California Dolphin

Dear Eric: My husband’s best friend of 18 years is married to “Martha,” who is bipolar. She self-medicates with THC. I’ve become uncomfortable being around her. My husband is supportive of my feelings, to a point. He doesn’t want to lose John’s friendship, which I totally understand. Two weeks ago, Martha had asked me to come over. The minute John was out the door, Martha told me that her son was coming over and that it was not for John to know. Red flags! Minutes later, here came her son, drunk, with a bag full of pot for Martha. I was really uncomfortable because her drunk, stoned son scared me. I left my ex for this exact behavior. Unfortunately for Martha, John came back early and saw Martha’s son leaving. When we had lunch with John and Martha yesterday, my husband was sure something would be said to clear the air. Nothing was said. I can beg off only so often from the four of us getting together. Martha will tell John to ask my husband why I’m not answering the phone. I don’t want

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am in my late 30s and childless, not by choice. I prefer to have a small circle of friends, but I have found it difficult to find other childless friends. Statistically, most people my age have children — especially in church settings, where I spend a lot of my time. It often leaves me feeling like I don’t fit in, as I cannot relate to the conversations revolving around pregnancy and childrearing. One close friend, who is aware of how I feel, and with whom I converse nearly every day, often shares stories with me that I cannot relate to. I often find it hard to cope with this, as they bring up a lot of grief and feelings of being the odd one out. She just shared her excitement over a conversation she had with two friends (whom I do not know) about the similarities in how they raised their now-adult children and some of the relational results of their various parenting choices. I don’t want to squash my friend’s excitement, nor do I want to discourage her from sharing

DEAR ABBY: My husband is soon to have his first book published. We have both waited a long time for this moment and are thrilled that he’ll finally have this achievement under his belt. While I never had any real expectation about a possible dedication, I thought I might get a short mention. Instead, the dedication went to someone he doesn’t know personally, and I was completely left out. His co-author took the opportunity to acknowledge their spouse in addition to other people. I am sad that my husband wouldn’t acknowledge my support. I’m not sure if I should say anything to him about it. If I do and he changes the dedication, it won’t really be from him. If I wait, I will continue to feel slighted. He is a dedicated husband and supports me in everything I do, so is this a big deal just because I feel like it is? What to do, if anything? — UNACKNOWLEDGED IN THE EAST DEAR UNACKNOWLEDGED: I am sure your husband had his reasons for dedicating the book the way he did. Because this is a

Today is Saturday, March 29, the 88th day of 2025. There are 277 days left in the year. Today in history: On March 29, 1974, a group of Chinese farmers digging a well struck fragments of terra-cotta buried underground; archaeologists would ultimately discover terra-cotta sculptures of more than 8,000 soldiers and other figures. The “Terra-cotta Army” would become one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Also on this date: In 1943, World War II rationing of meat, fats and cheese began, limiting American consumers to store purchases of an average of about two pounds a week for beef, pork, lamb and mutton using a coupon system. In 1951, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted in New York of conspiracy to commit espionage for the Soviet Union. (They were executed in June 1953.) In 1961, the 23rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, allowing residents of Washington, D.C., to vote in presidential elections. In 1971, Army Lt. William L. Calley Jr. was convicted of murdering 22 Vietnamese civilians in the 1968 My Lai massacre. (Initially sentenced to life imprisonment with hard

REDWOOD CITY — Mills softball was a good team last year. The Vikings finished the season with a record of 14-7, losing in the quarterfinals of the Central Coast Section Division IV tournament to Aragon. But this season, Mills has taken things to another level.  Currently No. 6 in the Bay Area News Group rankings, the Vikings are now 9-2-1 after run-ruling Sequoia 13-3 on Friday. Mills has multiple impressive wins on its resume, including a signature 5-3 defeat of No. 5 Mitty, a perennial powerhouse in the Bay Area. So what’s made the difference for the Vikings this year? “The camaraderie with the team,” Mills coach Michelle Beauchemin said. “Most of the girls have been playing together since they were six. So when the freshmen came up, everyone was welcoming and already knew how they played, so they just molded back together from when they were playing rec ball and things like that.  Mills High School infielders high five each other before the start of the fourth inning at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, Calif., on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area