Lawrence Journal-World 12-08-12 by Lawrence Journal-World

Dear Annie: I have a sister who is 10 years older. “Doris” lives in a retirement hotel, and we speak often on the phone and see each other once a month or so. Recently, my oldest son told me he saw Doris dining in a posh restaurant. Even though I have since spoken to Doris, she never mentioned seeing my son. When I finally asked her why she hadn’t told me, she tried to make excuses that he was with business associates, but it still didn’t make sense that she never told me he was there. I know she has kept secrets about other people, and when I’d find out from someone else, she would apologize. But why can’t she be open and trustworthy? My husband and I try to be considerate and helpful. We take her shopping, but she is always frustrated and negative. She never was a happy person to begin

Annie’s Mailbox

Marcy Sugar and Kathy Mitchell anniesmailbox@comcast.net

with, but lately she seems worse. Instead of being grateful for her good health, she complains and is inconsolable. Shall I just accept how she is and pretend all is well? I have no desire to share anything with her anymore. — Disgruntled in Calif. Dear Disgruntled: There may be another reason why Doris neglected to mention your son’s appearance: She forgot. There seems to be no ulterior motive in keeping it a secret, so we think these things simply slide out of her head, and

that’s why she doesn’t mention them. As she gets older, this is likely to happen more often. Her complaining, unfortunately, may be part of her personality. You could suggest she see her doctor for a checkup and also propose that she concentrate on the good things in her life. You are one of those. Please try to accept her as she is. Dear Annie: We recently hosted an early holiday, and I am still upset with the behavior of my husband’s 42-year-old niece. My husband has had some major medical issues. He’s doing fine with medication, but he has trouble learning new things, including how to work a complicated cellphone. My husband opted for a flip phone that’s easy for him to understand and use, but it’s hardly the latest thing. During the visit, another family member called his phone to say hello.

to comply manner

IN-FORMED By Lewis Harper

12/8

As we passed the phone around, someone accidentally disconnected us, and we had to start over. This niece made fun of the phone in front of the entire family and seemed intent on embarrassing him. My husband is the most special person in my life, and it hurt to see this 42-year-old brat make fun of him. To me, this “teasing” is rude and thoughtless. Am I being oversensitive? How should I address her nasty comments in the future? — Miffed Dear Miffed: You do seem a bit oversensitive. Teasing someone about a phone is not particularly personal, and we doubt the niece connected it to your husband’s medical issues, although you obviously did. The best response to this type of thing is to laugh. If she is looking to get a rise out of you, that will put a stop to it.

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker December 8, 2012

Awards show not entirely charitable

Saturday’s other highlights

The voice of Jimmy Durante narrates the 1969 special “Frosty the Snowman” (7 p.m., CBS). The 1995 special “Frosty Returns” (7:30 p.m., CBS) follows, featuring the voices of John Goodman and Jonathan Winters.

A tiny family lives beneath a house in the 2011 fantasy “The Borrowers” (7 p.m., ABC), starring Stephen Fry, Victoria Wood and Christopher Eccleston.

Andrew McCarthy (“White Collar”) and Chris Gillett (“Suits”) star in the 2012 romantic comedy “Come Dance With Me” (7 p.m., Hallmark).

Reindeer really learn how to fly in the 2008 special “The Flight Before Christmas” (8 p.m., CBS).

Scheduled on “48 Hours” (9 p.m., CBS): A mother confronts her daughter’s murderer.

Missing instruments highlight a lost weekend on “Wedding Band” (9 p.m., TBS).

Hard times dominate “Gary Gulman: In This Economy” (9 p.m., Comedy Central).

BIRTHDAYS

Actor-director Maximilian Schell is 82. Rock singer-musician Gregg Allman is 65. Actress Kim Basinger is 59. Political commentator Ann Coulter is 51. Actress Teri Hatcher is 48. Singer Sinead O’Connor is 46. Actor Dominic Monaghan is 36. Actor Ian Somerhalder is 34.

you. Tonight: Enjoy every moment. Cancer (June 21-July 22) You might opt for a lazy Saturday at home, but be aware that a partner or dear friend simply wants to spend time with you. This person’s idea of “doing something” could be very different from yours. Tonight: You value this person; act like you do! Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Zero in on what is important to you. You have a tendency to minimize your needs in order to satisfy others. Tonight: Out, but not

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Consider those at a distance. You can’t always stay on top of everything, but certain people really do count on you. Tonight: Be spontaneous. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Try to be more sensitive to others. A special person needs your time and attention. Tonight: Add some romance.

