THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2015
FEATURES
Is it OK to give man a ride?
Dear Annie: My husband
and I live in the house where
I was raised. I feel fortunate
that most of my neighbors are
people I grew up with. One
neighbor is a very good friend.
We’ve known each other since
childhood. She is in bad shape
physically and financially, and
does not drive. The grandkids
she raised still live with her.
Neither of them has a car.
The 21-year-old grandson
walks three miles to and from
work every day, rain or shine.
On some days, I drop my
grandson off at school, which is
within a half mile of where my
neighbor’s son works. I offered
to give the young man a ride on
those days when I’m going in
that direction anyway.
My husband feels this is
wrong. He says no one would
approve if he offered to give
the 18-year-old granddaughter
a ride.
Annie, this young man is the
same age as my grandkids (who
I wish had the oomph to walk
anywhere). I don’t know why
it’s any different than when I
take his grandmother shopping
or to the bank. My husband
and I have been married for
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
30 years and have no trust is-
sues. He says it has nothing to
do with trust. It’s just not right.
I’m confused. What do you
say? — M.
Dear M.: We say, give the
kid a ride. We understand your
husband’s perspective and
agree that there is a double
standard here. When Grandpa
gives a young woman a ride,
there is a presumption that he
might be sexually interested
in her and could take advan-
tage. But the same presump-
tion doesn’t hold for Grandma,
probably because society con-
siders postmenopausal women
to be asexual beings and more
likely, that the young man can
defend himself.
However, your husband is
talking in generalities, and
your issue is very specific. You
are not interested in this young
man other than to help him get
to work. If your husband is
worried about what the neigh-
bors will think, he can come
along for the ride. It’s a shame
that we’ve become so suspi-
cious of one another that we
cannot do a good deed without
raising such fears.
Dear Annie: Is it OK to
give money as a wedding gift
to a couple in their early 20s?
We aren’t concerned that they
won’t remember our gift. We
just think that money provides
greater flexibility. Isn’t cash
what most young couples need?
— Wondering in New York
Dear Wondering: It is al-
ways OK to give money as a
wedding gift, and many cou-
ples appreciate it more than
other things. The drawbacks
are that the couple will know
exactly how much you spent
on their gift and that some
people believe a monetary gift
is gauche. Money doesn’t hold
the same sentiment or personal
touch as something that is cho-
sen specifically for the cou-
ple, but according to our mail,
most couples don’t mind that
one bit.
5A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). It’s easy
for you to admit when you’re wrong.
What’s hard, however, is being right and
simultaneously too classy and/or com-
passionate to gloat about it.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re in
the mood to take a financial risk. The
others will protest this investment. May-
be they want to be able to say, “I told you
so” if it fails. Don’t let that stop you. Act
on your hunch.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There’s a
time for thinking, wondering, obsess-
ing — this isn’t it. It’s know-and-go time.
(Also, if you don’t know, don’t go.) The
plan is simple, and if you refuse to com-
plicate it, you’ll win.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You get to
decide who you are. Don’t let your cir-
cumstances impose an idea that you’re
not comfortable with. Take control of the
scene, even if it means you have to bring
your own scenery.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When you
don’t know the answer, silence will help
you. It takes confidence and wisdom to
be quiet, but the truth is that you don’t
owe anyone an explanation or a solution.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Give your
loved one a responsibility and let that
person know that you believe whole-
heartedly that he or she can deliver on it.
This will help you and simultaneously lift
up your loved one.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Promises
are best made in a somber mood or not
at all. Happiness tends to override rea-
son, giving way to bloated promises that
later you won’t want to keep.
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
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Even the
best of relationships benefit from occa-
sional absences. You’ll give space and
time and breathing room what you’ll get
back is affection, fondness and appreci-
ation.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You
have the best intentions and a clever
plan to match. The moment may bring
a different reality than expected. There’s
brilliance in the clash between what you
expect and what you get.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). What-
ever the outcome of today’s interaction,
there’s something good in it. Maybe that
good won’t be so obvious, but it really is
there. Mentally dig around until you find
it.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The
most brilliant ideas will come to you
while you’re driving, showering, walking,
doing dishes or participating in a similar-
ly (relatively) mindless task.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You prob-
ably won’t be able to keep yourself from
hearing untrue rumors, but at least you
won’t spread them. Ignore negativity and
something worthwhile will drop in to earn
the best of your attention.
TUESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 22).
In some part of your life you’ve been in
a position to make due. That’s about to
change with a stroke of luck and a pro-ac-
tive mindset. Next month brings a symbol
of the new you that you can hold. Febru-
ary opens a professional chapter, starting
with a challenge. Your family will expand
in June. Virgo and Taurus adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 13, 7, 19, 2 and 28.