Lawrence Journal-World 07-15-2014 by Lawrence Journal-World

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

L awrence J ournal -W orld

Christmas makes family member feel alienated Dear Annie: Every year, my grandmother and I go to my cousins’ house for Christmas. This year is different for me. I have had the miracle of God helping me overcome some major addictions in my life. I’ve expressed to my uncle that I do not feel like I know who my cousins are now that we are adults and have lost touch to some extent. There are also economic differences. My income is near the poverty level, and I receive government assistance. My cousins, however, are financially successful. I have made attempts to meet with them, but it never happens. They are not into religion, and I be-

Annie’s Mailbox

Marcy Sugar and Kathy Mitchell

anniesmailbox@comcast.net

lieve they are controlled by materialism. (My aunt and uncle give me cash for Christmas.) I also notice that they do not open presents in front of us. I feel like a stranger who just shows up for a free meal and to get “paid.” I think that going there cheapens the importance that this day has for me. I would

Cable car shows stuck in neutral

rather go where they feed the homeless and be an example unto them. — Trying To Keep my Dignity Dear Trying: While we agree that the holiday season includes rampant materialism, you are being awfully harsh in your judgment of the relatives. The meal and exchanging of gifts is traditional in most families. Not opening presents is sometimes a way to avoid embarrassing someone whose gift may not be as fancy as someone else’s. Giving cash is a way of providing a gift when you aren’t sure what the other person likes and you want to please them. These are all kind

JACQUELINE BIGAR’S STARS

For Tuesday, July 15, 2014: This year you open up to different possibilities that you previously have said “no” to. Your imagination and creativity team up with a strong will and extra endurance. If you are single, you could meet someone very I’ve come to think of TV unique and intriguing. If you are schedules as very similar to attached, the two of you seem to shopping centers or strip malls. accept each other completely. You have to fill them up with “something,” or else they look The stars show the kind of day empty and forlorn. This often you’ll have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Posileads to curious redundan- tive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difcies. I live in a semi-rural area ficult where reAries (March 21-April 19) +++ You have a lot going tail choices on, and you’ll want to use your are few. ingenuity to resolve an issue. But there Tonight: Get as much sleep as are nearly a you can. dozen autoTaurus (April 20-May 20) parts sup+++++ Zero in on what you ply stores. Just how many oil-filters do want, and don’t allow a changeable situation to throw you off. they expect us to buy? I have the same feeling Tonight: Where your friends are. Gemini (May 21-June 20) when I scan the TV dial. Shows ++++ You could be more about customizing cars, collecting cars, flipping cars and wound-up about a money matter searching for rare cars prolif- than you realize. Someone more erate like kudzu, or the stuff knowledgeable than you could they throw out on “Hoarders.” offer various ideas. Tonight: Till When Discovery launched the the wee hours. Cancer (June 21-July 22) series “American Muscle” last ++++ You might be coming week, I simply assumed it was about old Dodge Chargers. It from a place of doubt. Tonight: actually follows the shenani- Surf the Web. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) gans at a gym in Detroit. But I ++++ You will gain a lot more digress. As a guy of a certain age who information if you pull back and looks back at my relationship with a 1964 Ford Falcon with great fondness, I understand the appeal of these shows. But how many Rides can we “Pimp”? How many Gears can we “Top”? How “Fast N’ Loud” must we get? Heck, when CNBC gets into the act with “The Car Chasers,” you know the market is glutted with cheap imitations. “Counting Cars” (8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., History) returns with back-to-back episodes, following car restorer-flipper Danny “The Count” Koker as he works on vintage Mustangs, Mercurys, Camaros and Cadillacs.

Tonight’s other highlights: O The American and National leagues tangle in the MLB AllStar Game (7:30 p.m., Fox). O Murder claims a wealthy woman with terminal cancer on “Rizzoli & Isles” (8 p.m., TNT). O Ray’s new chef seems unusually wobbly on “Royal Pains” (8 p.m., USA). O April takes a joyride on “Chasing Life” (8 p.m., ABC Family. O Finch and Root tangle on “Person of Interest” (9 p.m., CBS). O Bullets fly in the ER on “The Night Shift” (9 p.m., NBC). O Dissenters recall a chemical attack launched by Barry’s father on “Tyrant” (9 p.m., FX).

