6A
FEATURES
Eager to reveal a secret
Dear Annie: My love and I are such an intimate secret with you
both about 70 years old. My love, shows that she really trusts you.
“Marjorie,” belongs to a commu- Why isn’t that enough? Do you
nity service group, which she has really need to hold something over
been in now for 30 years. Her hus- Arthur’s head to feel good about
your relationship?
band died four years ago.
It sounds as if you have some
Marjorie dated “Arthur,” who
deep-seated
insecurity
is from her community
DEAR
issues that have nothing
group, for a year. They
to do with Marjorie or
broke up, and about four
ANNIE
Arthur. Reflect on that and
months later, we started
try to feel more comfort-
dating.
able in your own skin. If
When Arthur and Mar-
you let jealousy drive your
jorie separated, they agreed
decision-making, you’re
to keep each other’s secret.
headed for a wreck.
He is addicted to pornog-
Dear Annie: I dis-
raphy, and she is a member
Lane
agree
with your reply to
of Alcoholics Anonymous. Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
“Senior in Connecticut,”
Every time Arthur and
who asked you to weigh
Marjorie see each other at
weekly community meetings or in on those who address senior cit-
social events, Arthur thinks Mar- izens as “honey,” “sweetie” and
jorie is protecting his secret and other such terms. You replied,
putting it above our relationship. “It’s all in the tone. Yes, it can be
I want to tell Arthur, politely, that demeaning and rude.” But you also
I know the secret, thereby making said that the words are “terms of
our relationship first and the secret endearment” and that one should
second. Marjorie will not let me do “take into account the speaker’s
intention.”
it. What to do? — Angry
When I am called “hon” or
Dear Angry: Simmer down.
Marjorie is right. You should abso- “sweetie” by people I am seeing
lutely not say anything to Arthur. in a professional capacity, such
She probably shouldn’t have told as medical personnel with whom
you about Arthur’s issue in the first I have no close relationship, they
place. But the fact that she shared have no right whatsoever to use
“terms of endearment” with me.
And a supervisor has no business
using such terms with employees.
“Terms of endearment” are just
that — terms reserved for those
close and dear to us. I would never
dream of calling my doctor “dea-
rie.” What gives him the right to
think he is free to call me that?
The practice is rampant now-
adays, and it is nothing but rude
and demeaning. Those who have
let themselves adopt the habit
of using such terms need to stop
immediately. Period. These peo-
ple should ask themselves, “Would
I address the first lady or president
in that way?” If the answer is no —
and I pray no one would do such
a thing — they have no business
addressing someone with whom
they do not have a close relation-
ship in that manner, no matter the
person’s age.
When strangers call me those
offensive words, I either call
them something like “snookums”
in return or say, “I prefer, if you
must address me, to be called (my
name).” But most have no clue
why I’m offended and continue to
do it.
It will never not set my teeth
on edge. — Seething in the Great
Plains
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). It’s hard to
imagine that the ability to move and the free-
dom to roam could ever get old to you, but it
will. It’s the boundaries, rules and obstacles
that keep it fresh.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Historically, the
attention of an important person has made
you feel brilliant, special, vivid and amazing.
Now, if you could only re-create that feeling
without the external stimuli. Today’s fulfilling
pursuit may be just the ticket.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). No one has a
golden life; everyone has unique challenges,
and that particular loveliness that you wish
you had is not the happily-ever-after it ap-
pears to be. But if knowing that doesn’t make
you want it less, go for it.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Figuratively, it’s
like you’re pointing to the moon and they’re
looking at your finger. Don’t worry, they’ll
catch on in time. For now, be patient. Maybe
stop pointing. Gaze and admire and they’ll
look, too.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When you’re too
good for too long, it’s as though your virtu-
osity is a feather tickling under the chin of
a sleeping party goblin inside who wants to
break out and do as the wild things do.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It’s not about
doing OK anymore; it’s about doing better
than your Facebook friends. To be happy,
either stop comparing yourself or get more
diversity in your social media feed so there’s
a fuller range of comparisons to make.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your loved ones
need help balancing the basics of sleep,
good nutrition and exercise. If their energy
dips, poor decisions and troublemaking will
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
happen. Lead by example and the day will
bring many high points.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Money and
your ability to earn it — that’s what’s on your
mind today. What can bump you into the next
level? The answer will be both financially and
personally fulfilling.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Though
spiritual fulfillment is where it’s at, dealing
with your physical environment is how to get
there. Cleaning and organizing will be a most
effective form of meditation, and the benefits
will be immediate.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). An amaz-
ing thing will happen once you release the
need to be impressive and important: You’ll
get a rush of energy you can apply toward
making a difference in the world.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). If you could
tap your life with the magic wand of trans-
formation, where would you apply it? Today
you could turn a hobby into a business, a
friendship into a romance or one positive
behavior into a habit.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The current
drama will not wash over like a wave. It’s
more like a riptide with its own agenda. Your
choices: Resist and get carried away, or
swim parallel to the shore and eventually
you’ll find your way out of it.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 8). Your
charm will win you opportunities and your
work ethic will turn them into lasting bounty
for you and yours. Adventures with one
special person will be featured in March and
June. Your bank account will swell in May.
Taurus and Gemini adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 4, 25, 11, 28 and 37.