Muskogee Phoenix Puzzles/Etc. Monday, August 31, 2020 PB Couple ready to move out of shared space Dear Harriette: view your concerns about Another two weeks My boyfriend and I Sense and the state of your home have gone by, and I currently live with Sensitivity and ask to be taken off still have not gotten a another couple in a the lease. You will likely call to return to work. home that we rent. We Harriette need an attorney to help The retail store I work have been here for 15 Cole you work through the for has a team of eight months. While being paperwork. Coordinating people in total. I’m quarantined the past with your co-renters may sure even if hours are three months, we’ve the conversation with help ease the burden on minimal, I still should had a lot of overlap the other couple that all — if they are willing have been called in to with the other couple. we plan on leaving to take over the lease or work some short shifts We have issues with and sticking them have others in mind who by now. Are they try- our home; we contact- with the lease on their may want to split the ing to push me out of ed the landlord about own? I don’t want rent. the company quietly? I them, but he didn’t them to feel like we Dear Harriette: My don’t know if I should do much to fix or help are abandoning them. workplace was closed continue to be patient with the issues during — No Stepping on Toes down for quarantine. or contact corporate the quarantine. Dear No Stepping We were all notified of and figure out where Now my boyfriend On Toes: You should the temporary closing my job stands. — No and I have decided speak directly with the until further notice. Job to get our own place other couple and let them After three months, Dear No Job: Many because we are tired know where you stand. I still hadn’t gotten a companies have reopened of the home not being In order to get out of the call or email from my at limited capacity. You up to our standards, lease, you have to get company regarding can contact corporate to and we have just out- them to agree, get some- reopening. I spoke to find out if there will be grown the space with one else to take over your a co-worker who said a place for you at this the other couple. The part of the lease (with that our store was location or somewhere problem is, we just re- the landlord’s blessing) open and she had been else. Plead your case, newed our lease three or get the landlord to working for the past making it clear that you months ago. I’m hope- agree to remove you from two weeks. I gave my are ready to work. Be ful that the landlord the lease. This is a legal manager a call, and prepared to talk about will take the two of us matter. she told me that they your reputation prior to off the lease if the oth- You may want to speak are operating at 50% COVID-19, especially if er couple remains, but to the landlord first to capacity — under- it is good, to encourage how do we approach explain your situation, re- standable. them to take you back. Three possible games, some uncertainty George S. Kaufman wrote, “Once upon a time there were three bears: Papa Bear, Mama Bridge Bear, and Camembert.” Today’s deal from a Bridge Phil Base Online duplicate features Alder three possible game contracts. How two, Papa Game and Mama Game, get on is fairly clear. But five diamonds, that made it easy the third, Baby Game, is less ob- for East. He knew that North had vious. four hearts, South had three, and What do you think about the he held five. Ergo, his partner given auction, knowing that had one. The defense was clear. South’s double showed three-card So he doubled. heart support, and what should West led his heart. East won be the result in five diamonds with the ace and returned the doubled? two, his lowest being a suit-pref- DO JUST ONE THING Sitting South, I would have erence signal for clubs. West been tempted to ignore my three- ruffed, returned a club and got a If you’ve just moved into a slist or FreeCycle that you have card heart support and rebid second ruff for down two. new home, you might wonder free moving boxes to give away. three diamonds. But majors and Maybe South should have what to do with the cache of But you can also let your real es- no-trump rule in duplicates. Then foreseen this and run to four no- now-empty cardboard boxes. tate agent know, and they can surely South should have been trump. That would have made Sure, you can flatten them and connect you with someone in either save them for future the neighborhood who may be happy with three no-trump. Even unless East led the spade king. moves or recycle them, but you moving, too. Local nonprofits if partner had only a singleton di- A couple of East-West pairs can also give them to someone like Goodwill are also in need of amond, there would be a play for bought it in five clubs. Note that takes 12 tricks unless the defend- to reuse. The easiest solution is boxes to move things. the contract. if declarer reads the position cor- ers begin with the spade ace and to post on a website like Craig- — Danny Seo But when South did jump to rectly, which isn’t automatic, he a spade ruff. CROSSWORD HOROSCOPE — AUGUST 31 You’ll discover new ways deep, get the facts and make to interact with like-minded decisions based on verified in- people and loved ones. A Astrograph formation, not what someone positive change will be a step leads you to believe. Separate toward personal freedom your business and personal and a new beginning. You Eugenia lives to avoid confusion and will be a problem-solver this Last interference. year. Make physical improve- TAURUS (April 20-May 20) ments, enjoy what you do involved in something you find — Stick to your plan, regardless and focus on your priorities. rewarding. If you learn from of what others do. Use your VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. your mistakes, and you will find knowledge, experience and 22) — Take a break from your a rewarding path. skills to get ahead. A physical schedule. The change will CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. change will boost your morale spark your imagination and en- 19) — Pay less attention to and attract compliments. courage you to make lifestyle what’s already happened and GEMINI (May 21-June adjustments. Focus on what more attention to the best way 20) — Look for the positive in makes you happy and how to to move forward. Concentrate every situation you face, and make your routine memorable. on making home improve- you’ll find a way to take care of LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) ments, lowering your overhead your responsibilities and have — Personal improvement is and saving money. time left to enjoy doing some- favored. Refuse to let anyone AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. thing that makes you happy. bully you into something you 19) — Refuse to let your emo- CANCER (June 21-July 22) don’t want to do. Call the shots tions take the reins. Look at — You may not like change, and make your thoughts and situations from a logical per- but it’s time to make adjust- needs known. Do what’s best spective to better understand ments that will encourage you for you. them. You can’t change others, to keep up with technology SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) but you can improve your own and economic trends. Don’t — Stick to your plans, regard- circumstances. fight the inevitable; go with the less of the backlash you get PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) flow, and be happy with the from others. You are responsi- — Lend a helping hand, and results. ble for your happiness, so do you will make new connec- LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — whatever it takes to pursue tions. An unusual partnership Keep moving forward. Looking your best interests. Romance is will turn out to be helpful as back will cause confusion and in the stars. well as entertaining. Love and uncertainty. Focus on what you SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23- romance are in the stars. A can do, and live in the moment. Dec. 21) — Live and learn. change of pace looms. Refuse to let anyone compro- Take on a physical challenge ARIES (March 21-April mise your health and well-be- that will encourage you to get 19) — Take your time, dig ing. Focus will be key. DATEBOOK — AUGUST 31 Today is the 244th day of (1908-1981), playwright; Buddy to be in the same Major League 2020 and the 73rd day of sum- Hackett (1924-2003), comedian/ Baseball lineup. mer. actor; James Coburn (1928- TODAY’S QUOTE: “If I had TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1888, 2002), actor; Frank Robinson one wish in the world today, the body of the first victim of (1935-2019), baseball player/ it would be that Jackie Robin- London serial killer Jack the Rip- manager; Van Morrison (1945- son could be here to see this per was found.