Roswell Daily Record
DEAR LONELY: There was a time when it was considered scandalous for a widow or widower to date before a year of mourning had passed. However, today the grieving spouse may begin to date whenever he or she feels ready to do so. The letter you remember was signed “‘Mac’ in Oregon,” and it bears repeating. Read on:
DEAR ABBY UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE
DEAR ABBY: Thank you for supporting the widow who started dating three months after her husband died. You were right when you told her, “The time to show respect for one’s spouse is while that spouse is living.” Here is my story, and there must be a few thousand husbands (and wives) who feel the same as I do. My wife and I have had many good years together. We raised kids, lived through joyous good times and horrendous bad times. I am in my 18th month of chemo treatment for various cancers. I
DEAR ABBY: You once printed a letter from a man who was dying. He wanted his surviving widow to pursue happiness after his death with some man who would be kind to her. The letter was mainly addressed to those who might stand in judgment if she began dating soon after he was gone. Abby, is there a rule of thumb about how long the widow or widower should wait after the death of the spouse to begin pursuing another relationship? LONELY IN GADSDEN, ALA.
Jumble
may live three months or five years. It doesn’t matter how short or how long my life will be, but it’s reasonable to assume that I will die before my wife does. I have had a more rewarding and fruitful life than I probably deserve, for which I am grateful. But the day I die, my last thoughts will be regret that I shall leave her alone. So sad, to me, to know that after so many months of total concentration on my welfare — days of putting up with my misery and never letting me see her own misery — her reward will be to be left alone. Abby, she is not the kind of person who should be left alone. So I tell her now, and I want all my kids and friends to listen: “As soon as you possibly can, after throwing my ashes off the boat into the Pacific, wrap the memories of our life together around you — and begin a new life. If three days, or three months, after I’m gone, you find a man who will love and cherish you for a few years as I have for so many, go for it! You’ve
THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME
by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek
DOLYD
Find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jumble
Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.
STOLCY SIGOPS Print your A answer here: Yesterday’s
earned it.”
“MAC” IN OREGON
Family Circus
DEAR MAC: Your sincerity rings true, leaving me uncharacteristically speechless. Thanks for a twohankie letter. ##### DEAR ABBY: My granddaughter is due to have a baby in a short while. She wants to have a baby shower and would like to invite her girlfriends with their husbands or boyfriends. I always thought that baby showers were for females only. What is your opinion? WONDERING GRANDMOTHER
DEAR WONDERING: Times have changed. Baby showers now often include men and take place on a weekend afternoon, preferably not on the same day as a major sports event. One thing that hasn’t changed, however: A baby shower is usually hosted by friends of the parentsto-be, rather than family.
HINTS
Beetle Bailey
FROM HELOISE
KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
©2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CLOKB
COMICS
Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.
(Answers Monday) STAFF TAVERN GOALIE Jumbles: INEPT Answer: When she complained about him taking too many naps, he said this — GIVE IT A REST
Today’s Crossword Puzzle
Dear Heloise: Caring long term for elderly family members or friends can become emotionally and physically draining. If you have friends or family members who are CAREGIVERS, lend an occasional hand. Here are some ideas for helping: * Fix supper for the caregiver and/or the patient. * Invite the caregiver to your home for supper, telling the person to “come as you are.” Require him or her to bring nothing, and don’t permit your guest to help with cleanup. Kim in Mount Gilead, Ohio
It’s amazing how a small gesture can make such a big difference! Heloise ##### Dear Heloise: I’m having mixed company coming over tonight. I am a man, and I don’t entertain too often. My question is about the bathroom: How do I set the toilet? Lid up? Lid down? Seat up? Seat down? Both up or both down? Help! Gary L., via email Oh, my — this question again! Why not make it the same for all? Put the seat and lid in the DOWN position. Make sure the restroom is stocked with extra toilet tissue, facial tissue, hand soap and hand towels. Heloise ##### Dear Readers: Bonnie M. in Fort Wayne, Ind., sent a picture of her gorgeous Lab and shepherd mix dog, Martha Washington. Martha is a photographer’s assistant, and she is pictured behind a camera on a tripod. She seems to be saying, “Say ‘Cheese!’” To see Martha and our other Pet Pals, go to www.Heloise.com and click on “Pets” on the left side of the home page. Heloise ##### Dear Heloise: As my camera’s photo memory cards keep accumulating, I was looking for a way to organize them. I was about to purchase a ‘memory card holder’ for about $10 when I realized that it was basically the same as a plastic weekly pill holder that I can buy at the dollar store. Mission accomplished, for onetenth the price. Michelle in Florida Dear Heloise: I faithfully read your column in my Englewood (Fla.) Sun newspaper. My hint is this: When washing dishes by hand, I always put my knives on the right side of the sink with points facing away from me so I won’t get cut picking them up. Linda Z., Rotonda West, Fla.
The Wizard of Id
Dear Heloise: I enjoy working the puzzles in the newspaper. I bought a small dry-erase board to work them out on, and since the marker has a magnet/ eraser cap, it’s always with the board. Saves paper, and it is compact. You also could use the board to help children work out homework (e.g., math). Pati, via email
Blondie
Dilbert
For Better or For Worse
Garfield
Hagar the Horrible
Snuffy Smith
Zits
Saturday, July 21, 2012
B3