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Do I have to go to my ex’s funeral?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

Q: What is my responsibility when my children’s mother dies and there is a viewing and formal funeral? Ours was a 10-year marriage that ended in a brutal divorce because of her infidelity and remarriage 20 years ago. We had three children, now all adults with children of their own. I see them often and we are close. Will there will be any adverse effects for my children and if I chose not to attend the services?A. Funeral services are designed to offer respect to the deceased, but more importantly we go to funerals to support those who are left behind. Your kids are most definitely grieving at the loss of their mother, and although you didn’t support your ex-wife’s actions, you certainly want to help your children as they morn her loss. That would be the reason you would go to the viewing and the funeral — not for you or the grudge you hold, but for them. (Good ex-etiquette for parents rule No. 6, “Don’t hold grudges,”)At the funeral you would sit with your children, even if your ex...

The Cape is a great – and cozy – escape in the winter

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

Cape Cod is distinctly a summer locale. The beaches, the outdoor dining, the events and that fresh salt air is the reason millions head there every warm week of the year.But here’s something that many don’t know: Cape Cod is downright cozy in the winter months.With inns and hotels that pivot to winter fun, restaurants that embrace local sourcing, to cool experiences that are made for crisp days and/or nights, the Cape is ready for your chilly winter visit.And here’s a bonus; You almost never hit crazy traffic at the bridge this time of year.For an overnight, many of the famed resorts shift to winter mode. This year, the Wequassett Resort (https://wequassett.com/) in Harwich opens in winter months for the first time.Tucked into the shores of Pleasant Bay, you’ll take in winter views from their cozy yet spacious rooms, enjoy seasonal fare and special events – all part of their “Enchanted Winter” calendar.Should you need help in the “dressing for coastal winter” aesthetic, the We...

Fun, engaging Joel loves all animals

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

Joel is a funny, intelligent, and loving young man described as engaging and lots of fun to talk with. He enjoys connecting with others, particularly one on one. Joel is the considered voice of reason in his peer and family relationships, always helping to solve problems. He also loves learning new things, especially if it involves animals – and he loves all animals.He is a great advocate for himself and will not hesitate to ask questions. Joel also enjoys playing games on his tablet and solving puzzles. Joel hopes to be a veterinarian or archaeologist one day. Joel is doing very well in school with the support of an IEP and has developed positive peer relationships. He looks forward to visiting his biological family and is very caring towards his biological siblings.Joel will do best in any loving two-parent family constellation with or without other children in the home. He is looking for a family that has a dog or is willing to get a dog. An ideal home for Joel would provid...

Do I have to tell ex I’m moving with our son?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

Q. I share a six-year-old son with my ex-boyfriend (we were never married). My son’s father is listed on the birth certificate, but he has never been involved in my son’s life. He doesn’t even pay child support. I did not take him to court for child support because I know that will just make him try to spend time with my son, which I do not think would be a good idea.  He has addiction issues which is why I ended our relationship shortly after our son was born.  I am planning to move to New Hampshire because my mother and sister live there, and they can help me with childcare so that I can work more hours. Do I have to tell my son’s father that I’m moving?A. Since you were never married and it sounds like you have never been to court in connection with your son’s custody or support, by default you have sole custody of your son.  That means you can make decisions for him including where to live.Further, Massachusetts still uses an older law which the rest of the country has moved on ...

Lifetime rolls out first sexy Christmas movie

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

Ho ho ho! Lifetime Channel might be on Santa’s naughty list this year.This season’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” lineup of 12 new holiday movies includes “A Cowboy Christmas Romance,” a Christmas flick a la “Yellowstone” that includes a first for the franchise: a steamy sex scene.“We think that there’s an audience out there that’s hungry for grown-up romance, and we’re looking forward to adding some smolder to the usual holiday sugar and spice,” Tia Maggini, senior vice president of scripted content at Lifetime, told Variety.“We love trying new things, and we’re excited about this new ‘first’ for us for a holiday movie.”The movie, starring Jana Kramer and Adam Senn, follows a real estate “closer” who begrudgingly returns to her Arizona hometown just before Christmas. There, she sets out to convince a dreamy rancher to sell his family’s land. Anyone who&#...

