Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/347324
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Myyoungest son, "Steve," is 20 and had a few struggles in his teenage years. These included some depression, a little alcohol, some marijuana and ADD. We raised our kids in a loving, solid and good home, but my relationship with Steve became strained as I tried to help him (or, in his opinion, "interfere") in his life. He now works in another town, but was visiting the other day. His dad had received a new coat, which he had hung over the back of the chair. I lifted the coat to hang it up properly, and felt and heard something in the pocket. I reached inside and found a prescription bottle for my son. I realized that it was my son's coat, not my husband's new coat. I looked up the pill descrip- tion online and found it is medicine for an STD. What scared me most is that it had been filled three weeks earlier and he hadn't taken the pills. With his ADD, he forgets things, loses things, etc. I want to encourage him to take the medicine, but he will know I looked in his coat and will think I was snooping. The point, however, is that I am concerned for his health and future. Is this something I should ignore? —WorriedMom DEAR MOM » Sometimes silence — not speaking — is the answer. Think it through. Are you going to follow your son through life, meta- phorically checking his pockets and reminding him to get out of bed and go to work, helping him locate his car keys, prompting him to pay his bills, etc.? No doubt you've been doing this quite a bit to compensate for his ADD, but he is going to have to come up with strategies to deal with these things on his own. He had his act together enough to move away, get a job and get tested for an STD, and now he needs to take his meds. If you choose to say something to him, you should at the minimum admit that you were snooping (because you were) and that you are "interfering," (because you are). Then say, "I saw you had a medication bottle in your pocket. I worry about your health. Are you OK?" After that, accept any explanation he offers and move on. DEAR AMY» I appreciated your answer to "Clean Jean," who wondered about disclosing her ex- husband's long ago bad behavior to their grown children. You suggested she ask herself, "What good would come of it?" That question comes in handy in lots of situa- tions. — Faithful Reader DEAR FAITHFHUL » Thank you. It's a classic — because it works. Mom concerned when she finds son's STD medication (You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribune.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook. Amy Dickinson's mem- oir, "The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter and the Town that Raised Them" (Hyperion), is available in bookstores.) Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Cancer(June21-July22)— A diligent pursuit of knowledge will help you raise your earn- ing potential. Being prepared for any situation will keep you ahead of the competition. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Protect what you have worked so hard to accumulate. A humble and gracious attitude will get you further. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Make plans to spend time with the people you most enjoy being with. Romance is in the stars, and a closer relationship with someone special is in the offing. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Tread carefully when discussing important issues with friends, colleagues or family. Keep your thoughts to yourself until you know where everyone stands. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Go ahead and make subtle changes to your appearance or image. Developing your interests is a great way to increase your knowledge and bolster your self-esteem. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You will come up against some strenuous opposition at home. Remain composed, and resist the urge to get into a debate that could distance you from someone you love. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — It's imperative that you meet your deadlines at the workplace. Once you have fulfilled your obligations, get together with friends for some fun to ease your stress. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Don't try to shirk your career responsibilities. Your financial situation will take a dive if you need to look for a new position. Protect what you have worked so hard to acquire. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Decide what you want and go after it. With determination, you can overcome any limits or obstacles that stand in your way. Reach for the stars. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Get in touch with people you haven't seen in a long time. If travel is not an option, make calls to find out how everyone is doing. Catching up will make you feel good. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Re-evaluate your intentions and motives. It may be time to move on from a situation if you feel you are involved in it for the wrong reasons. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Now isn't the time to make changes at work or at home. Keep your intentions a secret for now. You will get further ahead by doing your job competently and quietly. Horoscope By Eugenia Last WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 5 B