Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/526644
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Iamasenior citizen with a dating problem. My wife passed away two years ago. I did not date for the first year but since then I have met and gone out with several women. These women are my age, of course. My prob- lem is that although I simply want to go out and social- ize, every woman I meet seems to want a permanent and/ or serious relationship. I am definitely not ready for this. The problem gets worse when I go out several times with the same woman. She then becomes possessive and wants to be exclusive — and that's the end of the friendship. I want to meet lady friends and keep them as friends without getting serious; however, this dynamic appears to make that impossible. What is the solution? —AConfusedSenior DEAR CONFUSED » Your problem is a familiar one to casual daters, no mat- ter what gender or age. You don't say how you are meeting these women- friends, but if you are meeting them through an Internet matching site, one obvious answer is to change the venue, trying instead to meet people whose relationship goals aren't quite so urgent. Regardless of how you meet women, your continued transparency about your motives will be necessary. For women of a certain age, it's a numbers game. According to 2010 Census data, in the 65-74 age group there are 86 men for every 100 women. Stitch.net is an Inter- net site promoting itself as a facilitator for older people to get together. Perusing the site, I see that options include being matched with someone for nonromantic companionship. The woman who takes you at your word and who doesn't act possessive is the right match for you. DEAR AMY » My hus- band and I are trying to distance ourselves from a couple of former friends. We have other friends who met these people through us. They like them a lot and tell us they are inviting them to their home during a time when we will also be there. This makes us very uncomfort- able and resentful. These current friends don't know that we're distancing ourselves. You always know what to say in sticky situations. When our friends tell us they're inviting ex-friends, what can we say? — Social Dilemma DEAR SOCIAL » Your friends may be trying to politely create a fun group and don't realize they are assembling the cast of "I Know What You Did Last Summer." If you decline an invitation, do not blame the presence of the other couple — this puts the hosts in a terrible spot. If your friends mention the ex-friends in a noninvita- tion context, be honest and say, "There is some tension between us right now. We're in a rough patch." Don't provide details. Dating widower favors fun friendship over commitment 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 Gemini(May21-June20) — You will encounter someone who shows interest in your pro- gressive ideas. Use social events and networking functions to present what you have to offer. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Loss is evident. You need to protect your reputation, position and possessions. Someone will try to exploit your generosity. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Get out and enjoy what life has to offer. Your spontaneity and creativity will put you in the spotlight at any gathering you attend. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Don't forfeit your savings on an untried investment. Ask ques- tions and verify the credentials of anyone with whom you are considering forming an alliance. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Lady Luck is on your side. Moody family members will be hard to deal with. A travel op- portunity is on the horizon. Keep busy doing whatever makes you feel happy. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Don't use company time for personal pursuits. Keep your pri- vate matters out of the office. If you shirk your responsibilities at work, you will pay the price. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — There are ample opportu- nities to expand your horizons. Studying other countries and cultures will stimulate your desire to understand and help others. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Making alterations to your living space will be challenging, but rewarding. Include modi- fications that will add to your comfort and make your home more inviting. Plan to host an event. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — A reunion with an old friend will remind you of past challenges and dreams. Before you abandon your current path, consider what it took to reach your present position. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Assertiveness, not aggres- sion, will help you convince oth- ers to join your pursuit. You can more successfully emphasize your strong points with charm rather than force. Aries (March 21-April 19) — If you channel your excess energy into something creative, you will get amazing results. You will feel greater freedom once you rid yourself of issues or people that are no longer help- ing you advance. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Any issues that need attention should be dealt with privately and diplomatically. You will damage your reputation if you are confrontational. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, JUNE 12 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 4 B