Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 9, 2017)
6A FEATURES Sisters’ kinship deteriorates Dear Annie: I have lived If it were a short trip to see her for within a day’s drive of my eldest a short visit, I think I could man- sister for many years. Several age that. But it’s an eight-hour years ago, as she was getting back trip, and then I would be captive on her feet after a divorce, I went to her rules for a couple of days. to visit for Christmas. I had a great It’s more than I could handle. I time. But after that, things seemed am not really interested in stay- ing in a motel in order to get progressively DEAR to visit. And I have had tenser with each visit. enough of God blessing She started partici- ANNIE my day. What am I miss- pating as a foster parent ing? — Puzzled for infants and canceled Dear Puzzled: First, a Christmas visit to us I don’t think there’s any on short notice because puzzle piece that would she had to look after her click and snap everything first child over the holi- into place along with it. day. I tried to be support- Lane Your sister’s behavior has ive of her new endeavor, Annie Creators Syndicate Inc. very little to do with you but when I asked about and everything to do with the family situation that put the child in foster care, I was where she is on her own path. Perhaps you two could plan a snippily told, “That’s confidential. trip somewhere halfway between I can’t talk about that.” She is hurt that I am ignor- your town and hers. The neutral ing her now. But she has yet to ground might help you both relax. invite us for a visit since cancel- Try engaging her in an open and, ing the Christmas visit several judgment-free conversation. Tell years ago. Email communication her that you’re proud of her for gets twisted, and she doesn’t call committing to taking care of a fos- by phone. She signs her emails, ter child, and ask her how that idea “May God bless your day,” and came to her. Seek to understand. And keep in mind that in the when I told her that bothers me, aftermath of her divorce, your sis- she got very defensive. Even if she were to invite me, ter could have gone in any num- I’m not sure I would want to go. ber of dark directions. Instead, she found solace in faith and charity. Good for her. Dear Annie: I’ve recently read some letters to you about servers in restaurants. Personally, one thing that grates on my ears like fingernails on a chalkboard is when a server addresses me and says, “How are we?” Then he or she asks, “Are we ready to order?” I can’t stand the “we” thing. Servers are not part of our expe- rience, other than waiting on us. Is this something new train- ing includes, or is it a personal choice? I’ve even gone so far as to ask why my server used “we,” but I don’t remember what the answer was. At any rate, I’d sure prefer it if they said, “How are you?” and “Are you ready to order?” — Annoyed Patron Dear Annoyed Patron: Serv- ers’ livelihoods depend on tips, and studies have shown that per- sonable little gestures from a server, such as drawing a smiley face on the check, inspire patrons to leave bigger tips. Warmth is rewarded. So that might explain the “How are we?” phenomenon. I get that it peeves you, but try to empathize with your server rather than be irritated by her. She’s just doing her job. THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017 TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your allies and your adversaries are strong, and ultimately this is the stroke of good fortune that helps you to stay strong yourself. A worthy opponent is a great blessing. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, something that pretty much never occurs naturally. For instance, your personal path will curve, switchback, pitch up and down — but it’s all progress. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Why do you find it so much easier to be wise for others than for yourself? Because when you give advice, you’re not the one who has to follow it. But if you do choose to follow your own advice now, it will lead to fast success. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll celebrate the big events when they come up, but don’t wait for big events to celebrate. The silly, small events will be more memorable. Anyway, why do you even need a reason to revel in all that’s good? LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll be making “notes to self” all day long. It will help you to write them down, or you’re likely to forget. You’re onto something; you just don’t know what it is quite yet. Look at what you’ve cov- ered and where you’re going next. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). No one will think any less of you if you stick to your values even when the cool kids are smoking in the bath- room (or whatever the grownup version of that is). Your integrity makes you more than cool; it makes you hot. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It is better to try and fail than to do nothing and succeed. Take a chance. The more you risk rejection and 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 emotional injury, the easier it gets. The easier it gets, the bigger your life becomes. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There are things you’d like to do that never seem to fit into your schedule. That’s how you know that they are not really the important things. You always have time for what is truly important to you. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Big breakthroughs rarely come — a few times in a lifetime for the lucky. Most accomplishments are the result of incremental efforts, building momentum by chalking up a little progress each day. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your friend- ships will open doors, bring out your best and bring you great joy. As Capricorn President Woodrow Wilson said, “Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.” AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). What holds the skyscraper up is buried hundreds of feet deep in the ground; the taller the building, the deeper the foundation. Be patient with your own building process. You won’t show signs of height so much as depth. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It is easy to mis- take imagination for ego. Both tend to work in the language of illusions and distortions. Much depends on who is at the center of the fantasy. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 2). Let people spoil you like they want to this month, even though you don’t need all of the fuss. They’ll be better off for the energetic invest- ment, and more attached to you, too. A new talent blossoms in March. April brings a move. Love has you doing unexpected things in July. A windfall happens in October. Libra and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 21, 38, 4, 6, and 44.
