Dear Heloise: I started using plastic bags to freeze baked goods in. They hold up well. I now save all the food bags that contain products I buy. This includes the thin cellophane ones, which I use for short-term storage. I fold over the tops to let the air out and staple the ones for long-term ...

Dear Annie: My son lives at home, but he has no interest in talking to me. He doesn’t eat meals with me and my husband. He just stays in his room and comes downstairs to cook his own food, which is invariably a pan-fried sandwich, possibly with air-fried breaded chicken, followed by crisps ...

Dear Dr. Roach: What can you tell me about the cause and treatment of immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP)? I am a 71-year-old male, and after lab results showed a low blood platelet count, I underwent a spleen and liver scan as well as a bone marrow biopsy. They all showed normal function, ...

The Independent calendar lists upcoming meetings, facility hours and events in and around Marshall. To have your group’s events listed, email the information to news@marshallindependent.com or submit the information to our virtual newsroom. . Today Household Hazardous Waste Facility open ...

Dear Annie: My sister-in-law has disliked me for as long as I can remember. I’ve never fully understood why, but over the years she’s made her feelings clear in a hundred small ways -- cold shoulders at family gatherings, pointed comments and a general effort to keep me at arm’s length. ...

Dear Heloise: I have a couple of hints to suggest for your column: -- I rubber band my accesible parking placard to my sun visor so that when I park in a parking space, I just have to pull down the visor to expose the parking sign. It is very visible, and I do not have to hang it back up on ...