They kicked me and my baby granddaughter out of the café into the rain—then justice arrived

By
Monica Pop
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0

It was pouring outside, like one of those days when you feel like the entire world would just crumble. My granddaughter was hungry, so I entered a café in order to feed her, but we were kicked out like we were a piece of trash, not two human beings in need of a quick stop during an awful weather. Next thing, someone called the cops on me and my face was all over the newspaper.

When I gave birth to my daughter, Sarah, I was 41. And yes, I was a proud mother to an awesome child. Everyone who had ever met my girl praised her for her generosity and kindness. She truly was one of a kind.

At 31, she fell pregnant. The moment I learned I was going to become a grandmother was the best day of my life. Everything was about to change with a tiny bundle of joy being welcomed in our lives. Sadly, I had no idea that change would be a painful one.

My daughter died while giving birth.

In those moments of pain and grief, Sarah’s boyfriend said he couldn’t handle a child on his own. He simply wasn’t ready for being a single dad, so he asked me to take care of his and Sarah’s daughter. Without even realizing it, I became the baby’s sole guardian. And her father, well, he only sends small checks every month; money not even for diapers, let alone food, clothes, or toys.

Today, it’s just me and her, my Amy.

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Things aren’t perfect because taking care of a baby at 72 is as hard as it sounds. But I’m the only person she has, and I try to stay strong for her, and that’s the only option, really.

That day at the pediatrician’s office didn’t go out as planned. Amy was unusually cranky. She just wouldn’t stop crying, and I prayed we go through her check-up as quickly as possible.

Once we were done, we got outside, but the weather was already horrible. It was raining heavily, and I had no idea what to do or how to get home. And that’s when I spotted a café nearby.

I covered Amy’s stroller with my coat and we entered the place.

It was one of those cozy places, perfect for a rainy day.

We found an empty seat near the window and I placed the stroller beside me. However, Amy started crying again, and she wouldn’t stop no matter what I did.

And then, just as I tried to feed the baby, the woman sitting opposite us made a loud comment. “Hey, lady. This isn’t day care. People come here to relax, not to listen to some baby screaming.”

The man who was with her said the same. “Why don’t you take that baby and just leave?”

I was so embarrassed that I wanted to disappear. But there was nowhere I could go at that rain.

“I’m sorry for her crying. She’s just hungry. Once I feed her she’ll stop,” I said.

“Couldn’t you do that in your car? Really? If you don’t know how to calm your baby why are you even taking it out?”

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The waitress could hear the conversation before she even attended my table.

“Listen, lady, maybe it would be better to feed the baby outside and get inside once she calms down. You do see other customers complain.”

I looked around, hoping some of the guests would stand for an old lady and a baby, but no, that didn’t happen.

Honestly, I had no idea what to do at that moment. And while I was reconsidering my options, which were almost non-existent, two police officers entered the place. They looked around and then one of them turned to me and said, “Good afternoon, Ma’am. We were told you’re disturbing other customers here. Is that true?”

Oh God, could this really be happening? Did someone really called the police at a 72-year-old woman with a baby? Had this world gone mad all of a suddden?

“The manager spotted us outside and called us over. What is the problem here?” they asked.

“Officers, I was planning on ordering something. But I need to feed my granddaughter first. Once she has her mil she’ll fall asleep. I swear. There won’t be any trouble. It’s raining and I’m with a baby, don’t you understand?”

One of the officers turned to the waitress and said, “So you want to tell me the ‘disturbance’ was just a baby crying?”

The waitress nodded.

“Really? The manager said you caused a scene and refused to leave when asked,” he said to me.

“No, I swear that’s not what happened. I told the waitress I’ll order something the moment the baby is fed.”

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The waitress then turned to the officers and said, “See, she won’t leave and the customers are getting angry.”

“Well, not as angry as that baby, who is clearly hungry,” the younger officer said, pointing to Amy.

“Know what? My sister has three kids. I’m a wizard with babies,” the officer said and took Amy. To everyone’s surprise, she called down immediately. “I guess the disturbance is over,” the officer said.

But still, the waitress and the manager insisted I needed to leave the place because I hadn’t ordered anything. As though I even had the chance to do it.

“You know what, bring us three cups of coffee and three slices of apple pie with ice cream. It’s cold outside, but ice cream and pie are always good for the soul,” the older officer said, then nodded toward his younger partner, who was still holding Amy, to join us at the table.

All of a sudden, both the waitress and the manager became polite.

The officers introduced themselves as Christopher and Alexander. We talked for a while and I shared how my daughter passed away at childbirth and how I ended up being my granddaughter’s guardian. I also explained what happened at the coffee place.

