THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017
FEATURES
Husband’s surveillance too much?
Dear Annie: I have a lov- tal conflict about cheating or any-
ing daughter, and I respect her thing. She has no way of knowing
husband greatly. I have visited whether his snooping gadgets are
from across the country count- on or off.
less times. I am 84, and they have
She says that it’s his thing
two grown children. Everyone and that there’s no use in fighting
is happy when we are together. about it. However, it disgusts me,
The only issue as far as I’m con- and I don’t think I will be able to
cerned is that the hubby,
visit their home again if
DEAR
although generous and
I’m being monitored. It’s
kind, is overly domineer-
not moral or proper. It’s
ANNIE
ing, bordering on being
an invasion of privacy.
a tyrant, and a nut about
Should I mention this
managing things, espe-
to him or just stop going
cially electronics.
there? He would proba-
On a recent visit
bly be grossly offended,
of mine, my daughter
seeing as he is allegedly
mentioned that he had
“the master of the
Lane
installed cameras in sev- Annie
house.” Not seeing them
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
eral places in their house
would be devastating to
because I was there. It
me because my daughter
was supposedly so he can see the is my closest living relative and
entryways to their home from his I love her dearly. We have never
cellphone for security purposes. had a real argument since the day
He installed them, however, so she was born. — Loving Gramps
that he can both see and hear vir- Needs Advice
tually everything that goes on in
Dear Loving Gramps: I agree
their house. He has even called with you that all that surveillance
her from his office a few times seems a bit creepy. If this is part
to say, “What room are you in? of a larger pattern of controlling
I can’t see you.” She is about behavior, it could indicate emo-
the most hardworking and hon- tional abuse. (Call The National
est and kindest woman a man Domestic Violence Hotline, at
could ever expect. He is a suc- 800-799-7233, for guidance.) But
cessful and important provider. unless and until your daughter
They have never had any mari- comes to you with such concerns,
there’s not much you can do. Why
not invite them over to your house
rather than create a conflict in
their marriage where there may be
none?
Dear Annie: I have two grand-
sons in the military, and I am
very proud of them. Each Christ-
mas, I send each a card and a nice
check. One I hear from as soon
as he opens his mail, but I don’t
hear at all from the other. The first
year, I reminded the parents sev-
eral times before I received a very
nice thank-you letter. This past
year, I said nothing and received
no thank-you. This year, I want to
cut him off (to get his attention)
and then give him another chance
next year. What advice would you
offer me in this situation? — Wis-
consin Grandpa
Dear Wisconsin Grandpa:
You shouldn’t have to jump
through hoops trying to train your
grandchildren to write thank-you
notes. This year, do only as much
as you feel inclined to do. Per-
haps send a card but no check so
he knows you’re thinking of him
and you’re not thinking of him
resentfully afterward.
To the grandchildren reading
this, let this be a reminder of just
how much a simple thank-you
note means.
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). No one wants
to feel indebted, and yet it’s a quick way to
be in a tight relationship. People need to feel
helpful. An indebted person is fulfilling that
need. Whichever side of the equation you’re
on, know that you’re fulfilling a need.
really invest in this ego circus.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Because you
come by your gift of empathy honestly, you
might assume it’s easy for anyone to put
themselves in the shoes of another. Not so.
Your gift is rare. Set an example for others and
eventually they will follow.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It only
makes sense that found things are often in
the same place as lost things, and commonly
these losses and gains occur in the intersec-
tions of life.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll do what
millions of others do and still feel like you’re
contributing something different. It’s because
you really are. The world needs you to keep
being your unique self.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Those who
have nothing will be called on to show their
patience, work ethic and perseverance. Those
who have everything will be called on to show
their grace, kindness and humility.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Pen and
paper are still among the coolest tools that
technology has brought us. The info and
insights will come rapid-fire today, and you’ll
be wise to make notes as you go. Later you’ll
pass it on.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). When the other
person seems compelled to give more and
more, it may be a kind of power struggle. The
person who gives more has the upper hand.
Step back and assess the dynamics.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). If someone
is talking behind your back, it means that
the person is behind you and quite possibly
beneath you, but positioning isn’t the issue.
Jealous people are dangerous people.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The current dilemma
is about understanding the nature of love. Ask
your heart of hearts who is on your side and
your heart of hearts may not echo the same
names you expected.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll be a
thought leader today. This is quite a respon-
sibility, but more than that, it’s an opportunity
for fun and creation. To inspire people toward
a brighter and more interesting goal is to
change the world.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It’s one of those
times when responsibilities bunch up on you,
the schedule gets crowded, and you wonder
why you agreed to so much. You can and will
relieve your own stress by doing the things
that feel right and good to you.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). They say, “Own
the room,” and yet how many owners can
said “room” really have? Three, max. Anyway,
some “rooms” aren’t worth owning. Look
around to determine how much you should
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
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 21). Aug-
mented powers of attraction are the cosmic
birthday gift that will improve your life in every
way. The more creative you are with this, the
grander your adventure becomes. A promise
will be fulfilled in March. June brings a fortu-
itous merger. The special tools you acquire in
the spring start a whole new venture. Pisces
and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are:
5, 19, 2, 22 and 33.