FEATURES
6A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015
You may have to let the past go Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: My brother, “John,”
one of nine siblings, has not spoken
to our 83-year-old mother in more
than 12 years. He lives less than
five miles from her, drives past her
house daily and never stops in. At
first, he sent birthday and Christ-
mas cards, but even that stopped.
Mom continues to send cards and
reach out, but receives no response.
Evidently, John is upset with
Mom because she asked whether
he would testify in court against his
pedophile stepfather if it became
necessary to do so. John and his
three older siblings were victims,
and Mom wanted to protect her
youngest child (my stepbrother) so
that he would not be left alone with
his pedophile father. John was so
upset by the request that he cut off
contact.
As far as I’m concerned, John is
dead. My children don’t know him.
His daughter has missed out on an
entire family of cousins, aunts and
uncles. But my mother would like
to reconnect with him before she
dies. I’d like to help her do this, but
frankly, I’m very angry with him. I
don’t want John at Mom’s funeral.
How could he have the audacity
to show up there when he doesn’t
have the decency to speak to her
while she’s alive? Should I hire
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
someone to ask him to leave the
funeral? — Angry Sis
Dear Sis: It’s possible that the
idea of testifying against his abuser
was more traumatic for John than
he could process. John might actu-
ally want to get back in touch, but
doesn’t know how and is afraid he
would be roundly and repeatedly
chastised. In order to reconcile,
you may have to let the past go.
Is John in contact with any of
his siblings, relatives or mutu-
al friends? Would one of them be
willing to act as a go-between?
Could one of you speak to John’s
wife and ask what can be done?
As for the funeral, your anger
is understandable, but be prepared
for a ruckus if you try to keep John
out. And the knowledge that you
are punishing him this way will
likely keep him from ever recon-
ciling with his siblings. We trust
you are not the only one making
this decision. Please talk to your
siblings about it, and also speak to
your mother about her wishes.
Dear Annie: I’d like to rec-
ommend that your readers talk to
their doctors about the shingles
vaccine. Five years ago, I got a
painful rash on the right side of
my torso. I was diagnosed with
shingles, given a prescription and
began taking the medicine imme-
diately. By the next evening, I was
much more comfortable, and in a
few days, the rash, itch and pain
were mostly gone.
If you suspect a new rash might
be shingles, please seek medical
attention immediately. — Papil-
lion, Neb.
Dear Papillion: Thanks for
the warning. Shingles is a reacti-
vated chickenpox virus. Anyone
who has had chickenpox can get
shingles and it is terribly pain-
ful. The lifetime risk is 50 per-
cent. Shingles most commonly
occurs in people over age 50 and
those with immune system disor-
ders. The vaccine decreases (but
doesn’t eliminate) the risk, and we
hope our readers will check with
their doctors about getting it and
whether or not their insurance cov-
ers the cost.
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). Supersti-
tions may not be scientific, but they are an
integral part of your experience, and some-
thing about them fits the way your mind
works. Connections can be precarious. If
you believe it, you’ll see it. If you don’t, you
won’t.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A lot of seri-
ous developments come out of silly things.
So don’t be afraid to be a bit silly. Also, any-
one who brings out this side of you is bring-
ing out something essential and good.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Some say
there is no cure for curiosity. You almost
wish there were some kind of exciting dis-
traction to divert your attention from the
thing that captivates you against your will.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You were at
least partially formed in the small struggles
of youth. They prepared you for the bigger
challenges. Alas, it’s not time for that. This
is the period of smooth sailing.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ve already
chosen the task. Now all you want are
powers that are equal to or greater than it.
You will get what you want in time. Today’s
exercise will help.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Untrust-
worthy people will say whatever they think
will get them out of a bad situation or into
a desired one. Trustworthy people will say
what is, and they also will live it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Maybe you’re
emotionally fragile now, so it’s good to have
people around you who agree with you.
Otherwise, you prefer opposition. It is, after
all, much more useful. It’s how you become
great at what you do.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Relation-
ships are important. Material possessions
remind you of relationships, and that’s why
you find them so important. Without mean-
ing, this property has no value to you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Every
day you wake up to a new day. But you’re
not always as excited about the possibili-
ties as you are on this day. You are practi-
cally vibrating with potential.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Lately
you’ve been questioning your lifestyle. Do
the things around you really add value to
your life, or are they just taking up space?
It turns out you need a lot less than you
think you do.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Some of
your favorite people are those who know
how to temper your dreams with a healthy
dose of reality. It’s the earth signs who help
you keep realistic expectations when your
eyes are bigger than your budget.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Sometimes
the bad ideas go undetected for a while,
and you wind up putting a fair amount of
work into them before you realize the prob-
lem. Once you realize it, though, stop im-
mediately. Don’t throw good efforts after a
bad idea.
TUESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 14). You
are beautiful, not because of one isolat-
ed feature or fact, but because everything
about you is working together to make a
joyful impact on the world. Your environ-
ment will reflect new values and aesthetics.
The person you used to worry about and
help will grow strong and help you back.
New business comes in October. Pisces
and Virgo people adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 1, 34, 3, 22 and 38.