How to Survive Anything

After reading about how to survive a bad haircut, I was reminded of a quip my father used to say: What’s the difference between a bad haircut and a good haircut? Two weeks. —Fred E. Bauer Loveland, Ohio

Mister Manners suggests that the proper response after passing gas is “Pardon me.” But a study from the University of Exeter found that being exposed to the gas released in flatulence may help stave off heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. Perhaps the correct response should be “You’re welcome.” —Rich kilian Garrettsville, Ohio

My Coma Miracle

I am very curious to learn what happened to the truck driver who caused this accident. The story says a man stopped the fleeing truck after it ran over the woman on the bike. Please tell me he was arrested and punished! —Carol hardie Culver, Oregon From the Editors:

The truck driver who ran over Colleen Kelly Alexander was ticketed for failing to stop at a stop sign. Alexander’s lawsuit against the trucking company to cover her medical bills was settled out of court.

Zing! How to Craft a Comeback

During our teen years, my sister often bested me in arguments. After one defeat, I spent an hour hammering out a smart, scathing response. When I finally hit her with my perfect comeback, she said, “I bet it took you all that time to think that up, didn’t it?” Utter surrender. —Lynette combs Norfolk, Virginia

Photo Finish

I just saw the camels in your photo caption contest and literally laughed out loud at this one: “What do you call a camel without a hump? Humphrey!” —Pamela wilder, Sebring, Florida

A Silent Epidemic of Broken Bones

Your article on osteoporosis was very informative to those of us who have been recently diagnosed with this disease. Thank you very much. Secondly, your letter from a reader, Mary Burns Gresham,

who wrote in about washing and ironing the Communion cloth at her church, really struck close to home. My mother also washed the linens at her parish in Stratford, Connecticut, in the 1930s and ’40s, and her name was also Mary Burns. —Barbara

Burns Kolmer Huddleston, Virginia

Your Mom Said What?

My wife always inadvertently entertains our kids and me with her “mamapropisms.” One night we hosted a neighborhood party, with people dropping in for the food, drinks, and laughter, which were all in abundance. As the party was winding down, the doorbell rang yet again. Mindful of the hour and thinking it was too late for new arrivals, my wife blurted out, “It’s Lou Tate!” Now at any party when someone arrives late, Lou Tate’s name is invariably invoked. —Andrew Distefano Malvern, Pennsylvania