ArcaMax

Dear Annie: The COVID-19 pandemic broke my relationship. I was with my guy for 14 years, and we live in different towns. When all this stuff started, we both agreed that we couldn't see each other because his elderly mother lives with him. That was all fine. But then I asked him to please stay in contact, by phone or text or email. I waited ...Read more

Dear Annie: For 25 years, a very close couple would get together with us for a nice meal. We did lots of things including trips and outings. Eighteen months ago, my friend suddenly died. Her husband is now dating a very lovely woman (I hear), and we are glad he is happy.

We expect them to travel to our area this summer, and possibly, we will ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am about to retire. I don't want to sit around watching TV after retirement, so I'd like to adopt a retired greyhound to keep me company. I had hoped to have him or her certified as my therapy dog.

My husband retired 15 years ago, and he has already developed retirement interests. When he is not pursuing those, he is perfectly ...Read more

Dear Annie: As birthdays and important holidays approach, like the recent Father's Day, I am forced to reanalyze my social anxiety all over again. I know I should call friends and family members to let them know I'm thinking about them, but I get butterflies in my stomach and put it off for hours because I feel like I never know what to say. ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am really tired of all this negative news about "broken" families. I raised my two children, and we were not "broken." It is time for single parents (mostly mothers) to band together. I could have made three times as much as I did had I taken those jobs that took me away from my children. We just lived on what I made, not on what...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband has a long history of being unfaithful to me. He says that it isn't cheating because he can't help himself. I've forgiven him five times.

Recently, I discovered that he's been going to a website where a girl talks to him on a webcam. In exchange for their virtual time together, he buys her jewelry, clothes and other ...Read more

Dear Annie: Your column is part of my morning ritual. I have three grandchildren, and they're all approaching the age where they'll be learning how to drive. Our adult children are now 48, 44 and 41. Some years ago, when they were learning how to drive, I came across John Violette's "Contract for Drivers," clipped it, and stowed it away. ...Read more

Dear Annie: With this pandemic and people out of work, this might be a good way to get a few people back to work AND to save a ton of money. Both small and large businesses need to purge their mailing lists. I get mail from places I may have sent for a catalog years ago but haven't done business with them for many years. I have even cut off ...Read more

Dear Annie: I was reading "Don't Call Me 'Dear'" and wanted to give you my two cents' worth. I am a woman, 72 years old. If someone calls you "dear," "sweetie," "sweetheart" or something like this, you should take it as a compliment. This applies whether the person doing the calling is a woman or a man, and it doesn't matter if the person is a...Read more

Dear Annie: I recently read the letter from A Better Man Today, who was concerned about people reading his personal diary, particularly about his "dark times."

I agree with your answer but would like to add one more idea. Create a "burn box" and entrust it to someone who will not open it or divulge its contents but will see that it is ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm heartbroken over an event that took place 52 years ago.

I dated a girl in high school for several years and was truly in love. After I graduated from high school in 1967, I asked her to marry me. She took my hand and said that she couldn't because she was pregnant from her former boyfriend. I was shocked, hurt and destroyed ...Read more

Dear Annie: I know a 60-year-old woman who wears high-heeled shoes and no pantyhose with miniskirts -- without even a slip underneath. When she wears light-colored miniskirts, they're somewhat see-through in the daylight. She wears bikini-style underwear, and through the skirt, there are visible rolls around her bottom, waist and stomach. She'...Read more

Dear Annie: This summer we have been invited to four weddings. Of the four events, three have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

We are in the high-risk category with our age and underlying health conditions. The one remaining scheduled wedding would require us to travel by car to another state, which would mean stopping for gas, ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am shattered and torn apart. My son, who served eight and half years in prison for drugs, was released last Thanksgiving. Within four days of release, "Ray" had a job as a cook, had joined a gym and was working out every day. His life was all positive.

Then the pandemic came. The restaurant closed, and the gym shut down. Ray ...Read more

Dear Annie: Two and a half years ago, while my business was doing well, my marriage of 30+ years wasn't.

It was that same old case of drifting apart due to the pressures of life. Our kids had left home except for one, and we looked at downsizing. We signed up for a new apartment, so we had to get our house ready for sale.

My wife and I had ...Read more

Dear Annie: My parents and my in-laws have a habit of cleaning out their houses by bringing their unwanted things to my house. When we first moved in together, my husband and I thought they were trying to help by giving us things so we wouldn't need to buy them, but it's been over a decade, and it continues.

When asked if we want items from ...Read more

Dear Annie: I so enjoy your column, and, as usual, you are on target in your advice concerning the woman who was hurt by not being notified about her cousin's death.

Two things have caused me to be a happier person. One is dropping my expectations of others, and the other is choosing not to be offended.

People generally don't set out to hurt...Read more

Dear Annie: It's horrible to be judged. Here is my story: I am fortunate to have a nice car. This vehicle is my first new vehicle after 15 years of saving. From my additional savings, I am able to provide to others and deliver the items they need. I also have friends who do not have transportation to get from food drives and other similar ...Read more

Dear Readers: Happy Fathers Day! In this poem, William Wordsworth celebrates being able to see the world through his son's eyes. He celebrates the childlike wonder that his son has, a playful curiosity that is too often lost in adulthood.

Being a great father includes being empathetic to your child and seeing things from their perspective to ...Read more

Dear Annie: I was given up for adoption at four months old and was adopted by my maternal grandparents. I was raised as an only child, even though I knew who my siblings were and saw them regularly. My biological mother sowed seeds of hatred and division between my siblings and myself at every opportunity.

Upon her death, we found out that ...Read more