Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/451112
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Myalmost 13-year-old grandson stays overnight at our house and always wants his grandmother to sleep with him because he is "afraid." He promised to stop asking for her to sleep with him when he turned 12 but has not kept his promise. We live in a "55 and over" community that is very secure. Both mother and son appear to be neurotic. It is the same when his sister comes to spend the night. I may be an old fogey, but I think this is un- healthy behavior. It sends the wrong message to the kids about safety, individual strengths and independence. I do not say anything about it to my son and his wife because I fear they would start restricting their visits to our house, and maybe even our visits to theirs. Should my wife and I just pretend that all is well or should we attempt to talk with all of them about it? —Dumbfounded DEAR DUMBFOUNDED » I agree with your instincts but disagree with your conclusions and behavior. You should not cast your grandson as neu- rotic and judge him so harshly. Do your best to be the wise, strong and reassuring grandparent he deserves. You and your wife should not have waited this long to confer with his parents on how to improve the dynamic. Your fear that they will restrict visits is keeping you from communicating with them about the visits — which seem to be going quite badly. Ask them for suggestions. Your wife and grand- son should not be co- sleeping. Ask the boy to sleep in his regular bed and tell him he can come to you at any point if he becomes nervous for any reason. When he comes to your room, YOU (Grand- pa) should patiently walk him back to his room and reassure him. If he can't manage in his room, let him sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor of your room while he adjusts. DEAR AMY » While clean- ing and clearing up some old, forgotten paperwork, I came across a 13-year- old check that was made out to me and never cashed. It was payment for music lessons I gave to my friend's daughter. The amount was $100. I recently had din- ner with my friend and laughingly showed her the outdated check. She didn't realize it hadn't been cashed because she was divorcing and her ex had closed the account. She insisted on writing me a fresh check. When I disclosed this situation to a family member she said I should have just let it drop. After all, this was 13 years ago already! Am I right here? Am I due my money — or should I just let it drop? — Unsure Friend DEAR FRIEND » Your friend paid her bill. It is not her responsibility to make sure you cashed the check — or to hunt you down if you didn't. This was your mistake. It was kind (and unnecessary) of her to insist on paying you again after all these years. Grandfather shares theories about fearful tween grandson You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribune.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 Aquarius(Jan.20-Feb.19) — Confidence and tenacity will lead to achievement. A roman- tic encounter will not be as straightforward as you hope. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — You'll have trouble analyzing a situation if you don't get all the facts and figures. Don't rely on hearsay or speculation, and don't make assumptions. Aries (March 21-April 19) — If you are able to help someone out, it will end up benefiting you as well. Do whatever possible to form a close bond with friends as well as colleagues. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Financial or health concerns will cause some difficulties if you haven't been diligent in the way you handle such matters. Re- view your personal paperwork. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — You will be able to outmaneuver the competition if you multitask and are determined. Any chal- lenge you take on will contribute to your advancement. Do what- ever it takes. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You will be acclaimed for choos- ing a unique approach to reach your goal. A collaborative effort will be successful once you take control and lead the way. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Building partnerships with clients who live in your commu- nity will be as fruitful as doing business with someone far away. The time saved network- ing locally will also save money. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Your reputation will be questioned if you exaggerate or embellish what you have to offer. If you want to be treated as a contender, present a realistic view of your skills and mindset. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — All eyes will be on you. Favorable attention will help you achieve what you have been working to- ward. Collaborative ventures will pay off. Set aside some time to celebrate with someone special. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — You won't have a lot of time to make a critical decision. Close family members or the people you live with will be hard to get along with. Spend time with a sympathetic friend. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — A trip will bring surpris- ing and beneficial results. You will be better off if you distance yourself from anyone harboring unpredictable emotions that could lead to a confrontation. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Avoid anyone trying to push you against your will. You will be intrigued by something that will prove to be a viable venture. Check out potential ways to profit from your interests. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, JAN. 23 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 4 B