ABritish soldier began writing “The Fall of Gondolin” while in a hospital bed, stricken by “trench disease” from the lethal front lines of World War I.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently received a job offer from another company that comes with a significantly higher salary than what I’m currently making. The role is in a field I’ve been wanting to move into for years, and while it’s a little intimidating, it genuinely excites me. When I told my current employer about the offer, they surprised me by countering with a raise that slightly exceeds the other company’s offer. On paper, it sounds like a win, but here’s the problem: I don’t actually enjoy my current job. I’ve stayed mostly because I have great relationships with my co-workers. I know the systems inside and out, and it feels stable. The work itself leaves me bored, unmotivated and drained by the end of the day. Now I feel torn between taking a leap into something new that could be more fulfilling, or staying in a comfortable role for the sake of security and familiar faces.
• Here’s a simple way to help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer: Check your ductwork. Many newer homes have ductwork with dampers that are adjustable, and when they are installed, they are often marked with two words: summer and winter. Shifting the switch to the correct season will ensure that the airflow in your home is maximized to direct either warm or cool air into the rooms where you need it most.
Dear Doctors: I have read that for an accurate blood pressure reading, you should first sit in a comfortable chair with no talking or distractions for at least five minutes. But my doctors all slap on a cuff, ask questions the whole time, then exclaim that I have high blood pressure. I have to ask for at least five minutes of quiet before a reading. How do we convince doctors to change?
Sparkling wine flowed, hors d’oeuvres were passed, speeches were given. There were panel discussions, an archives tour, a reception and dinner. I wasn’t there, and you weren’t either. Nor was anyone you know. And the occasion?
As the ancient saying goes, “You can’t fool Mother Nature.” As Donald Trump is finding out, you can’t fool Mother Market, either.
Recently, I saw a bunch of cousins. I have a lot of cousins. A few have died by now, but I started out with 36 cousins, and only two were on my father’s side.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My neighbor’s young son has developed a habit of coming into my yard and picking flowers for his mom from my garden, which is right on the border of our two lawns. She always laughs and says how sweet it is when he hands them to her, but I can’t help feeling frustrated. I’ve spent countless hours planting, watering and tending to those flowers, not to mention the money I’ve invested in making my garden something I’m proud of. At first, I tried to brush it off as an innocent gesture, but it’s been happening regularly, and now entire sections of my garden are looking sparse. I don’t think the boy realizes he’s doing anything wrong, but his mom certainly should. I want to say something before the season is ruined, but I also don’t want to come across as the cranky neighbor who scolds kids. How can I ask her to stop letting him pick my flowers while still being kind and neighborly? – Don’t Pick the Flowers DEAR DON’T PICK THE FLOWERS: The mistake you made was not saying something the first time. This child has no way of knowing what he did was wrong, and because you didn’t say anything, his mother may think that you don’t have a problem with him picking your flowers.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently got promoted at work, which I was really excited about until things got awkward with a close colleague of mine.
CLINTON’S HISTORY 10, 20, 30 AND 40 YEARS AGO