terribly, worse than horribly, in debt!
So what are you going to do about it? Whine? Complain? Continue feeling sorry for yourself? I have a better idea. Get mad! Decide once and for all that you will not sell your soul to a credit card -- not one more day, not one more purchase. Get righteously indignant at the very idea of transferring your future wealth to a piece of plastic! Decide that you will do whatever it takes to get out of debt.
Determine to adopt these four behaviors into your life right now. One step at a time you will make progress and gain confidence. Single steps made consistently become miles.
* * *
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 2025 CREATORS.COM
This week Tidbits sends a wake-up call with some facts about the value of a good night’s rest. And it is an important function indeed since, after all, about one whole third of our life is spent sleeping!
• The average adult needs at least seven hours of sleep for optimum health, but about one-third of adults don’t meet this requirement. During sleep, the body repairs and maintains the body’s processes and improves energy levels. Chronic inadequate sleep can contribute to anxiety, depression, irritability difficulty thinking clearly, and poor performance
• Seven hours or more of sleep helps regulate blood sugar. Those who get less have an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes because
of an increase in the body’s resistance to insulin, which results in too much sugar in the bloodstream.
• Adequate sleep supports heart health. As the body sleeps, heart rate slows down and blood pressure decreases, giving the system a chance to rest. When blood pressure remains high because of a lack of quality sleep, there is an increase in the risk of heart disease. Lack of sleep takes a toll in good judgment. Less than five hours a night is associated with riskierthan-normal behavior.
• A body’s circadian rhythm is its natural 24-hour clock, by which the body’s systems are regulated. This internal clock keeps the body functioning on a healthy wake/sleep cycle. It tells the body when to sleep and when to wake up.
• A healthy rhythm is maintained by following a regular schedule, keeping the bedtime and wake time consistent, and getting seven to nine hours of sleep at night. Since the rhythm can be affected by the amount of light, shift workers can experience abrupt changes in the timing of sleep which can disturb the circadian cycle.
• Are you sleep deprived? Falling asleep should take 10 to 15 minutes. If it takes you less than five minutes, there’s a good chance you’re sleep-deprived. Sixteen hours straight without sleep decreases performance by as much as a blood alcohol level of 0.5%. Lack of sleep for over 48 hours usually leads to hallucinations. Those who sleep an average of less than six hours per night have an estimated 13% higher mortality risk.
• Need a nap? More than 80% of adults have napped at least 10 minutes in the past three months. About 7% of adults nap every day, with the average nap at about an hour.
• About 10-15% of people suffer from chronic insomnia, which is defined by its persistence over multiple months. Nearly 75% of those over 65 have insomnia, with women about 40% more likely to have insomnia than men. All kinds of factors can contribute to it – physical
or mental illness, shift work, stress, and diet and exercise habits.
• Research indicates that the average adult spends 3.5 hours on social media before bed every night, with 88% reporting lost sleep due to binge-watching TV. The blue light from screens disrupts the ability to fall asleep.
• Pandiculating is the medical term for yawning. Why do we yawn? At one time it was thought that it was to draw more oxygen into the lungs, but today it’s believed that it is the result of expelling excess carbon dioxide in the blood. It actually results in improved circulation. A short period of apnea (cessation of breathing) usually follows a good yawn. The average yawn lasts about six seconds.
• About 70% of people talk in their sleep on a regular basis.
by Dana Jackson
Q: I was watching the original “Dexter” series. Who played the “Ice Truck Killer” in the first season? He’s really good. I’m surprised he isn’t a bigger star after this role. -- L.K.
A: The actor who played the serial killer in season one of “Dexter” is Christian Camargo. He’s been acting steadily since but nothing that really showcases his talents like “Dexter.” (Maybe he can play a “Batman” villain someday?) He’s mostly guest-starred on several notable primetime series like “The Good Wife” and “Elementary.” He’s also appeared in the AcademyAward-winning film “The Hurt Locker” and two of the “Twilight” blockbuster films.
