Calvin Denson Lehman

Hello everyone! Are you all staying healthy? Please remember to wash your hands! You should wash your hands all the time, even when we’re not on the verge of a pandemic. Unfortunately, I’ve been struck down by a poorly timed fever. If you happen to have any problems, physical or emotional, feel free to write in at densoni@augsburg.edu, or anonymously, at https://tinyurl.com/wla8k9a! As usual, I am not a licensed therapist or a medical professional, but I am stuck in bed for a while and pretty bored, so go ahead and tell me anything!

Dear Cal,

My beautiful son, a nine-month-old kitten, keeps licking my girlfriend’s hair and she’d rather he not and I don’t know how to get him to stop. We can’t discipline him because cats don’t respond to that, and he’s very sweet and just wants to be a good friend and this is all he knows how to do. He purrs when he does it and we love him so much but would rather this behavior stop. What should we do?

Sincerely, Slightly Damp Head

Dear Damp Head,

Has your girlfriend tried wearing a hat or something to cover her hair? It sounds like your cat is just looking for affection! Try petting or playing with him preemptively and maybe he will be less inclined to lick your girlfriend’s hair. Otherwise, just pick the cat up and put him on the floor whenever he starts licking her head. If that doesn’t work, I’m sorry, but her head may just have to be damp. It’s the price of friendship.

Best, Cal

Dear Cal,

I’m really worried that I’m not going to like the job that I’m going into but I feel like it’s too late to change. I just get really nervous about what I’ll do in my future. I don’t know if I’ll be any good at it and I don’t know if I’ll be happy. Any suggestions?

Sincerely, Confused

Dear Confused,

That is a very reasonable worry! It can be really hard to have your interests change in your later years of college. I think there’s always time to change, though. Maybe you could try your current plan for a few years, and then go to graduate school for something different? Or use your degree for something creative and unexpected? I think you should stick with it and see where it takes you, but there’s always room to change later in life. If you’re still stressing, you could check in with someone at the Strommen Center about your career path. I’m sure you’ll be successful no matter what. Don’t underestimate your abilities!

Best, Cal