Table of contents for December 2019 in Readers Digest Australia

SO, ANOTHER DECADE, full of wonder, surprises and more than just a few miracles, has reached its end. ‘Real-Life Miracles’ (page 24) is a compilation of moments that will reignite your faith in the goodness of unexplained miracles that can’t be neatly analysed or replicated. We felt that this compilation best portrays the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a time to celebrate but also a time to consider the beautiful moments we’ve enjoyed over the past year. If we try, I’m certain we can all look back and find a special moment and genuinely say, “I can’t begin to explain how that happened!” That’s what miracles leave you thinking. This month’s issue is full of great reading: from a story about a businessman bookie who became a philanthropist and hero…

SEARCHING FOR RILEY Even though she’d never met him, when Sally Pratley saw that a little boy was missing, she knew she had to help. “WE’RE DEAD” Stay and fight, or abandon your home? As one family struggles to decide, the flames sweep in and it becomes a desperate battle for survival. THE PIG WHO LOVED PEOPLE He wasn’t what you’d expect in a pet – or even in a pig. The heartwarming story of a friendly pig with a huge heart. HANA’S SUITCASE Worn and musty, it travelled from the horrors of Auschwitz to Japan, bearing a message of hope. TO LISTEN GO TO: www.readersdigest.com.au/podcasts www.readersdigest.co.nz/podcasts www.rdasia.com/podcasts…

HOME + MONEY Sneaky ways your home is draining your bank account Home pros outline the hidden ways your house could be costing you more money than it should. THOUGHT-PROVOKING + FAMILY 19 RARELY SEEN PHOTOS OF ROYAL SIBLINGS Take a walk down memory lane with these photos of British royalty. SMART ANIMALS + PETS Everyday habits of great dog owners Care deeply about your canine companion? Check to see how many of these daily actions you are already doing. JOIN THE CONVERSATION! PLUS SIGN UP TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER FOR MORE HOT OFFERS, TOP STORIES AND PRIZES!…

It may be kind of gross to think about, but your nose is continually making mucus – and that’s a good thing. This sticky secretion traps and neutralises dust, pollution and germs, which helps protect you against infections and airway irritation. It also humidifies the air you breathe and moisturises your nose, preventing its lining from drying out and cracking. Under normal, healthy circumstances, nasal mucus simply gets swallowed without causing discomfort. But when it’s especially thick or copious, you can become conscious of it draining from your nose into your throat. You can also experience coughing, soreness, tickling, a raspy voice or a frequent need to clear your throat. Known as postnasal drip, this annoying symptom can be caused by a wide variety of conditions. Common triggers include hayfever,…

The Church That Wouldn’t Burn BY Bill Hangley Jr. The church shouldn’t be there, but every Sunday, parishioner John Mayer-nick goes anyway. He opens the door that shouldn’t be standing, walks past the pews that should have burned, and mounts the stairs to the balcony that should have been razed. As sunlight pours through the stained glass windows and gleams off the gilt-trimmed icons, he grabs three ropes and rings the bells as Mass begins and the congregation sings the hymns no one thought they’d hear again. This is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary church in Centralia, Pennsylvania. In 1962, an underground mine caught fire, its fumes and heat slowly choking the town. Over the next 20-something years, all but five of its citizens left. The government flattened…

READER MIRACLE My daughter and only child, Talena, was killed by a driver on drugs in 1994. It nearly destroyed me, but I kept going somehow. I had a favourite picture of Talena from when she was about three – Christmas Day, me sitting on the floor and her sitting on my lap. The bond between us was so beautiful. Somehow, I lost that picture after she died. A few years later, on Christmas Day, I opened a book and found the photo inside. I know she sent it to me as a present from heaven.…

About 50 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, and much has been written about how these numbers will only increase as the population ages. With this in mind, it’s easy to assume that the overall risk of getting dementia is increasing, too, but the opposite is true: the rate of dementia in the age 65 and older population is actually falling. If sheer numbers rise, it’s because so many of us are living much longer than earlier generations. And the older you get, the more susceptible you are to age-related illnesses. WHAT IS DEMENTIA? It’s a bundle of symptoms associated with profoundly impaired thinking, memory and ability to function. Although most often connected to Alzheimer’s, it can also be caused by other illnesses, including Parkinson’s and cardiovascular disease. And a…

