THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016
FEATURES
Arguing over the election
Dear Annie: I’ll try to keep over. But I can’t bring myself to
this nonpartisan and just give you do it. Will we ever be as close as
the bare essentials. My sister and I we were? — Family Divided
Dear Family: This election
are both in our late 50s. She’s only
two years younger than I am, and year has done a number on many
we grew up extremely close. We families. Based on what I’ve
went to college together and made heard from other readers, the dis-
agreement you and your
sure never to move too far
DEAR
sister are having is hap-
away from each other or
pening at tables all across
our parents afterward.
ANNIE
the nation.
But she is a member of
It’s entirely possible
one major political party,
— healthy, even — to
and I’m a member of the
love someone who has
other one. The presiden-
different opinions. You
tial election caused a big
eliminate a lot of frus-
strain on our relationship.
tration once you real-
I thought things would
Lane
ize that yelling never
get better after Election Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
changed anybody’s mind.
Day, but they’ve actually
Embrace the relief that
gotten even worse. She’s
unwilling to compromise and see comes with agreeing to disagree.
That said, I’m sure that if you
my point of view, and to be hon-
est, I can’t see her point of view, two made a list of all the things
you have in common, it would
either.
Before the campaign season be much longer than the list of all
started (a year and a half ago), the things you don’t. You’re just
we talked on the phone at least obsessing over the latter. Remem-
three times a week. Now we hav- ber: You were sisters long before
en’t talked in two weeks, and I’m you even knew what a Democrat
worried the distance between us or Republican is. Give her a call
will just continue to grow. I keep today, and talk about your chil-
thinking I should swallow my dren, your health, a good book
pride and tell her she’s right on a you’re reading — anything but
few points (even though I don’t politics.
Dear Annie: This is in
believe it) just to smooth things
response to “Between a Rock and
a Hard Place in Ohio,” whose
13-year-old daughter was invited
to a birthday party at the mall.
A four-hour unchaperoned mall
birthday party for 13-year-olds?
The invited girl’s mother’s con-
cern was legitimate.
I would like to point out that
many malls (at least in my area)
do not allow anyone younger than
18 to wander freely in the mall
without parental supervision, for
good reason. A more organized
party should have been planned
by the birthday girl’s mother, per-
haps with a meal at a designated
mall restaurant and an hour of
shopping and/or a movie after-
ward. That would have been more
responsible. What was the mother
thinking?
And as far as supervision goes,
I once walked into a tea shop and
watched two girls of about that
same age helping themselves to
endless cups of tea while other
shoppers were on standby for a
sample to be provided by the host-
ess. The supervising adult was
present but outside the store on her
smartphone and oblivious to what
was going on — and she most
likely didn’t care. Parents, please
wake up! — A Daily Reader
3C
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re more likely
to keep a commitment to a friend than you are
to honor your own private and personal wish.
This is why, when you really want something for
yourself, you absolutely must get other people
involved.
moves can be counted as progress.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Existential angst
can be alleviated through practical means.
Environmental improvements will contribute.
Maybe this has to do with getting more sunlight
and fresh air. Perhaps there’s a nutritional issue
to be addressed.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Believing
differently from your friend can cause a rift. Well,
it’s not the believing exactly; it’s the expression
of that belief. Diplomacy, softness, warmth —
this is a dance, and you’re a wonderful dancer.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your least-satis-
fying lunch would be the best thing a person in
another part of the world has had in months.
There may be little you can do about that, but a
global view should help your mood, at least.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Once your internal
parent decides what’s good for you, your
internal child will spend a good amount of time
whining, complaining and trying to talk you out
of it. Good parents stay true to their word.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You know
what you want to do, yet you’re not doing it.
Baffling! You may have to trick yourself to get
going. Write down the “when” and “where” in
your calendar. Once in motion, you’ll figure out
the “how.”
CANCER (June 22-July 22). It will take many
hours of research and development to make
an effective presentation. The amount of time
you get to actually present your ideas may be
extremely short: Make it count. Relevant details
go up front.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Give and re-
ceive and receive and give. That’s the way the
day will go. Try not to pay too much attention to
the math of it. Dollar amounts will be particular-
ly deceiving. It’s the care. Focus on the care.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may be inter-
rupted. It’s an opportunity to extend respect
to the other person, even though he or she is
being rude. When you make a mistake, it’s an
opportunity to show poise. Catastrophes are
opportunities to touch your true grit.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A partnership that
drains you is defeating the very purpose of
partnership. Partnerships should contribute to
your sense of well-being. Go get a partner who
shares your goals and complements your skills.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When you come
to the roadblock, you don’t automatically turn
back. Instead, you move laterally until you find
a way through. This is a day when sideways
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
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Socializing with
a friend or partner has its unique challenges.
If only you could telepathically convey the
message “stop talking” or “save me,” it would
smooth the way. Perhaps you could work out
a signal.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 17). Your
intensity will be appreciated by equally intense
individuals. This is a bigger blessing than most
people can understand. Your unique style and
concerns — the one who pays attention to this
will be of particular interest. Weddings happen
in July and October. Family expansion is an
exciting boon of March. Capricorn and Aquarius
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 20, 33,
10 and 50.