ACROSS 1 Lowest brass 5 Level, as a

building 9 Nimble14 Legendary,

informally15 Jai ___16 Use some

crayons17 Military com-

mand that could also be used after ... watching a certain “Nip/Tuck” episode?

19 Turnpike charges

20 The Deadly Sins and others

21 Apple in hand?

23 Made less harsh

24 ... hitting the mute button?

28 Pigpen29 “Othello”

villain32 Swarmed

(with)33 Decide,

in court35 Verdi opera

commis-sioned by Egypt’s Isma’il Pasha

36 ... jamming the produc-tion line?

39 Gator’s cousin

41 Epoxy and amber

42 Yearn (for)45 Complete

collections46 Maple tree

extract49 ... nearly

completing Mr. Potato Head?

51 React to pain53 It hangs

around the dump

54 Become more equal

56 Satellite alternative

59 ... seeing a broken mannequin?

61 Selma of “Legally Blonde”

62 Brings to court

63 Shed tears64 Transmits65 Camping

shelter66 Bart’s teacher

DOWN 1 Makes fun of 2 Lively 3 Diagnostic

medical procedure

4 Like a four-degree angle

5 Rapid transit vehicle?

6 “Woe is me!” 7 2000s teen

idol Efron 8 Barnyard

song refrain 9 Play opener10 Steals at the

mall?

11 Under the weather

12 Chat room chuckle

13 Hosp. sections

18 Monotony22 Shot ___

(track-and-field event)

24 First available25 Intentionally

exclude26 Gave kibble

to, say27 Agcy. that

approves COVID vaccines

30 Peak such as Mont Blanc

31 Military equipment

33 Not at all shaky

34 The Big Board of Wall St.

36 Ice cream holder

37 Big success38 Solution

39 Guevara who was played by Benicio Del Toro

40 Beam of sunlight

43 Village leaders

44 Speed Wagon maker, once

46 Kept someone awake, maybe

47 Keen insight48 Place to

pamper a pooch

50 “Birches” poet Robert

52 Bowled over54 First fruit’s

locale?55 Sweater ___56 “NCIS”

network57 Pub offering58 Forbid60 Regret

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD

You Know the Drill by Joseph A. Gangi 5/31

Dear Abby: My ex-husband and I have two sons together who are 14 and 16. I have always kept things amicable for the kids’ sake, but it came at a high price. I took a lot less in the divorce than I was legally entitled to because he threat-ened that we “would not have a good relationship.” I didn’t want the kids to suffer and, since they were going to live with me, I thought that was the most important thing, so I caved.

The kids have no idea what I gave up in order to keep the peace. We’ve always spoken kindly about each other in front of them. Now that one of my sons is older, he wants to live with his dad because he feels he missed out on that rela-tionship growing up.

How do I not feel resentful that he wants to live with the person who was so emotionally abusive during our marriage and divorce? I sacrificed a lot for this harmony, and now it almost feels like I did it for nothing. Part of me wants to tell my son how he acted, but I know that wouldn’t be right. Any suggestions? — Kept the Peace in Illinois

Dear Kept the Peace: Yes. I “suggest” you continue tak-ing the high road and resist the urge to trash your ex. Don’t resent your son’s decision, because he may have no idea how his father treated you. Your son is likely to get not only an eyeful but also an ear-

ful while he stays with his dad. Leopards don’t usually change their spots, and emotionally abusive people tend to act out with anyone they perceive to be defenseless. Remain in close contact with your son. If the pattern holds true, he may be back before you know it.

Dear Abby: Ten years ago, one of my oldest/dearest friends, “Wanda,” got a divorce. Her husband, “Tex,” cheated on her and left her. Tex happens to be my husband’s oldest/dearest friend. We met at their wed-ding. Tex is now being remar-ried (to the woman he cheated on my friend with), and my husband and I are invited to the wedding. Wanda says I “cannot go to that wedding” and that she would never do this to me if the situation were reversed. She’s still extremely angry at her ex.