IT’S COMPLETE DARKNESS, through day and night, where I am. In the silence of the cool, loosely packed earth, I’m reproducing. My eyes shoot forth stems, millimetre by millimetre, into the dirt around me. Above ground, my green leaves bask in the sunlight, photosynthesising sugars, which ease downwards to nourish nodes along my stems. The nodes then swell with flesh – new potatoes in the making, each a perfect clone of me. Cloning myself in the dark isn’t the only way I reproduce. My second means of reproduction is fertilisation of my flowers by another potato plant, and any variety will do. This insurance policy has given me maximum flexibility as a multiplier over the ages. Today, 8000 years since humans began cultivating my ilk near Lake Titicaca in the…

An international drug smuggling ring was busted in Australia – with the help of an angry seal. The seal prevented the getaway of two foreign nationals from a small island off the Geraldton coast in September, according to reports. “They woke it up and it jumped up with its big chest out and bellowed at them,” Damien Healy, Geraldton Volunteer Marine Rescue Service vice commander, told ABC radio. “The guys basically had the choice of going through the seal or getting arrested and they ended up choosing getting arrested.”…

Elementary, My Dear Watson Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson go on a camping trip. After a good dinner and a bottle of wine, they retire for the night. Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and nudges his faithful friend. “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.” “I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes,” replies Dr Watson. “And what do you deduce from that?” Dr Watson ponders for a minute, then says, “Well, astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. Theologically, I can see that God is all-powerful and that we are a small and insignificant part of…

BOOKS CAN BE DANGEROUS. THE BEST ONES SHOULD BE LABELLED ‘THIS COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE’. HELEN EXLEY, AUTHOR Hard work should be rewarded by good food. KEN FOLLETT, AUTHOR You can find inspiration in everything. If you can’t, then you’re not looking properly. PAUL SMITH, FASHION DESIGNER You have those moments where you reflect. Wherever you’re at – driving the car, in the plane, wherever – and you say, ‘No matter what I’m going through in life at the moment, from where I came from to where I am now, you know what? Life ain’t bad.’ DWYANE WADE, ATHLETE My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. BOB HOPE, ACTOR ALL I NEED IN A RELATIONSHIP IS SOMEONE TO WATCH TV WITH ME. JENNIFER LAWRENCE,…

Tracey is driving around the local bushland areas of Campbelltown on Sydney’s urban fringe searching for and collecting gum leaves. She does this every second day when she has a koala in residence. Today, she is foraging for not just any old koala-edible eucalyptus leaves, she is looking for brand new regrowth leaf tips because her furry visitor, Modi, is feeding for two. Inside Modi’s pouch is a joey. Modi, who is sitting on a branch of a makeshift tree in Tracey’s purpose-built koala aviary, came to be here after wandering into a suburban backyard occupied by two dogs. “The owner locked the dogs in the house and I was called,” says Tracey, who does not wish her surname to be used. Fortunately, the dog owner reacted before too much…

FAILED IMPLANTS Prosthetics can pop out of the joint or wear down, releasing tiny particles of implant material. In osteolysis, particles trigger inflammation that can weaken bones and cause implants to come loose over time. About ten per cent of joint replacements eventually fail and need to be redone. INFECTIONS An infection can be devastating, potentially destroying the function of the joint and, in the worst cases, threatening the patient’s leg or even life. Infections occur in only one to 2.5 per cent of cases, and doctors work to keep risks low with measures such as giving patients preventive antibiotics. BLOOD CLOTS Clots are triggered by inflammation that occurs during healing – a process that boosts the risk of having a heart attack as much as 31 times for people…

