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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 23, 2017)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017 FEATURES Family wedding woes Dear Annie: Your help not invited. Don’t let that fall is needed to resolve a fam- to you. That said, if the issue is truly ily problem. One of my grand- daughters, “Mackenzie,” called just the expense and you have to say she is getting married the means financially to help, in a few weeks. This will be a you could offer that option small wedding, as she and her to your granddaughter. She might really appreci- fiance do not have a DEAR ate the help, and your lot of money. Only 45 son and his wife would guests are invited. Now ANNIE no doubt appreciate the problem: Macken- being included in their zie is not inviting my niece’s special day. son and daughter-in- Dear Annie: I’m law, as they do not have 64, so in six more a close relationship and years, I’ll be in my 70s she has not seen them (if all goes well). Writ- in two years. I was Lane ing from that perspec- upset with the news; he Annie Creators Syndicate Inc. tive, I disagree with is her uncle. She also your advice. Telling said that she will not be notifying him to tell him he is people our age to “lose (them- not invited and that if I want, I selves) in helping others” is a way of suggesting that our own can call him to inform him. I understand this is her wed- interests don’t have value or ding, but this exclusion is really validity. I’m not saying there’s any- upsetting me. Now the question to you, Annie: What does one thing wrong with volunteering; do in this situation? — Angry in people of any age are free to do so. But the belief, often stated, Connecticut Dear Angry: As you said, that old people should putter this is your granddaughter’s around doing volunteer work wedding, so she can invite and focus solely on helping oth- whomever she’d like. But she’s ers is selling us short. It’s like also in charge of informing telling someone who’s dissat- family members that they’re isfied with being a housewife 5A TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. and raising kids who are almost grown that she just needs to have more kids or adopt foster kids or something along those lines. A sense of purpose can also come from doing creative work. We could paint, draw or sculpt; write stories, novels, screen- plays or memoirs; spend time with friends and family; hike and build our health; travel and explore this wonderful world; or join groups that are working to “heal the world.” None of these activities is focused on giving up on our own interests. Call me selfish if you will, but I’d like to go on living my own life for as long as I’m around. The notion that we need to lose ourselves in helping others suggests our lives aren’t fun anymore or aren’t worth living. A strange attitude, in my estimation. — Sarah M. Dear Sarah M.: I’m print- ing your letter because you make a great point. There are plenty more ways for retirees to spend their time than just vol- unteering, and self-enrichment isn’t selfish in the least. Thanks for writing. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Innovation is not everyone’s first inclination. A lot of people would rather try small improvements first. It will benefit you to stay open-minded about all possible paths, conventional and unconven- tional alike. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When you can make someone laugh, it makes you feel smart, even if you’re playing the fool while you’re do- ing it. It’s good to know you can reach people in that very nuanced and sophisticated human place call humor. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ve a good plan, but life will throw a wrench in it anyway. Consider that a cosmic gift. Because what could be duller than a plan that goes off with- out a hitch? SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You don’t have to point out everything that’s false — not to them, not to yourself, either. As your sign mate Mark Twain said, “Don’t part with your illu- sions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.” GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your usual effer- vescence may be temporarily muted by a few borrowed troubles. No worries. All you have to do is return those troubles like a library book, and don’t check them out again. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Advertising is a part of life. You’re selling you. You compose the “ad” in the way you dress, talk and position yourself: It’s all part of your pitch. Have fun with this today. You’re both the creative team and the product. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Many will vie for your attention. Some genuinely need you. Even so, cater to your own needs first. This will put you in the position to deliver the best you can. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You change environments just by being in them. Complete strangers will notice your influence. Your pres- ence is, in a sense, a responsibility, because wherever you go, you want it to be better because you were there. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). With all the chang- es going on in your part of the sky, you may be uncharacteristically sensitive. So protect yourself. Put up a layer of emotional padding, or, at the very least, emotional sunscreen. 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 CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You have good intentions and no plan. That’s fine for today. It’s one of those rare times when your purpose is your plan. You’re here to improve things, and that’s exactly what you’ll do. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It’s fun to be the new person in the group, and you’ll make an impression by being there, even if you never go back and become part of it. Your presence will add a certain vigor to the proceedings. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). As ethereal as you are, you’re still pretty grounded, in the sense that you cannot imagine believing in your own superiority to the other people of the world. Unfortunately, you’ll have to tolerate those who really do think they’re better. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 24). You do want something that’s hard to get. Few have it. The path will be difficult. You’ll have to recommit over and over. So what? You have the grit! You can make it if you keep going. Your polished work will get you noticed. You’ll be paid well, but you have to ask for it first. People believe in you and root for you. Cancer and Aries adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 15, 1, 4, 9 and 13.
