DEAR HARRIETTE: My children are all using smartphones, and they bought me one, too. They send me pictures of their children through the phone, and it's just marvelous. I love it. I do miss handwritten notes, though. I would love for them to encourage their children to write to me. I love having those notes to read and reread. Plus, it teaches the children how to write. I'm afraid if I suggest it, they may be offended. What can I do? I don't want to seem ungrateful for what they are doing. -- Grandma Love, Washington, D.C.

DEAR GRANDMA LOVE: It is wonderful that you are receiving regular communications from your children and grandchildren and that you are open to new ways of engaging them. It is also perfectly understandable that you are longing for a good old-fashioned letter. Rather than imploring your children to get their children to write to you, try another strategy. Write directly to your grandchildren. Write to each one individually, sharing a bit of news that you think they may find of interest. Enclose a little trinket or magazine clipping or some other memento that you think they would appreciate. At gift times, consider giving them personalized stationery. This may prove an incentive for them to write. You can even tell them that you wish they would write to you from time to time.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been cleaning out my closet, putting away the summer clothes and pulling out the fall and winter stuff. I realize that my family and I have way too much stuff, especially clothing. We need to get rid of some of it. Some things are in great shape, so I don't want to just throw them away. I have friends who might appreciate some of the items for themselves and others for their children, but I don't want to be presumptuous. We live in an apartment building, so we can't hold a yard sale. How can we go about offering clothes to people we know without offending them? -- Wanting to Share, Pittsburgh

DEAR WANTING TO SHARE: Divide your clothing into bundles for the various people you have in mind. Then contact the people and tell them that you were going through your clothing and found some things you think they will like. Ask if they would like to see them. Tell them if they don't want the items, it's no problem. They can give them to someone else or give them back to you.

You can also consider hosting a gathering at your home where you invite people to come who may be interested in the items you want to get rid of. With a few refreshments, you can make it a lovely social event. You can give away your clothes or sell them at a low price.

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband has been unemployed for about six months now. He is depressed since he is not able to pay the household bills as he normally does. I have taken it upon myself to see if I can help my husband find employment. Do you think I am overstepping my boundaries? -- Caring Wife, New York City

DEAR CARING WIFE: It is a kind and thoughtful gesture to try to get work for your husband. Men often take it particularly hard when they lose their jobs and have families for whom they are responsible. Depression is often a side effect of unemployment.

Your husband needs your encouragement and love. What you may want to do is tell him if you hear of any job leads here and there. Be mindful of setting him up for a position that he may not want to accept. Sometimes when people do the legwork for others, it can backfire.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I graduated from high school this past summer, and I went out of state to go to college. My school is eight hours away from my friends and family. I am extremely close to them, so it seems like they are on another planet, it's so far. I am having a hard time adjusting to the university life because it seems like people are moving much faster than me. Can you help me develop a way I can enjoy my college experience? -- Off to College, West Orange, New Jersey

DEAR OFF TO COLLEGE: It takes a while to get accustomed to living away from home, meeting new people and feeling at ease. When I first went away to college, I visited home several times a year because I was homesick. Over time, I became more at ease at school. I made friends, and I began to feel like I was where I was supposed to be.

Give yourself time to find a space of comfort. Meanwhile, use technology to your advantage. Keep in touch with your family and friends at home via phone, text and Skype.

As far as the pace of college life at your school, you do not have to move at that fast pace for everything. Yes, you have to keep up with your studies. But as far as social life is concerned, be sure to pick and choose what works for you. Prioritize your activities based on your interests. Be clear that you do not have to be involved in everything that your friends are doing. Choose your engagements based on your personal interests and goals. Talk to your guidance counselor to learn about what clubs and activities are on campus. Work with your counselor to determine which ones resonate for you.

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: Whenever my wife gets upset, she goes out in the backyard and works in her garden. I get that it is therapeutic for her, but it can be frustrating for me. I mean, I want her to be able to talk about whatever the issue is. Don't most women like to talk about stuff? She is totally different. She shuts down and plants flowers or a tree or something. How can I get her to stay inside and talk to me? We've been married only a couple of years, and I'm worried that we won't make it if we never talk about our disagreements. I love her and want to figure it out. -- Make It Work, Silver Spring, Maryland

DEAR MAKE IT WORK: Consider a new strategy. Give her some space at first, and then join her in the garden. Without talking, be together working the earth. Get into her groove. Pay attention to how she behaves while you are in her space. Don't crowd her. Just be with her.

At another time, ask her if she will talk to you. Tell her you are concerned that the two of you have not figured out a way to argue and make up after. Explain that you love her dearly and that you want to grow together as a couple. That means that you need to discover a way to work through disagreements, arguments and other difficulties that you may face. You believe that talking about whatever is going on is important. Ask her if she would be willing to try to talk through things with you. You can come up with a strategy together. For example, you might agree to take some time to cool off and then get together to talk. If she likes your help in the garden, maybe you can agree to work silently there for a while and then come inside to talk. When you do talk, do not yell. Work hard to be kind to each other even as you address your grievances.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband came home and told me that he wants to get a divorce. Just like that. He said he didn't like being married anymore and wanted to call it quits. I was floored. I didn't see it coming at all. We have been married for 10 years, and everything seemed pretty normal. I don't know what to do. I don't want my marriage to be over, but I can't make him love me if he says he doesn't. -- Save My Marriage, Denver

DEAR SAVE MY MARRIAGE: If you can get your husband to talk to you at all, ask him what's going on. Find out if he has a girlfriend. Inquire as to when his feelings changed and why. Ask him if he would be willing to go to therapy with you to see if it's possible to repair your bond. Tell him you believe in the bond of marriage and do not want to give up so quickly. Ask him if he will give it one more try. Pay attention so that you are clear about his reaction.

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)