Left husband, now ready for date?

Dear Abby: Last summer, after 24 years of marriage, I finally summoned the nerve to take my teenage daughter and leave my emotionally abusive husband. We are both thriving now.

I have been in therapy, lost almost 45 pounds and have rediscovered my self-confidence. A friend I have known for more than 10 years has expressed interest in dating me. I like him very much, but I’m not sure if it would be appropriate to date yet. What do you think? Tentative In Massachusetts Dear Tentative: Tempting as this is, proceed with caution. When a person has been emotionally starved for a long time, then begins to feel attractive, accepted and validated again, the result can be euphoria a powerful “high.” Right now you need to be rational.

What I think about your dating this man is less important than what your therapist thinks right now. Please make this question a priority during your next sessions because the insight you’ll gain into yourself will help you not only in a relationship with this man if you decide to have one — but in future ones as well. Dear Abby: My 86-year-old dad buys all his food from the markdown “quick sale” tables, then lets it sit in the fridge for weeks or even months. He insists the mould is penicillin and good for you. He has a turkey in the freezer that expired in 2008, and he can’t understand why I won’t cook it for my pets. Dad reads your column every day, so please give me some input. Perplexed Daughter In Southern

California Dear Perplexed Daughter: Your father is a product of his upbringing during the Great Depression, a time when many people were starving. The habits people form when they are young can be hard to shake. Spoiled food can cause serious illness, which is why the U.S. government publishes pamphlets on food safety. Visit foodsafety. gov and print out some of the Food Safety at a Glance charts. If he refuses to take your advice and mine, perhaps he’ll be more receptive to what Uncle Sam has to say.