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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 2018)
6A FEATURES Thanks for the junky gifts Dear Annie: I am in my 60s, to encourage this baloney. It seems as are my brothers and sisters, and kind of silly to put money and effort we’re all retired. We have always into a gift exchange just to insult exchanged nice, thoughtful (though people. To be honest, I don’t exactly not expensive) gifts for birthdays, know what to say in a thank-you Christmas and maybe some other note. “Thank you for the nice jacket special occasions. Over the past sev- that doesn’t fit and has absolutely no eral years, my brother “Rod” tags on it”? DEAR and his wife, “Erma,” have, I would prefer not in addition to a lot of other to stop this gift giving, ANNIE rude behaviors, started giv- because for the rest of us, ing people gifts that are, in a it helps us to connect and word, mean-spirited. These is a nice tradition. The most are things that the recipients recent time this happened, almost surely don’t want I did talk to Rod about it. and/or can’t use. Several He would not admit there of these “gifts” seem very was anything wrong with Lane clearly to be things they Annie the gift, although he did say Creators Syndicate Inc. found in their closets or at it was not exactly what he some kind of garage sale. had gone to the store to buy. Others seem to be presents they’re Any thoughts? — When Is a Gift regifting — not really picked out Not a Gift? for the recipients, to put it mildly. Dear WIAGNAG: I’ll take Money is not the issue for them. your word that this isn’t a matter of You’ll just have to believe me on money (though do consider that you that. never can be sure what’s in another’s People have politely mentioned bank account). If you really believe to them such things as, “I don’t they’re acting out of inconsider- know when I’m going to be able to ation, then no, I don’t think you need use this.” Everyone has continued to to send a thank-you note. Sending buy them what seem to be nice gifts, one would probably just make you and I really don’t mind that (for the angrier about the whole thing. If the shared ritual and connec- moment). My question is: Should I send a tion with your siblings are what thank-you note? I really don’t want you really appreciate about the gift exchange, you can find those things elsewhere. Browse the internet (Pin- terest in particular) to spark your imagination for holiday traditions you can start together. Dear Annie: My wife and I can certainly relate to “Feeling Betrayed,” who wrote to you about losing a ring. We were visiting my aunt and uncle many years ago on a week’s vacation, and my diamond wedding ring went missing. My aunt loves all types of jewelry and wears diamonds often around the family. My wife and I suspected that my aunt had somehow taken the wed- ding ring, but we just said it was missing and that we were look- ing for it. Your advice to “Feel- ing Betrayed” — “Jump to con- clusions and you’ll land in a mess” — was spot on, because when we returned home from our trip, the dia- mond ring fell out of the liner of the suitcase. Thank goodness we didn’t make any accusations, because as you say, there are many possible explana- tions for why the ring has gone miss- ing. — Mark and Betty Dear Mark and Betty: This is a great reminder of why it’s best to keep our accusations to ourselves, no matter how sure we think we are. Glad you found the ring. THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). To avoid wasting your energy, be strategic in your placement of it. Go where you’re likely to get the most cooperation. Together you’ll accomplish more. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The word “fan” comes from “fanatic,” meaning “a person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal.” It’s a state of being responsible for great harm in the world. It’s far better to be gently and open-mindedly supportive. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Children make socially inappropriate statements because they have yet to learn what’s acceptable in different situations. Then there are those who will never learn. You’ll help them though. You’ll be a guiding force of decorum. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You may feel as though you are swinging your arms and flailing about in an attempt to regain some kind of balance. In fact, this a rather accurate depiction of what everyone is doing. It is the very essence of “action.” LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). In a cruel loophole, pointing out another person’s rudeness is rude. And if there’s anything to avoid at all costs today, it’s rudeness — not because it will upset others, but because it will ultimately make you disappointed in yourself. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Silliness can be the preservation of sanity. And even if the situation isn’t in dire need of silliness, it’s the ingredient that will make your time memora- ble and fun. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Excellent question of the day: “Who cares?” — not in a snarky or defeatist sort of tone, but an investigative one. The answer will be your best customer, your ardent supporter, your dear friend. 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 SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ve started many things with good intentions but life gets in the way of finishing. It doesn’t make you a slacker; it makes you a person who tends to priorities. But do consider those priorities today. Is it time to adjust them? SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Someone you look up to as a role model isn’t fit for the job. (Maybe you’ve made the common mis- take of casting a movie star in that position.) You will seek and find guidance from one with real-world accomplishments. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Before you dive into a project or take things in a new di- rection, play it out in the theater of your mind. It will be easier to try new things if you first take away the potential consequences. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Here’s an insane quest: Try and find the perfect partner, job or situation. The insanity will come at no extra charge. Accept imperfection, however, and you’ll get brilliant results. Sanity will be included in the price. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). People who are hard to read can have you coming back for more. But once you feel you have them figured out, your fascination wanes. The one who intuits this and makes it a mission to keep you guessing will enthrall you. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 25). You’ll be surprised at what you can do. Of course, it takes something incredible to sustain your high energy throughout the year, and the juicy prize you’ll choose works wonders to keep your tenacity and desire burning. Let yourself be frivolous this summer. Leo and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 10, 3, 38, 32 and 12.
