Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (June 8, 2016)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016 FEATURES Shower guest appalled at demands 5A Tomorrow’s horoscope By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. Dear Annie: I just received a baby shower invitation that makes me feel more like a fundraising tar- get than a loving family member. I have hosted or attended at least 20 baby showers. There have always been games and prizes. This shower will include a dia- per rafle, so that means an “entry fee.” Attendees are excluded from the game if they don’t pony up a package of diapers. They have also asked for a book instead of a card. I am an artist. I always create per- sonal drawings on handmade paper tags as my card, but now I have to get a book. And then, of course, a gift from the baby registry is expected. This mother-to-be is inancially better off than my husband and I, so it’s not as though they can’t afford diapers. It just seems greedy, rude and tacky. If I choose not to partic- ipate in the pay-per-play events, I will not only feel left out, but will be viewed as a cheapskate. I might add that we never received a thank-you note for the $400 wedding gift we sent sev- eral years ago. When did it become acceptable for a celebration of new life to become a crowdfunding event? — Appalled Invitee Dear Appalled: It has never Annie’s Mailbox Creators Syndicate Inc. Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar been acceptable, but it hasn’t stopped people from trying. And this one seems particularly demanding — books, diapers and gifts. Diaper showers have become popular as a way to help the new parents stock up on this particular necessity, especially since the cost is minimal and often considered the shower gift, as well. You are not obligated to do everything that is asked of you. And should you decide to bring a book and diapers, consider the cost of those items to be part of your overall budget for the shower and choose the gift accordingly. Not receiving a thank-you note for your wedding gift is, sad to say, not uncommon for those brides and grooms who lack consideration for others. Dear Annie: I read the let- ter from “Save Your Feet for the Beach,” whose co-worker likes to walk around the ofice barefoot and the managers don’t comment. You said the reader should point out that she could pick up all kinds of germs or step on a staple. The managers would likely have something to say if their workers’ compensation insur- ance or liability insurance com- pany was aware that anyone, at any time, was without shoes in the ofice. This is an avoidable hazard and if the co-worker were injured due to being barefoot, the manag- ers would care plenty. Of course, the reason she goes barefoot is a separate subject. If she needs a second pair of comfortable shoes at the ofice, she should keep them there and stop putting herself at risk. — V. Dear V: Thanks for the input. Other readers pointed out that this could be a board of health viola- tion, leading to ines. When you hit the owners or managers in the pocketbook, they tend to pay more attention. No matter how uncom- fortable your shoes may be, it is completely inappropriate, unpro- fessional and dangerous to walk around barefoot in the ofice. It is not your home. Bring something else to put on your feet. ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll have power over the situation this afternoon. Given the choice, the others will opt for the status quo. If you don’t like the status quo, then don’t even give them that choice. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You will place an order that waits in line with a whole lot of other orders. You’re not the priority, and yet you’ll move quickly up the queue when you say the magic words. Those words will have to do with making that person feel better about his job. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When greeted with questionable stimuli, your first response will be not to respond. This will buy you time. And ultimately, never responding will be one respectable way to go. CANCER (June 22-July 22). There’s something in the way you communicate with your loved ones that cannot be duplicated by any other person. You’re special. Know this, and expect your people to keep coming back for what only you can deliver. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Progress doesn’t always look like stepping forward. Some steps backward are inevitable in the whole pattern of a journey, and therefore they are to be considered progress as well. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Chances are that you’ll dig your heels in. You’re still get- ting used to where you are. You’ll move when you’re good and ready and send the signals that tell people to proceed with caution. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You throw out proposals and ideas, asking the others not to get too attached, which of course makes them all the more interested. You take the pressure off of them and they respond by put- ting some on you. 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). The affirma- tions you give yourself will have special power. Touch back on your intention. Rid yourself of any cross-purposing activity or even thought. Once you decide what to do, tell yourself that it’s as good as done. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The con- trol freak in your life is just trying to do some good in the best way that he or she knows how. What? Is that control freak you today? Well, who would blame you? The world hasn’t been entirely supportive after all. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Less try- ing and more doing — that’s the order of the day. In fact, anyone who is “trying” will go on your radar as being a potential problem for you down the line, whereas those of pure in- tention make things happen. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You will ben- efit from solitude. It will, in fact, fill up your heart and feed your soul. The only trouble is, it’s hard to get. If you’re thinking about others, it doesn’t count as having a moment to yourself. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). “No judging” is usually your policy, so it’s interesting when you get put in a position where judgment is your job and the best way of helping those around you. You’ll take this responsibility seri- ously and be quite fair. THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (June 9). The first six weeks of this solar return will have to do with helping someone dear to you. In the end, the benefits of your benevolence will be so much greater than you ever could have imagined, though it will be a long time before this boomerang comes back to you. A change at work will push you higher in September. Aquarius and Leo adore you. Your lucky num- bers are: 5, 20, 1, 11 and 15.
