Diversions

Thought for Today

“Nothing will work unless you do.”

— MayaAngelou

Horoscope

By Horoscope.com

Monday, February 6, 2023

Aries: If you’ve been investing, look for it to pay off big. Or you could execute a new contract, settle a claim, or even win something. Expect the unexpected where money is concerned. It might have you reeling. In the past few weeks you’ve been releasing a lot of negative energy and clearing the way for today’s good fortune.

Taurus: Plans for a social event that you were going to host in your home may have to be changed at the last minute. Even so, it should go very well. You’re feeling exceptionally sociable now, Taurus, not to mention romantic and sexy. If you aren’t presently involved, expect to meet more than one possibility. If you are involved, anticipate events that will bring you closer to your partner.

Gemini: An unexpected letter or call could totally turn your working situation in a new direction. This can be disconcerting, Gemini, but it’s a very positive and fortunate development. Relations with colleagues should involve new respect and enthusiasm. By the end of the day, you will likely feel very good about the way your life is going.

Cancer: For you, Cancer, relationships with other people should be going so well that you feel more loved than ever. A new friend or perhaps an old one you haven’t seen in a while could suddenly become a powerful part of your life. You’re probably feeling exceptionally innovative and more likely to make a success of whatever new ideas you have. Prepare for a busy and satisfying day.

Leo: An unexpected opportunity could temporarily throw your life into disorder, Leo, but you will see from the start that this is a definite stroke of good luck that you shouldn’t let pass. It could involve money, a chance to move to your dream home, or relationships in some way.

Virgo: A lot of letters, calls, and other communications could skyrocket you into a new and unexpected space, Virgo. If you’ve been thinking of trying your hand at writing or speaking, this is the day to work on it. All signs indicate good fortune will come your way at this time, though it might sneak up on you and leave you a bit disconcerted.

Libra: Good fortune continues to come your way, Libra, and your life may finally seem to be moving in the direction you wanted. Today, however, you may feel frustrated by a lot of minor, if somewhat bizarre, upsets. Dropping things, losing objects you just had in your hand, forgetting names - just about anything could happen.

Scorpio: All the planets are very fortunately aligned for you, and the coming weeks should be great, Scorpio. Minor irritations today could make you wonder, though. You might worry that this good fortune won’t last. Don’t work yourself into a panic. This all continues through the next six months. However, you may need to focus sufficient effort if you’d like to make it last for a long time.

Sagittarius: You may wonder why increased intuition has seemed to replace your usual logical self. An unexpected intellectual, spiritual, or metaphysical insight might come to you from another realm. It may seem so profound that you wonder if it really came from you. Write it down in detail.

Capricorn: You should feel especially sociable today, Capricorn. You might attend one or more events, or perhaps you will choose another type of group activity. Relationships of all kinds should prove satisfying and comforting. Expect to grow closer to the friends you have and meet new friends with whom you share many interests.

Aquarius: Today an important goal might reach a point you’ve been aiming at for a long time. All those in your entourage have new respect for you. In fact, Aquarius, relationships of all kinds are warm, open, and honest, and you will probably enjoy the company of others immensely now. Romance, in particular, goes well.

Pisces: Your focus today is likely to be on learning. Something you’ve wanted to study for a long time may finally be within your grasp. Perhaps money makes this possible, or you’ve finally settled on a workable course of action. Travel might be involved. If you’ve been thinking about going back to school, get everything started today. If you do, you will probably attain what you want.

Daily Bridge

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Monday, February 6, 2023

“Your honor,” the district attorney stated, “we will prove that South committed a felony. He lost a cold vulnerable game.” “Proceed,” the judge instructed, and the court kibitzed the evidence.

“Against 3NT,” the DA began, “West led the ten of clubs. South won with the jack and took the A-K of spades. When West threw a club, South went to the ace of hearts and returned a diamond to his queen. The finesse won, and when he led the ace and a third diamond, the suit broke 3-3. But then East led the jack of hearts, and the defense took three hearts, plus West’s ace of clubs and East’s queen of spades. Down two.”

BLAMELESS?

“My client is blameless,” South’s counsel roared. “East could have held the king of hearts.”

Was South guilty of a misplay?

After South takes the top spades, he can lead a low diamond. East wins and shifts to the jack of hearts: five, seven, ace. Then South can lead a diamond to his queen, take the ace and lead the king of clubs. He is sure of nine tricks.

You hold:

Your partner opens one heart, you bid one spade and he

Sudoku

Codeword Puzzle

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every 3-by-3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday through Saturday.

Crossword Puzzle

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

Codeword is a fun game with simple rules, and a great way to test your knowledge of the English language. Every number in the codeword grid is ‘code’ for a letter of the alphabet. Thus, the number 2 may correspond to the letter L, for instance. All puzzles come with a few letters to start. Your first move should be to enter these letters in the puzzle grid. If the letter S is in the box at the bottom of the page underneath the number 2, your first move should be to find all cells numbered 2 in the grid and enter the letter S. Cross the letter S off the list at the bottom of the grid. Remember that at the end you should have a different letter of the alphabet in each of the numbered boxes 1- 26, and a word in English in each of the horizontal and vertical runs on the codeword grid.

Puzzle

jumps to three diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: A few players would have passed one heart, but the modern tendency is to scrape up a response with any excuse. Partner’s jump-shift is forcing, so to pass would be a system violation. Bid three hearts.

Your ace of hearts and doubleton diamond may be all he needs to have a chance at game. South dealer