Home and Garden 10/28/17

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017

Look inside for these specials and many others.

Designing a laundry room

YEAR ROUND GARDENING:

November garden calendar

KEN MOON:

Scrub your jet tub before winter

YEAR ROUND GARDENING

November garden calendar

BY EILEEN TULLY, COLORADO MASTER GARDENER

W

e had our first hard freeze the second week of October and many annuals and tender vegetation were killed. It felt like an abrupt end to the garden year.

However, if you’re an avid planter and think it’s all over, don’t give up. As long as you can dig in the soil you can plant spring flowering bulbs.

COMING UP AT EXTENSION Colorado Garden Certificate program: This is a widely recognized certification earned by attending a 10-week series of in-depth home landscape classes.

Starts January 25, 2018. Classes begin January 25, 2018, and run consecutive Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the CSU Extension office, 17 N. Spruce, Colorado Springs, 80905. Individual classes in this series can be taken on an a la carte, space-available basis.

Registration required. Go to elpaso.extension.colostate.edu or call 520-7690 to register.

ORGANIZING THE BIG CLEAN UP

There seems to be so much to do that the job can get overwhelming. With a plan the job becomes manageable and you can accomplish some chores now that will alleviate extra work next spring.

• Discard fallen, spoiled or mummified fruits to reduce disease carry-over to the next year.

• Prune and remove dead or damaged branches from shrubs and trees. With trees bare of leaves, you can shape and modify them. Cut out branches that cross over one another and branches that are obviously broken. Do not prune spring flowering trees and shrubs in the fall.

• Remove frost killed annuals.

• Cut perennial stalks four to six inches above ground. Leaving some foliage will catch snow for winter moisture and protect the crowns of plants. Ornamental grasses add winter interest so leave them as they are.

• Mow or rake fallen leaves from the lawn and garden beds. Each new gust of wind will bring new leaves into your yard so patience and perseverance are good qualities to have. Although total leaf removal is impossible get as much as you can. A thick accumulation of leaves is an invitation to voles and mice. The first rule in pest control is to eliminate habitat and hiding places. Shred dry leaves by running over them with the mower. Recycle and compost leaves into mulch and soilimproving compost.

PROTECT

• Check the depth of mulch on flower beds.

A two to three-inch layer of mulch will

Photo by Sondra Bourgault protect flower beds from frost heaving.

• However, keep mulch pulled back several inches from the base of fruit trees to prevent bark injury from mice and other rodents.

• Protect ornamental and fruit trees from rabbit damage by wrapping or enclosing in a wire screen.

• Our winter sun can be intense. To protect against sunscald on young thin-barked trees, insulate the bark with commercial tree wraps made of crepe paper. Tree wraps are available at local nurseries. Trees most likely to be affect by sunscald are fruit trees, ashes, oaks, maples, lindens and willows.

• Strawberries usually go dormant when nighttime temperatures consistently reach 20 degrees. To keep them healthy, cover with a three-inch layer of mulch.

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 28, 2017

• Roses: in late November, after several nights of 20-degree weather, protect and insulate the graft union of hybrid, floribunda and miniature rose bushes by mounding soil around the plants and adding mulch on top. You can contain the soil and mulch with rose collars available at local nurseries. Cut back tall rose canes to 24 inches to prevent winter breakage.

Don’t prune climbing roses this time of year.

• Water features: garden pools also need protection from freezing. To lessen the chance of ice damage, cover the pool with insulated material or float a stock tank water heater in the pond.

WINTER-WISE

• Over the coming months when the weather is nice, look for opportunities to work in

your garden; it will reduce the amount of work next spring, and it just feels good to get in the garden.

• And, of course, water every chance you get. Newly planted trees and shrubs will require extra water over winter, especially if there are long periods without moisture and days of desiccating winds. To keep your landscape alive with the least amount of winter damage, water at least once a week when the temperature is over 50 degrees.