Since “Dexter,” he’s landed recurring or contract roles on two series: Showtime’s “Penny Dreadful” with Eva Green and Apple TV+’s “See” with Jason Momoa. His upcoming projects are listed as a series titled “Camelot” and the comedy “Big Mike’s Cabin.” So far, it hasn’t been announced if he’ll appear in the upcoming sequel series “Dexter: Resurrection” like John Lithgow and Jimmy Smits,
despite their characters’ deceased status in the original series.
Q: How did “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” do in the ratings compared to “Young Sheldon”? Will it be back for another season? -- K.C.
A: “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” is a spin-off on CBS focusing on kid genius Sheldon’s (Iain Armitage) older brother, his wife and her family. It won its time slot with 6.6 million viewers tuning in to CBS for its premiere episode this past October. The series finale of “Young Sheldon” drew 8.95 million viewers. “Georgie & Mandy” is a certified hit, however, and will return for its sophomore season.
The new season is said to focus on Georgie’s ownership of the auto shop and Mandy’s career as a local news broadcaster. While “Young Sheldon’s” Zoe Perry and Annie Potts guest-starred in the first season of the spin-off, Armitage did not. Perhaps this will change in the upcoming season.
***
Q: What ever happened to Thomas Gibson? I was hoping that his character would be back for the new “Criminal Minds,” but he’s completely disappeared. -- G.S.
A: Before “Criminal Minds,” Thomas Gibson starred in the hit sitcom “Dharma & Greg” without any reported issues. However, he was written out of the CBS series “Criminal Minds” after the 12th season due to being fired from the show for an on-set altercation with a producer. His char-
acter, Aaron Hotchner, went into the Witness Protection Program with his son after being targeted by a serial killer. The show went on for three more seasons on CBS and was then rebooted as “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” where it currently airs on Paramount+.
Gibson likely made a big chunk of change while starring on the show for over a decade and probably doesn’t have to work again. His acting credits stop in 2019 with the movie “Shadow Wolves,” but it’s not known whether his career was halted by choice or if he’s been blackballed by the industry. He does have one upcoming project -- “The Writer’s Bible,” which he’s not only starring in but also directing.
* * *
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc
"My goodness," said Tommy's mother. "What were you doing? Your nose is all red!"
"I just bent over to smell a brose in the garden," he said.
"You mean a 'rose'. There's no B in rose."
" Well, there was in this one!" he cried.
Enjoy Tidbits
(Go Figure solution page 14)
Christian Camargo in “Dexter”
Good Recipes from
Irish Chicken Dinner
Here’s a tasty alternative to Corned Beef and Cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day.
1 small (about 2 pounds) head green cabbage
1 large onion
1 (8-ounce) bag carrots
2 small (about 1/2 pound) turnips
1 cup loosely packed spinach leaves
1 (3 1/2-pound) broiler-fryer, cut up
1 tablespoon salad oil
1 tablespoon beef-flavor instant bouillon
10 black peppercorns
3 whole cloves
1 large bay leaf
5 radishes with leaves, for garnish
1. Cut cabbage and onion each into 5 wedges. Cut carrots into 2 1/2-inch pieces. Peel and cut turnips into 1-inch wedges. Cut spinach leaves into 1/4-inch-wide strips.
2. Remove skin and fat from all chicken pieces except wings; cut each chicken breast in half.
3. In 8-quart Dutch oven over medi-
um-high heat, in 1 tablespoon hot salad oil, cook cabbage and onion wedges until lightly browned.
4. Add chicken pieces, carrots, turnips, beef bouillon, peppercorns, cloves, bay leaf and 2 cups water; over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 40 minutes, gently stirring occasionally until chicken and vegetables are tender.
5. Divide chicken and vegetables among 5 large soup bowls; top with spinach strips. Into medium bowl, pour cooking broth through sieve to discard spices and bay leaf. Spoon broth over chicken and vegetables in soup bowls. Garnish each serving with a radish if you like. Serves 5.
