THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017
FEATURES
Sad about growing older
Dear Annie: I’m 81 years never acknowledged? What do I
old. Of all the issues I read about do with the guilt I feel for being
regarding seniors, no one seems angry with my precious husband
to acknowledge this one, and I when I want to do something but
just know I am not alone in this: we just sit home and dissolve
the grief of trying to come to into meaningless TV because he
grips with the fact that I am old. can’t physically do it anymore?
What do I do when I
First let me say that I
DEAR
can’t see or hear things
live with my husband of
and have to fake it?
60 years; I have friends
ANNIE
Bottom line: How do
and a good church com-
I make myself accept
munity; I exercise five
the fact that I am old?
times a week; and I
— Louise A.
have fulfilling hobbies.
Dear Louise: Let
But what do I do with
your children or other
the frustration I feel that
younger family mem-
we can no longer stand
Lane
bers know that you’re
or walk the long dis- Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
struggling and what you
tances for all the enter-
need from them — sup-
tainment and activi-
ties we used to enjoy? What port, acknowledgment, more
do I do with the memories that quality time together or any-
should bring me happiness but thing else.
Commiserate with friends
instead make me sad that they
are no longer? How do I deal your own age about your frus-
with seeing how traditions that trations. Just being around peo-
my parents, grandparents and I ple who “get it” can be incredi-
have tried to keep going seem bly healing.
It is futile to try to stop your-
lost on the new generations?
What do I do with seeing fam- self from feeling sad about old
ilies having fun together while memories. It is sad. It is hard.
no one ever thinks to invite us Accept these feelings, and if
older people along? What do I they are too deep and hurtful,
do with the cards and photos I processing them with a therapist
send and calls I make that are would be helpful.
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: This is a
response to “Obsessed and
Tired,” the young teen who is
obsessed with Internet stars. She
mentioned that she believes her
Internet obsessions are based on
her lack of friends, but when I
was a teen who was obsessed
with anime, I used that interest
to make friends. I went to con-
ventions, joined clubs and went
to events — all places where I
could meet people who liked
and enjoyed the same things as I
did — and I met (and still meet)
lots of new friends while enjoy-
ing the things I like.
Luckily for “Obsessed,” this
is an age in which the seemingly
“nerdy” groups of young peo-
ple are becoming more social
and outgoing and have more to
access and share. So I would sug-
gest to her that she research and
look into various events, conven-
tions or even fan group meet-ups
(usually made through Facebook
groups) to branch out her social
network and make new friends
while fully enjoying the things
she likes. — A Fellow Nerd
Dear Fellow Nerd: I love
this idea. I’ve passed your mes-
sage along to “Obsessed and
Tired.” Thank you for writing.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re not interested
in being a decent communicator or an adequate
leader. You want to be great. That’s why you’ll work
out the solutions before you point out the problem.
What use is complaining if you can’t make it better?
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The research
suggests that for many people, talking about
themselves can be more rewarding than food or
money. Giving someone the opportunity to do this
is thereby a very valuable gift.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When you feel a little
blue, you’re apt to behave in ways to reinforce the
mood. It’s why having a reason to fake happiness
— such as to interact with children, strangers
or your boss — can be a passageway to real
happiness.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re trying to keep
it classy. You behave as though your every moment
were going to be broadcast to the people you
most want to impress. It will help to remember who
those people are and keep them in mind through
your day.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ve a ritualistic
approach to things about your life that don’t really
require such care. It’s working for you. So don’t skip
steps, and don’t change details or the order. Rituals
give things meaning and make them interesting,
and they have a habit-forming potential.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ll be the most
disciplined and mentally sharp within the first four
hours after waking. Take advantage of this by get-
ting the hard work done and over with. By lunch,
you’ll already be ahead of the game.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Sleep is a process
based on phases. It doesn’t work right if the
phases are interrupted. In that case you have to go
back to the beginning and start all over. Work is the
same. Shield against interruptions, as there will be
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
many today.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). No matter how hard
you look, the workings of the heart can never be
fully seen or understood. Anyway, some things are
best approached with the cursory attention that
keeps daily life moving along. Ruminate at a later
date.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll be in a
position to be rated, judged, critiqued or followed.
Your audience will be skeptical, and you can win
them over with your delivery of information you
know to be true. They’ll feel your integrity.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your original plan
won’t seem nearly as exciting once you realize that
other people are out in the big, wide world having
some fun. Review your priorities so that whatever
you decide, you can do it consciously and feel
good about it.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Whatever you get
into today (work, relationships, projects) leave
yourself an out. That’s only smart. As things devel-
op, so will your feelings, and right now you don’t
know how you’ll feel about it next week.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Entitlement is
a contagious disease. One person decides “I
deserve this!” and the next gets the bug: “Well if he
deserves it then maybe I deserve that and more.”
Choose your company carefully. Prize humility and
modesty.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 18). Your com-
mitments follow a natural course; they ripen and
fall from the vine. This frees up your time. You’ll get
a thrill from learning. Each skill you acquire in 2018
will double your odds of being successful. To you
this is about much more than money, but you’ll love
the extra cash anyway, and you’ll buy something
big in June. Libra and Capricorn adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 5, 3, 24, 39 and 45.