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B-6 Peninsula Clarion, Thursday, April 3, 2014
Readers weigh in on pros and cons of only childhood DEAR ABBY: “Maybe Only One in Georgia” (Jan. 7), who asked whether she should have a second child, needs to understand there are no guarantees. Her 5-year-old could end up hating her younger sibling, or adoring her. Parents create a child because they want to share their union with a new life. Each child is unique and represents a life commitment, not just 18 years of hard work. I am the youngest of four, the “surprise” baby boy when my parents were in their 40s. I loved them and they never made me feel unwanted. I adore my older sister. We were always close despite the eight-year age difference. My two brothers are very different than I am, and we don’t have much to do with one another. “Maybe” should not produce another child to be a playmate to the one they have. It should be done only if they’re financially, emotionally and spiritually willing and capable of rearing another person. If not, they should enjoy the extra time, money and energy they’ll have, and perhaps give a needy dog or cat a home. — YOUNGEST CHILD IN SAVANNAH DEAR YOUNGEST CHILD: I told “Maybe” I couldn’t decide this for her, but would open up the question to my readers. And they sure had some comments! Here are a few: DEAR ABBY: My advice is DON’T! I have two
sons, 27 and 31. They hardly know each other and have no interest in what the other is doing. It breaks my heart, as they are the only close blood relatives they have. I didn’t have the younger one so the older would have company. I wanted another baby. I was 29, but wouldn’t consider it at “Maybe’s” age (38). How long does she think Abigail Van Buren she can run that fast? — MITZI IN DAYTON DEAR ABBY: Most only children I know are spoiled and used to getting their own way, largely because they haven’t had to share. My husband is from a large family and they are all close, even with a 20-year age span. We recently dealt with issues related to elderly parents, and trust me, I was so thankful to have the help of my siblings. I feel it is unfair to raise a child alone if you’re able to add to the family unit. — GRATEFUL MOM DEAR ABBY: I am a happy only child. I was raised by kind people. I have a positive self-image, was a selfreliant kid and am a confident, productive adult.
Rubes
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) HHHHYou are all smiles when dealing with a difficult partner. Realize that you could be making the situation even more difficult. Understand your limits when it comes to handling this person. The only way to win a control game is not to play. Tonight: Start the weekend early. CANCER (June 21-July 22) HH Play it low-key, and don’t accept any more responsibility than you need to. If someone wants to take on more responsibility, let him or her do it! Otherwise, if you can, do some delegating. You need some free time for yourself. Tonight: Take a long-overdue nap. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) HHHYou might want to try a different approach to the same end. Brainstorm with a friend before deciding. Listen to your sixth sense with a personal matter. Think positively. Know what you want to strive for with this bond. Tonight: Whatever knocks your socks off. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) HHH You could feel pressured to change pace and do something in a totally unique way. You have an unusual amount of imagination. When you mix that with your practical side, it is a winning combination. Remain open to others’ ideas. Tonight: Out till the wee hours. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) HHHH You might want to think before you leap into action. There are so many options in front of you, so you should check out which destination or goal intrigues you the most. A family member could try to push you in a certain direction. The choice is yours. Tonight: Opt for togetherness.
