FEATURES
8A
Bad memory hinders game
Dear Annie: Our card game
is in a quandary. We have one
member who is having mem-
ory problems. “Greta” asks the
same rule questions many times.
It hinders the playing and often
unintentionally relays informa-
tion to the opposing players.
We all care about Greta and
would never want to hurt her.
Where do we go from here? It is
the only day available for each
of us, as we all have other com-
mitments. We also know that any
one of us could be next, so we’d
appreciate a solution to help us in
the future. — A Bridge Too Far
Dear Bridge: The slow pace
of Greta’s playing cannot be
helped, so please be tolerant.
Also, has she spoken to her doc-
tor about her memory issues?
There may be things going on
that can be treated. Please sug-
gest it. Meanwhile, can you ask
Greta to whisper her questions
to her partner so that others can-
not overhear? Is there someone
who can act as an impartial assis-
tant? Can you write down the
basic rules on a piece of paper
and place it next to Greta’s seat
so she can refer to it without ask-
ing? Is it possible to alter the
rules to make the game easier
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy
Mitchell and
Marcy Sugar
to follow or so that the informa-
tion passed along is irrelevant?
Would you consider playing a
different game?
Ultimately, the issues you
have with Greta will become
more pronounced as time goes
on, and at some point, she may
be unable to play this game alto-
gether. But it’s a kindness to
allow her to continue as long as
possible.
Dear Annie: My heart breaks
for “The Family Mistake,” the
12-year-old boy whose family
doesn’t appreciate him. Until I
read his letter, I thought I was the
only one who suffered like this.
I’m 55 years old and completely
cut off from my family. I still
struggle with depression, anxi-
ety, anger and feelings of worth-
lessness. I never had any children
of my own because I felt like
they would be “mistakes,” too.
I wholeheartedly disagree
with one writer’s suggestion that
the boy should respond to insults
by saying he will take care of his
parents in their old age. People
said this to my mother and she
groomed me for that caregiving
job, which is what I ended up
doing for 10 years. My older sib-
lings said that justiied my exis-
tence. My life did not begin until
my parents died.
For the irst time in my life, I
have found someone who really
loves me. We will be married
soon. I am inally happy, but I
still have problems with self-es-
teem and depression. The saddest
part is, out of the ive of us, I was
the best student and an accom-
plished musician. I should have
been the one to have children.
Instead, I felt like a servant.
I hope that 12-year-old boy
fares better than I did. — Mis-
take in Cape Cod
Dear Cape Cod: We hope
you will continue with therapy to
build your self-esteem and han-
dle your depression. But we are
delighted that you have found
happiness, inally, and we wish
you the best on your upcoming
wedding. You deserve it.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). When you’re
absorbing everything around you, moment
to moment, as the day passes it’s guaran-
teed that your mind will get cluttered. The
balance of observation and ignorance is
key to sanity, or at least peace.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re eager
to get things moving so you can have some
time off at the start of next month. Are they
cooperating? Maybe not as well as you’d
like, but your polite charms will go far.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Appropriate-
ness will be a major asset if the agenda in-
cludes fitting, blending and being “in.” That
is more important than it seems right now,
although it will certainly be more interesting
to mix it up.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Outgoing,
generous, unafraid — this is how others
will experience you today. You’ll be the one
to talk to. You’re approachable, friendly and
full of usefulness.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Perhaps you rec-
ognize a jealous glance, or there’s another
reason you’ll react quickly to protect what’s
yours. What’s truly yours cannot be stolen.
It is intrinsically woven into your eternal
soul.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). This thing
you’ve earned for your years and years of
dutiful, cheerful, constant and loyal service
will look suspiciously like good luck. Or is it
the other way around? It’s confusing, this
business of “deserving.”
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The wrong
person can say the right thing, and you’re
in such a zone of awareness that you’ll to-
tally get it, act on it, make good and make
a little money while you’re at it.
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). When you
give your word, it means you’ll stand be-
hind it and defend and honor it. You’ll do
what it takes to see it all the way through.
This is the integrity needed most in the
world today.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The
rules of reciprocity do not state that the
giving and receiving will happen in equal
amounts and from the same people. Open
it up and trust in the balance of the uni-
verse.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). What
you need to know in order to make an
informed decision will land in your world
today in the form of a phone call, news
feed or gut feeling that simply cannot be
ignored.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). This isn’t a
day for you to stretch into new zones or en-
courage anyone else to do so. Your talent is
sorely needed. In fact, when everyone fol-
lows their natural talents, everyone will win.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your last-
ditch effort will be the one that catches on.
You won’t know which one it is until that
happens. So don’t stop until your purpose
has caught on.
THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (June 23).
No one wins without a team. The sweet-
ness and kindness of maternal figure will
figure into your success next month. Au-
gust will bring the end of a struggle and
the beginning of a new adventure. At this
turning point you’ve the chance to reinvent
yourself. The financial picture brightens in
November. Taurus and Scorpio adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 13, 2, 39, 45 and
18.