Each serving: About 275 calories, 8g total fat, 96mg cholesterol, 700mg sodium.
Crispy Cod Cakes
These cod poppers, topped with a savory vinaigrette, make the perfect appetizer when served over a bed of salad greens.
Crispy Cod Cakes
1 pound cod (or haddock) fillets, cut into chunks
1/3 cup basil, packed fresh
3 garlic gloves, crushed with press 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup panko
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
Almond-Pepper Vinaigrette
1/3 cup salted almonds
5 tablespoon sherry vinegar
5 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup roasted red peppers
Salad greens, for serving
1. In food processor, pulse cod (or haddock) fillets, basil leaves, garlic, smoked paprika and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper until cod is finely chopped, stirring occasionally. Form into 8 patties; dip each into egg and panko, patting to adhere.
2. In 12-inch skillet, heat vegetable oil on medium; fry cakes 3 minutes per side or until deep golden brown.
3. To make Almond-Pepper Vinaigrette: In blender, puree salted almonds, sherry vinegar, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. Add roasted red peppers; pulse until almost smooth. Serve cod cakes with vinaigrette and salad greens. Makes 4 servings.
Each serving: About 450 calories, 24g protein, 21g carbs, 30g fat (4g saturated fat), 3g fiber, 470mg sodium.
by Brett Koth
Dog Talk with Uncle Matty
By Matthew Margolis
Holidays & Observances This Week
6/1 Shavuot (begins at sundown)
6/2 Leave the Office Early Day
6/3 National Bike Travel Day
6/4 Tailor Appreciation Day
6/5 Hot Air Balloon Day
6/6 D-Day Rembrance
6/7 World Food Safety Day
The Question of a Second Dog
A woman called me last week and said, “I have an 8-year-old dog, and I think he’s lonely. Don’t you think he needs a friend?”
That depends.
If a person is feeling lonely, seasons like the holidays tend to exacerbate it. But your dog doesn’t know a traditional wintertime celebration from the middle of summer. For the most part, dogs don’t get lonely, people do.
Read between the lines: Her dog is getting older, and she’s anticipating the pain she’ll inevitably feel when he passes. It isn’t uncommon for people to get a second dog to ease that sadness. And isn’t necessarily a bad idea. Necessarily.
The good:
-- Bringing a puppy into the house can have a rejuvenating effect on the older dog. Puppies are playful and silly, and their exuberance is contagious.
-- Young and old dogs can bond, giving the older dog a renewed sense of purpose.
-- The dog owner will not have to endure the heartbreaking quiet of a home that used to house a dog.
-- Another dog finds a loving and permanent home.
The bad?
There could be no downside whatsoever. In this case, however, the woman who called wanted a second dog, but her husband didn’t. Neither babies nor dogs make good Band-Aids for a marriage.
When I asked her why her husband didn’t want another dog, she told me it was because they’d never trained the one they have now, who is a bit of a mischief-maker. In fact, he had recently devoured a child’s plastic toy, landing him in a veterinary hospital and saddling them with a surgery bill for $8,000.
Hubby has a point. It can be hard enough -- and expensive enough -- to live with one untrained dog. Add a new puppy to the mix and you might as well issue a standing invitation to the
Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10
(CryptoQuip Solution on page 14)
SENIOR NEWS LINE
by Matilda Charles © King Features Synd., Inc.
Tuning Out the News
Today marks seven days since I’ve watched the television news. For a news junkie, that’s a very long time. But I feel much better for having taken a break.
It can’t be good for us, either psychologically or physically, to be constantly bombarded with information that causes stress and likely has a health impact in the form of higher blood pressure and in many cases downright anger.
The chronic chaos shown to us daily on television news programs even impacts us socially when we don’t know anymore what the safe topics are when we're in the company of others. We carefully avoid any subjects that can be considered to be political opinion. Gone is the spontaneity (and the joy) we once felt by being free to express our opinions about things. Better to remain silent than risk stirring up a hornets nest and causing hard feelings.
