Lifestyle

An African safari is undoubtedly one of the most life-changing experiences in this world. In fact, it should be on your bucket list, especially after years of being mostly homebound. You will also be helping an industry hit hard by the pandemic. There are ways for even those on a budget to enjoy a safari. h “Tourism has been devastated by the pandemic, and it is more critical than ever for travelers to support safari operators,” said Andy Hogg, founder of Zambia-based The Bushcamp Company. He hopes travelers do their due diligence “to be sure they are spending their time and money with like-minded safari operators.” h With so many organizations out there, planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip can seem daunting. To assist you in selecting the right company for an ethical and responsible safari, here’s a helpful guide of things to consider.

Dear Abby: A few months ago, I offered to help a longtime friend with some landscaping. The area to be landscaped is tiny.

Dear Dr. Roach: Would you comment on some information I discovered about statin drugs, which I think reveals some nefarious numbers on behalf of the drug companies? So far I have found two reports that say the actual number of people who have heart attacks after being placed on Lipitor was reduced from 3.1% to 2%.

In a few weeks, Harry Styles opens “Harry’s House” for eager fans, Miranda Lambert acts as a tour guide on “Palomino” and Def Leppard kicks down any notion that their rock edge has dulled on “Diamond Star Halos.” h The spring album slate is dotted with indie rock (Arcade Fire) and artsy pop (Florence + The Machine). And while most of these albums are tied to complementary tours – and there will be plenty of opportunities to hear these new tunes in a communal setting – we first encourage you to just listen. h Here are some of our most anticipated releases.

Dear Dr. Roach: My wife and I are both in our late 60s. She has gotten three doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and I have gotten three doses of the Moderna, only because that was what was available when we got our first dose. Because of our age, we are considering getting a second booster dose. I know the recommendation is that either vaccine would be fine, but we’ve heard that since the two vaccines attack the virus differently, it might be a good idea to switch vaccines, so I would get the Pfizer and she would get the Moderna. What are your thoughts?

Dear Abby: I am a newlywed. My husband and I are looking for a house to settle down in, but we’re struggling to find one we like that we can afford. My in-laws, who are moving, offered to sell us their house for a very generous price. The house is in a great neighborhood, but it’s old and outdated and has HVAC and plumbing problems.

Dear Neil: I have a live oak that is 10 or 12 years old. It was damaged in the freeze of 2021. The entire top appears to be dead except for one long branch that seems to be coming back now. Is it likely to recover?