A4 The BulleTin • Monday, deceMBer 13, 2021
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: My two daugh-
ters are not speaking to each
other. “Amy,” the older, claims
her sister started it. “Lisa,”
the younger, claims Amy
took Lisa’s son out to din-
ner and never told her. (This
happened while he was liv-
ing with me — another long
story.)
Amy has had us at her
house for Christmas for the
past seven years. Lisa wants to
have Christmas at her home
this year. She told her aunt that
if I don’t go there for Christ-
mas, she will never speak to
me again. I have tried hard to
get Amy to make up with Lisa.
I think Lisa wants things to
go back to the way they were.
(Amy doesn’t know what her
sister said to their aunt.)
It feels to me like Lisa is
asking me to pick which
daughter I love more. How
can I handle this without los-
ing a daughter?
— In the Middle in
Massachusetts
Dear in the Middle: Han-
dle this by telling Amy that
because you have celebrated
Christmas at her home for
the last seven years, you
will be spending this one
with Lisa. And if she gives
you an argument, tell her
that from now on you will
be alternating celebrations
with her sister because you
do not want to be forced
into the position of hav-
ing to choose one daughter
over the other.
Dear Abby: I am a 68-year-
old man, married for 45
years. I have cheated on my
wife for most of them. Am I
sorry about it? No.
My wife shut me out of her
life 25 years ago. She has her
bedroom, and I have mine.
Why did I stay with her? We
had adopted two babies 30
years ago, and I wanted to
give them an education and
a good start in life, which is
what we did.
How do I treat her? I treat
her well, I think. I help her
with the housework, keep
our home in good condition
inside and out, and she has
her own car. I take her out
for dinner once a week and
we go dancing every Satur-
day night at the club. I’m a
moderate drinker and non-
smoker. I bathe four or five
times a week. So, tell me,
Abby. What’s WRONG with
me? If you decide to print my
letter, perhaps I’ll have an an-
swer. Thanks, Abby. I enjoy
your column very much.
P.S. Would I cheat on my
wife if the opportunity pre-
sented itself in the future?
Darned right I would!
— No Regrets
Dear No Regrets: If you
are asking me what’s wrong
with you for staying in your
marriage, my answer would
be that you did it for three
decades for the sake of your
children. I would add that
since they are now all adults,
it may be that you eventually
adjusted to the lack of inti-
macy with your wife, so you
substituted women who were
available.
However, if you are asking
me why your wife shut you
out of her life 25 years ago,
the only person who can an-
swer that question is her. It
may not be too late to ask.
YOUR HOROSCOPE
By Georgia Nicols
Stars show the kind of day you’ll have
dynaMic | PoSiTiVe | aVeraGe | So-So | diFFiculT
MOON ALERT: There are no restrictions to shopping or important deci-
sions today until 9:30 p.m. eST (6:30 p.m. PST). The Moon is in aries.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR MONDAY, DEC. 13, 2021: you are op-
timistic, charming, confident and charismatic. you definitely have your own
particular style. you are also ambitious, hardworking and very organized.
This year your zest for life has been strong. it’s a good year for socializing and
enjoying the company of others. next year (2022) will focus on building both
external as well as internal structures.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Keep your cool today, because it’s easy to end up in a power struggle
with someone, especially an authority figure. Meanwhile, today, Mercury
moves to the top of your chart, encouraging your desire to make plans and
talk to the boss! Tonight: Fun times!
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Be smart and steer clear of controversial issues today so you can start
your week on a gentler note. resist the urge to become embroiled in touchy
subjects. Meanwhile, disputes about shared property also might be in the
picture. Fortunately, Jupiter at the top of your chart favors your reputation.
Tonight: enjoy time alone.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
Be patient with a friend today, especially a female acquaintance. With
fiery Mars opposite your sign now, you can be easily annoyed with others,
especially those who are close to you. disputes about shared ownership or
shared responsibilities might arise. easy does it. Tonight: Talk to a friend.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
The key to your success today is to avoid squabbles or conflicts with
authority figures — bosses, parents, teachers, the police, anyone in a posi-
tion of power. That’s because these arguments will not go well. Therefore,
steer clear of trouble! Tonight: People notice you.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
People are argumentative today, especially when it comes to con-
troversial subjects like politics, religion and racial issues. Knowing this ahead
of time, don’t get embroiled in these discussions. not today. you will achieve
nothing and possibly alienate someone. Tonight: Travel plans?
