Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/307515
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARCAROLYN»Imoved away from my hometown last year, but I'll be taking regular business trips back that way for the next few months. Living there are my mom and dad (divorced), two siblings and several old friends. Last time I went home, I paid a visit to one sibling, and spent the rest of my free time with co-workers. I never heard the end of it from every- one I didn't visit. How do I manage everyone's expectations so that visiting one person doesn't hurt others' feel- ings? Sometimes I'm in the mood to meet Mom for coffee, but not to listen to Dad complain about aches and pains. Sometimes I'm in the mood to play with Sibling 1's baby, sometimes I just want to go to happy hour with Sibling 2. Am I wrong, or is this totally fair? —HometownBlues DEAR HOMETOWN BLUES » Totally fair. Warn every- one you can't possibly see everyone in one weekend, so you'll see one or two each time. Thank them all in advance for their understanding. If the braying contin- ues, then give it the "I'm sorry to hear that," treat- ment, with a follow-up "I explained this at the begin- ning" as needed. Throw in an "I even thanked you in advance for your under- standing! Don't make me take it back!" bit of levity if you think it will fly. DEAR CAROLYN » Our son shocked my husband and me by calling off his engagement to "Molly" last month. He gave us almost no explanation. We were disappointed — we love Molly and wanted her to be part of our family. For almost a month, we believed our son was the one who had called off the wedding. Molly reached out to us this week and explained that she called it off because of our son's confessed infidelity. Now I feel even worse. I've been holding on to this email for days without mentioning it to my son. Should I talk to him about it? He is, in essence, lying to us about what caused the end of the engagement. — New England DEAR NEW ENGLAND » No. You already feel too deeply and know too much. Your son is currently di- gesting the consequences of his actions without your having to do or say a thing, and that's how it should be. Let things settle and give your son a chance to come to you with a more truthful version of events if and when he's ready, if ever. It can also be knowl- edge you add to the pot of your understanding — of what happened, of your son, of past events that made no sense at the time, of future events that you'll see with new eyes — and draw from as you continue through life with your son, understanding that he's as much a bundle of gifts and flaws and tri- umphs and colossal screw- ups as the rest of us, which is why it's so great to have parents around who love the whole bundle. Visits home get tricky when everyone wants to see you Carolyn Hax Ask Carolyn Email Carolyn Hax at tellme@washpost.com, follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ carolyn.hax or chat with her online at noon Eastern time each Friday at www.washingtonpost.com. Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Aries(March21-April19) — Embrace a challenge with strength and courage, and you will grab the attention of someone who can influence your future. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Your plans may not conform to what family members have in mind. Keep to yourself and don't waste energy trying to convince others of your ideas. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Take advantage of any chance you get to draw an audience. You can make great progress by promoting what you have to offer. Speak your mind. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Your health may become troublesome today. Be vigilant so that minor ailments don't worsen. Take care of paperwork. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Avoid being overbearing today. Show your friends and col- leagues that you have a sense of humor and can be a team player. People will find you more at- tractive if you're congenial. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Be aware of your surround- ings and keep your defenses up. Protect your valuables and be prudent with regard to hand- outs. A jealous colleague will try to undermine you. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — It's unfortunate, but you cannot always protect the ones you love. Offer them your support, be a sounding board and give positive suggestions, but don't try to take over their lives. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Someone will get the wrong idea if you appear to be wast- ing time. Keep busy, do your job diligently, and resist the urge to put off things that should be completed today. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Travel and educational activities will bring you the highest return. Your adven- turous mood will lead to new discoveries, connections and direction. Embrace the future. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Your patience and tolerance will be lacking today. Before you blurt out something hurtful, consider being on the receiving end of your intended comment. It's a good time to put your en- ergy into self-improvement. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Meet-and-greet events will lead to new friendships and opportunities. Don't move too quickly. Savor the moment and build on solid ground. Strive for equality. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Focus on finishing what you start. Proof that you have what it takes to be successful will be directly linked to accomplishing what you promise. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol TUESDAY, MAY 6 TUESDAY,MAY6,2014 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B