“Don’t worry ma’am. I just knew the manager made the situation sound way worse than it actually was the moment I entered the place,” Alexander said. “You are doing your best to take care of your granddaughter. You should be proud of yourself.”

Before the four of us left the place, Alexander asked me if he could take a photo of me and Amy. “For the report,” he said.

“Of course,” I said, “Go ahead.”

The had stopped already, and Amy and I headed home.

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A few days later, I got a call from one of my neighbors. She was overly excited and kept asking me if I had seen it. “See what?” I asked, totally confused.

“Well, the newspaper,” she said.

“No, I haven’t. I barely have the time to have coffee, let alone read the newspaper.”

“Oh, Maggy. You are in the newspaper and your story is everywhere.”

It turned out that Alexander sent the photo of me and Amy to his sister, a local reporter. She was disturbed by the way we were treated at the coffee place and thought that sharing the story would help the community realize how vulnerable some of its members are. She wanted to remind everyone that we should be compassionate and kind. Because when you think about it, it’s those qualities in people that make this world go round.

A few days later, I met Alexander. He smiled at me and apologized for not asking me first before sending the photo to his sister. But I wasn’t mad, not at all. On the contrary, I was glad my story served as an example.

However, it turned out that people got mad at the cafe’s manager and the waitress, so they placed a sing on their door that read, “Babies are welcomed.”

Amy and I visited the coffee place a few days later. This time, the waitress greeted us with a smile. She tried to apologize for treating us badly, and I said it was fine. Well, everyone can make a mistake every now and then, right?

I ordered coffee and a piece of apple pie. When she brought the order, she said, “Enjoy it, it’s on the house.”

I was glad that the negative experience turned into something positive in the end.

And yes, I made sure I left a big tip that day.

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Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Three Dog Night star Chuck Negron dies at 83 – cause of death revealed

By
Monica Pop
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Chuck Negron, a founding member of Three Dog Night, passed away Monday, February 2, after battling multiple health issues.

Negron provided the unmistakable lead vocals on classics such as Joy to the World, One, An Old Fashioned Love Song, Easy to Be Hard, and The Show Must Go On, during the band’s peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

According to his publicist, Negron passed away at his home in Studio City, California, “surrounded by his loving family,” People reported.

“Negron was a testament to never giving up – persevering through everything life throws at you, everything you may throw at yourself, and striving on,” his publicist said in a statement. 

UNITED STATES – OCTOBER 02: Photo of THREE DOG NIGHT and Chuck NEGRON and Cory WELLS and Danny HUTTON; Posed group portrait L-R Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron and Cory Wells (Photo by Jim McCrary/Redferns)

The musician was born on June 8, 1942, and was raised in the Bronx by his father, Charles Negron, a Puerto Rican nightclub performer, and his mother, Elizabeth Rooke. Following his parents’ divorce, when Negron was just two, he grew up singing in doo-wop groups and playing basketball from an early age, eventually earning a basketball recruitment to California State University that brought him to Los Angeles, where he began working in the music industry.

At just 15, Negron, who eventually ended up powering a run of chart-topping hits that came to define rock and pop radio during the late ’60s and early ’70s, recorded his debut single and took the stage at the iconic Apollo Theater with his vocal group, The Rondells.

Speaking to the Rapid City Journal in 2004, recalled that night, saying, “We were not just only the white group in the building. But by our second verse, something magical happened. The audience started to cheer us on.”

While in LA, where he attended California State University on a basketball scholarship, Negron teamed up with Danny Hutton and the late Cory Wells to form Three Dog Night in 1967.

Despite massive success, the band collapsed amid internal conflicts and drug use. Negron later reconciled with Hutton after decades of estrangement, and after overcoming addiction, rebuilt his life and career as a solo artist.

In his memoir, Three Dog Nightmare, Negron shared his harrowing journey, writing of the times he rose to fame, his addictions, his near death-experiences, and how he managed to recover.

Negron had been living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for decades, but that didn’t prevent him from touring. He only stopped amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Chuck Negron was married four times, including to Paula Louise Ann Goetten, Julia Densmore, Robin Silna, and later his manager, Ami Albea, whom he wed in a socially distanced ceremony in 2020. He was the father of five children, including daughters Shaunti, Charlie, and Annabelle Negron, as well as son Chuckie Negron and stepson Berry Oakley Jr.

According to his publicist, the cause of death was complications from COPD and heart failure.

“Through his six decades of success, and all the ups-and-downs, his large, unconventional family was most important to him,” his publicist said.

Rest in peace, Chuck Negron.

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Love and Peace

‘Something’s off’: Former NYPD hostage negotiator reveals disturbing suspicions in Nancy Guthrie investigation

By
Monica Pop
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Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been missing since January 31.

