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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 31, 2017)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2017 FEATURES Ruffling some feathers Dear Annie: I was at my broth- cage a third time. She began teas- er’s home for my sister-in-law’s ing the bird. At this point, my birthday a few weeks ago. My sis- brother politely told Emily to stop ter-in-law, “Jess,” had a stroke because she was upsetting the bird, some years ago and can only say a and she did. At that point, Becky got upset. few single-syllable words at a time. She has an 18-year-old bird that she She told my brother, “She’s only playing with the bird.” She loves and takes care of. DEAR My nephew’s fiance, and Emily left the birthday party early because of this. “Becky,” and her daugh- ANNIE My brother and I ter, “Emily,” came over would like you opin- during the party, and ion on whether or not Emily started to tease the it was inappropriate for bird. Jess looked at me and him to tell Emily to stop. said, “Cover bird.” I went — Birdy-guard over and very politely put Dear Birdy-guard: the cover on the birdcage Lane Of course it was appro- and said, “I think it’s time Annie Creators Syndicate Inc. priate of your brother for the bird to go to sleep. When there are a lot of to speak up. If that ruf- people in the house, the bird gets fled Becky’s feathers, she should stressed out. The cover helps him have stepped in before he had to. calm down.” The next time you’re all together, Everything was fine for about set some ground rules right from 10 minutes. But then Emily went the start, and make them clear to over, flipped part of the cover off Emily, Becky and your nephew: no the cage and started to tease the ifs, ands or squawks about it. Dear Annie: I couldn’t agree bird again. Becky was sitting right there and did not say a word to more with your reply to “Wonder- her daughter. I looked on silently ing Why at the Y,” who complained because I felt it was not my place to about the odor of his fitness class- say anything, and Emily sat down mate. But this isn’t just a problem at the gym. after a few minutes anyway. In today’s offices, people are But then she went over to the often crammed into small areas to save money. If one inconsid- erate man or woman puts on too much fragrance, it can give head- aches to everyone around them. It’s unfortunate when the person caus- ing this problem is a supervisor. You don’t tell the HR manager she stinks if you want to keep your job for very long! Once, my manager approached a corporate vice pres- ident about her perfume, because the noxious smell was making his employees ill whenever she vis- ited. She replied that she paid big money for her French perfume and anyone who didn’t like it could hit the road! Long ago, I was given a piece of advice that I feel should be stressed in employee training and at work- out centers: If you wear scents on a daily basis, you must be very careful. Over time, you become immune to the smell. Bottom line, if you put on enough that you can smell it, it’s probably terribly strong for everyone else! — Glad I’m Retired Dear Glad I’m Retired: Let this be a public service announce- ment: The perfumes and colognes you wear could ruin a co-worker’s day. Spritz responsibly. 5A TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Many situations are ambiguous. It’s the way we interpret them that gives them context and meaning. To take a neutral situation and turn it into something negative is to needlessly drain a little joy from your life. Let in the light. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When working harder doesn’t solve it, stop. You don’t want to exhaust your energy in the wrong direction. Also, there’s no need to prove you’re the hard- est worker. Anyway, you’re more into getting results. So ask for advice. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Contraction is the natural reaction to the cold or hardness of either external or internal circumstances — a narrowing of focus and life. Now what will you do to counter it? CANCER (June 22-July 22). You know a lot on the subject at hand and will be asked for your opinion. You’ll be slow to weigh in, though, ever aware that there are always new insights. Peers will respect your humility. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When you’re really “on” (as you’ll find you will frequently be over the next three weeks) your stories will be like theme park rides that take people out of the atmosphere and into a new world before returning them safely back to the car park. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Some things are beautiful because they fit so perfectly into a well-defined niche. Other things are beautiful because they are so difficult to explain or define. The latter kind brings today’s wonder- ment. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The human fight- or-flight response only works with outside stimuli. No human can run fast enough to get away from his or her inner life. Fighting with it 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 is futile, too. An accepting, gentle conversation will do much good, though. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Nothing is interesting until someone is interested in it. When you pay attention and hook into what fascinates you, you’ll make the subject more appealing to others. Your curiosity is, in es- sence, a public service. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Relax. Let the stressful thoughts float by without grabbing hold of them. There’s a lot running through your head that you can safely dis- miss, if only because you’ve already thought it before. What’s new and important will stand out. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). People show appreciation in the way they know how. Often, it’s not in the timeliest or politest way, but we’re not all coming from the same teaching in that regard. Let it go and accept kindness however it comes. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). They’re seek- ing the same thing that you are: love, peace and connection. Of course, a fair exchange of goods, services and money would be nice, too. You just might get it all. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When you get a whiff of something that reminds you of the past, this can trigger an incommensurable emotional response in you that’s not an accu- rate representation of what’s actually going on. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 1). The love coming into your life will grow and grow. In November, choices that seem monumen- tal are actually as silly as worrying about choosing which side of the bread to butter. Sagittarius and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 40, 33, 27 and 17.