Dear Doctors: My roommates are vegetarians, and they eat a lot of those plant-based burgers that look like real beef. I have read the labels, and they have tons of ingredients, some that I can’t pronounce. Isn’t this an ultra-processed food? Are any of them are actually good for you?
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 21-year-old woman, and I am feeling increasingly stressed and overwhelmed about my parents’ low savings. Over the past few years, my mom and dad have been making it known to me and my siblings that they have very little savings and are unsure if they will ever be able to retire. This revelation has created a significant amount of anxiety and pressure for all of us.
DEAR HARRIETTE: Am I unreasonable for expecting my daughter to take her dog with her after she graduates from college? When my daughter was in fifth grade, she really wanted a dog. I wasn’t particularly keen on the idea, but she was persistent. She promised to take care of him, and I gave in. We got a Pomeranian, and he’s been with us ever since. He’s about 12 years old now and could live for another five years or more. Caring for him has been a lot of work, and as time has passed, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to keep up with his needs. I was looking forward to my daughter taking over his care once she graduated from college. However, she has recently told me that she doesn’t want to take him with her to San Francisco. Her reasons are understandable: She’ll be working around 70 hours a week and living in a small apartment without the large yard he’s used to here in Wisconsin. She worries that she won’t have the time or the space to give him the quality of life he’s accustomed to. While I understand her concerns, I feel frustrated. – Long-Term Doggy Care DEAR LONG-TERM DOGGY CARE: Sadly, you are stuck with this dog. In a way, you knew that when you agreed to get him years ago. It may seem unfair, but you accepted responsibility for this animal the moment it entered your house. It would be an unkindness to the dog if you were to send him off to live in the cramped, lonely conditions he would have to endure in San Francisco.
Here’s my question: Is there anybody in the Republican Party with the presence of mind and the political courage to imitate the Democrats? Persuading Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race was difficult and painful for all concerned. Particularly for Biden himself.
• We all know we’re supposed to turn off the lights when we leave a room. But no matter how many times you ask people in your household to do it, they leave them on. Consider investing in an easy-to-install home-occupancy sensor. It’s set up by the door and tracks the entries and exits. It’s smart enough to know how many people are in a room, and if there are no people, it automatically turns off the lights. Over time, it can save up to 30% of your electricity costs.
The emphasis the two major presidential campaigns are putting on swing states understates the playing field for the 2024 election. It’s the swing voters inside the swing states that matter.
As Kamala Harris energizes the Democratic base and rises in the polls, two numbers signal how difficult her task really is: One is 66, the other is 188.
I’ve been waiting a long time for my book, “Loon Point,” to sell.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ve been dating my partner, “Harper,” for over a year, and we have a strong and supportive relationship. On her birthday, Harper expressed her desire to take a yearlong sabbatical to travel and pursue personal interests, which has been a longheld dream of hers. While I fully support Harper’s decision, I’m concerned about how this extended separation might affect our relationship. We’ve always been close, and the idea of being apart for a whole year is challenging for me. Additionally, my job responsibilities might prevent me from visiting her frequently during this time. How can I best support her plans when my own concerns are overshadowing my thoughts? Can we still maintain our connection and keep our relationship healthy during this period?
CLINTON DAILY NEWS EDITORIAL