Nancy was last seen in the Catalina Foothills, and authorities have been searching for her ever since. It has been reported that she and her daughter Anne, Savannah sister, had dinner together in the evening of January 31, and Anne dropped her off at home at around 9:30 p.m.

The following morning, Nancy failed to show up at church, something not typical for her, after which concerns were raised. She was officially reported missing by Sunday noon.

“We’re pretty much just throwing everything at this that we can. Guthrie is 84 years old and is not of good physical health, and so naturally that’s a great concern,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in a press conference. “This is very concerning to us. We don’t typically get the sheriff out at a scene like this. But it’s very concerning what we’re learning from the house,” he continued, adding, “And so we’ll just continue. The detective’s homicide team is out right now looking at the scene as well.”

“It is a race against time, and I hope that window hasn’t closed,” Nanos told NBC’s Liz Kreutz during a segment for the Today show aired Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Savannah Guthrie / Instagram

Now, Wallace Zeins, who spent years negotiating high-stakes abductions for the NYPD, has given his outlook on the investigation.

In an interview, Zeins said that given her physical state, a solo abduction of Nancy seems almost impossible.

“She is 150 pounds, 5 feet 5, waking up in the middle of the night, not in the best health, cannot walk or run, so I would think there is more than one person involved in this particular crime,” Zeins told CNN.

Although authorities haven’t disclosed what prompted concerns of a crime, the Los Angeles Times reports that blood was found on the front porch of Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home. According to police sources cited by the newspaper, investigators have not proposed any explanation for why she might have been taken. The blood reportedly appeared alongside signs of forced entry at her Catalina Hills, Arizona, residence, though its source is still unknown.

During the search of her home, authorities found Nancy’s Apple watch and revealed that her pacemaker stopped syncing with the device around 2:00 a.m. Sunday, a detail that has deeply unsettled investigators. 

At the same time, TMZ reported to have received a ransom note regarding Nancy’s disappearance.

“So, we got something in our email that looks like a, it’s written like a ransom note for Savannah Guthrie’s mother,” TMZ’s Harvey Levin said.

He added that the note requests “a very specific” amount of money.

“And, also, at the bottom there are certain things they’re saying about what she was wearing and damage to the house to say, ‘It’s us,’” Levin explained. “So, we have contacted the sheriff’s department and we want to get them this letter.”

According to Zeins, the ransom demands could eventually give investigators a crucial lead. He pointed out that a request for Bitcoin indicates the perpetrators are tech-savvy and may even be active on social media.

If the notes were handwritten, they might contain DNA. If they were typed, Zeins added, they could leave an electronic footprint, something federal authorities are particularly skilled at tracking.

Don Arnold/WireImage

CNN’s Josh Campbell stated that the high-profile nature of Nancy Guthrie’s case could trigger a flood of false or misleading tips to investigators.

“In these high-profile situations, authorities are often flooded with tips — some turn out to be credible, some not so credible and some downright sinister,” Campbell told TV host Jake Tapper on Wednesday.

Offering perspective on kidnappings involving older adults, former FBI profiler Candice DeLong noted that the “vast majority” of victims personally know their abductor.

“There is one thing I’d like to add about kidnapping of elderly people, especially people over 80. In the vast majority of cases, the offender is known to the victim,” DeLong told Tapper on Wednesday.

Police helicopters have been observed scanning the desert near Nancy’s home as part of what Zeins called a “grid search,” a systematic approach designed to ensure every area is thoroughly checked. Investigators are likely assessing whether Nancy was moved through nearby fields or removed directly from the location, Zeins said.

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In the meantime, Savannah Guthrie, who has since stepped back from the Today’s show and the role of hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Italy, issued an emotional plea.

“At the same time, we live in a world where voices and images can be easily manipulated,” Savannah said in a video. “We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive and that you have her.”

President Donald Trump reached to Savannah, assuring that he is “deploying all resources to get her mother home safely.”

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Love and Peace

I won fifty million dollars and took my son to share the news with my husband—until I heard something that made me change plans

By
Monica Pop
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0

The Miracle I Was Ready to Share

At the time my life turned upside-down, I was a thirty-two-year-old mother and a wife to someone who I believed was my soulmate. My life was simple and quiet. Nothing out of the ordinary.

I’d spend my days doing chores, preparing meals, and making sure my son and husband were well-cared for. When I think about it, my entire living was dedicated to their happiness. I never put myself on the top of my list of priorities, not once. And I din’t mind that, because I was convinced that was what a good wife was simply supposed to do.

My husband, Reggie Thompson, ran a mid-sized construction logistics company. Whenever he spoke about his business, he’d describe it as “almost stable.” Sometimes, I believe that was the real reason why there was never enough money and despite him being the “boss,” we barely managed make ends meet.

