My mother told me she was worried that her cat, Katy, needed to lose weight.
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DEAR HARRIETTE: My roommate has a habit of leaving extremely specific, passive-aggressive notes all over our apartment about cleaning, dishes and other household chores. Some of the notes feel petty, while others make me feel like I’m being criticized or watched, and it’s starting to affect my peace of mind. I’ve tried picking up after myself, doing extra chores and even leaving polite replies or notes in return, but nothing seems to change their behavior. I’m tired of the constant tension building in what should be a relaxing home environment, but I also dread having a major confrontation that could make living together unbearable or create lasting resentment.
When you think about the current political fight over immigration enforcement, start with this: There are millions of people, at least 15 million and perhaps as many as 20 million, who are in the United States illegally.
• Did you know that standard paper cups – the kind used for coffee and other hot beverages – are designed to handle liquids up to 190 degrees F? Since boiling water reaches 212 F, pouring it straight into the cup can cause the plastic lining to soften or melt, potentially releasing chemicals into your drink. If you don’t have a reusable thermos handy, here’s a simple tip: Drop in an ice cube or two to slightly cool the water before pouring it into the cup.
DEAR HARRIETTE: Last week, two of my friends produced a major event on behalf of their company. It was an opportunity to build audience engagement, introduce new products and network with other industry professionals. The event turned out beautifully, and they had a great turnout.
Hello, dear readers! Welcome to our monthly letters column. The calendar is hinting at autumn, but in much of the United States, the heat waves continue. Please factor this into your daily lives.
In 1846, Elias Howe patented the first sewing machine.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ve been dating my boyfriend for about six months now, and things have been going really well. The only issue is that while we both live in New York City, he lives in Brooklyn and I live in Washington Heights (Manhattan), and the commute is usually over an hour – sometimes longer if the trains are delayed or rerouted, which happens more often than I’d like. We both have demanding work schedules, so coordinating time together can be tricky, and it feels like one of us is always sacrificing sleep or rearranging our routine just to make the trip across the city. On nights when I get home after midnight from visiting him, I wonder if I can realistically keep this up in the long term.
Itry not to write about writing.