6A
FEATURES
The other side of the law
Dear Annie: I bet you’re sur- you throwing light into dark situa-
prised right now, and I don’t blame tions with the flick of your tongue
you. I know it is not an every- and would appreciate some help.
day type of thing to receive mail — Confused in California
Dear Confused: You are so
from an inmate. I read your sec-
tion of the newspaper every week young, and I promise you that the
and have to admit that it’s pretty world is so much bigger than it
seems right now. You can
interesting. I’m a 19-year-
DEAR
still be whoever you want.
old man currently residing
And I think that deep
in this lovely facility, fac-
ANNIE
down, a part of you does
ing four years and eight
want to change, or you
months for robbery and
wouldn’t be writing me.
possession of a controlled
The most important
substance for sale, with a
factors will be the peo-
gang enhancement and a
ple you surround yourself
bail enhancement. I stress
with and the help you seek
about my case often. That
Lane
in your first year out of
has nothing to do with the Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
prison, especially during
amount of time I’m serv-
the first few weeks and
ing, because I can do that
standing up; all I’ve got to do is months.
There are a number of resources
count my blessings and tell myself
that there are people in here who for people in your shoes in Califor-
aren’t ever going home. But sadly, nia, such as the Men of Valor Acad-
there’s a possibility of my join- emy (510-567-1308) and the Cen-
ing them because I’ve taken two ter for Employment Opportunities
(510-251-2240). Please don’t give
strikes at such a young age.
I know I have to change my up on yourself.
Readers: If you have been in
ways, and I wouldn’t have to worry
about anything if I did, but I’ll be a similar spot and turned things
honest: I won’t change. I chose this around, let me hear from you.
Dear Annie: This is in response
lifestyle, and it’s all I know. I don’t
want to change, either. I just want to “Mrs. in Minnesota,” who is
to know one thing: Do you think offended by her daughter’s friends
I’m wrong? I’m so confused. I see using her first name — even
though the friends are now adults.
Here in the South, we have a
custom that works well in this situ-
ation. From the time we are young,
we are taught to call adults “Mr.”
or “Miss” followed by their first
names. For example, my children’s
friends always called us “Mr.
Albert” and “Mrs. Linda.” Even
though my children are now in
their 50s, I am still “Mrs. Linda” to
their friends, as well as to any other
people in our small town who are
younger than I am. This is so much
more personal than being called
“Mr. Smith” or “Mrs. Smith.” A
more familiar approach makes
sense in small towns because we
often see each other every day.
One funny example: A man in
town was “Mr. Jim.” Mr. Jim had
a son we called “Little Jim.” Mr.
Jim is now dead, but his son is still
“Little Jim” to everyone. In the
local restaurant recently, a waitress
was calling him to the telephone
and called him “Mr. Little Jim”!
I just finished up serving 40
years in our local government. I
served as mayor for the final few
years, but I was still addressed by
everyone in town as “Mrs. Linda.”
When people called me “Mayor
Smith,” I knew they were from out
of this area. — Affable in Alabama
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Seize the op-
portunity to meet new people. On the surface
you may not have all that much in common.
A little effort is all it takes to go deeper. What
you’ll learn from this is that you’re more alike
than different.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). If thoughts
were furniture, a few timeless pieces deserve
the prime mental real estate you give them.
Then there are some broken down, archaic
pieces that you would do well to move on out
and replace.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Everything will
be better with a little preparation, especially
those things that you usually wouldn’t have to
prepare for — a casual conversation with a
friend, for instance.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). To know
someone very well, so well that you’re
comfortable with this person in a myriad of
situations — it’s a wonderful feeling. Plus,
making efforts toward this end is nothing but
pleasure.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). People will
respond to your respect. In fact, it’s the most
motivating thing you can do for another per-
son today — respect the efforts, the attitude,
the person’s expression in this world.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You heard the
music before, and now you can’t hear it. But
this is not cause for alarm. The songbird has
not flown away. The songbird is inside you
always. It just needs to, once in a while, rest
its voice.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Don’t let other
people’s opinions knock you off your game.
Someone else’s judgment doesn’t have to
be unsettling; uncertainty could, in fact, call
forward your best self. It’s all in your interpre-
tation.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your imagination
gets an injection of color. It’s like a brand-new
ink cartridge in your printer, ready to flesh out
some vivid imagery for you. Dream that you’ll
make it. Dream big and dream wild.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It’s not enough to
have an opinion. Anyone can do that. But to
have an opinion that’s thoroughly and unique-
ly thought out — you really admire the person
who presents you with such a thing today.
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
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You may
find yourself thinking harshly of a situation. It
doesn’t make you a bad person. It’s natural to
have a whole array of feelings, some darker
than others. Just watch your words, is all. You
can’t take them back.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Some have
trouble saying “no” while others are afraid to
say “yes.” Everyone is different. Set up those
personal rules again, and this time, make
sure they are catered to you.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). How can you
take the relationship to more-splendid levels?
You will accomplish this aim, mostly because
you have the creativity, curiosity and moxie
that it takes to ask this question.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 13). You
will accept people who felt unacceptable,
love those who exhibit unlovable behavior
and emotionally support individuals who
might never reciprocate. These exercises in
exemplary character would be pure selfless-
ness if they didn’t happen to make you rich in
every conceivable way this year. Cancer and
Taurus adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3,
30, 12, 24 and 48.