When we first met and started dating, I was still very young and naive. He proposed, I said yes, and when we got married, he convinced me to sell my small condo. “We are one now, why would you even need that condo,” he’d say. So I did it and invested the money in his business which he believed would help us build the comfy life we’d always dreamed of. And while Reggie managed the finances and promised our struggles were only temporary and that things would soon start getting better, it was me who handled the invisible labor. I made sure to stretch groceries, buy my son Malik clothes he could grow into, and juggle bills.

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That morning didn’t feel special at all. It was the usual chaos. Cereal were everywhere because Malik insists on pouring it himself now, some loud cartoon playing in the background, and him asking a million questions before I’d even had the chance to have my morning coffee. At one point he looked at the window and asked me why birds can fly but people can’t, and I remember thinking, wow, it’s way too early for philosophy.

While I was wiping milk off the counter for the third time, my eyes landed on that old Mega Millions ticket stuck to the fridge with a tacky Georgia-shaped magnet. I’d almost forgotten about it. I only bought it because this sweet elderly woman at the store smiled at me and said, “Sometimes luck finds people who aren’t even looking.” I laughed it off back then, like, sure, okay, and went on with my day.

For some reason, though, I grabbed my phone and checked the numbers.

Once. Then again. Then again, because there was no way.

Every single one matched.

I don’t even remember standing up after that. I just kind of slid down the cabinet and sat there on the kitchen floor, holding my phone, shaking. Trust me, I was so shocked that I couldn’t even scream or jump.

My first thought wasn’t even happiness. Oh… my life just split in two, I thought to myself. There was the life before this moment, and whatever came after.

I thought of calling my mom, and then I felt the urge to text my best friend. But I didn’t. Instead, I folded the ticket carefully, picked Malik up, and told him we were going for a little ride.

All I could think of was that our life would never be the same. Ever again. Winning fifty million dollars felt surreal. Even the thought of it.

My husband was going to die of happiness. But what I stumbled upon when I arrived at his company was a blow I could barely stand.

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The Truth Behind the Office Door

My husband’s office smelled like coffee and toner, that weird mix that somehow feels both comforting and gross at the same time. I walked in and the receptionist, who’s always kind of nice but also a little nosy, smiled at me when I said I was there to surprise him and pointed me down the hall like I was in some spy movie. I smiled back, trying to act normal, thinking okay, today’s the day. Today everything changes.

But as I walked towards his office, I heard voices laughing. Reggie was there with someone. I was barely trying to compose myself from the fact were became millionaires, that I didn’t knock. I just told myself it would be better to wait until Reggie was alone.

But then I heard him saying, “She doesn’t ask questions. She trusts me. Always has.”

Then they started laughing again.

“Once the expansion is finalized,” he went on, still chuckling, “I won’t have to pretend anymore. She’ll never see it coming.”

I just… stopped. Malik felt suddenly heavy in my arms, and for a moment I could not breathe. All the little daydreams I’d had on the drive there, me walking in, him hugging us both, the happy tears, the “we’re set for life” smiles, shattered into a million pieces in my head. Just gone.

And in that second, I knew. Reggie wasn’t planning a life with me. I wasn’t part of his future.

I didn’t open the door nor I had the courage to shout. Honestly, I didn’t even cry, although I felt like I just needed to. When I think of that moment, I can’t understand how I found the courage to leave the place quietly.

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The sacrifices I had been doing for years were in vain. The man I believed was my soulmate didn’t see me as part of his life any longer. Honestly, at that very moment I felt pity for myself. I felt abused and not worthy. But over the next few days, I realized that I had never done anything wrong, because no matter how great of a wife I was, it wasn’t enough for Reggie.

I never confronted him, I just pretended everything was perfectly fine. But in the meantime, I called a lawyer.

He advised me to put the lottery winnings in a trust in my maiden name and told me to stay silent until I could gather evidence that he’d been hiding money, misdirecting funds, and doing shady business behind my back.

By the time he realized anything, it was too late. The woman who walked in that day holding Malik in her arms wasn’t me anymore.

Choosing Myself

Weeks that felt like years passed by before I could hand Reggie the divorce papers. I was creating scenarios in my head about what would happen when he finally realizes I knew he was cheating on me. Would he be more sorry losing me and his son or the fifty million dollars I won.

One morning, I simply placed the divorce papers on the table alongside proof of the lottery winnings.

He got up with a smile on his face. “What’s for breakfast, hun?” he asked, puzzled that there was no food on the table waiting for him as usual.

“What’s this?” he asked as he stared at the papers. “A divorce!?” he asked.

When he noticed the proof of the lottery winnings, his face shifted from disbelief to panic.

“Are you divorcing me because you have money now?”

“Oh, Reggie,” I said. “You know all to well that money never mattered to me. I’m divorcing you because you’ve been cheating on me. You realize I know your little dirty secret, don’t you?”

