Saturday, October 12, 2013 THE NEW MEXICAN
ANNIE’S MAILBOX
TIME OUT Crossword
Horoscope The stars show the kind of day you’ll have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013: This year you drop the word “no” from your vocabulary. You also discover that nearly anything is possible if you remain upbeat and positive. Aquarius always wants to be playful. ARIES (March 21-April 19) HHH Your mood suits the day. Give into a little extra R and R with friends and loved ones. Tonight: The party could go on till the wee hours. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) HHH You might not be able to wipe the slate clean, so try to build off of an existing situation. Tonight: On center stage, wherever you are. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) HHHH What was OK yesterday might not feel like plans you would like to pursue today. Take the risk and revamp your schedule. Tonight: Remember, you are not in any hurry to head home. CANCER (June 21-July 22) HHHH Know that you have alternatives. You just need to decide which one is most appealing. A partner or new friend might catch your eye. Tonight: Share news with a friend. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) HHHH You’ll be able to move a situation forward, given time and enthusiasm. Others will respond, yet they could be unusually demanding. Watch a spontaneous party begin. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) HHH You could be determined to complete a personal or family-involved project. If you feel you must, do it quickly, as this pursuit might be stopping you from enjoying yourself. Tonight: Use your high energy well.
Super Quiz Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the Graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D. Level.
Subject: LITERATURE (e.g., Identify the two cities in A Tale of Two Cities. Answer: Paris and London.) FRESHMAN LEVEL 1. What was the sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer? Answer________ 2. Who wrote the horror novel Carrie? Answer________ 3. What is Frankenstein’s first name? Answer________ 4. Which major character first appeared in A Study in Scarlet? Answer________ 5. Who captained the ship the Jolly Roger? Answer________ GRADUATE LEVEL 6. Provide a Thomas Hardy title that starts with the word “Far.” Answer________ 7. The titles of his books are usually three words in length, and the first word is The. Answer________
8. Where would you expect to find a book titled Leviticus? Answer________ 9. The 1995 film Clueless is loosely based on which Jane Austen novel? Answer________ 10. Where would you go to view Poets’ Corner? Answer________ PH.D. LEVEL 11. Mary Anne Evans is better known by her pen name. What is it? Answer________ 12. Which animal characters marry in the land “where the Bong tree grows”? Answer________ 13. Who was the first person to be buried in Poets’ Corner? Answer________ 14. What nationality was playwright and poet Henrik Ibsen? Answer________ 15. Who wrote the words “God for Harry, England, and Saint George!”? Answer________
ANSWERS: 1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. 2. Stephen King. 3. Victor. 4. Sherlock Holmes. 5. Captain Hook. 6. Far From the Madding Crowd. 7. Robert Ludlum. 8. The Bible (the Old Testament). 9. Emma. 10. Westminster Abbey, London. 11. George Eliot. 12. The Owl and the Pussy-Cat. 13. Geoffrey Chaucer. 14. Norwegian. 15. William Shakespeare. SCORING: 24 to 30 points — congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points — honors graduate; 13 to 17 points — you’re plenty smart, but no grind; 5 to 12 points — you really should hit the books harder; 1 point to 4 points — enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0 points — who reads the questions to you? (c) 2013 Ken Fisher
B-11
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) HHHHH You might see more than what meets the eye in events that occur today, especially involving someone you cherish. Tonight: Enjoy what is happening.