When the weather’s not-so-nice take time to plan and dream of next year’s garden.

Even though gardening is a lot of work, and can be frustrating when things don’t go as planned, celebrate the fact you love to garden. The connection to the earth and to other gardeners is gratifying beyond measure.

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.

warmth

Share the

Macy’s announces the fifth annual “Buy A Coat & We’ll Donate One” coat campaign in support of Clothes4Souls

M NEWSWIRE

acy’s and Clothes4Souls proudly announce the fifth annual “Buy a Coat & We’ll Donate One” campaign. From Tuesday, Oct. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 29, Macy’s will donate one new coat, up to 35,000 coats, to Clothes4Souls, for every coat purchased in the men’s, women’s, juniors’ and children’s outerwear departments at Macy’s stores and macys.com. Through this program, Macy’s and its partners have donated 165,000 new coats, with a retail value of more than $6.6 million, since 2013.

To help customers save while giving back, Macy’s will offer 40 percent to 50 percent off a large selection of outerwear during the campaign.

“This year, Macy’s will celebrate the fifth season of our ‘Buy a Coat & We’ll Donate One’ campaign in partnership with Clothes4Souls,” said Holly Thomas, Macy’s group vice president of cause marketing.

“With the help of our customers, we’re aiming to deliver another 35,000 new coats to the men, women and children who need them most this upcoming winter season.

The impact of this program has been remarkable, and we are proud to invite our customers to join us once again in giving to this important cause.”

Clothes4Souls, a division of Soles4Souls, is a not-for-profit global social enterprise committed to fighting poverty through the collection and distribution of clothing. Clothes4Souls works with nonprofit partners including homeless shelters, after school programs, international relief and disaster relief organizations to provide clothes to those who need them most, domestically and globally.

“We are always so excited for this time of year,” said Buddy Teaster, president and CEO of Clothes4Souls. “The opportunity to work with Macy’s, its vendors, and dozens of agencies around the country to distribute 35,000 brand-new, high quality coats to men women and children, creates real value for those in need. Thank you, Macy’s, for five years of partnership and helping 165,000 people here in the U.S.” Coats donated through the program average in retail price from $40 to $100 and distribution will take place in cities across America, beginning in November. To view this year’s outerwear assortment and participate in “Buy a Coat & We’ll Donate One,” visit macys.com.

Macy’s “Buy a Coat & We’ll Donate One” campaign is made possible through support from Ben Sherman, Bernardo, Calvin Klein, Carters, CB Sports, Celebrity Pink, Coffeeshop, Guess, Hawke and Co, HK by Hawke, Jessica Simpson, Laundry, London Fog, OshKosh, Rampage, Sebby, Tommy Hilfiger, Via Spiga, Vince Camuto, Weather Tamer, and 32 Degrees.

Clothes4Souls, a division of Soles4Souls, is a not-for-profit global social enterprise committed to fighting poverty through the collection and distribution of clothing. The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used clothing from individuals, schools, faith based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributing those clothes both via direct donations to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Clothes4Souls is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance.

Please visit www.clothes4souls.org for more information.

SATURDAY, OCT 28, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 3

laundry room Designing a

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dark corner of the basement or garage, and homeowners simply accept their laundry lot.

More and more manufacturers now produce washers and dryers that are both functional and aesthetically appealing. As a result, homeowners and renters need not feel they have to hide laundry rooms like they did in the past.

Having the laundry nearby the family action — and paying attention to laundry room design — can make the work of keeping clothes tidy that much easier.

Many designers would agree that you need not sacrifice style for function in a laundry room. As with any other area of the house, impart design elements into the room and make it a room in which you want to spend time.  First and foremost, select appliances that offer the features you need and want. Also, find appliances that fit the space you have. Front-loading appliances have become the latest CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

LAUNDRY ROOMS

AROUND THE HOUSE

Scrub your jet tub before winter strikes

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Dear Ken: We have a hydro massage type bathtub. Sometimes the jets spew out black particles of scum. How do we prevent this?

