ArcaMax

Dear Readers: This week, many Christians around the world observe Palm Sunday, the day that begins Holy Week. In the biblical story, crowds gathered along the road to welcome Jesus Christ as he entered Jerusalem. They waved palm branches and laid them on the path before him, celebrating with hope and joy.

Palm branches were symbols of peace ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have fallen out with my best friend of 20 years, and I'm not sure how to proceed. A few years ago, she started a new job and became too busy for chats or to catch up. However, whenever we do manage to chat or catch up, she wades in with advice and suggestions about what I "need" to do to improve my situation.

I'm recently separated...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been on the dating scene for quite some time now, and the rumors are true -- no one is perfect. It's been a harrowing few years since my last relationship, and I've tried blind dates, the apps, meeting friends of a friend, you know the deal. I finally met someone the good old-fashioned way: on accident, in person, at church....Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I recently lost a significant amount of weight -- enough that I had to go buy all new clothes. I know a young lady who doesn't have any money, and she is about the size I was before. I think she could probably use my old clothes, but I can't bring myself to ask her.

Is it rude to basically say, "I'm skinny now and don't need ...Read more

Dear Annie: This situation has been bothering me for four years and is much more complicated, but I'll try to be brief. I'm a horticulturist and plant collector and have lived in my home for 38 years. I've put my extra time and money into my perennial flower beds, and some of the plants in my collection are worth as much as $200.

Whenever my ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Six months ago, I started spending time with a woman I knew casually for about a year following her traumatic breakup with her ex-boyfriend. At first, we were just friends, but it quickly progressed as we opened up and shared everything about ourselves with each other. She continued insisting we were "just friends" and went out with ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: As I get older, I feel like I am becoming invisible to all men. I don't want to sound as if I'm a "pick-me girl," as my daughters say, but it's been difficult. I have been divorced for two years, and I'm trying to put myself out there, but it seems like men are only interested in younger women, not 50-year-old divorcees with kids...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We have a recurring monthly dinner date with another couple at restaurants mutually agreed on. She is a vegan zealot, and this was not a problem until she converted her husband, who previously considered deli meat eaten over the sink to be a delicacy.

Problem is, he is a vegan in theory only, as the only vegan foods he likes ...Read more

Dear Annie: My best friend of 22 years recently started dating a man who "doesn't believe in marriage." She's 41, has always wanted children and froze her eggs at 38. He's 45, divorced twice and says labels are "a social construct."

They've been together eight months. She sold her condo and moved into his house -- which is solely in his name ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My wife is having an affair with an old flame from when she was in high school. He was just released from prison after serving time for murder. I have forgiven her, but I told her to stop the contact. She said she'd rather divorce me than do that; I would have to live with what's going on. I love my wife, so I compromise for now.

She...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I recently moved from Seattle to Dallas to be closer to his family. It has been nice because they have helped out a lot with our two younger daughters, but I am not happy here. I am far from my family, and I had to take a salary cut to move to Dallas. When we made the decision to move, it felt practical. Child care...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My in-laws and I are opposites on a cellular level when it comes to hosting. It ends up making me feel uncomfortable every time we get together, even if it's just for very small, informal family gatherings.

I was taught to set a date and time and let invitees know in advance. The host chooses the menu, and the guests may ...Read more

Dear Annie: My younger sister is turning 30 and has planned a birthday dinner at a trendy rooftop restaurant where the tasting menu is $165 per person -- not including drinks, tax or tip. She also wants us to split the cost of a professional photographer "to capture the moment for all of us."

I want to celebrate, and the dinner does sound fun...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My favorite aunt was dying. Her daughter is my favorite cousin, so I texted her almost every day with encouragement. When the doctor said the end was near, I backed off messaging to give the family space to themselves.

Thirteen days later, I received a text with a photograph of my aunt's grave. Ensuing texts and phone calls indicated...Read more

You can commune with God-as-you-perceive-him while you're out walking or riding in a car -- anytime the need surfaces. Out of that fundamental craving for connection comes a deeper hunger to go beyond known boundaries and reach a level higher than human.

That hunger, which I call churchness, draws some people toward one another, and their ...Read more