Home and Garden 10/14/17

Look inside for these specials and many others.

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017

7

ideas for fall decorating YEAR ROUND GARDENING:

Add some reds to your autumn palette KEN MOON:

Should I drain my sprinkler?

Pumpkins!

YEAR ROUND GARDENING

Add some reds to your autumn palette

BY FREDRICKA BOGARDUS, COLORADO MASTER GARDENER

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”

— Albert Camus

AUTUMN REDS

Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer X freemanii “Jeffsred”) • Large tree up to 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide

W

hat happens to deciduous trees and shrubs in the autumn? Why do leaves turn different colors and then fall off?

Fall changes to deciduous trees and shrubs are often thought to be due to cooler temperatures. Shortening days are a much more significant influence on the change.

In autumn daylight hours become shorter, and there is less light available for photosynthesis. During the growing season, cells containing chlorophyll enable trees to produce carbohydrates from light, carbon dioxide in air, and various other nutrients taken up by the roots of the tree. Once the light wanes, that process is less efficient. The tree responds by not producing any more chlorophyll, thus shutting down photosynthesis. The chlorophyll produced earlier in the season deteriorates, removing the dominant green color from the leaves. The yellow and orange pigments (carotenes and xanthophylls) that have been there all summer, are now visible.

Red colors are another story. Trees that turn red actually produce new pigments (anthocyanins) in autumn. These are same kind of pigments that you find in blueberries. There are several theories why some trees produce this pigment in autumn. One theory is that it prevents the leaves from getting a sunburn as the green pigments fade away.

The final color change in autumn is to brown. The yellow and orange pigments are eventually broken down, leaving only brown pigments (tannins) in the leaf.

Since the leaves, bereft of chlorophyll, no longer produce carbohydrates the tree prepares to ‘let go’ of the leaves. Not all deciduous trees go through this process in autumn, but the vast majority do. The zone on the twig where the leaf attaches

“Hot Wings” Tatarian Maple (Acer tataricum “Garann’) • Small tree up to 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide • Will dazzle all summer with bright red samaras (seed pods), and then in fall the leaves turn brilliant orange red Cut Leaf Sumac (Rhus typhina “Laciniata”) • Large shrub small tree • Bright red leaves with a reddish pyramidal fruit, fruit persists through winter • Can sucker aggressively, give it plenty of room Burning bush (Euonymus alatus) • Brilliant red foliage • Can be big, standard form can grow up to 20 feet tall and wide • Cultivar “compactus” is not as big, but can easily reach 10 feet tall and wide

Photo by Fredricka Bogardus

is called the abscission layer. This layer allows transport of nutrients and water from the roots to the leaves, and transfer of carbohydrates from the leaves to the roots for storage. That layer is formed in spring. In autumn the tree produces a layer of dry, corky cells at the abscission layer that basically cut off the link between the woody material and the leaf. Since the leaf is cut off, it will fall off.

You may notice that different parts of

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 14, 2017

a tree will be in different stages of these processes. That is because there can be microclimates within different parts of the same tree canopy Weather during the growing season can influence the quality and duration of the fall colors. Spring drought can cause leaves to shut down and fall off earlier than usual. Sunny and dry conditions in the summer will favor better leaf color.

While it is important to make sure trees

are adequately watered during the warm months, long rainy periods will mitigate against brilliant fall displays. In autumn, windy days will shorten the display time.

October is a great month to determine if some fall color might be a good addition to your garden. One of the attributes deciduous plants can add to a landscape is dramatic color change before the leaves fall. In Colorado yellows and oranges predominate in our fall color, adding a brilliant red tree or shrub can be like splashing paint across a canvas. Next spring perhaps you will think about fall colors as you shop for trees and shrubs.

When you have questions, Colorado State University Extension has research-based answers. Get answers to your horticulture questions by visiting ask.extension.org any time day or night. Follow the El Paso County Master Gardeners on www.facebook.com/ ColoradoMasterGardeners.EPC.

AROUND THE HOUSE

Should I drain my sprinkler this early in the season?

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Dear Ken: Is it too early to drain my sprinkler system?