— Dorothy When you drain the tub, water is left behind in the hidden hoses and the pump. The combination of body oils and soap scum develops into the disgusting chunks of gunk you describe. There also is evidence that when you refill the tub and start the jets, you introduce a load of bacteria into the new water from these hidden recesses.

The answer is to use the tub often — at least twice a week. That minimizes the festering time that the water has to develop the scummy particles.

Makers of these tubs have their own brands of cleaners you can circulate through the system. You can also use dishwashing powder — like Electrosol or Cascade – to scrub the insides of the tub.

Add three or four tablespoons to a tub of warm water and run the pump for 15 minutes. Then drain and rinse with a tub of warm, plain water.

Manufacturers have finally wised up and most now offer self-draining tubs. The hidden pipes are formed into arches that dribble water back into the tub body as it drains into the waste system.

KEN MOON

Although a laundry room is often an afterthought, taking time to organize and plan the space can make it both functional and inviting.

must-have, but some units may be too big or expensive for your space.

Those with a limited area for laundry can invest in a stackable set, in which the washer and dryer are combined into one vertical unit. For those who want to add a pop of color, select among the variety of colored washers and dryers that are turning up in store showrooms. You’re no longer limited to white, black and beige.  Consider cabinetry in your laundry space. Cabinets and drawers are not just for the kitchen. They can hide cleaning products, detergent, dryer sheets and so much more. Fill drawers with stain-removal sticks and items to mend clothes that may be missing a button or have a small hole that needs tending.  A laundry area also can be much more than just a place to wash and fold clothes. Many people like to turn this spot into a multipurpose zone.

By including some shelving and a

refrigerator in the laundry room, you can create a food-storage pantry. A large countertop normally used to fold clothes can also double as a gift-wrapping station. Think about merging a laundry room with a craft room where sewing or scrapbooking can take place.  Remember to leave room for the soiled clothing. Raising hamper bins off of the floor to be suspended from a rod above the washer frees up valuable floor space. Otherwise, keep the hamper behind a curtain or tucked into a cabinet to ensure the laundry room always looks neat, even when you haven’t yet gotten to the newest pile of dirty clothes.  Don’t be afraid of adding color and artwork to the laundry space. In fact, embrace it. Here’s an out-of-the-way area of the home where you can explore your creativity and have a little fun. Try an eye-opening color, such as apple green or bright yellow CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Dear Ken: Our ceiling fan “clicks,” but only on one speed. Of course, that’s our favorite speed. What can we do?

— Gary First, make sure that the little pull chains hang straight and don’t impinge on any part of the metal fan body. Next try tightening all the screws — the pair on the end of each blade, the several around the motor enclosure and the small retention screws that hold the ceiling canopy in place.

If none of those steps helps — and especially if your fan has a long support rod — purchase a blade balancing kit at the hardware store. It allows you to experiment by adding small weights on the blades until you find the right combination.

Dear Ken: I recently hired a local

company to repair the chimney. The cap was falling apart and the top layer of bricks was loose. The estimate was to re-lay the bricks. When they got up there, all they did was tuck point. Should I be concerned?

— Martin Probably not. Tuck pointing is a way to replace mortar between bricks that have sloughed off. We use a special pointing tool, or, sometimes just a gloved finger to shove mortar back into the cracks. Loose bricks which can actually be pulled off the chimney should be reset with that same mortar by “buttering” them and laying them back in place. In your case, the terms are sort of interchangeable. For instance, some bricks may not have been as loose as they thought. Give it a couple of weeks, then ask the contractor to demonstrate that all the bricks are locked firmly in place.

Incidentally, the mortar cap sitting on top of a masonry chimney can most times simply be repaired, rather than replaced.

All these caps develop weathering cracks, but these can be filled in with clear rubber silicone over many seasons before the cap must be replaced.

Dear Ken: I would like to paper a wall with pictures cut out of magazines. What is the best way to do this?

