Columns

Life's mysteries unfold in odd ways, don't they? The Wall Street Journal reports that churches by the thousands are signing up for a service to do to us what corporations and other private groups have done for years – select their targets based on specific, revelatory and actionable data that you might have thought was your own darned business. Feeling blue? Marriage going down the tubes? The big algorithm in the sky can pick up on that based on your search history, and it might send you an ad for a lovely cruise.

Here’s a fun fact I just read it in new book called The Blue Zones Challenge by Dan Buettner. Most New Year’s Resolutions last for 4-6 weeks. Then people go back to their old habits. So, there are two ways to approach this problem. You can do what the experts who follow the people who live the longest suggest and make meaningful changes in sustainable ways, like changing your environment, support group, etc. so that your every move becomes measurably better.

Dear Annie: I recently lost my son, “Sam,” and Thanksgiving without him was very painful. I am writing to offer suggestions for how people might act, or what they should say, when interacting with one who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

Today’s Sound Off is about engaging children in family activities: Dear Heloise: For over 20 years, I’ve taught in a large and busy high school. I’ve observed how students react, heard them talk about their lives and read their school essays.

Dear Heloise: This isn’t anything earth-shattering, but I found that if I place my coffee mug on top of my coffee maker while the coffee is brewing, it warms up my mug and keeps my coffee warmer, longer.

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: I have a loving daughter, and I respect her husband greatly. I have visited from across the country countless times. I am 84, and they have two grown children. Everyone is happy when we are together. The only issue as far as I’m concerned is that the hubby, although generous and kind, is overly domineering, bordering on being a tyrant, and a nut about managing things, especially electronics.