6A
FEATURES
Situation that’s not a comedy
Dear Annie: For the past two ing out to them because he knows
decades, my life has been an episode his mother was wrong.
of the sitcom “Everybody Loves
I tried writing my father-in-law a
Raymond” on steroids.
letter but got no response. His alien-
My mother-in-law has made a ation hurts me more than anything
wonderful grandmother, but she has because I can’t believe he would
constantly criticized my weight, my go along with this. I know she will
hairstyle, what I feed my
never apologize, but how
DEAR
children and how I dress
do we rectify this if they
continue to ignore phone
and discipline them. She
ANNIE
always does this out of ear-
calls, cards and letters?
shot of her husband and
They are elderly, and I am
son. I have kept my mouth
afraid something will hap-
shut to keep the peace, and
pen and my husband will
I respect my dear father-in-
live the rest of his life with
law and husband too much
regret over this. — Daugh-
to tell her off and cause a
ter-in-Law in the Middle
Annie Lane
family rift.
Dear DIL: The thing
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
about sitcoms is that no
Six months ago, she
matter how bad a family
got a Facebook account for
the first time. She wrote something feud is, everything is neatly restored
rude about another family member, by the end of the 30-minute time
not knowing everyone could see slot, and the studio audience issues
it. We went over to show her how a collective “aww.” If only.
Your husband has the biggest
to remove it and explained that the
whole world could see her inappro- role here. Encourage him to set his
priate comment. She got defensive (justified) anger aside and pay his
and called me hurtful names. I called parents a visit. No matter how big a
her a troublemaker and walked out. drama queen she is, it will be hard
She hasn’t spoken to me since, for his mother to slam the door in
and neither has my father-in-law. He the face of her baby boy. Once he’s
was not even there, so I can’t imag- made amends, he can help smooth
ine what she told him. My husband things over for you, too.
I’d also like to say that your hus-
was there and knows I didn’t do or
say anything wrong and is not reach- band and in-laws are lucky to have
you. You are a tolerant and caring
person. Major props for holding the
family together.
Dear Annie: The other day, you
published a letter from “Senior in
Connecticut,” who is discomforted
by public workers who call older
patrons “honey” and other such
terms.
If I may offer a view from the
other side: Public servants, as we
might be referred to, are often sub-
jugated to these terms, as well. As a
young woman in the public work-
force, I am often subjected to older
men calling me such names.
I have been told, as you offered,
that it’s more of a personal prefer-
ence to be called by these names or
not. As you can probably guess, it
makes me incredibly uncomfortable.
Just like “Senior in Connecticut,” I
interpret these names to be deroga-
tory and demeaning, not flattering.
A good solution to both of our
problems might be this: Don’t call
someone by one of these names
unless you are sure that the person
is comfortable with it. Asking cer-
tainly never hurts. And to those who
are shaking their head and disagree-
ing, saying that it’s “harmless”: Is
respecting someone else’s wishes
really that much of a burden on you?
— Disgruntled Public Worker
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). There’s so
much on the agenda, and if you write it
out and attack the items one by one you’ll
get through most of them on this incredibly
productive, high-energy day.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). To be con-
cerned about what an attractive person
thinks of you is a trap. You are most attrac-
tive when you base your thoughts, feelings
and motivations on your own self-respect.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You wouldn’t
readily categorize today’s task as “fun,” but
since you have to do it anyway, you’d do
well to try to find some novel aspect to it.
While looking for something fresh here,
you’ll accidentally delight.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). It’s becoming
clearer that in order to effectively complete
the job, you need the right tools. Timeliness
is crucial now. Invest in the knowledge and
resources you need to be successful.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You want to help
your loved ones, and yet, if you do it all
for them, you’ll rob them of the pride of
accomplishment. Settle back and watch
a while. Only help when they’re really and
truly stuck.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It’s one of
those days when you find it easy to appre-
ciate your bountiful life. There’s no reason
to reach out for more because as you tend
to what you have, more reaches out for
you.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You want to
know what people are thinking, and you’re
not afraid to ask. What you learn will help
you get yourself or your product aimed for
maximum popularity.
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 tempta-
tion exists to let hype replace action. Don’t
let the talk get ahead of you. Too much talk
and you feel you’ve already done the thing.
The task becomes boring in comparison to
the talk.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Before
you take it too seriously or accept it as the
truth, think of social media as a perfor-
mance, and one that most people deliver in
the most flattering of theatrical lighting.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There’s
something in this day that makes you ner-
vous, and that, while uncomfortable, can
be turned into a big plus for you. This is just
the right level of challenge to strengthen
your emotional resolve.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You want
the new chapter to start, but it can’t yet.
These ideas haven’t been explored to their
natural conclusion. Go for closure. The oth-
ers involved need it just as much as you do.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The lasting
impression won’t be about what you wore
or how you did your hair. The lasting
impression is the one that causes the other
person to feel. The deeper the feeling, the
more indelible the impression.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 6). You’ll
enter an arena ripe with potential this year.
The first decisions you make will set a tone
and you could even be paid or friended
based on the dynamics of the first few days.
February brings a transformation; June
brings travel. Joyful family events will serve
as markers reminding you just how far
you’ve come. Aries and Leo adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 8, 40, 3, 22 and 18.