Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/147046
2B Daily News – Tuesday, July 30, 2013 FEATURES Parents unfair with their money Give your feet a break and buy the right shoes They can choose Dear Annie: to give more to My niece is your sister (and transgender her child), rather (she's a boy who than pay for an wants to be a expensive univergirl). She needs sity education for to take a horyou. We realize mone blocker, this isn't fair, but it and it costs a fortune. Insurance Annie's serves no purpose to build up resentwon't pay for it, ment. You can get so the whole family is chipping in. by Kathy Mitchell a perfectly good My brother-in- and Marcy Sugar education at a community collaw doesn't make much money, and he's lege for a fraction of the lazy. My parents paid cost, and if you still want most of their bills when to attend a four-year unithey were first married, versity, you can look into and they are giving my transferring in two years, niece so much money that and research scholarships, we cannot have our annu- grants and loans that may al vacation. My parents be available then. Your will be giving them more parents obviously believe your sister needs this money in a few months. Meanwhile, my niece money more than you do, gets everything she wants. which also means they My mother recently feel you are responsible bought her a $200 outfit and motivated and will do for her birthday. I sug- OK without their help. gested she get something Please prove them right. Dear Annie: This is less expensive because she is already paying a for ''Puzzled in Gary, fortune for the hormone Ind.,'' who wondered why blocker. My parents now her senior age and white can't send me to the uni- hair were attracting versity of my choice, so I unwanted flirtation from have to opt for communi- lesbians. I, too, have a full ty college. I worked like a head of white hair and horse to get straight A's, just turned 59. I also hapbut still didn't qualify for pen to be a lesbian, so I a scholarship big enough believe I have the authorito cover the cost of the ty to speak to her concern. university. Taking out a I don't believe it's her loan is out of the ques- white hair that is causing tion, because my parents the unwelcome attention. won't co-sign, and the It's more about posture, bank won't give me one physical carriage and style of clothing that prowithout it. I think my sister jects a certain ''gay-dar'' should sell her jewelry to (gay radar). She shouldn't change pay for the drugs, and she and my brother-in-law her hair color over this, should downgrade to a but perhaps a more femihairstyle and smaller home if they need nine the money. My mother wardrobe would make a says I'm being selfish. difference. But you're right, Annie. Flirting is Am I? — Missing Out Dear Missing: This is not a sign of endangeryour parents' money. ment. — Pomona, Calif. Mailbox Dear Pomona: We appreciate the backup. Read on for more: From Florida: As I have aged, I also notice that white men don't apparently find me sexy or relevant anymore. Thank heavens Hispanic and black men and lesbians still think I'm as cute as a button. I'd forget how to flirt if it weren't for them. I'm strictly straight and happily married, but still find it a tremendous compliment when someone chats me up a bit. Santa Cruz: Speaking as a white-haired lesbian with all the ''inside'' knowledge available, I can only wish the rumors were true. Maybe she could give me some pointers. California: As a straight, older widow, I am confused by this, as well. After I stopped wearing my wedding ring, I began wearing rings on other fingers and learned that this is a ''lesbian symbol.'' How would I know this? I don't grill people about their sexuality and don't enjoy having to explain mine, which invariably requires mentioning the loss of my dear husband. I'm beginning to wonder whether I need to wear a fake wedding ring. — Stand in the shoes. Make DEAR DOCTOR K: You've sure you have at least a quarteroften advised readers to buy supto a half-inch of space between portive shoes that fit properly. your longest toe and the end of Can you be more specific about the shoe. Wiggle your toes to what to look for in a good shoe? make sure there's enough room. DEAR READER: Buying the — Walk around in the shoes. right shoe is an investment in Is there enough room at the balls your foot health. But how do you of the feet? Do the heels fit snugidentify the "right" shoe? The bottom line is how you feel when Dr. K ly, or do they pinch or slip off? — Find shoes that fit from the you put them on. by Anthony L. For women, the best shoes are Komaroff, M.D. start, not shoes that need to be broken in. If a salesperson tells low-heeled but not flat, with a wide, padded heel, a wide toe box and a you, "Oh, that little pinch will go away sole that provides sufficient cushioning. as soon as you walk in them a day or In general, the higher the heel, the worse two," thank him or her for the advice ... and find a pair that doesn't pinch. for the foot. — Trust your own comfort rather than Men tend to feel most comfortable in athletic shoes, sturdy oxfords, wingtips, a shoe's size or description. — Pay attention to width as well as loafers or low-heeled boots. Look for sturdy sole construction that provides length. If the ball of your foot feels compressed, ask for a wider size. support and cushions against shock. — Make sure the soles provide Buy shoes made from breathable materials that keep feet dry and less sus- enough cushioning. Your feet have to deal with all the ceptible to foot fungus. Here are some useful tips when you weight of your body. When that big slice of cheesecake puts a couple of extra shop for shoes: — Wait until the afternoon to shop. pounds on the wall of your belly, it also Your feet naturally expand during the day. gives your feet more pounds to carry. Trust what your feet tell you about — Wear the same type of socks that shoes. If your feet don't like the shoes you intend to wear with the shoes. — Ask the salesperson to measure today, it's likely that they will really not both of your feet. Get measured every like the shoes a month from now. time you buy new shoes, because feet Dr. Komaroff is a physician and change with age. If one foot is larger or wider than the other, buy a size that fits professor at Harvard Medical School. To the larger foot. (If you can afford it, buy send questions, go to AskDoctorK.com, two pairs of shoes of different sizes, and or write: Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115. use the proper size for each foot.) Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.n et, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. About 35,000 little ducks will have their tail feathers stuck with a race number for the 24th anniversary Ducky Derby race. They will be dropped into the Sacramento River from Diestlhorst Bridge at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29 at Redding's Caldwell Park. The North Valley Art League will be sponsoring Art in the Park and there will be Redding Ducky Derby a Rats to Riches car show. Redding East Rotary is also looking for sponsorships from local businesses to help support this event. If you would like to adopt a duck or sponsor this event, call Marge Beck or any Rotarian. Duck adoptions are just $5 a piece. You can also adopt ducks from kids selling tickets. The Redding Ducky Derby Race is a unique event designed as a fundraising opportunity for the Rotary Foundation Against Substance Abuse and local youth groups. Since inception more than $3.7 million has been returned to local communities for youth development programs and drugand alcohol-free activities. These programs have benefited countless young people in the North State.