Q: I'm 50, divorced, no kids, considered reasonably good looking, college educated, real estate developer.  Perhaps, it's just the nature of the beast, but I have written to a couple of dozen women and a few who come off as particularly interesting and compatible and I get no response. How do you feel about re-writing someone after a couple of weeks or two of no response to reassert interest?  How would you best phrase such a letter? A little humor? Do I have anything to lose?

Q: I'm newly divorced and have been out of the dating scene for more than 12 years.  My question is this:  If a mystery man emails or "clicks" me and I'm less than interested, should I respond back?  If I blow him off, is that rude?  Or is it worse to respond when in fact I'm not intending on meeting the person?  If I ought to respond, what should I say?  It's not that I've exactly been inundated with responses or anything, which also prompts this question:  should I plan to meet everyone since 'you never know'?  My problem is that I am having to work too many hours to make ends meet and so am chronically short on time.  I therefore feel I must make the most of what little discretionary time I have.

Q: For the first time in my 31 single years, I am happy. I have a job that allows me to write, which is my true passion. I am dealing with my past and working through a lot. I feel better about myself than I can ever remember feeling before, truly accepting myself as I am. How do I deal with family members who cannot seem to accept me as I am since I have gained weight or seem happy single?

Q: I am scheduled to go home to my parents over Christmas. The problem is that even though I am the oldest of 3 children, both of my baby brothers are married which means it’s sofa time for me. I resent feeling like a second class citizen, especially during the holidays. What should I do?