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He tried to convince me that I wasn’t right and that I misheard his conversation that day at the office. But I was perfectly sane, despite the fact I was too shocked from winning fifty million dollars. I knew what I heard; him making fun of me with that other woman.

The whole legal side of things was surprisingly fast. Even faster than I was expecting, to be honest. But the thing that will always stick in my mind is not the courtroom drama or the money but the feeling of getting away with something much more precious than that: true, rock-solid dignity.

Currently, Malik and I reside in a bright, sun-filled home just outside of Atlanta. I’m telling you, on some days the light feels like it has its own life force, seeping through the windows, beckoning me like I knew I was supposed to know better. Malik attends a school that feeds his curiosity rather than stifling it. He inquires about everything, and I tell him the truth, because now I understand that there’s no use in pretending life is easier than it is.

I also pay for scholarships for single moms… who need just one unexpected breath of grace.

Also, there’s a little bit of me that smiles every time I walk by a convenience store lit up with lottery advertisements. Not because of the money. Never for the money. I smile because I remember that moment, that exact moment I chose myself. The one when I decided I wasn’t going to wait for anyone else to define my life and my worth.

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Love and Peace

5 Common Medications That Require Careful Long-Term Use

By
Monica Pop
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0

Understanding Long-Term Use of Everyday Medications

When we experience some sort of pain, troubles falling asleep at night, allergies, or general discomfort, most of us either visit a doctor or reach to over-the-counter medicine.

The thing is that while these medicines often work fast and feel like a lifesaver, they usually only provide short-term relief.

So, if we decide to stick to them long term, such as day after day, month after month, or even for years, they come with risks that aren’t always obvious.

Doctors stress that while these medications are helpful, long-term use should be handled with care.

If we understand the reasons behind doctors monitoring for possible side effects, and even becoming aware of better and safer alternatives, can help us use any medicine more wisely.

According to a number of scientific studies and medical guidelines, a number of common and widely used medications affect the functioning of the body if used over a long period of time. This includes vital organs such as the stomach, kidneys, or bones and can increase the risk of other health problems, particularly among older people or those suffering from chronic health conditions. This is why doctors are trying to balance the risk: they want people to feel better without causing unnecessary harm.

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Why Long-Term Medication Use Calls for Extra Attention

When a patient asks for medical assistance because of certain issues they experience, it’s not uncommon for doctors to prescribe them medicine. Most times, however, doctors shy away from advising taking medicine not because of the side effects but because they are aware the context of use, such as how long and how often a medicine is being taken and at what dose, is very important.

Many short-term medicines are safe and effective if used exactly as directed, but the same medicines can behave differently if they become part of someone’s daily routine. In the end, the combined effect of a drug over time may stress the organs, change normal body function, or interfere with other drugs.

Medical guidelines such as the Beers Criteria, developed by the American Geriatrics Society, specifically call attention to medications that may pose heightened risk if used regularly in certain populations, especially adults over 65. These criteria help clinicians identify drugs with a higher likelihood of adverse effects so that they can recommend safer alternatives or closely monitor patients when ongoing use is necessary. For example, the Beers Criteria cautions against routine, long-term use of certain pain relievers, acid blockers, sleep aids, and sedating antihistamines, among others.

The main point is to be aware, because when people are aware about possible long-term risks, it can help them ask the right questions, notice side effects, and have better communication with their doctors.

The goal is not to stop using helpful medicines altogether, but to make sure they are used carefully and in the right way.

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Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Drugs people often purchase for body pain and headaches are NSAIDs. It sounds like a big word, but it just refers to drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. Most of these drugs don’t require a prescription and are used for headaches, sore muscles, or arthritis. When you are in pain, they are life savior.

The thing is, if you start taking them regularly for months or years, they can affect more than just your pain. NSAIDs prevent certain body chemicals that tell you you’re in pain from doing their job, but those same chemicals also protect your stomach and kidneys. That means if you are a heavy user of these medications, your stomach lining can become weakened, your kidneys can become strained, and you may be suffering from that without even being aware of it yet. Some research suggests many longtime users have stomach changes without any symptoms. For some, those changes can become ulcers or bleeding, particularly at older adults or those suffering from digestive issues.

NSAIDs can also increase your blood pressure and the workload on your heart. Even the new NSAIDs that are touted as being gentle on your stomach, such as celecoxib, can potentially have a negative effect on your heart if you’re taking them frequently over time.

It is because of these risks that doctors usually recommend taking NSAIDs at the lowest dose that works and only for as long as you really need them. When the pain sticks around or happens a lot, it would be for the best to turn to other options with your doctor’s approval. Things like physical therapy, exercise, pain creams, or even small changes to your daily habits can be of great use. That way, you won’t have to just keep taking more pills every day.

