Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/542609
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Myhusband is a very well-known and admired member of our community. What people don't know is that he is abusive. My children are grown and gone and I am trapped in this relation- ship. I have kept my mouth shut and slept alone for many years. He calls me stupid. He hits me and tells me I provoked it. If I leave he will always come out looking like the good guy because I have never told anyone about the abuse. I'm feeling so sad and lonely and know I deserve love, but have no idea how to find it. —Gratefulfora Response DEAR GRATEFUL » You need to leave this rela- tionship. How people view your husband is out of your control. It's time to stop thinking about him and start thinking about yourself. If there is a trusted family member or friend you can rely on for help, yo u s ho ul d re ac h o ut , t el l your story, and ask for support. Gather all of your important documents together and put them in a safe spot. If your com- puter use is monitored, go to your public library to research shelters. Find a place to go to that is safe and secure — domesticshelters.org is a very helpful website that lists hundreds of shel- ters around the country. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers phone counseling 24/7 and online live chats during the day: (800) 799- 7233 (thehotline.org). I hope your children will rejoice and be sup- portive to you when you leave, but remember that you must take care of yourself, regardless of how others react. DEAR AMY » My mother, who lives across the country, wants to take a road trip to Idaho to see my brother and his fam- ily. I am anxious to take the trip with her and am looking forward to some one-on-one time with her. It is a 12- to 14-hour trip. We enjoy each other's company and have been planning a leisurely trip, shopping along the way. My uncle (Mom's brother) heard about us going and has invited himself to join. He is exhausting. He talks nonstop. He came for din- ner earlier this week and we were both exhausted when he left. The thought of being in a car with him for 14 hour s is m ore th an I c an stand. Neither my mom nor I want to hurt his feelings, but we just wanted a nice time together and neither of us knows how to tell him we would rather go alone. Any suggestions? — Road Trip Blues DEAR BLUES » I do have a suggestion. It's called: saying "no." Here's how you do it. You call your uncle and say, "So sorry, Uncle, but Mom and I have discussed it and we have decided to take this trip by ourselves. We had planned it as a 'girls' get- away' and we're going to follow through with our original plan." Abused wife should seek some shelter and support 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 Cancer(June21-July22)— Take a close look at your current partnerships. Don't place your- self in a vulnerable position by ignoring signs showing someone is taking advantage of you. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — An investment opportunity will be offered, but make sure you read the fine print and make adjust- ments before signing on. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Take a break from your usual routine. Check into ways of making your home more com- fortable and easy to maintain. This is a good time to get rid of unused or unwanted items. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Love and romance look promising. If you are single, you will have the chance to meet someone special. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Be prudent. Don't fall for a fancy sales pitch or sob story. You work hard for your money. Avoid anyone trying to take what you have. Protect your money and possessions. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Follow your heart. New beginnings and adventures are just around the corner, so be bold and forge ahead. It's up to you to make things happen. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Do your research carefully before becoming involved in a scheme that could jeopardize your reputation or financial standing. If you gamble, you will likely suffer a loss. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Make the most of any op- portunity you get to meet new people. You never know where or when you will discover an inspirational someone. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Your destiny lies in your hands. Don't wait for someone else to make the first move or offer you an opportunity. You are best off being proactive if you intend to advance. Aries (March 21-April 19) — If you take pride in the way you look and the services you can provide, you will become an important mentor or adviser to someone who looks up to you. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Behaving in a stubborn, selfish or erratic manner will upset those around you. Think twice before you take action or speak in order to avoid conflicts at home or work. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Whatever you do to help others, your efforts will draw favorable attention. Put in long hours and show your dedication in order to reap unexpected benefits. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, JULY 17 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 6 B