Dear Heloise: Thank you for your uplifting column. I wanted to share a kitchen habit that has saved me both time and cabinet space. The Home Depot notes that 8-inch plates are versatile, making them perfect for salads, desserts and snacks — or for serving as a resting spot for utensils while ...

Dear Annie: From the outside, my life looks steady and full. I have a thoughtful husband, grown children who stay in close touch, dear friends and work that gives my days purpose. I know I am fortunate, which only makes it harder to admit how much I am struggling in private. For years, I have ...

Dear Annie: My wife and her sister have always had a close but delicate relationship. They can talk for hours, laugh about old family stories and check in on each other several times a week. But every so often, something shifts, and my sister-in-law becomes sharp, angry and deeply hurtful ...

Dear Heloise: Every summer, bags seem to get bigger with more pockets and space, making it harder to find small things like keys. This year, I tried something different, and it worked great. My current bag is a compact, 7-by-10-inch, envelope-style purse that was made from repurposed sailcloth ...

Dear Heloise: I just read a hint in the Ventura County Star about avoiding ants in a cat’s food bowl by setting the bowl on a pan of water. It reminded me of our cruise through the Panama Canal years ago. We learned that during the construction of the canal, the local hospitals placed the bed ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please write about the correct amount of water that people should drink. There’s so much misinformation! — E.N., MD ANSWER: There is so much misinformation since a simple answer, like “more is always better,” is easier than a nuanced answer. It depends on your age, ...