Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/551912
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Mywedding is coming up. I'm dealing with some drama. I am marrying for the second time and am very happy. My firs t wedd ing was an elopement to get around the family problem, which is my brother's wife. She is a storm cloud and she rains on everything. She and I do not get along. I believe in open arms to all, and so I always greet her at family functions and she never responds. She is famous for scowling at family Christmas without talking to anyone. After much delib- eration my fiance and I decided to get married at a beautiful hotel near us and include a family ceremony. While planning for my big day my thoughts have been going back to my sister-in-law and dreading the attitude she will bring to the event. I decided not to invite her. It is drastic, but it is what I want. I sent a short email explaining that I felt terrible, that I have tried for many years to befriend her, to no avail. I explained that on my im- portant day I only wanted people who love and wish me the best. I stood up for myself. Unfortunately my mother is convinced that I am breaking up the family. I think my mother should support me. How can I fix this rift with my mom? —WeddingBlisters DEAR BLISTERS » It 's yo ur wedding and you are determined to have only supportive and loving people around you — which makes me wonder if you've ever actually been to a wedding. Weddings are family events. And families tend to be populated not by universally supportive and loving people, but by overlapping webs of complex relationships, featuring some chal- lenging (and sometimes downright awful) people. If you truly believe in "open arms to all," then why are your arms folded now? You don't mention if your brother ("Storm Cloud's" husband) will attend this wedding with- out his wife, but you have put him in a terrible posi- tion by not inviting her. So in a way, your mother is right: You might not be "breaking" the family, but you're certainly bend- ing it. Do NOT expect your mother to wholeheartedly support you on this — the only possible position she can now assume is one of complete neutrality, be- cause she probably wants to maintain a relationship with your brother's wife later, even if you do not. DEAR AMY » I liked your response to "Wor- ried Great-Gran," but I don't think you went far enough. She was antici- pating having her young great-grandson visit for a week and stay with a man — her husband — who is an abuser. I don't think this woman is capable of protecting the boy. She should cancel the visit. — Worried Reader DEAR READER » This grandmother has a duty to protect the child. Can- celing the visit might be the only foolproof way to do this. Should sister feel obligated to invite sourpuss sister-in-law? 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 Leo(July23-Aug.22)— You will be questioned and should prepare fully if you intend to speak up. What you have to offer will result in success. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Pursue beneficial financial opportunities, but keep the de- tails between you and a trusted adviser or handle matters personally. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You will feel used if someone asks you to take care of his or her responsibilities. Don't say yes if you feel you aren't going to benefit from the request. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Changes in personal and professional relationships will be unexpected and unnerving. Use your intuition to help direct your energy wisely. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Don't be too trusting when it comes to your personal dealings. Someone you trust with important information will try to use the knowledge you of- fer to his or her own advantage. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Be good to yourself. A day of pampering will help to take the edge off of a turbulent situ- ation. Subtle self-improvements will give your confidence a boost. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Think before you blame someone else for your problems. If you reassess your current situation, you will discover that your stubborn streak has contributed to your current predicament. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Love is on the rise. Don't be afraid to open your heart and share your feelings. Favors you ask for will be granted, and joint ventures look promising. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Your life will be less stress- ful if you get your financial particulars in order. Pare down your expenses and start sav- ing instead of spending. Being mindful of your indulgences will help cut costs. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Stop procrastinating. Being afraid of what lies ahead will paralyze you. Deal with any is- sue you face boldly if you want to find your way to the finish line. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Rely on yourself. Develop one of your promising ideas and ask others about marketing strategies or funding possibili- ties. Keep in mind that nothing ventured means nothing gained. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Don't trust others when you should be trusting in your abili- ties. Insecurity and self-doubt are best put aside if you want to move forward. Horoscope By Eugenia Last THURSDAY, AUG. 6 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 2 B