Reader torn over supporting mom
Dear Annie: Ten years ago, my father passed away, leaving my mother well provided for. Since then, she has spent nearly 80 percent of the estate on herself, my brother and his children. My brother is her favorite child. He has had an up-and-down career. When times are good, he spends a lot of money. When times are bad, he runs to Mom. In the past two years, he has steadily taken money from her, and her assets are now frighteningly low. I put myself through college, lived beneath my means and have saved a great deal. Mom is now eyeing what I have put aside, expecting me to use it to support her, as well as the “golden child” and the now-adult grandchildren. Part of me wants to provide for my mother’s needs, as I feel it is my duty. But another part wants to tell her to find support from the son she always indulged. I really can’t talk to anybody about this without feeling terrible. Can you help? — N. Dear N.: We don’t blame you for having mixed feelings. Your mother has not treated you fairly. Still, it is a kindness to help her. You obviously are not under any obligation to support your brother or his grown children. We suggest you speak with an accountant about setting up a monthly allowance for Mom, letting her know that once that money is used up, there will be no additional funds until the following month. This allows you to fulfill your filial obligations without so much resentment. Dear Annie: My husband was diagnosed with cancer three weeks ago. We have spent those weeks seeing various doctors and having multiple tests. With chemotherapy and surgery, he should be able to live a long and happy life. My problem is family members and friends. I am trying to keep my husband in a positive frame of mind about his prognosis. Unfortunately,
Sheinwold’s bridge
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) HHH You could feel inordinately pressured to make an appearance, but you really would rather slow down and enjoy yourself at home. Tonight: Go for something different. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) HHHH Your optimism will emerge in a personal conversation. You simply enjoy being around your pals and hanging out. Tonight: Hang out at a favorite spot. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) HHHH Calls and invitations come in left and right. Your popularity remains high, which allows you to follow through on multiple sets of plans. Tonight: Be aware of your budget. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) HHHHH You have something planned that could be a high priority. Others might wish you would handle it quickly, as they want you to join them. Tonight: Live in the moment, and enjoy it to the fullest! PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) HHHH You could be taken aback by an option that surprises you to no end. You might want to stay in your present groove for a good part of the day. Tonight: Shh! You don’t need to tell everyone everything!
Cryptoquip
Chess quiz
The Cryptoquip is a substitution cipher in which one letter stands for another. If you think that X equals O, it will equal O throughout the puzzle. Single letters, short words and words using an apostrophe give you clues to locating vowels. Solution is by trial and error. © 2013 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
BLACK’S BEST MOVE? Hint: Win a piece, not a pawn. Solution: 1. … Rd3! Ithreatens both 2. … Ne6 mate and 2. … Rxc3).
Today in history Today is Saturday, Oct. 12, the 285th day of 2013. There are 80 days left in the year. Today’s highlight in history: On Oct. 12, 1962, the devastating Columbus Day Storm, also known as the “Big Blow,” struck the Pacific Northwest, resulting in some 50 deaths.
Jacqueline Bigar
Hocus Focus
these well-meaning people keep telling him horror stories about chemotherapy and radiation and all of the people they know who have died from cancer. Everyone’s cancer is different. What works for some patients might not work for others. Please do not tell my husband about someone who died of cancer. It’s not what he needs to hear right now. I know you mean well, but this just depresses him. Attitude is everything when it comes to treating and surviving cancer. Say something positive like, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you,” or “You will survive this. You’re tough.” Otherwise, don’t say anything about it at all. Just be his friend. With the advances in treatment, I know more people who have survived cancer than have died. These survivors all have one thing in common: a positive attitude. — Polly Positive Dear Polly: We, too, have never understood the urge that compels people to tell horror stories about those who have died to those who are still struggling with illness of any kind. Attitude is so important in healing. Please, folks, keep a lid on those stories. They help no one. Dear Annie: I read the letter from “Depressed in Hiding,” the 16-yearold high school girl who is depressed and anxious and has resorted to selfharm. She is afraid to tell her parents because she believes they will hate her. When I was in college and living far away from home, I was unhappy. I realize now that I was depressed. I wrote to my mother and told her how unhappy I was. Her response was, “Tough toenail.” So I knew never to trust her again with anything personal or close to my heart. Almost 40 years later, my husband died. In my grief, I confided some things to her (by mistake) and received a similar answer. There are some people you simply can never trust with your feelings. — Caroline in Carolina
Jumble