Q. Visitors dropped by my house recently and one of the individuals looked around and asked when I had dusted last. I was so taken aback I couldn’t think of a thing to say and, really, my house wasn’t that dusty—even though I live in an area with many vineyards that do produce quite a bit of dust. What’s with their brain?

A. I have no idea. In my brain’s opinion, it was none of their business. Second, it was impolite. And third, what was the reason they were there? To find fault with your housekeeping and try to put your down or to spend time with you and your brain because they love you? If that happens again, you might try a humorous response such as one I heard recently: “Human beings are made of dust and they will return to dust. That’s the reason I rarely dust because it could be someone I know.”