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Spotting the red flags in an online relationship

Dear Annie: I met this guy who seems to be my soulmate. He lives in America, and I’m in South Africa. However, he refuses to meet me and says it’s because he is a celebrity. He is manipulative and constantly makes me cry. He wants me to send him money before we meet, but because I can’t -- I just don’t have the funds he’s asked for -- he has not spoken to me for nearly three weeks now. He sulks and, in general, behaves like a child. I love this man, but I don’t like this behavior. We are both adults and should act as such. He said before we stopped talking that I needed ...

How to opt out of mailing lists

Dear Heloise: I read with interest Julie G.’s letter, from Tucson, Arizona, about being overwhelmed with letters from charities. My mom, God rest her soul, received “begging letters” from every religious charity out there and, unfortunately, gave many of them money. When she passed, I thought writing “deceased” on the envelope and putting it back in the mailbox would solve the problem. This was not the case. I asked my postal service carrier about it. He said unless the item is sent to you via first-class mail, it will not be returned to the sender. It will be discarded at ...

Lineworkers and first responders are heroes in our communities

Fred Rogers, from the beloved children’s show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, once recalled how his mother comforted him during frightening times. “Look for the helpers,” she would say, reminding him of the people who, even in the worst situations, step up to help those in need. Many of those helpers recently returned home after restoring power in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, where entire towns were torn apart, homes were flooded, and millions faced the grueling uncertainty of days, even weeks, without power. For millions across the South, those helpers came in ...

The Trump Doctrine

Donald Trump’s foreign policy was, during his first term, not only successful; it was the most successful foreign policy of any president since Ronald Reagan. Yet thanks to their animus for Trump personally, pseudo-experts on foreign policy have refused to give Trump credit for his obvious wins: a quiescent Russia, a contained Iran, Middle Eastern peace accords between Israel and several of its Arab neighbors, an increasingly isolated China, and burgeoning liberty movements in South America. Instead, these supposed geniuses suggest that Trump’s foreign policy is haphazard, dangerous, ...

Balancing passion and practicality

Dear Annie: I’m a high school senior worried about my future. I still haven’t found a major I really want to do, and I’m running out of time. Animation/art is my passion, but I don’t want to get my degree in it. I haven’t found anything else I’m interested in pursuing. I want to make money without selling my soul to do something I’d hate. How can I find something useful to get my degree in? -- Stressed Dear Stressed: As a high school senior, you’re definitely not running out of time. It’s great that you have a passion -- many people have to work for years before ...

Donating notepads and calendars

Dear Heloise: I receive a big stack of notepads, 30-40 calendars, and stacks of greeting cards, including those that are blank inside to write notes. I take them to assisted living homes for their patients, as well as hospice organizations and domestic violence resale shops. I sort the cards depending on their greetings. These people have restricted incomes and can’t afford to buy these items. If you want to donate money, a stamp on the envelopes is really appreciated. -- June F., in Arkansas GLUE TRAPS Dear Heloise: I love your column and really appreciate your advocacy for ...