Ask an Angel: November 7, 2019

With Veteran’s Day approaching, I struggle each year on how to teach the significance of the day to my teenaged children. My dad, their grandfather, served in the military. He lives locally, so we usually take him out to dinner or stop by his home for a visit on Veteran’s Day. While I think he appreciates my intentions, I feel like I’m not doing enough to educate my children and to show our sincere appreciation for his service.

Ask the Woodchucks: November 7, 2019

We have an original Del Webb, 2-lamp, kitchen ceiling fluorescent fixture that is flickering and hesitant to light up. The bulbs have been replaced with no effect. I believe it is the ballast that is dying. We also have several older 4-lamp fixtures in basement that are acting up too. Can you recommend a local electrical handyman that can repair fluorescent fixtures?

More than one way to skin a … cantaloupe?

When I read that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) urged all Americans to be a little more sensitive with our animal metaphors by banning phrases like “bringing home the bacon,” or “your goose is cooked,” I reacted as I think any sensitive American would.

A “hair” raising experience

Prior to the Dining Duo moving to the friendly confines of Sun City Del Webb Huntley, most of our marital bliss was spent in Hoffman Estates. As a result, we seem to find ourselves returning there for various reasons like doctors, stores, restaurants, etc. While driving down Roselle Road in Schaumburg, a storefront caught Nancy’s eye.

But things change.

Rake to the finish

My mom and I enjoyed watching my daughter participate in cross country meets throughout her middle school and high school years. After the start of the race was announced we would yell ‘Go Sarah’ repeatedly until she was out of site. We would then anxiously pace around, silently willing her on as she battled heat, other runners, uneven running surfaces and hills. After about 20 minutes, we would see her approaching the finish line.

Ask the Woodchucks: Humming noise

Several Woodchucks have reported hearing a humming noise in their house that was hard to pin point. Some thought it was electrical while others thought it was in the plumbing. With some careful questioning and a little experimenting, we were able to identify the problem. The hum went away in each case when a faucet was turned on in the house. The problem was a faulty flapper valve in the toilet tank. Don’t panic, if you can make toast you can repair this problem in fifteen minutes with no tools.

Ad Astra — outer space, country music and the Oscar watch begins

The review of Ad Asta starts a little further down. First and foremost I need to tell you about the greatest piece of entertainment I have ever seen, hands down, or thumbs up whichever you prefer. I am talking about the PBS TV production of Country Music, an eight part series produced by Ken Burns. I’m not necessarily a country music fan, but this historical look at the beginning and evolution of that genre, absolutely mesmerized me.

A pretzel und a schnitzel

Nancy and I were sitting in our screened in porch the other day smoking cigars – yes, Nancy smokes them too. We looked around and noticed the season is now changing to fall. The leaves are turning brown, just like Nancy’s roots, and there was a chill in the air, much like the look I just got from Nancy. Being the Dining Duo, our thoughts immediately turned to Octoberfest and German food. After one last puff on our cigars, and with our stomach’s growling, we headed off to Checkers II in Union.

A Way With the Census

The 2020 U.S. Census will not contain a question on citizenship, but is this enough to engage the Latino population? This is just one of the questions that face the McHenry County Complete Count Committee in striving for a complete count.

Ask an Angel: October 3, 2019

My teenaged son was over at my parents’ house visiting when he called me in a panic. My mom had mistaken the glass that contained her Efferdent denture cleaning for her glass of Alka-Seltzer and drank it. Both were tablets that fizzed, and she had put them side by side on the kitchen counter. My son didn’t know what to do, so I quickly called poison control.

On the road again

Jim is having his midlife crisis at age 70, oh lucky me, that means he’ll probably live to be 140!!! Time to go out looking for a small fun car to boost his ego during his crisis. He always wanted a Smart Car after seeing them in Europe, and it would be a perfect fit in our garage since we want to get a golf cart also. Our first goal was to see if Jim, being 6’4″ tall, could fold himself into this miniscule vehicle. To our dismay, we learned that they are no longer sold in the United States.

Downton Abbey – splendiferous

If you are a Downton Abbey fan this movie is a must see. When it ended the audience (almost a full house) applauded and cheered. On the way out the “buzz” exceeded that of any movie I can recall. And rightly so; the total production was amazing from beginning to end.

A weekend’s jaunt in the way-back machine

I took a time-machine trip with a friend a couple weeks ago.

Well, to be honest, the machine was actually a 2012 Subaru Outback. But it had no trouble carrying us back into the past.

