FEATURES
6A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2015
Woman mad at uncaring sister Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: I am one of six sis-
ters. We are all adults with children
of our own. One lives in New Jer-
sey and the others live in Florida,
three of us in the same city. My sis-
ter, “Claire,” lives two hours away.
Three years ago, she was diagnosed
with breast cancer. With good doc-
tors and care, she has successfully
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battled the rounds of chemo. So far,
she remains cancer-free.
Four of us did whatever we
could to help Claire during this
time. Two of my sisters worked
remotely so they could help with
her medical appointments. Even
my sister in New Jersey offered to
stay with Claire. Only one sister,
“Pam,” never helped, and in fact,
never even acknowledged the can-
cer or wished Claire a speedy re-
covery.
The problem now is that four
of us are empty nesters and we
vacation together once or twice a
year. We have been doing this for
more than a decade. But family
isn’t only for the good times. If a
person cannot care about her sister
when she is ill, then I don’t think
she should be included when we
go on vacations. We always stay
in timeshares, which I own. I don’t
invite Pam on these vacations, but
Annie’s
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another sister does. I can’t uninvite
her without creating a rift.
Annie, I don’t want to vacation
with Pam, but feel the choice is out
of my control. I would appreciate
advice from a disinterested party.
— Sibling Dilemma
Dear Sibling: Are you sure
you want to do this? The conse-
quences could turn out to be more
distressing than worthwhile. An
estrangement hurts you, too, and,
as you said, will create a rift be-
tween all of the siblings. We know
Pam deserves your condemnation
for acting so uncaring toward her
own sister, but have you asked her
about it? Did you say, “Pam, I am
so disappointed and angry that you
cared so little about Claire that you
couldn’t even wish her well”? She
needs to know how upset you are
and why. She may have some ex-
planation for her callous behavior,
and even though it will hardly be
good enough, we hope you will
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it in your heart to forgive her. It’s
so much better than holding onto
your anger.
Dear Annie: I read the letter
from “Snowbird Driver,” whose
friends refuse to let her drive when
they are going out for dinner. The
one thing that was not mentioned
was alcohol.
We have many friends who
gather together for cocktails before
leaving for dinner at a restaurant.
With a cocktail or two before, and
several drinks at the restaurant,
they may well be driving under the
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their way home.
I live in Florida and see this sit-
uation often. If the neighbors do
not drink themselves, they might
feel terribly uncomfortable driving
with anyone who has had a few. I
agree with your answer about treat-
ing them with a gift card or dinner
out in order to reciprocate. Howev-
er, the real reason for their reluc-
tance to share driving responsibil-
ities might be too many cocktails
imbibed by the driver. — Sarasota.
Dear Sarasota: You could very
well be right. Thanks for mention-
ing the possibility.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Decisions
that appear to point to a permanent result
actually do not. That’s good news. Now you
can just choose in a lighthearted, carefree
manner. You can always change your mind
later.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Resist the
temptation to try hard to be liked. You’re
already liked. Encourage others to share,
and then say very little. Confidence, real or
pretend, is the secret to today’s win.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The choices
you make today are based on the educa-
tion you got long ago. Realizing this will
help you appreciate, understand and have
compassion for the choices and history of
another.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). From the
small choices of diet or dress to the major
life decisions, put yourself first. Yes, other
people’s needs matter. But you tend to for-
get that you’re the only one who can live
your life. Do it for you.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When you feel
the impulse to share what you’re going
through, trust it and unload your feelings.
The others need to hear this and will be
processing what you’ve said through the
night.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Maybe your
problems are trivial. It would comfort you to
think so, anyway. It’s a good excuse to take
in a sad drama about someone’s extremely
difficult life. Whatever you can do to put your
worries in perspective will help.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Remember
when you didn’t think you could do it, but
you tried anyway and ended up with a feel-
ing of accomplishment and new skills to
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
boot? Well, that will happen all over again.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Life is so
much easier when you act in the optimum
moment, i.e., the very moment the impulse
rises up in you. It’s not true for every day,
but today your timing is stellar!
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your
popularity rush has started (thanks to Ve-
nus) and you’re already starting to give the
world another side of you. They see you as
courageous, even though you’re just doing
what comes naturally.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The
vagaries become clear as you ask more
questions and track the answers. Even
more revealing will be the answers that are
not forthcoming. Pay attention to the gaps.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Should
you blend or should you pop? Neither will
win you the chance to participate. Instead
of thinking in terms of blending in or stand-
ing out, think in terms of fitting and you’ll do
just fine.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). With all of
your grand plans, there’s no time or energy
to waste in harboring resentment. The easi-
est way will be to cut your losses, but if you
can’t take it that far, go in for a short, sweet
negotiation.
WEDNESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 30).
It’s a year for trying things a new way. The
next six weeks will bring financial opportu-
nity, sweat and a bag of money. In March
you’ll benefit from getting out of the driver’s
seat of a relationship to let the other person
take the wheel. A flurry of social activity will
culminate in a summer project destined for
greatness. Pisces and Scorpio adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 4, 17, 2, 19 and 36.