“HE DESERVES TO SUFFER a thousand times for what he’s done,” says Tim Everist, brother of Deborah Everist who, at 19, was one of Milat’s first victims. “It’s wrong to say that of any human being, but what he did was inhumane, and I’ve got no sympathy, none at all. Nothing can bring back my sister, and the other people. People say, ‘there’s closure’, well, the door has been closed a couple of inches, but [there’s] still a massive, gaping hole.” When Ivan Milat died on October 27 this year from cancer at the age of 74, Tim Everist felt no sorrow. Instead, it reignited an anger he’s lived with most of his adult life – since his little sister disappeared along with her friend James Gibson, also 19, after…

1. Developed in Germany in 1959, the soft drink Fanta Klare Zitrone (Clear Lemon Fanta) is now known by what one-word name? 2 points 2. What comic-book character possesses super-human strength and is best friends with Asterix? 1 point 3. In 2017, the Louvre opened a museum in which Middle Eastern city? 2 points 4. What’s missing from the titles of these musicals: Mamma Mia; Hello, Dolly; Oklahoma and Oliver? 1 point 5. A city in the Southern Hemisphere has hosted the Olympic Winter Games. True or false? 1 point 6. The world has several countries with no permanently running rivers. By area, which is the largest of these dry lands? 2 points 7. Actor and director Kevin Costner claims he nearly convinced Princess Diana to act in a sequel…

1. avarice – A: extreme desire for material wealth. B: vermin. C: clove-studded orange. 2. ruddy – A: steering mechanism on a boat. B: widow younger than 30. C: red or reddish. 3. hob – A: metal shelf at the side of a fireplace. B: naughty child. C: surface upon which a blacksmith pounds iron. 4. lamentation – A: process by which milk becomes cheese. B: expression of regret or sadness. C: singing and making merry. 5. irresolute – A: under poor financial management. B: abrasive. C: uncertain and hesitant. 6. negus – A: hot spiced port drink. B: fortune teller. C: evil spirit. 7. relinquish – A: reattach. B: reduce by boiling. C: give up. 8. boisterous – A: able to float. B: noisy and energetic. C: light and…

Coming Back I have just read the article ‘My Coma Miracle’ (September). It is hard to imagine how tough it was for Colleen Kelly Alexander to endure all that pain after her accident. Her courage and perseverance should give hope to others who find themselves in difficult circumstances. SITHU HTET In a Pickle Thank you for your article on eggs (‘Eggs: A Force in Nature and Kitchens’, September). We have three hens who serve us faithfully with three eggs every day. Since there are only two of us, my husband and I, we have eggs to spare even after giving some to neighbours and relatives. So, we decided to try pickling some of them. To do that we had to hard boil the eggs first. Then we had to peel…

The thought of going to hospital can send blood pressure soaring, so when a Singapore-based design firm was given the brief to create a hospital that reduces stress and promotes healing, they naturally turned to greenery. Since nature is known to have physical and mental health benefits, the design of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital has incorporated more than 700 native species of fragrant plants and trees to successfully create an environment that is both soothing and uplifting. Fruit, vegetables and herbs from the roof-top garden are incorporated in patient meals. An added bonus is that the hospital’s natural ecosystem has seen the butterfly species on the grounds increase from three to 83. Lost Delacroix Painting Resurfaces in Paris The lost study of Eugène Delacroix’s Women of Algiers, a masterpiece that…

The human body is a mind-blowing marvel in many ways. But sometimes, its abilities are undermined. A perfect example of this is the age-old myth that chewing gum can stay in your body for seven years. “This is about as scientifically true as swallowing watermelon seeds will make you grow a watermelon in your stomach,” says Caleb Backe, health and wellness expert for Maple Holistics. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SWALLOW GUM? While it’s not true that chewing gum will stay in your body for seven years, it is true that the synthetic portion of it isn’t digestible. But that doesn’t mean the synthetic portions are just going to sit around for years – gum rarely stays in your body for more than a week. This is because the stomach periodically…

It was 1998 when Maria Teresa Santa told her employer, Thomas Wee, that she was gathering together unwanted clothes and food to send to her village back in the Philippines. Without hesitating, he gave her some of his old belongings. Maria Teresa, who lived in Singapore and was Thomas’s housekeeper, packed the items into a brown cardboard box, and posted it off. This one box would kickstart a new venture for Thomas and Maria Teresa, that would change both their lives and more importantly, the lives of orphaned children living in Lalakhan village, in the municipality of Santa Maria, Bulacan, north of Manila. After the success of the first box, Maria Teresa prepared and sent another box back to Lalakhan, home to around 5000 people, who eke out a living…

