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Young Man Debates Merits of Keeping His Virginity

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 28-year-old male who is still a virgin. I always wanted to be intimate with a virgin female for my first time, but I have never met one. I’ve had opportunities for sex but refrained because she wasn’t a virgin. The older I have gotten, the harder it has become to achieve my dream of being someone’s first and sharing this wonderful experience together. I doubt there are any virgin females my age left. I know I have missed out on an important aspect of life that so many others have had. Should I start dating younger women, or let go of my fairy-tale first-time ...

Hard Sugar

Dear Heloise: When my brown sugar turned into hard lumps, I put it in the microwave and it softened, temporarily. I decided to put the hardened sugar in plastic resealable bowls with lids, and surprise! It softened right up and was ready to use. — Anna in New York ONE-POT CHICKEN Dear Heloise: I’m looking for an easy, all-in-one chicken recipe. Do you have one I can try? — Gayle in Tennessee Gayle, I have one that is a favorite with my readers. Here it is. You’ll need: 1 teaspoon oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup diced potato (1/2-inch cubes) 1 clove garlic, minced 1 ...

CDC Office Protocols

Dear Readers: The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused now-reopened businesses to rethink office space. What changes should be made, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)? Let’s take a look: * Desks and chairs are 6 feet apart, per social distancing protocols. * Employees’ work schedules are staggered so they are working different hours. * Employees must wash their hands frequently. * Cloth face coverings are a must. * Kitchen or snack areas cannot be shared. * Temperature checks are required of all employees, and anyone with symptoms ...

Dad’s ‘Tall Tales’ Come Up Ever Shorter on the Truth

DEAR ABBY: My father, who is in his 60s, has always been a storyteller, but since retirement his tales have gotten longer, and so has his nose. I suspect he’s concerned about his waning influence in the world and that’s why he puffs himself up. He tells people he has academic degrees he hasn’t earned, takes credit for coining phrases that predated him and claims the hero role in events he couldn’t possibly have participated in. Most of the time I let it go. But sometimes he starts spouting “facts” that are not only untrue but also potentially harmful, or he takes credit ...

Political Antiques — Winners Every Time!

Though politics seem divisive at the moment, in the world of antiques, elections offer a way to get together and have some fun. History buffs, party activists and collectors of all ages enjoy reminders of hard-fought races and meaningful issues in our political past. This year’s candidates offer a first, too, as Kamala Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman to be a major party's vice presidential nominee. Political buttons, banners, trinkets and advertising items are important parts of the American story. Political pins like we know today have been around since ...

To Keep Or Let Go

I should have known better. The other evening, my husband and I ventured into the basement to search for a particular box of items. Descending the stairs into the cool block basement my head began to swim. I don’t know why so much of 46 years of togetherness ends up in boxes in the basement. While it is somewhat organized, the box we sought eluded us. This is after a long search of opening unmarked boxes. Here’s where I should have known better. As I opened a dusty box, a wave of nostalgia came over me. While it was not the box we were looking for, it held a treasure trove of ...