6A
FEATURES
Little brother is a mess
Dear Annie: I’ve spent I just think he is selfish.
But now it’s coming to a
years watching my youngest
brother tear my family apart, breaking point: He turns 18 in
and now I need to make it stop. a month, and his principal just
Coming into high school, he called to say that if he makes one
was bratty, angsty and entitled, more mistake, he’ll be expelled.
but he was also the baby of the How far can rock bottom be?
My sister moved away
family and, let’s face it,
DEAR
because she can’t han-
a teenage boy.
dle it, but I can’t watch
Fast-forward
to
ANNIE
my parents’ hearts and
four years later, and he
spirits break any more.
is never sweet, never
What can I do to fix this
thankful and never
mess and keep my fam-
kind. My parents both
ily sane? — If He Only
work multiple jobs to
Had a Heart
keep our family afloat
Dear If He Only
and are nothing but
Lane
Had
a Heart: The
kind and understand- Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
first thing you can do
ing. All they want is
is to take that enor-
their son back. But he is
a nightmare, both in and out of mous burden off your shoul-
the house. He won’t keep a job. ders. Though I commend your
He won’t do his schoolwork. He kindness and concern for your
won’t respect my parents. He brother’s behavior, it is in no
takes money from my mom’s way your responsibility. The
wallet and has been caught with last thing your parents need is
drugs and alcohol. None of their two unhappy children. Perhaps
punishment has ever worked; you could stage an intervention
he just refuses. I’ve struggled in which each of your family
to keep my mouth shut over the members writes your brother
years, because they’re the par- a letter saying how much he
ents, not me. They’ve even tried is loved but firmly laying out
therapists and counselors, but how he is hurting himself and
that hasn’t made a difference. the family. If drugs are the
Honestly, I don’t think he is ill. problem, he may break down
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
and ask for help. Worst case is
that he will have to hit bottom
before seeking help. But know-
ing that he has a loving family
is a major plus.
Dear Annie: I am writing
in response to “Toddler Tur-
bulence,” who was bothered
on a recent flight by a young
child slamming his fold-up tray
against the seat back over and
over. I know how she feels. I
am in a wheelchair, and people
don’t understand that when they
bump into my chair when they
walk by me or hit my chair with
a drink cart — even just tapping
one of my wheels — it shakes
my entire chair and hurts me. I
very kindly ask them to be more
careful and not kick my wheels.
On a plane, some just don’t
realize what they are doing to
the person in front of them or
behind them. I hope that next
time, “Toddler Turbulence” will
say something to make future
flights more enjoyable. —
Eileen From Pennsylvania
Dear Eileen: I’m printing
your letter to encourage every-
one to be conscientious on air-
planes and especially careful
not to bump anyone who is in a
wheelchair.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Of course you’re
interested in what affects your needs and goals.
If you can’t figure out what’s in it for you, nat-
urally you’ll lose interest. Knowing this is how
things work, you’ll craft something irresistible
for you and yours.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The sands of
time don’t stop for drama, and neither should
you. Take a quick scan to assess what’s
relevant to you then move on. Avoid gossip. It’s
good to satisfy curiosity unless that curiosity is
of the morbid variety.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll lead with
your generosity of spirit, though you still must
act out of self-interest in many matters, as it
would be irresponsible not to. Self-care is a
duty and a public service.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). “Sky above,
earth below, fire within” — this creed has
served you well, though you really could use a
water sign influence to balance it all out. Today
you’ll get just that.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ve undergone
so many incarnations in your lifetime already,
and you’re about to add another to the story.
Follow your curiosity wherever it may lead. If
you’re not sure if you should ask, ask anyway.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’re not
sure if the project is finished, the job has end-
ed, or the relationship is played out. Make no
move. Wait to see what else comes up. Punc-
tuate this with a semicolon instead of a period,
because there’s probably more.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Maybe you
started late, or maybe you don’t come from the
same place as the others. Whatever makes you
different, lean into that. You’ll succeed without
having to hide anything.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It’s futile to fight
against the waves of change. They are so
powerful, and you’ll only exhaust yourself. Stay
relaxed, and provide no resistance. Eventually,
out of the turmoil, you’ll start moving steadily in
a direction that makes sense.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There’s no time to
waste on hating the experiences that led you
here. That will cause you to fall back. Instead,
affirm: Here you are, shaped by what happened
and also by what might happen. Fall forward.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Each stage of your
life seems to demand you to be a little different
from who you were. And now you’re busy
figuring out what stays and what goes for the
new version.
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
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). A relationship is
changing again. You’ve already been strang-
ers, friends, enemies, friends again and more.
And now you are back to being a little unsure
of what the other person will do. Keep up your
guard as you find out.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You definitely
won’t master the whole project in a day or even
a month. Anyway, big thinking can be over-
whelming and can bog you down now. Focus
on being the master of this hour, then the next
and the next.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 3). You’ll do it
by yourself, for yourself, over the next six weeks
— with amazing results, due to your habit of
breaking things down into small steps. Plans
will change to accommodate someone who
needs you. Ultimately, it’s a lifestyle improve-
ment! In 2018 riches come from teamwork and
community spirit. Capricorn and Leo adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 1, 20, 3, 15 and 28.