Dear Sidney

Dear Sidney, I moved up to the mountains as a single mother of two. Got a pretty good job as a server. Suddenly my SoCal Gas bill is more than my car payment. I’m frightened. My doggie is wrapped in two sweaters. I’m sleeping in sweatpants and two sweatshirts, cuddled...

Dear Sidney, When, oh, when did my adult daughter become so much wiser than her 65-year-old mother? She’s a stay-at-home mom with no college degree. She called, a big surprise, to check on me when I was in Home Depot admiring the pretty green fake grass. I shared that...

Dear Sidney, This is my first winter living on the mountain full-time. I haven’t seen the sun for a week. I’m retired and don’t need to get up and out during a rainstorm. I’m reasonably self-entertained. I enjoy scrapbooking and am an avid reader. I’d like to take the...

Dear Sidney, Happy New Year to you! I fear that I have been re-gifted, if there is such a word. It was a kind gesture, dropping by with a festive green and red bag stuffed with sparkling white tissue paper. I thanked my neighbor and took the welcomed surprise inside....

Dear Sidney, I’m heartbroken. Foolishly I took on a fling with the handsome landlord of several tawdry vacation rentals on my street. I thought I could handle a romance with, as he insisted, no strings attached. Alas, I now have a noose around my neck and it’s getting...

Dear Sidney, Every year we host a lavish pool party at our otherwise modest home. We spare no effort in making sure the food is great and the drinks are flowing. For several years we have invited a couple from down the road apiece. They always accept, are very...