New (baby) potatoes, Kipfler or fingerlings are best for this recipe. Put whole potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water. Now add salt, starting with 1.5 tablespoons per 4 cups of water, and then sprinkle in more until the water tastes as salty as the sea. (Don’t worry: most will go down the drain, and the little that’s absorbed will make all the difference.) Add aromatics: garlic, a halved onion, carrots, celery, a bay leaf and fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme and sage. Bring water to a gentle simmer and cook anywhere from 25 minutes to two hours, until you can slide a fork into a potato without resistance. (The larger the potatoes and batch, the longer they’ll take.) Turn the heat off; leave the potatoes until…

As our families lived more than 700 kilometres away, a few weeks before the holidays one year, my then husband and I decided to invite a guest over for a meal. I called a seniors’ centre in the local area and they suggested Ilse, a woman I imagined would be quiet, soft-spoken, serene. I was wrong. Ilse was a stubborn 78-year-old force of nature. She enjoyed complimentary gambling junkets to Las Vegas and kept a local bookie on speed dial. She favoured sequinned T-shirts; her tiny wire-haired mutt, named Speckles; and spending time at the seniors’ centre. Describing this opinionated, 130-centimetre-tall woman as a firecracker would be like referring to the Olympic torch as a disposable lighter. Within minutes of arriving, Ilse plopped her oversize purse on the kitchen bench…

Don’t name your baby James. Name him Jame. He is one Jame. @ohheyohhihello All the baby books tell you that infants need to eat every two to three hours, but what they fail to mention is that this behaviour continues until the child turns 18 and moves out of your house. @momTruthBomb Whoever coined the phrase ‘the pitter-patter of little feet’ clearly never heard a four year old walk. @MYMOMOLOGUE When I see the frazzled parents of a newborn, I tell them, “Don’t worry. It gets easier.” Then I laugh maniacally for 20 minutes. @XplodingUnicorn…

In 1985, Friso de Zeeuw, a young Dutch politician on his first working visit to West Berlin, was fascinated by the divided city. He and his colleague obtained a one-day tourist visa to the German Democratic Republic (DDR) and crossed over to East Berlin on the other side. “We did the whole thing,” says the now retired urban development professor, aged 67, “including smuggling in West German marks to exchange for East German marks. We got a rate of seven to one. The problem was, there was nothing to spend them on.” They ended up buying a pile of books and records. “I’ve always had this odd urge to collect all kinds of things,” says De Zeeuw. “But I was fascinated by the absurdity of Berlin and that gave direction…

Book trees Is there a book lover in your home? This book tree works well in a small space decorated with a strand of mini Christmas lights. Christmas tree art If you have a fireplace and no room for a traditional tree, try decorating the mantel with DIY tree art. Use Washi (patterned) tape to form a simple zigzag and decorate with ribbon or strips of fabric taped to the wall. Timber offcuts tree Use wood odds and ends from other DIY projects to create an eye-catching festive decoration. Thread the branches onto a dowel or old broomstick, with offcuts used as spacers and the tree base. For more details on how to make a similar one, go to http://www.handyman.net.au/create-timber-christmas-tree Craft project tree Kids can help create alternative Christmas trees…

Movies JoJo Rabbit Black Comedy, Satire Directed by New Zealander Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, Hunt for the Wilderpeople), this World War II satire follows JoJo, a lonely ten-year-old German boy (Roman Griffin Davis), who is desperate to follow his hero Adolf Hitler into war. However, his world is turned upside down when he discovers his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic. Waititi brings his signature wit and pathos to JoJo Rabbit, as well as playing the part of JoJo’s imaginary friend, an idiotic Adolf Hitler. The film has received a mixed reception from critics, drawing both praise and criticism for its portrayal of Nazis. Knives Out Drama, Whodunnit A witty tribute to mystery mastermind Agatha Christie, Knives Out is a modern-day take on…

