Muskogee Phoenix Monday, July 26, 2020 Puzzles/Etc. Partner questions next steps

Dear Harriette: pick sides, and I main friends with both What do you do Sense and don’t want to cause of them. when you hurt the Sensitivity conflict since I’ve When you are asked one you love? I re- been hearing both of about your opinion cently had a fight Harriette them out and agree- about their positions in with my partner and Cole ing to some extent this argument, reserve lashed out at him in with each of their the right to abstain a way that deeply concerns in private. from commenting. Tell hurt his feelings. of it. I care about both of them that you real- I feel incredibly You can call a “family these people, and I ize that they have to guilty, but I know meeting” and tell him don’t want to lose work this out on their that won’t do any- again that you regret the friendship of ei- own. You do not want thing to help the the way you handled ther, even if the two to be caught up in the situation. What can the argument. Commit of them don’t want middle of their drama. I do now that I’ve — to the best of your to be friends. How Refuse to give your acknowledged that ability — to keeping should I approach opinion. You may also I was wrong and the content of argu- this situation? — In need to stop talking to said I’m sorry? He is ments specifically to them when they start obviously still very the topic at hand rath- Dear In The Mid- elaborating on their upset. How do I ap- er than piling on or dle: Tell each of them issues. The only way to proach him during dredging up old stuff, that you want the best stay out of it is to ex- this time, given that as that only hurts peo- for them, but you no tract yourself from the we live together and ple and doesn’t help to longer want to be the conversation as soon I’d like to do my best resolve the issue. sounding board for as it begins. to make him feel Dear Harriette: them in this situation. Harriette Cole is a better? — Making Two of my friends Explain that you are in lifestylist and founder Up are in an argument, an extremely awkward of DREAMLEAPERS, Dear Making Up: and I don’t know position. You love them an initiative to help Sometimes things have what to do about it. both and want to stay people access and acti- to run their course. I understand points friends. Your greatest vate their dreams. You You may need to give from either side wish is for them to get can send questions to your partner his space and have been a lis- past their argument askharriette@harri- for a while. He may tening ear for both and mend their rela- ettecole.com or c/o need time to get past of them. However, tionship, but if that Andrews McMeel Syn- the sting of the ar- as things escalate, doesn’t happen, you dication, 1130 Walnut gument and all that I am worried that do not intend to pick St., Kansas City, MO occurred in the midst they’ll want me to sides. You want to re- 64106. Redundancy a plus in addition It is strange how certain ex- pressions containing unnecessary words get into the language. Peo- Bridge ple often refer to the SAT test — the Standard Aptitude Test test. Phil And — my particular aversion — Alder so many people say they got off of something. Why the “of”? Also, my local paper had the wonderful holds either an unlikely singleton “two female twins” — did you ev- or at least three spades. If East er see three twins? had a doubleton, he would have In bridge, cashing an unneces- started a high-low signal. sary winner might be expensive. If East holds the diamond king- Here is an example, although it queen, West probably needs to would not be clear-cut for West shift to that suit. Here, though, to find the winning defense. West must lead a club at trick Look only at the West and North two. This establishes four tricks DO JUST ONE THING hands. Against four hearts, West for the defense: two spades, one leads the spade ace: seven, two, heart and one club. Here’s a simple way to improve what pressure your car’s manu- your car’s efficiency in less than a facturer recommends. Usually, three. What should West do next? Note that if West cashes the minute per month. Low pressure your tire pressure will be just fine. North has an unappetizing spade king at trick two, declarer in your car’s tires can decrease But every few months you’ll need hand full of quacks, but with 7 will discard his club jack on the and immediately plays a second your fuel efficiency by about 3 to add a little air, which you can points and four trumps, he must established spade queen, using spade himself. percent. A simple pressure gauge do from an air pump at the gas raise. the diamond jack as the dummy Since declarer cannot discard can read your tire’s pressure, and station the next time you fill up. When East plays the spade entry. Also, if West switches to his second spade on any of dum- your owner’s manual will tell you — Danny Seo two, West knows that his partner a diamond, South wins in hand my’s cards, that trick can wait.

