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DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Ihavea 19-year-old son. He has been into drugs and alcohol for five years. Several months ago he moved out because I told him he needed to go to a rehab if he wanted to con- tinue to live with me. He left the house and didn't make any contact with me un- til Mother's Day. He showed up out of the blue with flowers and a card. Needless to say, I cried. On that day I invited him to come over for a barbecue with the family, to be held in a couple of weeks. He asked if he could bring a friend. I feel like we have a lot of work to do to rebuild our relationship, and another person whom I don't know doesn't need to interact with our family right now. I don't even know if my son has changed his ways. Am I wrong for say- ing no to the friend? Of course, my son says his friend has a hard luck story and I feel bad for him. But, I want to do the right thing. Am I wrong? —Mom DEAR MOM » If your son has a drug and alcohol problem, you are smart to accept his good intentions with an open heart, while remaining skeptical about his ability to turn his life around. You should be especially careful con- cerning any people he chooses to bring to your home. You have created a boundary with reasonable limits, and your response to his request to bring a friend home ("Let's re- establish our relationship before bringing other peo- ple into it ...") is appropri- ate. His instinct to bring someone with him might be simply to provide him with a little "cover" while he tiptoes back in to the fold. This is an under- standable impulse. Your attitude toward your son at this point should be, "trust, but verify." Welcome him into your l ife, bu t d o not let him live with you until he has demonstrated longer- term sobriety. I hope he is working a recovery program, and I hope you are attending Al-Anon meetings. Check the web- site: www.al-anon.org. DEAR AMY » I'm sure that my friend of five years (we are in our 70s) has been aware that I am sen- sitive to artificial scents. We went to lunch recently, and her perfume was bec oming a p rob - lem. I told her this and requested that she should wipe some of it down. She later told me my request was the rudest thing she had ever expe- rienced. She said she did not want to be my friend. Did I really do something wrong? I still feel my request was reasonable. — Flabbergasted in Colorado DEAR FLABBERGASTED » Telling a friend to "wipe herself down" is rude. Your intent and request might have been reasonable, but the way you expressed it was not. You owe her an apology, and if she is willing to renew the friendship, you should ask her respect- fully (in advance) not to wear any scent the next time you get together. Mother should trust, but also verify, her son's sobriety 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 Gemini(May21-June20) — If something doesn't seem right, you need to ask questions. Don't be a follower. Personal improvements will boost your confidence. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Don't let the unexpected changes going on around you cause stress and worry. Go about your business and follow your chosen path. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Think twice before you share your opinion. Not everyone will agree, putting you in a compro- mising position. Put love first. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Refuse to let anyone force you to make a premature deci- sion. Use your intelligence to turn any situation you face to your favor. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Don't hold back. If you believe in something, speak up and share your thoughts. Your passion and deliberate actions will help bring about compelling change. Romance looks promising. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Don't feel the need to work with just anyone. If you care- fully consider with whom you want to collaborate, you will find the road to victory without delay. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You'll be intrigued by an offer. Before you put your trust in someone, make sure the ideas presented are sound. Traveling and making new acquaintances will do you good. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — An opportunity to make money or expand a project will need your undivided attention. Pull in people from your past to help you turn your dream into reality. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Say little and do a lot. Being observant and objective will help you alleviate trouble. Upgrades to your home, relationships or physical appearance will lift your spirits. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Take a short trip and inter- act with people you can learn from. Don't let anyone treat you poorly. Speak up and take action. It's up to you to initiate personal change. Aries (March 21-April 19) — A trip will help you more clearly see a situation you face. A partnership can be adjusted to improve communication and co- operation. Romance will improve your day. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — You cannot buy love or use emo- tional manipulation to get your way. Youngsters will try your patience and arguments will not solve matters. Learn from past mistakes. Horoscope By Eugenia Last THURSDAY, JUNE 9 THURSDAY,JUNE9,2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B