— John It depends on the expected overnight temperatures. The KEN MOON pipes won’t freeze and burst until the ambient temperature gets down to about 27 degrees, but why take a chance? In addition, though the weather forecast may say, “Temperatures in the low 30s,” if you’re in a low-lying area where cold air settles, you may get to that freeze-up point regardless.

Many folks blow out their systems this time of year. Not me. If it’s a dry winter, you should water the lawn every four weeks or so. Virtually all modern sprinkler systems are piped with that black, shiny polyethylene material. It’s flexible enough so that it almost never causes problems, even

after the coldest winter season. There are, however, still a few older homes around with galvanized steel or hard plastic piping under the grass. No choice here: these systems must be totally purged with compressed air.

The pipes you really need to protect and drain after each watering cycle are the rigid ones that stick out of the side of the house — usually PVC (white plastic) or copper.

You should be able to un-winterize, irrigate and then drain these components with a simple twist of three or four valves. If not, a plumber can rearrange them so that you can periodically provide needed moisture to the lawn with the least hassle.

Dear Ken: We are considering the purchase of a home that apparently was remodeled without permits. What are the implications of this situation?

— Doyle You have a couple of choices here. You

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could ask the seller to go hat-in-hand to the building department and ask for a retroactive permit. This is pretty daunting, as they may charge a penalty, plus they may want to open up walls for inspection of hidden systems, like wiring and waste piping. This approach can delay the closing for a longer period than you or the new buyer would like.

Another approach is to hire a good home inspector. If you can find one who has built homes in the past, so much the better. The inspector will most likely not guarantee whether or not the work meets the current codes, but they will look for the obvious safety issues like amateur wiring and plumbing, missing smoke detectors and compliance with emergency escape rules (so-called “egress”-requirements).

One final consideration is whether or not these issues will reemerge to haunt you when you sell the place. The good news is that the further you go down the owner chain away from the folks who originally did the work,

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Dear Ken: I’m removing wall paper so I can paint the wall. I’ve got some residual paste marks remaining. How can I get rid of them?

Sandpaper maybe?

— Mark If you try sanding, you’ll soon be invading the paper layer on top of the sheetrock — and that will make you wish you’d never started this project in the first place! Instead, buy some enzymatic wallpaper paste dissolver, mix it with warm water and apply it with a big sponge. Go easy, though, don’t over wet the wall. After you’re done, there still may be some tiny imperfections from the wallpaper treatment. You can fill those in with a couple of generous coats of Bullseye 1-2-3 or KILZ primer before you paint.

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SATURDAY, OCT 14, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 3

7

ideas for fall decorating

A

BY GINA CRONIN, GINA.CRONIN@GAZETTE.COM

utumn has arrived in full swing. According to YouGov.com, the majority of Americans vote fall as their favorite season of the year. Maybe it’s the crisp air that allows you to wear your favorite sweaters, or the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows that paint the landscape, or maybe it’s the opportunity to pull out fall décor and transform your home’s interior into a cozy oasis.

Whatever your reason for loving fall, these decorating ideas can have a warm and welcoming effect on every room in the house.

1. CANDLES

What is a fall home without pumpkin and cinnamon-scented candles? I remember my friend’s mom burnt one or two in every room of the house during the fall, and it’s one of those memories where even the thought brings me comfort. Select your

favorite candles, whether you like soy waxbased, essential oil-infused or the good ol’ Yankee candle, it’ll be sure to do the trick.

2. THROWS

Throw pillows, throw blankets, whatever you can throw — now is the time to throw it.

You want to feel like you can just crash on the coach and snuggle up when you walk in the house. Since I’m not yet adapted to the dropping temps for the year, I’m willing to sacrifice a little tidiness for the sake of an extra blanket to wrap around myself; and a cozy pillow to prop under my fuzzy-socked feet. Earth tones and patterns works well.

3. TRANSFORM THE DINING ROOM TABLE

With every season I would look forward to the ever-changing dining room tablescape. My mom has an amazing knack for décor, so I called her on this topic. “Definitely do a beautiful runner down the middle of the table, any shade of ambers, reds, oranges and yellows — all

those earthy colors,” said Cathlina Cronin.