In some cases we eventually stop socializing with certain people altogether because of the stress it causes when we know that they will be expressing their political views when all we want to do is simply avoid the subject altogether and enjoy some pleasant conversation.
The news bombards us daily from every
direction; the computer, the radio, television, newspapers, and even our cellphones. Add to that the stream of breaking news alerts either on the television or notifications chiming on our phones. We just can’t get away from it.
Before I could go cold turkey and avoid all of the news, I knew I’d have to keep up with weather. In my coastal area it’s safer to know what’s coming. To stay ahead of possible bad weather I use the Weather Channel on TV and Wunderground (www.wunderground.com) on the computer.
I'm not saying that I can go on avoiding the news indefinitely. At some point I’m going to have to check back in with the rest of the world. But it’s been a relief not to be bombarded with mostly bad news, constant chaos, hysteria, sensational crawlers on the screen and constantly differing viewpoints about national and world events.
I long for the days when we were all in harmonious agreement, holding to the same common civic and moral values. Sadly, today we all seem to be sharply divided by politics, race, gender, religion, and many other walls that separate and narrow our vision. It's actually quite scary. "A nation divided cannot stand."
I invite you to try separating yourself from the constant firehose of news information, even if it’s just for a few days. It's really quite a relief,
Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@ gmail.com.
Cody’s Corner (from page 9)
Hell’s Angels for drinks at your place.
Another factor to consider is that your dog may not want a “friend.” Not all dogs enjoy the company of other canines. They are pack animals, yes. But at the age of 8, this particular pooch’s pack has been established.
If he views himself as the pack leader -- which is entirely possible since he was never trained -- he will defend that position when the other animal is brought home. And if the new pup is also of an alpha mindset, well, you’ll find yourself reminiscing on how peaceful your time with dog number 1 really was.
On the other hand, if you bring a new dog into a household where it is deeply entrenched that you, the dog owner, are the pack leader, then there is very little need on either dog’s part to fight over a position that is already filled -- by you.
I ended our conversation with one last bit of advice: If you insist on getting a second dog, make sure you don’t end up with two female dogs in the house.
“But I don’t like males,” she said.
And I couldn’t help but wonder whether she meant two-legged or four. 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.
COPYRIGHT 2014 CREATORS.COM
YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
by Tom Margenau
Will Your Social Security Check Follow You
if You Move Overseas?
I’ve been getting more than a few emails lately from folks who say they plan to move overseas. Some told me they just want to escape the political turmoil in this country. Others probably have a bad case of wanderlust. I’m sure others are just thinking about retiring and returning to their ancestral home, or perhaps still others see some of the same websites I do that entice you with headlines like: “Live like royalty on your Social Security check in Costa Rica!”
But anyway, those writing to me want to know what happens with their Social Security benefits once they pack their bags and head to some foreign land to live.
Anyone planning to do that needs to read a booklet that the Social Security Administration produces called “Social Security -- Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States.” You can find it online by simply searching for that title.
By reading that publication, you will learn that if you are a U.S. citizen, the rules are pretty simple. You can get your Social Security benefits almost anywhere in the world. However, the Treasury Department doesn’t allow any federal government checks to be sent to North Korea or Cuba. And there are Social Security restrictions that prevent benefits from being sent to Vietnam and most of the republics that formerly made up the Soviet Union (places like Belarus, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, etc.). There are some exceptions to those Social Security restrictions, so read the booklet if any of those remote places are beckoning you in retirement.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, but you have lived in this country legally, worked and earned Social Security benefits, then the rules get a little more complicated. I will briefly explain some of them.
