Wife forbids husband’s friendship
I recently retired after 26 years of working with a professional partner of the opposite sex. Now my wife expects me to cut off all communication with her. There was never any intimacy or sexual attraction at all, just a longtime friendship.
My wife refuses to believe me and wants this person out of my life for good. How can I explain this to someone I have worked with for so many years? Is my wife’s request reasonable? Can’t married males have female friends, or am I restricted to only male friends for the rest of my life? — Fenced In, in Washington
The request is not reasonable, and the implication is insulting not only to your former working partner but also to you. You must find a way to reassure your wife and get her to deal with it. You may need the help of a marriage counselor, but it will be worth it because men who feel fenced in — trapped HOROSCOPE
(March 21-April 19). Who you really are is not always the same person you’ve allowed yourself to become. It is the same for everyone. What is also the same for everyone is the potential to steer things back on course at any moment.
(April 20-May 20). Those who react badly to criticism prevent themselves from growing, because they alienate the very people who can enlighten them as to how they (or their work) are being perceived.
(May 21-June 21). The person who is trying to seduce you away from your work or your goals isn’t really on your side. Those who want you to succeed wouldn’t dream of tempting you in another direction.
(June 22-July 22). Your friendliness puts all at ease. There are those who take themselves too seriously to fully understand the importance of small talk and its role in building rapport. But even these types will not be immune to your charms.
(July 23-Aug. 22). Because someone wants your approval, this person is unlikely to speak of anything unflattering or controversial. You’re better off with the truth. Make it clear that honesty is a stipulation of your approval.
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Is what you want really worth working so long and hard to get to? That future day will come whether or not you worked long and hard — only, if you don’t put in the work, that future day won’t have nearly the same significance.
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You want to know that — don’t usually stay happily married. How sad.
My husband and I have an issue. If I go away on business, I make sure to provide my travel information such as hotel and flight numbers. But when my husband goes away, he refuses to provide any information. I try to explain that if there’s an emergency, the information would be helpful. Any advice? — Travel Issue, in Connecticut
People who are secretive usually have something to hide. It’s time that you ascertain whether your husband is traveling for business as he claims, or whether it’s for pleasure without you.
Contact Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Can't get enough advice? Find more columns from Carolyn Hax and other columnists on advice.azcentral.com. the other person will be there and be loyal. This is not too much to ask, though it’s not the right time to ask it, certainly not directly. Look for clues instead, and trust your instincts.
(Oct. 24-Nov. 21). A Chinese proverb says that the eye can’t see its own lashes. This was before the invention of extra-long eyelash extensions. Still, it’s possible that you possess a quality that is invisible to you though others see it clearly.
(Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll be catering to an ego today, and this is tricky business for sure, especially if the ego in question happens to be your own.
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Certain emotions are unobtainable without a good amount of selfawareness. Jealousy and shame fall into the category; so do pride and admiration. Today you’ll put what you know about yourself to good use.
(Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You want to be dazzled by greatness and are therefore rooting for every source of potential amusement in your world, hoping (sometimes against hope) for the very best presentation.
(Feb. 19-March 20). Your path will converge with another’s. All can be solved with courtesy.
(Aug. 30). You will expertly manage your emotions, curb your cravings and shine in the social arena of your choice. Lucky numbers are 39, 10, 4, 6 and 45. 6 10 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 23 24 25 26 29 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 45 46 47 48 51 53 Per person Garden green La Scala locale Toward shelter Water or tel. Proofreads Conjecture Velvety surface Rudders Bamboo stalks Capsule, maybe Moo goo — pan Works hard Crepe cousins Saying Lowly laborers Ms. Hagen of films Ruse Rolls tightly Slimy critter Bridal notice word Terra — Dutch cheese Makes it through Deletes data Bullring yell Arduous journey Reel It has an eye Objective 61 62 63 64 65 — colada Use force Mr. Moto’s reply (2 wds.) Natural elevs. Made mention of DOWN 1 Comic-book heroes (hyph.) Met role Money holder Edge a doily Not at sea (2 wds.) Bird of prey Grad Fair grades Men and boys Iraq neighbor Solar deity Onetime Italian coins Bugling beasts Glances over Slalom run Venetian magistrate Wins at rummy Grassy places Farewell 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 19 22 24 25 26 27 08-30-16 28 Hay bundler 29 Road shoulders 30 “Damn Yankees” vamp Some South Africans Liszt opus Epics Full-strength Wallet stuffer Overcharge Monsieur’s daughter Imaginary troublemaker 31 32 33 35 38 39 41 42 45 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 57 59 Goof it up Forum wear Pet lovers’ gp. Tigger’s pal Night fliers Comedy routine Opry’s st. Client mtg. Shrink’s reply (2 wds.) Blend 45 or 78 Centurion’s sweet nothing?