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4B Daily News – Saturday, July 21, 2012 FEATURES Ripened Romeo resisting reprimands Dear Annie: When a person says "no,'' what does it mean? Some men just don't get it. Or do they believe it really means "yes''? I have a wonderful friend, ''Homer,'' and I love him dearly, but I am not ''in love'' with him. We are both in our 80s and wid- owed, and I thought it was nice to have him as a friend. But Homer's kisses are get- ting too mushy and linger- ing. He often says, ''I can't wait to make love to you,'' and I reply each time, ''No chance.'' We could have so much fun Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Stop kissing or doing any- thing else that Homer might interpret as romantic. Tell him you enjoy his company, but from now on, the rela- tionship is strictly platonic. If he still doesn't get the message, you will need to see less of him. Dear Annie: My 83- complain. I drove four hours to see her on together, but he always has sex on his mind. I have no interest in get- ting into bed with him or any other man. If that's all he wants, he's wel- come to find someone else. I would miss him, but I've had about all I can take. Homer, you give the impression that there could be more than friendship. At that point, your words are con- tradicted by your actions. No won- der he doesn't understand ''no.'' Some women mistakenly believe that they can do lots of kissing and snuggling and guys are happy to stop at that. But Homer (like a lot of men) isn't wired that way. Please try to communicate better. nasty, how can I make Homer understand? He gets his feelings hurt easily. — Too Old To Be Frisky Dear Too Old: If you are kissing Other than being downright LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal regulators Thursday concluded that the operator of the San Onofre nuclear power plant in California did not mis- lead the government about modifications to its trou- bled steam generators, where unusual damage has been found on scores of tubes that carry radioactive water. Environmental activists had accused Southern Cali- fornia Edison of duping the Nuclear Regulatory Com- mission about a series of changes to the massive machines before they began operating in 2010 and 2011, including boost- ing the number of tubes and redesigning internal supports that hold them in place. The seaside plant between San Diego and Los Angeles has been idle since January, after a tube break in one of the genera- year-old mother is a chain smoker. All I ask when I visit is that she smoke on her small balcony. I still get some fumes, but I never Mother's Day, and she insisted on smoking indoors. When I asked why, she replied, ''Because I feel like it.'' When I said her newly painted walls were already covered in smoke residue, she gave me a dirty look and said the world is not going to end because there is ciga- rette smoke in the house. I realized she didn't care about my well- being, so I left. I told her that from now on, I will stay in a hotel. It's not the only evidence of her disinterest in me. Only once in 20 years has she bothered to make me a meal. I always end up taking her out or putting something together for both of us. I know for a fact that my mother does not love me, so should I continue making an effort when she shows a total lack of con- sideration for my feelings? — Very Sad Daughter Dear Sad: We're not sure how you know ''for a fact'' that your tors released traces of radi- ation and set in motion a series of events that led to a federal probe. In a report, investigators concluded that Edison ''provided the NRC with all the information required under existing regulations about proposed design changes to its steam gener- ators,'' according to a state- ment. Essentially, the agency staff found Edison complied with federal rules for replacing the generators — yet ended up with machinery that operated so badly that tube damage at the twin-reactor plant has been called unprecedented. A central question remains under study: Does the agency need to change the process that was used to approve the replacement generators? At issue is whether tubing problems that eventually sidelined the reactors might have been identified by chang- mother doesn't love you. It's more likely that she's a difficult person who, as a matter of self-protection, is uncomfortable showing love because it makes her vulnerable to being hurt. We agree that you should stay in a hotel, because Mom is too addicted to care about anyone else's comfort. But instead of cut- ting her off, lower your expecta- tions. She is who she is. Dear Annie: You often print let- ters from women who complain about their husbands' ex-wives. I came along after my husband and his ex-wife resolved to be on friend- ly terms. Over the years, Kay always has been kind to me, and at times, if it wasn't for her support during some heart-wrenching ''tough love'' issues with the kids, I probably wouldn't still be married. Recently, I traveled to Arizona to stay with Kay while she mended from an operation. I cooked meals, cleaned the house and walked her dog. We laughed, cried and enter- tained each other. We believe our actions teach ''our'' children and grandchildren an important lesson in forgiveness and human compas- sion. — Debbie and Kay Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Feds OK with equipment change at nuke plant ing rules under