Dear Abby: I don’t want friend to see my house

Dear Abby: I lost my longtime job but have remained in contact with a few former co-workers, meeting for an occasional lunch or dinner.

[...] I have sidestepped by saying that I prefer to get out of the house, but I’m worried that one day she will announce that she’s “in my neighborhood” and ask to drop by.

There are various excuses you can use if she wants to drop by.

If you rotate the deflections as needed, your friend may eventually get the idea without your having to say it directly.

Dear Abby: “Breaking With the Past” (Feb. 29) said she no longer wishes to “schlep” her parents’ wedding album to yet another location when she moves again.

Another option might be for her to preserve the photos in a digital format, and then return the album to her mother or give it away as you suggested.

In the future she may come to value these keepsakes because they may contain important information about family members, in addition to her parents.

Dear Cathy: I had originally included the option of digitally scanning the photos in my answer, but second-guessed myself while editing my column.