Dear Larry: I am the mother of two graduating high school seniors who happen to be identical female twins. I raised them without their father being involved in their lives. I divorced their father because I found out he was involved in meth.

Both of my daughters are outstanding students, have never been a problem, and thankfully, never got into drugs. They are beautiful girls and neither has been involved in a serious relationship with a boy. I believe there is good communication between us, and we have been able to reach solutions without any rancor. In spite of this wonderful parent/child bond, we have an issue that we cannot come to terms with.

My daughters want to go to a major university in another town that is well known for partying and other "extracurricular activities," which is code for drugs. The school is not known for its academic excellence.

Larry, I am dead set against this school and my daughters have their minds made up. It seems as if there is no compromise on the issue.

I need an answer right away because it is time to select colleges. I hate to say this, but I would rather they did not go to college than go to this wild and crazy excuse for higher education. — Frazzled

Dear Frazzled: Your letter represents the dilemma of many parents. I suggest you do some studying and find at least 20 colleges you think would be suitable for your daughters. I would then ask your daughters to list 10 colleges they would consider acceptable, with the understanding that you have the right to choose any one of the 10. I would wager one of their 10 choices would be on your acceptable list.

Write again and let me know how you fare.

Dear Larry: This blaming everyone else for your own problems thing is not just racial. I know of at least two white people who have decided to be miserable rather than admit that they have any control over their lives.

You know what? I am not happy with my life right now, and I have no problem putting the blame squarely where it belongs. It's me. You can ask anyone who knows me.

I know that blame doesn't pay the bills, take care of my health or make me a productive human being. I still have to do that myself, sometimes all by myself.

So I do what I can with what I have and spend the rest of my time seeking out opportunities for a better existence. That may never happen, but I won't know if I never try.

If I try, at least I will know that I did everything I could for myself. If I try, I will not spend what's left of my life blaming everyone else.

Nobody ever promised any of us a rose garden. We should not go around destroying others. We should all go find our own patch of land and grow own garden. — Cindy

Dear Cindy: Your words are wise and true.

To find out more about Larry Meeks, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.