THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018
FEATURES
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
Upset by screaming child
Dear Annie: I was recently shop- and scream in her stroller. Every-
ping in a department store, when one in the store could hear her as
I heard the very loud screams of a the family casually strolled from
child. Because the screaming was so department to department.
I finally finished with what I was
abnormal, I wanted to seek the child
out to see what was causing it. When there to get and left as quickly as I
I found the screamer, she was being could because I couldn’t bear to hear
the screaming any longer.
pushed in a stroller by her
DEAR
The reason I am writing
mother, with a man (possi-
bly her father) and two other
this is to plead with parents
ANNIE
women walking alongside.
to have some common cour-
tesy when in public places
As the screaming and crying
with your children. Per-
continued, none of the adults
haps when you know you
made any attempt to talk
will be out of the house lon-
to, interact with or hush the
ger than your child can toler-
child. It appeared as if they
ate, be prepared with a bot-
were in full ignore mode.
Lane
tle, a snack and a small book
As a mother, I know that Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
children have these types
or toy to keep him or her
of meltdowns when they’re
occupied. You may be used
hungry, they’re tired or a request to hearing your child’s screams, but
for something shiny or sparkly has it can be annoying and disruptive to
not been met. However, when my others who are nearby.
children were young and I found
Thank you for allowing me to
myself in a public place when they vent. — Mind Your Manners, Please
began to get cranky, I immedi-
Dear Manners: You offer great
ately removed them from the store suggestions for parents preparing
and took them outside until they for outings with their young kids. Of
calmed down. To me, this was the course, one of the adults should have
polite thing to do so I did not sub- taken the little girl outside, for her own
ject other shoppers to the subse- sake and for the sake of other cus-
quent crying that was sure to come. tomers. I surveyed a group of young
The store was quite large, and as moms, and they defended the adults in
the group moved away from where I your scenario. I understand their feel-
was, the child continued to cry, kick ing that you just can’t win and that it
5A
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
is a mistake to give in to your child’s
every whim. But allowing the little
girl to scream uncontrollably — as
if everything were normal — is quite
absurd. You are right, and they are
wrong. Thank you for writing.
Dear Annie: Perhaps this will
help you: The definition of “gross”
is “144 of anything.” I’ve asked you
before to stop using that word as a
definition of something terrible. My
children and I have had that unfor-
tunate last name for too many years,
and legally changing one’s name is
complicated and expensive.
Picture yourself as a child with
this last name, and think of other chil-
dren and even adults using it as a
pejorative to make fun of you, which
has happened to my children and me.
As a syndicated columnist, you
should know that words hurt when
used this way. — Speak Carefully
Dear Speak Carefully: I’m
sorry that my usage hurt you, but that
wasn’t my intention. The first defini-
tion for “gross” listed in my dictionary
refers to the way in which I and many
others use it. But that doesn’t mean it
has anything to do with your surname.
Though I can’t promise you I’ll
never use that word again, I can prom-
ise you that anyone who is cruel and
immature enough to deliberately rid-
icule your name is the ridiculous one.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). It’s a strange
day in which enjoyment has little to do with
success at the task. All the fun belongs
to those who are willing to be bad at
something. If you’re tone-deaf, sing! If you’re
colorblind, paint! If you’re shy, orate!
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll learn
who keeps his word and who doesn’t —
knowledge that should help you navigate
in the future. You only have time for those
you can count on.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your intuitive
methods will serve you well today. That
doesn’t mean you won’t ask for guidance; it
just means you’ll have a strong feeling about
from whence the best advice will come.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You can give
your story a positive spin and cover it in
frosted sugar, too, but the people who know
you will still want to hear the real deal. Help
and honesty go hand in hand.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There are no
guarantees today, but have a little faith
anyway. The ones who will win under this
sky are those who are able to tolerate
uncertainty and even find a way to get
comfortable inside it.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Artists will be on
fire with inspiration today — and everyone is
an artist at something. Whatever you’re willing
to practice will be a conduit for your passion.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’re looking
at the kind of problem that can’t be solved
by money or anything it can buy. You
know what the real solution is. It’s love, of
course. You’ve plenty of it to give.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Don’t
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
worry if you’re running out of excitement
for a project. It is possible to fly without
a motor (then again, that’s really called
gliding), and there’s no shame in it. Rest.
You’ll feel different tomorrow.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Would
you like a second chance at what you
thought was a one-time deal? Such cosmic
grace is indicated now. The day will bring a
reversal of misfortune, miscommunication
and other mischief.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You have
excellent instincts about people and can
tell right away who’s going to be your close
friend. For this reason, you may slow the
social pace so you can enjoy getting to
know others. What’s the rush?
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll see
a change because you made a change. It
has, in fact, brought you such satisfaction
that you no longer feel the need to com-
plain about anything. Instead, you decide
whether to make a change or not.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Discipline is
your success secret. It is at the core of every
win. Discipline happens through planning and
through making your environment a place
that’s conducive to creating your best life.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 29). You
have the clarity of mind and the courage to
really listen to yourself — past the voices
of influence you’ve lived with your whole
life and into a small but mighty chamber of
your heart that holds a purpose that until
now has spoken only in whispers. You’ll
hear it loud and follow. Your best life awaits.
Aries and Libra adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 7, 4, 44, 38 and 2.