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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»Recently,my mother and I found out that my father is having an affair with a woman not much older than myself (I am 21). T his ha s shocked and devastated our household. My mother has two older daughters, my half- sisters from a previous marriage, who — putting it nicely, have a tendency to gossip without thinking about others. Knowing this, I asked my mother to keep our family situation to herself while we process and decide our next steps. She agreed that keeping this private was for the best. However, she ended up telling one sister, who then told the other, who then told my entire extended family. I now receive calls from aunts and uncles I barely talk to, and family friends expressing their condolences and prying for more information. I am shocked and hurt and don't know who to be most angry with: my mother or my sisters for betraying my confidence. On the other hand, I feel as if I don't have the right to be angry as the prima- ry victim is my mother, but I do also feel cheated by my father's affair. Thoughts? —Devastated DEAR DEVASTATED » Of course you have the right to be angry. Anyone would be. Validating your own feelings about this betrayal will help you to cope with those feelings. In t erms of you r mother and sisters es- sentially gossiping about this, you might be feeling somewhat torn because the person your sisters are gossiping about is your father (not theirs). I could imagine that you are even wrestling with a defensive impulse, as these other women who are not DNA-related to your father perhaps gang up on him, gossip about him and call him out. You can certainly ask family members to keep something a secret, but your mother and sisters are definitely a part of this story, and they have the right to discuss it. You are in a family together. You can't control their pages in this family al- bum — only your own. Without question, this would be easier on you if people would simmer down long enough for you to get your emotions in check, but people don't work that way. Mainly they duct tape themselves to their own drama. When you hear from far-flung family members, thank them for their con- cern, offer up no details and refer them to your mother if they want to talk further about it. DEAR AMY » "Done In" de- scribed the same feeling I h ave. Af ter more than 50 years of being a full- time homemaker, I found that when my husband retired, my duties seemed to double. Don't I get to retire too? — Had It DEAR HAD IT » Yes, you should get to retire. A pattern of more than 50 years will not change overnight, but your part- ner should. Devastated daughter wants to shut down family gossip 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 Cancer(June21-July22)— Take a chance and visit a place you've never been before or consider signing up for an event or activity that will bring out your creative talents. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — If you share your feelings, you will be able to resolve issues that concern you. A change will give you a new lease on life. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Seize the moment and take advantage of a suggestion someone makes. A partnership will inspire you to try something you've never done before. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — If you look at the bright side of a situation, you will come out a winner. You should be able to coax someone you enjoy being with to take part. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — You don't have to say yes to every request that comes your way. Divvy up your time care- fully to ensure that you take care of your own concerns first and foremost. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You will have to make a choice. You can chase a dream or you can establish a strategy that has the potential to bring greater security and stability to your life. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — If you sign a contract or develop a plan that includes someone you want to collabo- rate with, you will benefit from the outcome. High energy will lead to success. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Don't worry about what anyone else is doing. Consider what you enjoy doing most and use your skills and knowledge to develop what you want to achieve. Romance is featured. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Offer your services in order to enjoy the benefits that you will receive in return. Taking a different approach to whatever you do will distinguish you as a free thinker. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Don't be fooled by a fast talker. Stay on top of your financial situation. The appreciation you get for helping others will be rewarding. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Concentrate on negotiations and situations that need some attention. A personal or physical change will turn out better than anticipated. Romance is encouraged. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Taking short trips or visit- ing friends or someone you can learn from will lead you on a new adventure. Soak in everything you see and hear, and incorpo- rate what you can use into your everyday life. Horoscope By Eugenia Last WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 2 B