Section: Ask Mrs. Helpful

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Having trouble with TypeKey registration?

May 10, 2005

Dear Mrs. Helpful,

Q. I am having trouble completing my registration with TypeKey. Can you help me out so I can leave a comment on CrotonBlog.com? I am getting the following error:

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Why do I have to register?

February 1, 2005

Dear Mrs. Helpful,

Do I really have to register with Typekey in order to comment on CrotonBlog.com?

Dear Friends,

The lively and thoughtful folks behind Crotonblog.com have only your best interests in heart and mind! We understand that you might be hesitant to share your name and email address on the Internet, but fear not! We will never share your information with anyone else. When you make a comment using the TypeKey authentication service, you have the option of sharing your email address with us and you can choose your own “nickname”, thus making you completely anonymous to Crotonblog and our readers.

Registering to use our commenting system lets us screen reader comments for profanity and abusive language. We also wish to avoid being overrun with annoying spam. And while Mrs. Helpful is not really the techno-wiz type at all, I have managed to get through the easy registering process without any ill effect. So take the plunge—and and join in on the conversation with other Crotonbloggers.

— Mrs. H.

All right, all right—I’ll register!

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Family Math

January 30, 2005

Dear Mrs. H,

What is with my brother-in-law?

This is not about emotions and feelings as you might suspect – the issue at hand is a straight out math problem. The more brothers-in-law you have, the greater the probability is that one or more of them will be some kind of deadbeat. If you only have one sibling and are wise enough to wed an only child, then you have a pretty good chance of having a brother-in-law who is in publishing or a small law firm, who might be able to hold your interest in conversation twice a year. You might even hit the jackpot and score a guy who can get hot tickets to stuff. But if you and your spouse come from larger families, then you run a serious risk of becoming related to someone who is serially unemployed, or worse still a money manager, or who played sports in college. If your total count of brothers-in-law is five or more, then it is quite likely that your Christmas shopping will include sending money orders and books to federal prison camp.

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Salty Dogs

January 25, 2005

Dear Mrs. Helpful:

Are sea salts really good for you?

Dear Friend,

Mrs. Helpful is a firm believer in the healing powers of saltwater soaks – especially Dead Sea salts, if you can get your hands on them. In addition to the more common usages like a foot soak for healing minor abrasions and gargling with (table) salt water for a sore throat, many people use salt baths to diminish the torture of poison ivy and vanquish the pain of early breastfeeding. Cracked and sensitive nipples heal overnight! No kidding!

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Poached

January 18, 2005

Dear Mrs. Helpful: Can you tell me how to poach a whole salmon?

A flavorful and healthful poached salmon can be a stunning centerpiece to a festive lunch or suave dinner party. Here is the best way to prepare this Omega 3-rich treat – call Turco’s! Seriously, there are some things that are just not worth doing.

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Mom Was Wrong

January 11, 2005

Dear Mrs. Helpful,

Why am I not a rock star?

Dear Friend,

A good question! You know, there is just no accounting for taste. However, the truth is, you may not be as talented or as good-looking as your Mom says you are. And then there is the whole age thing.

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