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On a day of three lunar squares and a lunar sign change, emotional tension will need somewhere to go. Aries season can bring flashes of hotheaded energy along with a chance to sharpen your skills in conflict resolution and de-escalation. Not every spark deserves oxygen. Often the wisest move is simply not to “go there” or to leave “there” the moment it gets heated. ARIES (March 21-April 19). No need to meet the expectations of others. In fact, no need to meet your own expectations either. All improvement comes from joyfully handling what’s in front of you — something you ...

Good fences, better boundaries

Dear Annie: I have a neighbor whom I used to enjoy very much. We would chat at the mailbox, exchange holiday cookies and occasionally sit on each other’s porch for a friendly visit. She was the kind of neighbor everyone hopes to have close by. Lately, though, things have changed. She now drops by without calling, often at the worst possible times. More than once, I have opened the door in my exercise clothes, with dinner half-cooked and papers spread all over the kitchen table, only to find her smiling and ready to settle in for a long visit. If I say I am busy, she laughs it off and ...

Hints From Heloise

Using beer for stews Dear Heloise: I wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I received a copy of your book “In The Kitchen with Heloise” at my bridal shower, and I’ve tried some of your ideas for cooking. You mentioned using beer as a substitute for wine in stews to get a delicious, rich sauce. I tried it, and wow! It was out of this world. Everyone loved it, and I was asked what made my beef stew so good. I said Heloise gave me the recipe. Many thanks for all the creative ideas in your books and column! — Georgia W., in Bloomington, Indiana SEND A GREAT HINT ...

Lowering prices?

Donald Trump’s assault on our democratic institutions did not stop voters from giving him a second term. The top reason they cited for reelecting him was the economy, notably their unhappiness over high prices. During the campaign, Trump promised to “bring prices down, starting on Day One.” How he would do this was left to our imagination. It seemed something along the lines of using his awesome powers to freeze prices and even make some melt. That and a pack of lies. Two days back in office, Trump issued a “Fact Sheet” headlined “President Donald J. Trump Delivers ...

Leo’s flawed war doctrine

Pope Leo XIV used part of his Palm Sunday message to castigate the United States for attempting to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power and threatening the world with mass destruction. In doing so, the “American Pope” confused the real enemy in the war. Addressing thousands in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope claimed that God rejects the prayers of leaders who wage war. He called the Iran war “atrocious” violence that cannot be justified by faith. He further said that God doesn’t hear the prayers of people whose “hands (are) full of blood.” Does he not include Iran’s ...

Faith among young people surging in U.S.

PITTSBURGH — Last September, Pastor Jason Howard of the Sanctuary Church in Pittsburgh saw a surge of young people flocking to his Christian congregation, the week after Charlie Kirk was murdered. Howard knew that something had shifted. Yes, their congregation had always been predominantly youth-driven, but this was different. Lines began to form for their services. Public transportation was dropping off children by the busload from campuses across the city, and he knew that he had an obligation to expand. Howard teamed up with local college students at the University of Pittsburgh, ...