Lifestyle

Dear Neil: My bald cypress tree is sending up huge roots above the ground. Can I cut these off? I’m afraid they’ll eventually reach my foundation and damage it.

Now is the perfect time to make container plantings for the summer. The nurseries are starting to fill up with beautiful plants, especially annual plants, which are what most people use in containers. Even more importantly, this weekend should be the last chance of freezing weather for the season. Check out the OCS/ Mesonet Ticker https:// ticker.mesonet.org/ for the most accurate indepth weather for your area in Oklahoma plus soil temperatures at different depths and much more. Gary McManus makes the weather fun!

Dear Abby: I married a widower eight years ago, and we are very happy. However, his three grown daughters were angry that he moved on with his life after the death of their mother. To keep peace in the family, I have tried to “kill them with kindness,” and while we’ve made progress, I feel they take advantage of me and sometimes treat me with disrespect.

Dear Dr. Roach: My husband’s brother and paternal uncle were both diagnosed with bipolar disorder. His uncle struggled miserably for decades before his death; his brother has been in and out of institutions and outpatient programs for years. Because of the pain this has caused to our family, my husband and I have both tried to learn as much about bipolar disorder as possible. One thing I’ve read repeatedly is that a person is born with bipolar tendencies, and that it can be treated but never cured.

If you love watching hummingbirds you can make a hummingbird haven in your yard that will attract them. Hummingbirds need the same three things that all living creatures need, food, water, and shelter. Flowers and insects that provide food will attract hummingbirds. They need small insects for protein and are attracted by gnats and spiders. Do not use insecticides in your yard if you want to have hummingbirds, butterflies, and birds. Variety is the key to having hummingbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife, so plant lots of different plants.

Dear Abby: Our son “Victor” and his wife have informed us that they are “polyamorous.” They have been married for nine years, and were together for five years before they married. They have agreed to this arrangement, and their partners know they are married. They love each other, own a home together and plan to be together forever. They are “safe,” and no one is getting hurt.

Dear Dr. Roach: I have a history of polyps. I recently had nasal polyps removed, and a previous colonoscopy had also revealed polyps. I have been put on a blood thinner (Xarelto) and an aspirin. Since I started taking Xarelto and the aspirin, my hemoglobin level dropped over the course of four months.

When dogs have an injury or chronic condition, such as arthritis, physical rehabilitation can ease their pain and improve their strength and flexibility. “There are a number of situations where dogs could benefit from physical rehabilitation, but the common reason is to improve recovery following surgery, usually orthopedic surgery — or surgery on bones and joints — and neurologic surgery — typically back or neck surgery,” said Dr.

Dear Abby: My “Uncle Fred” is rude and obnoxious whenever we’re in his presence. He talks down to not only me, but everyone around him. Holidays are unbearable as he creates constant tension, leaving all guests less than enthused. He also drinks too much at parties, which leads to obscenities and poor decision-making.