The Saturday Evening Post articles from January 2009

The Saturday Evening Post archives from January 2009

The more things change, the more they stay the same: welcome to 2009 and the era of change.(FROM THE PUBLISHER)
January 1, 2009... Barack Obama promoted change throughout his campaign. Now, he is set to deliver it. So we can all look forward to a year of good fortune and prosperity, right? Well, I hope so. However, the truth is--we don't know. The problem...

Diane Rehm biased?(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... How can you write in your Nov./Dec. 2008 issue that Diane Rehm "gives equal time to all sides of an issue and both sides of the aisle" when newspapers she reads and the broadcast media she watches and listens to all have clearly liberal views...

Julie Andrews.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What a delight it is to see Julie Andrews on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post! It brought back an exciting time for me, when I finally met Ms.Andrews! In August of 2001, she appeared at the Rhode Island...

Frozen shoulder.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... That was such a good article on the frozen shoulder [Sept./Oct. 2008]! I had mine in my mid-forties, and like the others, it just appeared one day, then got worse every day thereafter. When I couldn't reach behind to get on my jacket, I got...

[Cartoon].(Cartoon)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "You got to stop blaming everything on your parents. You're old enough to start blaming your computer!"

Fired up by the kindle.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... I read four or five books a week and have no patience for libraries. I don't like waiting for new releases. When I get the urge to read something, I don't want to wait a month for some slowpoke to return it. I purchased my Kindle two days...

Rich is a religion.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... Please give my thanks to Mark Stevens for his excellent article "Rich Is a Religion" [Sept./Oct. '08]. I noticed in the Nov./Dec. issue that two of your readers completely missed the point of the article. It was not about politics, but a lesson...

[Cartoon].(Cartoon)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "I think he likes it. We'll take it!"

The toy maker.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... In my Saturday Evening Post for Nov./Dec. 2008, on page 46, "The Toy Maker," I have read it many times, and what a wonderful story Michele Rivoli has written of Mr. Norman Riley's life, family, and friends. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] My...

These crazy infomercials.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... I want to thank you for your magazine. It's absolutely my favorite. All the articles are interesting and informative, and the humor is outstanding. What prompted me to write this is the hilarious feature written by Rose Mula in your...

Controlling the clutter.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... [Re: "Time To Downsize," May/June 2008] Since I had to clean my parents' and in-laws' homes, I made up my mind that my children wouldn't have to go through stuff that should have been disposed of long ago. If I don't use something in a year, I...

Christmas and Judaism.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... I really relate to the article "The Jewish Roots of Christmas." I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland. Our Christmas tree seemed to be the only one on our street. I've always loved the Jewish people and had many as my...

Doctor's thinking.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... The article "How Doctors Think" in the May/June 2008 issue is a wonderful story, full of information. After reading it, I went to the nearest book shop and was happy to find a copy of his book. It is indeed unique and a must. Thank you,...

Why bother?(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... It seems like I have been reading and thoroughly enjoying The Saturday Evening Post all of my life, being introduced early on by my parents. I always look forward to reading interesting and objective articles that deal with "life the way that...

Psoriasis relief.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... Concerning your excellent article on psoriasis that appeared in the July/ August issue, I was given a product five years ago that completely suppressed (but not cured) the hereditary ichthyosis I had suffered from all my life. Ichthyosis is...

Our website is undergoing an "extreme" makeover!(ON THE WEB)
January 1, 2009... Visit the saturdayeveningpost. com and watch us grow with more opportunities for interaction, feedback, and web exclusives.

Blast from the past.(ON THE WEB)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Read articles from The Saturday Evening Post archives at saturday eveningpost.com/ archives, including such hot topics as the election, the environment, and the inauguration. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Recipe swap.(ON THE WEB)(saturdayevening post.com)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Have a fantastic recipe we must add to our repertoire? Post it at saturdayevening post.com/recipes. The Saturday Evening Post staffers will share some of their family favorites, too. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Ben says what?(ON THE WEB)(saturdayeveningpost.com)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Ever wonder what Ben Franklin, who has historical roots to The Saturday Evening Post, would think about what's going on today? Check out his new blog at saturdayeveningpost.com/benfranklin.

