DEAR ABBY: My widowed father-in-law is 77 and my mom is 71. I try to spend time with them so they won't be lonely. The problem is they now have only one interest -- gambling. They are only happy if someone will take them to a casino. A simple dinner or movie is no longer wanted.

I don't mind going once in a while. The closest casino is 90 miles away. But it ends up being an all-day affair, with me gambling money I would prefer not to let go of that way. I have brought books and spent time reading in the car or in restaurants, but that's not quality time, either.

They think that because my husband is successful, I should have no problem with money. Abby, I am careful how I spend money. You can't be in a casino for four hours and not lose a lot of money. Now they're mad at me because I don't want to take them anymore. Mom even wanted to stretch out the trip to an overnighter. Help! -- BETTING I'M RIGHT IN OHIO

DEAR BETTING: You are a caring wife and daughter. But it appears your mother and father-in-law are less interested in spending time with you than in spending time in the casino. If they can afford it, that should be their privilege, but you are all adults -- and if your concept of a social get-together involves more than sitting in front of a slot machine or repeating, "Deal me in!" then you're right to refuse to be used as transportation. Many seniors visit casinos in groups, using buses to get there and back, and so can your relatives. Don't feel guilty about it.

DEAR ABBY: My darling wife passed away after 38 years of marriage. After she died, her sister and I began talking on the phone as a way to get me through a very difficult time. A year later, I finally asked her to dinner.

We have discovered we have feelings for each other. Do you think there is anything wrong with this, and are we wrong for spending time together? -- CONSOLED IN ALABAMA

DEAR CONSOLED: Not only is there nothing wrong with it, there is a lot right with it. After being in-laws for nearly four decades, you have a wealth of shared history. And that can be the basis of a strong relationship.

DEAR ABBY: On April 6, you printed my letter about having been sent a photocopy of a high school graduation announcement. No picture was included, nor a card -- just the photocopy folded into a cheap envelope. (The "real" ones had been sent to more "important" people!) You called me to discuss my letter, and your call made my day.

My mom happened to call me right after I got off the phone, and when I told her my letter was being printed in your column, she informed me that she had actually received a photocopy of a thank-you card that day, from the same person I was talking about in my letter. These people continue to floor me.

Anyway, I hope this is the last "photocopy" story you'll be getting about them. But who knows? There could still be photocopies of wedding invitations and birth announcements in the future. -- EVEN MORE FLABBERGASTED IN THE SOUTH

DEAR EVEN MORE FLABBERGASTED: Indeed there could. Obviously the folks you described in your letter aren't Dear Abby readers. It's lucky you have a sense of humor. With friends like those you need one.

To order "How to Write Letters for All Occasions," send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)

DEAR ABBY: My son and his girlfriend decided to go to an afternoon matinee. Two older women sat down behind them. When the movie started, one of them began a loud, running commentary to the other.

After a few minutes, my son and his girlfriend moved to seats four rows farther down, but they could still hear the woman explaining step-by-step what was happening on the screen. He turned around and made a shushing sound, and in a loud voice she responded, "My friend is blind and I'm explaining what's happening on the screen."

Other people changed seats, too. My son understood how a blind person might want to enjoy hearing a movie, but her companion should have told her this was a public place and she would have to wait until they go home to have it explained in full, or wait for the DVD to come out so they could talk at home while it was on.

Abby, wasn't it rude to destroy everyone else's enjoyment of the film? -- SUZANNE IN LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIF.

DEAR SUZANNE: Yes. Your son should have taken the problem to the theater usher or manager. Many theaters are equipped with special descriptive audio for blind patrons. If that accommodation was not available, the blind person and her companion should have sat toward the front of the theater or in an area that was less crowded so they didn't distract other audience members. Also, movies with descriptive audio can be obtained at the local library.

DEAR ABBY: I have to choose between chorus and art for an elective for high school in the fall. I have been told I have an excellent voice, but I'm scared to death about auditioning for chorus. I have little artistic ability -- just enough to get me through life.

