We’re the overseers of our healthcare

As my cough was going into its third week, it was time to tell my doctor. A nurse replied to my MyChart message. I could try Flonase. If I didn’t get better, I should go to an urgent care center.

I was surprised and, frankly, piqued. My doctor didn’t have time for me? 

Careful choice, not necessarily expense, matters with walking shoes

I was delighted to buy a pair of Dolce Vita sneakers at TJ Maxx for $24, discounted 84%. I didn’t know the brand but figured that for the original price they should be first-rate.

“You’ve got nothing on me,” I crowed to myself when walking by people in Hokas.

At home, I asked Google whether Dolce Vita shoes were good for being on one’s feet for hours. I want supportive shoes for Chicago Greeter tours and volunteer shifts at the Anti-Cruelty Society, especially now that I’m having knee problems. “Dolce Vita shoes generally receive mixed reviews regarding their quality,” came the AI-generated reply. “They are better known for style than performance.” I returned the shoes.

When is it safe to plant?

For Northerners who garden with annuals, May is always a fraught month. When is it safe for us to plant?

The usual answer is around May 15 or Mother’s Day, when frosts are no longer expected. But even if a frost isn’t in the forecast, temperatures in the 40s can stunt warm-weather annuals. As the Chicago Botanic Garden says on its website, “In May, it pays to be patient and flexible.”