Will the Lady in Red Get Away With It?

Test your sleuthing skills by reading the Five-Minute Mystery below from bestselling author Ken Weber. The solution is at the bottom.

"This letter proves that the government owes us, so when do we get the money? Can't you just tap something into your computer there and take care of it?"

The woman standing over Walter Banks wore a vivid red dress set off by an elegant gold necklace. As she spoke, her strident voice carried far down the hall of the Veterans Administration building.

Walter tried to compensate by speaking softly. "Can you tell me how you obtained this letter, Mrs..."

"Porch," the woman said. "Eviana Porch. I've told you that already." She paused to rein in her irritation. "The letter was written to my grandmother. I found it yesterday when I was cleaning out the attic."

She reached across Walter's desk and tapped the paper. "Take a look at the signature. It was sent to her by Pershing himself."

Walter had definitely noticed the name: Gen. J. J. Pershing (Ret). He'd been commander-in-chief of the American Expeditionary Forces, and his name was all over the VA building. The signature was authentic, or else the best imitation he'd ever seen.

"Now read this paragraph here," Eviana said, tapping the paper again. Walter did.

Mustard gas was used at Argonne in 1918, as it was elsewhere during World War I. If your late husband was at Argonne as you say, with 91st division of Cameron's V Corps, then in my opinion you are eligible for a pension. It has been my custom to act on behalf of veterans' widows in these cases, but I have been retired from active service now for two years, since 1924, and therefore suggest you pursue this matter with your Congressman.

"I guess you owe us big-time," Eviana said. "With interest, too, because my grandmother never got one cent of pension."

Walter looked up at her. Clever, he thought, but not clever enough. The letter clearly was a fake.

How does Walter Banks know that Mrs Porch's letter is a fake?

Answer
Pershing allegedly wrote this letter in 1926, two years after his retirement. Not until World War II was the "Great War" of 1914-18 referred to as World War I. » Continue reading

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Purr-ly White Care

We wouldn't dream of not brushing our own teeth. So why aren't more of us brushing our pets' choppers? According to the veterinary scientist, oral disease is very common among older dogs and cats. It can lead to serious health problems, as well as painful tooth loss or gum disease. Yet it is easily preventable with home and vet care.

Start by dipping a baby toothbrush in warm water or in a vet prescribed mouthwash before brushing. Or you could dip a piece of cloth in salt and rub it over your pet's teeth. If the pet doesn't let you do either of these, hold a brush and allow it to chew on its bristles. Keep changing the direction of the brush at interval's.

Vets recommend that you clean your pets' teeth at least once a week. » Continue reading

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Keeping out the creatures

Want to keep your home from being invaded by roaches, ants and termites? Here's how:

1. Trim back tree branches that overhang your roof. Many insects gain access to homes from tree limbs, and work their way in through small opening and vents.
   
2. Keep leaves and other dead plant material 15 to 30 cms away from your home's outer walls. They retain moisture and attract pests.
   
3. Look for tiny gaps around windows, at joints and corners, and between door-frames. Insects can easily squeeze through. If you see activity, spray insecticide into the cracks, let dry, and then close with a household seal. Even otherwie, just seal off cracks and gaps.
   
4. Watch for insulation or sawdust-like debris around the house, in attics and in crawl spaces -- a possible sign that ants or termites are tunnelling through. Remove moisture sources and replace rotted wood or boards immediately.
   
5. Call a pest-control company if you need to.

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Tripped Up By Summer Allergies?

Five ways to ease your misery.

The heat and dust of summer can be hard on may allergy sufferers. If you're one of the millions who's prone to allergies, follow the steps below to minimize your sneezing and wheezing.

Wait to work out. Avoid exercising outdoors in the early to midmorning hours, when pollen counts are highest.

Wash away pollen. Nightly shampooing rids hair of microscopic allergens, which can collect on your pillow and spark nighttime sneezing attacks and morning puffiness.

Shut windows. Use the air conditioning in the car and at home to reduce your exposure to dust and pollen.

Cover up. Wear a face mask when gardening, dusting, sweeping, and engaging in other activities that stir up pollen, mould and dust.

Take drugs early and often. Antihistamines and prescription nasal sprays work best when they are taken daily, before symptoms begin. Check with your doctor. » Continue reading

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Magical Moscow

When flying to Moscow sit near the front of the plane and get off ahead of the crowd. Have a folding stool, water bottle and a good book in hand. You'll need them at immigration as it could take up to 4 hours to get through.

