Browsing: Lifestyle

And so – ask about it! You can respond to a bid for contact by saying, “I’m completely baffled. Six years ago, I received a letter, signed by you, that spelled out in detail all of my flaws. It also said that your family despises me. I completely accept that. If something has changed, you should let me know.”

Calcium chloride, which works when temperatures are as low as minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, is less damaging to plants than products made with sodium chloride (rock salt), but is similarly harmful to carpet, tile and shoes, and it is corrosive to concrete and metal.

You should talk about it! Say, “I’ve always thought our conversations were pretty benign. I never judge anyone you’ve told me about, and honestly think we’re all pretty boring. But does it really bother you, or were you just blowing off steam?”

My husband and I drew up a list of things that we expected from her: Getting a job, taking care of her bedroom and bathroom, learning to drive and to use public transportation, no male overnight guests, house sit when we take short trips — things like that.

This aunt’s Christmas Eve tradition is long-standing, and because your sons choose to attend it, I think you should accept that – for them – this is an important aspect of their Christmas celebration. And so, you should let them have it, and instead of hosting a competing event – you and your wife should scale back your own Christmas Eve and consider the way you celebrate it (with her sons) to be … what you do. Develop your own intimate traditions with the smaller group.

The obvious solution – at least to me – is for you to bring a (male or female) friend as your date, with the expressed intent that this person should serve as your wing-person. Their role would be to ward off random singletons, and if necessary, to use a serving platter from the buffet table as a shield to protect you from nosey aunties.

I have told him that I’m not responsible for how he lived his life after we parted, but he simply says that he’s sad, and then we move forward, only to have the same outburst (all caps, as though he is shouting) happen within the next day or two.

If I am invited somewhere and the person says that they need to know my vaccination status first, I would like to tell them that it is none of their business and I’m not comfortable with their questions, so let’s not get together now. I’d like to say, “Let’s get together when you feel comfortable issuing invitations without the medical questionnaire.”

Carla Hayden was sworn in as the 14th librarian of Congress on Sept. 14, 2016. Hayden is the first woman and the first African American to lead the national library. She was nominated to the position by President Barack Obama on Feb. 24, 2016, and her nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 13. (Shawn Miller/Library of Congress)

In the coming gardening year, resolve to pay attention to the weather and your plants when deciding when to undertake gardening tasks, rather than following old calendar dates that don’t account for the changing climate. (Beth Botts/Morton Arboretum)