LW, you have my sympathies. Writing is extremely difficult. I am a writer and can easily crank out nonfiction when I have a deadline. Fiction, which is my ultimate goal, though, is another story altogether. May I suggest mystery writer Elizabeth George's "Write Away," in which she lays out techniques for fiction? She says that talent, passion and DISCIPLINE are what a writer needs. So do what I find difficult: write every day, preferably at the same time and as part of your regular daily routine. Good luck.

Cary's advice was absolutely perfect. But I would not even give this guy the chance to prove he really wants you, LW. I would just bag him. While this guy might not have other girlfriends who stay over, he definitely does not want you snooping in his stuff, LW. Why? If he travels a lot, he might have girlfriends in other cities, or maybe even boyfriends whom he is e-mailing, or he's into online porn, or other cyber stuff he does not want you into his computer checking. In any case, there is a degree of if not outright dishonesty, then certainly not a quality of being forthcoming which is what is needed in a real relationship.

Don't be confused, LW. This guy is not a tenant. He does not pay you rent, nor is his name on the lease. He is a guest who has overstayed his welcome and has become an extremely negative force. When he's out, make sure a locksmith and local police stand by. When he returns, do NOT let him in by any means. Call the cops again, if need be, to keep him out. You are under no legal obligation to this creep. And never let him back into your life again.

History will show that his economic policies began our slow, inexorable descent into our currently horrible economy, with China-made steel, China-made furniture, China-made shoes, China-made clothing. Our domestic steel industry did one huge belly-up during his years. And what about his firing all those air-traffic controllers? His policies wreaked misery on untold Americans, and now our economy is in even worse shape. Disguising all this will an avuncular manner won't make him seem wonderful.

... and they certainly have for you. You have my sympathy, but there could be help for you. Your county agency on aging should have some resources to help you without costing you an arm and a leg. Some counties have respite care at senior centers and possibly even some programs to help caregivers (if so, please use them; you need it!). Also, you may be able to consult your local Legal Aid center to see if you qualify for some legal help on your husband's lawsuit.

I also note you are an excellent writer. If you could carve out even 10 minutes a day for a journal, you could have the material for a heart-wrenching book when you finally emerge from this difficult time. The writing itself could be cathartic and helpful in finding a small measure of peace amid your hectic day. Please hang in there!

... which is why all the GOP trolls have come out, whining about bringing up the past. They would hate to bring up their own past, what with the Bushes' complicity with the German Nazis, the Bushes' ferrying bin Ladens out of the country right after 9/11, the war based on a lie about WMDs, throwing away the Geneva accords, throwing our Constitutional rights out the door, McCain's poor standing at West Point (only five from the bottom of his class), his crashing of five planes, his father-in-law's federal indictment, his wife's involvement with prescription drugs, and so on. Oh, and neither McCain nor Bush can turn a phrase or give an inspiring speech.

Kennedy's presidency was the one instance I can remember in my past that a person gave hope and inspiration to the country. Obama is doing the same. He will not stand for the mendacity and mediocrity to which Sorensen aptly refers and which is the only thing we can expect from McCain. And he can speak in public without making the country cringe. Our allies are all hoping Obama wins because they too recognize his integrity and the fact that McCain is just a Bush dittohead. McCain, the former maverick, has sold out.

... she would resign NOW, saying her eldest daughter and the rest of her children need her support more than the country does, that she can be replaced on the ticket, but no one can replace her as MOTHER. She has two other daughters and a Down Syndrome son to raise. From what I understand her oldest son had some troubles before he joined the service. Combined with Bristol's teen pregnancy, Palin doesn't exactly have an ideal resume as parent, but all people can do is praise her support for her pregnant daughter. How exactly can she be supportive if she is gallivanting abroad to attend state funerals and across the country for meetings? Maybe she figures her husband can be a full-time dad. And what's with revealing her daughter's pregnancy to prove her own, instead of providing medical documentation? That is just off-the-wall and makes this observer wonder what sort of veep or prez she would be. Sort of wacky.

This family is a walking set of poster children for the unreliability of abstinence-only sex education. How the Obamas would be criticized if they were in the same situation. Which they are NOT.