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.