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  • Commentary

    It could be worse — and it has been

    Merlene Davis

    I was talking with a friend last week, catching up on all the years we had not been in contact, when the conversation turned to the economy and our wallets.

THE FRU-GAL

Deborah Morris' weekly column, The Fru-Gal, can help you get through these economic hard times a little more easily. If you know of a way to save some money, feel free to share it on The Fru-Gal blog.
varicose veins surgery
David Stephenson | Staff

Heat treatment takes care of varicose veins

Pat Bale weighs maybe 105. Her varicose veins are, needless to say, not a product of obesity. Rather, they are an unwelcome family inheritance, something she knew she was going to have to deal with when, in her 20s, she was already feeling tenderness behind her knees.

    • COMMENTARY

      Lexington a great place to retire

      New Jersey couple, magazine survey agree

      By Merlene Davis

      In 2004, Gerard Badger retired from his second career and moved with his wife, Rita, to Lexington from New Jersey.

    • Promising to wait

      Promise has a ring to it

      By Mary Meehan l mmeehan1@herald-leader.com

      On the Video Music Awards last week, host Russell Brand mocked the teen-idol Jonas Brothers — Nick, Joe and Kevin — for their promise of purity until marriage as marked by rings they wear on their left hands.

    • Ovarian cancer test is under fire

      By Amy Wilson

      OvaSure, the much bally hooed new diagnostic blood test for early detection of ovarian cancer, is still causing much consternation.

    • Commentary

      The poor, minorities pay with their lives

      Merlene Davis

      Time and time again, research has shown that the poor and minorities come up on the short end of the longevity stick.

      Some of the blame can be placed on inactivity and dietary choices.

    • The Fru-Gal

      Come see me Saturday at the fair

      Deborah Morris

      People often ask me how I find great deals. Honestly, I just try to keep my eyes open.

    • AIDS patient prepares to leave group home

      WANTS TO 'CONTROL MY OWN DEATH'

      By Amy Wilson

      He finally got his own bathroom, a coup for anyone living in a group home. He finally got the big front room with the big picture window, too, after living in four other, smaller rooms.

    • COMMENTARY

      Palin's daughter's hurry-up marriage is a bad idea

      Talk of marriage isn't same as commitment

      By Merlene Davis

      I have a problem with some news organizations that have used fiancé when referring to Levi Johnston, the young man being introduced as the father of Bristol Palin's unborn child.

    • Heart-attack survivor advocates for good health

      By Kathy Van Mullekom

      NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Cindy Steger completed a 5K race, finishing in her normal good time in August 2004. She went to a friend's house, where she suddenly felt a sensation of heat begin at the small of her back and work its way up to her neck, making its way all over her body. She also felt lightheaded and faint.

    • Holiday savings can start now

      Deborah Morris

      I know it is early, but with summer coming to an end and the holidays right around the corner, now is a great time to think about making the holidays a very fru-gal season.

    • Our eyes runneth over with pride

      Merlene Davis

      Soon after Barack Obama officially won the Democratic Party's presidential nomination Wednesday evening but before he accepted on Thursday, TV cameras caught black people crying on the floor of the convention.

    • Commentary

      Honor Network serves the deserving

      FREE FLIGHTS TAKE VETS TO SEE WWII MEMORIAL

      By Merlene Davis

      The day before Veterans Day 2006, Charles ”Chuck“ Stoner of Wilmore drove to Dayton, Ohio, so he could be at the airport early the next morning.

    • Forgive me, but I can't help but gloat

      By Merlene Davis

      This page is filled with information and suggestions, compassion and empathy for those parents of younger children who will be headed back to school.

    • School supply list grows as classroom needs increase

      By Mary Meehan

      The back-to-school supply list seems to get longer every year, and it raises the question that if millions in tax dollars are spent on schools then why, in addition to paper and pencils, do lists include items like cleaning supplies and ink cartridges.

    • Commentary

      Everything's coming up duct tape

      Merlene Davis

      Anna Kate McFarland, 17, stood in the middle of a group of women old enough to be her mother, or possibly her grandmother, teaching us how to fold a 2-inch piece of duct tape into a pentagon shape that would, with our patience and her nurturing, become a petal on a rose.

