● DEAR ABBY: I recently returned home from a 3,000-mile driving trip. Why don't radio stations give their city of origin when they give their call letters and numbers? This would greatly help travelers who are driving through the area when it comes to traffic or weather problems.
Sometimes a station will report a bad accident on the "outer belt" that drivers should avoid. But "outer belt" to what city? Am I approaching it, or is it behind me? The same could be said about weather. The announcer may report a severe storm coming, but unless one knows what city is reporting, again, a traveler has no way of knowing if it's ahead or behind.
Please help to get the word out regarding the safety value of this one-second addition to these broadcasts. — Frustrated Traveler, Mansfield, Ohio
DEAR FRUSTRATED: Your frustration is shared by many people who travel the highways. I say this because your letter is not the first I have received carrying the same message. I hope that radio weathercasters will give your suggestion the consideration it deserves.
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● DEAR ABBY: I had my first child eight weeks ago — a beautiful baby boy. I would like to let him stay with my parents. However, my mother refuses to clean her house. The place looks like it has been ransacked. There are piles of old newspapers, old magazines and old mail everywhere.
It's not uncommon to find dirty dishes and utensils under the couch and on the floor. There are TV tray tables stacked 6 to 10 inches high with papers.
My baby's safety comes first. I'm not germ-phobic, and I know a little dirt won't hurt. But all those rubber bands and paper clips left on the floor could.
Mom acts offended that I won't allow my baby to be left at her home without me. My sister says I'm overreacting since her child "survived" all his visits. Am I being unreasonable? — Apprehensive
DEAR APPREHENSIVE: When I began reading your letter, I thought you might be. Then I reached the part about the dirty dishes, rubber bands and paper clips and realized the place could be a health hazard not only to your baby, but also to your parents. To leave your child unattended there could be considered child endangerment, so I'm voting with you.