“Put little gourds on the table or even the colored corn like people hang on their doors; certainly candles in jeweled candle holders to reflect light; and a gorgeous centerpiece of mums if you want fresh flowers. I used to actually go in my yard and forage for décor — bringing in fallen branches, acorns, pinecones. Fall is the most exciting time to decorate your table, no question.”

those fall flavors. Tis the season to have pie ready to plate at all times on your kitchen counter. Have a generous collection of spiced teas in your pantry for those chillier nights, as well. You can keep it hearthealthy with handcrafted bowls filled with chestnuts, walnuts and pecans in different areas of the home. It’s all in the name of creating unforgettable (and delicious) traditions.

4. FIREWOOD

I finally understand the obsession with aspen trees here in Colorado. I’m from New York, so I didn’t see their grand display until this fall. Driving up to Grand Lake winding on US-40 W on one of the grayest, rainiest Colorado weekends I’ve witnessed — all of a sudden this pure yellow blazed through the fog and up the mountain sides, streaking the landscape with gold in such a profound display that I started crying. Needless to say, there are countless artists who have interpreted this magic in a multitude of art forms — in paintings and

Firewood doesn’t even need to be lit to have a warming affect. Have a basket of firewood in select areas of the house, maybe in a reading nook or the living room or the guest bedroom. It brings a nice rustic feel, and couldn’t be an easier decoration.

Plus, since it’s already in a basket with handles, all the simpler to carry it over to the indoor or outdoor fireplace.

5. FOOD

Of course a huge appeal of autumn is

6. ASPEN TREES

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

HG 4 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 14, 2017

Put pumpkins to use

A METRO SERVICES

utumn is the season when pumpkins are ripe for the picking, and thousands of people flock to local farms and roadside vendors to select perfect pumpkins.

Many pumpkins are turned into decorative jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween, only to be tossed in the trash come November 1. That could be because many people are unaware of the various ways they can put pumpkins to good use.

Pumpkins are gourds and members of the squash family, and have been grown and used for thousands of years. Evidence suggests that pumpkins date back to 7000 B.C., possibly originating in Mexico. Today they are widely used for decorating around Halloween, but there are many other things that can be done with pumpkins.

CREATE A FOOD VESSEL. Pumpkins can be transformed into bowls to hold soup, punch, fruit or dips. Make sure the pumpkin has been cleaned well of its pulp and seeds, as well as the stringy flesh that is inside. Rub the inside walls of the pumpkin with oil to keep them from drying out and caving in, then fill with your food of choice.

MAKE PUMPKIN PUREE. Puree from a pumpkin can be used in all types of recipes, from soups to baked goods. The puree also can replace the oil in cake recipes. Cut the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds and stringy membranes. Then place it cut-side-down in a pan with a little water in the bottom. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for around 90 minutes.

The flesh will become tender and easily removable. Blend the resulting puree in a food processor and reserve flesh for recipes. Some pumpkins are sweeter or

better to use as part of recipes. Check the variety you’re purchasing.

WHIP UP A FACIAL. Use some pumpkin puree with a little brown sugar and a dash of milk to create a vitamin-rich facial mask.

Get illuminated. Turn hollowed-out mini pumpkins into candles. Melt soy wax, beeswax or the gel type of candle wax that can be found at most craft stores.

Add your favorite scent and place a wick into the bottom of the pumpkin. Then pour the wax into hollowed-out space and allow it to harden. Try the same thing with bumpy and multi-colored gourds for added decorating appeal.

TURN THE PUMPKIN INTO A FLOWER POT. Fill a hollow pumpkin with soil. You may not have to worry about scraping the pumpkin completely clean because the pulp can be used to help fertilize the potting soil. Plant your favorite fall flowers into the festive and earth-friendly flower pot. When the pumpkin shows signs of rotting, simply put the whole thing into a traditional flower pot or bury it directly in the ground.

MAKE PUMPKIN STOCK. While vegetable or meat-based stocks may be

the standards, pumpkin can be used to make stock as well. Clean out the seeds from the stringy guts of the pumpkin and put the guts into a pot filled with water.

Add celery, carrots or any other aromatic vegetables for extra flavor. Allow to boil for at least 30 minutes. The stock is ready when it begins to change color.

Strain and reserve the stock for use in a variety of recipes.

ADD TO COMPOST BINS. Pumpkins

are rich in zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C, among other nutrients. You can add the discarded pumpkins to your backyard compost bins to further replenish the soil.

