I think with it or another device that releases the vacuum in a jar with a screw-top before trying to turn the lid, you may be able to open new jars. Good luck.

Carolb, my mother had that exact jar opener. I have always regretted that I didn't grab it when we cleaned out the house. I am not sure what became of it-just too much stuff to deal with at that point. It was the best gadget!

carol, I believe your EZ tool was made to lift thin lids off of home canning jars. Are you able to use it to release vacuums of jars of commercial products with twist off lids? It would seem to not grasp the right way.

My feet are in poor shape, so walking any distance can be a challenge. At the store, I use the grocery cart as a "walker", and I use my handicap parking placard.

I just use the pointed end of a church key up under the edge if a tight lid to creare a tiny gap to release the strong vacuum seal. No gadgets needed.

@olychick, the tip of a table knife works for that as well.

Years ago, when I worked in the kitchen of a cafe where we made our own chutneys and pickled onions, there was a large jar of pickled onions that had the lid stuck. We watched in fascinated horror as, before we could stop her, a kitchenhand picked up a chef’s knife and used it to punch a hole in the jar’s lid.

It definitely worked to release the pressure, but we were planning on using the lid to reseal the jar after removing a few of the onions and also that’s a terrible thing to do with a good knife.

I don't yet have a jar opener. Usually I can open them, but if I can't I run the lid under the hot tap or bang the side of the lid on the granite work surface. Usually works.

I don't have a problem with jars-I just turn the jar upside down and bring it straight down hard on the counter. That breaks the seal. But I recently nearly gave up trying to open a small screw on top on a bottle of cider vinegar. I tried everything I could think of--my bare hands, a towel, a silicone pot holder and was standing with it trying to think of who I knew who I could take it to who might be able to open it. I did finally get it open, but had blisters on two places on my hands from all the attemps. I dread the next bottle.

I'm thinking of getting a gilhoolie but want to ask Vermont Country store if it will open the little screw on caps.

I appreciate all of these recommendations. I bought one and it should be here soon. Looking forward to being able to open things again. I wanted peanut butter toast for breakfast a few weeks ago and couldn't get the new jar open. I was so sad. That freaking jar sat on my counter all day, taunting me....

Laceyvail, there is always one resister, whether it be jars, lids, or life. 😆 I will be happy as long as it improves my odds.

I use a church key to break the vacuum seal on jars, but I use the rounded end and keep working my way around until it pops. I wouldn't use the pointed end of a knife as it's not as strong and can break off. Also, I've slammed jars too hard on counters and I also managed to break the top off a jar of pickles trying to rap it off with the handle end of a knife...ended up with pickle juice everywhere!

Re getting up off the floor if you've fallen, I love how this gal makes use of the things around you to help you get up, Macgyver style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ETgQD8QhZs

I was reading back through these and saw @roxsolid commented about walking on ice. I assume everyone knows about Yaktrax and other similar products, but thought I'd mention them, just in case she hadn't. I love mine and tho we don't need them every winter, they are absolutely essential when we do. I keep a set on my winter boots and and extra set in the car in case it's not icy when I leave home, but icy when I arrive somewhere. They give your confidence back!

laceyvail, a pliers might work for the smaller lids.

Haven't tried pliers for those little caps (like the ones on soda bottles), but I recently learned that holding the caps (larger ones also) tightly and turning the JAR instead of the lid works 90% of the time!!

The other 10% ? I have to hand the thing to DH. My hands are small and not as strong as they once were... =)

I often use pliers on the caps of craft paint and glue with dried-on residue, the only problem is that the teeth can chew up the caps if you're too aggressive.

I have found to hold the pliers in place... but to turn the object instead of the pliers. Keeping the pliers still reduces the amount it eats the cap

rob, it's never occurred to me to turn the jar/bottle. I have learned something new here. I guess old dogs can learn new tricks.

Olychick, yes I love my ice cleats.

I’ve just come in from a walk with Frank. It was so warm here last week, all our snow had just about melted, and there was a LOT of ice on my walking paths.

This week we had a super dump of snow, and it was -30 C. this morning. Sun was out and the sky is blue. 🤠The snow has reduced the slipperiness on the ice, but the cleats are great for ice or snow on the hills.

This is another tool in my arsenal against stubborn caps and lids:

Besides opening new bottles and jars, I use it when DH has screwed a cap back on as tightly as though we have bears raiding the refrigerator.

I was just thinking about walking on ice.

In a pinch, for those who aren’t equipped for snow or ice, a pair of socks PULLED OVER your footwear can make it easier to walk on ice. (Say you’ve had an unexpected ice storm and you have to make a mad dash outdoors for the mail, or fill the bird feeder, or whatever)

I walk everywhere. I knew about the socks but I'd feel a bit daft wearing them through town. I have some yaktrax but I've never worn them. I'm sure they work on compacted snow but do they work on black ice? That's what we mostly get. The problem here is that snow and ice are rare and if it comes our street is never gritted. It's assumed it'll be thawed by the time they get the lorries out here. But it's a very steep street so if it does get slippery we can be marooned about 200 metres from a cleared street. So far this winter it hasn't happened.

