6A
FEATURES
Gifts cause for discomfort
Dear Annie: My 94-year- Mom does not want the money,
old mother has had a sweetheart but John is insistent. What do you
for about eight years. “John” think? — Concerned Daughter
Dear Concerned Daugh-
is 97, is almost blind and deaf,
depends heavily on his walker ter: For John, this isn’t about
and has begun showing signs of the gifts; it’s about the giv-
mental confusion. His two sons ing. He wants his partner to feel
cherished. So perhaps
care for him. Their cir-
DEAR
your mom could let her
cumstances appear to be
benevolent beau know
modest.
ANNIE
all the ways he makes
John is smitten
her feel special that
with my mom and has
don’t involve money.
recently started giving
He’ll rely less on mate-
her money. First it was
rial things to express his
$70, which she used to
love if he realizes that
buy some blouses; then
simply holding her hand
it was $100, “for pants.”
Lane
makes her feel like a
Yesterday he gave her Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
million bucks.
$200. (I have not been
Dear Annie: I used
present during these
interactions, but Mom has shown to date this guy, and I ended up
me the money.) John insists that blocking his phone number.
these gifts must be kept secret When we were seeing each other,
from his sons. I am uncomfort- he would only see me once every
able with keeping the secret and week or two. He only answered
the money and am afraid there my messages or phone calls
will be more coming down the sometimes. We usually met late
pike. I do not want to betray his at night, and he would always
trust by telling his sons. My con- make me leave his house early
cerns are that this may be money in the morning for some reason.
that the family needs, that sneak- I really miss him, and I think that
ing money to my mom creates an we would really make each other
unhealthy atmosphere and that happy if we were in a serious
John may not be able-minded relationship. But he doesn’t seem
enough to make such decisions. to be ready to open up with me or
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
be serious with me. I slept with
some other people while we were
seeing each other, and I believe
he was with other women then,
too. He never does admit to it.
I believe that he has major
feelings for me because I can feel
our chemistry together. I know he
sounds horrible, but I really think
that he loves me. I have cried
over him these past weeks, and
I feel really sad that we are no
longer talking. Should I continue
moving on without him or try to
pursue being with him if he ever
does get in touch with me again?
I will never call or message him
again unless maybe he contacts
me. — Curious for Advice
Dear Curious for Advice:
You blocked his number for a
reason. It’s time to block it again.
I know you’re looking for love
and companionship, but you
won’t find it in him. Move on,
even if you don’t quite want
to yet. Being single is so much
better than being in a relation-
ship with someone who doesn’t
appreciate you. Keep yourself
open for someone who is thrilled
to spend time with you. Don’t
give another day of your life to
a man who only gives you his
nights.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Solitude can be
healing, though some people will go to great
lengths to avoid it. That’s because they mistake
being alone for being lonely. Loneliness is not a
number; rather, it’s a lack of connection.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Some will lower
their inhibitions through chemicals to free
themselves to be more social. The chemicals
are unnecessary and could be harmful. Lower
your inhibitions through a mindset or through
dancing instead.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Attention isn’t the
goal for you today. There are many situations in
which you don’t want to be the smooth one, the
one that everyone wants to impress or date or
befriend. You’ve good reasons for wanting to go
under the radar.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Distance is a
funny thing for you now. In some ways you’ll feel
more influential and important to people who
are far away from you than you will to those at
an arm’s length.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The real message will
be smuggled into a conversation via the social
acceptable message, the small talk, the expect-
ed banter. Listen for it. You don’t necessarily
have to address it now, but definitely make note
of this underlying truth.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your analyzing mind
has solved many problems for you and helped
you excel in many areas of life. That said, it’s
not the right mind to heal emotional wounds.
Employ your heart and body to that task.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Today you’re like
a jazz musician. You know your piece too well
to play it note for note. The solid melody at the
core of your day will have many embellishments
and tangents to keep it fresh.
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). Narrow the gap
between your idea of where you are now and
your idea of where you want to be. “Your idea”
is the operative phrase here. Perception of a
place isn’t the place. Geography remains; ideas
change instantaneously.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There’s a
person who, lately, tends to put a twist in the
mood to enable a downward spiral. Perhaps this
character is unavoidable, though you can plan
ahead and put up emotional armor, including a
shield made of good humor.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Psychologists
call the fruitless preoccupation with what went
wrong “rumination.” This mode of critical thinking
invariably makes us feel worse. Awareness is
the anecdote. Instead of analyzing, accept.
Instead of doing, be.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Old patterns feel
comfortable, but that feeling of familiarity doesn’t
make them any truer. Repetition fosters belief,
but that doesn’t make the belief right. Figure out
what’s good and correct before you repeat it.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Thinking is not
all there is to conscious experience. Today a
cosmic perk will come without any effort on
your behalf. Your senses will be naturally more
engaged, and your intuition will be keen.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 8). This
solar return raises the tone you bring to your life
events, which will serve you in the moment and
beyond. Memories are not flat, linear repre-
sentations, but 3D snapshots of everything,
including your mood. Love and joy spill over
through the end of your year. Shrewd business
leads to lucrative deals in February. Leo and
Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are:
10, 2, 16, 50 and 27.