Diversions

Thought for Today

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Horoscope

By Horoscope.com

Monday, April 3, 2023

Aries: You may be working on a large project that draws on your creative energy, Aries. In terms of long-term goals and dreams, this sort of project is right up your alley. Today you might hit a snag or some sort of emotional block that could make it hard for you to continue. Slow down and take a break.

Taurus: Don’t be surprised if someone rubs you the wrong way today, Taurus. It’s likely that pressure has been building in other people’s minds for quite some time. They might have been afraid to share their feelings before simply because they were too intimidated to say anything that might cross you.

Gemini: It’s possible that you’ve relied on your imagination to pull you out of tough situations lately, Gemini. When the real world begins to get you down, you can always turn to your fantasy world. On this day, there’s a stubborn blast of realism that might bring you down and keep you there.

Cancer: Relax and settle down today, Cancer. Take some time to enjoy where you are and the people around you. There’s a promise that you need to fulfill, and you should think about how you can honor it now. Do something for others instead of keeping the focus on you and your goals and ambitions.

Leo: Today a bubble of confusion clouds your reality, making it difficult to decide what to do next, Virgo. Be careful that you don’t tie your stomach in knots from the tension created by your mental confusion. Problems with indigestion are likely now because of your worries over what your next step should be.

Virgo: Today a bubble of confusion clouds your reality, making it difficult to decide what to do next, Virgo. Be careful that you don’t tie your stomach in knots from the tension created by your mental confusion. Problems with indigestion are likely now because of your worries over what your next step should be.

Libra: Try not to be too swayed by your emotions today, Libra. You might get in trouble if you get carried away with a drama that doesn’t pertain to you in any way. Your connection to other people’s feelings could draw you into a maelstrom. Keep in mind that your imagination is your life raft. Do what you can to distance yourself from the emotional trauma that surrounds you.

Scorpio: Don’t doubt yourself today, Scorpio. You should be feeling quite strong, although inadequacy could sneak into the picture. This could be because you’re having trouble understanding issues that are rather cloudy. Just because things aren’t clear doesn’t mean they aren’t working out in your favor. As long as you remain confident that things will come out fine, they will.

Sagittarius: You’re at a creative high point right now, so make sure to nurture this side of your being, Sagittarius. It could be that you’re in danger of running into an obstacle. Try not to get discouraged. Instead, it may be best for you to reflect on what you’ve done in the past. Enjoy emotional stability today instead of letting your emotions jump around from one thing to the next.

Capricorn: You’re apt to be in a good mood today, Capricorn. The roller coaster of feelings you’ve been on is finally coming to a stable platform. Get off the ride and enjoy the comfort of solid ground. Take a walk and treat yourself to something you enjoy - ice cream or a new book. Deal with practical issues instead of getting lost in your imagination.

Aquarius: It’s important to be more sensitive toward other people’s feelings today, Aquarius. You may feel more vulnerable than usual. You should do what you can to keep from becoming a victim. Realize that harsh words coming your way now could be a reflection of the harsh words that you’ve dished out in the past.

Pisces: You’re likely to be very aware of things going on around you today, and you may internalize the opinions of others, Pisces. Be careful about opening yourself up so much that you get hurt by someone’s offhand, unflattering comment. You will find the most comfort in tangible and stable things.

Daily Bridge

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Monday, April 3, 2023

The blame game began in Eden: Adam blamed Eve, she blamed the serpent, and he had not a leg to stand on. Even today, some people won’t take the blame for a foul-up until they exhaust every other possibility.

Today’s West led the ten of hearts against 3NT, and dummy won and led the queen of diamonds. When East took the king, he returned ... a heart. West won the next diamond and led a third heart, but South won and ran the diamonds. East was stuck for discards, and South wound up with 11 tricks.

“I expected your hearts to be Q-10-9-x-x,” East told his partner.

Sure Thing

It’s not whether you win or lose but how you place the blame. East had a sure thing by leading the deuce of spades at Trick Three. When West took the ace of diamonds, he could lead another spade, and East would get three spade tricks. As for East’s don’t-blame-me comment, once West showed the ace of diamonds, he could hardly hold another queen. Then South would have at most five points for his 1NT bid.

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-Saturday and on the crossword solutions page in Saturday’s Life section.

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

left, opens one heart. Your partner doubles, and the next player raises to two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner has opening values or more with support for the unbid suits, especially spades.

(He may have a powerful hand with a suit he intends to bid; that seems unlikely here.) Your hand is too promising for an invitational jump to three spades. Cue-bid three hearts.