Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/803133
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Myfatherand I have always had a rocky relationship. He punched me, body slammed me and choked me when I was a teenager. He's been an alcoholic my whole life. He lashes out at everyone around him. He understands he has an ad- diction but will argue with anyone who con- fronts him. I moved out soon af- ter I turned 18 because I couldn't stand living in the same house as him. I am 22, with a baby. I live with my fiance. I usually spend time with my parents on Satur- days because I don't work and want to get out of the house. Last Saturday, my father and I got into an argument and he ended up throwing my daugh- ter's stuff into the yard. He proceeded to curse me out. He has told my mother to not have any contact with me and to not let me into their house. My dad's birthday will be coming up in a month and I do not plan on joining my family for the party. They pressure me to make amends. Is it wrong of me to distance myself from my family because of this? Is it understandable that, until my dad gets help for his addiction, I do not want to be around him? —TheBlackSheep DEAR BLACK SHEEP » You can give your daughter a better childhood than you were granted. Your instincts are great, and I urge you to marshal your strength and resolve to stay away from your fam- ily, at least for now. Rather than spend time with your volatile and violent father, here are some things you can do on Saturday mornings: Pack your coffee and meet a friend at the park to push your babies in bucket swings; go to your local YWCA or com- munity center for baby swim classes; head to the library for story time. Saturday mornings can be lonely for full-time parents. Engaging in group activities designed for parents and babies ar e a gr ea t w ay t o m ak e friends. This could change your life dramatically. Here's one more thing for you to do: Attend Al- anon meetings (al-anon. org). You need help to see where you fit in your fam- ily system. Let people who have walked your path, walk alongside you and your daughter. I'm pulling for you. DEAR AMY » Brava for your compassionate response to the judgy person signing her letter "Worried," who was upset because her friends took in a teenage boy with nowhere else to go. Long ago, I was that kid. I went to live with our neighbors, and with- out them, I would not have made it. — Grateful DEAR GRATEFUL » "Wor- ried" was concerned about the possibility for sexual misconduct in the household because of the boy's presence. There is without question an elevated risk, but this should not be an auto- matic assumption. Rocky relationship translates into abuse from alcoholic dad You can contact Amy 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 Aries(March21-April19) — Your ability to help others and bring about change will put you in a good position when you need help yourself. Don't let anyone limit your time. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Don't feel pressured to spend money extravagantly just to keep up with your peers. Emo- tional matters will escalate if you aren't clear about desires. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Use your intelligence to get your way. Adding pressure to a stressful situation will backfire, but offering realistic solutions will turn you into a hero. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You'll have some interest- ing ideas, but before you move forward, put a plan in place that will help you avoid failure. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Talks will lead to positive change and greater opportunity. Team up with someone who is like-minded and heading down a similar path. Sharing informa- tion will broaden your outlook and help you get ahead. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Concentrate on getting things done. Less talk and more action will help you bypass criticism and complaints. Don't give in to someone trying to pressure you. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Bring about positive change that will make a loved one happy. Your ability to express yourself openly and find innova- tive solutions to problems will make you a hero. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Stay calm even if everyone around you is unpredictable. Your patience will be what saves the day. Trust in your intuition and your ability to see all sides of a situation. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You will improve the status quo if you discuss your intentions openly and proceed to put your plan in motion. Trust your instincts and follow through with your decisions. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Don't reconnect with some- one who was a bad influence in the past. Problems will arise if you overspend, indulge or take a backward step. Don't let love cloud your vision. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Negotiate and sign contracts with ease. If someone doesn't like what you have to offer, don't worry; an alternate offer will come your way. Time is on your side. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Participate in events that encourage new connections. Working alongside individuals who have similar concerns will help you reach your goal faster. Hard work will lead to benefits. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, MARCH 24 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2017 6 B