6A
FEATURES
She’s still feeling abused
Dear Annie: As a child, I kind person. I have spent my life
endured horrible physical and helping others. I have also been in
verbal abuse by my parents. As an counseling since I became preg-
adult, I found myself in an abu- nant, making sure I don’t continue
sive relationship with a man. He the cycle of abuse.
My parents and my son’s
lied to me about having a vasec-
tomy and intentionally got me father have destroyed the relation-
ship between my son and
pregnant to keep me in his
me. Because they spoil
life “forever.”
DEAR
him rotten, he believes
I was pregnant and
ANNIE
everything they say. He
destitute with nowhere to
treats me not based on
turn, so I made the big-
how I’ve treated him,
gest mistake of my life.
but based only on how
I contacted my parents.
my parents and his father
They fed me and made
talk about me. I am dev-
sure I had everything I
astated to have lost my
needed for my son. Over
the years, I allowed my Annie Lane son to them. I have tried
telling him the truth
son to have a very limited
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
about them, but now it
relationship with them,
is too late. I have tried
and I monitored it closely.
I thought I was protecting my son counseling with my son, as well.
by not telling him all of the hor- The therapist did not realize the
rible things my parents and his scope of the abuse, so counsel-
ing failed. Now my son won’t go
father did to me.
Now my son is 18 and has a to counseling anymore. I feel that
very negative opinion of me. He I am still being abused, and I am
moved in with my parents. It turns completely hopeless.
Is there any way at all to get
out that both my parents and his
father have done nothing but bad- my son back? — Hopeless in NY
Dear Hopeless: I’m sorry for
mouth me in every way to my son
for years. They must make stuff your separation from your son.
up about me, because I have never Because he is 18, there is no legal
given them any reason to say bad course you can take here. Time is
things about me. I am a good, the only thing that can give your
son back to you. Focus on your
own well-being, physically and
mentally. Be the healthiest you
that you can be. As he matures
more, he should be able to see
for himself that Grandma and
Grandpa aren’t telling the whole
story.
Dear Annie: I grew up in the
1950s and was taught by parents,
schoolteachers and preachers that
a man isn’t supposed to wear any
kind of head covering indoors.
This was further enforced by drill
sergeants when I joined the Army.
Now it seems that just about any-
where you go, including restau-
rants, there are some men sitting
and wearing hats or caps, even
while eating. Have the rules of
common courtesy changed that
much? I think it looks disgusting.
— Appalled
Dear Appalled: Unfortu-
nately, it’s a custom that seems to
have fallen by the wayside, as fash-
ion and what’s considered accept-
able have changed a great deal in
general. I doubt that the people
who wear hats indoors know it is
rude to do so; perhaps they were
never taught. But I agree with you.
It would be nice if we could lift up
those baseball hats and show them
some manners.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). In the name of
understanding where another person is coming
from, you’ll learn about things that don’t interest
you or you’ll take part in activities you never
thought you would. It will either build character
or the relationship or both.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re going to
change; you’re not going to lose who you are,
though. By arranging the “you” differently, you’ll
appear to be, and therefore experience life as,
someone else.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re in a sweet
position to negotiate, because you don’t really
need the thing you’re bargaining for. Be ready
and willing — almost eager — to walk away
from the deal, and you’ll get the best one
imaginable.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). When others
treat you poorly it doesn’t bring your value
down; it brings theirs down. If this happens,
remain reasonable and rise above it. If, from
that view, you still think a sharp response will
help, apply it mindfully.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ve a new deliber-
ateness to your being. You show up, tune in,
keep flowing attention to what you’re doing and
execute the action like it’s the only thing that
exists in the world moment. For you, it is.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Make your point,
but don’t present it as though it’s the absolute
way and truth. You’ll be more convincing if you
present it as one good option. Bring up the
opposition, if only to prove you understand what
you’re up against.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). These are normal
conditions — no extenuating circumstances
here to factor in. Therefore, what you see is not
only what you get: It’s what you’ll get more and
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
more of. Is that acceptable to you? If not, do
something now.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There are those
who believe that the morally correct thing to do
is that which results in the happiness of the ma-
jority. You know better. Right is right, and wrong
is still wrong even when it’s the popular choice.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). As conclu-
sive as it may be, the evidence that, as of yet,
has gone undiscovered cannot be factored into
your decision. Buy time. Delay the conclusion.
You need to know more. Don’t act now. Better to
wait and see.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Someone is
trying to convince you that the story is neither
true nor false — that the amount of truth it
holds should be enough. Let this be a red flag.
The fuzzy logic won’t hold over time. It’s true or
it’s not. Probably it’s not.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). No more
messing around. You don’t need inspiration or
research or tools. You just need to get in there
and put the hard work in. You can have this
finished in a few hours if you apply yourself.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The commer-
cial world is a messy plurality of objects and
services that is organized, thankfully, into a
monetary system. Today it will help you to
remember that this concept of money isn’t fixed
or absolute. Negotiate.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 25). If you
absolutely had to distill the meaning of life into
one word, your word would be “love.” You’ll live,
give and have so much of it this year, you’ll be
pinching yourself at times to make sure you’re
not in a dream. The new year will bring different
professional opportunities. Leo and Gemini
adore you. Your lucky numbers: 4, 22, 38, 17, 44.