ArcaMax

Dear Annie: What is the best way to deal with someone who is a bully and verbally abusive? My brother-in-law is very demeaning to my sister. He makes cruel remarks about her physical appearance, calls her names and criticizes everything she does if it isn't exactly what he likes.

My sister has been married to this bully for 30 years. I really ...Read more

Dear Annie: When is enough, enough? My granddaughter is getting married for the third time in August. We received a "save the date" card six months ago.

The first time this granddaughter got married, I attended the wedding and gave her a generous gift. The second time, I sent a card with a small check. But this is going too far.

My question is...Read more

Dear Annie: I've seen several doctors recently, and each time I noticed that they gave a lot of information so quickly that I could not absorb it all, nor could I remember it entirely.

I also received written instructions after a recent surgery, but those weren't particularly good, either. Part of the instructions included a form that was ...Read more

Dear Readers: Today is Flag Day. We promised to print some of the patriotic poems that readers have been sending in for July 4, but we thought this one would be perfect for today. The author is Audrey Bashlor.

Honor our flag of red, white and blue,

remembering our war heroes brought freedom to you.

Men and women of today and years past

...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband is a good, dependable man, but he is a terrible hoarder. A number of years ago, we agreed on separate bedrooms, so he could be messy in private. When we bought our current home, it came with a garage and he was in seventh heaven. All of his "treasures," including things that had been in boxes for decades, would have a home...Read more

Dear Annie: Yesterday, a store clerk complimented my ear cuffs, then had the gall to ask whether anyone had told me that I was too old to wear them. I was floored! Too old for earrings, no matter what kind?

I'm over 60, in great shape and regularly pegged for younger. But even if I were covered in wrinkles, I would be shocked to be told that ...Read more

Dear Annie: You printed a letter from "Wondering," who asked why older men smell bad, don't change their clothes and live in filthy homes. You mentioned it could be the lack of a female presence -- someone who used to take care of these things.

My husband suddenly had this problem of a bad odor. He has impeccable hygiene, showering every day, ...Read more

Dear Annie: I suffer from terrible depression. My doctor has me on antidepressants and suggested that I seek therapy. However, I walked out on therapy because I felt that it was not for me and that it didn't help me at all.

I have no friends, so having anybody to talk to about what I'm going through is difficult. When I attempted to discuss my ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am 13 years old. My parents have been fighting for as long as I can remember. It's not physical, but it is loud, sarcastic and rude, and they don't seem to notice that it affects me, as well as my older siblings. They fight every night, usually about bills, and it seems to be getting worse.

My father is really hard to get along ...Read more

Dear Annie: I just received a baby shower invitation that makes me feel more like a fundraising target than a loving family member.

I have hosted or attended at least 20 baby showers. There have always been games and prizes. This shower will include a diaper raffle, so that means an "entry fee." Attendees are excluded from the game if they don'...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband does not like to have any physical contact whatsoever, except for a peck hello or goodbye. He does not like to be touched. There is no cuddling. We don't have sex. There is nothing.

We've been married for eight years, and I can guarantee that we had more sex prior to our wedding than we've had since. I have never met ...Read more

Dear Annie: My wife and I are expecting our fourth child. She is a firm believer in breastfeeding and plans to do so when our baby arrives. Our oldest child, "Travis," was 3 years old when his first sibling was born. My wife continued to breastfeed him along with the baby, and continued to do so through the birth of our third child, born when ...Read more

Dear Annie: I need help getting my stepbrother to like me. I am a 12-year-old boy. I grew up without a dad or siblings and really wanted them. When I was 11, my mom married my stepdad. I was excited because not only did I get a new father, but also a big brother.

Having a new dad is great. He is nice to me, takes me out to movies and ballgames ...Read more

Dear Annie: I write a blog on science and spaceflight in particular. I had to respond to "Trapped in the Grave of a Dream," the teenage girl whose strict parents only want her to become a doctor or lawyer, when she dreams of being an astronaut.

If she is content to sit in a crew seat rather than a pilot's chair, her course seems clear: Go all ...Read more

Dear Annie: My wife and I have been good friends with "Bill and June" for 30 years. Twelve years ago, my wife had surgery and lost all desire for sex. She isn't even interested in cuddling. Last year, Bill had a heart attack and is now afraid to exert himself in the bedroom.

Recently, June told me that Bill has given her permission to seek ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married for 29 years. I have three sons who are all grown. I held a job only for a few years of that time. I am not working now. I have custody of one grandson, and babysit him and another grandson.

For the past five years, my husband and I haven't gotten along. He is so controlling. He took the car and bank account card ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am planning my wedding, which will take place next year. I have a younger sister who will be a bridesmaid. This sister has been in an on-again, off-again long-distance relationship with a guy for five years now. She lives on one coast, and he lives on the other.

Here's the problem: My sister wants her boyfriend to attend my ...Read more

Dear Annie: When my wife and I took a trip to Canada, my granddaughter and her live-in boyfriend at the time called to ask for permission to spend a week in our house, which is near a beach. My wife said OK.

This upset me for two reasons: We had $100,000 in precious metals in the house and I was concerned about theft. I had never met this ...Read more

Dear Readers: When we asked you to try your hand at a gender-inclusive piece for Independence Day, we also received several poems that seemed more appropriate for Memorial Day. Therefore, we have decided to print two of them on this occasion. We think they both express moving sentiments.

"Gold Star Mother" by Gene Nelson, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

...Read more

Dear Annie: Because the cost of living is so high around here, I now rent bedrooms in my home to a couple of young adults in their 20s. It's almost impossible for them to go out on their own.

Everything is fine about this arrangement, except my renters do not clean their rooms. They throw all of their things on the floor, including dirty dishes...Read more