If you are a citizen of one of the 23 countries that have Social Security treaty agreements with the United States (they are listed in the booklet), then you can also get your benefits anywhere in the world -- with the same restrictions that apply to U.S. citizens outlined above. You’ll find the list of countries on page five of the booklet. The list includes most European countries as well as places like Israel, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
Page six of the booklet has another list of countries. If you are a citizen of one of those countries, you can get your Social Security benefits while living outside the United States, but only if you are receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
If you get Social Security dependent or survivors’ benefits, then the rules get messy -- way too complicated to explain in the short space of this column. Please refer to the booklet for more information.
If you are not a citizen of one of the countries listed on pages five and six of the booklet, but you are receiving U.S. Social Security benefits, then, as a general rule, those benefits will stop once you have been outside the country for more than six months.
If you are getting Social Security benefits
while living overseas, you are generally subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to Social Security beneficiaries in the United States. And some of the rules are even more restrictive. For example, there is an earnings penalty that applies to Social Security beneficiaries in this country who are under their full retirement age and who are still working and making more than about $23,000 per year. But if you are under FRA and living overseas, you won’t get your Social Security check for any month you work over 45 hours, no matter how much money you make. There are exceptions to this rule. The most common is that if you work for a U.S. corporation overseas, then you are subject to the more lenient earnings penalty rules that apply to U.S. residents.
If you are getting Social Security disability benefits while living overseas, the same rules apply to you as apply to people living in this country. That means, for example, that your claim will be periodically reviewed to make sure you are still disabled.
If you are a U.S. citizen living overseas, the benefits you receive are subject to the same income tax payments that apply to U.S. residents. If you are not a U.S. citizen, then SSA will automatically withhold a portion of your benefits to cover possible tax obligations -- although there are some exceptions to that rule as well.
Most people living overseas have their benefits sent by direct deposit to a bank in the country where they are living. On page 27 of the booklet mentioned earlier in this column, there is a long list of countries that have an international direct deposit treaty agreement with the United States. Assuming you have moved to one of those countries, you will have no problem getting your benefits electronically.
If you need to conduct some kind of Social Security business once you are living overseas, you obviously can’t just drive across town and visit your local Social Security office. But every U.S. embassy and consulate has a person on staff who is trained to handle Social Security business. So, they are a good source of information and help. Or, assuming you have Internet access, you can use SSA’s web-
1. The book of 3 Thessalonians is found in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither
2. Who went to the city gate every morning to hold a court of justice trying to win people from David? a) Nain b) Felix c) Absalom d) Felix
3. Where did the first miracle of Jesus take place with his turning water into wine? a) Antioch b) Cana c) Bethlehem d) Corinth
4. Which queen died when thrown from a window and trampled by horses? a) Vashti b) Elisabeth c) Dorcas d) Jezebel
5. In what book does Paul promote the public reading of scripture? a) Acts b) 1 Samuel c) 1 Timothy d) 1 John
6. From Judges 9, who had 70 of his brothers killed on one stone? a) Abimelech b) Saul c) Abraham d) Samuel
(Answers on page 16)
comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com
One final point. Your Medicare coverage only works while you are living in the United States. If you move to a foreign country and think you will be there for good, you might as well cancel the parts of Medicare for which you pay a monthly premium. These are usually Part B (medical insurance) and Part D (drug insurance).
The key to understanding all of this is reading that booklet I mentioned. I will warn you that it can be a little daunting at first, just because there are so many rules and so many potential variables to those rules, depending on your citizenship status and the kind of Social Security benefit you are getting, and where you plan to live. But just be patient and read the book a couple of times, and I think it will all sink in eventually.
Other than that: bon voyage! And send me a postcard from one of those pretty golden beaches in Costa Rica!
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.
Are Screening Centers Worth the Money?
DEAR DR. ROACH: I see screening tests advertised often. For $160, I can get screened for conditions that might cause strokes, heart disease, aneurysms, etc. My partner and I are in our early and mid-60s. Should we get these done? -- K.S.