which utili- ties swap equipment at nuclear power plants. For example, the report concluded that there were ''major design changes'' between the original and replacement generators at San Onofre, yet they quali- fied as essentially identical replacements that did not require an exhaustive review by the NRC. After a three-month investigation, the NRC announced last month that a botched computer analy- sis resulted in design flaws that caused excessive vibration and resulted in heavy wear in many tubes. Edison has been trying to determine how, or if, the problems can be fixed. The rules for replacing generators, as written, do not require Edison ''to pre- sume deficiencies in the design or fabrication'' of the generators, the report said. Daniel Hirsch, a lecturer on nuclear policy at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who is a critic of the nuclear power indus- try, said the agency was attempting to exonerate itself from blame for the plant's ongoing troubles. The ''NRC said they did nothing wrong'' even though the faulty genera- tors caused unprecedented tube damage and raised the risk of a serious accident, Hirsch said in a statement. The trouble began to unfold in January, when the Unit 3 reactor was shut down as a precaution after a tube break. Traces of radiation escaped at the time, but officials said there was no danger to workers or neighbors. Unit 2 had been taken offline earlier that month for mainte- nance, but investigators later found unexpected wear on scores of tubes in both units. Injectable meds help treat back arthritis TOR K: I'd like to learn more about ank ylosing spondylitis. What treatments will help manage my pain? DEAR DOC- DEAR READ- ER: Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that mainly affects the lower back. It causes inflammation and damage at the joints. Dr. K by Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D. acetaminophen), or methotrexate. A person with ankylos- ing spondylitis commonly feels pain or stiffness in the lower back, especially in the morning or after peri- ods of inactivity. Usually, back pain begins in the sacroiliac joint, between the spine and the pelvis. It works its way up the lower spine. With time, inflamed spinal joints can fuse or grow together, causing an extremely stiff, rigid back- bone. This may make it dif- ficult to take a deep breath. Almost any movement can become extremely painful. Men are more likely What causes ankylosing spondylitis? All we know is that the immune system is "overactive" in the spinal joints, causing inflamma- tion. We don't know why the immune system is pro- voked to cause this inflam- mation. Some experts think the immune system may be attacking an infection, but so far no specific infection has been found to be at fault. than women to be afflicted with this condition. The symptoms usually begin in early adulthood. There's definitely a strong genetic element to this disease. Almost all people with ankylosing spondylitis have a genetic marker called HLA B27; a simple blood test can detect it. X- rays and MRI scans can show the disease in its later stages, but only about a decade after the symptoms have begun. Unfortunately, there is no cure. In fact, when I was in medical school, there were very few treatments proven to improve symp- toms. The goal of treatment is to reduce joint pain and to prevent, delay or correct any damage or deformities of the spine and other joints. Fortunately, today we have sev- eral effective med- ications: anti- inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or sul- fasalazine, pain relievers (such as And the remarkable new injectable medications — adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel), inflix- imab (Remicade) and goli- mumab (Simponi) — recently were approved for ankylosing spondylitis. These drugs appear to be more effective than older drugs for treating the con- dition. Stiffness often improves with activity. As a result, treatment usually includes physical therapy and exer- cise. Your exercise routine should include range-of- motion and stretching exer- cises to help your spine remain flexible. Abdomi- nal and back exercises can help you maintain good posture. Breathing exercis- es can help maintain your lung capacity. Hot baths, heat and massage can help to relieve pain. If possible, sleep on your back on a firm mat- tress and use a small pillow or none at all. Read more about strate- gies to address back pain in "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Goodbye to Back Pain" by Dr. Julie Sil- ver of Harvard Medical School. Along with valu- able information, it includes stories from many people like you. You can learn more about this book at AskDoctorK.com. Even with the best treat- ment, you may develop a fused spine. At some point, a back brace or other devices, such a corset, cane or joint splints, may help. Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School. To send questions, go to AskDoctorK.com, or write: Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115. $99 Blinds Need Blinds? C A L L P A U L Blinds & Draperies www.nsbd.biz Lic.#906022 527-0842 North State Paul Stubbs Landscape/Fence & Landscape Service Steve's Tractor • Fence Building • Landscaping • Trenching • Rototilling • Disking • Mowing • Ridging • Post Hole Digging • Blade Work • Sprinkler Installation • Concrete Work Cont. 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