Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/791244
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Iamamature 25-year-old college-edu- cated man with a great career. I was on the dating scene for several years when I met "Julie" — the girl of my dreams. We fell deeply in love and after four months we began to speak of a long- term future together. We seemed compatible in all the important ways for a good marriage, and I was happier and more secure with her than with any other woman I ever knew. Julie had just ended a long-term relationship when we met, and one day she told me that this old lover was coming through town and wanted to see her. She asked me if I cared, and I said that it was her business and to do whatever she thought was appropriate. I later found out that she spent the week- end with him. When I confronted her, she said that she was "only saying goodbye." She said the tryst "didn't mean any- thing," and had nothing to do with her love for me. Apparently she thought it was "appropri- ate" to sleep with this guy, and that doing so wasn't really cheating on me. I was shocked and appalled. My problem isn't just that she slept with an old lover, but that she seems to think that such behavior was perfectly reasonable and I shouldn't be upset about it. Now I wonder if I re- ally know her at all, and am thinking that I should break off our relationship, even though I love her with all my heart. Amy, should I end th is r e la ti o ns hi p, o r take my chances that she will break my heart again? —Conflicted DEAR CONFLICTED » "Julie's" choice has given you a window onto her value system and temper- ament. You say that you wonder if you even know her at all, and I say that you actually know her much better, now. She does not ac- knowledge that she did anything inappropriate, hurtful or wrong. She certainly refuses to vali- date your (very natural) feelings of betrayal. You two are a mismatch. Sexual fidelity might not be in her wheelhouse. But even if she were able to guarantee that she would remain sexually faithful to you, you need to contemplate what other behaviors she might justify that you would consider wrong or hurt- ful. Take a fresh look at the way she handles her friendships and fam- ily relationships. I assume you will see other clues to her value system. You should also get tested for STDs. This might also be her cowardly way of ending the relationship with you. For some people, get- ting caught is easier (and more fun — for them) than having a hurtful, challenging breakup conversation. Man and his girlfriend don't seem to share the same values You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson. com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Pisces(Feb.20-March20) — Confusion will set in if you let an emotional situation get in the way of what you are supposed to be doing. You cannot change how others think or feel. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Personal gain looks promis- ing, as long as you are fair in your assessments and in how you treat others. High-pressure situations will require courtesy. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Don't give away private infor- mation in an emotional rush to counter someone's innuendoes. Remain calm and secretive until you gather the facts. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Taking a business trip or getting away with an enjoyable someone will lead to positive developments. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Live and learn. The experience you have will give you some- thing to think about. Sign up for something you've never done before or take a course that will boost your confidence. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Plan a brief trip that will benefit you personally and profession- ally. Love and romance are fea- tured, and will have an impact on your life. Participation will result in opportunity. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Make changes at home that will cut your overhead. Stabilizing your situation can be accom- plished if you are adaptable and disciplined regarding how you move forward. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Socializing will lead to an interesting encounter with someone who can shed light on a situation that affects you. Share information and take im- mediate action. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Keep your personal thoughts and plans a secret. The less anyone knows, the easier it will be for you to get things under- way without interference. Use your imagination. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Don't be afraid to do things your way. Taking a dif- ferent path than that touted by someone trying to convince you that his or her way is best will put you in control. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Don't push back if some- one tries to coerce you into an argument. Back away amicably before matters get out of hand. Choose to use intelligence over force. Don't become a martyr. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Don't hide the way you feel. By sharing your emotions, you will be able to change the fabric of your relationship with others. Financial gains will surface if you revive old dreams. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, FEB. 24 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017 6 B