FEATURES
6A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015
Rude comment elicits reaction Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: My sister-in-law al-
ways makes comments about what I
am eating. I keep myself trim and am
careful about what I eat, but I don’t
deny myself.
Last week, we went to lunch at a
favorite place, and I ordered a cheese-
burger and fries. It is a lovely restaurant,
and the servings are large. I always take
half of my meal home, as it is too much
for me to eat at one time. My sister-in-
law said, “If they put something like
that in front of me, I would get sick to
my stomach immediately.”
I have put up with her comments for
many years, but that one upset me, es-
pecially since she said it while we were
eating. Afterward, I wrote her a note
stating that I am a widow and those
lunches are my biggest meals of the
day. She has a husband and, of course,
She no longer speaks to me. Was I
wrong, or was she? — Sister-in-Law
Dear Sister-in-Law: We think you
are both too sensitive about inconse-
quential matters. Perhaps your sister-in-
law is jealous that you can eat whatever
you like and she cannot do the same.
Perhaps there are other things about her
that annoy you, and this was simply the
last straw — or vice versa. We think a
good relationship with a sister-in-law
should be preserved. Please apologize
to her (not as a matter of right or wrong,
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
but simply to start over), and say you
are sorry things became so bitter and
you’d like another chance. Then invite
her to go someplace with you — but
perhaps not to a restaurant.
Dear Annie: For the past 20 years,
my husband and I have gotten togeth-
er with several other couples for one
share stores about our kids and grand-
kids. We rent a vacation house, and the
few of us who live close to one another
plan a fun game for the group to play on
one of the evenings.
We recently held our annual retreat.
On game night, we planned a gourmet
dinner with cocktails, followed by the
meal, followed by games. One member
of our group noticed a couple from the
so he invited them to join us for drinks.
As we were introducing ourselves, this
same friend invited the couple to stay
for dinner. After dessert, when we were
ready to play games, this friend and his
drink. We waited more than an hour for
them to return.
Do you feel this is appropriate be-
havior? — Old School
Dear Old School: No. If your friends
knew that other activities had been
planned for that evening, they should
have postponed the trip to the neighbors’
place for when they had unscheduled
time. This weekend had been reserved
for your group. However, it also indi-
cates that this particular friend was not
terribly interested in the group game (or
even the group company) and wanted to
go elsewhere. After 20 years, it is not a
might need a new coat of paint. We sug-
gest you poll the group and ask whether
they’d like the activities to change. Oth-
ers might have additional ideas.
Dear Annie: I read the letter from
“Sad Mother,” whose 25-year-old son
is depressed and suicidal but refuses
therapy. Perhaps she can get him help
through his primary care provider’s
have integrated care and employ psy-
chiatric consultants. I work in a clinic
that has licensed clinical social work-
ers and a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Many family practice clinicians are
comfortable with starting patients on
antidepressants. — Kentucky
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
STONE SOUP
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You will
have greater than normal powers of dis-
cipline, but don’t make yourself forgo the
things you want and need. Go easy on
yourself! Before you deprive yourself, de-
cide what to use as a replacement.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll be
tempted to say too much. When in doubt,
hold back. You’ll be admired for your dis-
cretion. Your action will say enough and
bring results where words failed.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You have
extraordinary powers of perception. You
believe there is more going on than your
eye can detect, and by the end of the day,
a mystical experience will prove your the-
ory.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Before
you get busy, consider the possibility of
doing absolutely nothing. Stillness can be
deceptively productive. It is possible that
you’ll attract all you need through stillness.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You make better
choices when a certain someone is there
to encourage and support you. The love
in your heart warms you from head to toe
like hot chicken broth on a cold day.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ll be
asked to make a sacrifice in the name
of love. It’s probably a small concession,
but it will set the tone for the future, so go
carefully into this.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Think about
all you’ve overcome. Things that used to
bother you don’t anymore. What used to
scare you has no emotional charge to it
whatsoever. Love has made you immune
in some way.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Don’t
waste your time dwelling on past mis-
takes. If you disappointed yourself, chalk
it up to experience. You probably did the
best you could under the circumstances,
and next time you’ll do better.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).
When you have a feeling that the world
is about to contradict your best expecta-
tions and validate your worst one instead,
it’s time to get rid of those expectations
altogether.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You
are self-sacrificing, but only for those
few special people who have your heart.
There is nothing you won’t do to make
them smile, and when they are happy,
you are happy.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Avoid
those who seem unapproachable or
standoffish. It’s not your job to warm ev-
eryone up today, and your time will be
better spent on the genuinely nice people.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll
determine which sacrifices were worth-
while and which ones not to make again.
Tonight, you really don’t need anything
from your romantic counterpart, and that
is what makes the situation so appealing
for both parties.
THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 8).
Your humor lights up the world for some-
one special this month. You produce a
sensational piece of work in February. In-
vest your earnings in getting more certifi-
cations or training. Your personal life spar-
kles with new friendships in June. Family
business will benefit all in July. Sagittarius
and Gemini people adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 24, 4, 29, 48 and 33.