My body and I have a long history together and it wasn’t until recently that I recognized the true friendship and loyalty she has unrelentingly given me. I have no recollection of when she was tiny, pudgy and cute, although I wish I did, because it may have been the only time I would have looked at her with non-judgmental eyes. In grade school she embarrassed me regularly because she was so darn skinny. Everyday I would look for creative ways to hide her by dressing her in baggy pants and over…

Memorial Day marks the beginning of the traditional moving season, which runs through Labor Day. But unfortunately, not all of the estimated 37 million Americans who change residences during 2012 will have a smooth move. A few, in fact, will almost certainly have their worldly possessions “held hostage” by unsavory types known in the professional moving industry as rogue operators — imposters who are often really criminals.

The harm they cause can range from annoying to tragic. Such …