I’m a widower, 77, living alone in a condo townhouse I own; I’m also a university graduate, speak four European languages, in excellent health, and work out regularly.
I’m well-read, play music, cook and bake. I have good friends and family but miss the company of a woman. I tried a dating service but was disappointed by the matches I was offered.
Is there an organization or group where a person like me could meet a lady to share an intimate friendship? Someone who’s well-educated, appreciates art, classical music, serious literature and can talk intelligently about life.
I do like romance, am sensitive, patient and caring. It’d be nice to hold hands and share the good things in life again.

- Seeking Special

You’re not unlike your younger counterparts in setting out to find the Perfect Mate. And, like them, you want to see it all in one package that you can pick up from a specific, convenient locale.
I understand that you may not have time for scouring the land, but your goal is, simply, unrealistic. Look, instead, pursue meeting people through some of your interests– a literary club, a group based around your local symphony, the art gallery volunteer association, advanced cooking classes, etc.
There are many intelligent women out there who have similar interests to yours. But if you go out with a shopping list and the intention of checking off all your “wish-list” items, you’ll miss seeing and appreciating what makes each person truly special and worth getting to know.

My neighbour’s dog barks incessantly while she’s at work. Am I within my rights to complain to authorities about it?

- Fed Up

Start with neighbourly niceties. Ask if she’s aware of the barking, and suggest hiring someone in the area to walk the dog. Try earplugs, and loud music.
Save going to “authorities” unless there’s been resistance; your relationship will be strained by then, anyway.

My husband’s half-sister, 40, has an addiction to rage, power, control and sympathy; she holds his family and myself hostage. He tells her what she wants to hear to quell her tantrums.
Unfortunately, these tantrums involved jealousy regarding me, and false accusations of slights towards her, reported behind my back. No matter what I do, she throws tantrums and rationalizes them to my husband’s friends. I’ve been harassed and slandered (I quit my job because I was working with her), cyber-bullied, verbally abused, threatened.
My spouse has been manipulated by her against me. He fears her –he won’t admit it – and can’t protect me or put an end to it.
I can no longer tolerate feeling powerlessness and afraid. I don’t think ignoring it is the solution, as my spouse suggests. He feels sorry for her for possibly having a mental illness.

- Bullied and Afraid

The most important relationship is between you and your husband. You need to be on the same team facing someone so manipulative and hurtful, or she’ll drive you apart.
Instead of feeling helpless, he must act as both a protective husband and as a brother. 1) He should urge her (even accompany her) to see a professional therapist to discuss her frequent bouts of rage. They are as unhealthy for her as everyone else she affects. 2) He must stop listening to her tirades, period.
She must realize that she can’t “win” him or defeat you through tantrums. If her harassment appears potentially dangerous to your safety, her behaviour must be reported to police. Otherwise, there are worse consequences for all, ahead.

My boyfriend (three months) and I went out in the past, twice, so I felt I knew him pretty well. However, he recently called at midnight and left a message saying that it wasn’t working out, so its over.
I can’t figure out what I did. We’ve never kissed; I’m always the one calling, he never calls me! I still love him and keep thinking about him.
What should I do to get him back, or to get over him? My new rule - no guy gets to break my heart twice - once, that’s the limit!

- Confused

Stick to your own rule: This guy’s toast. Your neediness for “love” has so far overridden your sense of self-worth – he never kissed you, never called, yet you’ve taken him back three times. Do NOTHING to get him back, and everything to raise your confidence for only dating guys who value you.