Spark Lasted Through Years

Dear Ann Landers: I have a true love story, and I hope you can print it. “Daisy” and I met on May 30, 1952, two shy 13-year-olds. We were sweethearts all through high school.

I went away to college in 1956, and Daisy stayed behind for her senior year and dated other guys. I was quite surprised when I heard she got married. A year later, I married a girl I had met in college.

Now, 45 years later, after two marriages and two divorces (for each of us), we have found each other again. I telephoned Daisy last month (she lives in Idaho) and asked if she would like to see me. She said, “Yes, I’d love to.” We met, and in a matter of minutes, we both knew that the spark we ignited as teenagers was still there. We are getting married this summer. - H.D. in Quincy, Ill.

Dear H.D.: Thanks for a story with a beautiful ending. I loved it.

Dear Ann Landers: What is proper etiquette as far as borrowing things? I was taught that if you had to borrow something more than twice, you should buy your own and that borrowed items should be returned in the same condition or better.

We have a neighbor who has been borrowing our lawn mower and weed whipper every week for the last three years. He says his lawn mower isn’t working and he prefers our gas weed whipper to his electric one. Whenever he wants to use these items, he just goes to our shed and helps himself.

This neighbor never pays for repairs or gas, and I feel we’re being taken advantage of. We have never borrowed anything from him and don’t owe him a favor. I’m trying to convince myself that life is too short and we should just let him use our stuff and forget about it. We don’t want to ruin an otherwise good relationship over this or cause hard feelings.

I’m hoping he’ll see himself in this letter and take care of the problem. If not, what should we do? - Feeling Used in Vermont

Dear Vermont: Don’t count on him to see himself. These types rarely do.

Put a lock on your shed door. This will force your neighbor to ask the next time he wants to borrow your weed whipper or your lawn mower. Show him this column, and say, “I wrote this. From now on, you buy the gas.”

Dear Ann Landers: Here’s a poem that appeared in your column a long time ago. You once suggested, “Women who give recipes should attach a note - ‘No substitutions, or this recipe could be injurious to our friendship.’ “

I’m one of those cooks who does a lot of substituting, so this poem really hit home for me. Please run it again for those who may have missed it before. - Evelyn, Plainville, Kan.

Dear Evelyn: It may be an oldie, but it’s still funny. Here it is:

She didn’t have potatoes,

So she used a cup of rice.

She couldn’t find paprika,

So she used some other spice.

Tomatoes weren’t in season,

So she used tomato paste.

The whole can, not a cup, dear.

She couldn’t bear to waste.

And now she isn’t speaking.

She’s convinced I pulled a fast one.

So don’t ask for my recipe.

That one was the last one.