Abigail Van Buren
My mother did something very disrespectful. She picked up my former boyfriend and took him to her house, saying she needed help with her curtains or something. He said when she came back in the room, she just had on a slip, like she was trying to seduce him. When I asked her if what he said about her was true, she replied, “Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t.” Not long after that, I began distancing myself from her.
After I got married, she told a relative she didn’t believe my baby daughter was my husband’s. I was understandably upset. When I questioned her about it, she was shocked because she didn’t know my cousin had told me.
Right now, I don’t care to be around her. I still send her cards for her birthday and Christmas, but I don’t trust her anymore. What should I do? – CAN’T TRUST MY MOTHER
DEAR CAN’T TRUST HER: It’s sad, but not all parents are loving and supportive. In fact, some of them are toxic. Your mother appears to be one of the latter, so listen to your gut. Continue to be respectful, as you have been doing, but also continue to keep your distance. And if you are tempted to confide in her about anything private, don’t do it.
My wife and I have decided to start a family, and the topic of names arose.
My wife, who was born and raised in India, is insisting on Indian names for our children. The problem is they are often difficult to pronounce and spell. I’m not opposed to Indian middle names but think traditional “Western” names may be more suitable, since we will live in the United States.
How can I make my wife understand that having “unusual” names makes certain aspects of kids’ lives more difficult? – MAKING LIFE EASY
DEAR MAKING: Your wife’s concept of giving the children Indian names is lovely. However, practically speaking, I agree with you. Popular names in one country can cause problems for a child living in another one. Not only can foreign names be difficult to pronounce and spell, but they can also cause a child to be teased unmercifully.
Sometimes the name can be a problematic word in the English language. And one that sounds beautiful in a foreign language can be grating in English.
I hope your wife will rethink this. Why saddle a kid with a name he or she will have to explain or correct with friends, teachers and fellow employees from childhood into adulthood?
A month ago, while in the process of moving, I found some of my brother’s old report cards from elementary school 60 years ago. His teacher reported behaviour issues, but by the end of the school year, she reported improvement. My brother is a successful businessman now with a family. Should I give him the report cards or discard them? – BIG SIS IN OHIO
DEAR BIG SIS: Call your brother and tell him what you found. The two of you could have a good laugh about it. Then ask him what he wants done with his old report cards and do as he requests.
The Egg Farmers of Prince Edward Island Close to the Ground Concert Series continues today, 8 p.m. at Kaylee Hall, Pooles Corner.
This week hosts Fiddlers’ Sons and Keelin Wedge welcome acclaimed Prince Edward Island singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant.
A native of the Acadian village of Rustico, Gallant has recorded 12 albums, which have won him a host of awards and nominations from the Junos, the East Coast Music Awards and Les Prix Eloizes. He is the 2017 East Coast Music Awards Entertainer of the Year and won the 2017 ECMA Folk Recording of the Year for his album, “Searching for Abegweit”.
Over 30 artists have recorded his songs, including Measha Bruggergosman, Ode de L’Acadie, The Rankins and Jimmy Buffet. His songs have also appeared in feature films, television series and numerous theatrical productions.
Gallant hosted four seasons of his runaway multimedia hit musical, “Searching For Abegweit - The Island Songs & Stories of Lennie Gallant”. The production ran for 120 mostly sold-out shows in Charlottetown. He has also created a double CD of 22 songs from that production.
Many of the show’s visual images appear in the book, “Peter’s Dream”, a collaboration with sibling visual artist Karen Gallant that showcases 52 of her paintings paired up with his songs.
A recipient of the Order of Canada, Gallant is an international touring artist who has represented Canada on songwriter events in Nashville, London and Texas, entertained troops in Kandahar, performed at Canada Day events in Washington and London and took the stage at the Winter Olympics.
This past spring Gallant was recognized by Gov. Gen. Julie Payette for his CD, “When We Get There”, which orbited Earth with her on the International Space Station about 250 times. He also appeared Acclaimed Island singer songwriter Lennie Gallant will be the special guest of hosts Fiddlers’ Sons and Keelin Wedge this evening at the Kaylee Hall.
in “A Blessing From The Sea”, a movie by Adam Perry starring Bryde MacLean, Lennie MacPherson, Joel Thomas Hynes and Jonathan Torrens.
Now, after nine years he has released his first studio album titled “Time Travel”. He and members of his band will perform songs from the new recording along with popular selections from his extensive repertoire at Kaylee Hall.
The Kaylee Hall is located at the intersection of routes 3 and 4 near Montague. There will be a 50/50 draw, canteen service and CDs and books available for purchase from the performers. Admission is cash at the door.