I don't know what to do. I want to be in chorus, but as I said, I am terrified of having to try out. Please give me some advice. -- ANGEL GIRL IN CHARLOTTE, N.C.

DEAR ANGEL GIRL: You have to decide whether to take advantage of the fact that you have "an excellent voice" or spend the rest of your life singing by yourself in the shower.

One way to overcome fear is to confront it in stages. In other words, start by singing for a few friends. If there's a choir at your church, ask if you can audition for it. When school starts, ask the choral director if you can audition privately if you're still afraid. If the answer is no, then your elective will have to be art. And by the way, you may be pleasantly surprised to discover that "talent" in art is the result of hard work, dedication and practice.

DEAR ABBY: I have been experiencing something similar to your "pennies from heaven" letters. My husband, a master carpenter for 40 years, passed away 10 months ago. We had several projects started --- a shop, a greenhouse and a room addition. We were also starting up a small sawmill business.

I have been trying to get things finished, and whenever I think I am not going to be able to make it, I find a nail where a nail shouldn't be. It was always a joke between us that he spread nails like Johnny Appleseed spread seed. I believe he is watching out for me and leaves them to let me know I will be OK. -- JO ANN FROM FORKS, WASH.

DEAR JO ANN: I think you've "nailed" it. And because they bring you comfort, collect them and -- perhaps -- find a creative way to display them.

Good advice for everyone -- teens to seniors -- is in "The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It." To order, send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby -- Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)

DEAR ABBY: When my stepsister, "Skye," stays here every other weekend, I not only have to share my room with her, but I'm also expected to spend all my time with her. We're both 15. I have nothing against her, but she's not someone I would choose as a friend.

It's a small room for two people. It means I can't have friends over every other weekend, and I'm also not allowed to spend the night at a friend's or do anything with them without taking her along. She's usually not invited, so I'm stuck staying home with her.

Abby, Skye is supposed to be here visiting her father (my stepfather), but he's usually out playing golf or fishing, and I have to be home with her and feel like I'm her baby sitter. Please tell me what you think. -- FED UP IN EUGENE, ORE.

DEAR FED UP: I'm glad you asked. This is something you should discuss with your mother. But please consider that as uncomfortable as this is for you, imagine how your stepsister must feel. Skye is stuck every other weekend in a small room with someone who resents her because she'd rather entertain her friends. Add to that the fact that Skye has a father who shows no interest in spending special time with her, and would rather be with his buddies or alone amusing himself with his hobbies.

Frankly, I feel sorry for both you and your stepsister. You're being treated like her unpaid baby sitter, and she's no baby. And she is being treated like a burden to everyone.

DEAR ABBY: I recently received a wedding invitation from my cousin, who is marrying a woman with two children from a previous marriage. Photos of all of them were included in the invitation.

In addition to the typical registry items (housewares, kitchen gadgets, etc.), I was surprised to see a number of items for the children, including bedding, games, toys and clothing. Is this typical for couples with children who marry, or is this an abuse of the registry? -- PERPLEXED IN UTAH

DEAR PERPLEXED: An abuse of the registry? When a couple is being married, they register for items they think they will need as they start life together. Loving friends and family try to give them what they request, to the extent they are financially able to do so. Your cousin and his bride-to-be may prefer new items for the children to yet another coffee pot, toaster or piece of china. If that offends you, give them something else. The registry is a guideline; it's not cast in stone.

DEAR ABBY: Once a week I meet with three friends at a coffee shop/restaurant. We sit for at least an hour chatting and catching up about our families. I'm the only one in the group who orders anything, and it's usually just a beverage. It makes me uncomfortable that no one else orders and we take up the table for an hour. This has gone on for a while, and I have not found a way to say anything. Can you help? -- FRIEND IN SACRAMENTO

DEAR FRIEND: If the owner or manager of the place objected to the fact that you are taking up the table, something would have been said by now, or a notice would have been printed stating that customers must place a minimum order per person. However, because you feel awkward being the only person having something, tell your friends how you feel and that you'd feel more comfortable if they ordered something, too.

For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order "How to Have a Lovely Wedding." Send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby -- Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)