THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017
FEATURES
Not gonna return the honor
Dear Annie: I was at a din- is even engaged yet. No need
ner party with my girlfriends last to start sweating her wedding
week, and we got on the subject plans. Whenever that time actu-
of weddings. Someone we know ally comes, the two of you may
had posted wedding photos on be much closer and you’ll be
Facebook, and it got us talking happy to play an important role in
about all the details — dress, her special day. And don’t worry;
you don’t have to make
location, etc. When the
DEAR
someone a bridesmaid
wedding party was men-
purely because you were
tioned, my friend “Jes-
ANNIE
one of hers. There are so
sica” said, “Well, of
many other factors —
course, I’ll let you girls
the size of your wedding
all pick your dresses
party, whether you have
when I get married.”
sisters,
sisters-in-law
I looked around and
or longtime childhood
thought, “Me? I would
friends to include, etc. A
be one of her brides-
Lane
true friend wouldn’t hold
maids?” I was pretty Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
it against you.
stunned. Jessica and I
Dear Annie: I like to
have known each other
for years, but we only just started read advice columns, but I usu-
getting to know each other one- ally skip the response to the prob-
on-one a few months ago. She’s lem. Invariably, the answer will
a lovely girl, and I am glad we are be “seek therapy,” as if that were
better friends now, but truthfully, some kind of magic solution. Let
I’d feel a little out of place in her me tell you what “seeking ther-
wedding party. More impor- apy” means for me and others.
I live in a small town; resources
tantly, I know I won’t ask her to
be a bridesmaid at my wedding. for therapy are scarce. My insur-
I’m dreading that situation. Any ance does not cover counseling. I
thoughts on this? — Not! Always could, conceivably, drive an hour
to the nearest large city for quality
a Bridesmaid
Dear NAAB: Hold your therapy. I would have then spent
high heels. From your letter, an hour driving there and back, an
it doesn’t sound as if Jessica hour in the appointment — three
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
hours in which I lost potential
wages, shelled out money I can’t
spare and used gas I was counting
on for work.
This doesn’t even address the
issue of getting my employer to
OK my missing work on a reg-
ular basis and the fallout that
comes from being known as an
employee with issues.
Turn to my religious adviser?
Don’t have one. Talk to my physi-
cian — during the 10 minutes he
spares me to write a prescription I
can’t afford?
Combine all these issues for
two people seeking couples coun-
seling and look at the likelihood
of success.
If you detect a touch of bit-
terness in my letter, it is because
it is there. Telling me to seek ther-
apy is akin to saying, “Let them
eat cake.” — Frustrated
Dear Frustrated: Thank you
for this reminder of how diffi-
cult it can be to find mental health
care. Have you tried remote
counseling? Services such as Bet-
terHelp and Talkspace connect
patients with health care profes-
sionals via video chats, text mes-
sages and phone calls. This might
be a more convenient and afford-
able option for you. Be well.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). If a person seems
always either up or down and never balanced,
it’s a sign that you are in for a roller coaster ride
should you choose to get close. People line up
for such rides, which are usually expensive and
brief.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Team efforts don’t
always have to be equal so much as mutual-
ly satisfactory. Sometimes you have to take
yourself out of the equation in order to make
sure that the other person is pulling his or her
weight.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Choose team-
mates who want to win. They’ll help you to vic-
tory. But more importantly, choose teammates
who want to play, who love the game and who
have the will to prepare. Just being around
these types is a win.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ve paid
your dues, and maybe you think others should
pay theirs, too, before they get to enter the
“cool club.” Then again, things have changed
so much since you started. Consider creating a
new policy.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There was a time
when you were intimidated by the prospect of
calling someone you don’t know. Today you’ll
look forward to the surprise and education that
always comes from a fresh contact.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You can
accomplish more. The limitations are in your
mind. Look at the one who is doing it differently.
Study the competition. What do the gurus have
to say? This is an information-gathering period.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). In business, the
bottom line is ROI: return on investment. Why
not make ROI the bottom line in everything you
do today? When you’re clear what you’re getting
out of each action, you’ll choose most efficiently.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You are chasing
an object of affection that is chasing another
object of affection, and this is how love makes
the world go around. Hopefully you won’t lose
heart. Did you notice that you’re also being
chased?
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Make no promises.
Give no quick answers. This especially applies
to feedback. Receive the tips, acknowledge the
tipper and then take time to reflect and assimi-
late the implications.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Today’s cosmic gift
is talent for storytelling. Creative people will be
drawn to your tales. This is could be the start of
a community. Listen as well as you present and
you’re golden.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). No one is fully
formed. You see the potential in others, and
you will also have excellent ideas about how to
direct it. Those are best shared exclusively with
those who ask for help.
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). Which approach
is best? Should you push and drive your team,
or should you lift and support them? Both ways
are valid and needed at different times. Test the
waters. Get a better reading of the situation and
the group.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 2). Your
excitement surges as a gleaming goal appears
within reach. The final 10 percent of the journey
is the hardest stretch. New challenges at work
in March invite you to experiment and play. Sin-
gles meet someone special in June. September
brings physical strength and the willpower to
become quite fit. Taurus and Gemini adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 5, 20, 44, 19 and 28.