CROSSWORD HOROSCOPE — JULY 27

Consider your objectives and health, legal and money and follow the strategy you matters. Your attitude will de- mapped out for the upcoming Astrograph termine the response you get. year. Pay less attention to Question anything that doesn’t what’s going on around you sound realistic or honest before and more to what you are Eugenia you make a commitment. trying to achieve. Resist any Last ARIES (March 21-April 19) outside pressure. Make ad- — Make personal and physical justments to ensure that you emotions. Learn from experi- changes that will add pizzazz maintain control. ence, and recognize what you and push you into the spot- LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — must do to get what you want. light. Change begins with you, Gather knowledge, pick up SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23- so stop waiting and start doing. skills and focus on what you Dec. 21) — Tidy up unfinished Romance is on the rise. want. Refuse to let an emotion- business. Clear the way for TAURUS (April 20-May 20) al incident result in an undesir- better projects. Concentrate on — Keep everyone guessing. able change. Keep the peace long-term plans and contracts Don’t commit to anything until and avoid arguments. that can save you money or you are sure it’s what you want. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) make you more of it. Show oth- If a change isn’t going to make — A little will mean a lot. Con- ers what you have to offer. your life better, you are best off sider your options and offer CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. taking a pass. better alternatives. Intelligence 19) — Enhance your skills, GEMINI (May 21-June 20) will override inconsistency. Do technology and attitude, and — Don’t settle for less; if you what’s right, and associate with you’ll step into a position that want more, do what’s neces- those who bring out the best suits your lifestyle. A change sary and don’t complain. Be in you. at home could boost your direct and do whatever it takes. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — income. Make independence a priority. Nurture essential relationships AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. CANCER (June 21-July 22) and make personal changes 19) — Don’t follow others. — Evaluate your options and conducive to feeling and look- Consider what brings you consider how best to use your ing your best. Don’t allow any- the most joy and head in that skills to get ahead. Look at a one to put you in a vulnerable direction. Personal improve- partnership proposal carefully position. Say no to demanding ments will give you the confi- and familiarize yourself with people. dence to present and promote the motives behind it before SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. what you have to offer. you get involved.(Visit Eugeni- 22) — It will be hard to make PISCES (Feb. 20-March alast.com, or join Eugenia on up your mind and control your 20) — Look over contracts Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.)

DATEBOOK — JULY 27 Today is the 209th day of player/manager; Norman (North Korea). 2020 and the 38th day of Lear (1922- ), TV producer/ TODAY’S SPORTS: In summer. writer; Jerry Van Dyke (1931- 1986, 83 years after the Tour TODAY’S HISTORY: In 2018), actor; Bobbie Gentry de France was established, 1789, Congress established (1944- ), singer-songwriter; American cyclist Greg the Department of Foreign Peggy Fleming (1948- ), LeMond became the first Affairs, later renamed the figure skater; Bill Engvall non-European to win the Department of State. (1957- ), actor/comedian; Tri- race. In 1953, a Korean War ple H (1969- ), professional TODAY’S QUOTE: “I armistice was signed after wrestler; Nikolaj Coster-Wal- thought she was the funni- three years of fighting. dau (1970- ), actor; Maya Ru- est woman, and I believed In 1974, the House of dolph (1972- ), actress; Alex being a comedian was the Representatives voted to Rodriguez (1975- ), baseball most exciting thing you recommend the first article player; Jonathan Rhys Mey- could be.” — Maya Rudolph of impeachment against ers (1977- ), actor; Jordan on Gilda Radner President Nixon. Spieth (1993- ), golfer. TODAY’S NUMBER: 4 In 1996, a bomb exploded TODAY’S FACT: The — Major League Baseball in an Atlanta park during the Republic of Korea (South teams (Dodgers, Giants, Summer Olympics, killing Korea) refused to sign the Cubs and Astros) managed one person. armistice agreement that by Leo Durocher on his way TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: ended the Korean War. It to a career total of 2,009 Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953), has never made a peace wins. writer/historian; Leo Du- treaty with the Democratic TODAY’S MOON: First rocher (1905-1991), baseball People’s Republic of Korea quarter moon (July 27).