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Frosty ferns of fall

ESCANABA — Frosty ferns earthy brown, autumn leaves all around! When the nights grow cold and nip the forest floor, bracken ferns turn to bronze and gold! Bracken ferns are a very important native ground cover in northern Michigan. Such a vital part of the forest understory, ferns shade the ground, prevent soil erosion, hold moisture, and provide food and cover for many types of wildlife. Upper Michigan has over sixty species of wild ferns, but the bracken fern is one of the most abundant and popular. In the fall, small game hunters are happy to see the fern killing frosts. Now ...

The other side of the line

“Sacrifice was the code of the road,” – Bob Dylan When I heard the car door shut behind me, I knew I was on the other side of the line – that is, the line between here and out there. I think this has always been one of my favorite sounds. When I was a kid, if I wasn’t outside, I ...

Purchase a coffee filter separator

Dear Heloise: The best way to separate coffee filters is by using a kitchen gadget called ... wait for it ... a coffee filter separator. Available at major retailers, online, or at your favorite grocery store, it looks like a large plastic tweezer with rubber tips. And it works every time! -- ...

A cold war over the thermostat

Dear Annie: I'm 28 and live in a two-bedroom apartment in Washington state with my friend "Jess." She's an excellent roommate -- clean, considerate, quiet. I know I'm lucky. But there's one thing driving me crazy: the thermostat. She works from home and keeps the heat cranked to nearly 80 ...

Aunt won’t dish on her dishes

Dear Annie: My aunt has the strangest quality. I see her at every holiday and family party, and she always brings something delicious made from scratch. For my cousin's birthday, it was a key lime pie that disappeared within minutes. It was unreal. On several occasions, I've asked her for ...

Exercising can lift a bad mood

Dear Heloise: Can exercise lift our moods and help with stress? -- Irene K., in Hillsboro, Oregon Irene, yes, exercise can improve our moods and reduce stress by improving sleep, relieving muscle tension, and affecting brain chemicals. Exercise is actually very simple, and you don't have to ...