ANSWER: Sometimes screening tests make a great deal of sense; other times they don’t. It all depends on how likely it is that a person would actually have the condition in question. For example, screening for an aneurysm of the aorta has been proven to save lives in men between 65-75 with any history of smoking. It can also be considered in other people, especially if there is a family history of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
On the other hand, many stand-alone screening centers offer ultrasound evaluations of the carotid arteries in the neck, but expert groups such as the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommend against it in people without symptoms. They have concluded that screening for blockages of the carotid arteries in people without symptoms is more likely to result in harm than in any benefit.
The main harm comes from false-positive ultrasounds, which must often be confirmed by an angiogram. About 1% of people get a stroke during an angiogram, which is more than the expected benefit of finding and treating blockages in a person with no symptoms. Some people would be helped by screenings, but more people are expected to be harmed.
I have also seen an unfortunate lack of timely follow-ups. I had a family member get a screening done, and shortly after he died of a heart attack, a letter came from the center saying that he should follow up with a cardiologist.
In my opinion, screening tests should be decided on by your doctor, who knows your medical history. I don’t recommend going to places advertising that they just do screening, even if the price (in money) is affordable. ***
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 81-year-old man in fairly good health, I think, except for osteoporosis. Three years ago, I had a very weak pulse rate and was hospitalized. My wife thought I was having a stroke. The cardiologist had a pacemaker implanted, and I’ve been good since.
But two months ago, the cardiologist listened to my chest and said I had a murmur, a word I didn’t know. She also said “sinuses” and “plaque” and “valve.” She ordered an echocardiogram, which I’ve had, but don’t know the results of yet. Am I in danger? If so, how much? -- W.C.G.
ANSWER: By now, I hope and expect that your cardiologist will have told you not to worry. A “murmur” is just a sound that doctors can hear from the heart, which sometimes means that there is damage to one of the four valves of the heart.
Guessing by the terms she used, I think your cardiologist is concerned that you may have
(“plaque”) in the
supported by the sinuses of Valsalva in the aortic root.
Calcium in the aortic valve by itself may not cause problems, but it can keep the valve from being able to open all the way -- a condition called aortic stenosis. It isn’t always easy to hear the difference between aortic valve calcification and aortic stenosis, but an echocardiogram gives a very accurate measurement of the aortic valve opening.
If you have aortic stenosis, she will discuss your options, which may include surgery if it is severe. However, if you have the more common calcification without stenosis, she will make sure that your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are controlled and will likely redo the echo in a few years.
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.
VETERANS POST
by Freddie Groves
Veterans Legacy Memorial Has Expanded
The Veterans Legacy Memorial has just expanded by 210,000 pages, courtesy of the American Battle Monuments Commission.
The ABMC manages cemeteries and federal memorials in 17 countries to honor the over 200,000 service members who died in World War I and World War II and who are buried in those overseas locations.
Organized in 1923, the agency constructed and maintains the sites, which includes memorials, monuments and headstones. Each location on the ABMC website (www.abmc.gov) includes virtual 360 drone footage of the area, search function, the history of each site and more.
The list of ABMC sites reads like a history book: Normandy American Cemetery in France, the Corozal American Cemetery in Panama, the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines, the Cambridge American Cemetery in England and so many more sites of previous wars and conflicts around the globe.
And now 210,000 of those service members will have their own individual pages added to the Veterans Legacy Memorial digital online website (www.vlm.cem.va.gov), which contains the names of those buried across the country. The addition will bring the total pages to over 10 million.
Each Veterans Legacy Memorial service member page includes a bio with branch of service, dates of birth and death, rank, decorations and stories and photos uploaded by family and friends. If you want to pre-qualify for burial in a national veterans cemetery, you can apply in advance at va.gov/burials-memorials. (Click on “Eligibility” and fill out the VA Form 40-10007.) You’ll need your DD-214. Or call the scheduling office at 800535-1117 if you need help with the paperwork.
Once approved, if you wish, you can create your own Legacy page that will be activated upon your passing. It’s called “Your Story, Your Legacy,” and you’ll be able to create it to read just as you wish.