Tips and tricks for National Indoor Plant Week

Happy National Indoor Plant Week! Yes, it really is a thing. Kind of a made up holiday like the recent Grandparents Day or the upcoming Sweetest Day. That being said the benefits of having indoor plants are most definitely not made up. They are very, very real.

Ask the Woodchucks: Door Problems Resolved

Last week I opened the “inside” garage door to our house and heard a loud pop. It sounded like a balloon burst. Now the door doesn’t close by itself. There are 2 large cylinder type hinges on this door. Are these spring-loaded? Did one or both of them snap? How do I go about getting the door fixed?

Ask an Angel: September 19, 2019

My dad is approaching his 80th birthday. While he is in somewhat good health for his age, my mom worries about his health. He hasn’t had a physical exam for a few years now. He claims he feels great, aside from a few aches and pains that come with age. When he has a cold, he refuses to see a doctor, saying he’ll just take it easy.

Quality Programs Define NAMI-McHenry County

A call for improvements in the world of mental health may seem a natural one after the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton.

The reaction to mass shootings in general seem to be based on the status of gun control regulations and perceptions that mental illness leads to violent behavior. The responses are two-fold; tighten laws for access to guns and improve the mental health system.

It’s time to take an adult look at our childish toys

When I was a kid, Mom had a little pearl-handled pistol that she kept in her top dresser drawer. I wasn’t supposed to know where it was — but I did. And sometimes when Mom and Dad were in the yard I would sneak into their room, take the gun out and play with it because it was prettier than any toy I owned.

I don’t know if it was loaded, because I never pulled the trigger. It may have had a safety that would have kept it from firing if I had pulled the trigger, but I don’t know. I just pointed it here and there and pretended I was shooting bad guys. I squinted one eye and stuck my other eye into the end of the barrel to see what it looked like down there.

Ask the Woodchucks: September 5, 2019

Many new people have moved to Sun City in the last ten years. I am taking this opportunity to review ten items that you should address to keep yourself safe and avoid costly repairs.

Come Again? Best new perennials to keep around

Gardening is said to add years to your life and life to your years. In order for those years to pass more beautifully and easily for gardeners, the Perennial Plant Association has developed a Perennial Plant of the Year (PPOY) program. For the past 29 years, members of this non for profit organization have met each summer and voted on which perennial flower they best exemplifies certain characteristics. Characteristics of past PPOYs include low maintenance, disease and insect resistant, have interest over several seasons and are hardy. Here is a summary of the past 10 years’ worth of what could be considered the best of the best perennial flowers.

Biaggi’s ball

You may only think of the Dining Duo as charming, witty, and knowledgeable restaurant critics. While this is absolutely true, it is not the only avocation that we have. We are also bocce ball athletes!!! Every Friday morning we psyche ourselves up, jump into the mini-mobile, and head out to do battle at the bocce courts. This is the first year that I get to have Jim as my partner, oh lucky me!

Where’d You Go Bernadette – a long trip

Thanks to one of our “email” readers, Dianne Morton who lives in Virginia. She tipped me off about this movie, as I had not heard about it. A little research suggested it might be worth our time, and as it turned out it most certainly was.

Ask an Angel: September 5, 2019

I am at a loss when it comes to making conversation with my grandpa. I have a good relationship with him but was always a little closer with my grandma. She passed away a few years ago, and since her passing, my grandpa seems a little withdrawn. He moved to assisted living about two years ago, and while he is doing well health-wise, he has occasional memory lapses. He lights up when I come to visit, especially when I bring my family (he loves watching my little ones toddle around the halls), but after the basic, “How are you, what’s new,” I find myself searching for conversation topics and ways to connect with him. Do you have any suggestions on how I can better engage my grandpa in conversation?

The spinning hoop goes round and round

As I stood on stage last week with my band, little brown-eyed Isabella smiled right in front of us, twirling her hula-hoop around her hips. She hula-hooped through our entire 90-minute show.

And so near the end of the show I called for the band to swerve out of our set list so I could sing “Brown-Eyed Girl” and dedicate it to her. The crowd of more than 800 erupted in applause for this energetic little 8-year-old girl — the real headliner of the night.

The Art of Racing in the Rain — proves that dogs are great!!

Before proceeding with the story line I have a timely comment. “Dogs are a connection. Dogs are a beacon of loyalty and family. Dogs are a man’s best friend. How could you not love dogs?

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