DEAR HARRIETTE: Over the past three years, my ex and I have found our way back to friendship. When we first broke up, we left each other alone, which was probably for the best.
Last month, the FBI announced that its “exhaustive review” of materials in the Jeffrey Epstein case uncovered no client list, no “credible evidence” that Epstein blackmailed any famous people, no evidence to support any new criminal charges and no evidence that Epstein’s death was anything other than a suicide.
Dear Doctors: I had an episode where it felt like my left eye went out of alignment and I couldn’t focus. A brain scan was clear, but the doctor said it’s cranial nerve palsy. He says it’s from a concussion I had last spring. I’m fine again but really worried. Will it happen again? Is there a treatment?
Everyone will tell you that when you sell a book, you don’t get to pick the cover. I know this, and I am fine with it. I don’t know much about selling books, and my publisher does nothing but sell books, so I trust they would know what makes for a good cover. But I was flattered when they asked me for ideas about what I’d like on the cover of my book, and I knew right away: Emily Anderson.
Donald Trump has long embraced the concept of “alternative facts.” Reality, he believes, is what he says it is.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I was skinny for most of my life – uncomfortably so. Then I had my son, and I gained a lot of weight. It has been more than 20 years, and I have yet to get back to a slim size. To be honest, I am overweight. I feel like I hated how I looked when I was younger because I was too small, and now I’m shy about how I look because I’m too big. Yes, I see that I have some body-image issues, but I need to do something about my body today as I’m too big and I’ve been diagnosed with some health issues that have come from carrying excess weight. How can I get a healthy mindset about my body and take the steps to lose the weight? – Weighty DEAR WEIGHTY: Rather than focusing on how you feel about how you look, first work with your doctor and possibly a dietician to create a plan to get your body healthy. This will involve changing your diet and moving your body. If you are able to commit to a regimen that will help you to lose weight, it is likely that you will start feeling better physically and psychologically.
You’ve seen reports about the unpopularity of the Democratic Party these days – stories with headlines like “Democrats Get Lowest Rating From Voters in 35 Years.” It’s true: Large numbers of voters disapprove of the party and, even though they don’t love Republicans either, trust the GOP more to handle many basic issues.
Dear Doctors: My new doctor always starts talking before I’m finished, and after that it’s hard to get another chance to speak. Sometimes my symptoms get brushed aside like they’re not important.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently ran my first half marathon, and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had. I had been training for months, and over time, running became more than just exercise; it became a passion, a stress reliever and something I truly looked forward to each day. It gave me structure, confidence and a sense of accomplishment I hadn’t felt in a long time. Unfortunately, not long after the race, I had a bad fall and broke my ankle. My doctor says I’ll need several weeks to heal, and even after that, it’s unclear when I’ll be able to return to running at the level I was at before.
• Two reasons to shop for groceries from local merchants instead of big-box stores: You’re supporting your local economy, and you’ll likely cut back on single-use plastic. Supermarket chains have a practice of excessively wrapping their fresh produce in single-use plastic. It helps keep produce fresher longer and protects it from the hundreds of customers who handle the perishable products. Local stores are likely to use a lot less plastic, which gives you the option to stock up without the waste.