European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 25, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Charm of Cata logs works its magic across the Atlantic Cindy Chambers columnist for years the highlight of my otherwise. Dull Day was my husbands return from work i watched the clock with growing anticipation. My heart leapt when i heard his footsteps on the threshold. And when the door opened i would Rush to him arms outstretched with the same Loving phrase on my lips a did we get any mail a but even that Small thrill is gone. I now know with the same sense of foreboding that precedes orders to fort Polk what my husband will bring me from the Mai room each  logs. Billions and billions of Cata logs. Cata logs offering everything from Elvis Presley underwear to personalized chocolate business cards. Strangely enough the main reason i came to Europe was to escape Cata logs. In a a sucker for a. Pretty Catalon and Ever since a computer got wind of that fact several years ago i had been receiving every Catalon Ever printed every Day. When you consider the fact that a according to my Best estimate a nearly 93 percent of the people in new Hampshire make their living off Cata. Log sales its easy to see Why we had to actually leave the country to escape the Catalon glut. Besides now i could buy real european goods from real european shopkeepers rather than from american import Cata logs. No More forms to fill out no More waiting for delivery no More High prices right. One thing i quickly discovered is that european clothes have to be ironed every 15 minutes a More often if you re actually wearing them. In be found out that forms arc a fact of life Over Here if you plan to buy anything costing More than $100. And the word a a expensive was coined to describe european goods. So now 1 am buying european clothes by Catalon direct from the United states. The clothes 1 order arc impregnated with powerful american wrinkle reducing chemicals that Are probably leaching into the ground water and destroying the Ozone layer. But at least 1 done to have to Iron anymore. In a buying English Bone Chin a from a company called new Jersey English outlet genuine Irish Linen from tons of Blarney inc., and european Feather comforters from a Catalon called get Down. I done to have to Hunt for a parking space or worry about having the Correct currency. And i can escape my latest Catalon glut when we go Back to the states. In fact if i keep failing to pay off my Catalon related Bills i hear we re going to end up at fort Leavenworth very very soon. I just Hope i can get Cata logs there. Cindy Chambers is a military family Friedber in Schweinfurt Germany. Miss m \ i is by Judith Martin United feature Syndicate dear miss manners. I invited a couple to dinner and two Days beforehand i confirmed the time with them. Because of their work schedule they asked if they could come later than i had suggested. I agreed saying that any time after 8 . Would be Fine. They arrived at my House an hour Early apologetic that they underestimated the driving time. I was not dressed or prepared. 1 had scheduled my time accurately for 8 ., and i was taken completely off guard. They asked if i wanted them to leave and i said yes anticipating their return at the designated time. They appeared astounded and left. They never returned. Who was wrong gentle Reader miss manners regrets to Tell you that the error of expelling guests from ones House is infinitely More severe than that of arriving Early for dinner. Besides they apologized and you miss manners gathers were taken with your manners a off  you did not need to entertain them before the designated hour. All that was required was a regretful admission of not being ready followed by the suggestion that they make themselves comfortable while you finished your preparations. An extreme apology is now needed a the groveling kind that claims that you were so flustered As to have said something you did no to mean a As Well As a renewed invitation. Dear miss manners my Nephew was killed in the persian Gulf War. After some chitchat on the Telephone with a a Friend a she asked me How i was and i told her what happened. A Strong opponent of the War she called his death senseless and said the government was hiding the True number of casualties which she believed to be much higher than reported. Three times she tried to Tell me that i had no idea How disturbed she was by the War that she  watch the news that America was wrong Etc. 1 told her that she and 1 had fundamental disagreements about the merits of this War. She kept forcing the Issue so the fourth time in an attempt to Stop the pain she was inflicting on me i told her a i done to care what you  to which she said a i think you Are very insensitive to say  we ended the Call shortly thereafter. I feel now that i done to Ever want to speak to this insensitive clod again. Obviously she is disturbed by the War but on the other hand i done to need to have someone Force Down my Throat the opinion that it was All a big conspiracy and that my Nephew died in vain. How do i explain to our Mutual friends that i really want nothing to do with her without compromising her friendships with them this hurts. Gentle Reader As miss manners understands it this lady believes you Are insensitive for taking your nephews death personally rather than politically. And no doubt she considers that this stance makes her a great humanitarian. Miss manners whose Mission it is in life to soften antagonisms to keep them from festering and spreading finds that she has even less tolerance than you for someone who a no matter what her politics a increased your suffering. By All Means Cut her off. A Friend is someone a you believe you could count on if you needed her and you can no longer have such an illusion about this person. It is considerate of you not to wish to prejudice her other friendships and miss manners agrees that you should not discuss the matter with others. All you need to say should an occasion arise in which you might be expected to socialize with her is a quiet a i done to care to meet Here to the hostess adding that a a it a not something 1 care to discuss a if pressed for details. She will then be asked and May if she wishes Tell her version of the  Ltd for this week Virgo aug. 23-sept. 22 work on ways of advancing prestige and income. Less self entered attitude provides boost to image. Libra sept. 23-oct. 22 work situation is muddled by incompetent subordinate. Home life is calling for attention. Scorpio oct. 23-nov. 21 ability to learn irom past allows a Clear hint of what the future holds. You present facts figures to an important associate. Sagittarius nov. 22-dec. 20 diplomatic skills come into play. Make social rounds since others have been looking Forward to seeing you. Capricorn dec. 21-Jan. 19 careful examination of habits lifestyle produce discovery leading to invention. Creative juices Are flowing nicely. Aquarius Jan. 20-feb. 18 you express self freely and with finesse. Attention paid to personal appearance is rewarded. Pisces feb. 19-March 20 partnership Money and a contract come up for review. Be sure others have been playing by All the i Ules. Aries March 21-april 19 general instincts Are sound. Creative idea at work results in exciting business trip. Taurus april 20-May 20 work on muscle tone. Interest shown in another s Hobby brings dividend in personal Friendship. Gemini May 21-june 20 shed Light on secret that has put Home front in state of tension. Casual candid Demeanour works Best. Cancer june 21-july 22 relaxation is key to dealing with Day. Budget and financial decisions won t wait any longer. Leo july 23-aug. 22 you have overstepped authority recently. Force of events compels you to seek Solitude expert opinion. Copley news services sunday August 25, 1991