6A
FEATURES
Am I being naive about trip?
Dear Annie: My wife and I are and never be able to stand on your
in our 30s and live next to a very own two feet. A job is a job, and
kind gentleman in his 60s, whose if she enjoys her work and wants
wife passed away four years ago. to see a new city, I don’t see any-
We get along very well with him thing wrong with her going. Peo-
and have been very generous in ple travel all the time for work
looking after him. He has always with their bosses; it doesn’t mean
they’re having affairs.
made his gratitude for our
DEAR
In the future, try not
filling the void in his life
to let your friends’ opin-
very apparent.
ANNIE
ions of your marriage
He hired my wife two
dictate how you should
years ago to come over
feel about something.
weekly to prepare meals,
No one knows your mar-
clean the house and do
riage better than you and
his laundry. He pays her
your wife, so allow the
well.
decisions that you make
Recently, he asked
Lane
as a couple to be made
us whether she would Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
only by the two of you.
accompany him when he
Dear Annie: I would
travels for three weeks on
business to do those same tasks appreciate your comments on
at the condo where he is staying. this situation. I have the power
My wife wants to help him out of attorney for my 89-year-old
while spending time in a city she mother, who has early demen-
has always wanted to see. I agreed tia and is homebound. Her assets
to it with the understanding that should last for the rest of her life.
However, my 64-year-old
they have separate bedrooms. I
am not the jealous or suspicious sister and her two 25-year-old
type. However, my friends think I sons, who are living with my
am being naive and this request is mom and are capable of work-
unacceptable. What is your opin- ing, don’t work, and my sister
has been supplemented finan-
ion or advice? — Torn
Dear Torn: If you listen to cially by my mother all her life,
the opinions of others, you will largely because of poor finan-
always flip-flop on your decisions cial decisions. My sister contin-
ually whines to Mom about her
woes that involve large sums of
money. Mom is so softhearted
that she wants to always give
in to the requests. I continually
share with Mom that she needs
to keep her money for her care,
but she responds as if she doesn’t
care about her own future.
I have shared more than once
with my sister that her drain on
Mom’s money needs to stop.
However, my sister has taken
very few, if any, steps to stop.
About two years ago, I sat with
my sister and made a budget. I
showed her that she could avoid
wasting $1,000 per month if she
would change her habits. This led
to very little change. Any sugges-
tions on how to be sure Mom’s
money will last her? — Worried
About Mom
Dear Worried: What your
sister is doing may be a form of
financial elder abuse and thus ille-
gal. Having power of attorney,
you’re in a position to act to pro-
tect your mom’s finances — and I
suggest you act quickly. The best
course might be for you to take
control of your mother’s check-
ing account. Consult an elder law
attorney in your area. Bless you
for looking out for your mom.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). What if you
believed that there was nothing wrong with
you and you don’t need to improve a single
thing about yourself? In that case, all efforts
are optional — a fun experiment. Any resulting
benefits are a stroke of felicity!
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Even the most
ordinary, worn-in topic can be made riveting
by a skilled speaker, a phenomenon you’ll
experience today when a certain intriguing
someone speaks the plainest, most sparkling
words to you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The game is on,
and there is an unconventional and imaginative
prize at stake. This bit of whimsy is more moti-
vating to you than money or validation from a
VIP. For reasons you cannot explain, you simply
need to win.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). One source
of encouragement is not enough, especially if
it’s a source that’s very familiar to you. You need
more support, and you’ll get it when you branch
out and tell new people what you’re up to.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There are a lot of
questions you could ask yourself to spur the
situation in a better general direction. The very
best question today just might be: “How can I
have the most fun with this?”
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Everyone
feels fragile sometimes. When it’s them, you
have compassion, telling them to take it easy.
Do the same when it’s you. Sure, you’re tougher
than most, but you are also every bit as deserv-
ing of compassion.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re safe —
safer than most of humanity that has ever lived.
The biggest threat to you is in how you interpret
what’s going on. Is it stressful? Sure. But not too
stressful. It’s doable. You can handle it, and you
will prevail.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). How can you
feel more at ease in a situation? Part of it is
just getting to know people better. It takes time,
and it’s worth it. When you’re comfortable, the
charisma kicks in. You get ’em laughing and
loving you.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It really doesn’t matter
where the blame properly belongs. Step up,
assess the situation and begin repairs. If the
broken thing is a relationship, you’ll be especial-
ly speedy and adept at fixing this.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). In the case of
public praise, it’s good to know you’re appre-
ciated. On the other hand, acknowledgement
can kindle unexpected feelings in you, such as
embarrassment. For this reason you’re driven to
do low-key or anonymous work.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your contentment
generates joy in others. Your smile melts hearts.
Who knew it was possible to make such a
difference in the world just by being genuinely
happy?
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Today the passion
you feel for a cause or a kind of work is more
powerfully energizing than romantic fervor. One
action will lead to the next, and soon you’ll be
swept into a dizzying momentum.
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
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 17). Your
best strategy is to come up with one single
goal for the year. Commit yourself and tell
everyone. The more public pressure the better.
Next month brings a wealth of helpful people. In
June you will be called by the energy of a place;
opportunities await. Your family will grow in the
late summer. Libra and Gemini adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 4, 14, 29, 47 and 8.