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
you might be at odds with someone about shared property, inheri-
tances or how to deal with shared responsibilities with someone. Today is a
poor day for this kind of discussion, because you will not reach any kind of
agreement. Wait until Wednesday. Tonight: Take it easy.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Because the Moon is directly opposite your sign, you will have to go
more than halfway when dealing with others. Be conciliatory and coopera-
tive. definitely avoid arguments with family members or people at home —
at least for today. Tonight: Keep the peace.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
you might encounter difficulties with someone at work today, or per-
haps this could be something related to your health. it might even be about
your involvement with a pet. Whatever the case, people are inclined to argue
today — for no reason! Tonight: Work.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Parents might be at odds with their kids today about financial matters
or perhaps about a possession that you own. (it’s challenging letting anyone
you have given birth to drive your car.) Furthermore, with Mars in your sign
right now, you’re coming on pretty strong! Take it easy. Tonight: Socialize!
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Today Mercury moves into your sign, where it stays for the rest of the
month. This will make you talkative and eager to communicate to others.
however, tread carefully today, because people are pushy and inclined to be
at odds with each other. Tonight: Be patient with family.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
This is an excellent day for research, because you will be keen to uncov-
er hidden information and look for what you want to discover. you also might
be doing a slow boil about something. you’re irritated, but you feel you can’t
speak up. remember that patience is a virtue. Tonight: you feel upbeat!
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
if you are tempted to challenge a friend today, especially about
money issues, please think twice. lots of people are touchy and aggressive
and eager to fight today, but is it worth it? you might threaten a friendship.
you might look unreasonable. Think twice before you act. Tonight: Money
solutions.
Find it all online bendbulletin.com
TODAY
IN HISTORY
By The Associated Press
Today is Monday, dec. 13, the
347th day of 2021. There are 18
days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
on Dec. 13, 2000, republican
George W. Bush claimed the pres-
idency a day after the u.S. Su-
preme court shut down further
recounts of disputed ballots in
Florida; democrat al Gore con-
ceded, delivering a call for na-
tional unity.
in 1835, Phillips Brooks, the amer-
ican episcopal bishop who wrote
the words to “o little Town of
Bethlehem,” was born in Boston.
in 1928, George Gershwin’s “an
american in Paris” had its pre-
miere at carnegie hall in new
york.
in 1937, the chinese city of nan-
jing fell to Japanese forces during
the Sino-Japanese War; what fol-
lowed was a massacre of war pris-
oners, soldiers and citizens.
in 1978, the Philadelphia Mint
began stamping the Susan B. an-
thony dollar, which went into cir-
culation the following July.
in 1981, authorities in Poland im-
posed martial law in a crackdown
on the Solidarity labor movement.
(Martial law formally ended in
1983.)
in 1993, the space shuttle en-
deavour returned from its mission
to repair the hubble Space Tele-
scope.
in 2001, the Pentagon publicly
released a captured videotape
of osama bin laden in which the
al-Qaida leader said the deaths
and destruction achieved by the
September 11 attacks exceeded
his “most optimistic” expecta-
tions.
in 2002, President George W.
Bush announced he would take
the smallpox vaccine along with
u.S. military forces, but was not
recommending the potentially
risky inoculation for most amer-
icans.
in 2003, Saddam hussein was
captured by u.S. forces while hid-
ing in a hole under a farmhouse in
adwar, iraq, near his hometown
of Tikrit.
in 2007, Major league Baseball’s
Mitchell report was released,
identifying 85 names to differing
degrees in connection with the
alleged use of performance-en-
hancing drugs.
in 2014, thousands of protesters
marched in new york, Washing-
ton and other u.S. cities to call at-
tention to the killing of unarmed
Black men by white police officers
who faced no criminal charges.
in 2019, the house Judiciary com-
mittee approved two articles of
impeachment accusing President
donald Trump of abuse of power
in his dealings with ukraine and
obstruction of congress in the in-
vestigation that followed.
