THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2017
FEATURES
Get off your own property?
Dear Annie: We have some our lives would be ruined. We love
new neighbors, and our backyards this house but feel that our only
are adjoining. We enjoy sitting out option at this point is to move.
on our deck on nice evenings and However, that would leave the next
enjoying the weather with a drink owners in the same predicament. I
and snack. Sometimes friends stop took some muffins over and tried to
by. We are quiet and aren’t out late. explain to the mother that we mean
no harm to the children
Our neighbors have sev-
DEAR
— that we’re just enjoy-
eral young children, and
ing our deck on our prop-
they are outdoors all the
ANNIE
erty — and she asked me
time. We’re not thrilled
to leave, saying, “The kids
with the constant noise, but
will be home from school
we put up with it. We’ve
soon.”
tried to remain friendly
I did visit our local
and polite. Recently,
police department to talk
there’s a new issue: Our
about the accusation, and
neighbors informed us that
Lane
an officer said we’d bet-
it’s “creepy and inappro- Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
ter just stay inside to pre-
priate” when we sit out-
vent escalation. But who’s
side when the kids are out
playing and that we shouldn’t be to say these neighbors won’t decide
doing so because it makes them (falsely) that we’re watching their
uncomfortable. We’re sitting in our kids through the windows? This
lounge chairs and not even facing whole situation makes us very
their direction. We can’t put up a uncomfortable, and we’re not
taller privacy fence or plant bushes sure what to do. — Housebound
because of a city ordinance, so if Through No Fault of Our Own in
we can’t use our deck when the Iowa
Dear Housebound: Relaxing
kids are outdoors, we won’t be able
on the deck at dusk after a good
to use it at all.
We’re not sure what to do. We dinner — that’s one of life’s sim-
feel that we’re being bullied and ple pleasures. Don’t let the odd-
that we’re doing nothing wrong, balls next door deprive you of that.
but if the family were to become You’ve done nothing wrong. If you
angry and accuse us of something, want some privacy for your own
peace of mind, try lining the side
of your deck that faces them with
large potted plants, or consider
installing a canopy from which you
could drape some curtains. If they
continue to harangue you, tell them
you’ll stop sitting in your backyard
when they show you the penal code
that says you can’t.
Dear Annie: This is in response
to “Louise A.,” who is having diffi-
culty accepting the fact that she is
old. I am also in my early 80s, and
I can identify with her.
My husband and I were very
active in our former commu-
nity. My husband had a wonder-
ful career in the medical field. We
had a lovely home, and life was so
exciting, but we were facing some
health issues that demanded we,
especially my husband, slow down.
We made the decision to move to a
wonderful senior independent liv-
ing community, and we have never
regretted it one minute.
There are many people living
here who have the same issues we
have. — Marjorie in Tyler, Texas
Dear Marjorie: Thank you for
sharing the great experiences your
new community has offered you. It
sounds as if you and your husband
are living fun and full lives. Your
positivity is contagious.
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll find that
you don’t have time to do all that’s proposed,
implied or expected. But if you refrain from
anything resembling a complaint or a worry,
your energy will double up and you’ll be most
productive.
truth. They’re right.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). What seems
precious and limited is not, it turns out, so
rare and scarce after all. So if, in the frenzy of
production, you lose a bit of it here and there,
don’t worry. There will be plenty more very
soon. Keep producing.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Respect
is shown through good manners, common
courtesy and adherence to expectations of
behavior. Any breech in this regard will pack
more punch than usual today, but things go
smoothly if you follow the rules.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your inner drive
to teach, help and mentor others is stronger
than usual today. In fact, if you don’t have
people around you who need guidance, you’ll
attract some.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). When you
recognize the lingering shadow of loneliness
over a person or over an area of your own life,
let it be an invitation instead of a condition.
Reach out in compassion. Make a connection.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Getting things
done leads to confidence. Confidence leads
to decisiveness. Decisiveness leads to action.
Action leads to momentum. Momentum leads
to success. So start getting things done.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It starts with
curiosity. You really do want to understand
your surroundings much better. As you follow
your instincts and impulses you capture the
imagination (and support) of others along the
way.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You interrupt the pat-
tern and take control. They don’t know what
you’re going to do next. (You do!) They don’t
know what the whole thing is leading to. (You
do!) They’re a little off-balance. (They hold on
to you.) Lead the way.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Meeting new
people will be the highlight of your day. In a
way, people are all the same. You find this
reassuring. In more ways, people are different,
and those subtle differences will be a source
of wonderment today.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). No one is holding
back with you today. It’s like there’s a collective
belief that you’re strong, calm and capable —
that you can handle the good, the bad, the
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
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). People can
count on you to behave in a particular way
in most situations. Today you’ll manage to
accomplish something very difficult. You’ll be
simultaneously appropriate and surprising.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your attitude is
a response to your world view. What you’re
learning is changing how you see the world.
So your beliefs and, by extension, your atti-
tude will change, too.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 6).
Though you’re a peaceful spirit, metaphori-
cally you’ll change from hunter to trapper this
year: You’ll stop stalking what you want and
build an irresistible lure to attract it instead. Af-
ter November’s victory, your guiding principle
will be: How can I help? A path of service will
lead to a grand adventure. Leo and Aquarius
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 18, 31,
6 and 22.