DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend’s boyfriend and I got into a heated argument at a dinner party. He made a joke about me being a drama queen and gossiping too much. At first, it was funny, but then it felt like he was bringing up situations that I had spoken about with his girlfriend in confidence. Despite his dwelling on this untimely joke, my friend remained quiet, not even nudging her boyfriend to quit.
Dear Doctors: I have frequent nightmares about being chased where I wake up flailing my arms and legs and crying out. It’s manageable at home but problematic for sleep on long-distance flights. I’ve woken up to find myself grabbing a stranger in the seat next to me.
The Justice Department is evaluating a criminal referral accusing former CIA Director John Brennan of lying to Congress. In the referral, Republican members of the House allege that Brennan lied to investigators trying to figure out what the nation’s intelligence agencies did in their pursuit of President Donald Trump over the Russia collusion matter. The case is a strong one.
Dear Doctors: I do a lot of hiking and camping, and when there is terrain that is rough, a lot of times I’ll get a blister. How do you take care of that – are you supposed to pop it and drain it, or do you just cover it up? I’ve heard it’s easy for a blister to get infected, and I want to avoid that.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel like my 8-year-old son doesn’t listen to me unless I raise my voice. I hate that yelling has become our norm. It leaves me feeling frustrated and guilty, and I know it’s probably affecting him too. Small things like getting dressed, brushing teeth or cleaning up toys can turn into a major confrontation, and I end up yelling just to get him to comply. I’ve tried reasoning calmly, offering choices and even giving rewards, but nothing seems to work consistently.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently matched with someone on a dating app, and after chatting for a bit, we realized we work at the same company. It’s a huge organization, so we had never crossed paths before – until, of course, we suddenly started running into each other in the office after matching. We never acknowledged it directly, and since then, things have felt a little awkward. It’s not like anything inappropriate happened between us. We just exchanged a few friendly messages before things fizzled out, but now every hallway run-in feels tense. I can’t tell if he’s pretending it never happened or if he’s just as unsure as I am about how to act.
My sister and I told my mother we were throwing her a party for her 90th birthday.
Susan Stamberg hosted NPR’s evening news broadcast, “All Things Considered,” for 14 years, starting in 1972. When she died recently at age 87, a female friend recalled what a difference it made to hear a woman’s voice on the radio. Susan was the host, she recalled, she was authoritative, and it was inspiring.
CLINTON’S HISTORY 10, 20, 30 AND 40 YEARS AGO
DEAR HARRIETTE: I moved into a new apartment building recently, and while I love the location and my unit, I’ve been having a tricky time with one of my neighbors. They frequently leave passive-aggressive notes about noise, even when I’m careful to keep my music low and avoid loud activities. Sometimes the notes feel exaggerated or unfair, and it’s starting to make me anxious every time I move around my apartment. I don’t want to start a confrontation or create hostility, but I also don’t want to constantly tiptoe around my own home or feel guilty for simply living my life. I’ve considered introducing myself in person to smooth things over, but I’m nervous that could backfire and make the tension worse. I also worry that the building management won’t take my side if it escalates, and I don’t want this situation to affect my enjoyment of my new home. I just want to find a way to coexist peacefully without feeling like I’m walking on eggshells every day. How can I handle this situation in a calm, respectful way that sets boundaries, preserves my peace and prevents further passive-aggressive behavior?