Web exclusive.(ON THE WEB)
January 1, 2009... Actor Ben Vereen takes to the stage for diabetes awareness. Read the Tony Award-winning actor's personal journey with the disease at saturdayeveningpost .com/benvereen. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

And there's more to come ...(ON THE WEB)(Saturdayeveingpost.com)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Saturdayeveingpost.com is constantly changing and being updated, so check back frequently to see what's new. We'd love your feedback! Let us know what you like, what you don't, and what you want us to add at letters@saturdayeveningpost.com.

Rockwell's four freedoms.(THEN & NOW)(Critical essay)
January 1, 2009... About the cover: Inspired by Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous "Four Freedoms" speech delivered to Congress on the eve of World War II, Norman Rockwell created four paintings depicting simple family scenes, illustrating freedoms Americans often...

Benjamin Franklin's twelve virtues.(Plus one)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. 3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let...

Denise Austin: resolution revolution! Stay on track with new year's resolutions by following proven tactics from one of the country's most popular fitness experts.(Interview)
January 1, 2009... At 5'4" and 120 pounds, Denise Austin may seem an unlikely powerhouse. But with her trademark enthusiasm and unbridled optimism, the diminutive dynamo has inspired millions to get up and get moving, earning her the reputation as "America's...

Just for you.(LIVING WELL)
January 1, 2009... Live well this winter season. Schedule some time for activities that nourish your body and your spirit. Post editors suggest arranging fresh flowers for home or office. Or watch the birds, sing and dance, have lunch with a friend, or visit a...

Get a life list: it's easy, in the day-to-day hustle, to lose sight of your greatest desires. Reach deep, write them down, and put your dreams back on the radar.
January 1, 2009... I am a habitual list maker. My assessment of a day corresponds to the number of items ticked off my list. But after swimming with dolphins (check), running a marathon (check), and giving birth with hypnosis (check), my list has grown mundane....

Ask Dr. Zipes: a noted cardiologist answers your questions about cardiac health.(HEART HEALTH)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Many Foods Affect the Heart Q: Have any studies shown that certain foods might contribute to irregular heart rhythms? My doctor told me to avoid all sources of caffeine, and that helped to reduce my "missed"...

Stayin' alive.(Heart Health)(cardiopulmonary resuscitation)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... A 1970s disco song popularized by the film Saturday Night Fever may help Good Samaritans keep the beat when performing CPR. Medical students and physicians trained to do CPR chest compressions while listening to "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees...

Hearts at risk.(Heart Health)(sudden cardiac death)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... New findings from the Mayo Clinic show that the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains high for 30 days after a heart attack and then drops to rates below that of the general population. In the study, patients who had sudden cardiac death...

AED offer.(Heart Health)(A Sioux Indian tribe has donated more than 400 automated external defibrillator)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... A Sioux Indian tribe has donated more than 400 defibrillators since 2004 to various Midwestern organizations. Organizations in need of an AED may download a request form at mdfire.org or write to Mdewakanton LIFE Program, 2330 Sioux Trail NW,...

The purple pants diet: it is a very simple, five-week plan. All you have to do is go out now and buy five pairs of purple pants in five different sizes.(HUMOR)
January 1, 2009... Those of you who were born with the 1 metabolism of a giant sloth and the willpower of a Great Dane in a sausage factory almost never have a good start to the new year. I know that, because I am one of you. Every New Year's Day you awaken...

Status report.(Cartoon)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Sorry, this table is taken." [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] "At least you know I'm not cheating." REMEMBER... THE SEATING IS OPTIMIST, PESSIMIST, OPTIMIST, PESSIMIST... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "My...

Boomers hit the slopes: break out the skis, dust off the snowboards, and get ready to plow the powder.(baby boom generation)
January 1, 2009... Wiping snow off his graying mustache, the man in a cobalt blue, weatherproof jacket said to his friends, "Are we crazy or what? It's really snowing." "Yeah," the other replied, as he slid toward the lift. "Just look at that powder." ...

