Lifestyle

Every Lunar New Year without fail, Kat Lieu’s mother would make her steamed nian gao, which is a sweet rice — or mochi — cake. It was a tasty tradition of having dessert for breakfast.

Citrus fruits are a staple in my house 365 days a year, but I appreciate these fruits the most during the colder months. Other fruits are in scarcer supply in the winter, which is the peak season for citrus.

Lion President James Johnson called the Sherman Noon Lions Club meeting to order Wednesday. Ron Rowe gave the prayer. Gary Park led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by some Words of Wisdom. Song Leader Curtis Collins led the group in singing happy birthday to Shirley Noles.

Dear Abby: My brother passed away. He and my sister-in-law had a good marriage. A month after his funeral, my sister-in-law gave her kids their father’s clothes, instructed them to go through them, keep what they wanted or sell or donate the rest. It has been barely a year. Now she’s redecorating their house -- painting, taking down pictures and buying new furniture.

Dear Abby: I have no family and few friends -- nobody close. My live-in girlfriend of two years and I argue constantly. We no longer share a bedroom, and I feel more like a roommate. I honestly feel I’m being used for money. Her 24-year-old son died from an overdose two months ago, so I can’t help but feel sorry for her. She isn’t working, and I don’t know when she can return.

Dear Dr. Roach: As a 90-year-old man in mostly good health, I have been taking one Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim) pill per day for several years now preventatively for recurrent urinary tract infections. I am very pleased with this successful treatment. However, my urologist has mentioned that I might have to relinquish the Bactrim at some point without a full explanation of why. Is there any danger in the habitual use of Bactrim?

Dear Neil: Was this past fall’s heavy acorn crop due to the serious drought or just a random occurrence? Nut-producing trees are noted for being “alternate bearing.” They will have a heavy crop one year and a very light crop the next, swinging back and forth like a pendulum. Pecans are famous for it, but as you have noted, oaks act the same way.

Dear Abby: I am a 59-year-old man. My 50-year-old fiancee lives in a nice home, but after a 15-year loving relationship, she decided last week to be with someone else. She had recently lost a great deal of weight, bought a new car and started to do things I felt were not age-appropriate -- although I never said anything adverse about them.