FEATURES
6A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
Embarrassing incontinence
Dear Annie: My wife and I
have been married for a long time.
In the last couple of years, she has
developed an incontinence prob-
lem. She seems not to be aware
of how bad it is. She leaves rather
fragrant underwear in the hamper,
and the odor is horrible. If I bring
up the subject, she gets very an-
gry. She is in denial.
I wish I could suggest to her
what her options are, what prod-
ucts are available for this problem
and to wash her underwear more
thoroughly. The odor is so strong,
guests coming into the house can
smell it. Maybe she simply can’t
tell how bad it is. What do you
suggest I do? What do you suggest
she do? This is a fairly urgent mat-
ter. Thank you. — Embarrassed
Dear Embarrassed: Your
wife might be surprised to learn
that incontinence affects more
than 25 million people in the
U.S., and most cases are treat-
able. There are different types
of incontinence: Stress inconti-
nence (leaking when you cough,
sneeze, laugh); urge inconti-
nence (a sudden need to use the
bathroom, usually due to other
conditions, such as an infection);
overflow incontinence (the blad-
der doesn’t completely empty
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
when you use the toilet); func-
tional incontinence (wherein a
physical or mental impairment
creates a problem, such as severe
arthritis that makes it difficult to
unzip fast enough); or mixed in-
continence (more than one type).
We know this is a sensitive
subject, but you absolutely must
speak to your wife about it. She
would be mortified to realize
that others notice the odor. She
might be more willing to address
it with her doctor if you tell her
that incontinence can indicate a
more serious underlying medical
condition. And she might be re-
assured to know that she might
be able to control the problem
through medication and/or pelvic
exercises. For information, you
both can contact the National As-
sociation for Continence at nafc.
org
Dear Annie: My wife and I
are elderly and no longer enjoy
things like fancy candies and
fruit. We have tried to subtly let
family and friends know this,
but they persist, on frequent oc-
casions, in sending us expen-
sive edibles from elegant places,
which we then regift to others.
(This isn’t easy, as most of our
friends are also elderly and won’t
enjoy the epicurean treats.)
We feel that, to be polite, we
must thank the givers. But the
truth is, we would much prefer
that they use the money to make
a donation to charity. Is there a
polite way for us to tell them this
without appearing to be rude and
ungrateful? — Anonymous
Dear Anonymous: We sus-
pect these people are trying to be
kind and don’t know what else
to get you. You must thank them
for thinking of you. But when an
occasion is coming up where you
know they are likely to send you
such things, inform them in ad-
vance that you no longer eat can-
dy or fancy fruits. Say that you
are making a concerted effort to
do more good in your lives, and
if they insist on honoring you,
a gift to such-and-such charity
would mean the world to you.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You do
have an endless supply of excellent ideas,
though it’s best to parcel them out slowly or
you’ll overwhelm the others. In fact, keep
most of them to yourself until you’re sure it’s
the right time.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It’s cute to hit
all of the buttons on the elevator if you hap-
pen to be a child. Adults don’t enjoy all of the
stops and starts, though, and that’s part of
today’s frustration. Take a breath. Children
will be children.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The harsh
and unforgiving feelings have a way of get-
ting wedged in your ribcage. The way to let
them go is through singing or exercise that
gets you breathing deeply and forcefully.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Stunt-per-
formers learn not to fall helplessly. There are
many ways to help yourself through the fall,
work with the momentum of it and experi-
ence a relatively soft landing.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your love is shel-
ter. Those you love feel your protection.
They know that you’ll believe the best in
them, even if they themselves aren’t quite
sure it’s warranted. You’ll be extending the
benefit of the doubt again.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Even though
you know that it’s important to care for and
love yourself, you really learn how to these
days by loving others. Give them what they
need and you’ll suddenly realize what you
need.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Go where the
crowd is. This is an opportunity to delight and
entertain others. Even if you remain in the
audience, you’ll be an essential part of the
experience for more people than you realize.
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). You’re like
a person searching for glasses that are
flipped atop his head. In order to see better,
all you have to do is feel around your head
a little and make a slight correction to put
things back in place.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You
want to show up looking your best, and
this takes more effort than anticipated. Give
yourself the time to work it out. As you get
the external details in order, the inner work-
ings will happen, too.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The star
was born, died and is now the main reason
you’re breathing. Your essence is stardust
and you are even more radiant than usu-
al with so much cosmic power these days.
Use it well.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The sel-
fie has become one of the most popular
and daily ways to face oneself, though it is
perhaps the least revealing of methods. It’s
time to “selfie” your soul again.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You feel that
you could stand to be less selfish and de-
fensive. Couldn’t we all? It’s not a matter of
being a good person or a bad person. Lis-
tening, kindness and patience usually take
practice.
SATURDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 9). Exhil-
arating love at last! Singles thrive with va-
riety; couples bond in adventures. At work,
the VIPs will take notice of your work, but
only after you publicize and draw a crowd.
This, done well, will lead to a raise. June will
bring exciting outings and meaningful social
connections. Family needs your good influ-
ence. Cancer and Leo adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 6, 9, 40, 33 and 15.