Dear Readers: Today is Sept. 11, Patriot Day. Take a moment to remember why we honor this day, and why we are so privileged to live in a country where we are free, because of the brave. — Heloise

Text mess

Dear Readers: Have you gotten spam text messages? Companies use computer software to put together random phone numbers that then shoot out text messages to these numbers, in the hopes of getting a nibble. It’s a way to advertise.

Annoying, yes. To put a halt to this, report the spam to your cell provider. To stop legit text messages from companies you’ve done business with, replying “STOP” usually does the trick. — Heloise

Headaches

Dear Heloise: I had bad headaches, and my doctor asked me if I’d ever been checked for TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder).

Turns out, my jaws were out of line. My dentist made me a mouthpiece, and no more headaches! — Candy S., Middletown, Ohio

Here’s the takeaway: It’s always good to look for the root cause of pain. Thanks for your letter, Candy. — Heloise

Easy read

Dear Heloise: When faced with trying to read print that is too small to see easily on medications or products, take a picture of it with your smartphone and then use your fingers to enlarge the photo and text. — Becky L. in San Antonio

(Heloise is a columnist for King Features Syndicate. Send money-or time-saving hint to P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.)