Dear Annie: I am a female, 67 years old, living alone, no children, and my house is paid for. I live in Virginia.

Today’s Sound Off is about wearing a face mask:

Is physical activity good for you? During COVID times, it might be prudent to avoid cramped, indoor gyms. 

Dear Annie: I’m recently divorced and seeing someone. We talk openly about our divorces and ex-spouses. There are no hard feelings either way. She has children, and I don’t. We are in our 50s.

It is a common belief that the Antelope Valley has a lot of clay soil. Most people see standing water or hard soil and feel that it must be a clay soil.

Dear Annie: What’s the correct etiquette for giving gifts for “reverse order” weddings? I have seen several times where a couple will first have a small civil ceremony to get married without the immediate expense of a formal wedding. Then, about a year later, they will have a formal wedding …

Dear Readers: What’s the old Hollywood actor’s creed? Never work with children or animals? Today, July 11, is All-American Pet Photo Day. Let’s work with our animals, namely dogs, and photograph them. Here are some hints:

Dear Annie: My husband is in his late 50s and works in road construction. Every time that he is assigned to a job that lasts at least six to eight weeks, he always seems to start trying to pick up a female co-worker, usually in the age range of 25 to 35. He will buy them cigarettes and lunch…

Dear Heloise: My sister’s house burned to the ground and she lost everything. She said she wished she had time to get her photo albums out as there were so many memories in them. This made me think. I realized I have several boxes with photo albums and memorabilia on shelves in closets throu…

Dear Annie: The COVID-19 pandemic broke my relationship. I was with my guy for 14 years, and we live in different towns. When all this stuff started, we both agreed that we couldn’t see each other because his elderly mother lives with him. That was all fine. But then I asked him to please st…

Dear Readers: We’ve all heard that when we choose bread, we should consider whole grain for its health benefits. To learn more about what whole grain means, we turned to the Whole Grains Council (www.wholegrainscouncil.org), and here’s what we found:

It isn’t Christmas or my birthday, but over the Fourth of July weekend I received a great gift.

A US health panel wants to widen the number of Americans offered yearly scans for lung cancer by opening the screening to less-heavy smokers.

I learned the secret to making the best, crunchiest fruit crumble over two decades ago. And I subsequently ignored it.

Dear Annie: For 25 years, a very close couple would get together with us for a nice meal. We did lots of things including trips and outings. Eighteen months ago, my friend suddenly died. Her husband is now dating a very lovely woman (I hear), and we are glad he is happy.

Dear Heloise: I love your cookies from a cake mix recipe, but I no longer have it in my recipe file. Would you repeat it so I can whip up a batch of those delicious cookies?

Teenagers all over the world are experiencing the same disturbance in their growth and development.  

Dear Annie: I am about to retire. I don’t want to sit around watching TV after retirement, so I’d like to adopt a retired greyhound to keep me company. I had hoped to have him or her certified as my therapy dog.

Dear Annie: As birthdays and important holidays approach, like the recent Father’s Day, I am forced to reanalyze my social anxiety all over again. I know I should call friends and family members to let them know I’m thinking about them, but I get butterflies in my stomach and put it off for …

Dear Heloise: My daughter and her fiance came to us and wanted $30,000 for their wedding. They had also asked her future in-laws for the same amount. They said “no” and so did we.

Why do so many people leave the toilet seat up all the time? After all, it’s not the most attractive display object. Now, convincing medical evidence confirms we should cover the potty before flushing.

Dear Annie: I am really tired of all this negative news about “broken” families. I raised my two children, and we were not “broken.” It is time for single parents (mostly mothers) to band together. I could have made three times as much as I did had I taken those jobs that took me away from m…

TRUCKEE — When Coronavirus lockdowns came to his California mountain town, businessman Craig Fierro realized there would be no children’s birthday parties — no friends playing games, eating cake and singing “Happy Birthday.”

Dear Annie: I am really tired of all this negative news about “broken” families. I raised my two children, and we were not “broken.” It is time for single parents (mostly mothers) to band together. I could have made three times as much as I did had I taken those jobs that took me away from m…

TRUCKEE — When Coronavirus lockdowns came to his California mountain town, businessman Craig Fierro realized there would be no children’s birthday parties — no friends playing games, eating cake and singing “Happy Birthday.” 

Dear Readers: Happy birthday, America. Let’s take a moment to reflect on our great country and the freedoms we enjoy. Celebrations are going on across America.

Dear Annie: My husband has a long history of being unfaithful to me. He says that it isn’t cheating because he can’t help himself. I’ve forgiven him five times.

Over the last several years your home landscaping has become more important to the quality of life.