samhexum

Gee, when I have taken part in discussions with groups of five in my life, people have always waited their turns, then raised their hands and waited to be called on before speaking. While drinking tea and eating watercress sandwiches, of course!

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Dear Abby: We adopted our daughter, “Opal,” at the age of 2. She is 6 now. Opal lived with us off and on as a newborn, but by age 1, she lived permanently with us. We live in a small community, so everyone knows everyone. Opal lived with her biological mom prior to adoption. We tried to allow interaction between them with certain rules in place. However, Opal was recently permitted to spend two hours with her biological mother at a party for a sibling. Opal asked to come back home, so she was dropped off. I later found out her bio mom told her she gave birth to her so SHE is her REAL mother. We never hid the adoption from Opal. We speak about it in a way that isn’t negative or hurtful. Since this happened, Opal has reverted to being clingy and wakes up with that conversation on her mind. How do I address this with her bio mom and with our daughter? — Really Mom in Kentucky Dear Really Mom: First address this with your daughter. Explain that when her bio mom gave birth to her, she was unable to keep her, so she gave her to you to raise. Tell Opal you love her, she fills your heart with joy every day and that you, unlike her bio mom, will be there for her every day of your life. Then, tell the woman who gave up your daughter that you had planned to tell Opal about the adoption when she was a little older, that she bungled the situation and that, for the foreseeable future, you want her to stay away and not further traumatize Opal IF SHE DOESN’T IMMEDIATELY MOVE TO ANOTHER STATE, YOU WILL KILL HER. Dear Abby: I have been married to my husband for 34 years. Seven years ago, we retired to a little town on the Oregon coast. I love the ocean and the area we are living in. There is so much to explore. I’m writing because, since the pandemic, my husband has changed. He is addicted to the news 24/7. If I say anything to him about it, he gets defensive and says, “I told you when I retire I’m going to sit in my recliner and watch TV,” but I didn’t take him literally. I’m going crazy. I leave, take my camera and go, but I can’t do that 24/7. We have dogs to take care of. I had no idea retirement was going to be so hard. I volunteered at the dog kennel but had to quit because I hurt my shoulder. Please help me to cope or suggest how I can approach him without getting my head bitten off. — Frustrated in Oregon Dear Frustrated: Your husband may be hooked on the adrenaline rush he gets from watching the news or be using it as an escape. Whatever his reason, for the sake of your sanity, you must find more activities and friendships to fill the empty space he once occupied in your life. FIND A MAN WHO WILL MASSAGE YOUR INJURED SHOULDER AND GET LAID.

Statue of Greek god uncovered during excavation of ancient Roman sewer The statue was a Roman copy of an ancient Greek original. Not bad for a god... not bad at all!

Grew up a Yankee fan in Massachusetts

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Dear Abby: We have five grandchildren. All but one call me MeeMaw. I’ve been MeeMaw since my first grandchild was born 15 years ago. Four years ago, our third grandchild was born, and the fourth arrived the next month. This fourth grandchild was calling me MeeMaw until one day when she started calling me MeeMawMeeMaw, which my child’s spouse told me “started out of the blue.” It soon became apparent this grandchild was being told to do it. This is the first grandchild for her other grandmother, who has decided she is going to be called MeeMaw and I would not be. At first, I tried to let it go, but as time goes on, it’s really bothering me. It would have been fine for us both to be MeeMaw, but I think it’s wrong for someone to tell my grandchild they can’t call me what I’ve been called for many years and what all my other grandchildren call me. I don’t want to cause problems, but this is causing me great stress. What should I do, or how can I get through this? I have been given a nickname that I didn’t ask for and that I don’t like. — Renamed in New England Dear Renamed: Lady, you have FIVE grandchildren; the other grandmother has only ONE. If it’s important to her that this child calls only her MeeMaw, be generous. Let her have the honor. It won’t mean the child has less love for you. In the words of Shakespeare, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” P.S. “MeeMawMeeMaw” is quite a mouthful. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see that, in time, the kid will shorten it by one MeeMaw. KILL THE BITCH(ES) [your choice– the grandmother, your kid’s spouse, the grandkid, any two, or all three] Dear Abby: My daughter is graduating from college with a bachelor’s degree — a proud moment. I am divorced from her mother. Both her mother and I are invited to attend the ceremony, but she has not invited my current wife, whom she doesn’t like. She has stated that she has only a limited number of tickets and wants to invite her mom’s close relatives. This has put me in an uncomfortable position, as my wife feels left out and aggrieved. I can either insist to my daughter that she has to invite my wife or I won’t attend, or I can go, insisting to my wife that this is a significant moment in my daughter’s life and I need to be there. What should I do? — Conflicted in California Dear Conflicted: If your current wife had a hand in the demise of your marriage to your first wife, I can understand your daughter’s dislike of her. If it’s a personality conflict, she shouldn’t be shocked that she wasn’t invited. I agree with you that your daughter’s college graduation is a significant milestone. I understand why you feel the need to be there to celebrate it with her. Explain to your wife that you would like her to “be the bigger person” and send you off to the ceremony without adding to your problem. Then do what your heart tells you to do. Then consult a good divorce attorney; you’re gonna need one. Godspeed.

