FEATURES
8A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
Mom’s boyfriend is abusive
Dear Annie: In three years, I will
be away at college. I am concerned
because Mom has a boyfriend with a
major anger problem, and he throws
tantrums and gets abusive.
Mom has been in this relation-
ship for a few years, and I’m afraid
when I leave he will do some serious
damage and I won’t be there to pro-
tect her. She has been going to ther-
apy, but it doesn’t seem to be helping.
I love my mother and want the best
for her. How can I convince her to get
away from this man? — Concerned
Daughter
Dear Concerned: It is very dif-
icult for some women to get out of
an abusive relationship, and the lon-
ger they are involved, the more they
believe they deserve to be treated
poorly. It’s good that Mom is get-
ting therapy. She obviously needs it,
and we hope it will help her ind a
way out. We know you are worried
about her, but you are not responsi-
ble for her choices. If you witness this
man being physically abusive or if he
should come after you, call the police
immediately. You also can contact the
National Domestic Violence Hotline
(thehotline.org) at 1-800-799-SAFE
(1-800-799-7233) and ask if there is
anything more you can do.
Dear Annie: Something unac-
ceptable is happening with two casual
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
friends. The man’s wife is in a nursing
home with dementia. The woman’s
husband is in a nursing home after a
debilitating stroke. They are “dating.”
The man has no children and is
fairly low-key with his activities. The
woman, however, is like a lovesick
puppy. Her children are teenagers,
and they seem uncomfortable with
the situation. I know she is lonely, and
I feel sorry for her, but frankly, I am
embarrassed to be her friend. Another
friend tried to talk to her about this,
but she is too “in love” to listen to rea-
son. I know I should MMOB, and
I am, but what is your opinion? —
Momma Do-Rite
Dear Momma: As long as hus-
bands and wives are taking care of
their nursing-home spouses and vis-
iting often, we have no objection to
their spending an evening out with a
friend. We concur, however, that it is
inappropriate for this couple to launt
a love affair, especially since there are
children involved. However, you are
a “casual friend,” so you need to keep
out of it.
Dear Annie: As an ex-wife who
was married for 30 years, I dis-
agree with your response to “Just
Curious,” who asked about attend-
ing her ex-husband’s funeral. You
also referred to the new wife as the
“stepmother.” If the new wife helped
raised young children from the irst
marriage, then yes. But if they were
grown up when Dad remarried, as
mine were, she is simply Dad’s wife.
If the ex was married to this man
and bore his children, then there is a
long and serious connection, and she
should be able to attend the funeral. If
my ex-husband dies before me, I plan
to attend. Out of respect for his pres-
ent wife, I will be as inconspicuous as
possible. But I intend to be there not
only for myself, but to help my chil-
dren and grandchildren through that
time. — Loving Mother
Dear Mother: The word “step-
mother” refers to the woman Dad has
married, whether you like it or not.
The restriction on ex-wives attend-
ing the funeral is if your presence
will cause a disruption and make the
widow stressed. If you are certain
you can avoid that, and your children
want you there, it’s OK to go.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2016
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re terrific
at sniffing out trouble. You can look into a per-
son’s eyes and see the potential for danger, or
walk into a room and feel the level of risk in the
air. These talents will be useful today.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re in the
mood to stop and wonder, which causes you
to consider the origin of everything, including
you. It’s interesting how you got here, but ul-
timately what matters is doing the most with
where you are.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Their behavior
is odd at best, irritating mostly, offensive occa-
sionally. And then there’s you: totally accept-
ing. This is love. This is tolerance. This is the
way to inner peace. This is the way to world
peace.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Comparison,
competition, commerce — these are the C’s
that will rule the day if you let them. This is a
fierce game you’re playing! Rejuvenate this
evening with more C’s: compassion, calm,
centeredness.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There is a strange
communion between you and the natural
world today. The truth is, this dance is always
going on, but you are more keenly aware of it
now. Nature is calling on you to set something
right.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). All things come
and go. Your ease with this is strongly linked
to your moods. Letting things come and go
as they please without posing a resistance to
either side of the equation will free up a lot of
energy in you.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The most effi-
cient way to streamline any task or relation-
ship will be to set it up right from the start. Most
of the work will be accomplished in the prepa-
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
ration stage, which will last for several hours.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You will enjoy
an impassioned, though brief, visitation from
the muses. They’ll part within an hour, leaving
behind a gift — an unadulterated vision. What
you do with it from there is your choice.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There’s
something very seductive about the heated
exchanges just outside of your realm. You do
crave excitement, but at what cost? It takes
maturity to rise above drama and seek your
own happiness.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll be
called to a quest. There are deals to strike to
favor you and yours. In the process, you’ll in-
troduce people who wouldn’t know each other
if you hadn’t set out on this path.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You have the
goods. There’s talent in one of your back pock-
ets; the other pocket is filled with confidence.
You could be the star at any time of your
choosing. But right now there is more benefit
in being a team player.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Regardless of
how nice and positive people may be, it’s still
toxic to spend all your time in the same group.
Change it up. Seek the kind of company that
activates your imagination and motivates you
in new ways.
WEDNESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (May 4). Your
solar return emboldens you to grab at the
things you would have let pass you by only
last year. Your opportunities will multiply as
they are seized. June features someone who
challenges you, makes you laugh and gives
you your preferred brand of trouble. Education
will be your great passion in July. Love signs
are Taurus and Aquarius. Your lucky numbers
are: 4, 22, 31, 9 and 50.