Some easy ways to use NSAIDs more safely are to only take them for short flare-ups, keep track of how often you need them, and talk with your doctor about other ways to manage your pain.

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Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

PPIs are powerful drugs that many people rely on. You might have heard of them as omeprazole or esomeprazole. They effectively dial back how much acid your stomach produces, which relieves heartburn, acid reflux, ulcers, and just about any other type of stomach pain. The problem is they’re so effective that some folks wind up taking them every day for weeks, months, or even longer.

The hard part is that long-term use can create problems you won’t notice right away. Stomach acid is involved in helping your body take in good stuff like calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B12. That’s because if you suppress it for too long, your bones can weaken and your risk of fractures can increase. Some research suggests it can affect your gut bacteria and even make you a bit more susceptible to certain infections.

There may also be other problems, such as stress on your kidneys or possibly even heart complications in some individuals, but researchers are still determining the full extent of the risk.

It’s why doctors frequently recommend taking breaks after a few weeks or months. If they determine you do need to continue using it, the aim is to take the minimum dose that is effective. Some people manage symptoms by incorporating slight lifestyle changes, including having smaller portions, avoiding foods that trigger heartburn, shedding a few pounds if necessary, elevating the head while they sleep, or taking antacids from time to time. If these changes help taking less meds, that’s never a bad thing.

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Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)

Acetaminophen (known in the United States under the brand name Tylenol, among others) is a commonly used medication to treat pain and fever; it is sometimes regarded as a safer alternative to NSAIDs by the general public due to its lack of effect on the stomach and blood clotting. It is usually well tolerated when taken as directed for the short-term treatment of mild pain or fever.

Yet with acetaminophen, the primary safety risk is the liver. Acetaminophen is metabolized primarily in the liver, and overdosing, whether intentional or accidental, can cause damage to liver tissue. This is a real concern, particularly when people use multiple products that contain acetaminophen, such as cold and flu preparations, without realizing it, doctors say. Chronic high-dose use, even if each individual dose appears harmless, can build up in the liver and increase the risk of liver damage.

To be safe, experts say don’t exceed the maximum daily dose on the label (usually 3,000 to 4,000 mg for adults, though that may be different if you have health issues), don’t drink alcohol if you’re taking acetaminophen for a period of time, and be mindful of all the sources of the drug if you’re taking more than one product.

It can also be useful to check with your doctor on a regular basis to ensure your dosage is still safe and appropriate.

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Benzodiazepines and Prescription Sleep Aids

When they are anxious or have a hard time falling asleep, some people take drugs such as Valium or Xanax, also known as benzodiazepines. These types of medications relax your nerves and make you feel more at ease or help you sleep. There are also other drugs that achieve the same result.

They can be great if that’s all you need them to do. Yet long-term use might be dangerous. They’re something you can build up a tolerance to, and then start needing more to get the same effect, and they can make you tired during the day, they can make you forgetful, or wobbly on your feet. The older you are, the more likely you are to fall or get hurt. That’s why doctors typically advise using these medicines only for a brief interval and then reassess if the use needs to be extended.

Before you take medication, try to fix the sleep problem by changing your lifestyle. Try going to bed at the same time every night, reduce caffeine and screen time, do some relaxation exercises, or talk to a therapist.

Bsip/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Certain Antihistamines and Other Common Medications

When people suffer from allergies, they usually turn to medications. Most of the over-the-counter allergy drugs work by blocking histamine, but they can also make you sleepy, cause a dry mouth, make you feel drowsy, or cause difficulty urinating. And these side effects sometimes can be more pronounced in older adults, and long-term use can impair memory and balance, and increase the risk of falls.

Some of the newer allergy medications like loratadine and cetirizine are considered safer compared to the older ones such as diphenhydramine.

Other drugs people might take for long periods,such as some antidepressants, muscle relaxants, antipsychotics, and even some heart drugs, also have to be monitored. Doctors want to know if the drugs are still helping more than they’re causing harm. Resources like the Beers Criteria guide physicians in these decisions for older adults.

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Practical Tips for Safer Medication Use

If you take any medications regularly, here are some simple steps to help you get the most from them safely.

Check your medications with your doctor

Once in a while, review all your medications. Ensure you still need the medication, that you are taking the right dose, and that it is the safest option for you.

Maintain a brief journal

Note the times when you take each medication and for what purpose. That can be useful for you and your physician to determine if the drug is still appropriate, or if something else might be better.

Pose questions

You can ask about things like: “Do I still need this long term?’ or ‘Is there a safer alternative I could try first?”

Make lifestyle changes

Basic things like eating better, dealing with stress, following a sleep schedule, exercising, and other drug-free treatments can at times be more effective than medication.

