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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 2, 2017)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017 FEATURES A few tips for trying times Dear Annie: Our family is the bathrooms you use are left going through the end-of-life chal- clean. Offer to shop for groceries, lenges of my husband’s final ill- run errands, walk the dog and take ness. We have always been close, us out if your father is up to it. And and our children, who live nearby, consider cooking a meal for us. have really stepped up to assist Check the car. Is the tire pressure him — and me — in these final good? Is it gassed up? Look around you pro- months of home hospice DEAR actively; if something care. In all the important needs fixing, offer to take ways, we are supporting ANNIE care of it. Ask whether I one another emotionally need coverage so that I can and otherwise. But there make my own appoint- are a few rough edges, ments. I lose sight of these and I thought a list com- things with the demands posed by someone going of feeding, bathing and through this might help dressing your father. The another family with this Annie Lane weekly hospice support ordeal. Creators Syndicate Inc. is limited and focuses To the children visit- mostly on nursing care. ing: Mom is no longer the To my beloved grandchildren: cook, maid or hotelier. That was fine and freely given for holidays, Just be yourselves. No need to tip- but this is no holiday. If you come toe around. Your grandfather likes for a visit, make up your own the clamor of your play and to bed, and change and launder your hear your stories. Just try to keep sheets and linens before you leave. the peace among you. Help your And how about offering to throw parents clean up your toys. Tell in some of the towels and sheets your memories and stories of your for your father, folding them and grandpa to us, and help us make new memories. helping to change our bed? My beloved kids and grand- If I cook, you’re in charge of the cleanup — and reach out to be children have been wonderful in sure the garbage is emptied, paper all the important ways — spend- towels are in the holder, the refrig- ing loving quality time with us and erator is occasionally cleaned and sharing activities and memories. But like all people, they fall back into the habits of visiting children, and I hope these suggestions will be of help to others. — Sad Nana With So Much to Be Thankful For Dear Sad: This is a beautiful letter. I hope you’ve already shared all of these requests with your chil- dren. If not, please do. I’m sure that helping you would bring them some solace in this trying time. Dear Annie: I enjoyed reading about “Fussy Larry,” the man who is constantly complaining about the free food his friends cook for him. I have a loved one who, like Fussy Larry, can sometimes be ungraciously and needlessly crit- ical of things I make. When that happens, I give him a big happy smile and say, “Then I have won- derful news: Nobody is going to make you eat it!” It doesn’t change his behavior, but it ramps down my irritation considerably. — Maggie Dear Maggie: I totally agree with that tactic. In familiar situ- ations such as this one, a humor- ously blunt response is sometimes the best mirror to hold up to a per- son so he might reflect on his rude behavior. Plus, as you mentioned, it can help deflect your feelings of annoyance, and that alone is a win in my book. 5A TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). You feel like you’re in your own little world, but know that others are very aware of you now. “If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees.” — Kahlil Gibran SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Everyone will bring something to the table, though not neces- sarily a tangible thing. Some will bring an idea, a talent for receptivity, a custom, a grateful heart and much expressed pleasure in the opportu- nity at hand. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s so much you have access to, and you’re a curious per- son, ready to learn all you can and experience the richness of life. Self-regulation is, therefore, among your biggest challenges. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). For you, adrenaline isn’t a hormone that kicks in on an emergency-only basis; rather, it’s a daily boost. Your high-energy style will be well suited for the challenges of the day. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re more con- cerned with achievement than reward. In fact, the reward, as far as you’re concerned, is the achievement. The accolades can be nice, but they can also be embarrassing and cause more pressure than they are worth. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’re happy when the people you love are happy. There is one person in particular whose happiness means the most to you, and you’re likely to spend a lot of time, money and energy on making this person smile. CANCER (June 22-July 22). New research suggests that you might do yourself some good by talking to yourself, especially if you’re saying encouraging or compassionate things, and most especially if you’re saying them out loud. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Sometimes it is more gracious to have a little of what’s being offered to you than to abstain. The gestures and rituals around togetherness will have greater meaning today. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Take on the small, eas- ily won challenges. Building up a track record of success will give you the confidence you need to go for the more remarkable and difficult op- portunities coming your way in the near future. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). As artistic and imaginative as you are, you still admire those who lack pretension, are too laid back to strive and too chill to social-climb. Your values are right in line with all that it takes to create meaningful, lasting friendships. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Belonging isn’t about fitting together perfectly, having a lot in common or agreeing on most things. Belonging is about acceptance. Be inclusive. Set a tone of friendliness and compassion. Foster a sense of unconditional belonging. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The nearness of in- teresting and well-traveled people or the pull of exotic lands will activate your adventurous spirit. If you make discovery a priority you’ll definitely find the necessary resources. 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 TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (May 3). Since a person’s knowledge only goes as far as his or her experiences, and because your sincere desire is for a wealth of knowledge, you’ll open yourself to discovery, dive into mysteries and let curiosity carry you to different parts of the world. The funds come in June and November. August begins a serious bond. Libra and Leo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 40, 4, 47 and 13.