6A
FEATURES
Trouble with mom’s behavior
Dear Annie: I am a 13-year-old else to turn to. I do believe this could
girl in Montreal. I go to a private help others with the same problem
high-tech school with nice friends who are afraid to speak up. — Lost
and teachers. I have divorced par- and Unloved
ents and an elder brother, “Edward.”
Dear Lost and Unloved:
My mom and I spend quality Though we do our best as par-
time together pretty often. We go ents, we’re not perfect, and some-
out and have fun, and she
times we don’t realize the
DEAR
buys me things. The thing
impact of our words. The
is that she does these nice
next time you and Mom
ANNIE
things — such as taking
are out together, tell her
me for ice cream or shop-
how much you enjoy the
ping — and then uses them
quality time. Then explain
against me later. She also
that you’re feeling anxious
says I’m rude when I’m
about doing these outings
just doing my thing. I am
together because you’re
sick and tired of having my
afraid she’ll bring the
Lane
mom use the fun times and Annie
memories up in a negative
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
activities we do as leverage
context. Rest assured your
to make me feel bad. Why
mom loves you and your
does she do these things? Is it my brother equally, my dear. You both
fault? Is it hers? Should I talk about will always be No. 1 in her heart, no
it again with her?
matter what.
Regarding your issues with your
Also, my mom tells me not to
bully Edward, when he lies more brother, here’s the bad news: Elder
than I do and often starts the prob- siblings have been blaming younger
lems. She doesn’t believe me when siblings for things since the dawn of
time. The good news: They eventu-
I tell her the truth, though.
Does she like him more than ally grow out of it. In the meantime,
me? I must admit that I get along when Edward starts to bug you, just
better with my father and Edward ignore him.
Dear Annie: This is in response
gets along better with our mother.
But Mom always tells me we’re to “First-Time Heart Patient.” I’m
equal in her eyes. I don’t believe her. not a physician, but I’m a retired
Please help me; I have no one open-heart surgery nurse who spe-
cialized in critical care. I want to
assure “First-Time Heart Patient”
that it sounds as if he received excel-
lent care. Apparently, the doctors
thought his situation was so critical
that rather than discharge him from
the hospital, they sent him for car-
diac intervention as soon as it could
be coordinated. This would be con-
sidered an urgent heart catheteriza-
tion and intervention.
Perhaps he was too over-
whelmed or too ill at the time to
remember the nurses explaining the
medication to him, or perhaps the
meds had to be given very quickly
to prevent further problems. That
happens. However, it should all
have been in the printed copy of
his discharge instructions, which
should have been given to him and
reviewed with him before he went
home.
I understand his anxiety and
concern about this life-threatening
condition. Mended Hearts is a great
support group for heart patients
after heart attacks and beyond. He
can check with his hospital to see
whether this is available in his area.
Good luck! — J.P.
Dear J.P.: I so appreciate your
taking the time to write in and share
your expertise and experience.
Thank you.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Wisdom isn’t
among the more glamorous traits: Fool-
ishness, shallowness and impulse are far
more celebrated. However, you really can’t
progress without growing wise. Acknowledge
the wise part of you and watch it grow.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Many people
say “I love you” easily and with no follow-up
proof. Love is a verb. You’ll enjoy finding ways
to help, please, nurture, comfort, understand,
support, applaud and celebrate those you
love.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Theoretically, you
could retreat to the fantasy of your mind for
a free getaway. But in actuality, environment
matters. It will be much easier to find the new
you in a new place.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ve formal
training in some areas, and there are plenty
of things you taught yourself. Now you’ll get
the chance to fill in the gaps of your educa-
tion. There’s an exciting opportunity on the
other side of this.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your productivity
ebbs and flows according to what’s going on
around you. You’d like to have more control
over this, and you can when you take charge
of your environment. This is best done by
changing it, or leaving it.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Someone has
asked too much of you. You didn’t think the
request was too much at the time, and that’s
why you said yes. Now you see how you mis-
spoke. But don’t worry, the decision should,
can and will be reversed.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There are some
things you shouldn’t be too careful about. As
one philosopher suggested, “Of all forms of
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
caution, caution in love is perhaps the most
fatal to true happiness” (Bertrand Russell).
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You don’t really
see being happy as your duty, but what if
it is? What if, on some spiritual level, your
unhappiness dims the light of humanity?
Act as though this is the case and you’ll see
some magic today.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). If you
find yourself avoiding people, this might be
a sign that you’ve some unfinished business
or something to reconcile in yourself. Then
again, you could be wisely economizing your
energy.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). What does
“authenticity” really mean? Most assume it
has to do with acting on some grand individu-
alistic agenda. Today’s authentic living may
be best expressed by eating a sandwich or
doing what everyone else is doing.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Surrender
is the greatest stress reliever. The best
part about it is that you can choose which
direction to take it. There are so many things
to give in to. Ideas for today: Surrender to
laughter, touch, dance, love, taste, sleep, etc.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Arguments will
be best among friends, preferably bright ones
with diverse and even outlandish opinions.
You’ll hash out topics for the sake of sporting
debate and come to a universal truth.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 5). Heart
connections will be made stronger this solar
return as you communicate more openly and
thoroughly. Your interest in others will carry
you into new worlds in 2018. Gemini and
Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 11,
5, 20, 41 and 16.