Healthy chili round-up.(FOOD)(Recipe)
January 1, 2009... "I wish I had time for just one more bowl of chili," the dying Kit Carson is reputed to have said. Novelist Margaret Cousins noted that "chili is not so much food as a state of mind. Addictions to it are formed early in life, and the victims...

Diet keeping asthma away.(FOOD IN THE NEWS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... The Mediterranean diet, heavy in cereals, fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, has been shown to be protective against heart disease. Recent studies suggest it may also be linked to lower risk for asthma in children. In the latest...

Healthy life: just a bowl of cherries?(FOOD IN THE NEWS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Tart cherries may be just what your doctor and your fitness trainer ordered. University of Michigan researchers recently found rats fed a diet high in freeze-dried whole cherries reduced their body fat by almost 10 percent, most of it off their...

Pop a grape instead of a pill.(FOOD IN THE NEWS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Grapes may be an antidote to high blood pressure caused by too much dietary salt. University of Michigan scientists put rats on high-sodium diets and gave some of them blood pressure-lowering medication, and others...

Getting garlic smell off of your fingers.(Tips from the Kitchen)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THREE WORDS: SALT, LEMON, STEEL. One way to remove the odor is to rub salt on your fingers. The salt will absorb the odor, and then you can rinse the salt away with hot soapy water. Or, rub lemon juice on your hands...

10 tips for navigating the web: whether social networking, managing personal finances, or playing games, you'll discover that getting on the Internet is easier than ever before--whatever your age.
January 1, 2009... Welcome to the age of the Internet. Navigating the web for the first time is like visiting a new city, like Paris, for the first time. Everything is new and different, wonderful and amazing, and you'll soon be asking yourself why you...

Don't mess with Mother Nature: the weatherman had predicted snow to begin from early to mid-afternoon. Plenty of time, she thought, to get to her doctor's appointment and back.
January 1, 2009... Mother Nature--such a lovely appellation. It evokes images of a benevolent, nurturing caretaker. One who spends hours over a stove preparing homemade chicken soup to cure all your ills, who protects you from all danger, physical or emotional,...

T. Boone Pickens: man with a plan: the quintessential Texas wildcatter is convinced that he's got the answer for our nation's energy crisis: can his plan really work, or is he blowing a lot of hot air?
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's a sultry afternoon in Dallas, Texas, and T. Boone Pickens, the legendary oil wildcatter, is sitting in his boardroom, staring at a television screen, watching a cable news commentator tell his viewers that...

Going in reverse: in today's tumultuous economy, homeowners are taking a closer look at reverse mortgages to help meet the rising cost of remaining in their homes while enjoying life along the way.
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After Mary Falso paid her mortgage and other bills, there wasn't much left over from her retirement income. The Goodyear, Arizona, woman found herself declining invitations to travel because she felt she needed to...

Paul Anka: doing it his way: once dubbed "The Kid" by his mentor, Frank Sinatra, this junior member of the famed Rat Pack is at the top of his game with a new CD, an autobiography, and a Broadway show in the works for 2009.('My Way')(Interview)
January 1, 2009... Singer-songwriter Paul Anka remembers the first check he received after his recording of "Diana" soared to the top of the pop charts. The amount was $300, modest even by 1957 standards, but "it seemed like a lot of money to a kid coming off a...

Heading off the pain of migraines: for the millions of Americans suffering from chronic migraines, the outlook for relief is better than it's been in years.
January 1, 2009... Debra BenAvram's health woes kicked off with a "really horrible" migraine three years ago. She has no idea what triggered the attack. But over the next six months, it turned into a constant daily headache that forced her home from work each...

Dara Torres: life in the fast lane: it's been a "surprising ride" for the seasoned Olympian, who at 41 is living proof that there's no age limit on dreams.(Interview)
January 1, 2009... It is a balmy fall day just a few weeks post-Beijing Olympics. Inside the historic Hilton Hotel on Chicago's Michigan Avenue, guests and fans are swirling in a frantic frenzy like worker bees preparing the hive for its queen. Milling...

