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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 23, 2015)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 FEATURES Tomorrow’s horoscope Brother taking advantage of mom Dear Annie: After my dad died, my mom went to live out of state with my brother and his wife. My brother took control of everything. He convinced her that she was in- capable of making her own deci- sions and had her open joint bank accounts that he has full access to. 5HFHQWO\ 0RP FRQ¿GHG WKDW she has no idea why she can never get over a certain amount of sav- ings in her account. She knows she should have more money put away, but fully trusts my brother and will not confront him about it. My brother has also pushed me out of my mom’s life. He will not let me visit her or allow her to come to my home. I am lucky if I get to speak with her once a day on the phone. My children miss their grand- mother and can’t understand why there is such a drastic change in her behavior. Family is just not family anymore and the holidays seem sad. I don’t know what to do. My brother and his wife want nothing to do with their niece and nephew. Please help. — Missing Mom Dear Missing: While it’s pos- sible that your mother simply doesn’t remember what money is being put into her account, it is more likely that your brother is Annie’s Mailbox Creators Syndicate Inc. Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar taking advantage of her — espe- cially if he will not permit you to visit. This is very worrisome. If you believe your brother is being abusive toward Mom, either by stealing her money or prevent- ing others from checking on her, please contact Adult Protective Services in the city where she lives or get information on local state resources through the National Center on Elder Abuse at www. ncea.aoa.gov. Dear Annie: I read the letter from “Lonely Not Lusting,” the 80-year-old woman who went on a date with a man who seemed nice, but who grabbed her breast when saying goodnight. It reminded me of the comments that my doctors always make after my exams. I am in my 80s and single. Both doctors always ask if I’m sexually active. Then they warn me to make sure that my partner has been to his doctor and been tested for STDs. This is the age of Viagra and a large percentage of their practice is devoted to men with STDs, es- pecially those living in assisted living and senior residences where the women greatly outnumber the men. The men I have been with lately think we women are all just waiting for them to ravish us. How stupid can they be? Please consid- er educating people on this sub- ject. — N. Dear N.: According to the CDC, the incidence of syphilis among seniors is up by 52 percent, and the number of chlamydia cas- es has risen 32 percent since 2007, many of these cases in retirement communities. The increase is at- tributed to living longer, healthier lives, along with the accessibili- ty of erectile dysfunction drugs. Many seniors seem to believe that if pregnancy is not an issue, con- dom use is unimportant. But as we get older, our immune systems weaken, making seniors much more susceptible to being infected. We commend your doctors for discussing STDs with you. Medi- care offers free STD screenings for seniors, and low-cost treatment for those who need it. 5A By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). The ones you’re around will make up the games, but they have no idea the warrior-competitor you are. Whoops! Major whoops. At best, the result will be laughs. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re doing something. People notice. People respond. Sometimes it’s favorable, but not always. When it’s not favorable, take refuge in the earlier fact. You’re doing something! Many aren’t. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re not typically drawn to the fire, but doing some- thing a little bit dangerous will exhilarate your mood today and favorably affect those around you as well. CANCER (June 22-July 22). People are expecting you to deliver a product, service or presentation. Something new is going on inside you — you’re not even nervous. It feels like all your life has prepared you for this. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Savor the day. The best things will happen as you move slowly through, always inching forward, nev- er standing still. Your allies will be Sagittari- us and Aquarius. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Sleep has reset your subconscious mind. What didn’t make sense yesterday is now so clear. You’ll act on the information and make good. Take a picture; this is one for the album. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Once upon a time you gave up too quickly, only to find out that if you had hung on for a short while longer your would have succeeded. Now you have the determination that only expe- rience can teach and the tenacity to see it through. 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). Should you settle an old score, or write it off? The sure part is that you have to do something because this problem is taking up way too much mental space. A truthful and brief conversation will put the issue to rest. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). For every echo there is an origin. You are the origin. Be careful what you say. Even your utterances will have resonance. It’s a power not to take lightly. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Sure, you would prefer to be in charge, steering a project to its glory. Since that’s not always possible, especially considering the politics at play in your current situation, you’ll try hard to be adaptable. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll com- municate in an open and effective manner and this will relay more than you would have thought. In fact, you’ll probably have to re- wind to figure out what exactly you said. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Kindness is an under-rated glory these days. Luckily, in the case of this cause, you’re a leader. Rate it high and the others will do the same. You’ll start a wave, and who knows whom it will affect? THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 24). You’ll be inspired by a fire sign (Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius) this year. Who do you give your heart to? That’s the question that will haunt the early months of 2016. You’ll make a decision and be ready for the February adventure. June is your chance to make a difference in the world, probably done in a small gesture. Gemini and Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 8, 2, 19 and 7.
