Feb

Husband of 30 years still supports first wife

Dear Abby,

I have been with my husband for more than 30 years. We have no kids together, but he has three adult children from a previous marriage. All of them are in their 30s. He and his ex had a bad breakup, and she has never given up on him coming back to her. DEAR ABBY

In my opinion, he has strung JEANNE her along. He buys her the moon and pretends our marPHILLIPS riage doesn’t exist for the “sake of seeing the kids.” We used to be close, but since the pandemic I have learned he has been going to “their house” every day before he goes to work. He pays her mortgage and does everything there for her. I pay our house bills because he needs to “support her and the kids.”

They have grown super close now, and recently had a grandchild. He is too involved with her. He takes her everywhere she wants, and when I get upset or angry, he tells me I’m a selfish, childless b-word and if I had kids I would understand.

I love him, but I have reached the point where I have no self-esteem. I have asked him more than once why he doesn’t go back to her. He tells me I am insecure and paranoid. Abby, I am a smart, successful woman, but I am afraid to give up what we had. I am also afraid of being alone. Am I overreacting about his closeness with her? What do I do? Beaten Down And Fed Up

The man you married is emotionally abusive, selfish and dishonest. I don’t know how long this scenario has been playing out, but it’s as though he never really divorced his first wife. Has he been “visiting the kids” all this time, or did it start when the COVID quarantines began?

Start NOW to rebuild your sense of self-esteem by talking with a licensed mental health professional. Once you are stronger you will be in a better position to decide what you want to do. If you reread your letter, you will notice a glaring omission. Not once did you mention anything positive he does for YOU. There are worse things than being alone, and what you have described is close to it.

Dear Abby,

Our 14-year-old granddaughter came out as a boy four months ago. The situation has been terrifying because he had thought about suicide. He was hospitalized and now sees a therapist and psychologist and is taking anxiety meds.

This has been a trying time for us as well. I love my grandchild but I’m having a very hard time with this. So is my husband. I don’t know how to tell my sisters and their husbands about this. One set is pretty understanding; the other set is extremely right-wing and over-the-top conservative. We want to accept our grandchild as who he is identifying as, but we are still bewildered. Thank you for any suggestions you might have for us.

Thrown In Texas

I don’t think you should rush to share this news with your sisters and their husbands. The announcement should come from your grandchild when he is ready. As to how you and your husband should “handle” it, the organization PFLAG has recently come out with a free publication titled, “Supporting Your LGBTQ+ Grandchild.” It’s a quick and easy read, and you may find the information it contains helpful. Find it at pflag. org or by calling 202-467-8180.

Pearls Before Swine

Classic Peanuts

Garfield

Horoscope

By Stella Wilder

Born today, you are perhaps the most mysterious individual born under your sign — not because of anything dark or sinister in your nature, but because you are so complex that you are known for defying the expectations of those around you again and again. Indeed, you can change course very quickly, making a dramatic about-face and embracing that which you had eschewed even moments before, and you can do so with complete confidence in your ability to embrace anything that suits your mood, your state of mind or your ever-evolving tastes.

You are likely to find success in a staggering variety of work environments, not because you are able to do a great many things, but because you are able to adapt quickly to almost any situation or personal dynamic. You can fit in almost anywhere and make your way without much resistance even when new to a given path.

Also born on this date are: Ice-T, actor and rapper; Vera-Ellen, dancer; John McEnroe, tennis player and commentator; Sonny Bono, singer and politician; Levar Burton, actor; Hugh Beaumont, actor; William Katt, actor; James Ingram, singer; Margaux Hemingway, model and actress.

To see what is in store for you tomorrow, find your birthday and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday star be your daily guide.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Though admired for some recent decisions, you are certainly not infallible, and today you’ll be challenged to make the right call.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — You can be much more daring today than you’ve been in the past, and the results can put you in a position that affords you much freedom.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Though another’s reporting may set you on a course of discovery, it’s your own investigation that will uncover the whole truth you seek.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — You are growing tired of depending on someone who is, in essence, ineffectual. It’s time for you to step up and offer a dramatic alternative.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — The usual restrictions are not likely to be imposed upon you today, but you mustn’t be so surprised that you’re unable to take swift action.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Your expectations may not be fulfilled entirely today, but neither should they be dashed to pieces. You can arrive at a workable compromise.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — It may be more difficult than expected today to persuade others that you are in the right — though virtually all solid evidence supports your claim.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Your memory may not be wholly reliable today, so you must be prepared to lean on one or two friends who were with you when it mattered.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Trust your own instincts today as you make your way into unfamiliar territory. The stories others tell cannot be completely trusted right now.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — You may be baffled by someone’s behavior today until you realize that they’ve taken a leaf out of your own book. Have some fun!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — There are those who will steer clear of you, no matter what others say about you, and you certainly needn’t pay them any mind today.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — A shadow may hang over a recent decision you made, and today you’ll have the chance to do things over and right a wrong you made unintentionally.

COPYRIGHT 2022 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC. Zits

Dark Side of the Horse

Daily Maze

Goren bridge

WITH BOB JONES

©2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC OLE, PABLO Both vulnerable, South deals

NORTH ♠ A 7 4 ♥ A 10 2 ♦ A 5 ♣ K Q J 6 2 WEST EAST ♠ Q J 10 8 2 ♠ K 5 ♥ 3 ♥ J 9 7 ♦ K Q J 9 8 6 4 ♦ 10 3 ♣ Void ♣ 10 8 7 5 4 3 SOUTH ♠ 9 6 3 ♥ K Q 8 6 5 4 ♦ 7 2 ♣ A 9 partner were using Roman Key Card Blackwood, a popular variation of the Blackwood convention. Lambardi’s five-spade bid showed two key cards, among the four aces and the king of trumps, plus the queen of trumps – hearts in this auction. North assumed there would be six heart tricks, five club tricks, plus two aces, so he bid the grand slam.

Lambardi won the opening spade lead with dummy’s ace. Worried about a possible 4-0 trump split, he led dummy’s ace of hearts. That would enable him to pick up the trumps without loss if East had all four. West followed, so trumps were, at worst, splitting 3-1. What about clubs?

Lambardi’s opponents were world class players whose bidding could be trusted. He knew from the bidding that West had five spades and at least six diamonds. West followed to the first trump, so what was his other card? Lambardi decided that even if West had a club, it was not likely to be the singleton 10. Backing his logic with his play, Lambardi led a low club and inserted his nine when East played low! When West discarded and couldn’t ruff, Lambardi could draw trumps and claim his grand slam. Very well played! (Bob Jones welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001.)

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