6A
FEATURES
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
Brother says she’s a hoarder
Dear Annie: I am feeling so several bags to The Salvation
desperate, angry and frustrated. Army. I have thrown many things
I deal with depression, and my away. And some of the items I’ve
brother is certainly not helping kept will be set up for a rum-
matters. I am 65. I cannot do a lot mage sale this summer. If these
of lifting because of back prob- items do not sell, they are going.
lems, so I wait for my grand- This is not good enough for my
kids to come and help me
brother.
DEAR
when they can, which is
I was going to my
not so often as I’d like.
own counselor, but she
ANNIE
My brother thinks I
retired at the end of
am a hoarder. He tells
April. She was awe-
struck with some of the
me that I have obses-
sive-compulsive
dis-
things that my brother
order and that I need
has said and done. Now
to deal with my prob-
he wants us to go to
lems. My brother is an
counseling. The prob-
Lane
lem is that I’m so tired of
alcoholic but does go to Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
his abuse that I just don’t
Alcoholics Anonymous
want to be around him
and has not imbibed for
over 20 years. Every time we get anymore. My brother has no con-
together, he is rude and sarcastic cept of what personal boundaries
and will not stop the conversa- are. What is your response to all
tion when I tell him that he is not of this? — Want Peace Back in
my counselor and that my issues My Life
are my business and not his.
Dear Want Peace: You are
I do not feel that I’m a hoarder right that these are your issues,
by any means. I will admit that not your brother’s. He might be
I have accumulated things over trying to help, but forcing his
the years and that this has got- version of help upon you clearly
ten out of hand, but my home isn’t helping anyone. The good
is not filthy or toxic. My down- news is that it doesn’t matter too
stairs area is not accessible at this much if he has no concept of per-
time because I have been sorting sonal boundaries, because the
through my things. I have taken person who sets your boundar-
ies is you. You get to decide how
often you talk to your brother
and how many of his comments
you take to heart. Peace is within
your power.
That being said, it does sound
as though clutter is getting in the
way of your life. Your items have
rendered a floor of your house
inaccessible, and you admit that
it’s gotten out of hand. If you
have a desire to address that
issue, you don’t have to wait
until your children or grandchil-
dren come by to help. Consider
hiring a personal organizer or
senior move manager to sort out
your belongings and move things
into storage. You can also call
a junk removal service for the
items you have no use for.
Even more important than
addressing your clutter, however,
is treating and managing your
depression. Your therapist should
have referred you to someone
else when she retired. Follow up
with her for some names. If you
can’t get in touch with her, the
American Psychological Associ-
ation offers a psychologist loca-
ter tool on its website. Psychol-
ogy Today offers a similar tool:
https://www.psychologytoday.
com/us/therapists.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). This thing you want
to do — you’re not totally prepared for it, nor will
you ever be. Go on anyway. No one else was
prepared when they started this either. All of the
insiders had similar feelings to the ones you’re
having right now.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). If something won’t
bother you a month from now, don’t let it bother
you now. If it won’t please you a month from
now, don’t buy it, commit to it or do it now. Use
the perspective of time in your decision-making
process.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It’s an excellent day
to strictly reject the extreme limits that people will
claim exist. They’ll say, “Impossible.” They’ll say,
“Never.” How do they know? It’s better to err on
the side of optimistic fantasy and possibility.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A conflict-free
life is so pleasant! Of course, there’s no story
there. Stories need conflict. If you happen to get
friction instead of an easy life today, rejoice in the
knowledge that it’ll be something people want to
hear about.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Many scientists be-
lieve that early humans made music before they
could make speech, and that love songs were
part of our primal culture. Whether or not that’s
true, today you’ll be deeply moved and bonded
by a melody.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The appear-
ance of confidence is often indistinguishable
from actual confidence. Both states will produce
similar results. So however you feel, put on your
brave face and go forward.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). To give something
a name is to claim it in some way. Try this with
your feelings today and you’ll create a bridge
between emotion and thought, closing the prob-
lematic gap that was keeping you from moving
forward.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). What is best for
all? With so many different people spouting var-
ious opinions, the question seems complex —
until you realize that most people are speaking
out of self-interest. Who is really after the good of
the group?
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Everyone has the same
24 hours in a day. Those who say, “I don’t have
time,” are really saying, “This is not a priority to
me right now,” which is a more empowering bit of
language both to hear and to say.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Education can
be extremely expensive, or it can be free. Those
who have access to a library or the internet have
access to the top minds that have ever lived.
You’ve an excellent reason to take advantage
of this.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The occurrence you
don’t find ideal, and possibly think of as terrible,
may actually be the best thing happening in your
life right now. It’s strengthening you, and it’s also
saving you in some way.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll try and enjoy
the unfolding moment. And when you can’t seem
to quite get there, you’ll still be able to go along,
knowing that the big picture is coming together
nicely and you’ll appreciate all of this later.
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 (June 14). People
think highly of you and will promote you in ways
you will love and also be slightly challenged by,
as it sets up an expectation. Don’t worry: You’ll get
there, with the same optimism and dedication
you used to arrive at the place you are right now.
You’ll discover treasure in July. Your legacy will ex-
pand in September. Cancer and Libra adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 9, 30, 18, 33 and 28.