6A
FEATURES
Children lack gratitude
Dear Annie: There are three checks to the older ones and they
sisters in my family. Two of us are ungrateful. I think that it is
are childless. Our other sister time to stop sending checks. Your
now has seven grandchildren. opinion, please. — Checked Out
Every Christmas and birthday,
Dear Checked Out: You
my other childless sister and I don’t owe anybody anything.
send a check to each grandniece Send the younger children greet-
ing cards if you’d like
and grandnephew. We
DEAR
to let them know you’re
never expect any gifts
thinking of them on
in return, but it would
ANNIE
special occasions, but
be nice to receive a text
don’t include checks.
message or an email
If they get angry, as
acknowledging our gifts.
though they were enti-
My other childless sister
tled to your money just
and I also receive regu-
lar solicitations to con-
because their elder sib-
lings received some,
tribute to special funds
Lane
then they needed a les-
— for example, one to Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
son in humility more
pay for band uniforms.
Upon any graduation
than they needed cash.
from high school, my other child-
Dear Annie: I would like
less sister and I are expected to to use you as a sounding board,
attend the event and pay for our hoping that my children and old-
own airfare, a hotel room, a car enough grandchildren might
rental and other expenses, which read this and see themselves in
is fine. But then we are both the paper.
expected to work in the kitchen
I have a problem that I’m sure
to assist with an elaborate gath- other adults with grown children
ering for many people — which and grandchildren have when it
I know is very expensive.
comes to birthdays, anniversa-
My other childless sister feels ries, etc. I always make sure that
as if it would be unfair to the the above-mentioned relatives
younger grandnieces and grand- have presents and cards on their
nephews to stop sending checks special days. But when it comes
because we have sent so many to my husband’s and my anniver-
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2018
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
sary and birthdays, we get noth-
ing from them.
Heaven forbid that I don’t
send at least a card their way
for every occasion. If I don’t
send a card for my grandchild,
for example, I get a nasty phone
call from my daughter, who
asks whether I forgot her son’s
birthday.
I am going to try to start doing
the same, calling to ask whether
they forgot my birthday or my
husband’s birthday. I guess I
was brought up differently than I
raised them. — Upset in Florida
Dear Upset: So many peo-
ple’s manners seem to be going
downhill in this department. Just
take a look at the previous letter.
I certainly sympathize with
you and all the other grandpar-
ents, aunts and uncles who con-
sistently show thoughtfulness
that younger relatives rarely
reflect back. That said, have you
tried telling your children you
feel this way? They might be all
grown up, but there are still les-
sons you can teach them — such
as how no one likes feeling taken
for granted, not even parents.
And if they don’t take that les-
son from you, I guarantee they’ll
learn it firsthand one day.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll be working on
a mystery. You already know who did what, but
you don’t yet know why. You may never know why.
Nonetheless, the exercise of trying to figure it out
is what will bring you a degree of enlightenment.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your frustration is a
good sign. It’s part of a learning process. You’re
on the verge of doing something different. You
may need to tinker. You may need a different ap-
proach. Step back and listen to what life is trying
to tell you here.
getting better.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It’s a fine day
to develop the sense of mystery that already
surrounds you by adding layers of silence and
secrecy. It’s not always the right approach, but
today it will grow your power.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Language
changes. Fashion changes. Music changes.
There is no right way, only what’s in style now
and what’s not. Are love and relationships also
matters of style? It’s a theme to consider today.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You won’t like every
single person, but if you limited yourself to
dealing with only those you liked, you would be
hurting yourself. Goldmines of opportunity will be
hidden inside business with people you don’t fully
click with.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). In a perfect
world, those close to you would sense what you
need and kick in help, validation and support. But
it’s not perfect. It’s a world of people born selfish.
Getting them to pay attention comes with the
territory. Good luck.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). The socially ac-
ceptable thing earned its status by being widely
used and understood. What’s new, by definition,
won’t fit that category. So don’t use public accep-
tance as your gauge. Let your heart be the judge
instead.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). In the business
world, one-on-one meetings are known for being
hard to get right. Groups find their own equilibri-
um, but the one-on-one dynamic is trickier. Good
thing you’re a natural. You’ll put someone at ease
today.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It’s a repeat of some-
thing that happened last week, except it’s like
the negative print version: The darks are light;
the reds are green. The shape is the same, but it
doesn’t look the same at all. Does it still have the
same meaning?
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Today’s questions:
Who gets to know you and who never will?
Should you remain discreet or speak up? The
thing about sharing how you feel is that it’s going
to change — and then what about the update?
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Today you’ve a
deep humility and a care and love for others. It’s
coming through in your interactions, especially
since you’ve decided that you don’t have to take
the lead.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). All the things you
tried that didn’t work have taught you much
more than just “what doesn’t work out.” You will
be able to apply these lessons. Relax. You’re only
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 (March 9). This
solar return will change what you do, not who
you are. If anything, you’ll become more of who
you are as you commit to what’s really giving you
energy and cut away the extraneous activities
that don’t pay you back in any meaningful way. A
celebration will award you in May. A case or deal
gets wrapped up in August. Leo and Capricorn
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 40, 33, 21
and 1.