    • the fru-gal

      Don't underestimate leftovers, clotheslines

      Deborah Morris

      I spend time each week with two wonderful older women. One I cook with every Wednesday at the Ronald McDonald House. I laugh sometimes because she scrapes the bottom of the bowl to make sure every last bit is out. I throw away the grease, and she tries to find a way to use it or save it for next week.

    • Helms' name on an AIDS relief bill? Shame on Dole

      By Merlene Davis

      The U.S. Senate passed the HIV/AIDS relief bill last week, allotting $48 billion over five years toward fighting that disease, as well as malaria and tuberculosis, worldwide.

    • the fru-gal

      Am I cheap? Hey, I'm just giving my 50 cents' worth

      Deborah Morris

      When I have told people about my Fru-Gal column, some of them ask: You teach people how to be cheap?

    • Commentary

      Mandela finally removed from U.S. list of terrorists

      Merlene Davis

      Dignitaries from several countries and entertainment stars from all genres gathered in London on June 27 to wish former South African President Nelson Mandela a happy 90th birthday.

    • Destination: nearby

      By Cheryl Truman

      Jim Madden of Lexington has this mini-vacation thing down: two gallons of gas each way, and he and his companion, Dewey, an Australian shepherd, are on vacation.

    • COMMENTARY

      Happy endings can take time

      By Merlene Davis

      Although James and Jeanette Robinson did not have a fairy-tale romance, they nonetheless think their marriage will have a happy ending.

    • THE FRU-GAL

      The power of the rebate

      By Deborah Morris

      Cutting coupons and watching for deals can save money. But so can applying for rebates. Although they take a little more time, some rebate offers give you back the entire purchase price and/or will reimburse you for a product you don't like. This week's ­column includes information on all of that.

    • Final child's college orientation is bittersweet

      By Merlene Davis

      My last child, the son who made my growing old a very ungraceful act, has graduated high school and is now about to enter college.

    • THE FRU-GAL

      Freebies for pets, health, kids

      By Deborah Morris

      I've received responses from lots of people who are applying for and receiving their free stuff. That's great.

    • Music industry banking on video games

      By Derrik J. Lang

      Tapping on fake instruments and screeching into microphones connected to video game consoles has become lucrative for both the music and gaming industries.

    • 5 things you should know about bad-breath causes, treatment

      By Desonta Holder

      1. The No. 1 cause of halitosis — bad breath — is oral bacteria. It often congregates on the surfaces of the tongue, produces a waste that is rich in sulfur compounds and creates a dreadful rotten-egg smell.

    • Commentary

      Young naval recruit has me worried

      Fine y0ung man doesn't seem to realize the risks that come with the benefits

      Merlene Davis

      One of my sons' friends dropped by recently to proudly tell us he had joined the Navy and couldn't wait to start basic training.

    • Make your own Derby button (PDF)

      Political campaigns, with all the talk of front-runners and favorites, are in full swing as the best of the thoroughbred world charges into Kentucky for the Derby. Create your own politically-themed Kentucky Derby button (click here for details).

    • Fifth-graders interpret an American classic

      By Amy Wilson

      A policeman and a kid in a diner having a chat. Tell people it's called The Runaway.Lots of ideas come to mind if you've just got that to go on. But put on the red knapsack nearby and figure it's 1958 and you'll know that you are seeing this cop and this kid and this diner through the bespectacled eyes of American artist Norman Rockwell.

    • Pharmacist on call

      Steroids come in different forms

      By Richard Harkness

      Question: My doctor prescribed pills for an allergic reaction. Afterwards, I found out they were steroids. With all the news about athletes taking steroids and the harm they can cause, should I be worried? I only took them for seven days.

    • A necessity for women in need

      By Amy Wilson

      Twice a year, women who might not be able to afford it otherwise are invited to have mammograms and Pap tests done by the professionals at the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. » More in Health | Family

    • Diabetes isn't an inevitable destiny

      It seems to be all over, but you can prevent it

      By Merlene Davis

      Before I started elementary school, my mother worked part-time as a domestic, cooking and cleaning for rich folk, as we called them.

    • Classifying your talented child

      Understanding the system for gifted students

      By Mary Meehan

      Even the most well-intentioned parents can have a hard time understanding how school systems work. To help, we are answering some often-asked questions. This is our second installment. For information about the previous topic and to suggest a topic for us to write about in the future, go to our new Web site, www.bluegrassmoms.com.

