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FEATURES
An old flame still flickers
Dear Annie: I recently recon- emotional about how well I treat
nected with an old girlfriend. We her and how much I spoil her and
had not spoken, texted or seen how amazingly sweet I am now.
each other in almost five years. She said, “No one has ever treated
She broke my heart about five me as well as you do now!” That’s
years ago, and my mother was exactly how I promised myself I
killed shortly after that. I’ve not would try to behave.
I’ve fallen in love with
dated or wanted to have a
DEAR
her. I’m so scared to tell
serious relationship since.
her, and I’m so scared
About three months
ANNIE
to lose her. But I want
ago, I told my daugh-
her to know I’ve fallen
ter that I was ready to
for her now much dif-
meet someone. So she
ferently than I did in the
brought up Match.com
past. I always ask her
and signed me up, just so
now, “Were you like this
I could browse. The very
before — funny, smart,
first profile I saw was
Lane
witty?” She says, “Yes,
my ex-girlfriend’s! My Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
but you were blind to it
daughter said, “Text her,
before!” And I was. I was
Dad. It’s a sign.” After
debating it, I did. And I came to going through a very bad divorce
find out that she really had not and losing a business, just to name
dated anyone in five years, either, a couple of things.
How do I convince her of this?
and that she had stopped browsing
Match.com more than a year and I always tell her I’m insanely
crazy about her. She tells me she
a half ago.
Well, we started texting and feels the same. We are almost 50,
then meeting for lunch and then and I’m not sure I can go through
dinner, and next thing I know, we another heartbreak. — Lost Love
Dear Lost: Anything worth-
are spending almost all our time
together. I was not the best boy- while comes with some risk. To
friend years ago, but I changed win big, you have to bet big, and
so much after my mother’s death. from the sound of this love affair
And this woman really noticed a so far, I’m betting on you. Just
huge change in me. She even got tell her you love her. Even if she
doesn’t say it back, telling peo-
ple you love them is great for their
soul and yours.
Dear Annie: My wife and I
are in our mid-80s and don’t eat
nearly so much as we did in our
younger years. When we go out to
eat, we usually share a meal. If we
take guests out, we expect to pay
for their meal. We try to allow the
guests to order first, as it can make
for an awkward situation if they
order a full meal each and then
we split a meal. I think this makes
them feel uncomfortable. What is
your take on this? — W.C. in Way-
cross, Ga.
Dear W.C.: My take is that
you’re very considerate, generous
people. Based on that fact, I’m
sure that however you’re handling
the situation now is the correct
way to do so. Insisting that your
guests order first is a good tactic to
ensure that they don’t downgrade
their order after seeing that you
two are splitting one entree. But
don’t feel bashful about politely
explaining, “We simply don’t
have the appetites we used to,
and we enjoy sharing a plate. But
please, order whatever you’d like.
Our treat.” Such a warm state-
ment, said with a smile, will surely
melt away any awkwardness.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You care — a lot!
In fact, today you may find that you care slightly
more than feels healthy for you or good for the
relationship. What would happen if you let go
and trusted life’s process?
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A selfish someone
would have you believe that doing what makes
you happy is an indulgence. It couldn’t be fur-
ther from the truth. Do what makes your heart
sing today, and the world will dance joyfully to
your song.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It’s said that pen-
guins fall in love and even give each other gifts.
A male penguin has been known to search an
entire beach for the right pebble for his mate.
You’ve pretty high standards for love yourself
these days.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re not petty;
you’re generous! You don’t condemn anyone for
committing minor social sins, such as interrupt-
ing others or talking over the entertainment. And
yet, today, you’ll favor those with superior social
habits.
of closure.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You may be
considering taking things to the next level in a
relationship, going from someone’s “other” to
someone’s “only.” Whether this is business-re-
lated or personal, exclusivity is a pretty big step,
not to be rushed into.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). In the same
way that marketers know scarcity can create
an immediate impulse to buy, loss triggers love.
Often, “the one that got away” is suddenly con-
sidered the best you’ve ever had, immediately
after “getting away.”
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). In some ways,
you’ve become what you envisioned; you em-
body what you once envied; you project what
you once only fantasized about. Satisfaction in
this will be brief. You’re already questing anew.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Do all you can
to fortify your spirit and restore your body. Set
yourself up to awaken in a good mood tomorrow
so you’re strong and ready for an amazing
opportunity coming your way.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ve endured plenty
of adversity on your own. The people who are in
your life are there because you want them there,
not because you need them. Today they sense
your strength and also their honored position.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You don’t regret
building your life around certain people and
principles, but you do recognize that things
change. You’ll reorganize to make room for new
influences.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re often hope-
ful, but it’s not necessarily your first response.
That’s why the one who makes you feel like
there’s something special and magical in your
future is a person you should hang out with
more often.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (April 28). Re-
lationships will thrive on stability. It’s a year for
extending roots, but that doesn’t mean you can’t
also take vacations. In May you’ll be offered
what you’ve longed for. You’ll follow your loved
one into unknown territory and come to love
the adventure you share there. Excellent news
comes in June; a windfall comes in November.
Sagittarius and Leo adore you. Your lucky num-
bers are: 1, 40, 33, 35 and 19.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It’s as though there
was a leap without a landing. The unfinished
thoughts are beautiful in their incompleteness,
if you can bear the tension that takes the place
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