— Elaine Priming first with a wallpaper prep material is a good idea. It creates a smooth bonding surface. Premixed general purpose wallpaper paste will work as the glue, but don’t overdo it; excess paste can make your appliqués crinkle. A better idea is to use a water-based decoupage adhesive, like Mod Podge.

Wait a couple of days for complete drying, then you can apply a clear coat finish. You could use the spray-on lacquer preferred by hobbyists, but it’s toxic, flammable and hard to remove if you decide you want your plain wall back.

Instead, try using the same glue diluted a little with warm water. It will seal the edges of all your cutouts and create a nice sheen over the entire collage.

Ken Moon is a home inspector in the Pikes Peak region. His radio show airs at 9 a.m.

Saturday and is carried on KRDO, AM 1240 and FM 105.5. Visit AroundTheHouse.com.

SATURDAY, OCT 28, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 5

LAUNDRY ROOMS

GOREN BRIDGE

WITH BOB JONES ©2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

weekly bridge quiz to add a sunny disposition to the room.  You don’t have to spend a fortune on a laundry room re-do. Shop in salvage stores or antique shops for custom pieces to add character to the space.

You can probably find cabinetry or shelving for a fraction of the cost of new items, and these older items may add more character to the space.  Save space by installing a counter just above the dryer so you will have a place to fold and stack clothing.  The bulk of dirty clothes will be generated in the bedrooms and bathroom of the house. But who wants to carry clothes down to a laundry area on a lower level? See if you can tuck a laundry room into an upstairs closet or nook to make doing laundry more practical.

Although a laundry room is often an afterthought, taking time to organize and plan the space can make it both functional and inviting.

q 1 - Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ J 10 8 2 ♥ A k q 10 3 ♦ 4 ♣ A J 8 With the opponents passing, you open one heart and partner responds one no trump. What is your rebid? q 2 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 10 9 8 7 4 ♥ 8 7 5 ♦ A 8 7 ♣ 4 3 Partner opens one diamond and righthand opponent passes. What call would you make? q 3 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠q♥kJ98♦q86♣A9843 SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST 1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass ?

What call would you make? q 4 - Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 9 ♥ A q J ♦ J 10 ♣ A J 10 9 8 4 3

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

What call would you make? q 5 - North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠A9♥6♦q985♣AqJ543 SOuTH weST NOrTH eAST 1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass ?

What call would you make? q 6 - East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠A32♥qJ93♦k52♣A63 With the opponents passing, you open one club and partner responds one diamond. What call would you make?

Look for answers on Monday.

(Bob Jones welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this paper or e-mail at tcaeditors@tribpub. com)

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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 28, 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 28, 2017

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey 7 Partner of kisses across 1 Takes a risky leap 8 Choose over, with “to” 10 Teensy bit 9 Farm dwelling 15 Baked fruit dessert 10 It may be skipped 16 Actress Campbell of “Martin” 11 Talking Trans Am of classic TV 17 Florida locale whose beach is 12 Repeated melodic pattern ranked by TripAdvisor as #1 in 13 Bit of bakeware the U.S. in 2017 14 Construction protection 18 Furry fish eater 21 Tanning aid, for short 19 Drink with a polar bear 23 “Ten North Frederick” mascot author John 20 Mag wheel?

24 Motivational speech 21 Let loose component?

22 Dishonorable sort 27 Beach birds 23 Without breaks, as a tennis 29 “Michael Clayton” set Oscar winner Swinton 25 Degree of uncertainty 31 Whisky cocktail garnished 26 One hanging around in the with skewered cherries forest?

33 Early bathysphere user 28 Eurasia’s __ region William 29 Cantina snack 34 Curse deterrent 30 Tombstone shootout 35 Safe haven for cave dwellers? participant 36 “Delta of Venus” author 32 Natural home 39 Sushi fish 34 Domino’s competitor 40 Early fast-food eatery 37 Fruits often cubed 43 Unpopular sort 38 Hopeful 45 Instrument made 40 Acted like from a ram’s horn 41 Lighting hrs.?

