ArcaMax

My mind wanders, and sometimes I just follow behind it, seeing where it goes.

Driving to the gym recently, I debated bringing in my water bottle before remembering there was a water fountain inside. I started thinking about the person who designed the fountain itself, about the mechanics of the water arcing upward at exactly the right angle, ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for 22 years, and lately I feel more like his roommate than his wife. We are kind to each other, we pay the bills, we talk about groceries, the kids, aging parents and the dog, but the warmth has slowly disappeared.

There was no big betrayal, no dramatic fight and no one slammed a door. That is ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 40 years and have two grown children. My husband is controlling. He wants things done his way and only his way and will go on and on about it if something is done any other way. He tells me to make up my mind about stuff, but then he gets mad when I do and tells me all the reasons it was wrong. He ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: The other day, my mom called me and shared jaw-dropping information. Due to the current political landscape and potential issues with women having different last names from birth and marriage, my mom went downtown to get a copy of her marriage license. The clerk called her up in a frantic state and told her that the courts have ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Years ago, a close friend of mine was getting married. As I am known as a good baker among my friends, she asked if I would bake her a carrot cake for her wedding. I demurred, explaining that I was not qualified to bake a wedding cake. She insisted, saying it would be a small wedding with perhaps 20 guests.

Instead, the ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband of five years has dementia. We've known about it for two or three years. He retired last year, and I work full time.

It's getting harder. He argues every point, doesn't want me to go anywhere without him and repeats himself. He says he will just "wait for me" when I ask for things to be done or when I try to get someone...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son hides his food intake, and he's been this way for years. I'm not sure if it stems from him feeling like we used to baby him, but he hates when we offer him food, tell him to pack a to-go plate when he's leaving our place or announce that the food is ready. He won't eat when we tell him to, but once everyone is gone, he'll ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was a single mom in my 40s with a preteen child. After eight years of not dating, I met a man through my CB radio community whom I took a good liking to.

We spent eight months getting to know each other and he never hinted that he was homeless, nor that he had learning disabilities. He lived across the country and never ...Read more

Dear Annie: For years, I've made it a point to remember every birthday in my extended family -- my nieces, nephews and now their children -- by sending cards with a little money tucked inside. It's been my way of staying connected since I don't see them often.

Now I'm retired and living on a fixed income, and the cost has quietly added up. ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband, "Evan," and I have been together five years and were married 2 1/2 years ago. We're both in our early 40s and have children from previous relationships. What I've noticed is that anytime there is something going on in his family, I constantly have to ask him for updates. He sometimes treats me like an outsider instead of a...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my friends and I grew up in similar situations, with one of our parents being alcoholics. We shared our experiences with each other, and we each expressed that our biggest fear is to turn into our parents. Recently, my friend has been going through some familial issues and has been drinking. Every time I'm at her house, ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Six of us were at dinner in a nice restaurant. At a nearby table for two sat a man and a woman, who appeared to be grownups, rather than teenagers in their first relationships.

During this couple's nice dinner out, their mutual attraction apparently got the better of them. The man had his hand COMPLETELY up the woman's skirt ...Read more

Dear Annie: I need some serious help. Our son, 36, has been married for three years. In May 2024, our daughter-in-law became pregnant. We were elated. She is a nice young woman, but she does have some anxiety and other issues, which have taken a rather turbulent turn.

Unfortunately, the change in hormones and other unfounded fears caused her ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Our dear mother passed away 2 1/2 years ago, which was very sad for me and my three siblings. Her passing happened on my adult son's birthday. I try hard to focus only on the happy occasion of celebrating my wonderful son on his day, but my older sister sends me sad messages, stories, pictures, etc., usually starting a few days before...Read more

Somewhere along the way, you may find one man you like better than the others. He may not look like Hugh Jackman, but there will be something about his sense of humor or the way he sees life that hits home. This is the moment the real challenge presents itself: to continue treating a man like your best buddy when you care about him romantically....Read more