Dear Doctors: Our local news is full of stories about West Nile virus.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m feeling really hurt and confused about a situation with a close friend of mine. We were close before we both moved to new cities. Since then, I’ve noticed that my friend never returns my calls or texts anymore. I’ve tried reaching out multiple times, leaving voicemails, sending texts and writing emails, but I rarely get a response. When I do hear back, it’s often brief and doesn’t lead to any meaningful conversation. This has left me feeling abandoned and wondering if I’ve done something wrong.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I moved to Chicago this summer, and while I’m enjoying the new environment and opportunities, I’m facing a bit of a dilemma. I’ve managed to make some friends so far, but I haven’t formed any super-close connections yet. It’s been great getting to know new people, but these relationships are still in the early stages.
• Buying antiques or vintage items to furnish your home is both a stylish and ecofriendly way to decorate. But extra care needs to be taken if you display any leaded-glass products. Items like candlesticks, vases and leaded stained glass decorative items are fine to use, but just be sure to keep them dust-free.
You do know that Donald Trump has never won a majority of the votes in any election, right? Hillary Clinton got 3.5 million more votes than Trump in 2016; Joe Biden beat him by 7 million in 2020.
In 1834, Britain abolished slavery in all of its colonies.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m a 20-year-old who has been in a relationship for two years. My boyfriend has always been supportive and follows my lead in many aspects of our lives together, from the food we order to the places we visit. He even chose to attend the same college as me because he does not know what he wants yet. Initially, I appreciated his consideration for my preferences, but things clicked into place when I met his family. In his household, his mother is the breadwinner, and his father defers to her for all major decisions. She controls the finances, and everyone seeks her permission for everything. The possibility of that being my future makes me feel exhausted already.
Dear Doctors: I saw there’s a new study saying that heat therapy can be good for depression. Do you know if this is true? My husband’s family is from Norway, and they swear that using their sauna helps them to not get depressed during the long and dark winters they have there.
The still-life watercolor of a now-late political season suddenly has changed.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently moved out of my parents’ house to rent my own place. My decision was partly influenced by my father’s obsessivecompulsive disorder, which has become increasingly difficult for me to handle. My mother has lived in a different state for her work for a year now, and I am an only child. While I know he can manage on his own, I feel guilty and conflicted about leaving him alone. His behavior – such as constantly checking things and insisting on specific routines – has worn me down over the years, not to mention his extreme anger when things do not go his way.