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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (June 27, 2018)
6A FEATURES TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE The baby imposition Dear Annie: I find myself in an I have other friends who are mothers, uncomfortable situation with a friend even single mothers, yet I’ve never who just moved to our town this year experienced such neediness or been with her husband and baby. Besides asked for constant child care favors. her two sisters who live here, we’re I know that I need to put a stop the only friends they have so far. I to this now so that it doesn’t con- feel that she’s been taking advantage tinue to delay my work schedule or of me by asking for constant ruin our friendship. How do DEAR help with her baby. Her sis- I explain to her in a polite ter usually watches him once but firm manner how I feel ANNIE a week but has been tied up about her repeatedly asking recently, so my friend asked for this favor, and how do I me for help watching him express that my not want- ing to do this doesn’t mean last week for six hours. I I don’t want to be her friend? said yes, thinking it would — Not the Nanny be a one-time favor. I’m not Dear Not the Nanny: a baby person, and although Lane “No” is the magic word that this particular baby is very Annie Creators Syndicate Inc. will set you free — free from calm, I can’t get any work undue obligations, free from done when he’s awake (as regret and free from resentment. “As I’m sure any mother knows). Yesterday she asked me whether I adorable and calm as your baby is, would watch him again this week and watching him is interfering with my the week after for the same amount productivity,” “I’m sorry, but I can’t of time. I felt stunned that she was keep baby-sitting” or any other polite asking again so soon. I didn’t know variation of “no” will do just fine. what to say and would have felt Just be simple, direct and, most of all, extremely uncomfortable turning her prompt, because the longer you wait down at that moment, so I said yes to say no the harder it will get. Don’t once again. However, I’m extremely let fear hold you up. Your friend won’t frustrated with her because it feels as get angry with you for setting bound- if she thinks that her time and work aries, and if she does, she wasn’t much are more important than mine or that of a friend to begin with. Dear Annie: This is not a question because I work from home, she can use me as a free baby-sitting service. but just my take on individuals who use THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018 By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. excuses for being rude, being mean or exhibiting overall bad or even danger- ous behavior to others or themselves. I do understand that some people have certain conditions — e.g., atten- tion deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar affective disorder and schizo- phrenia — and some blame their par- ents for a terrible childhood. I sympa- thize with those individuals. But do all those people who are rude, are mean or exhibit bad behavior to themselves or others always have to have some “condition”? I think not! We all need to take responsibility for our own actions instead of blaming whatever or whomever. Maybe if they couldn’t blame it on something or somebody, they wouldn’t do it. Some people are just mean and rude and show bad behavior because that’s the way they are, period. — Tired of Excuses Dear Tired of Excuses: Though I don’t know exactly what prompted your letter, I agree that we should take ownership of our behavior. By that same token, though you can’t control whether another person is rude, you can control your actions and decide how or whether to engage with a per- son. When someone’s rude, consider it an opportunity to build your char- acter. Walk away and you’ll be a bet- ter person than you were. ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re in a daredevilish mood. Your invitation to risk will come by way of your heart. Extend it and you’ll likely get hurt at some point, as it goes with hearts — and it will also be completely worth it. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The social excitement is like a fire. It might take a sec- ond to get it started, but once it catches on it will keep going until all the fuel has been exhausted. Have fun! SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). For you, intu- ition isn’t an alternate form of intelligence. It’s always engaged. Today it will be the driver that has you getting ready to take a turn before you could possibly see which way the road goes. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Effective people move on when the project is complet- ed, knowing that nothing will ever be perfect, and good enough is good enough. In other words, get out while the getting is good. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Before you make a choice, it will feel as though you’re being weighed down. But once you choose and go, the universe will be like water, getting out of your way as you move. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You probably don’t want to be the one to break the spell with reality, to point out the problem or to speak the unpopular opinion. And yet, the responsibility falls to you. Use a kind voice and all will go well. CANCER (June 22-July 22). In real life, there is no clear first-place winner of any- thing. Each case is unique. There is no linear judging system. Such a system can be creat- ed, just to simplify things and name a winner, but it will be a forced and false construct. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Be wary of advice from those who feel that they’ve figured life out and now know how everybody can win. It’s a mistaken assumption. There is no “everybody” when it comes to life paths. The wins happen on a case-by-case basis. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Don’t bother with trying to be universally liked; it’s not going to happen for you or for anyone else, and it never has in the history of the world. Luckily, it’s safe for you to go against the flow and to speak the truth that others don’t share. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). A break from routine will be an energy-restoring, soul-sat- isfying luxury, no matter what the break is. As long as it’s out of your ordinary pattern, and also out of your alternative pattern to that, it will revitalize you. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The energy has been low, and the progress has been slow. Things will pick up after a nice long rest. So if you needed permission to take one, consider this your yellow slip. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (June 28). Your elastic heart will expand to include more people. Joy will double up inside your world. Anger and compassion cannot coexist. As you become increasingly compassionate, fewer things frustrate and irritate you. You’ll get a power surge in September and change something that’s been bothering you for a long time. Leo and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 30, 33, 37 and 42. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll be looking for ways to increase your talents, powers and capabilities. Currently, that doesn’t require learning or adding; rather, it requires pulling back to assess and organize. 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