You decide! Rightsize your car: even with falling gas prices, you can save big money while sacrificing little.
January 1, 2009... America's longtime love affair with big car hit a pothole last summer, when skyrocketing gas prices pushed more and more drivers toward smaller vehicles. As the price of gasoline plummeted in the fall, car dealers wondered whether the country's...

Spin zone.(Cartoon)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Those weren't lies! They were spin!" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "While many disagree as to when life really begins, most feel it's after work." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "The good news, Harcourt, is that...

North Dakota's Enchanted Highway: Gary Greff's tiny rural home was dying, but he had a really big idea for saving it.(THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN)
January 1, 2009... When Gary Greff returned to Regent, N.D., during a respite from teaching, he had no idea his life's work would change to helping save his hometown. Regent had dropped to 238 people. If something wasn't done, it could become a ghost town,...

Garden by design: winter planning makes perfect: 25 tips to save you time and money.(THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN)
January 1, 2009... Die-hard gardeners will tell you that a garden is a work in progress. Even established gardens require a little tweaking from season to season. But if you thoughtfully plan before you plant, your landscape will beautifully endure for years to...

The Naples effect: visitors and residents alike experience the good life in Naples, Florida.(TRAVEL)
January 1, 2009... Like many of Naples' residents and visitors, Colin Estrem came to this Gulf-front town from the Midwest. The Wisconsin transplant moved here three years ago to join the areas thriving restaurant scene, which has bloomed within the past decade....

The pictures of health: art's healing powers more than simply a statement of style, art can improve and enhance one's physical, mental and emotional well-being.
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] On any given day, landscape artist Barbara Ernst Prey is apt to find e-mails from museum curators and patrons clogging her in-box. Prey's canvases hang on the walls of world-class institutions, in private...

Where in the world.(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Do you know where you're going to? Do you like the things that life is showing you? Where are you going to? Do you know? The answers to the questions below are on page 95. The answers to the questions above, however, are up to you! ...

Discoveries in diabetes: solving the diabetes puzzle.(RESEARCH FRONT)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An international scientific consortium reports that at least six previously undetected genetic variants are involved in type 2 diabetes, boosting to 16 the total number of genetic risk factors associated with...

Where do you think you are?(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] East, West, North, or South, each of the areas above appears on the map of a single state or province. Can you identify these locations? If you find the game too easy (but you won't), try to guess this issue's theme....

Blood pressure monitors come home.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)
January 1, 2009... As an indicator of overall cardiovascular health, your blood pressure reading may be second to none. And research continues to affirm that the best place to measure it may be in your own home. Longtime Medical Mailbox readers know that it is...

Earwax dos and don'ts.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Dear Dr. SerVaas, What causes wax to build up in the ear, and what can be done for it? I go to an ear, nose, and throat doctor once a month to remove the wax. I would appreciate an answer. Regina Pate Seal Beach, California ...

Diabetes and foot problems.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)
January 1, 2009... Dear Dr. SerVaas, My feet hurt and feel swollen inside. They get worse when I lay down. I am a diabetic and on Glucotrol, Glucophage, and insulin. My sugar count still runs above the 120 limit. Is there anything I can do for my feet? ...

Fish oil helps reader's eyes.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I find so many helpful ideas in the Medical Mailbox that I wanted to share my cure for dry eyes. This column is the main reason I continue to subscribe. I had severe dry eyes, and my ophthalmologist said to try fish...

Reader seeks help for unusual symptoms.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I have been dealing with severe pain and sensations in my mouth, left arm, and left leg for over one year. I had my wisdom teeth pulled about one month before this all started. Dental xrays came back normal, and an MRI...

Expert advice needed.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I am a 67-year-old active and healthy male. However, I am concerned about the color of my semen. Over the past year it has gone from having some tan strings to now being a chocolate brown and getting darker. My PSA...

Steroid eye drops and mood disorders.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I remember reading in Medical Mailbox that taking steroids can sometimes bring on a manic episode in people who are so inclined, but may not have yet been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. What about using eye drops that...

Fight for sight.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(cataract implants)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I had a cataract implant in the early "80s and now am having failing eyesight. My doctor says to remove the implant will require a cornea transplant. I am hoping that you know of a better way to remove and replace the...