Anecdotes and jokes Send in your real-life laugh for Life’s Like That or All in a Day’s Work. Got a joke? Send it in for Laughter is the Best Medicine! Smart Animals Share antics of unique pets or wildlife in up to 300 words. Reminisce Share the tales of an event from your past that made a huge impact in 100–500 words. My Story Do you have an inspiring or life-changing tale to tell? Submissions must be true, unpublished, original and 800–1000 words – see website for more information. Letters to the editor, caption competitions and other reader submissions ONLINE Follow the ‘Contribute’ link at the RD website in your region EMAIL  AU: editor@readersdigest.com.au NZ: nzeditor@readersdigest.com.au ASIA: asiaeditor@readersdigest.com.au WE MAY EDIT LETTERS AND USE THEM IN ALL MEDIA. SEE WEBSITE…

IT USED TO BE THE CASE that pet owners would head off on holidays and leave their pets behind to be minded by family, friends or a boarding facility. These days many people are opting to find pet-friendly accommodation and, fortunately, that’s becoming easier. Veterinarian Dr Katrina Warren shares her expert advice with eight tips for safe, happy holidays with pets. 1 Virtually all online accommodation booking websites now offer a ‘pet-friendly’ search option. Be sure to read the fine print about fencing, whether pets are allowed indoors and so on, as they can vary from one property to another. 2 Check the location of vets in the area you’re planning to visit and phone ahead to learn about any potential hazards in the local area, such as ticks or…

EXERCISE IMPROVES MEMORY People who include a little light exercise in their day may have improved memory function. In a recent study, brain imaging of 36 healthy young adults who had just exercised for ten minutes showed improved connectivity between the parts of the brain thought to help lay down new memories and the parts involved in detailed memory processing. The participants also improved their performance on a recall test. SIT-STAND DESKS SHOW SOME BENEFITS FOR USERS What can you gain from using a sit-stand desk? An Applied Ergonomics review looked at 53 studies on the topic to answer this question. These workstations are sometimes touted as a way to fight obesity, but no significant results backed up this claim. This makes sense, given that simply standing doesn’t burn many…

READER MIRACLE It was my first time flying alone since my husband, Sonny, passed away. In spite of my fears, I decided to go. When we flew together, Sonny and I would each buy a drink with our meal. In exchange for my drink, my husband would give me his dessert. In the middle of this solo trip, I realised I had not eaten my dessert. When I looked down at it, I couldn’t believe what I saw. Printed in bold letters on the little round tinfoil cover were the words ‘Sonny’s Ice Cream’.…

AN ISLAND OF WONDERS Lord Howe Island is a pristine South Pacific paradise, offering visitors an unspoilt and enjoyable holiday experience. THE HUNT TO FIND KIESHA Two homicide detectives are determined to solve the case of a little girl whose disappearance shocked a community. FROM INTERNET CHUMP TO CHAMP An online con goes wonderfully, implausibly right when two Facebook strangers come together. FROM STREET KIDS TO ROYAL KNIGHTS A heartwarming story of how a caring teacher and the noble game of chess changed the lives of troubled teenagers. TO LISTEN GO TO www.readersdigest.com.au/podcasts www.readersdigest.co.nz/podcasts www.rdasia.com/podcasts…

RELATIVE AT CHRISTMAS: *Opening front door and singing* It’s the most wonderful time of the y— ME: *Carrying bags in* What’s the wifi password? @ARFMEASURES According to my kids’ Christmas lists, they think this parenting gig pays pretty well. @SARCASTICMOMMY4 ME: *Covered in tomato sauce* Santa Sauce is coming to town! WIFE: STOP! ME: Happy Hollandaise. WIFE: I’M LEAVING! ME: …and mayo your Christmases be white. @THEPUNNINGMAN It doesn’t feel like I’m truly home for the holidays until I’ve taken my parents’ phones and said, “Here let me show you” at least 25 times. @ARISCOTT Being a good husband is realising that all the free time you used to have is now owned by anyone who invites your wife to a holiday party. @KALVINMACLEOD…