Lucy Worsley takes on Agatha Christie in new PBS series

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

Lucy Worsley is familiar to PBS viewers for her investigative portraits of legendary royals like Henry VIII and his many wives.  Now, she uncovers in her 3-part Sunday night series, “Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen” the secrets behind the world’s best-selling writer.“She stands out in the so-called ‘Golden Age’ of crime writing,” the 1920 and ‘30s, Worsley, 49, said of Christie (1890-1976) in a Zoom interview from London.  “Two things she can be credited with that were picked up by other writers were the serial killer story with ‘The ABC Murders’ — that’s the first of the genre — and the second is the detective story set in the past, like ‘Death Comes as the End’ set in ancient Egypt. That was unique.”As for the biggest misconceptions about Christie, who is outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare?“Where to start?” Worsley asked.  “That’s why she’s so fascinating. To start with a really obvious one, people tend to think of her as ‘a little old lady in...

Dear Abby: Worried about pal’s homeless plight

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

Dear Abby: A good friend of 20 years has been homeless for several months. After a short stint of staying in various Airbnbs, she is now mostly living in her car. She has a good-quality, FREE living option available to her. But it would require her to move five hours away, and she doesn’t want to leave her job here. Meanwhile, I have a guest room.Since experiencing homelessness, my friend has stayed with me and my family on three different occasions, each time for about a week. But it’s not a sustainable or long-term option. Long story short, we don’t want a roommate.The last time she stayed with us, my friend turned down an affordable living situation with a roommate because the house was too “gross” for her. I found it frustrating. Housing in our area is expensive, and she works part-time at most. Her talk of getting more work has gone nowhere so far.I know I shouldn’t take on her problems as my own. But it’s hard to wonder about my friend...

Barbie doll honoring Cherokee Nation leader is met with mixed emotions

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An iconic chief of the Cherokee Nation, Wilma Mankiller, inspired countless Native American children as a powerful but humble leader who expanded early education and rural healthcare.Her reach is now broadening with a quintessential American honor: a Barbie doll in the late Mankiller’s likeness as part of toymaker Mattel’s “Inspiring Women” series. A public ceremony honoring Mankiller’s legacy is set for Tuesday in Tahlequah in northeast Oklahoma, where the Cherokee Nation is headquartered.Mankiller was the nation’s first female principal chief, leading the tribe for a decade until 1995. She focused on improving social conditions through consensus and on restoring pride in Native heritage. She met with three U.S. presidents and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award.She also met snide remarks about her surname — a military title — with humor, often delivering a straight-faced response: “Mankiller is actu...

Lacking counselors, US schools turn to the booming business of online therapy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

Trouble with playground bullies started for Maria Ishoo’s daughter in elementary school. Girls ganged up, calling her “fat” and “ugly.” Boys tripped and pushed her. The California mother watched her typically bubbly second-grader retreat into her bedroom and spend afternoons curled up in bed. For Valerie Aguirre’s daughter in Hawaii, a spate of middle school “friend drama” escalated into violence and online bullying that left the 12-year-old feeling disconnected and lonely.Both children received help through telehealth therapy, a service that schools around the country are offering in response to soaring mental health struggles among American youth. Now at least 16 of the 20 largest U.S. public school districts are offering online therapy sessions to reach millions of students, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. In those districts alone, schools have signed provider contracts worth more than $70 million.The growth reflects a booming new business born from America’s yo...

Chinese developer Evergrande risking liquidation if creditors veto its plan for handling huge debts

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:04 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong court will convene a hearing Monday on troubled Chinese property developer Evergrande’s plans for restructuring its more than $300 billion in debts and staving off liquidation. The company, the world’s most indebted property developer, ran into trouble when Chinese regulators cracked down on excessive borrowing in the real estate sector.Last month, the company said Chinese police were investigating Evergrande’s chairman, Hui Ka Yan, for unspecified suspected crimes in the latest obstacle to the company’s efforts to resolve its financial woes. The Hong Kong High Court has postponed the hearing over Evergrande’s potential liquidation several times. Judge Linda Chan said in October that Monday’s hearing would be the last before a decision is handed down. Evergrande could be ordered to liquidate if the plan is rejected by its creditors. In September, Evergrande abandoned its initial debt restructuring plan after authorities banned it from issuing new d...