THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017
FEATURES
Teenage third wheel
Dear Annie: I do not get to
I am not good with con-
see my friend “Amy” as often frontations but have hinted a
as I’d like because of our few times to my friend that
busy schedules. My problem this bothers me. Can you give
is that she continually shows any advice on how to handle
up to our planned outings this situation? I’m thinking of
with her daughter,
just giving up on this
DEAR
“Jennie.” She gives
until Jennie goes to
little or no notice
college. — Three’s a
ANNIE
when she’s bringing
Crowd
her. Her daughter is
Dear Three’s a
17 and not mature for
Crowd: Mother birds
her age, and I don’t
shouldn’t wait until
feel
comfortable
they’ve an empty nest
talking about adult
to take alone time for
things (such as mar-
themselves now and
Lane
riage issues or other Annie
then. It’s healthy to
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
personal problems) in
get together with
front of her. I end up
friends and commis-
feeling obligated to ask her erate about adult problems
questions about her school — though not in the presence
and her boyfriend, etc. This of children. I’m not sure why
has been going on for years, Jennie would want to go to
though I understood when the every single lunch with her
child was, well, a child. I just mom or why her mom would
want to have grown-up time make her. But there’s no rea-
and conversations with my son you can’t politely request
friend. I almost want to can- one-on-one time. The next
cel when I find out that Jen- time you two are planning
nie is tagging along again. an outing, say something like
It bewilders me why a girl this: “I’d really like a chance
this age cannot cut the apron to talk to you about my per-
strings, though I don’t care if sonal life, and I just don’t feel
comfortable doing that when
it doesn’t affect my time.
Jennie’s there. Could we keep
this lunch to just us?” If she
rejects the idea, put the ball
in her court. Ask her to let
you know when it’s a good
time for the two of you to get
together.
Dear Annie: I am writ-
ing in response to “If Only
He Had a Heart,” who com-
plained about her younger
brother’s behavior. One of
her statements was sheer
prejudice: “He was ... let’s
face it, a teenage boy.” Not
all teenage boys are trouble-
makers. Why should “teen-
age boy” be a synonym for
“bratty, angsty and enti-
tled”? No other group can be
treated as being all the same
just because some are bad.
But apparently, it’s OK to
say such a thing, because you
didn’t correct her. — A Teen-
age Boy in Texas
Dear Teenage Boy: I
appreciate your writing. You
are absolutely right. Not all
teenage boys behave badly,
and making sweeping gener-
alizations helps no one. I’m
printing your letter to correct
the record.
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Who is on your
side? Not that people have to be on your side
for you to get something out of interacting with
them. But if they do happen to be on Team
You, you’re going to feel much more comfort-
able and free around them.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Every family has
its own kind of delicate balance to strike, and
today you’re throwing weight in this corner or
the other just to keep things afloat. Don’t wear
yourself out over it. Give others a chance to
contribute.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Lying opens the
door to doubt. It makes it hard to believe or to
be believed. There’s a small and tempting lie
hanging over you — maybe it seems like the
kinder choice — but if you can avoid it, do.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your family
balance may be upset, but this is very positive.
It’s what had to happen to strengthen the
bonds. Tonight, you’re open-minded. You may
even be willing to travel beyond reality as you
know it.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Improvement is the
goal. If improvement is always the goal, even-
tually you’ll hit the heights. But if you make the
heights the goal, every small win will be dimin-
ished by the cruelty that is comparison.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). For the sake of
being orderly, you may have to cut something
out. You may have to lose a lot of something,
actually, but the remaining part should be
much easier to manage.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The simplicity of your
approach will be disarming to those dealing
with massive complexities. And as they pause
to observe, perhaps in wonderment or maybe
just to chuckle to themselves, you’ll make your
next brilliant move.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Strongly consider
putting your thoughts into written form, espe-
cially in a letter to someone you appreciate.
Everything about the written expression will be
thoughtfully received, maybe even cherished.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). If you can keep to
the topics and activities that contribute to your
health and stay on purpose, this is no small
thing. Reward it. You might be surprised how
few people can do this.
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). Do you have
people around you who believe in you even
more than you believe in yourself? Because
that’s a gift. Treasure them, and let them know
about that, too!
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Today’s luck
springs from appreciating where you come
from, partly because you’re now experienced
enough to understand the pressures and free-
doms of adulthood and the difficulties involved
in raising another human.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). In the wizarding
world, you say your spell, wave your wand, and
it’s done. In the physical world, there’s so much
more breath and flesh to involve in it. Maybe
that’s better. Work will feel good to you today.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 24). It’s not
that you want a total change, but a few key
refinements on your wish list will be granted
in the next three months, and this will up your
entire game. January is the start of a new level
of self-love and acceptance. March brings a
change of scenery, and June is all about build-
ing up your loved ones. Gemini and Capricorn
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 44, 5, 16,
21 and 37.