Faraway friend despairs over woman suffering depression

DEAR ABBY: I have known “Charlotte” for 17 years. She was a bridesmaid at my wedding, and we talk and text regularly. I consider her one of my best friends. Charlotte has had a tough couple years and has sunk into a depression.

Writing a dementia-specific advance directive

Dear Doctor: I recently read about advance directives that deal only with dementia. Is there some benefit to those over the more traditional directives? If so, how do I go about creating one?

Reader upset that friend has drifted away

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my best friends and I have lost contact. I could blame this on the fact that she got a job and moved to another state, but something just does not feel right.

Two special people, two special days

The combination of Mother’s Day on Sunday and Clinton High School’s graduation on Friday serves as a reminder to me of how quickly time passes and how fast sadness can turn to joy. On Sept. 15, 2001, my mother died after a short battle with a very aggressive form of cancer.

Instead of being defective, it was the best piece

Grandson Bennett spent most of Sunday with me while his mother took a day trip. We shared some Bible School cookies, he got in trouble for throwing a tantrum and we went outside to play “one, two, three, go,” otherwise known as racing for short distances.

Where do royal babies come from?

All the hoopla about the new royal baby is unseemly and ridiculous. At least on this side of the Atlantic. You can understand why the British might care. Every five minutes they spend hearing about the royal baby is five minutes they don’t have to hear about Brexit.

There were people spying on Trump

At his contentious hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General William Barr dropped a big hint about his investigation into the conduct of the Trump-Russia investigation.

Mother’s extreme behavior disrupts family gatherings

DEAR ABBY DEAR ABBY: My mother is 86 and drives everyone in the family crazy when we have to spend time with her. She says things that make people cringe. She’s racist, homophobic, judgmental and critical of everybody and everything.

Duct-cleaning doesn’t improve home air quality

Duct-cleaning services often claim that they can improve a home’s air quality and boost the efficiency of its heating and cooling system by sucking or blowing dust and dirt from HVAC system ducts. Some even claim that duct cleaning can improve respiratory health.

Boyfriend won’t make effort to fit in

SENSE & SENSITIVITY DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently started dating a man, and we go through the same trials and tribulations as any normal couple. However, none of my siblings approve of this relationship. He has not met my family yet, but I am anxious for when that day comes.