If you’re trying to add to a Legacy page for a family member (or create your own) and need help, call National Cemetery Support at 866-245-1490.
* * *
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
Essential Legal Documents All Seniors Should Have
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: What kinds of legal documents do I need to make available to help my family take care of necessary things such as my household and financial affairs should I need their help in my elder years? I would like to get all these details in order now, but I could use some guidance. -- Approaching 80
Dear Approaching: All adults, especially an older adult like yourself, should have at least five legal documents to protect yourself and your family. These documents will make sure your wishes regarding your estate are legal and clear and will help minimize any conflicts and confusion with your family and your health care providers if you
Estate Planning Attorney
become seriously ill or when you die. Here are the key documents you need, along with some tips to help you create them.
Durable Power of Attorney:
This document allows you to designate someone you trust to handle your financial affairs if you become incapacitated.
Advance Directive:
This includes two documents that spell out your wishes regarding your end-oflife medical treatment. The two documents are a “living will” which tells your doctor what kind of care you want to receive if you become incapacitated. And a “health care power of attorney” (or health care proxy), which names a person you authorize to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable.
To complement your advance directive, you should also consider getting a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment –see POLST.org. This is a state-specific form that your doctor would fill out that translates your end-of-life wishes into medical orders to ensure your wishes are carried out.
A Will:
This lets you spell out your wishes
Get Help:
If, however, you want or need assistance or if you have a complicated financial situation, blended family or have considerable assets, you should hire an attorney. An experienced lawyer can make sure you cover all your bases – especially when writing a will or living trust – which can help avoid family confusion and squabbles after you’re gone.
Costs will vary depending on where you reside, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $500 and $2,000 for a basic estate plan that includes a will, power of attorney and advance directive. If you want your estate plan to include a living trust, that can run anywhere between $1,500 and $5,000.
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA.org) and the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC.org) are two good resources that have directories on their websites to help you find someone in your area.
ANTIQUE
by Anne McCollam Creators News Service
Diamond Carousel Pattern Circles Dishes
Q: I was given the set of dishes in this photo and would like to know more about them, as well as their value. There are eight each of dinner plates, salad plates, soup bowls, dessert bowls and saucers, but only seven cups. The set also includes serving platters, a cream pitcher, a sugar bowl with a turquoise lid and five water glasses.
A few of the dishes have chips, but most look as though they were never used. The dishes have an off-white background and are trimmed with turquoise, elongated diamond shapes alternating with starbursts that circle the borders.
Based on the decoration style, the set was made in the 1960s, I suspect. Marked on the back of most pieces are the words “Nest Stone -- Hand Decorated -- Made in America -- Oven Proof -- Detergent Proof -- Underglazed.”
Any information you can provide will be appreciated.
A: Your stoneware dishes are circa 1960. They were made by Stetson China Company located in Lincoln, Ill. They were in business from 1919 to 1965. Stetson made Nest Stone dishes for Marshall and Burns Company in Chicago.
Nest Stone dinnerware was available in several different patterns and marketed under the name “Mar-Crest.” “Diamond Carousel” is the name of the pattern. The modern style pattern was designed by Stetson designer, Alfred Dube.
Your set would probably be worth in the neighborhood of $250 to $350.
***
Q: I have enclosed the mark that is on the back of a porcelain cake plate I have. The plate is decorated with three bunches of pastel roses against a white background. It is 11 inches in diameter and has small handles. Both the handles and the edges are trimmed in gold.
It is in excellent condition. The plate was given to me by a friend who has passed away, and I would like to know more about its history.
Beyer & Bock made porcelain in Germany from 1853 to 1960.
A: Your cake plate was made by Beyer & Bock. They made porcelain in Volkstedt, Thuringia, Germany, from 1853 to 1960. Beyer & Bock used this mark from 1905 to 1932.
Similar cake plates can be found selling in antiques shops in the range of $75 to $150.