    • Pharmacist on call

      Issues and benefits of using statin drugs

      By Richard Harkness

      Question: My husband, who is 69, was taking a statin drug to lower his cholesterol but had to discontinue it because of muscle pains. I know other people who have experienced similar problems. How ­common is this?

    • Man vs. mess

      Author tells guys: Housekeeping is easier than you think, and it might help your love life

      By Cheryl Truman

      Guys, we have a few words for you: Man up and grab yourself a feather duster.

    • Breast cancer study needs sisters

      Merlene Davis

      The bad news is that the Sister Study, which is seeking 50,000 sisters of women who have had breast cancer, is still looking for participants.

    • Inventive mom builds a better bib

      DaBib designed to keep kids and clothes cleaner

      By Kyveli Diener

      SAN MATEO, Calif. — Shea Kelly is raising two fast-growing babies. One is her 26-month-old daughter, Marissa, the focal point of Kelly's life since her adoption in January 2006. The other is Chez Shea Baby LLC, her baby-products company responsible for what she hopes is the next big thing in baby bibs, DaBib.

    • Do you have these common symptoms?

      First of all, don't worry; second of all, enjoy the day

      By Avril F. Day

      In what some are calling an important breakthrough, scientists studying historical research have noted several quizzical physical symptoms in human beings that might lead to a widespread diagnosis for many Americans.

    • Pharmacist on call

      Younger folks can get shingles shot

      By Richard Harkness

      Question: I'm 48 and recently had shingles. My doctor says she's seeing more cases of shingles in younger adults. Many of my friends had shingles or had a close friend or relative in their age group (40s to early 50s) who had it.

    • Author Sharon Draper says her books address teens' concerns

      By Mary Meehan | mmeehan1@herald-leader.com

      Peer pressure, first love, suicide, drinking and driving, and the power of friends and family are all topics addressed in books by Sharon M. Draper.

    • The Commando's guide to safety

      Krav Maga teaches protection, not fighting, and how to win with wits

      By Cheryl Truman

      One compelling testimony to the power of Krav Maga is that the Kentucky State Police uses it for self-defense training. It figures, when it's a call between an endangered trooper and possible injury or death, the Israeli-developed martial art is a potent weapon.

    • There's help for grandparents raising grandkids

      Conference gives grandparents a boost

      By Merlene Davis

      Melinda Earlywine, a real estate agent in Lawrenceburg, has another title: grandmother with permanent custody of her 6-year-old grandson, Jacob.

    • PHARMICIST ON CALL

      Web pharmacies carry risk of mix-ups

      By Richard Harkness

      Question: I hope readers heed your warnings about online prescriptions. There also are risks even from well-known Web pharmacies. I had my Lipitor prescription filled and delivered to my home for about 18 months. Twice, I received someone else's order. The first time it was three bottles of prenatal vitamins; the second was phenobarbital for a dog. Now I stand in line at the local drugstore and check the label before I pay. Can you comment?

    • 'Til debt do you part

      Misunderstandings about money have torn apart many a marriage

      By Mary Meehan

      As wedding season descends upon those gleefully in love, happy couples ruminate endlessly about color schemes and flower choices.

    • Small church sponors Spelman Glee Club concert

      By Merlene Davis

      Having a small Catholic church hosting a nationally recognized glee club on Palm Sunday in Lexington isn't as mind-boggling as it might seem.

    • Radio host: Talk frankly before ceremony

      By Mary Meehan

      Talk-show host and financial adviser Dave Ramsey is pretty clear about marriage and money.

    • Take a walk in the sunshine to chase your winter blues

      Natural light can ease SAD symptoms

      By Julie Deardorff

      In the haunting 1959 short story All Summer in a Day by science-fiction writer Ray Bradbury, Margot lives on oppressively rainy Venus, where the sun appears just once every seven years.

    • PHARMICIST ON CALL

      Getting Zostavax isn't as easy as it could be

      By Richard Harkness

      Readers have reported difficulties finding a clinic that would administer Zostavax, the vaccine aimed at preventing shingles in people 60 and older. In a previous column, I asked readers to relate their experiences trying to run down the shot. That struck a chord, and the mailbox filled up.

    • Chicago hotel pays its housekeepers for ratting on smokers

      By Louis R. Carlozo

      Ever since she was a girl in the Robert Taylor Homes, Linda Davis has hated cigarette smoke.
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