Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/611901
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Firstofall,I so respect your combina- tion of compassion, com- mon sense and directness. I learn something from you just about every day. My daughter is mar- ried and has two teenage sons. Both she and her husband work full time and the boys are in soccer, which takes up their eve- nings and weekends. Therefore their home suffers for it. She and her husband do not clean; their home looks like a cyclone hit it, and I am worried the boys are not getting the right message on how to take care of their space and "things." I know she will get defensive if I say anything the wrong way, so I am asking your help for the words I can use to help her see the lessons she needs to teach them, to help them be proud to bring friends home — and also how much better she and her husband would feel about themselves. Thank you for any help you can give me, even if it is to be quiet and say nothing. I truly respect the wisdom you have. —ACaringMomand Grandma DEAR CARING » Thank you so much for your kind words. If your daughter expresses frustration over the state of her house, this would provide you with an opportunity to offer help. As it is, if you couch your comments in straightforward language, without seeming to blame or shame her family, you might make an impact. (I agree with you, by the way, that a person's house can, when it's tidied up, provide an unusual and unexpected boost.) There is a very popular book sweeping through the land like a giant Swiffer, titled "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing," by Marie Kondo (2014, Ten Speed Press). Do not, under any circumstances, give this book to your daughter un- til you've read it first. I is- sue this advisory because reading this book made me want to hurt someone. For me, the book did not "spark joy" — a concept the author pushes like an angry vacuum. But it might spark joy for your daughter. Say to your daughter, "You all are so busy. I know it's hard to keep up with the house, so I'm of- fering to help. I can come over next weekend and give you 10 hours of my time. Are you willing to let me help in this way?" If they are willing, a great holiday gift for this fam- ily might be a biweekly cleaning service. If your daughter de- murs, let it go. DEAR AMY » "Worried" was a 29-year-old woman with a 27-year-old boy- friend who felt she was "past her prime." Wow. Any person who thinks a 29-year-old is too old for anything should have his head examined. She should find someone else. — Definitely Past Prime DEAR PRIME » I completely agree. Thank you. Mother wants daughter to magically tidy up her house You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.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 Sagittarius(Nov.23-Dec. 21) — Situations will escalate quickly, leaving you in a no-win situation if you aren't willing to compromise. Speak from the heart. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Do background checks when dealing with people you know little about. The more informa- tion you gather, the easier it will be to handle whatever situation you face. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Your ability to physically make things happen will give you the leverage you need to call the shots. Don't neglect your health. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Gather your thoughts and any information that will help you make a good decision. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Emotions will flare up if you have too much time on your hands. Don't be stubborn about making amends, if necessary. Travel or getting together with an old friend will be enlightening. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Getting together with relatives will lead to interesting conver- sations that disclose family se- crets. If you keep an open mind, you will find a way to benefit from the information revealed. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Creative pursuits involving younger or older people will in- spire you. Travel should be kept to a minimum and handled with caution. Tie up loose ends. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Your temper and emotional state will be pushed to the limit. Disappointment regarding a relationship will leave you in a quandary. Re-evaluate your situation and options. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — An extravagant gesture will turn out to be beneficial. Look ahead and put long-term plans into play. You will have an inter- esting way of expressing and presenting what you want. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Don't get down when you should get moving. Set a budget and mastermind a game plan that allows you to do and get what you want without compro- mising your bank account. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Not everyone will agree with you, but if you are persistent and share the facts you've gathered, you will win enough support to follow through with your plans. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Ask someone with an unusual outlook or background to join forces with you for a new ven- ture. Self-improvement, picking up new skills or displaying your talents will pay off. Horoscope By Eugenia Last SATURDAY, DEC. 5 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2015 4 B