FEATURES
6A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
Catholic family pressures sister
Dear Annie: I was raised in a
devout Catholic family. When my
husband and I married 30 years
ago, we independently decided
to leave the religious fold, but we
never imposed our views on oth-
ers. My eight siblings live within
close proximity of each other, and
I live 3,000 miles away.
Over the years, most of my
family has never missed an op-
portunity to impose their reli-
gious views on me. Even though
I have made it clear that I am not
interested, I am often subjected
to family members sending me
religious material, making off-
hand cynical remarks about my
soul, or cornering me at gath-
erings to coax me back, share
their anger or try to make me feel
guilty.
A few years ago, when my
sister “Louise” and I had a dis-
agreement, I was brutally chas-
tised, told by her and others that
it was my fault because I did
not read the Bible. What is even
more insulting is that most of
my siblings have had major life
problems (affairs, money issues,
fraud, child abuse), but my hus-
band and I have had none of that.
We have welcomed my family
into our home on many occa-
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
sions, treating them to fantastic
stays in our city, which is a vaca-
tion destination.
Recently, Louise sent me a
misleading email, asking what
seemed to be an innocuous ques-
tion, but which was intended to
get me to research material that
would create an “aha” moment to
get me back into the fold.
I have had it with this pas-
sive-aggressive behavior. We are
going to their town soon, and I
know I will encounter Louise. I
want to tell her to stop this non-
sense, but she will play the mar-
tyr and use it against me. What
do I do? — Number Eight
Dear Eight: You are not go-
ing to convince your family, es-
pecially Louise, to stop trying to
“save” you. So we recommend
you stop being drawn in. It’s an-
noying to be sure, but not worth
your time. When they email you
material that you find offensive,
send it to the trash folder. Ignore
the remarks. When they try to
make you feel guilty, respond
politely, “Thanks for your con-
cern,” and walk away. You may
need to limit contact with family
members who are especially dif-
ficult, but please try not to be so
angry. It serves no purpose and
only makes them redouble their
efforts.
Dear Annie: The holidays are
over, but I have a suggestion for
people who don’t know what to
give family and friends next year.
So many people are struggling
with unemployment, underem-
ployment or living on a fixed
income, and prices are rising all
the time. The very best present
you can give is the gift of food
— a gift certificate to a favorite
restaurant or supermarket. Ev-
eryone needs to eat. — Under-
employed and Hungry in Con-
necticut
Dear Connecticut: Gift cards
for the grocery or a local restau-
rant are usually welcome and
appreciated. As you said, every-
one needs to eat and these cards
won’t go to waste. We hope our
readers will keep this in mind.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re apt
to change the game plan fairly often, and
that’s why it will be better to go solo. You
need the flexibility to turn on a dime without
having to explain yourself or lead the troops.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Don’t worry
about the trend. You’re making classic moves
that will cement your place, whatever hap-
pens. If it makes old-fashioned good sense,
it will make new-fashioned good sense, too.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Are you still
trying to draw a tidy conclusion to a messy
problem? Give it up for the day. Here’s a dis-
traction: Put a meal together for your crew
tonight. Share your gift for pairing interesting
flavors.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re enti-
tled to have mixed feelings about anything
at all. Don’t let anyone pressure you into
coming up with a slogan for your emotions.
Un-mixing them into a single phrase is too
reductive.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There’s a change
you’d like to see in another person, and this
is something that could really happen. The
way to get there is to make the very same
change. Your model will inspire and moti-
vate a transformation.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You may iden-
tify with your possessions more than usual
and hopefully this will not cause you to envy
or overspend. Truly, the problem can be
fixed with imagination, not money.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Silence isn’t
golden; it’s worth far more than that today. If
you’re having trouble, know that if you chase
the silence it will always outrun you. It must
be seized unaware when you come upon it.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Remember
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
when you had to give up the thing that was
taking up too much space in your life to be
healthy for you? Well, now a cosmic present
will drop in to fill its place, slim, efficient and
a beauty to behold.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There
are buttons to be pushed and you have
many fingers to push them with. So, what’s
necessary? What’s kind? What’s just for
fun? These are the questions to ask before
you start poking.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll
call; they’ll unleash the minutiae of their dai-
ly lives, including, seemingly, each detail of
every thought that has crossed their mental
landscape lately. Take this as a compliment.
You’re fun to talk to.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Intimacy
can be a rocky field of contradictions. You
need good shoes to navigate it, and per-
haps a walking stick to lean on. A close
friend is ready to hear what’s on your mind
and heart.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You don’t re-
quire constant reminders of your greatness
or tons of reinforcement to feel stable. You
know what you’ve done, what you have,
and, most importantly, who you are, and
this will give you confidence.
WEDNESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 6).
You stay out of the drama, do what’s right
and seize a coveted position in the early
part of the year. Opponents will become
partners in February. March brings the start
of a quest that may take years to accom-
plish and will bring many thrills along the
way. Romance and promises fill the sum-
mer months. Pisces and Cancer adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 4, 10, 15, 7 and 40.