ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have always liked to experiment with sewing my own garments. In my culture, it is common for people to make their own clothes or at least be able to repair what they buy. As time goes on, skills like sewing have become more uncommon, especially here in the United States. However, developing these skills at such a young age ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Several years ago, after a long and unhappy marriage, I finally found the strength to leave my husband. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, but I knew I needed to do it for my own well-being.

Because our son was in high school at the time, his dad and I agreed that we would leave it up to him whether he wanted...Read more

Dear Annie: My 14-year-old daughter spends far too much time on social media, and I am beginning to see it affect her mood, confidence and sleep.

She checks her phone the moment she wakes up and often stays online long after she is supposed to be asleep. If a friend posts a picture without her, she becomes upset. If one of her own posts does ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my wife for three years. She asked me to fix her old computer. As I was doing that, I saw emails from her ex, "Doug," dated a few months before our wedding. They started with the usual greetings, then proceeded to steamy back-and-forth emails.

They set up a time to talk, and Doug suggested they use FaceTime. It...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I consider myself to be very pro-Black and pro-Black advancement. One of the ways I try to show my investment in my community is by buying and shopping Black. I specifically enjoy going to Black-owned establishments like bars and restaurants. I have a friend who sees this as an inconvenience and does not understand the importance...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I know this will probably sound trivial, but: Who should decide who gets the leftover birthday cake?

See? I told you it was trivial.

I made a birthday cake for my nephew. While I was icing it, I mentioned to his mom (my sister-in-law) that we could share the leftovers. She replied that it was his cake, so he got all of it. I...Read more

Dear Annie: I am embarrassed to admit this, but I am jealous of my best friend.

"Claire" and I have been close for more than 20 years. We met in college, stood in each other's weddings and raised our children alongside one another. She has always been the person I could tell anything to.

Over the past year, though, everything in her life ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I never want to eat my husband's cooking again. He refuses to follow recipes because he says they are "too hard." He doesn't use seasonings -- or he uses the wrong ones. An example: He recently put cinnamon and cloves on zucchini and agreed with me that it tasted terrible. In addition to almost never being tasty, his cooking is ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I try to integrate my younger sister into my life as often as I can. Though we have a large age gap, she's graduated from college now, so it feels more appropriate to let her come out with me from time to time. She's known a lot of my close friends for a long time. That said, I may have given her the wrong impression by allowing ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: The oddest thing started happening to me when I reached my 80s: Strangers began approaching me to tell me how beautiful I am. It continues regularly at the supermarket, at restaurants or on the bus.

It is unnerving and embarrassing. All my life, no one ever told me I was cute or attractive. I am not ugly, but I've never ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am the person everyone in my family calls when they need something. I babysit, drive relatives to appointments, host holidays and lend money when someone is in a bind. I rarely complain because I love my family and want to be helpful.

A few weeks ago, my sister called me in a panic because her babysitter canceled before an ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married 10 years. Before that we dated for several years. We have a wonderful relationship in many ways, but we've never had the kind of sex life I would prefer. For a long time, we would talk about it and try to find ways to improve things. That communication at least made me feel like this was something we ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I raised our grandson from the time he was a baby. He is now 19, and until recently, we were very close.

When he first introduced us to his girlfriend, I thought she seemed nice enough. But now she is constantly by his side. Whenever I try to talk to him privately, offer advice or help him with something, she ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: After a tumultuous breakup, I reconnected with two men through friends. I've known and liked them both for years. One lives in Europe; the other lives here in New York. Both are wonderful, respectful and caring, and I feel beyond lucky. Both say they are in love with me and want to pursue a serious future. Call me crazy, but I love ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: It's the 250th anniversary of our country, and I am so torn. In my lifetime, I have not felt more disconnected from my patriotism. I love my country -- don't get me wrong -- but I feel like we are terribly divided. The rift between the haves and have-nots is growing, and there seems to be a growing trend to annihilate people of ...Read more