THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015
FEATURES
5A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: For 10 years, my daugh-
ter has been in a relationship with a man
from another culture. He is controlling,
manipulative, arrogant and patronizing.
He was raised with servants, nannies
roles.
I limit visits to once a year because he
never fails to make snide comments to
me when he is sure my daughter cannot
hear him. Once, I asked him what his in-
tentions were toward my daughter, and he
said never to question his authority.
After a recent visit, my daughter ac-
cused me of not being respectful and
loving toward her partner. She said I am
jealous of their wonderful life. This could
not be further from the truth. I feel sorry
for her. I don’t know how she endures
his daily criticisms and verbal abuse. She
constantly sings his praises as a good pro-
vider and father to their child. I know she
is ashamed that he has refused to marry
her, but this is probably cultural. She will
always remain his mistress but never be
an equal.
When I visit, I am polite and civil and
thank him for his hospitality, but I do not
express any love toward him, nor will I.
But I want to remain in my daughter’s
life and see my grandchild. I have kept
quiet for years because I know it is my
daughter’s choice, but I will not pretend.
My grandma always said, “If you can’t
say anything good about someone, don’t
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
say anything at all.” Well, saying nothing
does not seem to be working. — Con-
cerned Mother
Dear Concerned: One of the hardest
things for a parent is to watch your child
make a huge mistake and not be able to
do anything about it. Your daughter is
unwilling to leave this relationship. You
cannot be expected to show love toward
this man. Being polite and civil and
thanking him for his hospitality is more
than enough. Be careful, however, not to
let your disdain show through. Simply tell
your daughter sweetly that you are trying
your best and you are glad she is happy.
Dear Annie: I read with great inter-
est your column about the PNC Christ-
mas Price Index for “The Twelve Days
of Christmas.” However, no matter how
I did the math, I couldn’t come close to
This takes into account that I didn’t know
what the exact shipping total was. How
did you do the math? — DSH
Dear DSH: We received several let-
ters from folks who were confused by
the math, so we will explain it, even at
this late date. First of all, the total should
typo on our end. But simply put, the gifts
-
ceived one partridge in a pear tree. And
the second day, she received two turtle-
doves and another partridge in a pear tree.
The third day, she received three French
hens, another two turtledoves and a third
partridge, and so on. Done cumulatively,
shipping is irrelevant. Here’s the last word
on the subject:
Dear Annie: I just want to say thanks
for your Christmas column. I did not
know that it is possible to purchase lords
a-leaping. I really wouldn’t know what to
do with them, and at that price, I couldn’t
afford them anyway. But I truly did LOL
when I read it, and for that, I thank you.
(P.S. I always buy my swans locally. The
prices are much better.) — S.
Dear S.: Thanks for letting us know
you enjoyed the column. We appreciate
your lighthearted response.
Annie’s Snippet (credit Martin Lu-
ther King Jr.): “The ultimate measure of
a man is not where he stands in moments
of comfort and convenience, but where
he stands at times of challenge and con-
troversy.”
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’re
ready to go to the next level and the right
tools will be key. Invest in the best ma-
terials you can afford. It will make all of
the difference in how your work comes
together.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your suc-
cess hinges on your decision to take on
the challenge. Resolving to do some-
thing is half of the action itself. That’s why
it’s worthwhile to deliberate on which res-
olutions are worthy of you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There’s
power in yielding. Instead of opposing
the flow, give in and let it carry you,
trusting the wisdom of natural forces. Be-
sides, you’re not really alone. Water signs
will ride this one out with you.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll be
attracted to that person who seems to
have a secret. Maybe this secret is not
one thing in particular, but a unique way
of thinking, living and being.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It’s natural to
question “How did I get here?” The “here”
in question can seem so very far from
where you started. The better question
though is: “What now?”
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). While one
person is busy in thought the other has
already implemented a course of action
and is learning from it. Put yourself in the
second position — don’t think about it,
just try it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Many of
your adventures have started by choice
but today’s begins in fate. Your ability to
recognize and act upon the opportunities
in the moment makes for good fortune.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When
you are near the ones who are dearest to
you, the smallest interactions can bring
the biggest joy. When you can’t be with
dear ones, try and seek kindred spirits.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).
Don’t be afraid of hard work, especially if
there’s a physical component to it. Some-
times before you get renewed you have
to be soundly worn out.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It
is said that artists are merely channels
for unseen creative forces. That may be
true, but your version of said “channel”
is so quirky and unique that even if the
muses did most of the work, you’ll get all
of the credit.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). When
you ask a question, that’s the moment
the other person will know that you don’t
know. When you don’t ask, ignorance
could go on forever. It’s better to ask.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Wind,
rain, barometric pressure — of all the
forces that can change the world, love
is still the most powerful. Do not doubt
that your small, loving interactions per-
son-to-person will make a difference.
TUESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 20).
Your dreams of the future are better than
your history and with persistence you
will get there. Be realistic with work and
fanciful with love in February. Then, in
March, reverse it. Negotiations favor you
in April. June is your chance at an exotic
trip, though you’ll have to make it a top
priority for it to really happen. Pisces and
Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are:
44, 49, 13, 29 and 16.