THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015
FEATURES
5A
Boyfriend excluded by her friend Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: I am currently in a two-
year relationship with “Alison.” Both
of us are recently divorced. During Ali-
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to “Will.” They have remained friends,
and she insists nothing of a sexual nature
ever happened.
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in a new relationship and had limited con-
tact with Alison. However, eight months
ago, that relationship ended. Now he and
Alison text each other multiple times a
day, all day long. He lives with his par-
ents, and Alison stops by a couple of
times a month to visit with his family.
Will has made it very clear that he
doesn’t want to be around me at all.
Every time he gets into trouble, Alison
is right there to help. At least once every
few weeks, he drives 15 miles to eat at
the restaurant where she works.
I am not sure how to handle this friend-
ship. I trust Alison, or I would have left al-
ready. Any advice, or am I foolish? — N.
Dear N.: There is nothing wrong
with having friendships, even those that
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unwelcome and entirely excluded from
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shared are intimate and interfere with the
primary relationship.
We think Will is a bit possessive of Al-
ison, but that shouldn’t alarm you. Does
Alison show you his texts? She should
annoying it is. Unfortunately, you cannot
eliminate all behaviors that drive you cra-
zy. You can, however, register a complaint
with the instructor, move into a different
Creators
class or ask the woman nicely whether she
Syndicate Inc.
can make the gum chewing less noisy.
Dear Annie: I’m responding to
Kathy Mitchell
“Outvoted,” who is caring for her abu-
and
sive mother and arguing with her sib-
Marcy Sugar
lings about replacing the batteries in
Mom’s pacemaker.
(but you do not need to comment on
I, too, have been a caregiver for a
them). If you trust her and she is not hid- person with dementia who became ver-
ing anything from you, we’d let this run bally abusive. Another option is to seek
its course. It is important, however, that the assistance of a geriatric psychiatric
Alison understands the boundaries of this professional. He or she can prescribe
friendship so she isn’t leading Will on or medication that will calm the abusive
damaging her relationship with you.
tendencies and allow the siblings to care
Dear Annie: I take both Pilates and for their mother in her home with much
yoga classes. One student loves to chew less stress. — Been There
gum during class. It was ingrained in me
Dear Been There: Putting Mom
by my father that loudly chewing gum on medication that will calm her down
is considered bad manners. It drives me could help. It’s quite possible that she
crazy.
should have been on some type of anti-
,¿QGLWKDUGWRFRQFHQWUDWHZKHQVKH depressant for most of her life. After all,
is popping and chomping away on her her abusive personality isn’t recent or
gum, and I know I’m not the only one due to dementia. She has always been
in class who feels this way. Any sug- this way, and the dementia simply makes
gestions on how to get her to stop? — it worse. Medication may not complete-
Cringing in Exercise Class
ly resolve the issue of replacing Mom’s
Dear Cringing: People do a lot of pacemaker batteries, but it could make
boorish things during exercise classes. the siblings less stressed when working
Perhaps the gum helps her concentrate or on these decisions.
keeps her from having a dry mouth. She
To our Baha’i readers: Happy
probably isn’t aware of how loud and Ayyam-i-Ha.
Annie’s
Mailbox
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). In some
cultures, subordinates check in with their
superiors before making any decision at
all. You would rather not have this dynamic.
Each person empowered to do their thing
independently — that’s what works for you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). All over the
world, when people fold their arms in front
of their chest, it means they feel defen-
sive. It’s usually a mild barrier, and when
you see it, you’ll work a little harder to get
someone to open up.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There’s only
one like you; therefore, you needn’t worry
about saying something that’s never been
said before. Even if you repeat someone
else’s message, you’ll personalize it in a
way that’s all you.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Because
of your stellar work ethic, if you spend time
following, enjoying and studying your idols,
it feels like you are loafing off. That couldn’t
be further from the truth. This is how you
get inspired.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Theoretical-
ly, the sun is in the process of setting just
after it reaches its highest point in the sky.
But those pretty colors splashed across the
horizon only last a few minutes. It will be
lucky, inspiring and love-attracting to watch
the sunset.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Before you get
discouraged or start spending money on the
unnecessary, there are resources right under
your nose that you haven’t tapped yet. Think
about who you know and who they know.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You are so con-
nected to a certain someone that you can
understand what each other needs without a
verbal exchange. And when you want to talk,
you can say everything without saying much.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Truth be
told, you don’t always play to win. Some-
times it’s more polite, fair or kind to let some-
one else win. You’ll assess today’s opponent
with an open heart.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). If you
interact with someone while he or she is in
a bad mood, this person will associate you
with this negative state of mind in the future.
That’s why, when you see a dark cloud, you
should turn the other way.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Before
you take advice, check credentials. Is your
adviser using the same strategy and win-
ning? You could potentially waste a lot of time
following the wrong person, so be careful!
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your nat-
urally affable personality will attract many,
some of them needy, and you don’t have
an unlimited amount of time for socializing.
But you don’t have to be friends with every-
one to be friendly to everyone.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Just as read-
ing happens in a different part of the brain
than television watching, each event of the
day touches your mind differently, thus shap-
ing your creativity in a totally unique way.
FRIDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 27). You’ll
approach your work with love and your love
with the attitude that you will keep working
to build the bond. That’s why neither gets old
to you this year. Next month is for travel and
making friends. April brings back a problem
from last year, and you’ll handle it once and
for all. June features family celebration. Aries
and Scorpio people adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 40, 23, 1, 39 and 16.