Be alert to the sneaky sources

Some combination drugs such as cold drugs already contain acetaminophen or antihistamines. Read the labels so you don’t take too much inadvertently. Taking control of your own health and doing these things often means using fewer medications and getting better results.

*Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider before adjusting any medications or health routines, as individual needs may differ.

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Chilling new video reveals blood trail outside Nancy Guthrie’s front door

By
Monica Pop
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Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC’s Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, is still missing.

84-year-old Nancy, who was last seen in the Catalina Foothills on Saturday January 31, was reported missing from her Arizona home.

In the hours after her disappearance, search-and-rescue teams scoured the area by land and air, aided by airplanes, helicopters, drones, and Border Patrol dogs.

“We’re pretty much just throwing everything at this that we can. Guthrie is 84 years old and is not of good physical health, and so naturally that’s a great concern,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in a press conference. “This is very concerning to us. We don’t typically get the sheriff out at a scene like this. But it’s very concerning what we’re learning from the house,” he continued, adding, “And so we’ll just continue. The detective’s homicide team is out right now looking at the scene as well.”

“It is a race against time, and I hope that window hasn’t closed,” Nanos told NBC’s Liz Kreutz during a segment for the Today show aired Tuesday, Feb. 3.

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Police believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home against her will in what they are calling a possible kidnapping or abduction.

Because she has limited mobility, investigators say it is unlikely she left on her own, and authorities have ruled out cognitive impairment.

“This is not dementia-related. She’s as sharp as a tack,” Nanos said.

While authorities have not confirmed what raised suspicions of a crime, theLos Angeles Times reports that blood was discovered on her Tucson’s home front porch. Police sources told the newspaper that investigators have not put forward any theory about why she may have been taken. The blood was reportedly found alongside evidence of forced entry at her Catalina Hills, Arizona, residence, though its origin remains unknown.

According to the New York Post, some of Nancy’s personal items, including her phone, which she wouldn’t leave her home without, were found in her home.

Reports also indicate that a Ring doorbell camera positioned near the entrance was missing, with Nanos confirming that investigators are looking into whether the device was intentionally removed by whoever took her.

At the same time, TMZ reported to have received a ransom note regarding Nancy’s disappearance.

“So, we got something in our email that looks like a, it’s written like a ransom note for Savannah Guthrie’s mother,” TMZ’s Harvey Levin said.

He added that the note requests “a very specific” amount of money.

“And, also, at the bottom there are certain things they’re saying about what she was wearing and damage to the house to say, ‘It’s us,’” Levin explained. “So, we have contacted the sheriff’s department and we want to get them this letter.”

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The publication wrote they were unable to confirm whether the email was authentic but said it reads as though the details are known only to those involved. “There’s a dollar demand or else in there. So, we will let you know as this thing kind of develops,” Levin explained.

Authorities with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department acknowledged that “possible random note(s)” have surfaced in connection with the case but stopped short of confirming their legitimacy. Police also refused to confirm whether the note reported by TMZ is real or the work of a hoaxer.

Savannah Guthrie, who has been absent from the Today show since her mother’s disappearance, asked the public to pray for her mother.

“We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him,” Savannah wrote.

“Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.”

She concluded, “We need you. He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” A verse from Isaiah, “for all time, for all of us. Bring her home.”

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My Family Left Me Alone on a Holiday—Then One Knock Changed Everything

By
Monica Pop
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0

Being 78 and living alone, I was looking forward to the holiday with the same excitement a kid waits for Christmas. Finally, my children and my grandkids would come over for dinner and the house would feel alive again, because ever since my wife’s passing, it has been uncomfortably quiet.

I grabbed Margaret’s recipe book and went through the recipes our family enjoyed the most, and while sitting there at the kitchen, holding my late wife’s precious belonging, I rang my daughter Sarah.

“Don’t forget dinner tonight. I’m not the best chef there is, but I’ll do my best,” I said laughingly.

“Oh, dad, you sound just like mom. Of course I’ll be there,” she said.

Then I called Michael. “Family dinner tonight! I made your favorite potatoes, the ones you and your sister used to fight over.”

Michael smiled and said he won’t miss the gathering.

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Next, I called my grandkids, Emma and Jake. They were just starting out in life, usually far too busy for old folks like me. I put the call on speaker and heard chaos in the background, music, voices. I slipped into my silly grandpa voice. “Is your old man still cool enough to make it onto your schedule? I’m hosting a family dinner today, and yes, there’s real dessert.”

“Okay, okay. Maybe,” Emma said.

Since everyone was reminded of the family dinner I was planning for weeks, I got busy in the kitchen. But then I realized I didn’t have any flour. How could I ran out of flour on one of the most important days of the year.

