ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: As I get older, I feel like I am becoming invisible to all men. I don't want to sound as if I'm a "pick-me girl," as my daughters say, but it's been difficult. I have been divorced for two years, and I'm trying to put myself out there, but it seems like men are only interested in younger women, not 50-year-old divorcees with kids...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We have a recurring monthly dinner date with another couple at restaurants mutually agreed on. She is a vegan zealot, and this was not a problem until she converted her husband, who previously considered deli meat eaten over the sink to be a delicacy.

Problem is, he is a vegan in theory only, as the only vegan foods he likes ...Read more

Dear Annie: My best friend of 22 years recently started dating a man who "doesn't believe in marriage." She's 41, has always wanted children and froze her eggs at 38. He's 45, divorced twice and says labels are "a social construct."

They've been together eight months. She sold her condo and moved into his house -- which is solely in his name ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My wife is having an affair with an old flame from when she was in high school. He was just released from prison after serving time for murder. I have forgiven her, but I told her to stop the contact. She said she'd rather divorce me than do that; I would have to live with what's going on. I love my wife, so I compromise for now.

She...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I recently moved from Seattle to Dallas to be closer to his family. It has been nice because they have helped out a lot with our two younger daughters, but I am not happy here. I am far from my family, and I had to take a salary cut to move to Dallas. When we made the decision to move, it felt practical. Child care...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My in-laws and I are opposites on a cellular level when it comes to hosting. It ends up making me feel uncomfortable every time we get together, even if it's just for very small, informal family gatherings.

I was taught to set a date and time and let invitees know in advance. The host chooses the menu, and the guests may ...Read more

Dear Annie: My younger sister is turning 30 and has planned a birthday dinner at a trendy rooftop restaurant where the tasting menu is $165 per person -- not including drinks, tax or tip. She also wants us to split the cost of a professional photographer "to capture the moment for all of us."

I want to celebrate, and the dinner does sound fun...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My favorite aunt was dying. Her daughter is my favorite cousin, so I texted her almost every day with encouragement. When the doctor said the end was near, I backed off messaging to give the family space to themselves.

Thirteen days later, I received a text with a photograph of my aunt's grave. Ensuing texts and phone calls indicated...Read more

You can commune with God-as-you-perceive-him while you're out walking or riding in a car -- anytime the need surfaces. Out of that fundamental craving for connection comes a deeper hunger to go beyond known boundaries and reach a level higher than human.

That hunger, which I call churchness, draws some people toward one another, and their ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I live in New York City, and the other day, I saw someone's phone get stolen, and I didn't do anything to help. I felt bad, but ultimately, I didn't want to get hurt or have anything stolen from me in the process. I'm a little bit older, a woman and not in the best shape, so I froze in the moment and told myself it was safer to ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have MS. I know that most people are aware of what a dreadful disease it is. But when I tell someone that I have MS, as I must sometimes do, some people say "I'm sorry" -- emphasis on "sorry," as if it is a death sentence.

There are other reactions, as well, though usually not as offensive. How should I respond graciously? ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have been married for 22 years to a good man. He is faithful, hardworking and, by most people's standards, a wonderful husband. He has never given me any reason to doubt his loyalty, and he has always taken his responsibilities seriously. From the outside, we look like a solid, dependable couple. We raised our children together, ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Seven months ago, my son filed for divorce from his wife of 22 years. Three months ago, he introduced us to "Carlene." Abby, the woman has five children with three different men and is currently married to her second husband. (She filed for divorce two months ago.) She has custody of only two of her children.

Since Carlene entered ...Read more