Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated as a federal holiday for the first time on this day in 1986.
Dear Doctors: I had been spending a lot of time alone, so I made a point of joining friends at a museum, going on a group hike and volunteering at a book sale. I had been struggling with poor sleep but on each of those nights I slept really well.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I find myself in a challenging situation with a close friend. We have known each other for 10 years. Recently, we had a heated argument, and it all stems from her consistently condescending behavior.
Des Moines — Even though it was the first time Republicans had voted in this presidential contest, there was a last-stand mentality here in Iowa among those who hoped to stop former President Donald Trump from reclaiming the Republican nomination. Their goal was to push the candidacy of Nikki Haley hard and hope that Haley, together with the fading Ron De-Santis, would not actually defeat Trump but keep him below 50% of the total vote. That way, they would argue that, in total, more GOP caucus voters had voted for someone other than Trump than voted for him.
Theoretically speaking, the United States will be having a presidential election in 2024. Everybody acts as if it’s a sure thing. Political “horse race” coverage dominates the news. Debates, rallies and candidate speeches take place. Newspapers and TV news outlets publish polling results every few days. Everybody’s familiar with the ritual, and everybody plays along.
DEAR HARRIETTE: As the eldest in my family, I’ve unintentionally become the default babysitter for my grandchildren, great-nieces, nephews and other younger family members during gatherings. This shift has made family reunions less enjoyable, as I anticipate being on constant babysitting duty.
Dear Doctors: Each year when we switch away from daylight saving time, I get that SAD thing. I start feeling low and eventually get depressed. Why does that happen? I’ve read there are special lights that can help and would like to know more about that.
The solar calendar tells us that, with the winter solstice swiftly receding, the days are getting longer. With Donald Trump winning Iowa caucuses Monday, the political calendar is getting shorter.
Food festivals can add fun and flavor to your vacation. Here’s a small sample of what’s coming up this year around the country.
DEAR HARRIETTE: During a family trip with my in-laws this holiday season, everyone gathered, including my wife and her sister, brother-in-law and nephew. I’ve never been close to my wife’s family. They’ve made jokes insinuating that I’m snobbish due to our differing backgrounds. On Christmas Eve, I found out that there was a planned lunch to which everyone was invited except me. My wife mentioned they assumed I wouldn’t enjoy the food and decided I’d prefer my own plans.