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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 22, 2017)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 FEATURES I’ve gotta take that call Dear Annie: I have an old and before you’ve told your friend close friend I’ve known for 50 how you feel. You should at least years. We live far apart, and the let him know these abrupt good- byes bother you and give him the only way to talk is by telephone. Over the past several years, chance to say his piece. This is a my friend has started to suddenly hunch, but is it possible you’ve interrupt our calls when there is a not taken verbal cues — such as click on the line signal- “Well, it’s getting late” or DEAR ing another call. He will “I should let you go” — announce midsentence that that he’d like to end the ANNIE he has another call coming call? He may be using in that he has to take and call waiting as a quick then abruptly hang up. He way out. After all, with interrupts himself this way 50 years’ worth of stories, as often as he does me. It I’m sure you two could happens virtually every talk for hours. time we talk, no matter Dear Annie: I have Annie Lane what time it is. read in your column Creators Syndicate Inc. I thought a solution to numerous letters from this might be to ask him families who, for various to call me when it is convenient reasons, do not have any caring for him. That has not stopped this grandparents or other close rela- rudeness; he does this even when tives in their children’s lives (for example, the recent letter from he has placed the call. I am at my wits’ end and cannot “Protective Husband”). My hus- think of a solution short of writing band and I had the same problem. Rather than see our children off the friendship. This behavior is very much outside his normal miss out on the benefits of hav- character, which makes it all the ing grandparents, we carefully observed older friends and neigh- more frustrating. Any ideas on tactfully deal- bors and adopted “chosen” grand- ing with this problem? — I Wasn’t parents for our children. When- ever we moved, the process began Finished Dear I Wasn’t Finished: again, to the benefit of both fam- Don’t write off the friendship ilies. There were always many jobs that each family could do for the other. And the “grandpar- ents” never felt that life was pass- ing them by or that there was no one for them to call on when they needed help with minor repairs, yardwork, heavy lifting or tech- nical problems that can perplex older minds. Our chosen grandmother was a widow whose biological grand- children lived in other states. I was finishing my bachelor’s degree at the time, and she was truly a wonderful blessing to our family. She would ask what I was fixing for supper and then offer to cook it and eat with us and watch my youngest do his homework, all while I finished my assignments. She was a real saint who enabled me to have the time to study and graduate with honors. Then I became an award-winning school- teacher for 39 years, which I might not have been able to do without her help decades before. Please look around and choose carefully. And remember that all family members do not have to be biological relatives. — Blessed by My “Chosen” Family Members Dear Blessed: It sounds as if she loved having your children in her life, too. What a wonderful idea. 3C TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Just because you can read the signs doesn’t mean you will follow them. They seem geared toward guiding you down the conventional route. But that’s not the only way. You’ll be in the mood to explore and find your own way. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The struggle is between you and you today. If you’re too strict with yourself, you’ll rebel and do nothing. So be gentle. Praise and encourage yourself. You’re doing so much that’s right. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The people around you may heartily agree, but it’s time to take your idea wider, keeping in mind that there are those in the world at large who believe much, much differently from the way you do. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Clear the air in these last days of the year so you can go into 2018 without baggage. Argue and persuade if you must, but ultimately it’s negotiation and a fair compromise that will serve you best. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Regarding a rocky relationship: There’s so much that’s possible here, so don’t give up unless you’re truly unwilling to do things differently. Change can still happen. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re disarming, and you’ll be in the perfect company to exer- cise your charms. There are those who really need to drop their defenses! They’ll be much better for knowing you today. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Today, if you were a bird, you’d be a peacock. You have some colorful stuff to strut! And since birds of a feath- er flock together, you may be a part of a truly impressive show and tell. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll have to call 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 up some powers of diplomacy to deal deftly with the group today. These guys aren’t going to get along unless there’s someone in the middle to buffer the conversation. That person is you. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Look on the bright side — not directly into the sun though, or you’ll damage your eyesight. The bright side isn’t the extreme positive. It’s a light filtered through the clouds, trees, buildings and people that exist in the real world. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You have something on your mind, but it’s not like your mind is “consumed” by this. Yours is a strong intention. This is better for you now, as it leaves room to work with what others want. Oblivious ambition is dangerous. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Some say you should master your thoughts to master your actions, but this isn’t always the order that works. Your thoughts can be feral and powerful as wild horses, but do things differently and your thoughts will calm down. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Circumstances don’t define you. Circumstances are opportuni- ties. What defines you is always your reaction to these opportunities. Really good things can come out of less than ideal situations. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 23). Three weeks of luck will change your mind. Your needs are met but this only satisfies you if the ones around you are doing well too. You’ll dedicate yourself to bringing up the whole group. This quest makes your life great — even magical. January brings an exciting discovery. Loved ones surprise and delight you. Virgo and Aries adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 40, 33, 37, 1 and 26.