Lifestyle

Dear Annie: We need help in handling a family situation that arose during a Thanksgiving visit. My brother-in-law has no table manners.

Dear Annie: My middle-aged confirmed bachelor brother-in-law is a frequent and welcome dinner guest at our house. Lately, when no one is here but his brother and me, he’s begun cleaning his plate with his finger and then licking his finger. Sometimes he just licks his plate.

Dear Annie: My wife is borderline addicted to “Words With Friends”, and it’s causing me concern, in addition to creating some strife within our marriage. It would be one thing if she were only playing with other female players, but she also has an ongoing game with a former male classmate, which I consider to be a form of online flirting. Would you agree, or am I overreacting? I still work, and my wife is retired, so when I’m ready for bed because I have to get up early, she is wide-awake and ready for late-night games with friends (one in particular). I have suggested repeatedly that she go to bed when I go, but she says she isn’t sleepy and is a late-night person, so she stays up until 1 or 2 a.m. playing “Words With Friends.” This continues to cause disharmony in our marriage, and it’s something I have a hard time accepting as permissible. Please let me know how you and your readers feel about this issue. — Concerned Husband

Dear Annie: I am a baby boomer and appreciate the 20th-century tradition of “rising to the occasion” and taking in meals if a family member is ill or if there has been a death in the family. It is a kind and thoughtful gesture. I am in a club, and one member’s husband was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. At that time, our president assigned each member a time to take a meal to them, staggered by a few days. Our president requested that we share the menu with other club members so there wouldn’t be duplicated meals. The member’s husband recently died, and our president has again requested that we take food to the house. And we are stepping up to the plate and doing so.

A red-breasted nuthatch recently visited the deck at Brian Voorhees’ home in Leavenworth. BRIAN VOORHEES.

Monet is a male longhair tuxedo cat available for adoption through the Fort Leavenworth Stray Facility. He has already been neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Military affiliation is not necessary to adopt from the FLSF. Call 913-684-4939 or email fortleavenworthstrayfacility@gmail.com for more information. PRUDENCE SIEBERT/FORT LEAVENWORTH LAMP

Dear Annie: I have an old and close friend I’ve known for 50 years. We live far apart, and the only way to talk is by telephone.

Dear Annie: Last weekend, I got a text from my dad that said: “I’m going vegan LOL.” (Yes, he says “LOL.” He’s hip like that.) I laughed and brushed it aside, but during dinner last night, he and my stepmom told me they are serious about it. It definitely took me by surprise, but I was supportive and excited about the idea, so much so that I even went with him to Barnes & Noble to pick out an awesome vegan cookbook. But since then, I’ve been having a strangely emotional reaction to his decision.

Lola is a young adult Lab mix up for adoption at the Leavenworth Animal Control Shelter. She is chocolate brown with some white flecks in her coat. Lola has done well with other dogs at the shelter. She is friendly and knows some commands. Lola is spayed and up to date on shots. The Leavenworth Animal Control Shelter is full and needs help in getting dogs adopted into loving, forever homes. The shelter is located at 2019 S. 3rd St., behind Price Chopper. The shelter is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. SUBMITTED BY CAROL TURNER

Gretzky is a 1-year-old male shepherd/border collie mix available for adoption through the Fort Leavenworth Stray Facility. Gretzky has already been neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. The FLSF is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second Saturday of the month, and by appointment for pre-approved adopters. Call 913-684-4939 or email fortleavenworthstrayfacility@gmail.com for more information. PRUDENCE SIEBERT/FORT LEAVENWORTH LAMP