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Save Those Jars

Dear Heloise: When I am finished with a jar containing spaghetti sauce, olives or another food product, I wash it out, remove the label, rinse and dry. I have a small box of clean jars to put flowers in to deliver to my friends or people in care centers. They do not have to worry about returning the “vase.” I recycle the lids rather than throwing them in the trash. Some lids can be used for spoon holders while cooking or for other messy activities. — Pat Rittscher, Webster City, Iowa NANA DOGS Dear Heloise: I had to write and tell you that my favorite thing to do with leftover ...

Wife Looks for Words to Heal Man Cut Down By His Mother

DEAR ABBY: My husband’s mother recently told him he no longer matters to her because he is an atheist. His mother is supposedly a Christian, but she rarely acts like one. It has left my husband devastated and feeling more lonely than ever. I can’t find the right words to comfort him when he’s going through something I haven’t got a clue about. How do I empathize with him to let him know he did nothing wrong and that he never deserved to have those words thrown at him by his own mother? It infuriates me, but I don’t think it would be right for me to step in and talk to her ...

Care Bags

Dear Readers: In tough economic times, it’s not uncommon to see people who may be down on their luck and out on the street asking for money. It can put you in a tough spot — you don’t want to see someone go hungry, but at the same time, you don’t want to give them cash. Here’s a great way to help people who are genuinely in need, especially those who ask for help at traffic lights or near shopping centers. Put together care bags. They can be a gallon-size plastic bag that can contain a granola bar, potted meat, peanut butter crackers, toothpaste, toothbrush, gloves in ...

Man Pines For Wife Who Left Without Giving An Explanation

DEAR ABBY: My wife left me a little over two years ago, and I can’t seem to get over it. All she said was that we had an “emotional disconnect.” I don’t believe she was unfaithful. All I can think about is being with her, and I cringe if I think about her being with someone else. I’m a professional with a good career and pension, and I have been approached by some nice women who would like to date. How can I get over my feelings for my ex? — LONELY IN THE PLAINS DEAR LONELY: Have you been getting out and participating in leisure activities since your wife left? That would ...

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

Today’s Sound Off is about irresponsible neighbors: Dear Heloise: Last week my neighbor’s three large dogs tore down a section of my fence in the backyard. I brought this to the attention of my neighbor, who said he’d fix it. He took a rusted piece of tin and nailed it to the fence on his side. I spent a considerable amount of money having the fence put up, and now I have a large section of my fence covered in rusted tin. I plan to have it fixed on my side, but I think my neighbor should be financially responsible for at least half, if not all, of the repairs. — Grace in ...

Down-in-His Luck Roommate Turns Out to Be A Hoarder

DEAR ABBY: Last month, I found out a friend of mine was going to be living out of his van. I couldn’t let him do that, so I offered him my second bedroom and put him on the lease. He told me Uber doesn’t pay much, and he couldn’t afford half the $1,700-a-month rent, so we agreed he would pay what he could, roughly $200-$300 of the $1,700. I said it was OK because I didn’t take him in for money purposes. I did it to help a friend in need, and I had spare space. I quickly found out that he’s a hoarder. His entire bedroom is full of his boxes of stuff (manga, anime, books, ...