6A
FEATURES
Should we make a backup pie?
Dear Annie: For the past
Dear Dessert: Though family
three years, we’ve been hosting is what really creates the Thanks-
Thanksgiving at our house. My giving spirit, pumpkin pie sure
parents used to host it, but they are doesn’t hurt. I think it would be
slowing down a lot, and I didn’t smart, not rude, for you to have
want them to have that burden. I one ready in case Uncle Brian
work full time, and my wife and drops the ball again. To spare his
I have an incredibly busy
feelings, keep it out of
schedule between work
sight until you’re sure
DEAR
and the kids. To make
you need it. If he ends
ANNIE
the holiday more man-
up bringing one, you
ageable, our tradition is
can give the spare pie to
to do it potluck-style. We
a shelter or family who
take care of the turkey;
might appreciate it.
the rest is left to every-
The bigger concern
here, though, is your
one else.
uncle’s forgetfulness.
It’s worked great for
the most part, but the Annie Lane Please encourage him to
Creators
talk to his doctor about
past two years, my uncle
Syndicate Inc.
his memory problems.
Brian offered to bring
Dear Annie: This
the pumpkin pie and
then seemed to forget all about is in response to the letter from
it, showing up at the house emp- “Scared of My Friends,” who
ty-handed. My wife wants to just wrote in about people driving in
bake the pie herself this year, but their 70s when they shouldn’t.
Uncle Brian is again insisting we My son lives with me, and we
let him do it. In fact, he seemed share driving. He is quick to tell
pretty offended when we brought me if I do something wrong, but
it up. He’s a bachelor, 75 and he has not suggested yet that I am
recently retired, so he has a lot of a poor driver.
I think the problem comes in
time on his hands.
Would it be rude of us to have for some people my age when
a backup pie ready in case he for- family members don’t live
gets again? I don’t want to insult nearby or if public transportation
is poor. In addition, often no one
him. — No Dessert
wants to confront the elder about
losing that independence. Often,
when family members are near or
visit, they do all the driving and
never ride with the elder, so they
have no idea how bad the situa-
tion is.
With most of my friends, I
always offer to drive, and they
are happy to let me. I have added
“blind spot” mirrors to my car.
Because I am a registered nurse,
I have given driving tests to
my doctor to use during phys-
ical exams. They check cogni-
tive ability and reaction time (for
example, walking 10 paces, turn-
ing and walking back in 10 sec-
onds or less), in addition to the
usual eye exams, medication
questions and flexibility tests.
But so far, these have not been
used. Although my state makes
people older than 75 renew their
licenses every year with an eye
exam, that is the only require-
ment. I have watched people
who are stumbling renew their
licenses without a question by the
examiners. This is an issue that is
not being addressed, not only by
family members but by the DMV
and medical professionals. Who
is willing to be first? — RN in
Her 70s
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2016
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). To some extent
you believe as your peers do, though you also
have private beliefs that you don’t share often.
It’s a joy when a like-minded person comes
along with whom you can converse frankly
and honestly.
fixed. Change will begin with an inspiration.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Watch your
words, especially the ones you tell yourself.
Keep it sunny. It does you no good to assume
that when bad things happen it’s “just your
luck” — especially today, when fortune is truly
smiling on you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Since it
requires setting aside self-interest and being
guided by curiosity, the person who really
tries to get inside the head of another is few
and far between. You do it so regularly you
don’t even realize how special you are.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). As for that prob-
lem you’ve been unable to solve — it’s time
to approach it from a theoretical place. Think
bigger. Ponder the philosophy that’s causing
the pain. Then put those thoughts aside and
try once more for a practical fix.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). To endear
yourself to a mentor or to serve a potentially
wonderful customer very well would be the
very best use of your efforts today. With your
natural charms, this shouldn’t be hard.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Montaigne
wondered if he was playing with his cat, or if
he was a toy to his cat. You may feel similarly
toward a love interest today. It’s something to
stay aware of as the week progresses.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You could say
that, when it comes to relationships, you have
an impeccable sense of rhythm. Every rela-
tionship needs closeness and space. You’ve a
knack for sensing the right amount of each.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). How is
needless fear and anxiety avoided? Scientists
worldwide are paid ‘round the clock to sort
this out, and yet the solution may be quite
simple. Identify which fears are “needless”
and focus elsewhere.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re not the first
one with this problem. It’s been experienced
by kings and slaves, poets and politicians and
saints. The solutions have been written down
through the ages. Seek the wisdom of the
ancients.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). To believe in the
probability that something wonderful will hap-
pen is often the cause of something wonderful
happening. And if you never lose that belief,
then you can never be wholly disappointed.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Use what works
for you. It doesn’t matter where the item
comes from, what matters is how well you can
apply it to your life for the outstanding results
you’ve been wanting to achieve.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You do what you
do because you are who you are. Then again,
all that will change when you do different
things and become someone else. Nothing is
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
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 22). If
laughter is a jog for your insides, then you
could be an marathon runner with all the hu-
mor training you get this year. Smart friends
and adorable children love how you make
them laugh and they will spar with you often.
The deal you strike in January will favor you
for years to come. Invest in August. Capricorn
and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers
are: 30, 45, 28, 15 and 40.