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Shopping With Security

Dear Heloise: It’s peak holiday shopping season. The stores may not be as crowded as they were in years past, due to the global pandemic of COVID, but we are still shopping. What are some hints you can share with your readers for safety in the big-box retail stores? My favorite hint is to buckle my handbag into my shopping basket so no one can reach in and grab it; I also keep the bag’s zipper closed. — Helen T. in Texas Great hint, Helen. Be aware. Pickpockets often work in teams of two or three. One person may ask you a question or bump into you or your shopping cart to ...

Man Says Machismo Made Him Give In to Divorce Demand

DEAR ABBY: I was married to my wife for 29 years, and I have now been divorced for two. I have tried to move on, but I can’t because I still love her. She initiated the divorce because she thought I cheated on her. I didn’t fight her because I was too macho. I don’t know if I miss her or feel sorry for myself because I haven’t been with a woman in more than two years. I’m attracted to women who are at least 15 years younger than me or who are married. I have been on two dating sites for almost a year and even moved back to the state where my ex-wife lives hoping that one ...

No Phones On First Dates

Today’s Sound Off: Put down your cellphone: Dear Heloise: This evening I had a date with a young man who is up and coming in his profession. But this first date is also the last date I’ll have with him. So what’s wrong? Every few minutes his phone would ring, and none of the calls were business-related or emergencies. He’d chat away as if I weren’t there, and by the end of the evening I realized he never actually had a conversation with me. You might tell your readers that whether male or female, when you’re on a date, put your cellphone away. Your date is not impressed, ...

Man Lets Special Anniversary Pass Without Any Celebration

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my husband 25 years as of today. (We’ve been a couple for 32 years.) He has done absolutely nothing to commemorate this. I reminded him months ago to save for something because it was very important to me. My friends would have happily helped him do something. Every year it’s the same old nothing. He asked me to remind him and I did, but it made no difference. Same with my birthday. Yes, we have been in better positions financially than now. But if something was important to him, he always saved for it. I have money put away we could have used, ...

Dark Meat Vs. Light Meat

Dear Heloise: I enjoy reading your column every week. Always find hints. Well, I have one question I hope you can help me with. Do you know why almost every chicken recipe uses dark meat? I don’t like dark meat. Do I just substitute white for dark and not cook as long? — Lynda R., Oxnard, Calif. Lynda, there are many recipes using the light meat of chicken, but if you want to substitute the white meat for the dark, please remember that dark meat has more connective tissue, which requires a longer cooking time. Other than that, I see no reason why you shouldn’t use a white meat ...

Man Wonders If Larger House Could Signal Bigger Problem

DEAR ABBY: My fiancee, “Diane,” and her two sons live in a nice home. I also have a nice home, newly constructed. It’s located 1,200 miles away, near my parents, my son and my job. Diane currently has no job nor family within 500 miles of her town. Her boys’ father (whom she shares custody with) lives within 50 miles of me. My job and the custody arrangement for my son preclude me from living where Diane does. Together, she and I would have three sons. The spacious five-bedroom house I own is more than adequate. Diane has made clear that if I sell my home and buy my ...