Sudoku

nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult.

“I was taken aback and said, ‘OMG, really? You are embarrassing me!’

“I blushed. My lady friends who were in attendance said maybe it was the ‘drinks’ he had while we were talking? I don’t know, but we all agreed he is a very nice guy. We all watched him take care of his wife in a wheelchair before she died. He was devoted to her and is a genuinely nice person to everyone.

“I won’t consider a relationship with him other than friendship, because we live in the same retirement community.

“If our relationship didn’t work out, it would be awkward seeing each other, and I fear we could possibly ruin a wonderful friendship. What’s your opinion? Should I go out with him?”

I responded to Betsy: “At your age, good men are hard to find, especially a man who is interested in you. I see some positives about dating him.

“The age difference is only two years. You two live near each other. There would be limited or no driving to meet for a date. No public street driving at night to go home.

“Since he is a nice man who was married 55 years, he’d likely be a loyal and dedicated mate. He cares about you and is attracted to you. That’s the biggest positive. That’s usually more than half the battle. You likely would be good for each other.

“Have you discussed your concerns with him? Share them and see how he feels about it. If you can reach an agreement on what would happen if it doesn’t work out, (it would be a kind of a post-nuptial type of relationship agreement), and if you are both comfortable with it, take a chance. At your respective ages, sharing life together could be magical.”

Betsy’s response to me: “If he broaches the subject with me, I will discuss it with him.”

My reply: “Are you attracted to him? Enough so that you are willing to have that ‘What-happens-if-it-doesn’t-workout?’ conversation.

“What’s more important? Having someone in your life who warms your heart and is there for you and who loves to hug, kiss, and hold you?

“Or risking losing his friendship because it might not work out? And even if it didn’t work out, you still might be friends.

“The main question: Are you attracted to him?

“If so, don’t wait for him to initiate the conversation. Tell him you’d like to talk privately and take that initiative. Agree on remaining friends if dating each other doesn’t work out.

“Take a chance, Betsy.” SC

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

Perry is a 1½-year-old Jindo who is ready for a new start. Initially brought to the shelter as a frightened pup, Perry has finally blossomed into a sweet and loving dog. Fun-loving and full of playful energy, he loves making friends with all the other shelter dogs. Perry is looking for a home with dog-savvy adults.

If you are interested in adopting Perry, please visit petprojectfoundation.org/adoptions/ to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Some fishermen (and a fisherwoman) hang out on the pier with their impressive catches, circa 1960s. Sportfishing has been a popular pastime in San Clemente ever since the city’s beginnings in the late 1920s. This photo can be purchased from the San Clemente Historical Society at sanclementehistoricalsociety.org.

Every week, the San Clemente Times will showcase a historical photo from around the city. If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, send the photo, your name for credit as well as the date and location of the photo to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com

Down at the five-way intersection, where Victoria meets Avenida Santa Barbara and Calle Seville— the races’ finish line—Dixon Kavanaugh, 59, of San Clemente picks up trash and debris such as empty beer cans from the gutters.

Fourth of July tradition.

When the crowd clears to celebrate Independence Day elsewhere, the thousands of balloons used get left behind for the neighborhood to clean up before they’re washed into the ocean.

In addition to balloons and beer cans, other remnants of the office chairs get discarded along the street, including this amalgamation of bike parts, patio chairs and skateboards.

One of those neighborhood residents is 36-year-old Jesus Sanchez, pictured here, broom in hand to sweep up balloons from the ground.

Clad in his patriotic gear for Independence Day, 46-year-old Joseph Latorre, a San Clemente resident who lives a few streets over from Victoria, sweeps up balloons into a pile.

Across the street from Kavanaugh, 36-year-old San Clemente resident Natalie Betanen also pitches in during the cleanup effort, sweeping up balloons beside an abandoned Office Chair vehicle.