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you take would be a good
one. Raining? Walk or run
on the new track or sweat
it out in the cardio and
weight rooms at the newly
renovated Patriot Hall at
Clatsop Community Col-
lege, perched above Astoria
and replete with glorious
views. A punch card costs
just $15 and is good for five
visits.
Then at 10 p.m. Friday,
Dec. 22, you can dance it
out at Everybody’s Christ-
mas Dance Party at the
Merry Time Bar and Grill
with DJ Kevin Lee. Every-
body’s invited.
4.) You are tired
Excuse yourself and take
a nap.
“Sleep is really import-
ant,” Baker said. “I fully
support a nap in the middle
of the day. That’s good
self-care, and regenerative.
Good sleep has a signifi-
cant impact on our sense of
well-being and happiness.”
The
Franklin
Apartments
Chroma Loft Salon in Gear-
hart specializes in outra-
geously vibrant hair color, in
case you need to really alter
your appearance for such oc-
casions as, say, the holidays.
5.) You are cranky
Wait a minute, are you
actually thirsty? For water?
You should probably go
drink some. There is a natu-
ral spring on U.S. Highway
26 at mile marker 28, about
30 minutes from the junction
in Seaside. But check road
conditions before you go,
and don’t forget to bring a
jug or two.
6.) You are pressed on
your politics
“My own personal expe-
rience is that the holidays
are not the best time to work
out relationship difficulties.
It’s just too much of an emo-
tionally charged time of year
to try to resolve conflict. You
can’t change people in your
family,” Baker said, “so why
even bother?”
7.) You are without a
car or otherwise can’t
escape the house
Put in headphones and
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Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim
listen to a podcast. I have a
friend who had a particularly
bad Christmas last year. She
swears by The Moth Radio
Hour’s “California Goth-
ic” by Taylor Negron. “This
wackadoo story is what
saved Christmas for me last
year,” she said.
Then take a bath and lock
the door or read a book. I
recommend the gorgeous-
ly illustrated “The Lost
Words: A Spell Book” by
Robert Macfarlane, suit-
able for all ages.
8.) You forgot a gift
If you are given an
unexpected gift and have
nothing to offer in return, be
gracious and genuine. You
can always follow up with a
gift or card later.
Don’t forget The Annual
Sparkling Wine Event 3
to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23,
at Fresh Foods in Cannon
Beach, where you can taste
champagne, cavas and
Proseccos just in time for the
holiday season.
9.) You want to be seen,
but not recognized
You could alter your
appearance entirely with
unicorn or mermaid-in-
spired locks at the Chroma
Loft Salon in Gearhart.
Wells Gregory specializes
in outrageously vibrant hair
color. Then no one will
recognize you.
In addition, Gregory
is having a raffle during
December with additional
prizes for anyone who picks
a winning number and 10
percent off the next visit for
those who don’t.
10.) You feel offended
Meditate. Perhaps you
are too identified with your
personhood and out of touch
with your real presence?
Consider attending Wel-
coming the Unpredictable:
A New Year’s Retreat
for Women at the Great
Vow Zen Monastery from
Thursday, Dec. 28, through
Monday, Jan. 1. Visit their
website for cost and other
details.
Another option: Head-
space is a free-to-start app
that gently prompts you to
take a daily break from any
incessant mind chatter.
11.) You feel lonely
“Go volunteer. Go help
other people who are strug-
gling,” Baker said. “It is our
connectivity to others that
makes life worth living.”
So even if you don’t
have family in the area, go
volunteer at the Food Bank
(503-861-3663) or the Asto-
ria Warming Center (760-
298-8932).
12.) You feel confused
about life
Consider walking the
labyrinth at Grace Episcopal
Church on the first Sunday
of January. Perhaps walking
that maze-y loop-de-loop
will untie some knots in your
head.
13.) You feel sad
If you can do most of
the things on this list, guess
what? You are in great shape.
Practice gratitude.
For classic reminders, go
see “Scrooged in Astoria”
7 p.m. Friday and Saturday,
Dec. 22 and 23, at the Astor
Street Opry Company Play-
house; or, at 7:30 p.m. Thurs-
day through Saturday, Dec.
21 through 23, “A Christ-
mas Carol: The Musical” at
the Coaster Theatre.
“Surround yourself with
happy people as much as
possible,” Baker said.
Scientists at Yale pub-
lished a study that suggests
your friends’ friends influ-
ence your happiness and
vice versa. Those degrees
of separation mean we are
responsible for the company
we keep and for our own
emotional hygiene no matter
the time of year.
If things start to feel too
difficult, there’s always help.
Please call Lines for Life ho-
tline: 1-800-273-8255. CW