FEATURES
6A
Mother’s denial hurts
Dear Annie: About three years
ago, I did something very stupid. I
looked at a solar eclipse. I thought
it would last only a minute and,
not wanting to miss it, I ran out-
side and squinted at it through my
sunglasses. I fully acknowledge
that I can only blame myself for
that. The next days and weeks
were some of the scariest of my
life. My vision became blurry
and I had a hard time focusing. I
feared that I might not recover my
sight and that my center of vision
might always be skewed because I
had looked directly at the sun.
Thankfully, my vision gradually
recovered. But one thing about this
episode has left me deeply trou-
bled. When I thought I would be
permanently blinded, I needed love
and support. However, my mother
quickly became convinced that I
was faking it. She insisted that none
of it was real, it was all in my head
and I was just imagining every-
thing. It was frustrating and confus-
ing. Why would she deny that I was
having a medical problem? Why
would she take a position that could
only hurt our relationship?
Last week, during an eye exam,
the doctor noticed a spot and di-
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
agnosed me with a textbook case
of solar maculopathy. I passed this
confirmation along to my mother,
but even now, she won’t acknowl-
edge how wrong, and in some
ways cruel, her denial and indif-
ference were.
In my right eye, I have a dark
spot that follows wherever I look.
I’ve grown used to it, but it is a
constant reminder of this troubling
episode. Am I wrong to continue
feeling hurt? Or does this reveal
something about our relationship
and her moral character? — S.
Dear S.: Denial is a very pow-
erful emotion. It allows someone
like your mother to refuse to be-
lieve that you have a serious prob-
lem and what it could mean to
your future. She needed comfort,
too, and this is where she found it.
Is Mom’s behavior toward you
otherwise close and loving? If
so, we would put this in the past.
Continuing to dwell on the hurt
will only make you bitter and will
alienate the two of you, which we
assume is not what you want.
Dear Annie: I’d like to com-
ment further on the letter from
“Shepherdsville, Ky.,” regarding
poor grammar.
My pet peeves are those who
say “pitcher” for “picture.” In
Wisconsin, numerous individuals
say “youse guys” instead of “you
guys” and “liberry” for “library.”
And last, but not least, it irks me
when my husband and I are at a
restaurant and the server asks,
“What can I get for you guys?” I
am not a guy.
I am far from perfect, and may-
be a little picky, but I find these
things very annoying. And I, too,
feel better now after venting. —
Miss Picky in Wisconsin
Dear Wisconsin: You’re wel-
come. We all deal with small,
trivial irritations on a daily basis.
Some people are more bothered by
them than others, so we’re happy
to help when you need to let off a
little steam.
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
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Not all the
interesting stories are sob stories. It will be
a real turnoff when people come to you
with their woes today. Empathize and then
try to find a silver lining you can point out.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). In the ro-
mantic movies, it’s hard to get to love, and
once the two leads come together, there’s
only five minutes to the credit role. In real
life, getting to love is pretty easy, but keep-
ing it is hard.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Being in
charge can be fun, but the pressure to
come up with plan after plan after plan can
be intense. What would happen if another
person took the helm for a while? Sit back
and see.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re a
healer today, and so abide by the basics of
the Hippocratic oath. Do no harm, help the
sick ones, and be discreet about the whole
business. Privacy is an undervalued virtue
these days.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It makes no
sense to fight for love. Love for love. That’s
the only way. You and a friend will join arms
against the monstrous complexities of
modern romance.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There’s a
time and a place to seek feedback — this
is not it. You can do without their observa-
tions. Your instincts are keen enough, and
what’s right for you will be totally unique.
Don’t invite comment.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Listen up —
someone out there is cheering you on. This
show of goodwill not only warms your heart,
but it also makes you more aware of the peo-
ple who could use your encouragement.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Health
affects everything — relationships, family,
finances, joy and so much more. Anything
you do in the name of good health today
will have a favorable impact on the rest of
your life.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It
does no good to wish for a miracle if you
don’t believe in miracles, wishes or magic
in general. When you’re low on faith, ask
the faith-rich one to do a ritual on your be-
half.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’re
the expert on your likes and dislikes. Try to
concentrate exclusively on the likes now,
because doing so will make you happy and
attract favorable results.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Self-edit-
ing can lead you to make the appropriate
choices that will increase your social status
and opportunities. It also can be a buzz-kill
that limits your creativity and enjoyment of
life. Use in moderation.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When the
big steps seem too dangerous, unrea-
sonable or impossible, focus on the small
ones. You’ll get your energy back when you
succeed in little ways throughout the day.
SATURDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 8). It’s
a bountiful opening to your year. Money
comes this month and love in September.
You’ve thought about moving, but stay put
awhile. You’ll realize the profound connec-
tion you have to the land you stand on. Your
strong sense of duty will intertwine with
your identity, your destiny and the needs
of those around you. Gemini and Taurus
people adore you. Your lucky numbers are:
4, 15, 26, 38 and 41.