46 Stout 42 Eye care brand 44 City on the Shatt al-Arab river 47 Spies 49 Fiber-rich cereals 48 Hawaiian yellowfin 50 Spanish vacation island 49 String around the collar?

53 Minimally 51 Harley Davidson’s NYSE 55 Avian motormouth symbol 57 Swell 52 Prayer string 58 Like a carefully kept profile 54 British society page VIP 55 Tiny particle Friday’s Puzzle Solved 56 Interim ruling group 57 Entertainment for the whole gang 59 Many a Pacific resident 60 Insect world raiders 61 Tears 62 Ceremony with a Best Female Hip-Hop Artist category down 1 First things to learn 2 Forming a summit 3 Tight-fitting suit 4 If-then-__: programmer’s flow 5 Fast flier 6 Roseanne Barr, for one

by mort, greg, and Brian walker

hagar The horriBle

moTher gooSe

Tundra

by Chris Browne

by mike Peters

by Chad Carpenter

SATURDAY, OCT 28, 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 28, 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 28, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: I’m in a one-sided re-

lationship. I’m referring to me doing all the telephone calling (I live out of town) to connect with my sister and my cousin, who live in our hometown. I never receive a phone call in return.

AMY It seems to me that in a good DICKINSON relationship I should do half the calling — just to say hello and see how they are doing — and they should do the same in return. They are no busier than I am. In fact, one is retired. But they NEVER call me. It’s been nine months since I’ve talked to my sister, and she keeps asking my mother why I don’t call.

It’s the same with my cousin.

I have told them time and time again that I think good friends should call each other, so I’m assuming they don’t want to call and are just being polite when I contact them. Am I being too sensitive? Should I swallow my pride or just move on, knowing these two just don’t care to converse with me? — One-Way Caller Dear One-Way: I believe that this dynamic is quite common. I also believe it is rare in a family for each individual to get the amount of attention they would like to receive. Birth order and family dynamics going back to childhood can contribute to this, as well as the fact you live out of town.

Here’s what you need to tell yourself: People do what they want to do. If your sister wanted to speak with you, she wouldn’t ask your mother about it: She would call you. You’ve established a pattern of initiating. She might be perfectly happy to catch up with you, but not calling you — and then blaming you for the lack of communication — is how she holds onto whatever little slice of power she needs to possess.

It would be best for you if you didn’t take this personally; this is your sister’s failing, not yours.

Let her know your preference is to be closer. If you want to talk to her, then call her. Once you accept this relationship, as is, and do exactly what you want to do in the future, you will feel liberated from your insecurity.

—

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

ADVICE

Question: I have two friends who have lupus, and it’s like they have different diseases. One is having a lot of aches and pain, DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN and the other seems to just be tired all the time, confused, moody. Have they been diagnosed correctly? — Sonia J., Ocala, Fla. Answer: SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) is the most common form of lupus, an autoimmune disease. As you have discovered with your two friends’ experiences, SLE can present with a diverse array of symptoms; they can vary from mild to severe and can mimic other conditions. That’s why lupus is sometimes hard to diagnose.

For reliable diagnosis and treatment, it’s important to go to a rheumatologist who specializes in SLE. He or she uses blood tests that look for certain antibodies and the presence of symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive changes and psychological disruption, as well as skin eruptions and kidney, eye, muscle, joint, gastro, cardiac, endocrine or hematological problems.

After examination and diagnosis by a rheumatologist, it’s time to determine the best course of treatment. Lifestyle choices can go a long way in helping reduce the impact of lupus. The first step is to maintain a healthy weight; eat up to nine servings daily of produce; ditch red and processed meat, highly processed foods and added sugars and syrups. Regular exercise, however possible, is essential. The rheumatologist will help determine the best routine.