But I wasn’t bothered since I knew my neighbor Linda would give me some. She and I have been next door neighbors for over 20 years.

“Big dinner tonight! You won’t believe it, but the entire family is coming,” I said, before I asked for some flour.

“Well, it’s about time. That house will have some life in it again since Margaret’s passing. It’s been far too long since the kids were there.”

I rushed to defend my children’s action of not visiting me. “You know how it is. They are busy running their own lives. But they are coming tonight.”

I got back to my kitchen and tried baking cookies, with a pleasant aroma filling the entire place. But then, the messages kept coming one by one.

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“Dad, I’m truly sorry. Something came up. I’ll see you another time.” Not long after, Michael wrote he wasn’t coming either.

“Well, at least Emma and Jake will be here,” I thought to myself. But I was so wrong. They also came up with excuses.

And as I was sitting in my kitchen all by myself, someone knocked on the door.

When I opened it, I froze. Police officers stood there, and their expressions left no doubt they were serious.

“You’re under arrest for a serious crime. Turn around and put your hands behind your back.”

“You are making a mistake,” I kept telling them, but they wouldn’t listen.

As they escorted me out, I spotted Linda across the street, covering her mouth in shock. I felt more embarrassed by the empty chairs than by the arrest itself.

“Can you tell me what this is about?”

“Aggravated assault. 1992.”

They started asking all bunch of questioned and wanted to know where I was in the fall of 1992.

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I explained that I was a teacher of English in Ohio during that period.

“So you weren’t in Wisconsin?” an officer asked.

“No, I’ve never been to Wisconsin,” I answered.

The younger officer left and returned with a larger file. I realized things were serious.

Eventually, they confirmed it was a mistake. A sergeant gave me a look that almost said sorry. Then the door slammed open.

“Who put Mr. Patterson in here?”

It was Daniel, Linda’s son. And behind him, neighbors appeared, Linda, Pastor Williams, Mrs. Kim, Tom from the hardware store. They were all there to tell everyone that I was a good man.

“All right, all right, the officer said, raising his hands. “We’ve confirmed this was a case of mistaken identity. Mr. Patterson is free to go.”

Just as we all got out of the station, I spotted my family at the parking lot.

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“Dad, what’s going on?” Michael asked. “Did you do this just to force us to come here?”

Then Sarah added, “You know how busy we are. Did you do this on purpose? Was this a fake arrest. Are you pranking us???”

“Of course not,” I said, shocked and offended at how little my own children thought of me.

“It feels awfully convenient,” Sarah yelled, “that we show up right when you’re being released.”

I couldn’t believe they really thought I was playing games with them just to have them come.

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“I don’t need to trick anyone into spending time with me,” I said. “And if that’s what it takes to get you here, then I don’t want it.”

I then turned to Linda and asked her if she could give me a lift home.

Instead with my children and grandchildren, I spent the holiday and that long-planned family dinner with my neighbors, the only people who were there for me when I needed them.

I invited everyone over, and for the first time in two years, my place wasn’t quiet.

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‘Unknown substance’ sprayed on US Representative Ilhan Omar revealed

By
Monica Pop
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0

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar has been vocal about the presence of ICE in Minneapolis, calling for the agent of the agency to be abolished.

During one such town hall event during which she demanded Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to either resign or face impeachment, Omar was attacked by a man who used a syringe to spray a foul-smelling liquid at her, Sky News reported.

“Oh my god, he sprayed something on her,” a person from the crowd could be heard saying.

The man was quickly restrained by security, brought to the ground, and later taken into custody on suspicion of third-degree assault.

According to people who were present at the town hall at the time of the incident, the smell of the substance sprayed on Ilhan Omar was strong and vinegar-like, which prompted speculations that it could be a harmful chemical.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Authorities called in a hazmat crew to assess the liquid, ultimately determining it was not hazardous to public health. Police later revealed the man had sprayed Omar with apple cider vinegar.

Omar refused medical attention and continued her speech after taking a short break.

The man behind the attack has been identified 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak. At the time being, he remains in custody and an investigation is ongoing. Authorities are currently examining his motivations and assessing the possibility of further charges.

Taking to X, Omar later wrote, “I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win.”

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

She also blamed President Trump’s rhetoric for the attack, stating: “Every time the president of the United States has chosen to use hateful rhetoric to talk about me and the community that I represent, my death threats skyrocket.”

She claimed she wouldn’t be targeted “if Donald Trump wasn’t in office and if he wasn’t so obsessed with me.”

“I do believe that the facts of the situation are that I wouldn’t be where I am at today, having to pay for security, having the government to think about providing me security, if Donald Trump wasn’t in office,” she said.

Trump’s comment regarding the incident was that it was “probably stages.”

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