READER UPDATES HIS MEDICATION LIST

Dear Heloise: I read the letter about daily medication from Howard Zeff in our local newspaper (The Times of Northwest Indiana). I am 79 years old and take even more medication. My medication list is in Excel and I use it to check off the pills as I put them in the weekly box. I added three additional columns where I put the shape, color and numbers/letters on both the front and back of the pill. The pill can change if it comes from another manufacturer.

Thanks to Mr. Zeff’s letter, I am adding my health insurance and Medicare numbers as well as the pharmacy I use. I enjoy reading your column! — Libby Coffin, Munster, Indiana

HEARING PROBLEMS

Dear Heloise: In my circle of seniors, hearing difficulties seem to be widespread. People frequently ask “What did you say?” to the feeling that they were addressed. I have found, however, that if I say a person’s name as the first word in my comment or question, it inevitably catches the recipient’s attention.

It is an apparent cure for a lot of so-called “hearing” problems. — Jim R., in Houston

CARING FOR WANDERABLE CATS

Dear Heloise: I wanted to write about feral cat care. Yes, the poor creatures deserve care, but please don’t do it at the expense of other people’s health and property.

We have a small business and are constantly avoiding cats. Well-meaning ladies throw foul-smelling food on the pavement to feed them at night, but the food turns sour and attracts other ages. It also discourages public access and costs us in pest and rodent control.

We get no help from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the police unless the animals are caught in the act, which always happens at night. Please show the same respect to your neighbors as you do to cats! — Barbara Oliver, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

CORRECT USE OF THE MICROPHONE

Dear Heloise: A woman from Springfield, Illinois said that when you use a microphone, hold it directly in front of your mouth. But for a portable microphone, this is the worst place to put it.

The consonants B, F, P, S, T and the combination “TH” are explosive consonants that produce small bursts of air. These explosions hit the microphone shield and diaphragm, creating a pop, whoosh, hiss, or distracting sound that is louder than the rest of the sounds. Put your hand 1 inch from the mouth and say, “The boy taught his parrot to play.” Notice all the air bubbles on the hand.

The better position is to hold the mic to the side of your mouth at about a 45 degree angle, pointing towards your mouth. All puffs of air from explosive consonants will blow straight ahead, bypassing the microphone and eliminating all unwanted sounds.

However, if there is a good pop foam filter over the mic head, you can ignore all the directions above and hold the mic right on the bottom lip. (I was in a country gospel band for 10 years.) — HH, New Haven, Indiana

SEND A GREAT SUGGESTION TO: [email protected]

(c) 2024 by King Features Syndicate Inc.