TURN INTO A BILLOWING CAULDRON. Instead of a standard jack-o’-lantern, put a glass jar into the carved pumpkin, add dish soap and hot water to the jar and then put in a piece of dry ice. Bubbles and smoke will pour out of the pumpkin to create a spooktacular effect.

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SATURDAY, OCT 14, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 5

FALL DECOR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

photographs, on wine glasses and bowls, in stained glass and on knit blankets.

Whatever you choose, I am a strong proponent of representing the mighty aspen come fall time.

7. GRATITUDE

Don’t forget that with Thanksgiving, fall is the season for gratitude. A sweet idea for the whole family is to have a small area of the home — maybe beside the fireplace or in the breakfast nook — that is dedicated to giving thanks. Have a pretty sign that says “Give Thanks,” or “Gratitude,” or “Be Grateful,” marking the spot (that should be very easy to find in just about any home décor store this time of year). Under or beside the sign have a beautiful wooden box or ceramic bowl with a small notebook and pen beside it. Here you can individually or as a family add something you are grateful for into the box or bowl weekly or daily.

With a little bit of an eye for design, some natural earth materials and a glimmer of gratitude, your home will be ready for the season in no time.

GOREN BRIDGE

WITH BOB JONES ©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

weekly bridge quiz q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold:

q 4 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ q 9 7 2 ♥ 7 3 ♦ A k 10 8 4 3 ♣ k

♠2♥q932♦AqJ982♣83

SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST 1♦ Pass 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass 3♣ Pass ?

What call would you make?

q 5 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold:

♠ q J 10 5 3 ♥ k 7 6 5 4 ♦ 5 2 ♣ 7

♠ A 6 2 ♥ A k 10 8 ♦ A k 8 6 ♣ 9 2

weST NOrTH eAST SOuTH 1♣ Pass 1♦ ?

What call would you make?

With the opponents passing, you open one diamond and partner responds one spade. What call would you make? q 3 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ k q J 8 ♥ 2 ♦ k q 10 4 2 ♣ q 85 weST NOrTH eAST SOuTH 1♣ 1♥ 1NT ?

What call would you make?

HG 6 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 14, 2017

Right-hand opponent opens two spades, weak. What call would you make?

q 6 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ q 7 ♥ k J 10 9 6 ♦ J 6 ♣ k J 10 2 weST NOrTH eAST SOuTH 1♦ 1♠ Pass ?

What call would you make?

Look for answers on Monday.

(E-mail: tcaeditors@tribpub.com)

denniS The menaCe

The Family CirCuS

by hank ketcham

Sherman’S lagoon

PiCkleS

by Brian Crane

mr BoFFo

by Joe martin

by J. P. Toomey

by Bil keane

rhymeS wiTh orange by hilary Price

marmaduke

by Brad and Paul anderson

Baldo

by hector Cantu and Carlos Castellanos

SATURDAY, OCT 14, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 7

Blondie

by dean young and John marshall

muTTS

by Patrick mcdonnell

Funky winkerBean

luann

by greg evans

PeanuTS

by Charles Schulz

by Tom Batiuk

HG 8 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 14, 2017

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey across 1 Floors 11 Beliefs 15 Offer a libation (for) 16 Polar explorer’s concern 17 President leaving office, perhaps 18 Commercial name abbr.

19 Redden, say 20 William Tell Monument city 22 Venus is in it: Abbr.

23 “S” on an invitation 24 Vehicle-sharing company 26 “Born on the Bayou” band, briefly 27 __ bar 30 It’s tuned an octave higher than a cello 31 1988 noir remake 32 Unconcealed enmity 34 Samoa or Caramel deLite 36 Certain baron 37 King’s value, at times 38 Gather 39 Sch. period 40 Backwoods preposition 41 Combined 43 King or queen 44 Chinese military gp.

45 Grew 49 Pipe in a song 52 Pen name that sounds like a drink 54 Cry at the craps table 56 U.S. dept. with a bolt on its seal 57 Experience for Marty McFly 58 Classroom fixture 59 Unable to continue down 1 Did 2 Pioneer in portable music 3 Arrogant manner, slangily 4 Top medalla 5 “You peeked!”

