Find yourself a little romance in the night sky

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I hear this is a special time in the night sky for lovers, but I don’t really understand why. Can you enlighten me?

I’m happy with my new man, but it would be nice to know we had the planets working for us too, as it can be a tough life here on Earth.

— Romantic Stargazer, Winnipeg

Dear Stargazer: According to the Manitoba Museum’s Manitoba Skies blog, for much of December, Jupiter will rise “soon after sunset in the east-northeast and (be) visible all night, rising high into the south and then lower into the northwest by sunrise.”

With a small telescope (and sometimes just binoculars) you may be able to glimpse Jupiter with several of its largest moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto) lined up near it.

Late today and early tomorrow (Dec. 7), the waning gibbous moon will appear in the sky near to Jupiter, situated in the constellation of Gemini, near the bright stars Castor and Pollux, making for a nice grouping to pick out of the night sky.

Also this month, the year’s biggest meteor shower, the Geminids, will peak in the evening of Dec. 13 and the early hours of Dec. 14 in a mostly moonless sky. (For more information, go to manitobamuseum.ca/the-sky-for-december-2025.)

So find an outdoor spot free of light pollution, cuddle up with your mate and enjoy some romantic stargazing.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: Christmas shopping theft is driving me nuts. Ever since I worked security in a store, my eyes are trained and I’m still seeing a lot of shoplifting I really feel like reporting, but it’s not any of my business anymore.

My poor husband is finding me annoying because I’m always tugging at his arm and saying, “Look at that one over there, and that one.” What should I do?

— Security Expert, St. Vital

Dear Expert: People often miss their old work, particularly if they were highly skilled and enjoyed it. Maybe you need to work part-time security at busy times of the year.

All year round, store staff want to go on holidays for a few weeks, so maybe you could fill in here and there.

Contact your old security workmates and bosses where you know the ropes and they know how good you are, and see what you might be able to work out.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My widowed mother is coming to visit this Christmas and bringing her new man to introduce him in-person. They’re staying in an expensive hotel with a pool and bar and great food.

But they’re not fooling me. They’re not staying at my house because I’m a prude and I was “daddy’s girl” when he was still alive.

When we have video chats online I can see they are physically close, and there is lots of teasing and touching. Frankly it makes me feel a little ill.

I was close to my dad and my mom thinks — correctly — it will be hard for me if she and her new man sleep together at my house.

They are “sleeping together” all the time now. Mom made that part clear, so I haven’t made a peep about their hotel booking.

So why do I feel faintly ill about their sexual relationship? It’s not like I never saw open affection at home before. Mom and dad were often cuddled up together and kissed hello and goodbye, and sometimes at night I would hear the bed squeaking.

— Adult Prude, St. James

Dear Prude: Just like your parents had to get used to the physical relationship between you and your mate, you have to get used to your mom and her new man having sex. It’s the way life works.

The next time your mom and her man come to town, you may be OK with them staying at your place. At first it may seem strange, and any affection shown may seem too much, but after a little while you’ll get used to it.

Just drop the issue right now, and remember, sometimes it’s nice to get breathers when relatives are in town and choosing to stay in a hotel. And let them drop hints before you issue a sleepover invitation.

Also keep in mind, if and when they stay over, that they may be able to hear you getting passionate with your mate as well.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

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