THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JULY 11, 2017
FEATURES
She wants friends to back off
Dear Annie: I have many what’s developing. I have this
close friends from different uneasy feeling about the prog-
groups. My time with each of ress of this new friendship. My
them is very important, and I hunches are normally accurate,
don’t want to be tied down to one and I’m an OK judge of charac-
friend. My partner has many won- ter. Am I being a little childish
derful friends he enjoys spending about this? What should I do? —
time with, too.
Too Fast for Me
DEAR
Recently, we got
Dear Too Fast:
acquainted with another
What’s stopping you
ANNIE
couple at my young son’s
from
pumping
the
football match. The new-
brakes? There’s a sim-
found friendship is mov-
ple solution here — say-
ing “No, thank you”
ing too fast. They are
or “We’re busy” to the
already talking about
weekend-getaway invi-
doing weekends away
tations. As you don’t
together, planning several
Lane
seem to have entertained
weekend trips for us all. Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
that option, I’m guessing
We’ve only known them
you’re the type of per-
for a few months and
son who has a hard time saying
been friends for a month.
I’m a pretty easygoing, no. I’d encourage you to do some
kind-natured woman; I fit in with self-reflection regarding why that
all types of crowds. But I don’t is. Perhaps you value being seen
like to be pushed into things or as easygoing more than you value
backed into a corner. I like things your own needs and wants. Work
to take a slow, natural course, on setting boundaries.
Dear Annie: This is in
and I never rush the process of
response to “Tired Loving
becoming close with someone.
I don’t believe friendships or Daughter,” who isn’t able to fully
relationships work well when enjoy her life because of her care-
they progress quickly. My partner giving duties. I use a camera in
and I were friends for seven years my mom’s retirement apartment
to keep up with her. I bought a
before we started dating!
I feel uncomfortable with nest camera about three years
ago, and I can monitor her from
my phone and my computer. If
there is anything suspicious, I
notify the staff.
The camera is set up in her
living room. I see when she
leaves for her meals and when
she comes and goes. I see what
time the staff members come in
to clean her room.
One time, I noticed that her
dinner came two hours ahead of
schedule; the evening chef hadn’t
shown up for his shift, so the
manager decided to use leftovers
from lunch. That meant she would
have gone hungry later that night.
I and several other family mem-
bers took food to the residence
that night, and other patients
were expressing how hungry they
were, too. I was thankful we had
the camera so we knew what was
going on. Because of that foot-
age, I was able to report this inci-
dent to the upper management.
The cameras will hold the
footage for up to a month. I spend
a small amount each month for
the service, and it has been a
great investment for me. — GSP
Smith
Dear GSP Smith: What a
great use of technology. Thank
you for sharing the tip.
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Be patient
enough to do what it takes to solve a
problem once and for all. The first answer
you come up with may not be the best. Go
deeper. Ask, “What else? How else?”
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). People want
to share with you. Show-and-tell time will
start out interesting. Brevity is the way to
keep it that way. Ward against over-sharing
and stick to the safe topics.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Life won’t
provide you with incentives, but you’re
so creative that you can come up with
some pretty awesome ones when you’re
at a loss. Keep the momentum up today:
Know what you’re looking forward to and
envision the prize.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Most
children don’t think so, but life really is
better with fewer sweets, less screen time
and more fresh air. You’ll tap into your
grown-up instincts and feel wonderful for
the effort.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Long-term think-
ing isn’t always so fun, and thinking only
of the moment is foolish. There’s a sweet
spot in the middle of short- and long-term
thinking that will be wonderfully accommo-
dating to your plans.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your incredible
gift of adaptability will kick in today. You’ll
stretch, flex and grow yourself in order to
meet the new situation. Your lack of ego is
what makes this possible.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Gather infor-
mation. Get clarity on all communication.
You are mighty intuitive now, but you’ll
learn more by asking than by assuming
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
you already have the answers.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). If you’re con-
stantly standing up for yourself around a
certain person, it’s a red flag. Don’t ignore
the signal that a person doesn’t accept
and support you as you are.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Start
making plans for the upcoming event. It’s
a lucky time to free-associate about how
you want this to go. Gather inspiration and
ideas. Talk to the ones who have done it
before.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll
listen to different philosophies, some of
which will be easier to relate to than oth-
ers. Your open mind will hold some of this
information for later when it better applies.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your active
mind may also become restless tonight.
Just remember that sleep is an important
part of any mammal’s life. Instead of lying
awake with worry, outline a plan.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Getting
back to basics is a very personal process,
since what is “basic” to you is not even in
the realm for someone else. Honor your
own essentials regardless of whether the
others understand what you need.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (July 12). You
have healed yourself and will now assist
others in feeling better and functioning at a
higher level. You’ll spend work hours wise-
ly and be paid well for your efficiency. The
financial trend will help you to become
more comfortable. Improved communi-
cation makes new relationships possible.
Capricorn and Aquarius adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 14, 30, 9, 28 and 25.