Your Birthday today: Being observant will help you gain insight into the trends that are hap- pening this year. Preparation will turn DEAR ABBY into progress as doors begin to open and lead to your next adventure. Don’t Advice written by hesitate to follow your heart and intu- ition. Don’t dwell on what’s past; live in the moment. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) - You DEAR ABBY: I am in a loving relationship with a kind can dodge a bullet if you refrain from sharing your opinion. Listen, learn and caring man, “Byron.” He has a preteen son, “Eli,” from and choose your battles wisely. Don’t a previous relationship. Eli stays with us several days a waste time on a dead-end project; week, and I watch him while Byron goes to work. Byron focus on what’s new and exciting. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) - and I would like to spend the rest of our lives together, but Discuss your thoughts and feelings. I’m uncertain if I can truly be a stepmother to his son. It’s important that the people you are Eli often yells at and hits his dad. He calls his dad stu- dealing with know your plans if you pid, among other things. He asks for expensive items dur- Hagar The Horrible want to get the support you need to be successful. ing every visit, often refuses to bathe and won’t eat any- SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) thing other than fast food or pizza. If Byron has to say no - Insincerity is apparent when deal- to Eli because he doesn’t have the money for something, ing with matters that concern money, Eli throws a temper tantrum worse than a 2-year-old. settlements and expectations. Don’t dismiss your intuition. If something I know the kid is capable of better behavior because he doesn’t seem right, ask questions. doesn’t behave this way with his mother or grandmother. Stay in charge and avoid being Byron doesn’t discipline his son at all, which allows his manipulated. rude and disrespectful behavior to continue. I worry about CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - Don’t start your day on the wrong foot. the boy’s future. How will he hold a job if he acts this way Put emotional negativity on the back toward a boss? burner and embrace the things that I like Eli very much. When he’s in a good mood, he’s can bring you the rewards you desire. the kindest child I can think of. But when his mood turns, Choose love over discord. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) it’s like the dark side takes over. I love Byron. I would like - You can waste time arguing, or to marry him. But I don’t know if I can handle watching Eli Shoe you can focus on making personal be so disrespectful to his father. Sometimes it makes me gains, expanding your interests and feel like ending things. Please advise me on what to do. - contributing to something worthwhile. Maintain a positive attitude. HESITANT “STEPMOM” PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) - DEAR “STEPMOM”: I hope you realize that Eli behaves Don’t stir up trouble or take part in the way he does because his father allows it. Byron may someone else’s chaos. You’ll make do this because he feels guilty about the divorce and is gains if you use ingenuity when han- dling your finances, approaching your afraid his son will “hate” him if he asserts himself. Your responsibilities and taking care of your gentleman friend really needs to take some parenting health. classes because his failure to act isn’t good for Eli. Please ARIES (March 21-April 19) - Get suggest it. on board and make things happen. Don’t leave your future in someone DEAR ABBY: I’m surprised by how many people else’s hands. Pitch in and be a part of choose not to use headphones while talking on the phone, the process. Your contribution matters. listening to music or watching videos in public places. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - A Instead, they use the speaker option or their Bluetooth change someone makes may not sit well with you, but if you go about your speakers for all to hear. business and do your own thing, you I travel frequently. It’s bad enough to suffer through one will feel satisfied with your accomplish- side of the conversation, but hearing both is worse (and ments. Keep the peace. these folks talk at top volume and make no attempt to step GEMINI (May 21-June 20) - If someone questions you, offer only out of earshot). Lately, I have also noticed people watching what’s necessary. Remain in control videos in restaurants. and protect yourself against theft. Be At my apartment’s pool, several neighbors do the same smart and equitable. thing. Sometimes the music includes offensive language, CANCER (June 21-July 22) - Share your stories, dreams and inten- which I find inappropriate at a family pool. I’m tempted to tions with a loved one. The insight and start competing with them with random videos and music, thoughtfulness you get in return will but I know that’s wrong. Is there a reasonable way to han- help you bring your plans to the fore- front. Romance is featured. dle these folks? - BLASTED OUT IN ARIZONA LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) - Broaden DEAR BLASTED: If you are in a restaurant, ask the your horizons, learn all you can, build manager to move you to a quieter table. If you are both- your stamina and endurance, and pre- ered at your apartment swimming pool, take your com- pare for inevitable changes. Don’t be Frank and Ernest fooled by someone using temptation plaint to the manager of the complex so a sign can be or manipulation to lead you astray. posted asking tenants to keep the volume low on their VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) - devices or wear headphones. It’s worth a try. Do not make Listen and learn. The information you the mistake of confronting them yourself. pick up will help you mold your ideas and strengths into something benefi- P.S. Consider putting on headphones and listening to cial. A positive change is heading your something of your choosing. It will drown out what you way. Romance is accentuated. don’t want to hear.

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