As you drive into the city, you pass the shabby suburbs you expect after years of spy movies and Cold War indoctrination. In between are multinationals like IKEA and McDonalds. In the city centre, most buildings are marvelous pastry confections in milky ice-cream colours -- citron, pistachio, strawberry, cappuccino -- with frothy architectural flourishes. Even the infamous Lubjanka, HQ of the KGB in the bad old days, is a pretty canary yellow.

Onion domes of churches (their congregations now flooding back), some gold , some midnight blue; cafes in shady parks and interesting little squares; restaurants in alleys close to traffic; cold drinks for sale on every corner: before you reach the hotel all your preconceptions will be blow to bits. Moscow on a bright summer evening is magical.

The big boulevards carry eight lanes of traffic each way: to cross on foot, take the underground passages lined with stalls. A pedestrian light tests your courage. When the green man flashes you get about half a second before traffic is unleashed like a herd of bulls. No warning beepers on the metro, either. Doors slam shut and the train accelerates instantly.

Red Square is a hundred times more beautiful and impressive than you'd have ever imagined, especially St. Basil's Cathedral with its cluster of domes and spires.

Passenger boats ply the river, making frequent stops. A ride of an hour, will take you in the crenellated towers, golden domes and red-brick walls of the Kremlin -- citadel of the Czars, headquarters of the old Soviet Union, now the seat of government and home of the president.

Strolling along the Arbat, a pedestrian street dotted with stalls, souvenir shops, street acts and restaurants, you will never be pestered once, although there are lots of beggars. Although, more people give to them than elsewhere abroad.

The sun doesn't set until 10.30pm. In the evening you can visit an outdoor restaurant in the warm twilight with a trio of balailakas playing. Then, from your hotel room, watch the full moon rising over the Kremlin.

No doubt it's different in winter, but on a summer evening Moscow charms you to death. Just don't forget the airport. The line to get out can be just as long. » Continue reading

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Healing Power of Laughter

No joke - guffaws, giggles, chortles and snickers could be the prescription you need.

Ever heard the one about the doctor who gave his patient six months to live? When the man couldn't pay his bill, the doctor gave him another six months.

Go ahead, laugh. It's strong medicine, researchers are learning. Even the physical act is good for you, says William Fry, an American university professor who is a pioneer in laughter research. It increases blood flow and contracts abdominal muscles. A hundred belly laughs is the aerobic equivalent of ten mintues on a rowing-exercise machine, according to Fry.

But the benefits go beyound a workout. The most astonishing evidence of laughter's power comes from a 1997 study of 48 heart-attack patients. Half watched comedy shows for 30 mintues every day; the rest served as controls. After a year, ten patients in the control group had suffered repeat heart attacks, compared with only two in the group that watched the shows.

"Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress," says laughter expert Lee Berk of the University of California and co-author of the heart-attack study. In earlier research, Berk showed that watching a humorous video decreases levels of two key stress hormones that can cause irregular hear rhythms which may lead to heart attacks. Indeed, heart disease patients are often given drugs called beta-blockers specifically to block these hormones. "Laughter can do exactly the same thing," says Berk. "And it can be a lot more fun."

Can a good laugh help patients get well? In a landmark experiment at the University of California, called Rx Laughter, scientists plan to test the effect of laughter in children with serious illnesses, including cancer. Early results suggest that humorous videos help kids handle uncomfortable or painful procedures.

Justin Ybarra, 13, already knows that. he was in considerable pain when he woke up from surgery -- untill Bill Marx, son of the legendary Harpo Marx and a volunteer for Rx Laughter, appeared at his bedside. Marx told jokes, made faces and pranced around the hospital room.

"Having something to laugh at took my mind off the pain," says Justin. "When you're laughing, you can't help but feel better."

Coming shortly...
Healing Power of Forgiveness
Healing Power of Music
Healing Power of Sleep » Continue reading

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Flight Rules

For safety's sake and to ease your way through the airport, remember the following:

• Check your flight status before you go to the airport -- schedules change more these days.
  
• If you're taking a flight after a stopover, reconfirm your onward booking a day in advance.
  
• Allow at least an hour for check-in on domestic flights, three for international trips.
  
• Fly in the mornings -- takeoffs are less likely to be slowed by earlier delays. (One famous exception: foggy New Delhi in winter!)
  
• For a good ID, take your driver's license or passport with you.
  
• Check heavy stuff. Assume carry-ons will be scrutinized. The less you carry, the faster you'll get through.
  
• Don't wrap gifts. You may have to unwrap and show them to security.
  
• Leave knives, scissors, nail clippers, tweezers, screwdrivers, knitting needles, toy guns at home or pack them in checked luggage.

» Continue reading

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