THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2017
FEATURES
Time with grandchildren
Dear Annie: My three chil- When she’s talking to my daugh-
dren are all grown and married ters and I try to join in the conver-
and are in their early to mid-30s. sation, I am ignored, even though
They have three children among I’m careful not to interrupt. This
them, ages 14 years, 10 years and happens every time.
At my child’s birthday party
1 month.
When I first got married, this week, I had to wait my turn
to hold my 1-month-
many years ago, my par-
DEAR
old granddaughter. My
ents hounded me con-
mother brought her to me
stantly about when I
ANNIE
telling me that I shouldn’t
was going to make them
walk while holding her.
grandparents. Sadly, after
Then she stood over me
I had my three children,
the entire three minutes I
they were “too busy” for
got to hold her. I told my
my children, just as they
daughter that I wanted
had been “too busy” for
a picture of me holding
my siblings and me. My
Lane
the baby, as I hadn’t got-
mother was notorious for Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
ten one yet. So one of my
making “dates” with my
kids took one, and yes,
kids that she didn’t keep.
Later, my parents did do a lot with my mother even stood right over
my youngest child, but not with me with her face over my shoul-
the other two, who were teenag- der when the photo was taken,
ers by then. This caused a lot of and then she promptly took my
granddaughter back from me.
hurt feelings.
It’s impossible to say any-
Now that I am a grandmother,
anytime we have holiday and thing to my mother because she
birthday gatherings (which are the has an unreasonable temper. But
only times we all get together), I this is my grandchild! My mom is
feel as if my mother takes over very close to my youngest child
my children and grandchildren and my brother’s youngest child
— as if she were their mother and and has spent a great deal of time
grandmother. She even calls her- with them their entire lives, so it’s
self “Grandma-Grandma”! She not that she hasn’t gotten to be a
acts as if I am not even there. grandmother.
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
I’m not sure you can help me,
but could you at least tell me that
she is overstepping her boundar-
ies and I have a right to feel hurt?
— Just Wanting to Be Grandma
Dear Just: Of course you
have a right to feel hurt. But sim-
ply sitting with those hurt feel-
ings does nothing for you or your
relationship with your family. If
talking to your mother about how
you feel isn’t a realistic option
because she has a volatile temper,
then talk to your children. They
can help include you in conver-
sations, ensure you have enough
time holding the grandchildren
and serve as moderators.
Even if your mother is on your
last nerve, it’s rare and wonderful
that four generations get to spend
time together.
Dear Annie: In response to
“Crybaby,” who is embarrassed
by how easily she cries, I always
keep a pack of gum nearby. Even
a little piece of gum helps me stay
calm in emotional situations. Just
use half a stick, and don’t chomp
on it. That way, you don’t look
unprofessional. I have shared this
tip many times with women when
they have to talk to their bosses,
and it has helped them. — Under
Control
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You keep stepping
forward, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly,
but ever forward. As long as you don’t stop,
you’ll eventually get there. Persistence will win
out.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your charms are
working today, perhaps even better than the
other kinds of intelligence you were born with. If
you’re not giving the perfectly correct answers,
you’re giving entertaining ones.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If home is where
the heart is, yours isn’t so much an actual place
these days. Rather, it’s a circle of people you
give your love to. Your affection is abundant,
your efforts selfless, your attention addictive.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). With cre-
ativity you will solve the problems that can’t be
solved with money or might. The trick to getting
into a creative mindset is in freeing your mind
from the perception of boundaries.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). What you need to
learn now can’t be studied; it must be observed.
As you watch those who have the quality you
want to attain (quietly, without judgment) you’ll
pick it up, as if by osmosis.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The outcome
you desire will be achieved through persuasion
— but if your subject feels manipulated, the
effect will be lost. Effective persuasion hinges
on attraction, which you should build first and
foremost.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ve loved and
lost, but worse than that, you’ve loved and not
had that love returned. These are the rites of
passage that all great lovers experience. Be
proud of the scars on your heart. They’ve made
you extraordinary.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When a baby cries in
public, any mother within earshot is activated to
care and act. This is how a soul’s cry is to you,
except the soul’s cry can’t be heard with your
ears. You hear it with your heart, and your heart
reaches to respond.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Success is pretty
simple. Not easy, but simple. Essentially, break
the big goals down to small chunks and get to
work. Also, a mentor will significantly help your
chances.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’re a true friend
and a stellar partner, which you’ll prove in to-
day’s interactions. If you feel pressured to prove
this too often, consider that the relationship
may be unbalanced, and think about how you
might restore equipoise.
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
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll plan your
day well, although it may seem that there’s a
distraction monkey on your shoulder ready to
bail on any task that doesn’t promise instant
gratification. If you’re to achieve your goal, he
must be ignored.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). One small ges-
ture will be the start of something consequen-
tial. The initiation move will have the kind of
domino effect that people make videos about,
the collapsing pieces spiraling in an intricate
design.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (May 11). This
year is marked by a sense of stability. In rela-
tionships and in your projects, stability is the
guiding tenet. Turmoil gets settled; injustice is
made right. July through September represents
a thriving time for your family. August is for
adventuring. Be a little selfish, because your
happiness will benefit all. The Gemini and Libra
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 13, 19, 1,
44 and 11.