I've been going to PT for a few weeks for plantar faciitis, and I have come to the conclusion that I can't do anything. I missed that whole "working out thing", as a child of the fifties. I grew up in the city--I can't swim, ride a bike, play tennis or golf, I've never bowled ever. The thing I like to do is walk, and I can't even do that now. I am truly a mess!

Floral, you’d feel dafter slipping and breaking a hip.

I didn’t mean socks for walking in public. I meant socks for quick use around your home. I just pull on my winter boots, but for those who need a quick remedy for walking on ice it works.

Taking the garbage out, getting the mail, filling a bird feeder. That kind of stuff.

My ice cleats stay on my boots year round. I pull my boots out for winter.

Yes, cleats work on black ice but you still need to be careful.

We don’t get ice that often. Well, maybe now we do as we seem to be getting some very warm weather in the winter. The melting and freezing is what causes the ice.

Two weeks ago, it was about +20 C. Now it’s -30 C. 🤷

I wish it would just stay cold.

Yes ice cleats work for black ice..I don't typically use them in snow.

Ah, I see.. Well in my tiny Brit home the mail comes through the letterbox into the house. The garbage goes outside the front door on the pavement and the bird feeder is two steps from the back door. So not much call for short trip socks. But walking is my only means of personal transport so I'm pleased I seldom need to worry about ice.

I'm not yet 60. Have noticed general slowing over the past few years -- I still get a lot done but at a slower pace.

What I can't do anymore is marathon gardening sessions. That had to stop because of an over-use injury in my wrists. I can manage 2, maybe 3, hours and then I have to call it quits for the day or I will pay the price for days afterwards.

Since I had a procedure done on my hip a couple months ago I'm having difficulty going up the stairs on that leg. Prior to the procedure I had pain, but it's different now -- as well as still being painful, it feels like my hip is going to "give out" on me, and I lost a lot of the flexibility in that hip beyond just going up the stairs. I personally think they jacked something up and am undergoing evaluation so hopefully it will eventually get resolved.

The above two things are due to injuries, but what is related to aging is my sight. I am to the point I don't feel very safe driving at night anymore, but I have to for work at times. The problem is the glare from the oncoming headlights -- it's so bad it renders me functionally blind for moments at a time. I don't have much of a problem on the highway because the oncoming traffic is far enough away, it's the local roads that I really have the problem with. I'm not worried about me as much as I am taking out a pedestrian or biker because I can't see them.

It's probably cataracts, though I did hear a clip on the local news the other day that the #1 complaint from consumers about cars is the brightness and glare from headlights of oncoming cars; the snippet said the carmakers probably won't do anything about it, they only get the highest safety ratings if they have a certain brightness of headlight. Also, the angle of the beams is a problem. So that's adding to my problem but isn't the cause -- it's age-related ocular changes...sigh...

“Ah, I see.. Well in my tiny Brit home the mail comes through the letterbox into the house.”

floral, getting the mail in Canada can be an adventure.

" I'm sure they work on compacted snow but do they work on black ice? "

I only use them for ice, never when there's just snow. I have a pair (different brand, same concept) that I keep in my car in case there's ice when I get somewhere. If I need them at home, I can easily get to my garage to get them, which is attached to my house via a covered breezeway.

Faftris, it will get better! I’ve had pf three times, years ago.

I forced myself to never go barefoot and never wear shoes or sandals without good arch support, and stretched my foot constantly. For the first one, I actually bought shoes with a large coil in the heel and over time, they helped tremendously. I now walk with no heel problems at all. Hang in there!

"I'm sure they work on compacted snow but do they work on black ice? "

I have a couple of different kinds. The ones with actual cleats work best on ice, the yaktrax with springs work ok on snow. We seldom get nice dry powdery snow that I suspect a lot of you get. It's usually heavier and wetter and if it accumulates much, if it warms up slowly, its a wet slimy mess...so I use the spring style yaktrax to walk on that. I use a gravel path from my detached garage to my house and never shovel it because it's too hard with the loose gravel (and it's a pretty good slope) so I need good traction.

With my wonky knees and now a rod in my femur, I need a kneeling pad anytime I will be on my knees for a long-ish period. I have 2 but they are old, have a slick surface, and get slippery in the summer when I sweat. Last year I put an old pillowcase on one and it helped immensely. I think i will sew it as a cover I can remove and wash. I appreciate you posting that link, @murraysmom Zone 6a OH. I have one in my cart.

I also have a pair of knee pads that I frequently use in the house If I’m doing exercises at home. They have a contour for your knee and you just set them on the floor where needed. I don’t have a link but I did buy them at Amazin.

I don’t run anymore either and sometimes miss it. I do Pilates, weight lifting and go walking. I consider DH and I very fortunate for our ages because we both can climb a ladder, stairs, get up off the floor (I do use 1 hand but working toward not), and work pretty hard doing outside chores. We just don’t work as long as we used to do.

roxsolid -That is the kneeling pad I linked to earlier - had one for outside - bought a second one for in the house.