Ten years ago: early sound re-
cordings by alexander Graham
Bell that were packed away at the
Smithsonian institution for more
than a century were played pub-
licly for the first time using new
technology that read the sound
with light and a 3d camera.
Five years ago: President-elect
donald Trump announced his
choice of exxonMobil ceo rex Til-
lerson to be secretary of state. ac-
tor alan Thicke, best remembered
as the beloved dad on the aBc
series “Growing Pains,” died in los
angeles at age 69.
One year ago: The first vials
of the Pfizer vaccine against
coVid-19 began making their
way to distribution sites across the
united States. President donald
Trump said he was reversing an
administration directive to vac-
cinate top government officials
against coVid-19 while public dis-
tribution of the shot was limited
to health care workers and people
in nursing homes and long-term
care facilities; hours earlier, the ad-
ministration had confirmed that
senior u.S. officials would be of-
fered vaccines in the days ahead.
Today’s Birthdays: actor-come-
dian dick Van dyke is 96. country
singer Buck White is 91. Music/
film producer lou adler is 88.
Singer John davidson is 80. Singer
Ted nugent is 73. rock musician
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter is 73. country
singer-musician randy owen is
72. u.S. agriculture Secretary Tom
Vilsack is 71. Former Federal re-
serve chairman Ben Bernanke is
68. country singer John anderson
is 67. Singer-actor Morris day is 65.
actor Steve Buscemi is 64. rock
musician John Munson (Semi-
sonic; Twilight hours) is 59. ac-
tor-reality TV star nene leakes is
55. actor-comedian Jamie Foxx is
54. actor lusia Strus is 54. TV per-
sonality debbie Matenopoulos is
47. rock singer-musician Thomas
delonge is 46. actor James Kyson
lee is 46. actor Kimee Balmilero
(TV: “hawaii Five-0”) is 42. actor
chelsea hertford is 40. rock singer
amy lee (evanescence) is 40.
actor Michael Socha is 34. actor
Marcel Spears (TV: “The Mayor”) is
33. Singer Taylor Swift is 32. actor
Maisy Stella is 18.
ANNE RICE • 1941-2021
Novelist helped breathe
new life into vampire stories
BY JAKE COYLE
aP Film Writer
NEW YORK — Anne
Rice, the novelist whose lush,
best-selling gothic tales, includ-
ing “Interview With a
Vampire,” reinvented
the blood-drinking
immortals as tragic
antiheroes, has died.
She was 80.
Rice died late Sat-
urday due to compli-
Rice
cations from a stroke,
her son Christopher
Rice announced on her Face-
book page and his Twitter
page.
“As a writer, she taught me
to defy genre boundaries and
surrender to my obsessive pas-
sions,” Christopher Rice, also
an author, wrote. “In her final
hours, I sat beside her hospital
bed in awe of her accomplish-
ments and her courage.”
Rice’s 1976 novel “Interview
With the Vampire” was later
adapted, with a script by Rice,
into the 1994 movie directed
by Neil Jordan and starring
Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. It’s
also set to be adapted again
in an upcoming TV series on
AMC and AMC+ set to pre-
miere next year.
“Interview With the
Vampire,” in which
reporter Daniel Mol-
loy interviews Louis
de Pointe du Lac, was
Rice’s first novel but
over the next five de-
cades, she would write
more than 30 books
and sell more than
150 million copies worldwide.
Thirteen of those were part of
the “Vampire Chronicles” be-
gun with her 1976 debut. Long
before “Twilight” or “True
Blood,” Rice introduced sump-
tuous romance, female sexu-
ality and queerness — many
took “Interview With the Vam-
pire” as an allegory for homo-
sexuality — to the supernatural
genre.
“I wrote novels about peo-
ple who are shut out life for
various reasons,” Rice wrote in
her 2008 memoir “Called Out
of Darkness: A Spiritual Con-
fession.” “This became a great
theme of my novels — how
one suffers as an outcast, how
one is shut out of various levels
of meaning and, ultimately, out
of human life itself.”
