ACROSS 1 Free stuff 5 “Give it a ___!” 9 Rolls a heavy

ball14 Seventh most

populous state15 Labyrinthine

furniture store16 Month whose

name comes from the Latin for “to open”

17 Misplace one of the red root vegetables?

19 Flair20 Litigious

warning21 Org. in Netflix’s

“Away”23 Barrett of

Pink Floyd24 Sweet ___

(“Always Sunny” nickname)

25 Empire State newspaper: Abbr.

27 Grad29 What teas may

do on a hot day?

34 Contraction before “mate”

36 Grammy winner Aimee

37 Flair38 Regard39 Sleeper’s woe40 Tear to bits41 Vegan cookie42 Princess

played by Carrie Fisher

43 Board game with tiny cannons

44 Belief in doing things before they’re cool?

47 Just, or just OK

48 CT scan alternative

49 Comedian Gaffigan

52 Common joke setting

54 Hurt, as a toe57 No longer

fastened59 Makes

changes to

61 Club for marshmallow chick lovers?

63 Grp. with 27 nations

64 Dash, as a cat may do toward an open door

65 “Enchanted” character of kid lit

66 Confuse67 Yours and

mine68 Farmer’s place,

in a rhyme

DOWN 1 Of a single

color 2 Like unpro-

cessed foods 3 What some

politicians reach across, with “the”

4 “That’s the way it ___”

5 Rare treat, perhaps?

6 Just squeak (out)

7 Witnessed 8 “Adios,”

in London 9 Rock formed

by lava10 Choice word?11 Some crooked

expressions12 ___ pad

(pond perch)13 Musher’s

vehicle18 Dad’s sis,

maybe: Var.22 Place for a heat-

ed discussion?26 Stabilize,

as chocolate28 Password

go-with29 Stuffed Indian

pastry30 Freak out31 Like some

pushups32 Clammy33 Word before

“table” or “zone”

34 Halliwell also known as Ginger Spice

35 Like fish and chips

38 Verbal face-palm

39 Watchful43 Rider’s handful45 Kleenex,

generically46 Spews lava,

say49 Energy unit50 Counting

everything51 Earn an

Olympic prize

52 It’s often buggy

53 Reason to take Ritalin, for short

55 Hairstyle such as a bun

56 Regular guy?

58 Kicked out of a contest, briefly

60 No. on a business card

62 Go wrongANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD

Two Ee-sy by Christina Iverson 8/2

Dear Abby: Over the last couple of years, I have become close with someone I was inti-mately involved with 20 years ago. We had a relatively short but very passionate relationship back then, which she ended for reasons that I’m still not clear about. For me, she was the “one who got away.” We never really fought and remained friendly over the years.

She now has a child she has sole custody of, so we’re never really alone. The three of us hang out a lot and take trips together. The problem is, we are not intimate and haven’t expressed feelings for each other. I am, and to some extent have always been, in love with her. I don’t want to ruin what we have, but I don’t want to be stuck in limbo forever either. What should I do? — Old Flame in Pennsylvania

Dear Old Flame: After “a couple of years,” it’s time for an honest discussion about why she ended your relationship the first time around. Express how you feel about her and ask whether your feelings are recip-rocated. If they aren’t, you need to adjust to the fact that you are in the “friend zone.”

Dear Abby: My best friend of 30 years and I haven’t spo-ken since my wedding two years ago. We have had times apart before, and it’s always for the same reason — she gets out of control when she drinks too much and takes it out on me.

I thought for sure she would apologize after the incident at my wedding where she told me to “kiss her a—.”

I realize her drinking is a problem, and I want her to know that I still care, but I’m afraid if we reconnect it will continue. I have thought about writing her a letter. It’s sad, because our kids have grown up together. I feel lonely with-out my BFF. What do I do? — Uncertain in Colorado

Dear Uncertain: If you think writing her a letter will make this person stop drink-ing, please understand that the solution to her problem may be more complex than that. If she were interested in rescuing your friendship, she would have reached out after you returned from your hon-eymoon and she sobered up. I’m sorry you are lonely with-out your “BFF,” but recognize that unless you are willing to accept her the way she is, you’ll be better off concentrating on healthy relationships.