6 Totally 7 Heaven-__ 8 Helped make a bed 9 Mark’s replacement

10 Premium movie channel that dropped its “!” in 2005 11 “Portlandia” airer 12 Pot without speed 13 Serious transgression, in Catholicism 14 Split 21 Coppers 23 Burned with steam 25 Led 26 Sometime substitute for bread crumbs 27 Some sweaters 28 Get by 29 Venerated symbol 31 Martha Kent portrayer in recent Superman films 32 Barracks VIP 33 Betamax player 34 Barely caught 35 Mole-like mammal 40 Hat for Indiana Jones 42 Decrees 43 2017 Dolly portrayer on Broadway 46 “Finish the job!”

47 “Handsome, clever, and rich” Austen character 48 Food or water 49 Finally give 50 Tournament format 51 Likely to skid 53 Get to 55 Enhance, as a résumé

by mort, greg, and Brian walker

hagar The horriBle

moTher gooSe

by Chris Browne

by mike Peters

Friday’s Puzzle Solved

Tundra

by Chad Carpenter

SATURDAY, OCT 14, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 9

Bizarro

by dan Piraro

argyle SweaTer

by Scott hilburn

CeleBriTy CiPher by luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

B.C.

by hart

ziTS

by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

JumP STarT

Frazz

by robb armstrong

by Jef mallett

HG 10 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 14, 2017

dilBerT

by Scott adams

Sally ForTh

by Francesco marciuliano and Jim keefe

BaBy BlueS

by Jerry Scott and rick kirkman

PearlS BeFore Swine by Stephan Pastis

PooCh CaFe

by Paul gilligan

SATURDAY, OCT 14, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: I’m in trouble with

my best friend of nine years and my girlfriend of 13 months. My best friend, “Tony,” sent some mean messages to my girlfriend, “Becky” about her physical appearance, her family and their AMY financial status and our relationDICKINSON ship. She said some things in response that were a bit mean, too.

He claimed she was taking me away from him as a friend and that I was neglecting him to be with her. (I was giving my attention to both.) I had told Tony that if he had anything to say about my relationship with him, he should tell me directly, but he chose instead to send messages to Becky.

About two months ago, I stopped talking to him.

Now he’s reached out to me, apologizing and just wants everything OK between the three of us.

He said he is even willing to apologize in person to us. My girlfriend doesn’t want to hear from him or hear what he has to say. She also doesn’t want me to talk to him or even consider him a friend.

She’s had friends that were mean to me, and she stopped talking to them completely. I feel she wants me to do the same, and I’m scared she’ll break up with me if I try to fix it with Tony.

Should I try to fix it with him and deal with the consequences if she leaves, or should I side with her and block him out of my life? — Friendless

ADVICE

Question: I have had to tell my boys, ages 8 and 10, that they cannot go to the house next door (those kids can come over here) DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN because I know there are guns in the house. Am I overreacting? — Franny G., Evanston, Ill.

Dear Friendless: You are trapped between two people who are behaving badly. Your friend “Tony” should not merely offer to apologize to “Becky” for slandering her, he should apologize — whether or not his friendship with you can be revived.

Tell him, “You owe Becky an apology, and after you offer it, we’ll see where we stand.” Everything hinges on his sincere effort to make things right.

You should ask Becky to keep an open mind. She may not want to spend time with this guy, but she should not keep you in a stranglehold if you want to have a friendship with him. If you are scared that Becky will break up with you about this, that exposes an issue: Partners should commit to working things out without the threat of walking out.

Answer: You’re right to take a stand! Every year around 1,500 kids (mostly boys) younger than 18 die from a gunshot wound, and many more are seriously injured; almost always unintentionally!

Younger children, the age of yours, are vulnerable: USA Today reports that in a recent two-year period, 152 children younger than 12 either shot and killed themselves or were killed accidentally by another child. Half were shot at home and almost half in the home of a friend or relative, according to Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

In most states, including Illinois, there are childhood-access prevention laws. Failure to protect against or supervise a child’s gun access can land the gun owner in jail on manslaughter and weapons charges if a child is injured or killed. It’s hard, we know, but don’t hesitate to ask your neighbor to respect your wishes and the regulations.