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 June 2, 1997, U.S. Army veteran Timothy McVeigh was convicted on 15 counts of murder and conspiracy for his role two years earlier in the terrorist bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. He was executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001.
* On June 3, 1956, authorities in Santa Cruz, California, put the city in the national spotlight by declaring a complete ban on rock and roll at public gatherings, labeling the music “detrimental to both the health and morals of our youth and community” after a policeman at a dance party the night before described the teen crowd as “engaged in suggestive, stimulating and tantalizing motions induced by the provocative rhythms of an all-negro band.”
* On June 4, 1940, 22-year-old Carson McCullers’ debut novel, “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter,” about misfits in a Georgia mill town, was published to widespread acclaim.
* On June 5, 1888, President Grover Cleveland vetoed a bill that would have given a widow’s pension to Johanna Loewinger, whose husband had passed away 14 years after being discharged from the army. Because he died by suicide and not from a disability caused by his military service, her request was denied.
* On June 6, 2002, a high-energy upper atmosphere explosion now known as the Eastern Mediterranean Event, similar in power to a small atomic bomb, occurred over the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Crete when a small, undetected asteroid disintegrated while approaching Earth. There were concerns that if the explosion had occurred closer to Pakistan or India, it could have sparked a nuclear war between the countries, as they were engaged in a standoff at the time.
* On June 7, 1968, just two days after the assassination of Democratic presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy, Fred Rogers, the popular host of the children’s public television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” dedicated an episode to explaining the tragedy to his young audience.
* On June 8, 1191, King Richard I of England arrived in Acre, Israel, beginning the Third Crusade.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
“Now
Nest Stone dinnerware was made by Stetson China Company.
ROSES IN OINTMENTS
• Because they are rich in antioxidants, rose petals make a great natural skin cleanser when dried petals are made into paste of water and a touch of raw honey.
• A rose petal concoction can soothe a sore throat, too. It’s made by packing fresh rose petals into a jar and pouring in honey almost to the top of the jar, then stirring to coat. The mixture must set for at least six weeks, followed by straining out the petals. A spoonful of the blend is then stirred into hot tea, making for a flavorful coating for sore throats. The mixture can be stored indefinitely.
• Tiny glands on the petals of roses produce a fragrant oil that is used in perfumes. It’s a tedious process that requires an enormous amount of roses. Rose perfume is an incredibly precious commodity due to the sheer volume of flowers required. It takes approximately 800 lbs. (400kg) of rose petals to produce just 1.3 lbs. (600g) of pure rose essence. Needless to say, the perfume products produced through this tedious and time-consuming method are presented in gold trimmed, diamond crusted crystal bottles with price tags in the tens of thousands, and purchased only by the wealthy elite.
THE HONORED ROSE
• In 1986, while standing in the White House Rose Garden, President Ronald Reagan officially declared the rose as the national flower of the United States, per Senate Joint Resolution 159. Part of his address read, “More often than any other flower, we hold the rose dear as the symbol of life and love and devotion, of beauty and eternity.”
• The states of Georgia, Iowa, New York, and North Dakota, and the Canadian province of Alberta all have a variety of rose as their state flower.
• Only three flowers are mentioned in the Bible –the rose, the lily, and camphire (henna).
The elbows aren’t typically in the big magazine articles when it comes to producing power or hitting better shots. Yet, allowing the arms to fold at the right time can certainly increase hand and clubhead speed. It’s not a matter of gluing the arms to the body so they have no choice but to fold in the swing, but understanding what each arm does at nearly equal opposite points in the swing.
When the hands are half way back and halfway through in the swing, the left and right elbows are folding fairly equally. The right arm in the backswing, and the left in the follow through. The elbows should be pointing downward as well, not pointing to the horizon, and are separate from the body at this point. Picture making a “W” with your arms while in a golf posture as the best way to illustrate the elbow action. Your palms will be facing forward and upward slightly to mimic the proper hand position as well.
