The hardest part of writing is being alone

Itry not to write about writing.Like any job, parts of it are harder than others. The hardest part of writing, for me, is not coming up with ideas or creating sentences or deciding what parts of the story are too short or need to be expanded.The hardest part of writing, for me, is doing it alone.

Grandparents show favoritism with grandkids

DEAR HARRIETTE: My parents are playing favorites with their grandchildren, and it’s becoming more obvious.My kids are starting to notice, and it absolutely breaks my heart.

Uncle has high expectations for his kids

DEAR HARRIETTE: My “Uncle Ron” raised his son and daughter all alone, and I think it was a struggle for him. Over the years, he put affection on the back burner and became results-driven.

Balloon mitral valvuloplasty helps with stenosis

Dear Doctors: I’ve been getting dizzy when I exercise or even stand up too fast. I got sent to a cardiologist who says it’s mitral valve stenosis. He thinks I’m a good candidate for a catheter repair that uses a balloon. A friend who had that says it’s not a big deal. Is that really true?

Hyperpoliticized teachers unions

About 70% of the nation’s public school teachers belong to a union or employees’ association. The two largest teachers unions, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), together represent about 4.7 million members.

Prepare for whatever the next day will bring

My niece Isabelle is leaving for Argentina, and I don’t know how I’m going to stand it. Isabelle is an adult, although I don’t know how that is possible, because I remember clearly the day she was born, on an extraordinarily cold day 22 years ago, and surely, I can’t be that old.

Budgeter doesn’t want to miss out on treats

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently started budgeting after realizing how much money slips through my fingers each month, especially on little treats like coffee runs, lunches out and takeout. When I added it all up, I was shocked at how much I’ve been spending without even realizing it.

Trump’s maneuvers are weakening check

President Trump is testing restraints on his power to hire and fire, which is worth doing in many cases but raises hard questions in others. Consider his maneuvers to retain Alina Habba as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, despite the Senate’s refusal to hold a vote on confirming her.

TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1945, British forces ended Japan’s occupation of Hong Kong.In 1963, a United States-Soviet Union diplomatic teletype “hotline,” intended to prevent accidental war, was installed.In 1967, the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment of Thurgood Marshall as the first Black Supreme Court justice.

CLINTON’S HISTORY 10, 20, 30 AND 40 YEARS AGO

30 YEARS AGO• Managers for the Clinton Red Tornado football team included Cale Challis, J.R. Gould, Mark Lumpkin Jr., Crystal Griffin, J.G. Stratton, Rachel Crayton, and Chad Duff.