THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016
FEATURES
Tomorrow’s horoscope
Friend worried, but supportive
Dear Annie: A friend of
mine has Type 2 diabetes and
an eating disorder. Recently,
she visited the doctor and her
blood pressure and blood sug-
ar levels were extremely high.
The doctor spoke to her about
the consequences of her diet,
and after the visit, she spoke to
his nurse. She was told that if
she keeps her blood sugar under
200, she doesn’t need to worry
and the doctor won’t be mad at
her.
She came away from the
visit with a determination to do
a better job with her diet. But
within a week, she went back to
eating the “banned” food items.
She tests herself and thinks that
levels in the 190s are OK.
I have been trying to work
with her on her diet. I have
introduced her to better food
choices. I listen to her and
give advice when the oppor-
tunity comes up. I have made
the decision to keep the lines
of communication open by not
criticizing her choices. Is there
anything I ought to be doing?
— The Listener
Dear Listener: Not really.
You are being supportive with-
out enabling. You might ask her
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
to join you in an exercise class
or a morning walk. Physical
activity can help enormously.
And you can suggest that she
contact a dietician for help with
her nutrition, and the American
Diabetes Association (diabetes.
org) for information, resources
and support. The rest is up to
her.
Dear Annie: My wife and I
have been married for 46 years
and have been happy for most
of it.
We recently traveled to
North Carolina to celebrate
the holidays with family and
friends. It was also my 71st
birthday, so it was especial-
ly lovely, and I received some
nice gifts. My wife gave me a
$50 debit card, which I greatly
appreciated.
However, when we were
driving home after the turkey
dinners, golf, shopping, visit-
ing, etc., it was time to ¿ll up
the car. My wife insisted that I
pay for the $29 in gas with my
birthday debit card.
Do you think that was a rea-
sonable thing for her to do? My
wife earns twice what I do. I
always buy her beautiful and
expensive gifts for her special
occasions. — Still in Love
Dear Still: Your wife made
the unilateral decision that the
gift card was for both of you and
should be spent on joint needs.
This makes it less of a gift than
you anticipated, and we agree
that it was unfair. It has noth-
ing to do with who earns more
money. Had you paid for the gas
without using the debit card,
you would have been out the
same $29, but that is beside the
point. Spending it on gas should
have been your choice, not hers.
Does your wife do this sort
of thing often? Speak up and
let her know it bothered you.
Tell her that it is not a gift if
someone else determines when
it is spent and for what. Thank
her again for being so generous
and ask her to please not do this
again.
5A
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Does it feel like
you’re living to get a message, phone call,
email or word at all from a certain person?
Well, that’s no way to live. Take back your pow-
er by not caring.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You are no
longer a passive observer in your group. Your
opinion matters too much. Your observations
are invaluable. Your involvement is immea-
surable. From this point on, you are involved,
big-time.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The light con-
versation and casual questions you ask might
satisfy more than just your curiosity; your inter-
est is likely the attention another person has
been quietly craving.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). There are many
ways to be powerful. Stay aware of the more
insidious ones. Limit your exposure to anyone
who would try to use your fear or weakness
against you as a psychological weapon.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll find satisfac-
tion in hearsay or be captivated in unexpected
ways by a story — fun, but don’t trust it or act
on what might turn out to be false. Small-town
intrigue will likely amount to nothing more than
trivial gossip.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The theme car-
ries over (and will for the next few days). Hope-
fully, you can find a way to delight in the slight
insufficiency you are experiencing, because
others certainly will. You’ll go straight to their
hearts!
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll delight in
contemplation. You can turn an idea over in
your mind so many different ways that you are
certain to find a way of looking at it that no one
has ever thought of before. Share your talent.
Your point of view is needed.
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 do not of-
ten give your unqualified approval, but there is
something you’ll experience today that unfolds
in such a spot-on, perfect way that you cannot
find a single thing to judge negatively about it.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your
imagination is strong now. Steer it well. You can
fantasize your way out of a harsh, emotional
desert and into an oasis lush with love, beauty
and excitement. Or you can dwell on your fear
and be miserable.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). To commis-
erate with someone doesn’t always automati-
cally gladden them, but today it works just fine.
Your manner of connecting with others could
even inspire a miraculous healing. You have
the touch today, so use it!
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There’s
something you’ll do strictly for money. It doesn’t
conflict with your values, necessarily; it’s just
that you really wouldn’t bother if money weren’t
involved. You have bills, after all. Get in there
and get it done.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). People do
strange things when they feel cornered. Some-
times they issue a preemptive strike. Avoid all
that by giving everyone a graceful out, keeping
things easy breezy and letting go of certain ex-
pectations.
TUESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 26). Some-
times it feels like the gap between who you
want to be and who you are is very wide. Not
this year. You’re closing in on it daily, which
makes this a very exciting time. You’ll learn a
new skill in February. You need a mentor, and
the right one comes in April. June and Sep-
tember are the most passionate. Scorpio and
Aries adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9,
50, 33, 28 and 14.