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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 2017)
6A FEATURES I’m sacrificing for my mom Dear Annie: When my mom’s as a chance to repay her. Perhaps husband died, we moved her from she’s not offered to chip in for any another state to an assisted liv- meals because she’s on a limited ing facility a few miles from our income or living off savings. Your half sister, though, really house. We run errands for her, handle ought to step up more. Perhaps her bills and occasionally take her you could talk to her and express how much you would out for a meal, and we have DEAR her over one day every appreciate her help in week for a home-cooked caring for Mom. You ANNIE meal. After several years, shouldn’t feel guilty she has never offered to for asking this. She’s buy us a meal, not even her mom, too, and she for a special occasion, such should want to help her. as a birthday or anniver- Lastly, if you’re simply seeking some sary. There has been no acknowledgment that acknowledgment of our Lane what you are doing is new normal. She does say Annie Creators Syndicate Inc. good and kind, let me “thank you” for each task. say: It is. And deep My mom’s daugh- ter, a half sibling of mine, lives down, your mom probably appre- in another state. She has never ciates it more than words can say. Dear Annie: Thank you for sent us a gift card for our efforts. Money is not a barrier for either encouraging the young woman of them; they are well-off. We feel who wrote about living with her that we would never treat a fam- alcoholic father to connect with ily caregiver this way. But are we Alateen (“Sick and Afraid,” July expecting too much from Mom 15). It’s a powerful program — and my half sister? It’s really one that has helped many young the thought, not the money, that people and their families. Seeing as the young woman counts. — Underappreciated Dear Underappreciated: I’m also said she is connected to her sure Mom treated you to many church, I’d encourage her to talk meals the first 18 years of your with her pastor, her youth leader or life. Think of this role reversal some other responsible and caring adult in the congregation. Alco- holism and other addictions and mental illnesses so often result in the isolation she is experiencing, and her faith community could be part of the web of support she needs. A responsible faith leader — who can keep confidences — can be a good ally, both as a listening ear and as a resource person if the situation with her father escalates. In addition, knowing what’s going on in a family can help the pastor, youth leader or other responsible adult pay better atten- tion, even without taking any kind of direct action. Finally, it can remind the faith leader to lift up in prayer, without naming specific individuals or families, everyone whose life is touched by addiction or mental illness. Again, thank you for your care for the young woman and all who write to you — and especially for the good advice you offer them. — Rev. Talitha Arnold Dear Rev. Arnold: Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Because she mentioned her involvement with her church, I should have thought to recommend her faith leaders as an additional resource. That was a missed opportunity. THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2017 TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). If “someday” hasn’t come over the span of a year, it may not come ever. As you get rid of the things you’re holding onto for “someday” you’re also making room for fresh energy and interests. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Learning is faster than relearning. Children learn fast because they’ve a clean slate that doesn’t need to be erased and overwritten. You’ll pick up new sub- jects quickly but be slow to change the way you already do something. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). People have dif- ferent tastes. What you make, do or present is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Success occurs when you focus on offering what you believe in and are proud of, not what you think they’ll want. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Doing it right once is a good start. Twice creates early momentum. Three times is the beginning of a pattern. For an action to be called successful, though, it must be able to be repeated time and again with predictable results. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You delight in entertaining others, if not in the formal sense then in the impulse you have to keep people guessing. It’s a relationship skill (maybe even a public service) that keeps you creative and engaged. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ve a rather unreasonable agenda for yourself today, and that’s no cause for worry or doubt. Unreason- able things get accomplished all of the time. Just be compassionate toward yourself as you push on. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Decisions are hard enough without the extra pressure of needing to be right all of the time. Before you enter a 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 situation, remember that it’s OK to be wrong sometimes. You make better choices from a lighter mindset. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The very young soak up the positive, the pretty and the well-in- tentioned as if these things were gospel. Even their grievances are taken and absorbed from other sources. Maturity is a firsthand under- standing of your likes and dislikes. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The way you think is beautiful. It’s often accurate, organized and kind, but not always. Anyway, beauty has as much to do with quirks as it does consistencies. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Just about anyone can hear you when you talk. It’s the one who hears you when you don’t talk who deserves a special place in the pantheon of your personal life. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Hearts are heavy around you, but they’ll become lighter once they vent a little. If you have to hear out a few complaints, consider it a help to society. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Perhaps it doesn’t look like much, but this is actually a pretty interesting crossroads you’ve come to. No pressure or anything, but one decision could change everything! TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 8). You’ve earned the promotion; enjoy the rise. Your need for greater independence will be fulfilled without struggle as past education gets a perfect application and old debts are repaid. The sweetness of loved ones makes October one of your favorite times. There’s a move in February — a vitality infusion. Sagittarius and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 45, 21, 1 and 18.
