ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son quit medical school about a year ago to chase his passion of becoming a model. He moved to New York City, but he hasn't been able to book many jobs. He also works part time as a server to be able to cover his living expenses. I will admit I am disappointed that he quit medical school to pursue a path that isn't working out...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How do you thank people for their support after a devastating fire destroys your home?

We just had a grease fire in our propane grill. I did what I always do: I turned the burners off and shut the propane tank valve, then closed the lid and waited for it to go out.

Well, this time it didn't go out. Instead, it burned through...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm 28 and live in a two-bedroom apartment in Washington state with my friend "Jess." She's an excellent roommate -- clean, considerate, quiet. I know I'm lucky. But there's one thing driving me crazy: the thermostat. She works from home and keeps the heat cranked to nearly 80 degrees! When I get home from the office, I start ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a 79-year-old woman who, over time, has suffered the loss of several family members. Now I'm facing the worst loss imaginable. A year ago, my 24-year-old grandson "Rafe" cut himself off from his father and from me. Until then, we had been a close, loving family who did things together. Rafe and his girlfriend live rent-free in my...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 71-year-old husband is refusing to retire even though we have more than enough money for both our retirement funds. He's been working at the same bank for 45 years and won't let go of the company. I have told him so many times that it is his time to retire and rest, but he says he'll get bored without working. I understand his...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I hope you will weigh in on a situation that has caused quite a hubbub in our community. At public meetings, a member of our school board knits. It seems rude to me to be preoccupied when you are supposed to be listening to reports from the staff or comments from the public.

Others defend her with outcries of, "You're dissing...Read more

Dear Annie: My aunt has the strangest quality. I see her at every holiday and family party, and she always brings something delicious made from scratch. For my cousin's birthday, it was a key lime pie that disappeared within minutes. It was unreal.

On several occasions, I've asked her for the recipe. I like to cook, and she clearly has good ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together for 16 years, married for 14. I was injured in a bad car wreck 12 years ago, and I stockpiled the leftover pain medicine. We scheduled a cruise nine years ago, and I was going to take a few with me just in case. When I went to get some, they were all gone! My oldest son had been staying here for a ...Read more

Of all the aftershocks of love's endings, bitterness does the most damage because it's sneaky. While it clouds perception, it silently fulfills its own prophecy, which is that people will stay away. Potential friends and lovers keep their distance from an embittered person, which only serves to confirm his/her sour view of life, completing the ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Our pastor shamed my husband and me for not tithing to the church. My husband just lost his job, so we have cut down our tithings to essentially nothing. We used to give 20% to the church, but now we're left wondering how we are going to pay our bills if my husband can't find another job soon. We have always believed in giving to...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I received an invitation from neighbors to a house party to meet a mayoral candidate in our town. I RSVPed that I hoped I could make it, even though I already knew that I supported another candidate, the incumbent mayor.

Shortly thereafter, the campaign manager for the incumbent asked me if I would put a yard sign for him in ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for 12 years, and we agree on most things. We like the same kind of vacations, have similar values and rarely argue about family. Money, however, is our recurring sore spot.

I am a saver. I grew up in a household where unexpected expenses could throw everything into chaos, so having money set ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm a senior woman who has been dating someone for three years. He is my age. I recently learned he has been cheating on me with a much younger woman with three kids. We are sexually active and enjoy each other very much, or at least I thought so. She knows about me.

Although he treats me well, I have found evidence that he's having ...Read more