ArcaMax

Dear Eric: My coworker has been wearing sleeveless summer tops and dresses recently. She looks so cute in all of her outfits. Although her daily wear slams, it is her hairy armpits that causes everyone in the workplace to cringe. The armpit hair is not straight. It is short and kinky which is a turn off to me.

Her job description calls for her ...Read more

Dear Eric: My hubby and I are in our late 60s. Starting in our 30s, we had a large group of friends, with whom we spent many fun weekends together. It was so much fun, and we all treasure those days. All wonderful people, or so we thought.

A few years ago, it came out that one of our dearest friends had an affair with another dear friend’s ...Read more

Dear Eric: As kids we went to the cemeteries with our parents and grandparents every year before Memorial Day. There are three cemeteries with family members, and I remember all of us working on each plot every year – planting flowers, digging, weeding then going out for lunch. All this takes preparation then daily/weekly care.

Now our ...Read more

Dear Eric: I am a woman in my 60s with six siblings. Our parents are in their early 90s and have raised us to be thoughtful and respectful. Many of my siblings are female and have always gotten along famously, traveling together on girls’ trips and seeing each other for holidays and family celebrations.

In the past few years, it seems I’ve ...Read more

Dear Eric: I have a good friend with whom I get together maybe twice a month or so. We disagree politically, sometimes passionately, but always end our conversation by telling each other that we are still friends and still love and respect each other.

A few months ago, her daughter got engaged, and when my friend shared this news, she said that...Read more

Dear Eric: Summer months are upon us and most students will soon be heading home from college for their vacations, except mine. Every summer since starting college they have worked a summer job that required them to live on-site, a couple hours’ drive away from home.

This year, because that seasonal position was eliminated, they have found a ...Read more

Dear Eric: I am in my 70s so I should know better. Almost two years ago I had to put my 13-year-old Yorkshire Terrier named Shorty to sleep. This broke my heart.

Within a couple of months, I decided to get another dog, this time a Gold Dust Yorkie named Buddy. I realize now this was such a big mistake. I should not have done this so quickly.

...Read more

Dear Eric: I have three adult children. About three years ago there was an issue, and my oldest, Doug, and middle, Linda, disrespected each other. It wasn't a small issue, but (in my and my wife's opinion) it wasn't a huge offense.

Neither will apologize. They refuse to speak to each other.

We have tried many ways to try and bridge the gap, to...Read more

Dear Eric: I have a friend of several decades and recently learned she is a hoarder. We always met outside our homes for coffee or lunch. I just assumed it was more convenient.

A few months ago, she texted to tell me she's been embarrassed for me to find out her "secret". She also asked me for help. I was thrilled and offered to help, but she ...Read more

Dear Eric: My sister suffers from alcoholism and drug addiction from way back. I am the exact opposite of her in almost every way – rarely drink, never do drugs. She perceives me to be a “goody-two-shoes,” and I was given a nickname of “miss maturity” by her and other siblings. It was not a positive nickname.

She is my only sister. I ...Read more

Dear Eric: I’m married with four kids and have a sizable extended family. One son, who is in seventh grade, runs track and finished the season with personal records in his events, which also happen to place second in his school’s all-time best records.

I sent out a family text to all of our extended family raving about his achievements. ...Read more

Dear Eric: Via complete happenstance I have recently become aware of my oldest friend's death about a year ago. Mary and I grew up across the street from one another in the ’60s and ’70s. I played with her and with her older brother as kids, and our families were close.

She had been my friend for about 60 years.

I have been desperate to ...Read more

Dear Eric: We live in the same town as my son's family. He and his wife have two little boys. Our daughter-in-law's parents have many nice homes, including a local condo.

Her mother takes charge and makes plans for every holiday unless she's traveling. And we are never invited, despite our invites to them whenever we've squeezed in some plans. ...Read more

Dear Eric: My husband and I have been estranged from our 17-year-old granddaughter for eight years. We were loving, supportive grandparents but after the mother of our granddaughter broke up with our son, the father, she stopped our granddaughter from seeing us as well.

For eight years, I have tried to keep contact with our granddaughter with ...Read more

Dear Eric: I am planning a getaway with my best friend from grade school. We live in different parts of the United States but keep in touch and see each other when we can. We want to celebrate each of us turning 60 this year by going to a Caribbean destination for a few days. My husband of more than 30 years is not a beach person, so he’s glad...Read more

Dear Eric: Since retiring, some friends have put together a band. I went to one of their gigs a couple years ago, and recently a practice session.

They would clearly like me to go to more, or all, of their gigs. The gigs are typically at night, an hour from where I live. I am a morning person. After years of commuting, I am happy to drive as ...Read more

Dear Eric: My daughter Tess turned 40 years old last month. Hard to believe how time flies. My husband and I took her and her husband, Mack, and two children out for dinner on her birthday as we always do every year. A few weeks before this, Mack asked my husband if we would babysit on a day after the birthday dinner. My husband told me that ...Read more

Dear Eric: A friend of mine is a lovely woman, and a real animal lover. The problem is that she lives near some woods and feeds the wild animals that come to her yard. I'm not talking about just putting out a bird feeder, but she feeds opossums, raccoons, deer and other creatures, and gets a lot of pleasure out of doing so. It is not recommended...Read more

Dear Eric: My husband has a rocky past with his family. He is close with one sister and doesn't enjoy being with the other ("Lisa"), especially since she started dating (now married) a guy that is very awkward and makes our family get-togethers much less fun.

Additionally, their mother "Betsy" has been cut out of our lives, but not Lisa's. ...Read more

Dear Eric: We live in big city where houses are very close together. My neighbors keep their trash bins in the driveway close to my front and side doors. They have three dogs, and the bin banging begins early, sometimes before seven in the morning.

My living room and kitchen are right next to their driveway, so I hear banging from trash lids ...Read more