The Webster Dictionary defines compassion as “sympathetic consciousness of other’s distress together with a desire to alleviate it. You felt compassion for the loss of a loved one or you may show compassion for the sick or a homeless person.  You may experience compassion spontaneously as yo…

Dear Annie: My husband of almost 22 years died of cancer a few months ago. Overall, I’ve done well coping with his loss. I’m involved in our new small town community, where we built a beautiful custom home just three-and-a-half years ago and I have many wonderful new friends and neighbors wh…

Today’s Sound Off is about kids and summer jobs:

Dear Readers: We are living in unprecedented times. With many states imposing mandatory lockdowns and so many of our health care workers on the front lines, I wanted to offer a few thoughts.

It’s a devastating time. A pandemic and economic disaster rolled into one that’s killing thousands and bringing society to a standstill. So how can we keep our blood pressure from shooting through the roof during this perfect storm? Keeping our heads cool may help to prevent a stroke, heart …

Dear Annie: I am so concerned for my elderly loved ones during this pandemic, my father in particular. He’s 89 and lives in a retirement community. As of today, they’re still allowing them to go to the dining hall. They’ve reduced the number of tables and seating by half so that everyone can…

Dear Annie: I am 75. I’ve been single for more than 20 years. I was resigned to live my life as a single woman. However, a man I dated 57 years ago called me out of the blue last year. He told me he’d outlived his wife, “Sheryl.” They were married 22 years; the ex passed away 10 years ago. H…

Dear Readers: You’re walking in your neighborhood and you come upon a dog you don’t recognize. The dog may be lost. What should you do? Safety is always your first priority.

It may be spring, but it is not summer. It’s maybe to early to plant tomatoes outside without protection from cold weather.

Dear Heloise: With summer coming, a lot of people will be traveling abroad, but there are some common scams they should be on the alert for if they want to avoid being taken advantage of.

Dear Readers: Today, April 2, is World Autism Awareness Day. Autism is a complex and multifaceted developmental condition.

It’s hard to make light of the Coronavirus pandemic, but attempts at humor are showing up on our computer and cell phone screens.

Dear Annie: Our five-year-old grandson, “Ernie,” is best friends with our six-year-old granddaughter, “Emily.” They ride to school together and are in the same kindergarten class.

Dear Annie: My son is in his 40s and throws temper tantrums! Any little thing can set him off. It’s so bad that his son asks him if he’s mad, fearing that something has set him off. He is going to marriage counseling and admits he has a temper, but nothing changes.

Dear Heloise: Please, will you repeat your mother’s recipe for Italian spaghetti sauce? I want to make it for visitors who are due in a month.

Daily, we ride the wave of Coronavirus curl and hope as soon as possible, that the wave will calm. Just not now.

Dear Readers: It’s Census time, when the formal count of the population of the entire United States is taken.

Dear Annie: I understand what “Unable To Open Up” is saying. I was never able to communicate with my parents. It carried over into my marriage and caused problems.

‘Don’t underestimate the value of doing nothing,” wrote one of the world’s foremost philosophers, Winnie-the-Pooh, “of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”

Today’s Sound Off is about discounts for seniors:

Dear Annie: Please help me with a problem I’m having at home. I’m a 15-year-old girl still living at home, and my mother is insisting that I go to her OB-GYN doctor, who is a man. She has already made an appointment for a few months from now.

During difficult seasons we often ask, “Where is God?” The irony is that it often takes stormy seasons to turn us back toward safety. The COVID-19 virus is serious; it’s affecting all of us in profound ways. I believe God wants us to take this seriously and be concerned about the health and …

Dear Readers: It’s spring, and that means it’s puppy and kitten season. The animal shelters are bursting with new babies. They need donations, pronto. If you want to help, here are some items that are very much needed and recommended by The Humane Society.