THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017 FEATURES Putting on shoes and socks Dear Annie: Is there a right shoe ends up on its correct foot, order and a wrong order for put- you’re doing all right. However, ting on one’s shoes and socks? I if any of my readers feel strongly find that on most days, I put on about the one-sock-one-shoe both socks and then both shoes. method, I’d love to hear from you. Dear Annie: I’ve wanted to The other day, I put on one sock and one shoe and then the other write to you for a long time. I want to tell you my story. I am sock and other shoe. I DEAR a 52-year-old man. I have remember a scene on the never married and have old TV show “All in the ANNIE never even been in a seri- Family” in which Archie ous relationship. In my Bunker and Meathead late teens, I was put in the were getting ready to go position of being care- out. Archie noticed that taker to two family mem- Meathead had put on one bers who were unable to sock and one shoe, and take care of themselves. Archie asked him what Lane When I was in my he was doing. Why didn’t Annie Creators Syndicate Inc. 20s, I made two attempts he put on both socks at looking for love, and first and then the shoes? “I like to take care of one foot at both times ended with my get- a time,” Meathead says. It was ting hurt very badly. After that, I really funny. (The clip is available realized I had too much baggage on YouTube, titled “Archie Bun- to ever appeal to a woman, so I ker — A Sock And A Sock And A stopped looking and settled in to my role as family caretaker. The Shoe And A Shoe!”) But I am wondering whether years — and the decades — went any polling company has ever by. About four years ago, both done a survey of how people put on their shoes and socks. — Curi- family members whom I was car- ing for died within only a few ous in Klamath Falls Dear Curious: Don’t know of months of each other, and I am any survey, but I suspect that most alone. I have thought about look- people dress in the order Archie ing for love again, but I don’t even does. In my view, as long as each know how to go about it anymore. So I am resigned to being alone for the rest of my life. I have been in and out of therapy over the years and been on and off anti- depressants. Nothing has really helped. I have gotten involved with a couple of community groups over the years but haven’t really made any close friends. I guess I’m not really writing for advice; it’s too late for that. I am writing to tell people to try not to be so judgmental about the socially incompetent guy over there who often keeps to him- self. You don’t know his story, and he might be really nice if you took the time to get to know him. — Lonesome Dear Lonesome: I am so sorry for the loss of your loved ones. Bless you for taking care of them. But the fact is that it’s not too late for advice. You are only 52 years old. You still have decades of life that can be full of love if you so choose. Don’t look for someone to blame for your current state. Instead, focus on the present. Sign up for online dating sites, and don’t let the sting of one rejection — or even 10 — paralyze you. There is a woman who will love the way you’re “different.” 5A TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Whether or not your position is official, you and all around you sense the same thing; you’re a leader now, and you’ll press on with confidence (that you may not actually feel) to show others the way. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Today, all speaking will be public speaking, or at least you should consider it as such. Stay on point. Even if you’re only telling one person, craft your message as you would if it were being broadcast wide. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Another one of those trials that test your mettle will be featured. Sure, you could do without this inter- ruption of routine. Then again, since you know that the conflicts and inconveniences are what keep you on your game, you’ll gladly take it on. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your water-sign nature will be amplified as your feelings flow with what’s around you in a way that feels as destined as the river that rushes over obsta- cles and cliffs to get to the sea. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Letting go of worry seems harder than it should be. But you crave a peaceful, easy feeling, and you’ll have it. Whatever it will take to align yourself with the highest and best in your nature, you’ll be willing to do it today. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Maybe you used to think of a certain person as your adversary, but things have changed. You’re not working at cross-purposes anymore; maybe you never were. You’ll be partners in seeking a solution that’s a mutual win. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You got the feeling you were doing the right thing, and that intu- ition will prove accurate. You will have sublime success if you stay on this course. All you have 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 to do is keep putting one foot in front of the other and continue on this path. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll be visited by a ray of hope, or rather, you’ll be heartened by the ray of hope that was always there, just hiding behind some cloud cover for a while. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There are many difficulties and challenges in the creative process. There are fears to overcome, skills to acquire and risks galore. Yet, in the end, it’s creating that brings you the greatest joy and satisfaction. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If just one person feels more loving and accepted today because of you, you’ve made a difference in the world. And if that one person happens to also be you, it still totally counts. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Much will be requested of you. Just because it’s doable doesn’t make it reasonable or advisable. Stand up for yourself. Don’t accommodate others at the expense of your own comfort and well-being. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Blaming another is a waste of time. Blaming yourself is also useless. Think in terms of cause and effect. You can find a quick solution when you skip the emotional baggage that comes with blame. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (March 22). You’ll hear praise from many corners over the next 10 weeks. You’ll be asked to join a person or group in an arrangement that excludes other options. Think carefully; take your time. Lifestyle upgrades happen in June and Sep- tember. Because of new influences your work takes a different direction in July. Cancer and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 44, 42, 20 and 14.