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.

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.

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.

• 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.