DEAR ABBY: I am 24 years old and engaged to a man who is 54. I love him with all my heart, but I haven’t told my father yet.
My fiance takes very good care of me, and we have a lot in common. We get along great. We have been together for three years and have had only one big fight. We can talk about everything. Do you think dating someone twice your age is OK? -- LOVED IN PENNSYLVANIA
 

DEAR DR. GOTT: My husband, age 76, has suddenly developed atrial fibrillation. He had an active life, walking 3 to 4 miles, five days a week and hunting. Now he can get short of breath while sitting in a chair. If he goes outside to do yard work, he gets short of breath within just a few minutes.

On Nov. 12, 2007, Jordon received the heart of Ashley Paine, who died after an accident involving a school bus. Ashley's parents, Donnie and Laurie Paine, donated their daughter's organs.

DEAR ABBY: I am a licensed psychologist and the director of a small counseling center at a liberal arts college. Part of my duties include answering emergency calls from students who are in crisis.

DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column, you stated that "outdated medications can be discarded easily by flushing them down the toilet."

It won’t be long before winter sets in and the inevitable happens - the power goes out. Being stuck without electricity or trying to drive in a winter storm can turn from inconvenient to dangerous in no time. Being prepared can make it a little easier when an emergency strikes.

It's that time of year again. It's time to start thinking about buying gifts, or what to bring to one of the many holiday parties you're invited to.

Jackie Bordewick calls herself a “tightwad.” “I grew up with no credit cards, no nothing. When I got married in 1965, we didn’t have money. I always looked for ways to save money, and now I do it automatically. I’ve been cheap all my life,” said the Springfield woman. This year, she skinned, chunked and froze tomatoes from her backyard garden, which yielded 38 bags.

Crowley's Ridge, the St. Francis National Forest and Phillips County is ablaze with fall colors and may be some of the best foliage in the state. 

DEAR ABBY: I read the letter from “Future Skin Artist, Port Huron, Mich.” (Aug. 7), the 18-year-old male who wants to be a tattoo and piercing artist and who sports 20 piercings and a tattoo. He was complaining about the stares and cruel remarks he got from people.

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have had a high cholesterol level for several years. As a 67-year-old female, I try to eat responsibly and really feel my condition is hereditary since my two sisters have the same problem.

Follow along as chef Mitzi Stinson creates a white bean and chicken chili dish.

I have written about daylight saving time before — so frequently, in fact, that I have written the sentence "I have written about daylight saving time before" before. I am thinking about writing it again, right now, because I am making a galvanizingly important point here, and also because if I keep writing it over and over I can get this column done quicker and return immediately to the couch, where I can continue immersing myself in the rich and rewarding world of the Ice Road Truckers.

DEAR ABBY: A few months ago a longtime friend and business associate I’ll call “Brian” lost his wife. They had been married for nine years. Brian and I have shared many conversations over the years and know details of each other’s lives. He’s a remarkable person with outstanding values and a wonderful heart.
I have been legally separated for a year and am in the process of getting a divorce.
 

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am writing regarding the person who, after having two lung X-rays, was found to have a spot on the lung. He was told to wait six months and have another X-ray.