Dear Abby: I was wonder-ing how I can enjoy my college experience. I’m mostly won-dering about what I should do while I’m in college to get the best experience. What should I try and what things should I do while I’m there? I don’t think college will be like high school in terms of things to do because I will be living on my own with new people. I just wanted to ask your advice because I’m about to go off to college this fall. — Excited in Georgia

Dear Excited: Every college is different. When you arrive and get settled, make it a prior-ity to explore what options are available so you can meet new people and find groups that interest you.

DEAR ABBY

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

Rekindled romance isn’t creating heat

JEANNE PHILLIPS

WORD GAME

1 nocturnal illumination (9) ___________2 slate of fi nalists (9) ___________3 calling the dog, maybe (9) ___________4 water sources (9) ___________5 uses one’s brain (6) ___________6 in a dull way (7) ___________7 full of moxie (6) ___________

Saturday’s Answers: 1. FORKLIFT 2. NONEXISTENT 3. FUTURISTIC4. SPUME 5. WUNDERKIND 6. ADRIATIC 7. WATT

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.

IST

AI

NS

WHI

STL

AND

FO

UNT

SHO

NKS

GHT

BL

MOO

ING

LY

THI

NLI

RTL

PLU

CKY

© 2

021

Blue

Ox

Fam

ily G

ames

, Inc

., D

ist.

by A

ndre

ws

McM

eel

CLUES SOLUTIONS

8/2

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

® is

a re

gist

ered

trad

emar

k of

Ken

Ken

Puz

zle

LLC

. ©

2021

Ken

Ken

Puz

zle

LLC

. A

ll rig

hts

rese

rved

. Dis

t. by

And

rew

s M

cMee

l Syn

dica

tion

ww

w.k

enke

n.co

m

8-2-

21

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Think about what appeals to you most, then head in that direc-tion. Make decisions and take chances, and you will find a way to bring about positive change this year. Strive for consistency. Show discipline, compassion and a desire to look for and take advantage of opportunities.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Remain calm, regardless of what others say or do. Evaluate your position, what’s possible and the best way to move forward. Keep the peace and make your move. Concentrate on what you need to do to get ahead. 4 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You aren’t likely to win if you use force. Rethink the changes you want to enforce, and look for a better way to move for-ward. Kind gestures and will-ingness to do the work yourself will get you where you want to go. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take your time, build a solid foundation and leave nothing to chance. Observe others, and you’ll recognize what’s doable and what isn’t. Knowledge and experience will help you bypass mistakes due to jealousy and insecurity. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Pay attention to detail, and refrain from sharing what you are working on or toward until you feel confident you have everything in place. Revealing too much too soon will lead to interference and competition. Stick close to home. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): When one door closes, look for another that’s open. Flow with the current, and you’ll find a way to master the skills you need to fulfill your dreams. Be fair and concise. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Be productive. Look for oppor-tunities. Idle time will lead to emotional disagreements with people you live or work along-side. Focus on positive changes and personal gain, not criticiz-ing others. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Strive to achieve the goals you set. Take care of investments; bring everything in your port-folio or personal documents up to date. Make adjustments that will counter any lapse of service. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Watch your back. Don’t let anyone limit what you can achieve. Take responsibility for sourcing opportunities and following through with your

plans. Be unique and do things your way. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Look over financial, medical and contractual con-cerns, and make adjustments that put your mind at ease. Focus on what you can do, and stop stressing about things you cannot change. Trust in your ability to get things done. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take note of the way you look and how you pres-ent yourself to the world. An updated appearance will lift your spirits and make a positive difference to the way people perceive you. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t lose sight of your objective. Pay attention to what’s going on at home and in your community. Speak from the heart, and you’ll appeal to someone influential. 5 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t labor over the impossible; focus on what’s doable, and use your skills to bring about change. Spend time with someone who has a unique approach to health and happiness. 2 stars

HOROSCOPE FOR AUGUST 2

By Eugenia Last

PREVIOUS SOLUTION

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

SUDOKU