Dear Heloise: Thank you for your uplifting column. I wanted to share a kitchen habit that has saved me both time and cabinet space. The Home Depot notes that 8-inch plates are versatile, making them perfect for salads, desserts and snacks — or for serving as a resting spot for utensils while ...

Dear Annie: From the outside, my life looks steady and full. I have a thoughtful husband, grown children who stay in close touch, dear friends and work that gives my days purpose. I know I am fortunate, which only makes it harder to admit how much I am struggling in private. For years, I have ...

Dear Annie: My wife and her sister have always had a close but delicate relationship. They can talk for hours, laugh about old family stories and check in on each other several times a week. But every so often, something shifts, and my sister-in-law becomes sharp, angry and deeply hurtful ...

Dear Heloise: Every summer, bags seem to get bigger with more pockets and space, making it harder to find small things like keys. This year, I tried something different, and it worked great. My current bag is a compact, 7-by-10-inch, envelope-style purse that was made from repurposed sailcloth ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please write about the correct amount of water that people should drink. There’s so much misinformation! — E.N., MD ANSWER: There is so much misinformation since a simple answer, like “more is always better,” is easier than a nuanced answer. It depends on your age, ...

Dear Annie: About six months ago, I grew close to a woman I had known casually for some time. She had recently come out of a painful breakup, and what began as friendship quickly turned into something much more emotionally intimate. We talked every day, shared deeply personal things and became ...