Prostate cancer news.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... * Common painkillers may lower PSA levels, according to a new study. It is unclear, however, whether nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) protect against prostate cancer or lead to falsely low test results. At present, the American...

Healthy moments.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I imagine many readers might benefit from my suggestion to improve health: In what would otherwise be wasted minutes "holding" on the phone, do your daily exercises. I happen to have a compressed nerve in my back as well...

Heart test may explain odd feeling.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I have leakage in my heart and thickening of the heart wall. Lately I will awaken three or more times at night and feel like the inside of my body is shaking, although it is not visible. The shaking lasts for 10 to 30...

Reader remedies for hand cramps.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... Dear Dr. SerVaas, I have a comparable problem to Jane Jording (Sept./Oct. 2008 edition). I had severe muscle cramps in my hands and, after some investigation, thought I might be deficient in the mineral potassium. I found a list of...

Keep track of your drugs.(MEDICAL MAILBOX)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Therapeutic substitution is a relatively new way for doctors and insurance companies to control prescription drug costs. Unlike the familiar practice of switching from a brand name product to its generic version, therapeutic substitution...

Made in the U.S.A.(From the Pharmacy)(generic drugs)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... To J.R., Caseville, Michigan: You write that generic versions of Amaryl (for diabetes) and Vasotec (for high blood pressure) often vary in color or shape, adding that you would prefer to use drugs made in America. Today, most drug companies...

Coughs, cold, and flu.(From the Pharmacy)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... You've heard it before, but the most effective strategy to fight germs is to wash your hands regularly. Using soap and warm water is best, and alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a good alternative when away from a sink. Get plenty of rest and...

Statin safety.(From the Pharmacy)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... The FDA is repeating earlier warnings that certain statins to lower cholesterol do not mix with amiodarone, a drug prescribed to treat an irregular heartbeat. Amiodarone blocks an enzyme that breaks down some statins. This action leads to an...

My word!(POST SCRIPTS)(Poem)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] My Word! Steely stares are beckoning, Is this my day of reckoning? I make excuses, hesitate, just seconds left to seal my fate. Sweaty palms, a chewed-off nail, my gut is...

Instructions.(POST SCRIPTS)(Poem)
January 1, 2009... Instructions A mother of three boisterous children, who were clinging to her, complained of a pounding headache. "Have you taken an aspirin?" her friend asked, trying to be helpful. "Yes," she answered,...

Told ya so!(POST SCRIPTS)(Poem)
January 1, 2009... Told Ya So! No matter what happens, Whether bad or good, There is always someone Who knew that it would.

Spelling be.(POST SCRIPTS)(Poem)
January 1, 2009... Spelling Be I've pondered and wondered, and had quite enuff Of this crazy, chaotic orthology stough. Like many another, I have come to feal That it's unfair for spelling to become an ordeal. So I've...

Aromatic amour.(POST SCRIPTS)(Poem)
January 1, 2009... Aromatic Amour A female skunk Has cause for satisfaction: Sleek in black and white, She's the scenter of attraction.

Taking to the bricks.(POST SCRIPTS)(Poem)
January 1, 2009... Taking to the Bricks A baker in a small country town always bought the butter he used in his bakery from a nearby farmer. One day he suspected that the bricks of butter were not full pounds, and for several days he ...

Crash!(POST SCRIPTS)(Poem)
January 1, 2009... CRASH! The generation gap's not seen Firstly between parents and the teen. It's when your car-seat tot gains wit To babble, "Guess what Mommy hit!"

Delayed resemblance.(POST SCRIPTS)(Poem)
January 1, 2009... Delayed Resemblance Once they are out From under her thumb, How like their mom Do daughters become!

And step on it!(POST SCRIPTS)(Poem)
January 1, 2009... And Step On It!FA Our town is doing everything possible to conserve energy. The Weekly Shopper carries a big picture of a city bus with this advice in large black letters: TAKE TWICE DAILY FOR GAS RELIEF.

Sew what?(POST SCRIPTS)(Poem)
January 1, 2009... Sew What? Our sewing group has A great name and it shows: We simply call ourselves The Old Sew and Sews.