To everything there is a season (and an appropriate choice of foliage)

“Tag, you’re it. A wonderful young man disguised as a grumpy teenager it headed your way,” was the text I sent my daughter as my son’s plane took off. Christopher was headed to Kansas State University to spend the weekend with Mary.

No holds barred at Bar Louie

Nancy and her bowling babes were bummed out when they realized one of their favorite lunchtime haunts, Uno’s Pizzeria in Schaumburg, was closing. They were un-bummed out when they found realized “Bar Louie” was taking over that location. Her bowling babes said, “You’re the trained professional, go check it out.” So Nancy took off her bowling shirt. I put on my loose fitting work pants. We both hopped in the Dining Duo Mini-Mobile, and off we went to Bar Louie in Schaumburg.

Getting to know your EquiFACTS

It is becoming all too common these days.

Each day there seems to be another instance of another security breach. Makes me nervous, you? As a tax preparer for the last 25 years, I know that identity theft issues are on the rise. What makes the most recent Equifax breach so alarming is the fact that they knew about it for six weeks before any announcement was made.

Yeah, that’s right, I’m talking about you, dummy

You’re probably a complete idiot.

Or if not, then I’ll bet you’re a dummy.

“Sorry,” I told them, “but I’ve got to take care of this. You know how Ed is. I don’t want to get called on the carpet.”

Ask the Woodchucks: September 21, 2017

We have the Fox model and there is a vent in the rear of the house toward the bottom of the siding, and the flaps are breaking off. I’ve been looking all over and can find anything to replace it. There is a grid behind the flaps. While we’re at it what is it used for?

Ask an Angel: September 21, 2017

I have taken on the role of caregiver for my mother. I have been doing this for only 3 months and I am already overwhelmed. I can’t seem to keep everything straight. Between doctor visits, medications, and her daily needs, I am slowly fizzling and feel like things are chaotic. How do people care for their family member with success?

Lighting the way to creative lanscaping

The leaves are turning color, the morning temperatures are cooler, and the sun is setting earlier. Fall will soon be upon us. With fall and inevitably winter, our sunlight will diminish and we will begin to rely more and more lights to help us see.

It’s a beautiful day in “The Neighborhood”

It was a beautiful day in our neighborhood, and we decided to pay a visit to the new Niko’s Tavern & Neighborhood Grill in Pingree Grove.

American Assassin – acceptable at best

Once again, your neighborhood movie columnist was between a rock and a hard place.

The enlightenment that comes with endarkenment

OK, people, the eclipse is over. Time to come back down to earth, wipe the awestruck tears from your eyes, and stop OMGing the wonders of the natural world as you ponder your place in the universe. Let’s put the spiritual tizzy behind us, shall we? It’s all fun and games until somebody becomes a druid.

Imported from Sicily

Today’s restaurant that we will be reviewing was brought to our attention by several of our loyal readers. Hopefully now they will stop nagging us, just kidding…This review is on Dominick’s Italian Ristorante in West Dundee.

Coming attractions

For the first time in a long while, there were no new releases in our area theaters last weekend. As a result, any movie I chose to comment on would already be at least two, more likely three weeks old by our publication date. That would be like finding a loaf of stale bread in your pantry; no interest.

Ask the Woodchucks: September 7, 2017

The light bulb in the ceiling of my master bath shower is burned out. It is a 65w flood light bulb. It looks like a standard bulb, but shouldn’t it be some kind of special bulb because it can get wet in the shower?

Late bloomers for your autumn aesthetic

I didn’t realize how many pictures need to be hung on walls to make a house feel like a home, until I had 3 hours to fully transform 5 rooms. During the 72 hours that my husband and I spent helping our daughter move into her first college apartment, we cleaned, cried, and laughed. Then we shopped.

Northern Europe, part 3: On to the Bodensee!

Traveling on your own, even with the best guidebooks, can still be confusing. Take the Bodensee Lake in Germany. It is also called Lake Constance and sometimes the Swabian Sea. Lake Constance is the international name which is derived from the local town of Konstanz.

Ask an Angel: September 7, 2017

Can you provide some ideas of what to have on hand in case of emergency?

Thank you Willy Horton for bringing peace to Detroit

I served six years in the military and had never seen anything like this. I was standing in a war zone, surrounded by armed troops, hundreds of police and two U.S. Army tanks, their cannons aimed at the buildings in front of them. There were no fires at the moment, but smoke still hung over the streets, a grim reminder of the arson which had taken place the past few days.

Logan Lucky – not today

I’m still debating whether it was a bigger mistake paying to see this movie, or laying out $8.09 for a bag of popcorn, half of which I left behind. So, it was a $20 evening, and I’ll no doubt take a long hard look in the mirror when I get up, looking for the “stupid” lines in my face.

A tick-tale of terror — and tender love

I trace my phobia of ticks back to that day in the wooden rowboat on Lake Nicaboyne in northern Wisconsin. I was probably eleven or twelve at the time, and I was spending the day as usual during our annual weeklong vacation: rowing by myself along the shoreline, casting for bass.

Ask the Woodchucks: August 24, 2017

We have an Adler unit with no basement and recently had our air ducts cleaned. During the process, the tech removed the grill from each duct and inserted an air and vacuum hose. While working in the laundry/utility room, he removed the ceiling grill by the garage door and found that there was a circular duct about a foot long, which was not connected to anything, just open to the attic.

Summer is also for growing memories

Twenty-five, a quarter of a century, 3 weeks and 4 days. No matter how you spell, say it or think it, 25 is not a very large number. When it is referring to the number of days that you get to spend with your oldest daughter in one summer, it seems even smaller. Pathetically small. Those 25 days have to hold a lifetime of summer of 2017 memories.

‘Tip toe’ to Vickie’s Place

Herbert Buckingham Khaury wrote us from the great beyond with a tip about his favorite eatery. You may remember him as Tiny Tim who “Tip Toed Through the Tulips” and married his Miss Vicki in 1969 on the Johnny Carson Show. He told us about Vickie’s Place in McHenry. Now do you get it? We know it’s a stretch, but it’s the best we could come up with.

Ask an Angel: August 24, 2017

I recently learned that my father, who is 86, used his ladder to check on something on the exterior of his home. My mother disclosed this to me and made me promise not to call him out on it. Now I am more than worried, wondering how to keep him from doing such dangerous activities. Help!

Uncovering a conspiracy of sinkholes and sausage-bombs

The United States is under attack! It’s being torn apart!

Well, not the United States per se, but Florida — that wet, wacky addendum attached to the southeastern edge of the United States. But it’s still a cause for concern, because a lot of folks from the actual United States like to go there in the wintertime.

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