THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016
FEATURES
5A
Siblings favor one over the other Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: Several years
ago my brother-in-law died. He
had been married to my older
sister for 50 years. They had no
children. She did not want to
live alone, nor did she want to
live with a roommate. In order
to solve the situation, I sold my
home and bought a duplex where
she could live in one unit and I
would live in the other. This ar-
rangement has worked out very
well for both of us.
Here’s the issue: My siblings
never visit with me, even though
they often come to see my sister.
I always learn of their visits after
the fact, when my sister tells me
about them in conversation. At
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of consideration to take a few
moments to say hello to me, at
least periodically. But then I re-
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to who they would visit and who
they would not.
If I happen to be at my sister’s
place when one of my siblings
stops by, I am always very cor-
dial. I spend a social amount of
time in conversation with them
and enjoy their company. I do not
overstay my visit in order to al-
low them time to visit with one
another.
gest they visit you when they
are at her place. You and your
siblings seem to have a rather
detached relationship and there
Creators
could be any number of reasons
Syndicate Inc.
for it, but you won’t know unless
you ask them directly whether
Kathy Mitchell
there is any way to close the dis-
and
tance.
Marcy Sugar
Dear Annie: Can you please
explain the difference between
They have never communi- unconditional love and enabling?
cated with me much, and I have I see so much enabling in the
accepted this as the norm. I have name of love. — Frustrated
Dear Frustrated: Uncondi-
reached out in the past to call
them and sometimes go to their tional love means you love some-
homes to visit so that I am not one regardless of their behavior,
accused of failing to remain in while not necessarily condoning
contact. But it doesn’t seem to be what they say or do. (For exam-
ple, your daughter steals from
reciprocal.
I harbor no ill will toward you. You are angry about it and
WKHP DQG UHDOL]H WKDW , KDYH QR no longer trust her, but you still
control over their behavior. I’m love her.) Enabling is acting in
simply confused as to why this a way that allows the loved one
situation developed. I continue to continue behavior that is dam-
with my life and my friends, hop- aging either to himself or to oth-
ing someday I will understand. — ers. (You make excuses for your
alcoholic husband when he’s too
Bewildered Sibling
Dear Bewildered: You could hung over to show up for work.)
A lot of folks can’t tell the
ask them why, when they are so
close to your home, they do not difference. And it is often easi-
stop by to say hello or phone er to be an enabler than to hold
ahead to have you join them at someone responsible for their be-
your sister’s. You could also ask havior. But “easier” is the wrong
your sister why she doesn’t sug- choice.
Annie’s
Mailbox
ARIES (March 21-April 19). The compli-
cated problems of the past look simple in
retrospect. Remembering one of them should
help you maintain a healthy perspective on
the current situation. Keep affirming to your-
self: I deserve to be happy.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Regarding to-
day’s challenges: Good fortune follows your
decision to depend solely on yourself. If others
come through, it will be a cherry plus sprin-
kles on your sundae. Just don’t count on it.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When you like
someone, you plan, scheme and put your
most imaginative energy to the task of delight-
ing that person. Someone will do the same for
you today.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Just because
someone is in charge doesn’t mean that per-
son is the right one to get something done. If
you’re feeling it, take it on. Passion and drive
matter more than authority and power.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your lucky number,
five, has resonance now. In fact, it will help
you to plan your day in five parts. For major
productivity, pick an amount of time and stay
focused the entire duration of the cycle. Keep
your energy contained.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ll probably
come to understand that you don’t yet have
the skill necessary to get the job accom-
plished in the way you would like to see it
happen. Rest assured that there are plenty of
resources available for your education.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Forget the com-
petition and run your own race. Whatever your
last “time” was, you’ll be able to beat it today.
That said, there is far more that matters in this
than the numbers.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your best
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
idea will be highly implausible. That’s why per-
haps it’s better not to share with all of those
reasonable people you know who care about
you very much. This one is between you and
your heart.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). When
you assert your personal rights, you are also
asserting your human rights. In some way it
will count toward the evolution of humanity. If
you knew the rest would be profoundly affect-
ed, what would you do?
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You re-
spect them; they feel it, and they respect you
back. But when it’s time to hash out the con-
tract, other elements (lawyers, maybe?) could
complicate things. Keep reminding yourself of
the original goodwill you built up.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). As sound as
an opportunity may be, if you’re not excited
about it, there’s nothing good that will come
from taking it. Leave it on the table for some-
one who will be genuinely thrilled to take ad-
vantage.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You want
something done. You want it changed. You
want it working in a totally different way with
completely different results. You’re in the mood
to overhaul, but wait: All that’s needed, really,
are a few tweaks.
THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 14). You
put people first — before money, power
or anything material. In choosing this, you
choose your soul. Your excellent judgment
and a few stellar decisions will make this
year one for the ages. Destiny will be cast in
February. Your beautiful smile will attract love
and friendship in March. Libra and Sagittarius
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 22,
18, 4 and 16.