Oops, Jennifer! So you did. I’ll delete.

Things I can no longer “do.”

Okay, I can’t remember things like I used to. 🤠

faftris...I sometimes had Plantar in my left foot, never the right, but since I started wearing HOKAS, it never happens anymore.

I also have icecleats which I haven't used this year since we were mostly dealing with snow.

I have a can opener (Zyliss), a no-frills model which does the job.

porkchop, I hope you see this. Not 30 minutes ago, I got this email. Who still doesn't think someone is watching what we are doing?

Anyway I thought it might be something you could check out. I have seen commercials on tv as well as this popping into my email.

With macular degeneration I can’t see well enough to drive. That is more annoying that I thought it would be, Husband is 78 and bedridden for now. I am 79.

Does anyone have night vision goggles similar to those in the ad flacked to murraysmom? Interested in reducing glare from oncoming traffic. Good value?

Someone mentioned to me not too long ago that yellow-tinted lenses would cut down the glare. Problem is, my Rx lenses are $$$$, I don't want yet another pair just for driving (have one for distance, one for computer work already). So, maybe those NightVision jobbies would do the trick. I'll have to check it out!

ETA: Ok, well...maybe not: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vTJhBtRm3A

Yellow tinted glasses have come and gone over the years, often on infomercials and the like. I don't know if they work or not but they seem to be a bit gimmicky and faddish.

What does cut glare is polarized lenses. This is standard with most sunglasses and I believe can be added to any lenses, whether prescription or just clear.

I bought a new car not too long ago that had a heads-up display (which is awesome if you've never had it) but the display vanished when I put on my sunglasses (with polarized lenses). I had to get another pair without polarized lenses that I used only in that car.

My dad wore the style of yellow tinted glasses Murraysmom showed us. He wore them during the day after he developed severe wet macular degeneration in both eyes & lost so much of his vision. He said they really helped him use what little vision he still had. Here’s what AI says about what yellow tinted lenses do:

Yellow-tinted glasses can help manage symptoms of macular degeneration (AMD) by enhancing contrast, reducing glare, and improving the ability to distinguish between similar shades (e.g., steps, curbs). They work by filtering out harsh blue light and providing a sharper, clearer image, particularly in low-light conditions.

My Maui Jim polarized sunglasses make it more difficult to see some of the images on my car’s dashboard display - both the camera views & navigation maps..

KW, I "think" (may be wrong) that two polarized surfaces don't play well together. If my recollection is correct, putting two together (in other words, trying to look through one and then another, no need for them to touch) results in no passage of light.

If the dashboard display material is itself polarized (to cut glare and reflection when looking at it), then that's the answer.

If the planes of polarization are the same then it doesn’t matter but if one is horizontal and the other is any other angle 0-90 +or - nothing will get through

@faftris, I wish you could visit my podiatrist to sort out your plantar fascitis. My feet were in agony when my GP recommended this particular practice, which is in another town about 45 minutes from where I live (where there are more conveniently located podiatrists). She warned me that it could take several months to resolve.

Zee (that’s her name) was amazing! She’s Chinese and includes dry needling in her skill set. After just one session I was probably 80%-90% better and the second session finished the job. I was so thrilled and grateful.

I had trouble seeing to drive at night so I just didn't go anywhere if I could help it. But I had cataract surgery done a year ago and it did help with the night driving. I know you can't just go in and ask for that surgery (and have Medicare pay for it) but if it comes to be your time for it, it may help with the nighttime problems.

In the youtube video, while the doctor didn't see much improvement, many people in the comments did. I guess it depends on how much night driving you need/want to do whether you want to try something like that. Those LED lights are just torture, no matter what.

Colleenoz, funny that you mention the dry needling. I had just made an appointment with an acupuncturist for next week. I'll try anything, since the PT and all the other exercises seem to be doing nothing for me. I will continue with them, of course, but if it would only hurt less, I'd be so happy. I am not asking to run marathons, just to get through the day.

My husband has very good distance vision, and does wear reading glasses. He has inexpensive yellow lens glasses he wears often at night to reduce glare and enhance clarity. Night glare and halos are common side effects if you have had vision correction surgery such as Lasik. His look like ordinary plastic frame sunglasses except the lens are yellow. Probably bought them at Amazin. If anyone wants to try them, I’d recommend getting a cheap pair first to try out.

Elmer is correct about the polarization effect. Many newer cars do have polarized screens.

I’d also recommend acupuncture and a good massage therapist for plantar fasciitis. Mine is both and has helped my PF flareups several times as well as my daughter’s and some others I know.

We try to avoid driving at night esp if the roads are wet. They cheap paint used on the roads to mark lines is practically invisible when it's wet.

I don't mind driving locally at night, but not in the rain! That's the worse. We were planning on going out last night, but the rain turned it into a pizza order.