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SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2011 PAGE 7C
Female guest dreads a stripper surprise at friend’s birthday party Dear Abby: My boyfriend and I will be attending a milestone birthday party for a friend of his. The fiancee of the birthday guy stated on the invitation, “There will be a surprise during the evening.” It has been suggested that a stripper “may” be the surprise. Abby, I realize this might be OK for some people and it’s just for fun, but I’d be uncomfortable if this happens. My boyfriend knows my feelings, but I don’t know if we would risk being ridiculed if we left the party. What should I do? — Hate to Be a Party-Pooper Dear “Party-Pooper”: Contact the
DEAR ABBY ADVICE birthday guy’s fiancee and ask if what you heard is true. If it is, spare yourself the embarrassment and have your boyfriend attend the party without you. Dear Abby: When someone has a serious illness or major surgery, everyone thinks to bring food, which is lovely. But I have a better idea. When my friend, who has a young family, was diagnosed with breast cancer, I offered to do her laundry. Her recovery was slow, and the chemo and radiation therapies end-
UNIVERSAL SUDOKU
less. Three years later, we’re nearing the end of a short and brave life, and I still do their laundry every week. When she’s gone, I will never again do a load of wash without thinking of her. Perhaps your readers can help another family this way. — The Laundry Fairy, Rochester, Minn. Dear Laundry Fairy: The support you have given to that family extends far beyond doing laundry. Your presence over the long haul has, I’m sure, meant much more. Read on for a view from the perspective of a caregiver: Dear Abby: My wife has dementia. Our children don’t live close by, so I’m her only caregiver. One after-
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noon a week I hire someone to stay with her so I can grocery shop, do banking and run necessary errands. Neighbors and friends over the years have offered the standard, “If I can do anything to help, let me know,” but I’m not the type to call and ask, although it would be wonderful to have more hours to myself to do things in a leisurely manner rather than like running a marathon. I know people are busy, but it would be great if some of those who offered help would call occasionally, tell me they have an afternoon or evening free (or even an hour or two) and give me a little breathing room. I don’t begrudge one moment of the time I have spent caring for my wife. She has, for 50 years, been a marvelous wife, a wonderful mother
and the center of our family. Whatever I do for her can never repay the comfort, strength and joy she has brought into my life. Please advise your readers that if the offer of help they extend is real, to please check their schedules, find some time they are willing to give, CALL that friend, neighbor or relative and offer to sit with their loved one. That thoughtful gesture will be appreciated beyond what they could possibly ever imagine. — A Friend of Yours To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send a business-sized, selfaddressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby’s “Keepers,” P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)
HOROSCOPE BY HOLIDAY MATHIS
GOREN BRIDGE WITH OMAR SHARIF & TANNAH HIRSCH PREVIOUS DAY’S SOLUTION
ARIES (March 21-April 19). A compliment is a gift, not a purchase. When someone compliments you, accept the kind words without worrying about how and when you can repay them. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You don’t have to be overly concerned with being good to do the right thing. Free yourself from negative thoughts and energy for the simple reason that it’s too much work to carry them around with you. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll make a friend by doing something other than the usual. Your originality is adorable. You’re a lot of fun, and then you make yourself scarce — irresistible. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You are not a blank slate for someone else to write on. Contribute to a conversation. Otherwise, you’re likely to be bossed around by the more overbearing people in your midst. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your domestic environment reflects where you are in life right now — a good reason to tidy and organize it, making it beautiful and welcoming whether or not you are expecting company. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re not motivated by easy targets. If anyone and everyone can join the club, it’s not special. The harder you have to work for it the more you want it. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You have a gift for healing, as well as teaching. You feel compelled to be of service to others, and your attention will help them achieve a state of optimum health and well-being.
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MINUTE MAZE JUMBLE BY MICHEAL ARGIRION & JEFF KNUREK
HOW TO CONTACT: Dear Abby: PO Box 69440, Los Angees, CA 90069
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You want what you want. Go toward it without feeling selfish or guilty. Don’t worry — it won’t be too easy for you to attain this goal, and you’ll be helping others along the way. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your sign’s symbol is a centaur — half-horse, half-human. Now is a good time to channel the horse side. You’ll need to be fast and strong and wear blinders to keep yourself focused on the track. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You suspect that someone likes you for your feisty ambition, though you don’t have to go out of your way to display this now. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll be in a position to choose your company, so avoid the one who likes to get you all riled up. This person can cause you to spin in circles like a dog chasing its tail. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You are responsible and orderly to a point, and then it’s time to hit the release valve and blow off some steam. This can be accomplished through wild dancing, shouting at the game on television or escaping into a good movie. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (May 21). Your curiosity about the world will never be sated. You’ll get answers and ask deeper questions in June. July brings the end of a particular yearning, and new confidence comes over you. A colleague will support and guide you in work that uses your talents and lets you shine. Libra and Taurus people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 24, 49, 1, 32 and 34.