The most successful member of the Miranda family has tied the major league record with 12 consecutive hits. There was a hit by pitch mixed in among the streak, but that doesn't affect the record. Cousin Jose is now hitting .329. The whole world waits with bated breath, as he is coming to bat this inning... womp womp The streak ends at 12.

poetic... lyrical... understated... choose your adjective

Residents along portions of Wisconsin’s Little Wolf River were allowed to return home Friday, after authorities said the Manawa Dam was “compromised and has major damage,” prompting them to urge evacuations earlier in the day. Although water was seen flowing around and over the top of the dam, video from CNN affiliate WGBA showed, a later assessment found the dam to be “intact,” according to officials. A Facebook post late Friday from Manawa Police Chief Jason Severson said, “residents can return home,” and the “situation is stabilized” after officials raised concerns of the integrity of the dam. Due to wider flash flooding in the area, the city cautioned people against being on the roads. “Because of the amount of rain we are receiving that there will be flooding in the streets and yards,” the city said. “It is everywhere in the city.” “Vehicles are being flooded on the roads around the city,” the post read. “Union Street is Flooded. N. Bridge Street is Flooded. Beech Street is washed away. Howard Street is flooded. Industrial Drive is flooded.” Authorities warned residents not to drive through flooded areas and to refrain from wading through running water to avoid any possible contaminants. Manawa Police said they received reports of motorists being stranded, adding “First responders noticed land near the dam eroding.” “This is still an active situation,” Severson said. “I think the worst of it is over, so now we are going to start assessing things and seeing where we go from here.” The chief added though a “quite a bit of erosion” was visible on the dam’s north side, “it does feel like the bridge (downstream) is safe for travel.” Earlier Friday, the City of Manawa said in a post on Facebook public health officials declared a boil water advisory for Manawa and the surrounding areas as a precautionary measure. Manawa, with a population over 1,400, is located 50 miles west of Green Bay. Manawa Dam in Wisconsin appears to be ‘intact’ after flash flooding raised concerns about the structure, authorities say WWW.AOL.COM Residents along portions of Wisconsin’s Little Wolf River were allowed to return home Friday, after authorities said the Manawa Dam was “compromised and has major damage,” prompting...

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Mr. Jessica Biel

I'm known around here for my simple, tasteful comments about death.

Dude, have you noticed that Lin-Manuel Miranda's more-successful cousin has been en fuego and is now hitting .324 after following up a 5-5 night (three doubles) with a 4-4 (double, homer)? He has 10 straight hits, going back to his last AB Wednesday.

And she is still 100 today!

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FROM THE NY POST: Life’s confusing. Sunday, as Ch. 7 was airing the Pride Parade, replete with dancing drag queens, two stations over Ch. 5 was televising NHRA drag racing.

Dear Abby: My husband and I are retired and have recently joined a Harley-Davidson motorcycle club. We both love to ride and are looking forward to many events in the coming months. At the first meeting we attended, an ex-lover of mine was seated at the same table near my husband. They seemed to enjoy conversing back and forth. I kept a low profile and tried to ignore the situation. I know that at the meetings and upcoming events, we are sure to see each other. Should I tell my husband who this person is? I am concerned it will spoil those events for us and cause issues if I reveal it. My husband has, for years, taken meds for anxiety and depression. We are very happy together, and I love him very much. — Let’s Ride in the South Dear Let’s Ride SLUT: Very few people today don’t have some kind of history. Tell your husband the truth. Believe me, he is sure to be even more anxious and depressed if the situation is revealed before you can tell him. YOU MADE YOUR BED, NOW LAY IN IT (AGAIN)… CONTACT YOUR FORMER FORNICATING PARTNER AND TELL HIM YOU’LL DO ANYTHING ANYTIME IF HE KEEPS YOUR SORDID PAST A SECRET FROM HUBBY. Dear Abby: An old hat style that created problems years ago has returned. The brim is so large that a person sitting behind them in church can see nothing but the back of that hat. It’s aggravating to think I had a good place to sit and then have to spend an hour seeing only that big hat. To block the view of those seated behind you is inconsiderate. I hope you will mention this in your column so women will be reminded how those large brims present a problem in any gathering where people are expected to sit quietly and listen to a speech or sermon. I move when I can, but that isn’t always possible, especially when the hat suddenly “appears” right before the service starts and finding another place to sit isn’t feasible. — Blocked in Alabama Dear Blocked: Your point is well taken. I’m pleased to pass your reminder along to those who need to see it, but since we cannot control the behavior of others, you would be well advised to run for the first row when you have a chance. GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS… I BELIEVE THIS IS HIS WAY OF TELLING YOU TO KILL THE BITCH!

For some reason, this brought @pubic_assistance to mind...