THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015
FEATURES
5A
Suspender snappers not welcome Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: I am a male,
over 60, gray, balding and no-
ticeably overweight. Because of
back problems, I choose to wear
suspenders instead of a belt.
So, why is it that women of all
ages think it’s OK to snap my
suspenders, or at least express
a desire to do so? Most recent-
ly, it was a younger woman on
the staff of a hospital ER while
I was waiting for my wife to be
treated.
I’m fairly certain that if I
were to snap their bra straps,
they would slap my face and
call the police, and rightly so.
Why, then, do these ladies be-
lieve they have a right to put
their hands on me? — Lost for
an Answer
Dear Lost: We have no clue
why anyone, male or female,
would think it is OK to treat your
suspenders as though they were
a child’s toy to play with. You
likely appear to others as jocu-
lar and friendly, which makes
them treat you as though you are
familiar and accessible — their
favorite uncle. And there may
be something about suspenders
that encourages people to touch
them. But this doesn’t excuse
their behavior.
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
If someone approaches you
a little too closely, feel free to
back away or ask them to keep
their hands to themselves. An-
other option, of course, is to cov-
er the suspenders with a jacket
or sweater. And, readers, please
keep your hands off the mer-
chandise.
Dear Annie: I read the letter
from “Hurting for My Brother-
in-Law.” She said her brother-
in-law’s wife died, and her three
sons from a previous marriage
put her first husband’s name on
the headstone. I can understand
their reasons.
My mother remarried when I
was 17, and she died 15 months
later. Her second husband asked
my permission not to use my fa-
ther’s name on the headstone. It
seemed reasonable, so I agreed.
The headstone only shows her
maiden name and that of her sec-
ond husband.
Years passed, and I had only
minimal contact with my step-
father, who died a long time
ago. My grown children never
knew him. They worry they will
be unable to find their grand-
mother’s burial plot because
they don’t easily recall my
stepfather’s last name. I phoned
the cemetery and requested that
they cross-reference Mom’s
married name with my maiden
name (my father’s name), but
they refused.
In years to come, my chil-
dren’s descendants may wish to
know where their grandmother is
buried, but her second husband
of one year will not be remem-
bered. — G.
Dear G.: You should make
certain that your papers include
your mother’s married name so
that future generations will have
a record of it and can locate her
gravesite. You also might find
out from the cemetery wheth-
er you can add anything to the
headstone or who can give you
the authority to do so — perhaps
your stepfather’s children, who
may not have any objection to
your adding your father’s name.
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). Try new
things, even if you’re pretty sure you won’t
like them. A too-limiting belief about what
kind of person you are will restrict the range
of experiences you could be enjoying.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The rot-
ten-apple theory suggests it only takes
one to spoil the bunch. Someone who
lacks integrity is a danger to the group.
Take courage and stand up against those
who are on the wrong path.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). If your mood
dips, your mind may become occupied
with concerns that weren’t there when you
were feeling good. Keep worry at bay by
continuing to do the things that contribute
to a high level of positive energy.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). The old rule
won’t apply, and the new rule hasn’t been
made yet. While things are in flux, take this
opportunity to shake things up. Bonus: You’ll
expand your network in the process.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Just because
someone is not on your wavelength
doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at least try to
communicate. Your efforts to connect will
be meaningful and will lead to gains in the
distant future.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). If you don’t
act when you see the opportunity, someone
with less experience and wisdom will. Take
initiative. It won’t be as much work as you
think, and you’ll get help once you commit.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). While your
community service may be commendable,
today your compassion will not be mea-
sured by the degree to which you knock
yourself out to help others. It is better as-
sessed by the kindness you afford yourself.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). To get to
happiness, you do not always have to go
through the dark forest of unhappiness. It
helps that you’ve been there before and
already understand the contrast. Avoid
the forest, and try a new path.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Over-
night success is a matter of preparation,
the likes of which takes years, not hours, to
cultivate. Continue doing the work in good
faith. Keep a strong grip on your optimism,
as it’s one of your best qualities.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’re
an independent with your own ideas
about how things should unfold. If you
dare to stand alone, you won’t be alone
for long, mainly because you’re right.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You may
not start out in an optimum mood, but you
can get there with a little work. Remem-
ber how you overcame your last big chal-
lenge. Review the steps you took. You will
learn from yourself.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Someone
should only be able to hurt you once. If you
get hurt by the same person twice, it means
that on some level you’re agreeing to it. You
can be friendly and loving and still stay in-
side your own emotional boundaries.
THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (March 26).
You’ll get what you need indirectly this
year. Unexpected relationships will be
emotionally fulfilling. Next month, a person-
al risk will lead to lifestyle upgrades. May
shows you clearing up misunderstandings
to move forward with an exciting venture.
You’ll become a leader at work in August.
Taurus and Cancer people adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 47, 33, 50, 41 and 13.