BIRTHDAYS Author Clive Cussler is 83. Actor Ken Kercheval is 79. Actor Patrick Wayne is 75. Rock singer-musician Peter Lewis (Moby Grape) is 69. Actor Willie Aames is 54. Actor-director Forest Whitaker is 53. Actress Brigitte Nielsen is 51. Actress Diane Kruger is 38.

and thoughtful gestures, and we aren’t sure why you don’t harbor more charitable thoughts toward your family. However, if going to your cousins’ makes you miserable and you would rather spend the holiday feeding the homeless, we certainly wouldn’t try to dissuade you. We wish more people would lend a hand to those in need.

— Send questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or Annie’s Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190 Chicago, IL 60611.

jacquelinebigar.com

say little. Tonight: Have a longoverdue conversation. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) ++++ Others will give you powerful feedback; they also want your opinion. Tonight: The only answer is “yes.” Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) ++++ You might be put off by an appointment or meeting that you wish you could cancel. Tonight: Your treat. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) +++++ Speak your mind, but be as diplomatic as possible. Tonight: Let your hair down. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) ++++ Remain sensitive not only to your financial situation, but to others’ as well. Tonight: Happiest at home. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) ++++ You draw others in, but they might not be as easy to deal with as you would like. Tonight: All smiles. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) +++ You might not want to share everything that you are observing, as it seems to be easier that way. Tonight: Play it low-key. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) +++++ Your intuitive sense works well with a child or new love interest. Tonight: Let your imagination call the shots. — The astrological forecast should be read for entertainment only.

UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker July 15, 2014

ACROSS 1 Tip-top 5 Some are hard-boiled 9 Skier’s transport 13 Overly formal 14 Rhythm’s partner 16 Be a monarch 17 Term of endearment 19 Gossiper’s topic 20 Some sung psalms 21 Calms down 23 Architects’ works 24 Sam the detective 25 It may be applied near the base 26 Null companion 27 Old JVC rival 30 Japanese peak 33 Category of artistic work 34 Ripken in the Hall 35 Become mature 36 Desert 38 Sky sighting 39 Needing hospital care 40 Relative importance 41 Fencer’s sword 42 Like Abner?

12 Sleep stages 15 Simpson attorney Robert 18 Exercise in contemplation 22 When doubled, a German spa 24 Observation balloon 26 Trial’s locale 28 It may be alfresco 29 Cosmetic ingredient 30 Get an F 31 Homely citrus fruit 32 Spineless sort 33 Causes vexation 36 Message boat 37 Dog that can’t bark

43 River dot 44 Shiny chrome wheel 46 Approvals 48 “Absolutely” 52 Nonstick stuff 54 Island near Corsica 55 Colored eye part 56 Musical get-together 58 Legalese for “unless” 59 Suitable in every way 60 Creates from raw stuff, in a way 61 Have a yearning 62 What big eyes they have 63 Collar insert DOWN 1 Ladybug’s lunch 2 Hideous old woman 3 After-dinner treats 4 Old profs 5 Going out, as the tide 6 Satiates 7 Holster items 8 Min. part 9 Three-tone chord 10 Yellow wildﬂower 11 Windward’s opposite

41 “Me” types 44 Some mushrooms 45 Comments further 47 Cow on the carton 48 Like a cold sufferer 49 An Eastern Christian 50 Flora and fauna 51 Aromatic herb 52 Singer Turner 53 Clapton on guitar 54 Diving duck 57 “Without further ___ ...”

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

7/14

SPREAD IT AROUND By Janet Wise

7/15

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.

KLEAN CHIPUC

GRETAY Print your answer here: Yesterday’s

Check out the new, free JUST JUMBLE app

10C

Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.

(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: LARVA GAUGE SEASON GUTTER Answer: He bought the parking structure at the — GARAGE SALE

BECKER ON BRIDGE