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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 2015)
FEATURES 6A Tomorrow’s horoscope Yes to suicide, sometimes? Dear Annie: Every so often, you print a letter from someone who is concerned that a loved one has ex- pressed a desire to commit suicide. Depending on the circumstances, what’s so terrible about that? When you have lived a full life and are in failing health, ending your life certainly seems to be a reasonable consideration for many. You know you are not going to get better, so why not end your life in the most humane way you can de- sign for yourself? Dying is the last thing we do, so we may as well make it easy on our- selves. I’m 81 years old, have been married for 50 years, have two doz- en grandchildren and great-grand- children, am in fair health and live comfortably. Should those circum- stances change for the worse, I know how to end my life success- fully. — But Not Just Yet Dear Not Just Yet: There are already laws in place in three states that permit the terminally ill to has- ten their deaths. If one is not expect- ed to live much longer, and what’s left is mostly painful, we agree that the person should have some con- trol over his or her death. But too many people decide on suicide because they are depressed. They aren’t in poor physical health. Annie’s Mailbox Creators Syndicate Inc. Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar They aren’t terminally ill. They are in psychological pain and don’t be- lieve life will ever improve. Laws must distinguish between those who might be helped through coun- seling or medication, and those whose doctors concur that, medical- ly, there is no future beyond a few months. Anyone who would like additional information can contact Death With Dignity (deathwithdig- nity.org). Dear Annie: I am writing in response to “Anonymous,” who is undergoing chemotherapy and thinks people who want to visit are expecting too much of her to put on makeup, clean her house and shop for refreshments. Recently, both my husband and I were diagnosed with different forms of cancer. Family and friends visited, brought meals, phoned, emailed, texted and more. Typically, I would do all of the things Anony- mous listed to welcome guests into our home, but it was too much. I determined that I preferred to wel- come family and friends rather than push them away. So I might be in nightclothes with no makeup, with my bald head exposed in all its glo- ry. I offered bottled water if I had it. Having the support and love of family and friends lifted us above DQG WKURXJK WKH GLI¿FXOWLHV RI RXU treatments and surgeries. My hus- band is in remission now, and I begin 33 rounds of radiation next week. My advice to those in our cir- cumstances is to consider the ben- H¿WVRIDOORZLQJFDULQJSHRSOHLQWR your world when coping with seri- ous health issues. Feeling the love, and letting others lift your spirits when you may not have the energy to do so yourself is extremely valu- able to recovery. — The More the Merrier Dear More: No one expects a seriously ill person to look great, have a spotless home and bring re- freshments as if you are hosting a lighthearted get-together. You are wise to see that friends and family simply want to spend time with you and provide support. We wish you and your husband complete recov- eries. THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015 By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). There are those who find the treasures of others to be more in- teresting and exciting than their own. If those “treasures” can be stolen or seduced away perhaps they weren’t so precious after all. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Thinking about what you’re going to do may be even more important than doing it today. Visualization will give you stronger intention. It will pump up your energy and it will help you understand the “why” of your actions. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You may do what’s appropriate when you’re around others, but when you’re alone you will bare your soul, examine it, know it, accept it. This practice of coming clean you-to-you is basic hygiene for the spirit. CANCER (June 22-July 22). It’s said that there are no bad jokes, only jokes that are badly told. This point could be argued, but you can’t bother with that now. You’re too involved in figuring out how you’re going to tell your “joke.” LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Styx is the name of a mythological river that runs between Earth and the Underworld. The river is named for a goddess with miraculous power. Today your own miraculous power will be found along the boundary of two worlds. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ve been fantasizing about having more people on your side, and truly this is something you need in order to take your life in the direction you’ve been dreaming about. Get out there; make more friends, and get more fans. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It’s possible that someone is falling in love with you. It’s also possible that this is more atten- tion than you need or want right now, but what’s to be done about it? You’re lovable, FRANK AND ERNEST BLONDIE THATABABY SALLY FORTH PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN B.C. LOLA DILBERT SIX CHIX BIZARRO MUTTS NON SEQUITUR BABY BLUES WIZARD OF ID ZITS ROSE IS ROSE and you can’t help that! SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There are things you write down to remember later, and then there are things you write down to enforce them now. Writing strengthens your intention and focuses your life force. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Sir Win- ston Churchill defined success as “the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” Indeed, your optimistic spirit will attract amazing good fortune. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You are the best witness around now, and if you sus- pect that your version of an experience goes deeper than others, you’re right. No one sees the intricate details the way you do or feels the undercurrents so acutely. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The good experience is your pleasure. The bad expe- rience is your teacher, more valuable and costlier, too. Generally people pay more to be educated than they would pay to be merely entertained. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). As for the one who always seems to call you with some kind of personal agenda, you’re feeling just bold enough to have a little fun with this. Shake it up. Make it known that you see what’s really going on. SATURDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 12). Con- grats — what you’ve been working toward for the last two years is finally happening for you! Save some of that January bonus. You’ll con- nect with others trying to do good in the world and bond over a shared goal in January. The fun new influence in February will also be a part of your summer travel plans. Cancer and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 14, 1, 6, 33 and 50.
