Pirates' pitching in system deep, but not close

The Pirates' minor league season, which ended this past weekend for most affiliates, was marked by awful injury luck at all levels, two diminutive hitters rising to unexpected levels, three key promotions to the most important level and, maybe the most striking aspect, a new level of quality pitching. None of that was seen in Pittsburgh, of course.

A literary paradise on Earth: World’s best writers head for the Woodstock Literary Festival

Let joy and bliss be unconfined. The third Independent Woodstock Literary Festival is about to begin. Once again, the streets of this beautiful small town in the heart of Oxfordshire, and the rolling amplitude of Blenheim Palace, will be thronged with book-lovers of every stripe, as we celebrate the literary year in 62 events between 15 and 19 September.

She bared heartache on YouTube (and got guy back)

After a breakup with her boyfriend, Kelly Summers, 53, shared her raw emotions in a series of videos on YouTube. Thousands of people watched — including her ex, Keith Tallis, 55, who was so moved that he wound up begging her to take him back. YouTube - Kelly Summers - Comedy - Arts and Entertainment - Keith Tallis

Doctor, you can't be serious

Why? It stops the throbbing. Science says: "Patients often complain their varicose veins are worse in hot weather," says Simon Payne, a consultant vascular surgeon. "This is because the veins distend and get wider with the heat.

Dermatologist weighs in on food’s skin treatment claims

Many alternative uses for food that you find on the Internet (besides eating it) claim to benefit the skin. Since we couldn’t try them all, we enlisted the help of Overland Park dermatologist David Kaplan to help clear things up. Q. For me, shaving with peanut butter was a disaster. But several sites insist that putting peanut butter on your skin, or olive oil in your bath, is beneficial. Says ...

Love lessons from bad breakups

I'm getting married in two months, and now I see why checking into a mental facility is likewise called "committing yourself." Luckily, not one of my mini nervous breakdowns since accepting Paul's proposal has been about him.