Janie and I recently went camping and on the way home we drove to the Maltby Cafe for breakfast. We’d heard a lot about it and were eager to drive nearly an hour out of the way just to check it out. While waiting for our table, we wandered to the antique store across the parking lot and I snapped a few pictures, including these two mannequins. I was charmed by the beards – they reminded me of these dolls I had when I was younger, with …

I was reading your column in the June 2008 issue of Oprah magazine. To be clear, this magazine is not mine, we have a subscription at my office and when I’ve read all the People magazines we have in the reception area, I grab Oprah out of desperation.
In this recent column, you suggested that the sister of a racist woman keep an open relationship with her sibling and try to influence her over time to learn about acceptance. In the following response to a woman whose husband has friends …

I found out on Monday morning that the partner of a coworker of mine unexpectedly passed away last week. I saw him today, only briefly, and was at a total loss for what to say. What do you tell someone whose heart is torn out? We shared a brief hug and I told him I was so sorry, but there is never anything to say in moments like these that is right or enough.
It is at times like this that I try to put myself in that …