CLINTON’S HISTORY 10, 20, 30 AND 40 YEARS AGO
GORELOVKA, Georgia (AP) — A 10-year-old boy proudly stands beside his father and listens to the monotone chanting of elderly women clad in embroidered headscarves and long colorful skirts. It is Ilya's first time attending a night prayer meeting in Gorelovka, a tiny village in the South Caucasus nation of Georgia, and he is determined to follow the centuries-old hymns that have been passed down through the generations.
CONCORD, N.H. (RNS) — As pet lovers gathered in a church garden here with dogs and photographs for the annual Blessing of the Animals, they were greeted with an assurance unlike any in years past.
Dear Doctors: I was in a car accident, and an X-ray showed I had two broken ribs. A second X-ray taken a month later showed I also had a cracked rib.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have recently transitioned into a new role that has me working in an open office layout. While I appreciate the collaborative environment and the opportunity to interact with my colleagues, I have been struggling with distractions and noise that make it difficult for me to focus on my tasks effectively. I have tried using noisecanceling headphones to block out some of the distractions, but it hasn’t been entirely effective in creating an environment that is conducive to work. I find myself unable to concentrate on my tasks, which is impacting my productivity. I want to address this issue with my team or management in a constructive manner, but I am concerned about coming across as complaining or causing any tension in the office. Can you provide me with some guidance on how to communicate my concerns about the open office distractions without creating any negative perceptions? – Open Office Distraction DEAR OPEN OFFICE DISTRACTION: Talk to your supervisor and describe the challenges you have been having with concentration and productivity. Ask for support so that you can do your job better. Some suggestions you can offer include asking if there is an area in your office that is tucked away from others where you could move. While it may still be out in the open, if it is on the perimeter, that may help you. Suggest being allowed to work from home when you have a looming deadline or other project that is essential and time-sensitive. You can also request the use of a conference room for a few hours per day to carve out quiet time to get things done.
The fundamental problem with Kamala Harris’ campaign promises is that she has served as vice president of the United States for nearly four years. All those things she is out on the campaign trail pledging to do – well, what has she been doing since Jan. 20, 2021? “She just started by saying she’s going to do this, she’s going to do that, she’s going to do all these wonderful things,” former President Donald Trump said at the debate with Harris last month. “Why hasn’t she done it? She’s been there for 3 1/2 years.”
ASK THE DOCTORS
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m at a crossroads in my relationship with my boyfriend. We’ve been together for several years, and for the most part, our relationship has been strong and loving. We’ve talked about our future together many times, and I’ve always pictured us getting married, building a life and starting a family. However, a recent conversation about marriage has left me feeling unsure. My boyfriend has told me that he would only consider marrying me if I converted to Judaism. I was raised Christian. While I have a lot of respect for his beliefs and the traditions he values, I don’t feel comfortable converting to another religion just to meet his expectations. I’ve tried to express my feelings to him, explaining that I love him and want to find a way for us to be together without having to sacrifice such a core part of who I am. However, he seems firm in his stance, saying that marrying outside of his faith isn’t something he’s willing to do. This has left me feeling torn because I don’t want to lose him, but I also don’t want to compromise my beliefs and values. Should I break up with him over this? – A Way Forward DEAR A WAY FORWARD: Sadly, couples often wait to talk about basic values late in their relationships even though things like religion are a key to their future together. For many followers of the Jewish faith, children are not Jewish unless their mother is Jewish, which is likely why your boyfriend is so adamant about you converting. He has made his stance clear. It is unlikely that he will change his mind, and if he does, he will likely resent you. If you are unwilling to convert to Judaism, he is showing you to the door. Free yourself to find a partner who accepts you for who you are.
Odds are I won’t have to deal with it: the latest thing men are doing wrong according to the (largely female) writers of The Washington Post’s Well+Being: Healthy Living articles.
• While we know filtered water is good for drinking, have you thought about it for your pet goldfish? Tap water can have high levels of chlorine and ammonia, which is often used in water treatment plants. This can affect the PH levels of the water, which affects the quality of living for fish. So using filtered water in fish tanks can go a long way toward giving our aquatic friends a healthy, long and happy life.