How to keep spotted lanterflies from eating your plants, and a scary math equation

Plus, a chance to see your name in print

Hi, guys!

Yes, it’s still me. When I was a kid, I used to sit at the kitchen table every day and read Ann Landers’ column in the New York Daily News, sometimes out loud to my family (and we’d all discuss whether we agreed with her advice or not). I always thought being an advice columnist would be the most fun job in the world. Well, that and being a travel agent.

After Eppie Lederer (Ann Landers was a pen name) died in 2002, I realized that she updated her headshot photo only once in my lifetime (that I’m aware of). Of course, her trademark teased, brushed-back, flippy-at-the-sides hairstyle remained the same during the 47 years that she wrote the column, but certainly, she aged.

So, once again, I’ve updated my photo here, on social media and on my website, which I’ll continue to do every couple of years. This way, hopefully, I won’t have to run into you in the street one day and hear you tell me, “You look so much older in person.”

Spotted lanternflies are in their late (red) nymph stage around here, which means they will soon turn into flying moths. I've heard reports of adults flying around 10 miles east of me, so it won't be long.

We've talked about what to do if you see them flying around (stomp them when they land), but you can't stomp nymphs (the crawling stage) that are on your plants. They jump when disturbed—and they are quick!