By Leigh Rubin
Ziggy
By Eugene Sheffer
As a parent, I had a lot to learn. My husband, one of four siblings, reassured me that the quarreling and jealousy among our three was normal. They learned to fight and stick up for themselves — something I had to master later. As a child, I wondered what it would be like to have a brother or sister, but my imaginary friends were good company. When my aging parents were ailing, it might have been nice to have a sibling to share that with, but my husband was ample support. “Onlies” can be very peaceful people. Most of us prefer to cooperate rather than compete. As kids, we’re the center of the universe and responsible for everything. That sense of responsibility carries over into adulthood. — ANNE IN ILLINOIS DEAR ABBY: Have that second child if fate wills it. Your life will be richer for it. Your daughter will appreciate having a sibling, and you will wonder how you ever imagined life without him/her. I was 6 when my sister was born. Yes, we went to different schools and had different friends. But we shared a bedroom as we matured and had many memorable times we still talk about today. There is no age barrier as time passes, and really, that gap closes earlier than you would think. — BIG SIS IN FLORIDA
Hints from Heloise
Jacqueline Bigar’s Stars A baby born today has a Sun in Aries and a Moon in Taurus if born before 7:48 a.m. (PDT). Afterward, the Moon will be in Gemini. HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Thursday, April 3, 2014: This year you will open up to better communication. You will touch base with various people to confront their need for control. As a result, you will learn how to deal with people like this. If you are single, you will meet someone out and about while socializing. In fact, you will be presented with several potential suitors. Follow your heart. If you are attached, understand that the two of you won’t always agree. Emphasize the positives, and make more time for each other. The period after spring will draw in much happiness. GEMINI smiles often, but don’t deceive yourself — much more is going on with this sign than you think. The Stars Show the Kind of Day You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult ARIES (March 21-April 19) HHHH You might have decided to stay mum about a certain subject, but today you might completely reverse your decision. Pressure is likely to build. An adjustment needs to be made, especially if the situation involves a work-related matter. Tonight: Hang with your friends. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) HHH You’ll want to manage your finances a certain way, but a loved one seems to have a very different idea about what is acceptable. You could find yourself in a very difficult situation. Others unintentionally might add to the confusion. Tonight: Have an important talk.
Crossword
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) HHHH Little goes on that you aren’t aware of, and you also are able to read between the lines. However, you might decide not to allow someone else to know just how aware you are. Holding back will let you see what this person will reveal naturally. Tonight: Visit with a friend. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) HHHH You use your ingenuity a lot, as this ability is one of the foundations of your success. Reach into your bag of tricks, but know that there could be a backfire. The costs might be high. Hold out, if you can, and you might see another path. Tonight: Your treat. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) HHH Be careful with how much you protest verbally or through your actions. Inadvertently, you could corner yourself into a decision that you do not want to make. Work on being more laissez faire. In the long run, it could add to your success. Tonight: Add spice to your day. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) HHHHH You have a way about you that attracts many different people and opinions. Choose to take a step back and spend some time alone to assess the possibilities. Finding your center, rather than being so driven, might be a more powerful course for you. Tonight: Out and about. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) HHHH You often speak your mind and open up discussions. Unfortunately, this approach could have others closing down right now. You might find that saying little will spark a brainstorming session and bring the most diverse ideas forward. Tonight: Order in.
Hot is not the way to flow Dear Heloise: I’ve read in your column several times to not use hot water to flush the garbage disposal after running it. I often do it with hot water because I am multitasking and rinsing the sponge or hand-washing a pan right after the disposal runs. What is the reason for not using hot water? — Debra M., via email Generally, you want to use cold water when running food down the garbage disposal. If what you are grinding has grease or fat, using hot water will simply “liquefy” it, and then it will become a solid piece further down the plumbing. Doing this over and over can cause a BIG plumbing problem later on. Trust me, I learned this from my husband, David (a retired plumbing and heating contractor), when he built our home. — Heloise Shower-curtain rings Dear Heloise: I use the inexpensive shower-curtain rings to hang things all over the house. I hang my mops, brooms and gardening tools. I also use them in my sewing room for rulers, tape measures and scissors. They work great to hang scarves on a hanger, or ribbon or necklaces. The possibilities are endless. — Valerie in North Little Rock, Ark. Hot air helps Dear Heloise: Thought I would take a minute to contribute what I know about removing stuck-on shelf paper. Just use an ordinary hair blow-dryer. Heat up the paper with the airflow set on “hot.” It will soften right away. Lift an edge with your finger or a scraper and pull. It will come right off until it cools down again, at which time one can simply reapply the hot air. — N.B., via email
SUDOKU
By Tom Wilson
2 8 6 3 5 9 1 4 7
1 5 9 8 7 4 2 3 6
4 7 3 6 2 1 9 5 8
3 9 8 4 1 5 7 6 2
5 4 1 2 6 7 8 9 3
6 2 7 9 8 3 5 1 4
9 6 5 7 3 2 4 8 1
7 3 4 1 9 8 6 2 5
Difficulty Level
8 1 2 5 4 6 3 7 9
2014 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Friday.
4/02
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