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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 7, 2015)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015 FEATURES Adult son is psychotic Dear Annie: This is written in desperation. I have seven children, and my middle son, “Randall,” age 57, is in the grip of psychosis. His late father was a schizophren- ic who refused treatment and reg- ularly beat me. I lived with him for years, not understanding what I was doing wrong, until I drew up enough courage to ask a psychi- atrist for advice. This doctor told me to leave him before he killed me. I did, and struggled raising my children. I was rarely home because I held multiple low-pay- ing jobs, and the kids grew up in deprivation. Randall began to use cocaine in the late ‘80s, when people thought it was cool and didn’t realize how addictive it was. He got clean in his determination to be a good fa- ther to his now-adult son. He and one of his brothers embarked on an independent business venture, and over the years were moder- ately successful. Unfortunately, in their last venture, the investors stole money and the business went under. They are in court now. As a result of this upheaval, Randall has begun using meth and is behaving psychotically. His brother has had to sell his home and his savings are dwindling. He Anonymous (familiesanonymous. org) for those whose lives have been upended by drug-addicted loved ones. We hope Randall can Creators get the help he needs. Syndicate Inc. Dear Annie: I am responding to “Gary” about appropriate dress Kathy Mitchell for a funeral. and A few weeks ago, my sister-in- Marcy Sugar law died unexpectedly. She was an incredible person. She came doesn’t want to abandon Randall, from an Irish family, and there who is now penniless and cannot was a huge wake to celebrate her support himself or his wife and life. There was lots of food and an young child. Irish band and a bagpiper. There How can we help Randall? His was storytelling about the won- insurance has lapsed and no one has derful times we each spent with the funds to get him back into rehab. her. The celebration went on for My only income is social security, hours. Her family discouraged but my late husband was a WWII wearing somber clothing. veteran. Am I eligible for any wid- The next day, there was a me- RZEHQH¿WV"²Frantic Mom morial service that was more tra- Dear Frantic: Check the web- ditional. I can honestly say that site for the U.S. Dept. of Veterans I do not remember what anyone Affairs (va.gov) to see whether you ZRUHWRHLWKHU²Carol DUH HOLJLEOH IRU VXUYLYRU EHQH¿WV Dear Carol: Thank you for Then we recommend you contact reinforcing the idea that attend- the Substance Abuse and Mental ing the service is more important Health Services Administration than what you wear. The clothing (samhsa.gov) at 1-800-662-HELP one remembers tends to be outra- for referrals to treatment centers or geously inappropriate and calls local state services for those with- attention to the wearer. Such out- out insurance. But Randall must ¿WV VKRXOG EH DYRLGHG EHFDXVH be willing to go. There are also they distract mourners and can support groups such as Families cause distress to the family. Annie’s Mailbox 5A Tomorrow’s horoscope By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Are your spirits lifting for no apparent reason? Other people are thinking fondly about you, and through mysterious channels this has a way of lifting your spirits. They like you more than you might have guessed. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There is lit- tle more satisfying now than reaping the rewards of efforts you made so long ago that you can barely remember them now. If you’re on a waiting list, get ready, because your name is nearing the top. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You know what your weakness is, but they don’t. All they see is a person building on inherent strengths. Keep this up, and you’ll be pro- moted inside of this year. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Maturity is your strongest asset now. The thing that made you feel afraid, squeamish, embar- rassed or uncomfortable when you were younger will be the springboard for today’s power move. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It won’t feel quite as necessary to give intensely passionate energy to your endeavors as it might have felt yesterday. What makes sense is to em- brace the gentler side of life — to focus less on doing and more on being. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It’s fun to be a part of something, but not when the meet- ings and administration take up more time than the actual endeavor that’s bringing you all together. Reevaluate your involvement. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Chances are you’re not sure what to do. Make the choice that’s going to leave you with the most options later. The others may not like that you’re hedging your bets, but ultimately it 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 will work to your advantage. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When you invest yourself in something, you are giving more than money could ever buy. You are seeding your investment with a life force that will extend beyond you in ways you can’t anticipate. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The thing you wish you were doing is not the thing required of you. It’s the norm for most people, but if you really want those long stretches of hours to devote to what you love, you’ll find a way to make it happen. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It might not technically be your problem, but if you can easily solve it, you’ll generously do so. As for the more complicated problems of others, you’re better off not to get involved. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Imagine that everyone is cheering for you. It’s not ex- actly true, but you do have enough fans to push on to greater heights if you’ll only con- nect with them and let them encourage you. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Most peo- ple aren’t mind readers, but some people are. You’d be surprised what a certain very perceptive person can sense about you without you saying a word. THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 8). On the day you were born, the sunshine streamed into your soul. This year you ra- diate that same brightness and warmth into the souls of others. The next three weeks show you promoting what you love and making a difference. Your glass-half-full attitude will get you hired or appointed in November. Sagittarius and Taurus people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 40, 21, 24, 39 and 11.
