"I've noticed that a great many -- almost all -- of Cary's letter writers describe themselves as really, really good looking. It's statistically amazing that Mr. Tennis can draw from such an attractive population of readers! (Given that, honestly, in the real world I inhabit, most people are just average looking at best.)"-Laurel962

Laurel962 kind of jolted me pleasantly awake with her measured rant. I LOVED IT!

It was a loud speaker blaring over the annoying whine of the other letters going on and on about fidelity and morality.

Oh my friend from ninth grade English, Mary, would be so excited about this strip. She loved "The Man From UNCLE" and sometimes pretended she was a spy herself. (bounce & clap & squeal)

Oh my friend from ninth grade English, Mary, would be so excited about this strip. She loved "The Man From UNCLE" and sometimes pretended she was a spy herself. (bounce & clap & squeal)

"I'll never get to see the world through such new eyes again and it makes the "loss of identity" completely worth it." from letter written by Jezebel

Jezebel's letter expresses my own experience of motherhood. Sometimes the toddler plays by herself while mom journals, but often not.

What worries me is the letter writer who says that a womans "IQ drops by 30 points" during the first six years. But then again, the might explain the idiotic way some folks parent.

The LW is getting older and is probobly too busy studying to keep her body in pre-teen prime. Watching TMZ I am amazed at the vicious attacks on female celebrities for having non-airbrushed bodies.

Maybe when she was younger her audience was kinder, but now that she shows signs of being over 13 years old, that is what the public stoning will be about.

" but c'mon, how much fun are you with your clothes on, really?"

--quote from a letter by "Anonymous"

Anonymous, this is the most repulsive letter I have read in quite some time. In your letter you bloviate that you are so glad you are not single. So does your wife put a bag over your personality when she kisses you?

I loved Cary's advice on this letter. If the guy who wants to "hang out" is on such a short leash (or has so little empathy for the LW) that her queries annoy him, she should cross him off her list whatever: end of DeLimma.

I can also relate to the LW, I think. I think what some people are missing is that the LW does not want to expend any energy on unpleasant encounters with other human beings if she can avoid it. Unpleasant, unproductive miscommunications are draining. Men can be rude when they discover they are not going to get what-they-want-when-they-want-it. (Of course so can women and asexual beings.)

The 23-year-old was not the husband's ex. Clearly the husband was not trying to "get laid" by the 23-year-old.

Cary totally missed the obvious: the husband was jealous of the LW's dancing with other men and soothed his ego by conspiring with a (hot) 23-year-old. Were beverages being consumed, people??

When I read the letter it seemed like the LW's initial reaction was closest to her reality: she was not threatened by a little inter-couple dancing. Having so much history with her guy, she felt very secure. Was it later that she felt a need to get into a fight with her (ex)husband, and chose this to start it? And then he had a chance to finally stick it to her for her extra-marital dancing, and twist the knife by his subsequent actions and attitude towards her.

LW, if he is going to mess with the head of his kids' mom like this, he needs to live elsewhere. A mother needs support, not crazy-making.

GRRRR

It is disheartening if not downright scary that salon and some of it's readers join the mob shouting down Mr. Ralph Nader.

"Why when there's so many of us

are some people still alone?"

--Tracy Chapman

Because it seemed that my previous cat had been very lonely, when I lost her I bought 2 littermates (brothers) to come share my home. I enjoy watching their interactions, giving me entertainment as well as companionship and loving adoration.

I am away from home much of the day, and I feel so much better knowing they have each other to keep company.

My previous cat had done the ankle attack thing, but now my ankles are safe due to the cats having each other to do cat-play with.

LW says she has a "strong marriage." Her reticence (sp) suggests "walking on eggshells."

All is not lost. There are niches even in our society for people such as you. I don't know where you live, but where I live there are psychic fairs and such where you might find similar souls. Each summer in Oregon there is a "Fairie World" festival you might enjoy. (Be sure to wear on your best fairie drag.)

Certain professions allow you to stay in touch with your natural self. I, for example, find that as a massage therapist my world is soft-edged and benevolent.

Hook up with similar souls if you can, but know that you can be your true self if you don't get caught up in the criminal, the incarcerative, or the "western medicine" hell places.

Apply for work at Brietenbush Hot Springs, take long hikes in the woods, breathe, love, and don't get too scary for other people.

Good Luck!