R. Eric Thomas

1 day ago | oregonlive.com | R. Eric Thomas

Dear Eric: Since retiring, some friends have put together a band. I went to one of their gigs a couple years ago, and recently a practice session. They would clearly like me to go to more, or all, of their gigs. The gigs are typically at night, an hour from where I live. I am a morning person. After years of commuting, I am happy to drive as little as possible. I enjoy being with a friend or two but put me in a room full of people and I am ready to go home.

1 day ago | mlive.com | R. Eric Thomas

Dear Eric: I would add something to your good response to Beleaguered Mom. Her daughter went through substance abuse and self-destructive behaviors as a teen. In her early 20’s she was close with her adoptive Mom. Things went “sideways” shortly after Mom and Dad left to sail around the world. I worked in treatment foster care for 12 years as a social worker and program director.

1 day ago | washingtonpost.com | R. Eric Thomas

Dear Eric: Since retiring, some friends have put together a band. I went to one of their gigs a couple years ago, and recently a practice session. They would clearly like me to go to more, or all, of their gigs. The gigs are typically at night, an hour from where I live. I am a morning person. After years of commuting, I am happy to drive as little as possible. I enjoy being with a friend or two but put me in a room full of people and I am ready to go home.

2 days ago | washingtonpost.com | R. Eric Thomas

Dear Eric: My daughter Tess turned 40 years old last month. Hard to believe how time flies. My husband and I took her and her husband, Mack, and two children out for dinner on her birthday as we always do every year. A few weeks before this, Mack asked my husband if we would babysit on a day after the birthday dinner. My husband told me that Mack was taking Tess out after dinner. I thought OK, that’s nice that they will go out for her birthday.

3 days ago | cleveland.com | R. Eric Thomas

In today's Asking Eric column, R. Eric Thomas responds to someone who isn't sure how to appropriately compliment someone on their weight loss.CanvaDear Eric: In the age of Ozempic weight loss, I have an etiquette question. When you see a friend who has lost so much weight, what is the proper thing to say? Saying, “Wow, you look great” makes it sound like they didn’t look good before. Yet, you can’t ignore the change. I’ve been trying to come up with something appropriate, but I’m at a loss.