DEAR ABBY: We have enjoyed an international dinner club with three other couples for many years. Besides an international theme, we occasionally have other theme dinners. The host couple chooses the country and is responsible for the main course. Another couple brings an associated entree, the third couple brings dessert and the fourth couple provides the wine. We rotate responsibilities so we host only once every four months.

We have become close friends over many memorable meals together, sharing pregnancy announcements, child rearing, graduations, weddings and anniversaries.

I think a "Dear Abby" dinner would be fun to host, and I'd love to plan a meal around your cookbooks. Would you please advise how this avid reader might get copies? -- CHEF MIKE IN CANADA

DEAR CHEF MIKE: I know a Dear Abby dinner party would be enjoyable, because readers have written to tell me they've hosted one, and it made for an interesting and fun evening. The recipes are traditional, easy to read, simple to prepare and delicious.

As I mentioned to a reader from Little Rock who inquired about the booklet, one hostess described decorating her place cards with appliqued hearts and tiny flowers. She created a centerpiece by making a "bouquet" of envelopes addressed to Dear Abby.

Another woman copied questions from past columns, printed them out and made them into a party game, instructing her guests to supply the answers. She said that after a few glasses of wine, some of the answers they came up with were hilarious, but not suitable for printing in a family newspaper.

My cookbooklet set contains more than 100 tasty recipes ranging from soups to salads, appetizers, main courses and desserts. The recipes can also be used for holiday celebrations and other special occasions. To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $14 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. My mother used many of these recipes for dinner parties, and so have I. I particularly recommend the Pecan Pie recipe -- which has been printed in this column before because it has taken prizes at county fairs. It was given to Mama by the chef at the now-demolished Phoenix Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky, and people rave about it.

DEAR ABBY: Folks always tell me that gals like to be wooed, but when I holler "woo" at them, they give me dirty looks. What's up with that? -- ABBY FAN FROM TWITTER

DEAR FAN: Decades ago, "gals" would have been flattered. But since the women's movement, many females would regard your attempt to be friendly as a form of sexual harassment rather than a compliment. Instead of "hollering," try saying hello and you may get better results.

DEAR ABBY: I am a divorced mother of four. I have been single for three years, since my ex chose an affair over our marriage. I am successful and manage my home and finances.

I am, however, struggling with pressure from my ex to get back together. He had several affairs during the 13 years we were married. The pain and self-loathing were unbearable for me. He hasn't changed. Yet he tells our 14-year-old son, "Jackson," that he still loves me and "wants only to be with me." He also told Jackson that he doesn't know why I have chosen to keep our family broken up.

I moved hundreds of miles to get away from this stress. I have a great job and a lovely home. My son stays mad at me, though. He has chosen to live with his dad, and when he visits he demands explanations for why I am not with them. It breaks my heart. I genuinely do not know what to tell him.

His father has already told him about the affairs, but says I should forgive him. Ironically, I do forgive him. I want my ex to have a beautiful life -- without me. What can a mother say to her son to help him understand that some things just won't mend? -- MOVED ON IN ALABAMA

DEAR MOVED ON: You would be doing your son a favor to tell him the truth. As it stands, he thinks that a husband having affairs is nothing serious because that's what his father has told him.

Now it's time to tell Jackson that his father didn't do this just once, he did it repeatedly. Explain that you tried forgiving him, and it only caused you more heartache. Tell your son you love him and you're sorry he's angry at you, but it's clear that his father isn't going to change. And that you would rather remain single than let him touch your body -- or your heart -- again.

If you do, it may teach Jackson that not all women will accept this kind of treatment and endlessly forgive. If you don't, he may follow his father's example and turn out just like dear old dad.

DEAR ABBY: I live in my parents' home. They are long-haul truck drivers and come home every eight weeks or so for a few days. I'm disabled and have a caregiver who comes four days a week.

When my parents stop in and the caregiver is here, they expect her to do for them. They keep four dogs on the truck they take with them and leave four dogs at home with me -- so that's eight dogs when they are here. I am extremely grateful for this home and I love them very much, but right now I feel like a house/dog-sitter.

My son has invited me to go on vacation with his family. Is it my responsibility to make arrangements for the dogs they have left here? I feel like a prisoner in my own home. -- HOUSE-SITTER IN THE SOUTH

DEAR HOUSE-SITTER: Because the dogs have been left in your keeping, the responsibility for assuring their safety and well-being in your parents' absence belongs to you. Ask your parents if they would mind a pet-sitter staying in the house when you vacation with your son, or if they would prefer the dogs be placed in a kennel.

DEAR ABBY: Many years ago you published a "Do Not Call" number for unsolicited phone calls. It worked great for a long time. I'm now starting to receive a lot of these calls again.

I am elderly (88), arthritic, and I struggle getting out of my chair to answer the phone because I think it's a family member or friend calling. Do you still have that number? I think a lot of people would like to have it. -- CARRIE IN QUINCY, MASS.

DEAR CARRIE: I went searching for the number of the Do Not Call Registry and found it in my Consumer Action Handbook, which is published by the GSA Federal Citizen Information Center. The toll-free number is 888-382-1222.

If, after your number has been in the National Registry for three months, you continue to receive calls, you can file a formal complaint using the same toll-free number. This will stop most -- but not all -- telemarketing calls. Unfortunately, calls from political organizations, charities, telephone surveyors and some organizations with which you already have a relationship are still permitted.

DEAR ABBY: My daughter is having a baby. Her baby shower is being given by one of her close friends. I made it clear that I did not want to know the gender of the baby before the birth, that I'm content to enjoy the suspense. I did not attend the "reveal" party that was held several months ago.

When my shower invitation arrived, it was pink and began with "It's A Girl!" Isn't it rude to ignore another person's feelings even if you think they are silly?

I won't say anything about this to my daughter because I want her to enjoy her party, but maybe this will help others who would prefer waiting for the surprise. Am I wrong to have expected my invitation to be non-gender-specific? -- GRANNY-TO-BE

DEAR GRANNY-TO-BE: Yes, I think you are wrong. In this day of sonograms and gender-reveal parties, you are in the minority with your preference to be kept in the dark. Rather than being rude, what probably happened was a person who was unaware of your preference sent your invitation as part of a batch -- and pink is the theme of the party.

DEAR ABBY: My longtime 91-year-old friend is healthy but suffers from dementia. Her frequent fearful thoughts are centered around (imaginary) intruders who lurk somewhere upstairs or in the garage and are robbing her.

I try to tell her this is only in her mind, that they are not real, to no avail. What else can I say or do? Her son comes three times a week to clean her house and cook good meals for her, but he doesn't live there. -- CONCERNED FRIEND OUT WEST

DEAR CONCERNED FRIEND: Talk to her son and find out whether he knows what she has been telling you. If he has removed anything from his mother's house, he should remind her. If he hasn't -- and nothing is missing -- then his mother's doctor should be made aware that she is anxious and fearful and may be having hallucinations, because there may be a medication that can calm her.

P.S. It couldn't hurt to check the attic for critters.