FEATURES
6A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
Stuck in a cold marriage
Dear Annie: When I met my
husband many years ago, he had
just returned from Vietnam. His
mind was shaky, and he was a chain
smoker and a serious alcoholic. We
have maintained a comfortable,
peaceful relationship. I could not
tolerate drunkenness, so he stopped.
But what seemed left was an unaf-
fectionate, unemotional robot. He
has never hugged me, held my hand
or actually kissed me (only quick-
ly, during our silent, intimate mo-
ments). Compliments? Never. He
never bought a ring for me, which
not only is embarrassing but also
makes me feel as though I have no
value to him.
He is kind to the children, pro-
vides meagerly but adequately, and
makes no waves. We simply exist. I
settled for this and it would hurt too
many nice people for me to go my
own way. But my point in writing to
you is to save other women: Think
before getting involved with a cold,
unfeeling person.
Counseling is out. We never
have a conversation. I truly believe
his lifelong chain-smoking has
affected his mental and physical
health. — Too Little, Too Late
Dear Too Little: We wouldn’t be
so quick to blame the chain-smok-
ing. While it has undoubtedly af-
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
I understand how important each of
the very few days available for deer
hunting is to a fellow hunter. “Left
Out in the Cold” said her husband
Creators
misses holidays and Mother’s Day
Syndicate Inc.
because they interfere with hunting
season. She didn’t say how far away
Kathy Mitchell
her husband travels to hunt.
and
If he is not too far, he could
Marcy Sugar
perhaps hunt close to home in the
morning and return for Thanks-
fected his health, it is more likely giving and Christmas dinner later
that his experience in Vietnam (and in the evening after legal hunting
possibly his upbringing) had a great- hours. However, if he is unable to
er impact on his emotional health. compromise and insists on missing
Many of those who have served in holidays, then I suggest that she just
wars suffer from PTSD and nev- go to the relatives without him and
er asked for or received treatment. enjoy herself without giving him a
Your husband could be one of them. second thought.
I have to say, the only time I
We’re not going to give you a
lecture on expecting an unaffection- could justify having Christmas
ate, robotic man to change once he postponed would be if an important
marries. It’s too late for that. And family member were in the service
of course, if you could get your or in the hospital. Sounds to me that
husband to visit a nearby VA to ask “Left Out’s” entire marriage might
about PTSD counseling, that might need some professional interven-
be tremendously helpful. But you tion. — “Dear” Beats “Deer” Any-
are the one who wrote. We think you time
Dear Anytime: Compromise is
deserve better. The fact that leaving
him might cause “nice people” to be always possible, but only if both
hurt is not a good enough reason for parties are agreeable. When one
you to make such a lifelong sacri- person is not, the other has the
¿FH *HW FRXQVHOLQJ IRU \RXUVHOI choice of changing one’s situation,
DFFHSWLQJ ZKDW FDQQRW EH ¿[HG RU
and see what choices you have.
Dear Annie: I am a hunter, and being perpetually upset.
Annie’s
Mailbox
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your ruling
planet, Mars, is more than the planet of ag-
gression, survival and war. He also governs
the protection of resources, especially food.
Today you’ll do your part to set you and yours
up for future bounty.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). While the oth-
ers are busy gabbing about what they think of
each other, you’ll be following your curiosity
to bigger and more meaningful topics, mostly
having to do with ideas instead of people.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Whether or
not you are looking forward to that big event,
it’s going to happen. You may as well get
psyched up for it. A fellow fire sign (Leo or
Sagittarius) will help in this regard.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). All it takes is
a smile and an encouraging word to boost
team spirit. They may want you to volunteer
for more responsibility. You are not obligated!
Lost objects will turn up tonight.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re a fast study.
Too fast, sometimes, because you get it on
the first try and expect that it will always hap-
pen like that. It won’t. In order to do things
better the second time, you have to do them
a second time.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Is someone
trying to control you? It is very unwise for any
to attempt this, as your bristles are serious.
You’re in the mood to resist authority and
delve deeper into a strain of independent
thought. Go with it and you’ll be lucky.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Perhaps you
don’t even like the admiration you secretly
feel for that roughish someone who, for all his
or her wicked ways, still manages to win your
affection. Alas, your heart has its own rules.
The question is, what’s next?
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’s like your
battery hasn’t quite kicked in and you might
have to push this car some to get that motor
running. Helpful friends will push you. Once
you get it moving, it’s smooth sailing.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It’s only
natural that the others are thinking of their
own stories instead of getting things right in
yours. That’s why it’s imperative that you stay
in charge on your end. Get on your own side!
It’s not selfish!
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll give
the others a sense that you are confiding in
them, and this charges the relationships with
a special, private energy. Whether or not
these are really secrets you’re divulging is
another matter.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). For the spe-
cific job of the day, you have no real compe-
tition. This is you, doing what only you can,
and doing it at the highest, most unique level.
These are all reasons to keep your eyes on
your own page.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The spot-
light swings to you, sets you aglow in a way
that makes you feel like the star you are,
and then, only moments later, moves again.
That’s why you have to seize the moment
when it’s on you!
FRIDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 29). You know
that unfulfilled dream you were seriously con-
sidering giving up? Well, not so fast. You just
weren’t ready before, but you’re getting there
now, and when you apply yourself in Feb-
ruary, a new development will make you so
happy you hung in there. Abundance comes
in March; romance in June! Scorpio and Li-
bra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 28,
45, 33 and 41.