Though Rice had initially
struggled to get it published,
“Interview With a Vampire”
was a massive hit, particularly
in paperback. She didn’t im-
mediately extend the story,
following it up with a pair of
historical novels and three
erotic novels penned under the
pseudonym A. N. Roquelaure.
But in 1985, she published
“The Vampire Lestat,” about
the “Interview With a Vam-
pire” character she would con-
tinually return to, up to 2018’s
“Blood Communion: A Tale of
Prince Lestat.”
In Rice’s “Vampire Chron-
icles,” some critics saw only
cheap eroticism. But others —
including millions of readers
— saw the most consequen-
tial interpretation of vampires
since Bram Stoker.
DEADLY TORNADOES
Gerald herbert/aP
A collapsed factory and surrounding areas are seen in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Sunday after tornadoes caused
catastrophic damage.
‘Not knowing is worse’
Hopes dwindle of finding more twister survivors in candle factory rubble
BY BRUCE SCHREINER
AND DYLAN LOVAN
associated Press
MAYFIELD, Ky. — Workers
on the night shift at Mayfield
Consumer Products were in
the middle of the holiday rush,
cranking out candles, when a
tornado closed in on the fac-
tory and the word went out:
“Duck and cover.”
Autumn Kirks pulled down
her safety goggles and took shel-
ter, tossing aside wax and fra-
grance buckets to make room.
She glanced away from her boy-
friend, Lannis Ward, and when
she looked back, he was gone.
On Sunday, he was among
scores of people feared dead in
the rubble of the factory and
elsewhere across the state.
Gov. Andy Beshear initially
warned Sunday that the state’s
overall death toll from the out-
break of twisters Friday night
in Mayfield and other com-
munities could exceed 100.
But later in the day, he said the
number might turn out to be
half that, citing details from the
candle company.
“We are praying that maybe
original estimates of those we
have lost were wrong. If so, it’s
going to be pretty wonderful,”
the governor said.
Kirks and others could only
wait in agony for news of their
loved ones amid the rescue ef-
Mark humphrey/aP
Arthur Byrn, left, Carole Dowdy, center, and Carla McDonald console
each other after an outdoor service was held at First Christian Church
in Mayfield on Sunday. The church building was heavily damaged.
fort. “Not knowing is worse
than knowing right now,” she
said. “I’m trying to stay strong.
It’s very hard right now.”
Kentucky was the worst-
hit state by far in an unusual
mid-December swarm of twist-
ers across the Midwest and the
South that leveled entire com-
munities and left at least 14 peo-
ple dead in four other states.
Forty people who were in-
side the candle factory were
pulled out soon after the twister
struck, authorities said. The
number of people who had
been in the factory was initially
put at 110. Rescuers had to
crawl over the dead to get to the
living at a disaster scene that
smelled like scented candles.
But by the time churchgoers
gathered Sunday morning to
pray for the lost, more than 24
hours had elapsed since any-
one had been found alive. In-
stead, crews recovered pieces
of peoples’ lives — a backpack,
a pair of shoes and a cellphone
with 27 missed messages were
among the items.
Layers of steel and cars 15
feet deep were on top of what
used to the factory roof, the
governor said.
Four twisters hit the state
in all, including one with an
extraordinarily long path of
about 200 miles long, authori-
ties said.
Landslide near Florence shuts down Highway 101
The register-Guard
All lanes of U.S. Highway 101 near Florence
were closed due to a landslide Saturday.
According to the Oregon Department of
Transportation, the landslide happened about
10 miles north of Florence. The road was cleared
and reopened at about 6 p.m., following an
initial alert sent out at 1:15 p.m., according to
ODOT spokesman Matt Noble.
“About 40 yards of dirt and rock is covering
the roadway,” according to the alert.
The landslide was likely caused by the heavy
rain at the coast, weakening the hillside, Noble
said.
“That’s typically what causes those landslides
to happen, especially on Highway 101 on what
is already a slowly eroding hillside as it is,” he
said.