SATURDAY , DECEMBER 8, 2012 5C www.upuzzles.com

UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Wise old saying 6 Helmsley of hotels 11 Portable bed 14 “Rabbit ___” (Updike novel) 15 Vinyl collectible JACQUELINE BIGAR’S STARS jacquelinebigar.com 16 Land with the country For Saturday, Dec. 8: too far from home. code of 1 This year your priorities are your Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) 17 Fashion friends and expanding your immedi Be reasonable. Get your designer’s work? ate world. From summer on, you shopping done on a reasonable will be favored in the area of love, schedule in order to enjoy yourself 19 Umbrella spoke whether you’re single or attached. If more. Tonight: Your treat. 20 At the bottom you are single, you have an opporLibra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) 21 Lint locale tunity to change your status. If you A family member could 23 Bistro patron, at times ’Tis not the season for snark. are attached, you could be unusually be on the warpath. Understand So look for Joel McHale (“The romantic. what is happening with him or her, 26 Candid device Soup,” ‘‘Community”) to shift The Stars Show the Kind of Day but focus on enjoying yourself. 27 New accomgears a bit to host the American You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; Tonight: Happy at home. plishments 28 Thick-trunked Giving Awards (7 p.m. Saturday, 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) African tree NBC). This may sound like the Aries (March 21-April 19) If you need to get away 30 Blvd. Golden Globes of philanthropy, You will do everything from all the stress someone brings crossers but it’s the recognition of 25 de- you can to get together with a into your life, do just that. Those in 31 Pertaining to neap and serving charities and community friend you might not have seen for your immediate circle will appreciebb heroes who will vie for $2 million a while. Frustration could translate ate you taking time for yourself. 32 Wallet items, in grants. It would be cynical, you to anger, if you are not careful. Tonight: Let others wonder. briefly might even say snarky, to see this Tonight: Out with a favorite group Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) 35 Kind of mask as an extended commercial for of friends. Put your best foot 36 Like this puzzle’s the bank bestowing the grants. Taurus (April 20-May 20) forward. When you do this, you’ll theme? But it would be true. Listen to others. You might discover how supportive a key 38 Muumuu

Where do you get married have decided to complete a certain person is of you. Tonight: You don’t accessory when you are a fixture of cable amount of chores or must-do holihave to go far. 39 Clattering overhead and syndicated television? On day errands. Tonight: Choose a local Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) trains television, of course. The two- spot for dinner. Follow through on a com40 Rise, and hour “Mario Gemini (May 21-June 20) mitment involving a co-worker maybe shine and Court Tension could be high. or a family member. This person 41 All-tooney’s WedSomeone you care about might be appreciates your efforts, and you’ll common campaign ding Fiesta” demanding in a way that is imporfeel much better afterward, too. tactic (7 p.m. Sattant to him or her but irrelevant to Tonight: Out and about.

urday, TLC) follows Mario Lopez and Courtney Mazza as they prepare for the big day by obsessing over a dress and scouring for a venue.

The holidays’ proximity to the overheated obsession with the forthcoming apocalypse that’s “predicted” by the Mayan calendar spawns the over-the-top 2012 movie spoof “12 Disasters of Christmas” (8 p.m. Saturday, Syfy). The schedule of mayhem is said to follow the prophecies of the ancients as well as the words of the fabled Christmas carol that gives the movie its name. Look out for those two turtledoves!

12/7

11 Like some parrots and parakeets 12 Tree that provides wicker 13 Drum accompanying a sitar 18 Providers of sheep’s milk 22 Surgeons’ org. 23 Mature enough 24 Close competitor 25 Opera house section 26 Black vein contents 28 One on two feet 29 Yemeni seaport 31 Director’s shoot 33 Card below a trey 34 Fathered 36 Another

42 Competed at Henley 44 Equal-share word 46 Pizza portions 48 Bawled out 49 Diamond measure 50 Walk like a show horse 52 Abbr. for those who didn’t make the list 53 Basic Scout ties 58 Not a whit 59 Money spent 60 Razzledazzle 61 67.5 degrees, in terms of direction 62 Manipulated a mannequin 63 Old White House nickname DOWN 1 Episodic story line 2 Marina ___ Rey 3 Fuss in a Shakespeare title 4 Cowardly 5 Admonish 6 High-tech beam 7 Angled additions 8 Blackbordered bio 9 Woman with a habit 10 In a willingto-comply manner

37 41 43

44 45 46 47 48 50 51 54 55 56 57

name for the sugar apple Hems and ___ To some, it’s golden Alternative to JVC or Panasonic, once Teen’s skin woe Pool-table feature Act division Catholic Church language Indian lute ___ forth (proposes) Foam at the mouth “___ Vadis” Not original Little bit Pig’s home

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

12/7

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.

MEVON

— The astrological forecast should be read for entertainment only.

GEDDER

Find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jumble

Sister seems to be keeping secrets

campaign tactic

TENTIK ’

A: Yesterday’s

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

(Answers Monday) Jumbles: DOUSE VIGIL FROZEN WALLOP Answer: At one time, reading a book on a Nook, Kindle or iPad was a — NOVEL IDEA

BECKER ON BRIDGE