TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY'S HISTORY:In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 with a dog named Laika aboard.

DO JUST ONE THING

The next time you change out the water in an aquarium, don't toss the 'dirty' water down the drain. That cloudy, murky water is full of nutrients that your plants will love, including good bacteria, nitrogen, minerals, phosphorous and potassium.

Older professional wants to become re-energized

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently went to an event hosted by a young woman I know. It was beautiful to see so many young professionals out there doing their thing, but it was also jarring. I have been somewhat isolated in my own world, and I feel like life is passing me by.

Midterms: Much ado about nothing

As Election Day approaches, I often find myself thinking of H.L. Mencken. Particularly during off-year contests.“The Sage of Baltimore,” as he was known, expressed lifelong disdain for politicians, and his mordant wit made him very funny about it.

Plattsburgh: Where men prepared for war

The path from American isolationism to internationalism passed through British Guiana (the boundary dispute of 1895-1899), Havana Harbor (the explosion of the battleship Maine), Manila Bay (Commodore George Dewey’s defeat of the Spanish naval force), Nanking (the negotiations over the Open Door...

Reader wonders whether boyfriend is a colorist

DEAR HARRIETTE: I think that my boyfriend might be a colorist. The other day I asked him what he likes about me, and one of the things that he named was my 'light complexion.' (We are both African American.) This immediately raised a red flag.

Gallstones the result of hard bile deposits

Dear Doctors: I had stabs of pain in the upper right side of my abdomen one day, so I did a telehealth session. The nurse said it might be gallstones and to see my doctor if it repeats. So far, it hasn't happened again. What are gallstones?

Husband feels the seasons are being rushed

My husband, Peter, says they are rushing the season. I'm not sure who 'they' are. The Christmas Cartel, perhaps. The vast conspiracy of premature holiday merrymakers. Whoever they are, Peter does not approve.And he does have a point.

Remote worker struggles to fill her downtime

DEAR HARRIETTE: Lately, I've been finding myself with a lot of free time during the day. I work remotely, but the company that I work for is in a completely different time zone than me.

Recognizing the value of diversity

Take hair.