ArcaMax

Her phone call startled me. The distraught woman on the other end spoke in rapid-fire sentences, most of them half-finished. Every word was confused, jumbled. But after some time, it became clear that her husband of 30 years was leaving the marriage. He wanted to live alone. In a way, he had already gone; they hadn't had sex in a year, and the ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I grew up in New York and have been here my entire life. I decided about a year ago that I wanted to move to a new city. I only flirted with the idea at first, but recently, my boss told me that if I'm serious, they could transfer me to the Chicago office. I've taken them up on their offer and will be moving within a few months. ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I joined a travel timeshare that we both love. The only thing we hate is how they try to upsell you.

After check-in, you are required to go to the concierge desk to get your arm band or parking pass. Once there, the hard sell starts; they try to bribe, encourage or beg you to attend a sales meeting. (They call ...Read more

Dear Annie: Your column is a regular part of our home, and I truly appreciate the compassion and insight you bring to readers' questions. I would like to gently offer another perspective, one that may sometimes be overlooked when people write in about the emotional withdrawal of a spouse, parent or longtime friend.

In some cases, what appears...Read more

DEAR ABBY: About eight months ago, I stumbled on my husband watching online porn. He admitted to habitual use but said it was just a stress reliever and he would stop viewing it. Meanwhile, I am plagued by feelings of not being enough for him, mainly before or during sex but also at random times of the day and night.

I am a small-breasted woman...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My neighbor's young son has developed a habit of coming into my yard and picking flowers for his mom from my garden, which is right on the border of our two lawns. She always laughs and says how sweet it is when he hands them to her, but I can't help feeling frustrated. I've spent countless hours planting, watering and tending to...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I've seen young men with their mothers picking out a ring that the young woman of his choice is supposed to love and wear forever.

What if they picked something she really didn't like?

I would like to propose a new tradition: The proposal is made and accepted, but instead of a ring, the proposer offers a jewel box that ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I are the proud grandparents of two beautiful granddaughters. "Lila" is 20 months old and the daughter of our son "Michael" and his wife, "Emily." "Sophie" is 10 months old and the daughter of our other son "Daniel" and his wife, "Grace."

We love both girls dearly and feel so fortunate to have them in our lives. But...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm struggling with something that feels both silly and painful. I've developed intense feelings (maybe even "limerence") for a man I know, and no matter how hard I try, no one else seems to compare. I have tried dating apps, looking at younger guys, older guys, conventionally attractive guys. Nothing clicks. I keep thinking, why can'...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son recently lost his job and asked if he, his wife and their two young children could move back into my home for a few months while they get back on their feet. I love my son and my grandkids dearly and I want to help them, but the idea of having four extra people in my house, especially two energetic children, feels ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was at a convenience store, with my arms full of groceries. There were three tall young men standing near the register in a group, and I asked if they were in line.

They said yes and lined up. When I thought they were finished, I placed my items on the counter and moved forward to the credit card reader, accidentally ...Read more

Dear Annie: I need advice on how to deal with a former fiance. We dated for nearly a year before getting engaged, but the engagement lasted only a few months. Once we were engaged, he began laying down expectations for our future: dinner on the table at 5, how many children we would have, even which promotions I should turn down at work. I am ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I felt compelled to write to you after reading the "plight" of the parents of the bride of "Ruined Wedding in New York" (April 23). As someone who's worked in the hospitality field for more than 30 years, I have seen my share of bridezillas and in-laws who behave badly because they blindly believe that all of THEIR wishes and demands ...Read more

I've spent most of my career as a freelance writer being a generalist. You don't delve too much into one subject because, really, you can find an expert on a topic who would love to rattle on with acronyms for at least a solid hour.

It's been one of the privileges of journalism to meet with people who believe in your capacity to share their ...Read more