My firstborn child was born in vitro. Do I have to reveal this?
Dear Carolyn: Time and time again, I read in advice columns that adoptive/egg donor/in vitro ...
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Nature
Nature Welcome the hummingbirds
The natural world is so busy at this time of year raising families that there ...
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Nature: Cormorants are noisy, smelly, fascinating
Good news was shared with me this week about nesting tree swallows. In recent years these lovely birds have been noticed by their absence in many island spots where they were numerous a few years ago. Friends in Tremont said they have been watching nesting tree swallows in their fields and got to see the …
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My friend complains about her finances, but works only when she wants
Dear Carolyn: My longtime best friend, Mary, has been complaining about her financial situation. She is self-employed and only works part time, by her choice. Another friend of ours is a professional business coach and has offered many times to help Mary set up a formal business plan and to help her learn to market …
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Nature: Undersea creatures
We are surrounded by water, but I daresay that most of us know very little about what fascinating creatures are living there. Other than fishermen earning their living from the sea most of us see only a few creatures living nearby, for most creatures are in deeper water out of our sight. My most rewarding …
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Overwhelmed with three kids under 3!
Dear Carolyn: We have three kids under 3 — there’s a set of twins in there! Please tell me we will survive. This is so hard. Advice on how to get through the triple-toddler years? — Parent Keep them hugged, fed and alive, call in all the help you can, make room for yourself and …
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Nature: Firefly lights can be yellow, red, green
There are so many wonderful sights to see as summer unfolds right in front of us these days. Fireflies have been spectacular and magical this week according to all the reports I have received. Fireflies are officially beetles, not flies, and they create light as if by magic. As they fly about their bottoms light …
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Feeling freaked after receiving roses from someone I don’t know
Dear Carolyn: I am married and have a 2-year-old son. Last week, someone sent me two dozen roses with a note that said they wanted to make me smile, because I make them smile. It was signed with a first name only (common, think John or Tom). The flower shop told me they will not …
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Nature; Tiny jeweled helicopters arrive
“Summertime and the living is easy … fish are jumpin’ … ” So goes the wonderful song by Gershwin. I love playing it on my violin. Summer is a busy time for all wildlife. Migration for some birds, courting for all, nest building, egg laying and brooding; then family cares as long as necessary. Some …
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Nature: Grouse combat lice with dust baths
The gentle lacy look of spring foliage is rapidly changing to large leaves and making the birds harder to see now. More flowers, though, are bursting into bloom and are rewarding to find. Clintonia is one of my favorite wild flowers from flower to fruit. It has yellow bell-shaped flowers hanging on the long stem …