Dear Doctors: My husband and I usually make a few resolutions for the new year. This year, I skipped it because I never follow through, and I wind up feeling bad about myself. My husband did OK for about a month, but now he’s also quit trying. Why are resolutions so hard to keep?
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s father swept into Lawrence, Kansas, 57 years ago this month to give a campaign speech. It was just his third day as a 1968 presidential candidate, and he clearly was trying out themes for his challenge to President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was still a candidate for reelection.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am going through a tough time emotionally. My mom is in hospice care, which means she is nearing the end of her life. We are very close. It is obvious that she has a limited time to live, but it’s still hard to witness.
After a while, no one wants to look like a tourist. Experienced travelers will buy a hat in a local store, convinced that having the same head covering will somehow make them less conspicuous. They stray off the main streets and take their meals in the places locals frequent. They leave their fancy backpacks in the hotel and carry only what they need to explore the city. And, most importantly, they don’t take photos.
From the National Finals Rodeo, sporting events, livestock shows, and countless other events, many Oklahoma families have fond memories of attending events at the Jim Norick Arena. I’ve attended events at the arena my entire life, so it was a full-circle moment attending this year’s Oklahoma Youth Expo, one of the final events to be held in the big house before it is replaced with the new arena. The OYE legislative showmanship is always one of the highlights of the legislative session and allows us to interact with many great students from across our state. I was paired with Zane Skinner from Fort Cobb-Broxton 4-H and his heifer, Stella. Zane is an outstanding young man, and I appreciate him participating in the event and sharing more about his projects.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am struggling to help my mother, who is a hoarder. Growing up, our house was always cluttered, but it has gotten significantly worse over the years. Every room is packed with boxes, old furniture and things she refuses to throw away. It’s to the point where she can barely move around her home, and I worry about her safety. I’ve tried talking to her about cleaning, but she gets defensive and insists that everything has value or that she’ll get to it eventually. I’ve even offered to help organize things or hire a professional, but she shuts down the conversation immediately. I know hoarding is often tied to deeper emotional issues and I don’t want to make her feel attacked, but I also can’t stand by and watch her live like this. How can I support her without pushing too hard? – Hoarder Mom DEAR HOARDER MOM: You are right to be concerned – people do get hurt when they live in unsafe environments. Your mother needs professional help. Will she welcome it? Probably not. Do your research and find a compassionate local counselor who specializes in hoarding disorder and work with them to stage an intervention for your mother. If there are loved ones besides you who are willing to participate, that will help. It will likely be ugly at first, but you may be able to get through to your mother and have her take some steps toward purging her environment.
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In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Standard Time Act, establishing time zones and approving daylight saving time.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ve made some questionable decisions over the years that had a negative impact on my credit. Many of those mistakes were things I did when I didn’t fully understand the concept of credit and financial responsibility. Now my bad credit is haunting me.
My friend Wally and I have a fractious relationship. This is no secret. Wally has said he thinks optimistic people like me are self-deluded, always looking for reasons to be happy when there is a lot to worry about and not much to celebrate.