There’s a campaign called ASK (Asking Saves Kids) by the American Academy of Pediatrics that encourages pediatricians to talk to parents about asking if there’s a gun in a house before allowing their kids to enter. It’s effective: A study found 85 percent said they’d be comfortable doing so after hearing about gun risks from their doctor.

But don’t YOU wait for your doc to bring up the topic. Discuss it with your friends and neighbors, and make it a routine question whenever you’re dropping your kids off (or deciding not to) for a playdate. According to Dr. Nina Agrawal, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics who has studied the impact of ASK, “A simple question or short conversation about gun safety can protect children from this danger.”

Send questions to askamy@tribune.com or to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 434 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60611.

Email your health and wellness questions to youdocsdaily@ sharecare.com.

—

—

ADVICE

Dear Heloise: Homework on the weekend? My son used to complain, but we’ve come up with some hints that have helped us all through the week: • I check my student’s homework every day — not to nag, but to see what he’s learning.

HINTS • A big research paper can be FROM broken down into smaller secHELOISE tions. I talk with him if he’s anxious about writing a paper. Stress can be lessened!

• A schedule is critical. My child needs 30 minutes when he comes home to relax, and then he works on homework until dinnertime. Your kids may perform differently.

• It’s fine if my child doesn’t complete everything perfectly. Mistakes are allowed — a lot of times, that’s how you grow. This will let the teacher know what areas he needs help with.

Thanks for your column! — Ann D. in Ohio Dear Heloise: I tried to clean my shower/tub.

Nothing worked — except you know what! I put some baking soda in the tub with vinegar for the tough spots, and oh, what a clean and shiny place now to take a bath! — Great Grandmother, Texarkana, Texas G.G., great! You’ve mastered cleaning cheaply. Readers, I’ve collected my favorite cleaning solutions and recipes that include vinegar into a handy pamphlet. If you’d like to receive one, visit www.Heloise.com to order, or send $5, along with a stamped (70 cents), self-addressed, business-size envelope, to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Label all bottles of homemade cleaners clearly. — Heloise Dear Heloise: I like to have a supply of certain items on hand, like bathroom tissue and paper towels, but some things are just not smart to stockpile: perfumes and scented lotions, mainly.

These can degrade over time, and if I can’t use them right away, there’s no “scents” in hoarding them — plus they take up valuable shelf space. — Kim H. in Chicago —

Send hints via email to heloise@heloise.com or via post to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio TX 78279-5001.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPES BY JERALDINE SAUNDERS ARIES (March 21-April 19) Give a new hookup a rain check. You may feel the urge to make waves or stir up some trouble but it would be wiser to maintain a low profile.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) A quiet evening at home might be the best way to combat a lack of direction. If you go shopping you might be tempted to buy something that isn’t quite as fabulous as you think.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Apply common sense to every problem and you will gain acceptance from adversaries. If you pursue a new love interest you may be disappointed.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) It could be difficult to concentrate due to constant interruptions or because your mind is starved for knowledge. An influx of information could alter one of your long-held opinions.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Spend time with someone special instead of applying your energies to the same old grind. Take a break and pamper yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) If a nagging voice urges you to do something rude, send it to voicemail. Then hit the delete button.

Focus on making a relationship more secure by being true blue and loyal.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Despite distractions, focus on following through on key tasks until they are completed. The best change to make is to learn to not jump to conclusions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) It is not enough to merely gather opinions. You need to understand the reasoning behind them.

In-depth analysis will offer clues as to the best choices, and most importantly, what to ignore.

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 14, 2017

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You quickly forget about the thorn in your side when there’s a stone in your shoe. A constant stream of small irritations can keep you hopping.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) All the tensions of the past few days retreat when you indulge in a hot bath, a massage, or even relax in front of the TV. Take time to look for love in all the right places.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Something is better than nothing. Understand that your decisions about finances and investments are best when they aim for long-term profit.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) All you need is love. In an effort to please everyone, or feel wanted, you might alienate someone crucial to your happiness. Don’t give anyone a reason to doubt your trustworthiness.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Oct. 14

Remain clear and focused about what you want to achieve in the next four to six weeks. You may not have the skills or opportunity to make improvements in your working conditions or financial situation. Follow through on commitments during November and avoid making job changes or investments. If you are conscientious the universe will reward you in March and June with opportunities to start a new job or get a promotion.