Columns

Friend Lets Woman Take the Fall for Her Divorce

DEAR ABBY: “Darlene” and I have been friends for 40 years. She moved to Arizona with me in the ‘80s from Michigan. Her boyfriend drove out and convinced her to return to Michigan and get married, which she did, but she’s always hated Michigan. She raised two girls. I was always called “Aunt” and was considered close. Years passed and the marriage was struggling. I invited Darlene to come and visit to get away for a bit. She fell right back in love with Arizona. She expressed her unhappiness in the marriage, and I told her that if she ever needed a place to stay, she could ...

COVID-19 Is No Reason to Skip New Shingles Vaccination

DEAR DR. ROACH: Is there any risk starting the two-step process for the new shingles vaccine given the COVID-19 virus? My husband had the original shingles vaccine, and he has also contracted shingles. Should he get the new vaccine? He doesn’t believe it is necessary. — L.M. ANSWER: Several people have asked whether the new shingles vaccine makes it more likely to get COVID-19. There is no evidence that it does, and I don’t see any reason it should. Vaccines stimulate the immune system to become active against a specific target — in this case, the varicella-zoster virus, which ...

New Feelings For Longtime Friend Are Not Reciprocated

DEAR ABBY: My longtime friend “Bonnie” and I have been reconnecting during COVID, mostly via text and video chatting. She’s recently moved back to my area (she’s in the military), so we spent a weekend together helping her move in. It was exhausting and stressful, and her drinking concerned me. I know drinking is prevalent in the military, and as a relatively high-ranking officer, she’s under a lot of pressure all the time. I’m more aware of it because my sister is a recovering addict. I’m a queer lady. Bonnie is gay, and over the last couple months I’ve been nursing a ...

Cookies from Cake Mix

Dear Heloise: I love your cookies from a cake mix recipe, but I no longer have it in my recipe file. Would you repeat it so I can whip up a batch of those delicious cookies? — Katherine in Colorado Katherine, this is one of my most requested recipes. You’ll need: 1 box cake mix (any flavor you like) 2 eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil Pre-heat the oven to 350 F. Mix ONLY the above ingredients in a large bowl until blended. Drop the batter by spoonsful onto an UNGREASED baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Put the baking sheet on the middle rack and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. You ...

Heartbreak Awaits Sons When Dad Is Released From Jail

DEAR ABBY: Three years ago, I found out my husband had sexually abused one of his nieces. He took a lie detector test, failed it and confessed. Learning the truth was devastating, and I felt like a fool for having believed him. We have two children together, both teenage boys. I had to give my boys the bad news about what their father had done and the reason I could no longer be with him. He had to move out because he was restricted from being with minors. There were so many changes. Then came the news that their father was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison. I was ...

Family Breadwinner Gives Good Health Short Shrift

DEAR ABBY: I have a wonderful husband of almost 20 years and two teenage children. My husband is incredibly hardworking in his stressful career and has provided a very comfortable life for us. The trouble is, he puts work ahead of any self-care. He works most waking hours, doesn’t eat well, exercises rarely, is overweight — the list goes on. When I ask/encourage/nag him to make positive lifestyle choices, he reminds me of the life insurance he has and turns it around on me and says I am stressing him. Abby, I love my husband, and I worry that this will cut his life and our life ...