Your Birthday today: How you relate to others will encourage support and the neces- DEAR ABBY sary backup to get things done. Domestic and personal changes will affect how others treat you Advice written by and the kinds of opportunities that come your way. You can make a difference. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) DEAR ABBY: My brother and sister-in-law recently told - Invite friends over or plan an evening with a loved one. Sticking me their 5-year-old son claims my 9-year-old son touched close to home will lead to simple him inappropriately on several occasions. Understanding changes that will improve your sur- that any parent believes what their child says, I asked my roundings and add to your comfort. son if he has ever touched or done anything inappropriate ARIES (March 21-April 19) - Look for the good in everyone to anyone. His response was, “Why would I do that?” and everything. Having a positive My husband and I asked our son about it on several attitude and refusing to let your different occasions and got the same answer. Not wanting emotions cause a ruckus will help to pressure him to the point of coercion and force him to Hagar The Horrible eliminate drama from your life. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - admit to something he did not do, I accepted his denials. Consider all avenues, but don’t take My brother and his wife are convinced my son did these the one that will cause distress. heinous things to their son. What more is there for me to You’ll gain the most in the long term by keeping the peace and working do? My son and I are now being shunned and barred from alongside others instead of causing being around any of my brother’s kids. - SHUNNED IN disruption and chaos. COLORADO GEMINI (May 21-June 20) - DEAR SHUNNED: A young child might make a state- Consider what makes you angry or upset, and distance yourself from ment like the one your nephew did to get attention, get situations and people that have that the other child in trouble OR because he is being touched effect on you. Spend more time inappropriately by someone else. This certainly bears fur- with whoever brings out the best ther exploration, and the people who should do that are in you. CANCER (June 21-July 22) - your brother and his wife. Convey the way you feel and what If your son ends up being guilty, then you and your you want to see happen if you husband must investigate where this behavior came from Shoe intend to make progress. If you pay attention to a loved one, the and get him professional help. Until this is resolved, the response you get will be rewarding. children should be kept apart. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) - Try DEAR ABBY: The other day, I was checking numbers something new. Connect with on my contacts list in my phone. It has been years since I people who share your interests, but don’t feel compelled to buy oth- purged any, so I sent out a few texts with just the person’s ers’ friendship. Offer your fair share, name. Later, I woke up around 3 a.m. and couldn’t get nothing more. back to sleep, so I checked my social media. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) - I returned two emails, then saw I had a response to You’ll have a revelation that will lead to a big decision. Someone one of my texts which read, “???” So I texted back my you meet will show you the ropes name. Next thing I knew, my phone was ringing. It was an and get you started on a new acquaintance from years ago. I answered, even though I adventure. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) - could have let it go into voicemail, because I didn’t want to Don’t mix business with pleasure. be rude. However, the last thing I wanted to do was have Do your job to the best of your a 3 a.m. conversation with this person - or any person, for ability and make plans to spend that matter. time with a loved one. Don’t take on responsibilities that don’t belong In my opinion, a phone call is different from a text. to you. Calling me at 3 a.m. was inappropriate, bordering on rude. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) The other person contends I shouldn’t have texted that late - Taking a short trip, attending a if I didn’t want to talk. I have put this matter of contempo- meeting or learning something new will push you in an unexpected rary communication etiquette out there, and the feedback direction. If you go with the flow, I’m receiving on the subject is divided. What do you think? you’ll discover a hidden skill or - TEXT ETIQUETTE IN THE SOUTH talent. DEAR TEXT ETIQUETTE: What I think is that YOU SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) - Stick to the facts, or someone owe the person an apology for having disturbed him or will question your assertions. You’ll her in the wee hours of the morning and, while you’re at it, do best if you work alone and explain that you didn’t think your text would be seen until spend time on self-improvement, instead of trying to change others. after sunup. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. DEAR ABBY: I get my hair done at the local beauty 19) - Line things up and get started. school. When I pay, there is no room on the bill to leave Don’t stop until you are satisfied a tip. Is it OK not to tip these people because they are in Frank and Ernest with the results you get. A change at home will give you the space you school, or should I plan on bringing cash with me next need to start something new. time? - WONDERING IN CALIFORNIA AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) - DEAR WONDERING: If you like the service the student Ignore what’s going on around you performed, show your gratitude (and respect!) by bringing and focus on being your very best mentally, physically and financially. along enough money to tip him or her. That’s what I would Set goals and get started. do, as long as there is no school rule that forbids it.

Blondie

Grizwells

Snuffy Smith

Heart of the City

Hi and Lois

Herman Moderately Confused

Beetle Bailey

Arlo and Janis Born Loser