6A
FEATURES
She’s thinking of leaving
Dear Annie: I have been living am none of those things. I never
with my partner for 36 years. By all have been and never will be.
My soul is so fractured by trying
outside appearances, he is a very
good man. And in many ways, he to figure this out. I am extremely
is. But in the important ways, he is depressed. I would not know where
not. Birthdays and special holidays to go. I have no family nearby,
are never acknowledged; he makes and starting all over on my own
seems physically impos-
snide comments about my
DEAR
sible because of my bro-
weight; he’s never been
ken spirit. Infringing on
there when I’ve really
ANNIE
friends is not something I
needed him; he drinks until
want to do. — Veronica
he is drunk every night, an
Dear Veronica: There
average of 10 drinks; he
is so much to address here,
smokes weed every night;
but I’ll start with the big-
and he watches porn at
gest red flag. This man is
least three times a week.
an alcoholic. He needs to
He is never mean when he
Lane
seek treatment. And you
is drinking; he just forgets Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
should attend an Al-Anon
things he says and stum-
meeting on your own, as
bles around and makes stu-
it would help give you some per-
pid comments.
He is not only destroying his spective, especially if you were to
life and his brain but also making stay with him. But I really hope
my life intolerable. I do everything you don’t stay, because even if this
for him. Many of my friends have relationship was healthy at some
told me I do too much and need to point, it isn’t now. And having a
history with someone is not reason
stop.
I don’t want to leave, but I feel I enough to have a future. Close your
am at the point that I may need to. eyes and picture yourself still with
He will probably find another rela- this man in 10 years. Do you look
tionship, but I sense he has no idea happy?
I’m guessing your friends
of the kind of woman he will draw
into his life — most likely a weed would be overjoyed to help you get
user, a drinker and one who finds out of this relationship and would
regular use of porn acceptable. I get right to making up a bed for
you. Reach out to them. (You can
alternate friends every week or
two, if you’re worried about over-
staying your welcome.) Also, con-
sider seeing a therapist. It can make
a world of difference just knowing
you have a place to pour your heart
out every week.
Leaving him won’t be easy.
In fact, it will be excruciating —
for a little while. But if you push
through the pain and heartache,
you will find bliss on the other side.
Dear Annie: I recently read a
letter from “Not Good Enough.”
I am very concerned by the par-
ents’ response to struggling grades.
This is never a small thing to a
child, especially a teen, who is not
only beginning to develop a sense
of identity but also dealing with a
changing body. Parents who have
this attitude need to refocus their
priorities. Parents, please, instead
of whining about not being able to
brag about your kid’s grades, offer
to help. Encourage your kid after a
job well-done. A small compliment
can go a long way. As this young
man stated, he just wants to know
he’s valued and appreciated. Isn’t
that what we all want — and need
— in this life? — Bewildered
Dear Bewildered: Amen to
that.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, MAY 15, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). It does
absolutely no good to be irritated by every
little thing that happens. Being sensitive is
a blessing and a curse and is helpful only
in so far as the sensitivity can be adjusted
appropriately to the situation at hand.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When you go to
new places, you aim to go as a traveler and
not a tourist. You want to experience a place
for what it is, not what it pretends to be for
the money. Your plans will reflect this aim.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You don’t expect
to come to a certain conclusion today, and
this is why you’ll learn a lot more than those
who are seeking definitive answers. You’ll be
made knowledgeable by your willingness to
dance in the shadows of probability.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). If you can’t
seem to improve your external conditions to
the level that matches your goal, try chang-
ing how you experience these conditions
instead. Some things have to be accepted
before they can be changed.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Go on the quest:
You can’t lose now. In the search for the
greater truth and more profound beauty, you
will find yourself. In the search for yourself,
you will find greater truth and more profound
beauty.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). No one is the
same as anyone else. We are all different.
The evolved way is to stop comparing,
shaming and blaming and start working
together for mutually satisfying results.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Everything is
emotional. Business is emotional. People
buy and sell things for emotional reasons.
Emotional intelligence isn’t just a skill for your
personal life; it touches everything you do.
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
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Think about
turning some of your recent experiences
into a story. Stories are a key way we make
sense of the world, so it only makes sense
that we should get good at telling them.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). To get
clean, you must withstand some scrubbing.
It’s the friction that makes for good results.
You’ll tolerate another person’s vigor, as it
will lead to your transformation to becoming
polished and shiny.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). People
should not be made to feel less than just
because they do not have the same gifts as
others. Even twins with the same DNA have
different gifts. Find out what’s there; put it to
use; honor and celebrate it.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Return to the
project you had to leave incomplete. You’ll
have a better perspective now. You don’t
need the extra stuff you thought you needed
in order to finish. You’ll be able to shape
what’s there into something new.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You know that
you’re not going to magically end up with
your big reward in hand. However, with the
right plan and the strength to work it, much
will be achieved and rewards will come.
Today is about investigating the plans.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (May 16). Truly,
your tenacity is unparalleled; you’ll hit more
than one unforgettable milestone this year.
Through July you’ll need to make a con-
scious effort toward moderation, as personal
connections will have great intensity and
situations will bring out heightened emotions.
Big, glamourous events go down in August
and November. Libra and Scorpio adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 9, 44, 6, 27 and 31.