Dear Eric: Blame it on my probably irrational fear that they could start a major blaze, and honestly, the fact that I just don’t want them smoking in my yard, around my child, by me. What can… ...

Dear Eric: Two of my friends are planning a girls trip that I do not want to be involved with. They are planning it for when I am off of work so I can’t say no. Although we have been friends for ...

Asking Eric: Why won’t my kids ever come home in the summer? In my husband’s defense, he has always responded or reacted appropriately with only a short neutral comment or reaction.

DEAR ERIC: I own a nice home with a pool. I have friends that often call me to ask me if I want to go lay out in the backyard or sometimes, they’ll just call and ask if they can come over to use ...

I can’t wait to get together when the time is right for everyone.” Dear Eric: If I can’t remember if I sent a sympathy card to someone, what’s the best thing to do? Send or not send?

DEAR ERIC: I’m a sophomore in high school and I read your column in the Seattle Times. My grandma has dementia. Over the past year, we’ve noticed more and more signs and convinced her to move ...

Dear Eric: Two of my friends are planning a girls trip that I do not want to be involved with. They are planning it for when I am off of work so I can’t say no. Although we have been friends for ...

DEAR ERIC: My partner and I have been invited to a couple of get-togethers with some folks, and they’ve asked us to host the next one. That’s fine with us, except we live in an area where ...

Dear Eric: I have remained close with my college roommate, Chris, for 45 years. Life has not been easy for her due to various health issues which I believe all stem from her unhealthy eating habits.

If the gathering is outside and one doesn’t want to be outside, one doesn’t have to go. (Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110.

Dear Eric: Via complete happenstance I have recently become aware of my oldest friend’s death about a year ago. Mary and I grew up across the street from one another in the ’60s and ’70s.