In 1829, British chemist James Smithson died, leaving an endowment for “the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.”
DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister is the mother of 14 children. Her family is blended, with some of her children coming from foster care and others being her biological kids. I have growing concerns about her parenting approach.
Dear Doctors: You recently mentioned you steer your patients away from cow’s milk. I know some people think it’s bad for you, but could you please explain?
The ascendancy of Donald Trump signaled the end of an era for the Republican Party and, more broadly, for American politics. The eclipse of network television and the advent of streaming services stand as the end of an era for American home entertainment. But in recent days, another era has ended in another realm of American life and culture. There is no turning back from this one, no plausible argument about its significance.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My best friend always seems to need to be the center of attention. Her behavior is starting to cause a strain on our friendship, and I’m not sure how to address it without hurting her feelings. She is 25 years old, but her actions remind me more of a teenager who craves constant validation. Whenever we go out in a group or even in more intimate settings, she finds ways to turn the conversation back to herself, often interrupting others or downplaying their experiences.
Last night, my husband, Peter, and I went to see the play “Come From Away.” I read about it last year, waited for the day tickets were available, and bought the very best cheap seats I could buy.
Donald Trump often brags to supporters that he has neutralized the abortion issue by insisting that the states are now in charge of policy, not the federal government. But he’s wrong, and he knows it.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend recently opened a new restaurant, so my family and I visited this week to show our support. From the moment we walked in, it was clear that the restaurant was struggling. The service was chaotic, and it seemed like the staff members were either undertrained or overwhelmed. At one point, one of the servers accidentally spilled water all over my daughter, which made for a very uncomfortable situation. While accidents happen, this seemed to be just one of many issues we encountered that night. The food was another major disappointment. Since it’s an Italian restaurant, we were excited to try the pizza, which is supposed to be their specialty. However, when our pizza arrived, it was cold and slightly burnt, making it almost inedible. The other dishes we ordered were bland and did not live up to our expectations.
Dear Doctors: I am 14 years old and recently had to test for tuberculosis.
30 YEARS AGO