FEATURES
8A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
Is overworked wife abused?
Dear Annie: I’d like to know
if this is considered spousal
abuse. A young couple become
born-again Christians. The hus-
band decides he wants to go back
to school to become a minister.
He quits his corporate job and
moves his family out of state. His
wife supports him and the chil-
dren for four years as best she
can. He graduates and “just can’t
¿nd the right job.´ He volunteers
two days a week counseling peo-
ple.
In the meantime, they are
barely getting by. They don’t
have enough money to send the
kids to college, and they can’t
afford their daughter’s wedding.
The husband has decided not to
get a paying job because he’s
doing “*od’s work.´ He sleeps
late every day and spends hours
on the computer writing religious
blog posts. His wife works full
time and does the cleaning, shop-
ping and all household chores.
I think this is emotional abuse.
What do you think? — Con-
cerned Relative
Dear Relative: We think this
is not your business. When cou-
ples make decisions about who
brings in the money, it’s between
the two of them. Even if his wife
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
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Kathy Mitchell
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Marcy Sugar
doesn’t like it and is unhappy,
that doesn’t necessarily mean it is
abusive. Only unequal and frus-
trating.
Every marriage is different.
What is intolerable to you may be
manageable for her. We agree it
would be worrisome if she feels
trapped and unable to change
her situation, but you do not in-
dicate that this is the case. There
are scholarships, grants and loans
available for state and communi-
ty colleges, and a wedding can be
punch and cake in the backyard.
Please don’t project your feelings
onto her. She may think her mar-
riage is perfectly ¿ne. If you are a
close family member, talk to her.
Ask how she’s doing. See what
the situation is. If you believe
counseling is needed, she may
be amenable to discussing things
with her clergyperson. And if she
gives you the impression that
her husband is controlling all the
money or her access to family
members and friends, please urge
her to call the National Domestic
Violence Hotline (thehotline.org)
at 1-800-799-SAFE.
Dear Annie: What do I say
to people who tell me to smile?
The reason I don’t like to smile
is because my smile is ugly and I
look horrible — like I’m making
a face. How do I get them to stop?
— A Daily Reader
Dear Reader: Well, you
could grimace and then maybe
they’d stop asking, but here’s a
different suggestion: If you are
embarrassed by your smile, see if
something can be ¿[ed. Often, it
is as simple as seeing a dentist,
or practicing in front of a mirror
until you can manage something
natural. It’s also possible that you
think you have a terrible smile
when, in fact, no one else is both-
ered by it.
Folks who are ashamed of or
concerned about their smiles are
often self-conscious to the point
where it interferes with their so-
cial life. This puts you at a tre-
mendous disadvantage. There is
no shame in making your life bet-
ter. Please see what can be done.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Often, kindred
spirits are those with whom you share many
similarities. In today’s case, well, you don’t re-
ally have much in common, but your compli-
mentary energies will bring both of you luck.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Sure, you
need attention. But not as much as some-
one close to you needs help. So your needs
will be overshadowed by the more pressing
ones of the moment. Don’t worry. Your time
is coming.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You don’t take
yourself too seriously, and it’s apparent in
the way you interact today, unafraid to say
what crosses your mind even though many
wouldn’t dare state the truth in the matter.
Someone could fall in love with you for this.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You never
want to bother anyone, however it’s appro-
priate to ask for help. You’re really not putting
anyone out to do so. In fact, you’ll be provid-
ing a service. Others need to give, too — so
take your turn in the receiving line.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ve caught
beauty in ugly places. You’ve carved self-
worth out of criticism and neglect. You’ve
found freedom and authenticity in a con-
trolled, artificial environment. For these rea-
sons and more, celebrate yourself.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). With the lunar
light pumping up your attraction quotient,
you’ll get more attention than you’re comfort-
able with. It will feel nice at first, but soon you’ll
need to apply it to a higher cause.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When you can
experience conditions without commenting
on them: That’s higher evolutionary human
stuff there. Your stoicism will be admired to-
day.
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). It is said that
youthful enthusiasm can be put to better use
by the elderly. You certainly won’t regret in-
dulging in today’s bit of immature fun. While
you’re at it, why not go all-in?
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). As
much as you would love to know everything
about your chosen subject, there is simply
too much to fit into one lifetime of study. Just
know that you’ll build for the next generation.
This will be handed down through the ages.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). They will
buy the idea. They will buy the way you de-
liver it. They will buy you — or at least that
part of you that can be bought. Consider this
your lucky day for conveying your important
creations.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There’s a
spiritual fire in you, one that was lit by the
match of love. As it is with most matches, the
thing that sets it ablaze is friction. Don’t be
afraid of that. Don’t back off. Lean into it.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There is an
exact right time for everything, and yet you
cannot know exactly what time it is, because
if you concentrated too much on the impossi-
ble logic of time, you’d miss the window. This
is something that can only be felt.
WEDNESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 27).
You are what you believe yourself to be,
also what your loved ones, colleagues and
others believe you to be. It’s not that you’re
wishy-washy; you’re quite the opposite. You’re
strong and clear, versatile and capable. Ex-
pect many remarkable experiences, some
even magical. February brings epiphany;
May brings love, and July brings money. Vir-
go and Leo adore you. Your lucky numbers
are: 45, 39, 1, 22 and 19.