THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017
FEATURES
Friend’s behavior changes
Dear Annie: I have a friend drugs. If I call her, it may take a
named “Paula.” At least I think she’s week or more before she calls back.
my friend. We met in nursing school She’s been divorced three times.
in the 1980s and have hung out ever She won’t watch one particular TV
since. But for almost a year, she’s show because it reminds her of her
second husband. She won’t watch
been acting odd.
We like to go out for Chinese another show because it takes place
in the city where she lived
food at least once a month.
DEAR
with her third husband and
She often calls at the last
it reminds her of that. She
minute saying she is sick
ANNIE
doesn’t like a certain coun-
or didn’t get to sleep till 4
try singer because the sing-
a.m. or some other excuse.
er’s name is similar to the
It recently took her over a
name of a woman a boy-
month to get over a stom-
friend of hers left her for.
ach virus. But she was well
I know she’s on meds
enough during this time to
for depression, but they
go to a church retreat two
Lane
don’t seem to help. What
hours away and meet with Annie
Creators
Syndicate
Inc.
can I do? She won’t let me
her sister. She said she
in her house, and I know
stayed in the room a lot.
Prior to this trip, she had been in the why. I can smell the cat and dog
emergency room with an IV because feces from the porch. She was never
like this. Please help. — A Con-
she had gotten dehydrated.
She has a bad hip, and instead of cerned Friend
Dear Concerned: You’ve been
using a walker, she uses two canes.
The most recent time we went friends with this woman for about
out, we decided to shop a little. She 30 years, so the sudden flakiness is
is germaphobic and won’t drink out cause for concern about her well-be-
of a water fountain. She tried to go ing, especially in light of all the other
into the employee lounge of the erratic behaviors you mentioned.
store to get a soft drink. Thank good- She may be suffering from demen-
ness the employees who stopped her tia (of which hoarding is a symp-
tom), depression or another condi-
were nice, and one got her a drink.
She acts so erratically at times tion, such as obsessive-compulsive
that I wonder whether she’s on disorder, which also causes hoard-
ing. (Visit https://iocdf.org for more
information.)
You can’t handle this situation on
your own. Enlist the help of her fam-
ily and/or of professionals. Encour-
age her to seek and accept help.
She is not mentally well right now,
and she may not take kindly to your
involvement, at least not at first. But
it’s the right thing to do, and she’s
lucky to have a friend like you.
Dear Annie: This is in response
to “Nancy Across the Way,” who is
fed up with how the young mother
across the street yells at her kids. I am
not advocating yelling, but as a mom
of two young boys, I can identify
with how difficult it is to be on time
in the morning. Additionally, there is
much involved behind closed doors,
and the mom may live with mental
illness in some aspect. I am married
to someone who has a mood disor-
der, and most days are very difficult
for our family. Most folks who live
with this are isolated and have few
friends. My advice to the neighbor is
to help this mother reduce her isola-
tion. Offer support instead of judg-
ment. Perhaps Nancy could take her
focus off the yelling by baking some
cookies and giving this mom a word
of support. It would speak volumes
and probably make Nancy feel bet-
ter, too. — In Peace and Hope
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). The current
speed of time is one second per second. Try
to stay inside of that, as one might stay inside
a car on the freeway; speeding through and
yet simultaneously rather still. TAURUS (April
20-May 20). Amp up the importance of your
goal. If it’s important enough, you’ll relate all
decisions to the ultimate vision of that goal.
With everything you do, you’ll ask: Does it get
me closer?
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll spend part
of the day figuring out what is best for the
health and development of another person.
It’s not so easy to forget all about you and
really feel life as the other person might. This
is love.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You take a
personal approach, perform with fluidity and
leave your audience (whether it be one or
100) thinking: “Who was that, and how can I
get more?”
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Cognitive dissonance
isn’t something people experience in times of
crisis. To some degree it’s the constant. Our
brains are wired to continuously deal with
internal disagreement. Humor helps. Parts of
today will be absolutely hilarious.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You can’t help
whom you prefer, though of course it’s only
natural to want to spend more time with
the one who inspires a warm and reflective
feeling in you and less time with the one who
makes you work in some way or another.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When you know
you don’t have much time for a task, you tend
to give it your deep, full attention. This is why it
will help you to set a strict time limit on things
that don’t naturally have one.
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). There’s a
reason why videos of funny dogs and cute
kittens are the online refuge of children from
ages 1-101. We could all use a little levity
and softness in our experience. None will be
immune to this need today.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Change
always comes at a cost. Lose this, gain that
— this is the balance of life. The best is when
you wind up trading something you can no
longer use for something you can (like what
happens today)!
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The old
way is safe, comfortable and familiar. It’s also
boring you to tears. You’ll come up with a new
way. Give yourself the best chance at being
accepted by privately working out the bugs
before presenting.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The best perk
about seeing new places in the world is that it
enables you to finally see your homeland for
what it is. Contrast is necessary for percep-
tion. It takes two eyes to see depth.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Making things
too easy for the other person is actually not
very nice. This why “no spoilers” is a good pol-
icy, and it’s also why you should never give an
unwrapped gift. The prize is in the discovery.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 18). You
take an active role in your environment. Your
every interaction is a kind of creation. People
insist you join them, stating, “It won’t be the
same without you,” and they’re right. You’ll
work in different groups and take home two
victory “trophies” by April. Heartfelt promises
will be exchanged in May. Leo and Pisces
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 1, 42,
9 and 38.