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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 DEARREADERS»I'mabout to celebrate another an- niversary of writing this column, and I admit that I have already outlasted my original expectation for this experience by a decade. When I started the "Ask Amy" column in 2003, I assumed that my readership would run out of questions. I also thought that we might tire of one another. This column runs 365 days each year, and I've consistently assumed the role of Ask Amy while this column grew into its adolescence. When I started writing this column, I was a mid- dle-aged single mother with a teenage daughter, living in Chicago. I am now married, with four more daughters and two granddaughters. Like all of you, my own life has taken unexpected turns. Eight years ago I left my office at the Chicago Tribune, and with the generous acceptance of my employer moved back to my hometown of Free- ville, N.Y. (pop 505), to be with my elderly mother. I entered a period of challenges that I was not prepared to face. I was plunged back into the universe of the small town. After 17 years of being happily single, I fell in love, and I married a man I have known since I was 12 years old. I became a stepmother, and then, quickly, a grandmother. Our marriage has con- tinued firmly grounded in real-life graces. When you choose a partner in late- life, you are really picking out the person you would most like to push your wheelchair. I chose well. My two sisters and I struggled through the bewildering minefield of medical caregiving so that our mother could stay at home at the end of her life. Our mothe r's deat h tore a hole through our family. I entered a period of deep sadness. Although I am some- one others turn to for answers, I have often been surprised by my own failings. My search for ways to live my own best life has taken me through a shelf of self-help books, into therapy, nature, art, music, meditation, and a return to my own faith. Last year, I decided to try to write it all down, and today my memoir covering these years of my life, "Strangers Tend to Tell Me Things: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Coming Home" (Ha- chette) is published. The constant and most inspiring through-line in this phase has been the deep connection I share with my readers. At my deepest moments of per- sonal questioning, I have anchored to the inspiring reality of this connection. None of us is alone, if we are brave enough to hold on to each other. With the exception of family, my relationship with you has been the longest of my life. This connection has grown more fierce and faithful with time, and I am grate- ful. And so I have dedi- cated my own story to the readers of the "Ask Amy" column. You have been generous with your own stories. You have trusted me, and have taught me so much. Thank you. Amy shares with her readers some trials and tribulations YoucancontactAmy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson. 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 Pisces(Feb.20-March 20) — Keep personal matters to yourself and stay on top of events that can influence your position or reputation or cause a conflict with someone. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Nurture important partnerships. Working alongside others with the intent to collectively ac- complish something big will pay off. Celebrate your success. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Whether you are involved in a group situation or working on your own, you can improve your reputation by showing greater responsibility. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Work alongside others to boost your popularity. Offering help will ensure that you get some- thing in return. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Temptation will be difficult to resist. A deal presented to you will be built on hype, not facts. Avoid impulsive, indulgent actions. Excessive behavior will lead to loss. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Welcome change at home and work. Adapting to whatever comes your way will put you in a good position to excel. Use your experience. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — A financial opportunity is apparent. Investments, win- nings, an unexpected gift or an inheritance could come your way, or a debt will be repaid. Live up to your promises and be willing to share. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You'll be liable to overreact or fall prey to someone who is excessive, controlling or unpre- dictable. Make choices based on your safety and emotional well-being. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Don't get caught up in some- one else's melodrama. Stick to what's important and live up to your promises instead of being tempted by the claims of others. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — A physical, emotional or financial move will be stabiliz- ing. Celebrate your success with the people who helped you get there. Be fair and disciplined in everything you pursue. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Physical efforts will be met with opposition. Plan your actions carefully and get your facts from a reliable source. You are only as good as your word. Make honesty your watchword. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — A financial opportunity looks promising. Invest in your skills, experience and drive to survive. Join forces with someone you trust, not with someone putting pressure on you to do things his or her way. Horoscope By Eugenia Last TUESDAY, MARCH 14 TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B