FEATURES
6A
Son wants dad’s drum set
Dear Annie: My husband died
11 years ago. Our son, “Marcus,”
was 6 at the time. His dad was in
intensive care for two months, and
because of his young age, our son
was not allowed to see his father.
Before he died, my husband
asked his younger brother to keep
his drum set until Marcus turned 18.
Marcus’ uncles used to call him ev-
ery year on his birthday, which also
is his father’s birthday. But since my
husband died, neither has called to
wish their nephew a happy birthday.
Marcus will be 18 soon. He is
into music and wants the drums. I
have asked his uncle on several oc-
casions by sending a message on
Facebook. I also asked my son’s
half-brother (from my husband’s
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Marcus would pick them up from
his house. Nothing has happened.
I recently noticed a picture on
Facebook of a guy who used to play
in a band with my late husband. In
the photo, he is playing drums that
look suspiciously like the ones that
belong to my son.
Marcus has nothing of his fa-
ther’s. He was not included in any
decisions on what to sell or what
to keep, or even asked what he’d
like to have. He was also given his
dad’s El Camino, but my husband
the phone. Call the uncle who sup-
posedly has the drum set. Be nice.
Tell him what a wonderful birthday
present it would be for Marcus to
Creators
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Syndicate Inc.
father. Ask when would be conve-
nient to pick it up and what you can
Kathy Mitchell
do to facilitate the transfer.
and
Marcus also can call his un-
Marcy Sugar
cle. These relationships work both
ways, and Marcus is old enough
put the title in the name of Marcus’ now to establish his own contact.
half-brother, who sold it. He didn’t And if he is close to his half-brother
even give my son any of the money or another paternal relative, perhaps
from the sale. That was bad enough, you or Marcus could get the relative
but Marcus only really cares about to intercede on his behalf.
the drums.
Dear Annie: “Holding My
The entire family knows that my Breath” said she can’t kiss her hus-
late husband wanted Marcus to have band because of his halitosis. I had
the drums. What should I do? File bad breath for 10 years. I brushed,
a lawsuit? How do I honor my late used mouthwash and saw the den-
husband’s wishes and give my son tist regularly. I also had frequent
WKLV¿QDOJLIWIURPKLVGDG"²Dis- problems with my digestive tract.
traught Mom of a Musician
Finally, after having an endoscopy
Dear Mom: Is anything in writ- and a colonoscopy, my gallbladder
LQJ",IQRW\RXPLJKWQHHGWR¿OHD was found to be functioning at 17
lawsuit, but in order to prove your percent. It was removed, and my
case, you probably will need oth- bad breath and constant low-level
er credible witnesses to testify that QDXVHD ZHQW DZD\ LPPHGLDWHO\ ²
your husband’s wish was for Marcus Alabama Maggie
to have the drum set. An attorney
Dear Maggie: Thanks for writ-
will let you know if you have a case. ing. Readers, please don’t assume
But a lawsuit should be a last these things are unimportant.
resort. Please stop asking for per- They can indicate serious medical
sonal things on Facebook. Pick up problems.
Annie’s
Mailbox
FRANK AND ERNEST
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THATABABY
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STONE SOUP
B.C.
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DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
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BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
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ROSE IS ROSE
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You desire
to become more disciplined, and yet the
very thing keeping you from being able
to do this is the demanding lifestyle you
currently keep. Is it possible that what you
need more than discipline is tenderness?
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). In ancient
Rome, merchants carried money in bas-
kets made of fiscus, which is how, over the
centuries, things to do with money came
to be called “fiscal.” Today, luck centers on
your own version of a money basket.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It’s possible
that a certain persistent fear exists for a
good reason. Then again, maybe this fear
is just a bad habit you can break yourself
of. Test both theories out today.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). This is
a time for extreme self-care, the likes of
which you once would have considered
too indulgent. When you don’t feel at your
best physically, it is hard to be at your best
in any other way.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There are those
who feel it’s hip to be cynical, but cyni-
cism isn’t insightful or helpful or any more
“real” than sweeter commentary. Anyway,
support and optimism are more attractive
modes of communication.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The path
you didn’t take will be a source of wonder.
Perhaps you’ll never know the version of
you along that untraveled road, but there’s
something about the wondering that will
make you live differently today.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Aesthetics will
matter to you even more than usual. Your
mind expands when you’re in the presence
of beauty. Loveliness helps you see more
possibilities for yourself and others.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Tension
in the morning doesn’t have to negatively
charge the rest of the day. Address and
heal relationship problems quickly so you
can get on with a wonderful time.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The
quality of your friendships matters more
than the number of them. One friend who
gets you on a deep level will bring you
more joy than dozens who don’t see you
for who you are.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Feel-
ing hyper-alert, you’ll notice the kind of
subtle beauty that makes your day feel
poetic. You’ll also be prone to getting tired
or overwhelmed, so go easy on yourself.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Knowing
that a thought process is irrational doesn’t
make it any easier not to think it. But at
least you can joke with yourself, which will
make it a whole lot easier to lighten up
and change the mental channel.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You can feel
it when people harbor resentment for one
another, and it hurts you even if those peo-
ple appear to be getting along. Because you
can’t be fooled, avoid couples in disharmony.
SATURDAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 25).
You’ll reach a prize-winning level of mas-
tery in May and then start a new venture as
an amateur, refreshing your spirit through
the learning process. June ties your heart
to another through a shared adventure.
Your philanthropy in August will build your
legacy. An important professional decision
must be made in October. Virgo and Can-
cer people adore you. Your lucky numbers
are: 50, 27, 17, 32 and 4.