The caseworker with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services was giddy with a mixture of elation and disbelief. 'The whole town. The whole town wants kids now!'
After he decided to kick heroin, the young Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tried to think about daily life in a totally different way.
30 YEARS AGO
Hello again, dear readers, and welcome to our monthly letters column. Even before the official start of summer, much of the U.S. was facing excessive heat, and it hasn’t let up as we’ve passed Independence Day. Whenever temperatures spike, please take care. Limit outdoor or strenuous activities, and stay hydrated.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m reaching out for your advice regarding my elderly neighbor, “Mrs. Thompson.” Over the years, we’ve developed a good connection, and I’ve gladly assisted her with tasks like fetching her mail and running occasional errands. However, Mrs. Thompson has been increasingly dependent on me for these tasks.
On June 4, the Wall Street Journal published a story headlined, “Behind Closed Doors, Biden Shows Signs of Slipping.” Based on interviews with 45 people, the article reported that associates described President Joe Biden as showing signs of age, “a president who appears slower now, someone who has both good moments and bad ones.”
Dear Doctors: Our 3-year-old daughter almost drowned when she fell into a neighbor’s pool last summer. She’s going to be OK, but she is still facing some medical problems. This has made us aware that water safety is actually a health issue. We hope you might address this in an upcoming column.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a housewife and mother of nine children, ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Yesterday, my husband told me he wants a divorce. He says he no longer loves me and believes we should part ways. I have to face the reality of supporting our large family on my own. He proposes splitting custody of the children, but I have no clue how I am going to manage financially when the children are with me. I understand that child support will help, but it won’t cover the high cost of raising nine children, especially considering their varying needs, such as education, clothing, food and extracurricular activities.
• Yes, you should be washing your dog’s water and food bowl every day. Just like your own dishes, a dirty bowl can be a breeding ground for illness-causing microbes. So use very hot, soapy water and scrub with a sponge to get the bowl clean.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a close group of six friends. “Jane” has always been tight on money, and we’ve often covered her expenses without much fuss, since the other five chip in.