ArcaMax

My dad died at 49. I was 23.

He never wanted me to work with my hands. I've spent most of my patchwork of a career working with my mind. I'm not sure either side gets away without scars. It's perhaps a conversation we could have had over a beer. I never did have a beer and a conversation with him. It might have been more honest.

But death ...Read more

Dear Annie: My daughter is getting married soon, and what should be a joyous occasion has become a source of heartache.

Her father and I have been separated for three years. Although he has repeatedly said he would go to counseling to work on our marriage, he has never followed through.

I recently learned that his new girlfriend has been ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: How much should a neighborhood do to keep up a vacant house? About 15 years ago, a couple in their 50s moved into the end of my cul-de-sac. Their two children were out of college; the son lived elsewhere, and the daughter lived with them.

Almost two years ago, the dad died suddenly. The mom moved out of state with relatives. The ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my friends decided that she wanted to start dating my ex-husband. I have been remarried for two years and I'm completely over him, but something about this makes me feel weird. I have started asking questions about whether they always looked at each other this way and whether I should be upset. There are so many men on ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was watching one of my all-time favorite bands with my wife. Suddenly, halfway through the show, the venue announcer told the crowd behind us to fill the empty seats in the amphitheater. I did not have a problem with that, although I paid double to get our seats compared what general admission paid.

A drunk man and woman ...Read more

Dear Annie: Where do I begin?

My son and our family have put up with our daughter-in-law for 15 years. Although she appears charming to others, she is downright crude to me. I have ignored her rude remarks to me for years, letting time pass, but there is always another conflict. My son puts up with her outbursts of anger, but then she turns ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: We live 500 miles from our nearest relatives, but a niece is attending a university about 50 miles away. We invite her to join us for holidays and weekends, and sometimes she asks to visit to escape from roommate drama.

We love having her, but she often says she's coming at one time only to arrive hours or days later. Last time, she ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm a 45-year-old woman, and a 26-year-old man I've been getting to know wants a serious relationship that leads to marriage. He has been consistent and clear about his intentions. I enjoy our connection, but I've also been honest with him about my hesitation regarding our 19-year age gap. He knows how I feel and remains ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: One of our ladies' restrooms at work has a push-open door; there is no latch and no handle on the outside. One of my co-workers tends to blast through this door at top speed, often startling a person reaching for the handle on the other side.

Today, after narrowly avoiding being struck hard by said door, I'm afraid I made a ...Read more

Dear Annie: My 27-year-old son moved back home eight months ago after his lease ended. The plan was for it to be temporary while he "regrouped." But since then, he's applied to only a handful of jobs. Meanwhile, he's sleeping in, playing video games and getting defensive if I bring up the job search.

I don't want to kick him out, but I also ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm 78, and my husband is 79. This past year, he lost $500,000 through a fraudulent bitcoin site. Fortunately, we have $500,000 left, but I'm so angry about this, you can't imagine -- all of my hard-earned savings, gone. I've had a lifelong dream to go to Italy to see all the amazing art and sculptures. I have scoliosis and suffer ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: This week, my boss made an inappropriate comment about my outfit and body, which made me super uncomfortable. He said that my body looked hot in my dress and that I knew what I was doing to show off my curves. The culture of my company is casual and informal, but I feel like this crossed a line of what is OK to say to your co-...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I visit my local gym multiple times a week to do cardio and strength training. It's not uncommon for members to use their mobile phones as part of their regimen to access workout routines or to time their activities.

However, many members will complete a short set of exercises on the machines, then stay on the machine or ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have always strived to be a super supportive mother-in-law and have maintained what I thought was a great relationship with my daughter-in-law until recently. My daughter-in-law gave birth to my first and only grandchild a little over a year ago, and I have tried my best to respect the boundaries she has set.

I live six hours ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Let me start off by saying I have a great life, a good job, a loving boyfriend and family I adore. I'm a 42-year-old woman with grown children and grandkids. In the past, I struggled with low self-esteem and now choose to keep to myself.

My life with my boyfriend of seven years has helped me to be more open and has boosted my self-...Read more