Mild symptoms may be managed with over-thecounter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.

Hydroxychloroquine often is used initially to treat lupus-related mouth sores and skin lesions. When internal organs are affected, options include immunosuppressive drugs, such as methotrexate; steroids; and the monoclonal antibody belimumab. Approved in 2011, it’s the first new medication for lupus in more than 50 years.

—

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

ADVICE

Dear Readers: Halloween is fun for kids, but can be stressful for pets. Keep these hints in mind: • Lots of people can be scary and confusing for animals, and they may not recognize you in your costume. Put the dogs in a quiet room, away from trick-orHINTS treaters.

FROM HELOISE • Candy and sweets are potentially toxic, for dogs and cats.

• Pet costumes, while cute, can be uncomfortable and can limit an animal’s hearing and vision.

• Make sure all pets are up to date on their shots, and their microchip information is current.

Have a fun and happy Halloween! — Heloise Dear Heloise: In response to a recent column, I couldn’t resist sending reasons TO wear shoes in the house: 1. Bare feet get cold, and socks can be slippery.

2. Sweat, dirt and skin oil on bare feet are even yuckier than dirty shoes.

3. I wear a doctor-prescribed orthotic insert.

4. It hurts to run your toe into furniture, etc., or to step on Junior’s small plastic toys.

5. I bring slippers when I visit homes where shoes are not allowed. — Virginia Hart, via email Dear Heloise: When I have a slumber party, we like to give each other manicures and pedicures!

We’ve made it extra fun — we polish each toenail and fingernail a different color.

And making designs is easy — with a toothpick, it’s simple to make polka dots, and two dots with one underneath can make a heart. Dots in a circle can look like a flower. Pull a dot down with the toothpick to make a swirl or a leaf design.

We have tons of fun with our magical mani- and pedi-parties! — Fallon D., age 12, in Illinois Dear Heloise: I live in a high-rise. I have a nicesize balcony, which I use mostly to grow flowers and veggies. I save all usable water and give it to my plants. I learned this from a friend who grew up in an area prone to terrible droughts. — Joyce P., Colorado Springs, Colo.

—

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) Someone’s trendy and liberated style might tweak your interest, but you might have long-term commitment in mind.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Don’t enter any contest you can’t afford to lose. It is easy to overlook the fine print. Watch what you say and take what others say with a grain of salt.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Take your heart off your sleeve. If you make a proposal or commitment it could create misunderstandings. Someone may give you a very slight reason to mistrust their intentions.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Conflict could freeze up your plans or your heart.

You could feel that a confrontation is similar to the Titanic and the iceberg. You should move out of the way because the iceberg won’t.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) New conquests could spice up your weekend or provide exciting new adventures. Don’t expect the euphoria of a casual fling or new relationship to last after the lights come back on.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Some children’s rhymes are wrong for adults.

“Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me” might not be applicable.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Someone may think your friendship holds more promise than intended. Be cautious as your warmth and enthusiasm might lead someone on.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Your education is measured by the worthiness of your teachers. If you learn something from a wise and caring person you will rise higher than you will if you learn something the hard way.

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, OCT 28, 2017

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Don’t paint yourself into a corner where you will be placed on the defensive. Telling lies or avoiding responsibilities will cause problems.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Avoid looking like a piñata if you are surrounded by people carrying sticks. Don’t brag about your successes and conquests.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Focus on friends and enjoy group activities. This is a good weekend to learn something new in a social setting. Share homespun delights and insights with a special someone.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Use crystal-clear persuasion. Coax someone to support you in an idea or project. You can achieve an honorable compromise if you are sincere and follow through on commitments.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Oct. 28

The next four to five weeks you can make major changes, decisions or commitments that will live up to their promise. Because people will admire you, it is a good time to seek a new position or to find the person you have always dreamt of. In December and January your judgment is off-base, so you can make financial mistakes or romantic blunders. Wait until late April or early May to make changes to your financial situation.