The trial of former President Donald Trump is heading toward a conclusion. For those who at the beginning thought the case was weak and politically motivated, the presentation of the prosecution’s evidence has made it seem even weaker and more politically motivated. A conviction will not change that.
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DEAR HARRIETTE: After giving birth to a healthy baby boy, I experienced weight gain due to health issues. My partner admitted that he no longer finds me attractive, and he suggested an open relationship. His suggestion has left me feeling hurt and insecure about my body. While I strive to understand his perspective, I find myself struggling with deep-seated fears. The thought of leaving him is enticing, but I don’t think I can handle it, particularly with a newborn baby in the picture. I’m not sure how to proceed. – First-Time Mom DEAR FIRST TIME MOM: Your partner is an impatient jerk who doesn’t deserve you.
The temptation is to raillery.
• It’s a DIY world, but here’s one task you should leave to the professionals: changing your car’s oil. If you do it yourself and have a spill, the used oil can contaminate up to 1 million gallons of fresh water. Motor oil is insoluble, contains heavy metals and is very slow to biodegrade. Even trace amounts (undetectable to the eye) are enough to make water unsafe. By taking your car to a trained professional, you know it will get the new motor oil it needs to function properly, and every last drop of used oil will get recycled and refined.
DEAR HARRIETTE: As summer approaches and another school year passes, my kids are now 11 and 13 years old. I can’t believe how fast time is going; it seems that just yesterday, they were babies. With each passing year, I’m increasingly aware of how precious these moments are, and I want to make the most of the time I have with them while they’re still young. As they grow older, I know they’ll become more independent and our family dynamic may change. Therefore, I’m seeking advice on how to create meaningful bonding experiences with my children during the summer months, as I only have so many summers left when they’ll be young enough to fully enjoy these moments together. During the school year, my children are so busy with extracurriculars that I feel like I hardly ever see them. What are some creative and engaging activities or outings that we can do as a family to create lasting memories? – Making Memories DEAR MAKING MEMORIES: Research fun summer activities in your area. These can include classics like botanical gardens, museums with exhibitions tailored to children their age or outdoor adventures like ziplining, rock climbing, canoeing, etc. Many of these activities are free or low-cost. The ones with a price can be figured into your summer budget. As you go on these adventures with your children, plan with them so that they are fully invested and excited. Consider allowing them to invite friends to join some of your exploits. By all means, document what you do. Take pictures. Make postcards to send to the grandparents. Do things in the aftermath that require all of you to pause and remember the experience you just had. Put those memories into a scrapbook that you can revisit in the future.
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DEAR HARRIETTE: I would love some advice on how not to feel behind in life compared to my friends. I am going into my last year of college, and all my friends are doing things to take steps toward their careers. One friend is off to New York City and another to Dallas, both to work in finance. Two of my friends graduated a year early and are taking gap years before applying to medical school. Lastly, my best friend is doing mathematics research at a prestigious university. I, however, have nothing: no internship or research project.
No one wanted a reprise of the childish Capitol Hill drama over a Senate bill meant to crack down on illegal border crossings, but we’re getting one anyway. Democrats are reviving a bill that would make it tougher to apply for asylum and that would add more border protection staff. The bill was the product of a bipartisan deal earlier this year — bipartisan, that is, until Donald Trump decided it wouldn’t help his presidential campaign, leaving the GOP to torpedo its own work.
Joe Biden and Donald Trump have agreed to debate twice – on CNN in June, then on ABC in September. Both think they can win, or at least gain an advantage over the other. But both can’t be right.