My husband wants to go, and he wants me there with him (it is out of state). He says we are a “package deal.” I am now stuck in the middle. Do I end a 37-year friendship and go to the wedding? Or do I dis-appoint my husband? He has always been there for me and goes to all my events with my friends. — Torn in New York

Dear Torn: Remind Wanda that Tex is your husband’s oldest friend, and your hus-band intends to attend that wedding. Tell her that as much as you sympathize with her feelings, your husband wants you there with him because “We are a package deal,” and you do not intend to disappoint him. She should not be using you in an attempt to punish her cheating ex-husband, which would probably be lost on him anyway. It’s time for her to grow up, live her own life and move on.

DEAR ABBY

Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Son wants to live with dad, mother is hurt

JEANNE PHILLIPS

WORD GAME

1 the alphabet’s 26 (7) ___________2 at last (10) ___________3 convincing (9) ___________4 fi rst light (8) ___________5 mousse-like desserts (8) ___________6 perplexing (8) ___________7 fi les sent by email (11) ___________

Saturday’s Answers: 1. TITICACA 2. ROADBLOCK 3. INDOMITABLE4. LANDING 5. SOBRIQUET 6. WATERFALL 7. DEPARTMENTS

Find the 7 words to match the 7 clues. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in each solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.

TELY

RE

AK

PL

AUSI

LING

DA

YB

ULT

INGS

ERS

BAFF

LE

BLE

ATTA

PUDD

TT

IMA

CHME

NTS

© 2

021

Blue

Ox

Fam

ily G

ames

, Inc

., D

ist.

by A

ndre

ws

McM

eel

CLUES SOLUTIONS

5/31

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 through 6 without repeating.

The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners.

Freebies: Fill in single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.

Ken

Ken

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a re

gist

ered

trad

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k of

Ken

Ken

Puz

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LLC

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2021

Ken

Ken

Puz

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LLC

. A

ll rig

hts

rese

rved

. Dis

t. by

And

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s M

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tion

ww

w.k

enke

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m

5-31

-21

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Stick to the facts, consider the possibili-ties and size up situations with an open mind. Expand your horizons to fulfill your dreams. Don’t hesitate or let others stand between you and what you are trying to accomplish. Personal gain is within reach.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Rely on the past to help you sort out what to do next. An opportunity will be revealed in conversation with someone who shares your interests and qualifications. An in-depth dis-cussion will lead to an unusual offer. 4 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Listen, and you’ll decipher what’s best for you. Don’t fol-low someone if it risks your position or security. Follow the path that leads to a better future. Trust in your judgment and the experience you have acquired along the way. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Concentrate on what you are trying to achieve and forgo what’s going on around you. Distractions will hold you back. Put more emphasis on using your knowledge and skills to achieve personal growth and a better future. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Spend only what’s necessary.

Emotional purchases will not live up to your expectations. Helping out someone who leans on you will lead to ongo-ing expenses. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You’ll be drawn to people and organizations that share your sentiments. Be clear regarding what you can contribute; it will help you avoid being pressured to spend more time or money than you can afford. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Consider what’s best for you before you make a move. An opportunity someone offers will have unexpected circum-stances attached. Take the time to go over every detail before you take on something you may not be fully qualified to handle. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll pick up valuable infor-mation if you sit back and let others talk. Grab on to some-thing that resonates with you, and verify the information before you proceed. Personal growth and physical, emotional and mental improvements can be made. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Make your money stretch. Search for entertaining ways to use your attributes to help you get ahead. Don’t let a change at

home or to the way you live put a damper on your day. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Open up about the way you feel, what you want and how you plan to get ahead. Keep life simple, money man-ageable and your conscience clear. Be truthful, and speak out when someone offers false information. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Offer suggestions, but don’t promise or commit to something you don’t want to pursue. Your energy is best spent on accomplishments that will help you get ahead. Treat partnerships with courtesy and respect to avoid an emotional turn of events. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep your emotions hidden until you gather the facts. It’s important to be well-informed before you take on a situation that can change your relationship with a friend or relative. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Watch how others handle matters; it will give you an idea how you will be treated when in a similar situation. Observation is in your best interest. 3 stars

HOROSCOPE FOR MAY 31

By Eugenia Last

PREVIOUS SOLUTION

Directions: Complete the gridso that every row, column and3x3 box contains every digitfrom 1 to 9 inclusively.

SUDOKU