THREE-YEAR-OLD: Mummy, I threw some food on the floor. MUM: Henry, I don’t want to see you throwing food on the floor. THREE-YEAR-OLD: But you didn’t see me. I just told you about it. MUM: I don’t want to hear about you throwing food on the floor. THREE-YEAR-OLD: OK, fine. Next time I won’t tell you. SUBMITTED BY KEN HANSEN SEVEN-YEAR-OLD: Can I play with my birthday presents yet? ME: After your party is over. SEVEN-YEAR-OLD: Everybody needs to go home right now. @XPLODINGUNICORN When I was at the end of my pregnancy with twins, my four-year-old nephew was quizzically eyeing my protruding tummy. He walked around me a couple of times, checking from all angles. Finally, he stopped and said, “Auntie Irene, what’s in your pockets?” SUBMITTED BY IRENE…

SCRIMP ’N SCHEME Earlier this year, a US supermarket owner proved a little saving can really add up. Michael John Mihelic is accused of ordering employees at his Shop ’n Save locations to cut coupons out of unsold newspapers. Employees would then skim a corresponding amount of cash from the registers and hand over the coupons to Mihelic, who submitted them to manufacturers for credit. The pilfered profits eventually amounted to more than US$306,500 – a sum worth thinking about before you toss this week’s coupons. HIDDEN HISTORY For some transit riders in Gloucester, UK, the commute to work got more interesting in January. The city’s archaeologists confirmed suspicions that something more than dirt was sitting under a bus station: the remains of a 13th-century Carmelite monastery. According to historic…

A power drill whirs noisily – shavings curl from the bit as it bores a precise hole. Cement oozes from a caulking gun to join two surfaces. A hammer whacks repeatedly on metal. Behind the workers, a busy crew shares measurements and part sizes. It’s the sounds of renovation, but it’s not a new kitchen. A medical team led by orthopaedic surgeon Dr Matthew Austin is replacing a knee joint. It is his fifth surgery of the day. An hour later, he’s off to his next case while the rest of the team handles the final details. Three hours after the surgery wraps up, Ralph Gabriel, then 69, the construction-business owner upon whom those tools whirred and banged, is awake and joking with his family. He didn’t want surgery. But…

CHICKEN AND THE EGG The chicken egg cup, along with the Trabant car and the Berliner Ampelmännchen (pedestrian crossing lights), is an icon of DDR industrial design. Originally produced in the 1970s in seven flat pastel colours, these simple breakfast table utensils survived the political upheaval of the 1980s and 90s. “They are still produced today,” says De Zeeuw. “They are campish ostprodukte (Eastern Bloc products) that you can now even get in metallic gold.” Eggs themselves suffered from the typical tension between supply and demand in the planned economy of the DDR. “At times of shortage, TV anchor men and women would receive official instructions to avoid using the word ‘egg’ in their presentations. But the positive health effects of eggs had to be played-up whenever they were in…

Scientists in Germany have spent weeks playing games of hide and seek with a group of rodents, taking cover behind obstacles and encouraging them to unleash their inner Basil the Great Mouse Detective. The adolescent male rats quickly developed various strategies for finding the human players – including re-visiting spots they had been during previous rounds. The rats got a real kick from their victories, leaping into the air or letting out ultrasonic giggles that express happiness. SKY NEWS…

RD Talks: Rage on the River Zambezi Without realising it, the river guide and a group of tourists in kayaks were paddling straight towards a rogue hippopotamus’s territory. Then disaster struck as the hippo emerged from the depths and lunged at them. The Christmas Stocking You’ve decorated the tree with sparkly tinsel and shining baubles. Now gather the family one and all for Lee Cameron’s podcast celebration with tales of how treasured Christmas traditions arose, and some great music. Saturday Morning Theatre Highly suitable for children (think family road trip), and styled like an old radio broadcast, the series gives listeners short imaginative adventures along the lines of superhero tales, westerns and mysteries. HOW TO GET PODCASTS To listen on the web: Google the website for ‘The Christmas Stocking’, for…