DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently have become friends with a group of older women. We get along great and have had some wonderful conversations and enjoyable times hanging out together.
Dear Doctors: We have three kids in school, and they’re not always happy with the lunches I’ve been packing.
• Believe it or not, one of the most dangerous things your pet can eat isn’t a food at all: It’s the bag your favorite chips or snack foods come packaged in. When you’re done eating your BBQ potato chips, a few remnants of the snack remain in the bag. If you leave the bag where your dog can find it, they’ll naturally stick their head in. A Facebook page called “Prevent a Pet Suffocation” says many animals actually suffocate when they trap themselves in the bag and are unable to breathe. To prevent this, simply cut the bottom of the bag open before throwing it away.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m trying to manage my social life as an adult and explore new ways to make friends. I always made friends at school, with kids in my grade or from my classes, but now navigating the real world on my own, without proximity and closed environments to steer the way, has been challenging. An acquaintance invited me to a gathering at his home over the weekend.
DEAR HARRIETTE: A few weeks ago, I had a really embarrassing accident at work. I tripped in the office and split my pants right in front of my colleagues. On top of that, I sprained my ankle in the fall, so I had to take some time off to recover. While I was out, I kept imagining everyone replaying that moment in their minds, and I worried about what they thought of me.
Dear Doctors: I was diagnosed with diverticulitis, which caused a bowel perforation. I had a sigmoidectomy, no problem, and a resection. Now I’m dealing with constant and urgent diarrhea, as well as some cramping. What can I do to combat this? It is affecting my work and my home life.
Hello, dear readers! Welcome to a bonus letters column. We have several interesting questions to address, so we’ll get right to them.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend is incredibly generous when it comes to friends, family and even strangers, but when it comes to me, he’s surprisingly stingy, whether it’s time, attention or small gestures of affection. I feel unappreciated, hurt and confused because I don’t understand why I’m being treated differently, especially since I try to support and give to him in every way I can. I’ve thought about bringing it up, but I’m worried that if I do, it might come across as nagging or start an argument. At the same time, I don’t want to continue feeling undervalued in my own relationship. How can I talk to him honestly about how his behavior affects me without creating tension or making him feel attacked? I just want to feel seen and appreciated for once.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been struggling with what feels like depression.
Dear Doctors: Is there any connection with dementia patients and television?