Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the monthly letters column. We hope everyone is recovering from the lost hour in the daylight-saving annual time shift. Speaking of which, we have had several letters asking about any physical drawbacks to permanent Daylight Saving Time, an idea that has been floated but not enacted into law. There is interesting research on the topic that we will explore in an upcoming column. And now, onward to your letters.
SEBASTIAN, Fla. – Was Florida whispering? Was Wisconsin shouting? Suddenly these two questions, rooted in states that Donald Trump carried only five months ago, are at the forefront of American political discussion and calculation.
President Trump says he’s “not joking” about possibly running for a third term. But the Constitution clearly forbids such a move. So what’s going on?
Ihave decided the expression “she was nervous as a cat,” makes no sense. Our cat, Felix, is the least nervous creature I have ever lived with.
DEAR HARRIETTE: A woman at my job has been giving me hell. She works nonstop. She’s often sending emails at 9 p.m. or 4 a.m. – and she actually expects a response! Recently she chewed out one of my colleagues because she requested something at 6 a.m. and didn’t hear back until 8 a.m., which is still outside of our normal business hours. It may come as no surprise but, yes, she is single and a bit older. She has thrown her whole self into work and expects everybody else to do the same. Her team is made up of all kinds of people, from young people who are just starting their careers to single parents with young kids and other people who don’t necessarily put work over everything even though they do a good job. I’m worried that people may start to leave because of how she’s treating them. How can I give feedback to someone who is above me without having to worry about backlash? – Higher Rank DEAR HIGHER RANK: If you have a relationship with this person, you could pull her aside and ask her if you can share something sensitive with her. After getting her blessing, tell her that you have noticed that she works odd hours and has become known for expecting staffers to respond immediately, outside of regular office hours. Some team members are getting frustrated, and you worry that it is impacting their attitude and productivity. Let her take it from there.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently went to see a musical that I had been looking forward to for months. The theater was packed, and the performance was absolutely amazing. About halfway through the show, though, I realized I needed to use the restroom. I tried to hold it until intermission, but eventually I just couldn’t wait any longer. Since the theater was dark, I carefully made my way out of my row, trying not to disturb anyone, but as I was walking down the aisle, I didn’t see a small step in the dim lighting.
Over the weekend, the White House Correspondents’ Association abruptly canceled the performance of comedian Amber Ruffin, originally scheduled for the organization’s April 26 annual dinner. Once a celebrity-filled pageant of Washington journalists and politicians, the dinner has struggled to find equilibrium and meaning since the first election of President Donald Trump in 2016. Trump, the target of years of overwhelmingly hostile coverage from many of the dinner’s attendees, has never attended the event as president and does not plan to go this year.
Dear Doctors: I had a total hip replacement. I also have arthritis. It has made it hard to get back on my feet. My doctor is wanting me to try aquatic physical therapy. Is it all that different from the regular physical therapy I’ve already been doing? Why would it be more helpful?
Dear Doctors: I keep hearing about the complications that can happen when you have the measles and how they can land you in the hospital. I just saw on the news that getting the measles can mess up your immune system. I would like to know more about that.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I currently live with my boyfriend – in part because I have nowhere else to go. When we were first dating, I was living alone, but about two years into our relationship I lost my job, and my boyfriend graciously invited me to move in with him. At the time, it felt OK. I didn’t like being in a position of need, but that aside, things were going really well between us, so I felt OK with the change.