THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2017
FEATURES
Absentee grandparents
Dear Annie: I am distraught it would make waves with the other
by my mother-in-law and father- siblings. The other daughters-in-
in-law. My husband and I have law love her.
To my mother- and father-in-
been happily married for more than
20 years, and we have three great law, I’d like to say: Our boys see
boys. My in-laws make no effort all their teammates’ grandparents at
to see our family. My kids’ sport- their sporting events and know that
you choose not to come to
ing events and accom-
DEAR
cheer them on. And when
plishments go unrecog-
we go to their cousins’
nized. What makes it
ANNIE
games and see you there,
harder to deal with is that
it hurts them.
they are involved with all
To all you parents and
their other grandchildren.
grandparents out there:
My husband is an abso-
Don’t play favorites. — A
lutely amazing father. Any
Family Left Out
mother would be proud of
Dear Left Out: It’s not
him. I try so hard to be a
Annie Lane
so
much
that you are being
good wife and mother.
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
left out as they are missing
How do I continue to
out. Your sons and hus-
have a relationship with
my in-laws when they show no band sound wonderful.
You might encourage your hus-
interest in having a relationship
with me or my kids? I call my band to stand up to his parents and
mother-in-law; she doesn’t return express how hurt he and his family
the calls. We hand-deliver the boys’ are by their indifference. Perhaps
game schedules; she says she never there is some long-held grudge
gets them. We give gifts, and she they’re holding that would come to
doesn’t even acknowledge them. light if he confronted them. In any
And she will “forget” to invite us to case, don’t worry too much about
what they think. Any parents who
family events.
I know that my husband is hurt intentionally play favorites with
and wonders why he isn’t good their children or grandchildren are
enough for their attention. I’m not worth trying to curry favor
afraid to talk to my mother-in-law with.
Dear Annie: I’m 81 years old
because, knowing her personality,
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
and still fairly active. I’m in fine
enough health.
My problem is that I wake up at
night and worry about what to do
with all the stuff in my large house.
My daughter used to help me, but
she is busy with her own life. I
need to talk with a senior counselor
who can help me work out a plan
and direct me to resources that can
help me dispose of my items. Any
advice you could give me would be
greatly appreciated.
By the way, I think many
seniors are struggling with differ-
ent issues that aren’t dire but cause
sleepless nights. It would be a great
service to encourage seniors to
send questions that are about their
lives, because there are more and
more people who are moving into
the senior years and don’t know
what to do. — Tossing and Turning
Dear Tossing and Turning:
The National Association of Senior
Move Managers (NASMM) helps
seniors downsize their possessions,
whether they’re actually moving to
a new location or they’re staying
at home. Contact the NASMM at
877-606-2766.
I’d like to echo your sentiment.
I would love to hear from more
seniors about the issues they’re fac-
ing. Please write.
pleasure?”
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Sometimes
you’re charged with being a cog in the
wheel, and other times your job is to hold
the handlebars, steer and balance. Both jobs
can have their advantages and disadvantag-
es, so whichever it is, embrace it.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Solitude has a
transcendent power, and so does unity. Too
much of either state is diminishing, though.
Your balance of social time and alone time
may need some tweaking.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Our minds are
so subjective that the idea of reality can be
a squirrelly one. If you ignore it and it doesn’t
go away, it’s probably reality. That’s good
news. Reality can be much more easily dealt
with than non-reality.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You can’t
think your way to peace, because thinking
doesn’t bring peace. Peace exists between
the thoughts, also around them. Music will
be an easy and interesting way to organize
mental clutter.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Just as the
Greek hero Odysseus found a way to resist
the song of the sirens, you will find a way to
resist the temptations on the sidelines today.
Odysseus had help from his crew, and so
will you if you call on yours.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If you feel
you have to inflate your confidence or brag
or otherwise stuff your “resume,” the situation
is already doomed. Go where the love is
instead! Who you are isn’t what you have,
own or do.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Anyone can
connect all of the wrong things and come
to some pretty dismal conclusions. You’ll
connect the shining dots of rightness, and
the conclusion that naturally follows will be
bright and welcoming.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). People will
say that “something has to be done,” but
does it? If nothing were done, what then?
If you put it to the test and “something” still
“has to be done,” then you’re the one to do it.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). To be selfless and
remain calm is the aim of people everywhere
(especially women). And then one day (to-
day) you’re simply not in the mood. Rage on.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Part of you
will engage; the other part watches. Which
is real? You’re the sky, not the weather.
The clouds may decorate or menace, but
don’t be bothered; clouds pass. You’re the
constant.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Any path you
commit to will get you there. So the better
question isn’t, “Which one will get me there?”
It’s, “Which path might I commit to with
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
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There’s the
unknowable, and then there’s the not-worth-
knowing, and both may seem to be unworthy
of the chase. However, pursuing the first
category will bring many revelations.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (July 5). Your
loved ones come to know more of you, and
indeed, you grow in new ways, so there
is more to know. To be understood and
celebrated for your uniqueness is both a
comfort and a thrill. September and Febru-
ary are your luckiest financial months. New
relationships and deals will be established in
October. Libra and Capricorn adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 27, 43, 9, 22 and 15.