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Car Talk: Synthetic oil is the real deal for protecting engines

Dear Car Talk: You often recommend synthetic motor oil for cars. How do they make synthetic oil? Most modern products are made from oil, plastics, etc. What do they make synthetic oil from? -- John Good question, John. In referring to oil, synthetic means that the process is not a ...

Simple birthday card actually leaves open questions

Dear Annie: My sister and I have not spoken in three years following a falling-out over our mother’s estate. I won’t rehash the details — suffice it to say, neither of us came out looking entirely clean. We were never close growing up, but we were friendly enough as adults, and I miss ...

Numbness persists after 4 years of injections

Dear Dr. Roach: I was in excellent health until December 2020, when I was admitted to the hospital with high-risk multiple myeloma. I’ve been participating in a Phase 2 clinical trial since January 2021, and I was fortunate to achieve minimal residual disease-negative status in November ...

About delivered newspapers, pinning socks

Dear Heloise: Physical newspapers and the people who deliver them aren’t gone. I receive our local paper seven days a week, as well as the Wall Street Journal six days a week. I live in New Orleans. And what’s with pinning socks together? You take them off, fold them, unfold them to wash them, and refold them before putting them back in the drawer. I have them arranged by color, and I’ve never lost a sock in my life. — Carolyn W., in Louisiana Carolyn, how nice to still get home deliveries of your newspaper! Sadly, not everyone has this service these days. I get letters ...

Dear Annie: When new friends outshine old ones

Dear Annie: My dearest friend and I go back over 50 years. We've seen each other through everything, high and lows. Recently I became disabled and can no longer drive. I'm also a widow. I'm not asking anyone to chauffeur me around (I have that handled), but a phone call here and there would ...