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Karen Tolkkinen/Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS

Column: Creating community, one bowl of soup at a time

Life Advice / Dating Advice /

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. -- When Rita Nau moved to Fergus Falls during the pandemic, she didn’t know a soul.

It can be hard to make friends in America, and greater Minnesota is no exception. But Nau has found ways. In January, the former restaurateur began baking bread and making soup for neighbors, friends and friends of friends — really, ...Read more

Asking Eric: With no work to do, husband stops engaging in life

Life Advice / Asking Eric /

Dear Eric: I am a 75-year-old professional woman married to a great 74-year-old Ph.D. who works in Pharma and has no desire to retire. We have a very good marriage, but I am struggling with resentment and negativity due to hubby's work situation. We both work from home. His workload has been nonexistent for three and a half months.

His boss ...Read more

Theater-Goer Expected More After Accident

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently went to see a musical that I had been looking forward to for months. The theater was packed, and the performance was absolutely amazing. About halfway through the show, though, I realized I needed to use the restroom. I tried to hold it until intermission, but eventually I just couldn't wait any longer. Since the ...Read more

Oh Where, Oh Where Can My Little Purse Go?

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it acceptable to place a small evening clutch on the table while dining out?

Often, the restaurant chairs have open backs, so if I place the clutch behind me, it falls to the floor. (In the worst cases, it spills its contents, too.) If I place it in my lap under my napkin, if frequently slides to the floor, because my ...Read more

My Best Friend Makes Me Feel Like Second Choice

Life Advice / Dear Annie /

Dear Annie: When our sons married and left home, my husband and I decided to make sure our sons and their families would never have to choose who to visit on any holiday. We also wanted to make sure that we got to see all of our extended family members during the holidays. So, we announced that we would always have our holiday get togethers at ...Read more

Man Has No Shame In Comparing Wife's Attractiveness

Life Advice / Dear Abby /

DEAR ABBY: I've been with my husband for 19 years, and we have established a loving, stable relationship despite some very tumultuous times. I have always known he finds me attractive, and he compliments my appearance, but many times throughout our marriage, his demeanor toward me has changed if someone more attractive is around. (He repeatedly ...Read more

Asking Eric: Facing mortality, woman unsure whether it’s unfair to get a cat

Life Advice / Asking Eric /

Dear Eric: I'm a 78-year-old widow, who has been without a cat for one year now; first time in my life. Is it fair to adopt a cat if I most likely only have one and a half to two and a half more years to live? I do travel as well. I do not have any family, so who would get the cat remains unknown. Maybe back to the adoption group? Is this fair ...Read more

Parent Weighs Summer Abroad For Daughter

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: Our daughter wants to go away for a study-abroad program this summer. She is in high school, and her only real experience being away from home is the occasional sleepover and sometimes spending a week with her grandparents. Yes, my husband and I are very protective of her. Plus, she hasn't expressed interest in summer camp or ...Read more

Ask Not For Whom The Car Honks

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: There are many examples of technology and bad behavior merging, and I ask for your opinion regarding one that bothers me: people locking their vehicles by pressing the key fob twice, which causes the vehicle to omit a loud chirp.

All one has to do to lock a car is push the button inside the door, or at most, push the fob once...Read more

Boyfriend's Secret Friendship Has Me Wondering

Life Advice / Dear Annie /

Dear Annie: I've been seeing this guy since early December. He's perfect in every way, except he seems to be attached to this one woman, "Suzy," who he became good friends with due to unfortunate pasts connecting the two of them. Since the very beginning, he has always been honest with me about his platonic relationship with Suzy.

While I have ...Read more

Wife Tired Of Sober Spouse's Crankiness When She Has A Drink

Life Advice / Dear Abby /

DEAR ABBY: I've been married to "Chuck" for 40 years. We've had a fairly decent life together, even though Chuck drank heavily for 35 of those years. Now, as we enter our twilight years, he has experienced various medical problems, which have prompted him to stop drinking altogether. Although this is a good thing, I still would like to have a ...Read more

Single File: Best Single Cities

Life Advice / Single File /

According to census data, the median age for an individual's first marriage has been steadily increasing over time. In 2018, the median age for a first marriage in the United States was nearly 30 for men and 28 for women, up from 23 for men and 21 for women in 1970.

In addition to putting off marriage, millennials are also more likely to be ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Erika Ettin: Ask the dating coach

Life Advice / Dating Advice /

We’re here for another installment of “Ask Dating Coach Erika,” where people anonymously share their burning dating questions.

Question: Any tips for someone who works 80 hours per week and is always burned out but wants to date?

Answer: Trust me -- I wish I had the ability to create more hours in the week. Unfortunately, that's not in ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Ask Anna: I can't afford to be my friend's maid of honor

Life Advice / Dating Advice /

Dear Anna,

Three months ago, I excitedly agreed to be the maid of honor in my college roommate's destination wedding next summer, assuming it would involve standard expenses. Fast forward to now, and I'm realizing I cannot afford the costs: a specific designer bridesmaid dress, mandatory professional hair and makeup, the flight and five-day ...Read more

Asking Eric: While trying to be an influencer, a friend crosses the line

Life Advice / Asking Eric /

Dear Eric: A lady I know does shopping for Instacart, and occasionally she will post on Facebook photos of homes she has delivered to, adding comments like “look at this cool home I delivered groceries to today!” Isn’t that a huge breach of privacy? Or as an influencer, she will post videos of herself walking around a restaurant or store, ...Read more

Underemployed Roommate Feels Trapped

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: I currently live with my boyfriend -- in part because I have nowhere else to go. When we were first dating, I was living alone, but about two years into our relationship I lost my job, and my boyfriend graciously invited me to move in with him. At the time, it felt OK. I didn't like being in a position of need, but that aside, ...Read more

The Case Of The Foul-Mouthed Neurologist

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My teenage son had begun seeing a new neurologist, who is highly recommended and seems to be very skilled. We have had two appointments with this doctor, and both times, he used at least a half-dozen swear words in the 20-minute appointment.

He's young, very friendly, very informal, and probably thinks it's no big deal ...Read more

Birthday Gifts Have an Age Limit

Life Advice / Dear Annie /

Dear Annie: This letter is in reference to the aunt and uncle who provided generous gifts to their six nephews, only to be forgotten when it came time for those same nephews to thank them.

I would suggest that they do what I have done with my 20 grandchildren: I'll give them birthday cards and gifts until age 18. At that time, I let them know ...Read more

Cop's Ex-Wife Has Carried A Secret For Two Decades

Life Advice / Dear Abby /

DEAR ABBY: I was married to a police officer for 20 years. It wasn't a warm marriage. We divorced 20 years ago. Our one child is in his late 30s. I always put my son first and loved him with all my heart.

During the last year of my marriage, my ex was poisoning my coffee. After drinking my one cup of afternoon coffee, my heart rate would go as ...Read more

Asking Eric: Looking for a romantic spark, an old friend gets ghosted

Life Advice / Asking Eric /

Dear Eric: I am a lesbian in my late 60s. Recently I had a dream of a woman I knew back in the ’70s. I was very taken by her; even though I knew I was gay and confused, I married my boyfriend anyway. But she and I and other friends went on coffee breaks for a couple of years, and she always sat across from me. Sometimes I caught her staring at...Read more

 

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