THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018
FEATURES
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
How to help a problem son
Dear Annie: I am writ- won’t go. — Afraid for My
ing to you about the adult Friend
son of a friend of mine. This
Dear Afraid: As much as
young man, “Dwayne,” has your friend is trying to help
had a bad couple of years. He her son, her efforts are most
was kicked out of the mili- likely getting in the way of
tary, divorced and had ter- his truly hitting rock bot-
rible child custody
tom and learning how
DEAR
problems. My friend
to help himself. Kick-
loves her son very
ing Dwayne out would
ANNIE
much, but he is rather
be the healthiest deci-
lazy. He has had sev-
sion for both of them.
eral jobs but doesn’t
It might be what spurs
keep them, mainly
him to seek help —
because he is too lazy
though your friend can’t
to get to work on time
hold herself responsi-
or even go on a reg-
ble for that either way.
Lane
ular basis. Dwayne Annie
For parents watch-
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
is addicted to sleep-
ing their adult children
ing pills. My friend
struggle with addic-
wants to kick her son out with tion, the idea of letting go
no car, no money and no place often seems crazy and impos-
to go, but she is afraid that if sible. It’s for this reason that
she were to do this, he might I recommend seeking the
not survive. I do not know strength, solidarity and guid-
what to say to her. It is very ance that support groups such
easy being on the outside as Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, Lif-
looking in with advice. I have eRing and SMART Recovery
told her that Dwayne sounds offer. Encourage your friend
depressed. She has taken him to attend a few meetings.
to a doctor to be put on medi-
Dear Annie: In response to
cation, but after a few weeks, “Love to Read,” who is upset
he stopped taking it. What is at seeing the F-word appear
my friend to do? Please do in contemporary novels, you
not suggest counseling, as he sided with her and said, “Usu-
5A
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ally, anything said with the
F-word could be better said
without it. More than anything,
it’s lazy.” I think this stance is
a bit too harsh. As a person,
I avoid profanity and com-
pletely agree that such words
are a lazy means of express-
ing oneself, but as a writer, I
try to represent my characters
and who they are as people.
And some people swear —
so in dialogue, I must repre-
sent such characters truthfully.
Although there are many book
genres that are more prone
to violence and profanity —
suspense and crime novels,
for example — many book
genres are less prone to pro-
fanity, such as women’s lit and
inspirational romance. I sug-
gest that “Love to Read” be
a little more selective in her
genre choice when reading.
Not every genre is for every
reader, but there are so many
genres to choose from that I’m
sure she will find novels more
suited to her taste. — Love to
Write
Dear Love to Write: A
fair point, and I’m happy to
have a novelist’s take on this
issue. Thank you for writing.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll be
happiest while in the process of learning
something new. Embark on an educational
venture to spark your creativity and reig-
nite your sense of wonder.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Being grate-
ful is not just something you do; it’s some-
thing you are. No matter what you take on,
you’re coming from a place of appreciation
and that’s what makes this day great.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Are your ac-
tions working toward the goal you have in
mind? You’ll want to know how you’re do-
ing. There’s nothing wrong with just asking.
The question might actually be charming
and disarming.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Extra energy
and vitality is yours to play with. It’s as
though you’ve tapped into an energy field
and are being compelled, not by your own
volition, but by the very force that fuels the
spinning of the planets.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Others may do
things in a way that clearly works great.
Still, never discount what you know or
reject your own roots. To accept and love
where you came from is essential to feel-
ing comfortable in the world.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Write it
down so you don’t have to worry about
remembering. Set a timer so you won’t
procrastinate. Lock the door and turn off
the Wi-Fi so you won’t get interrupted or
distracted. The best solutions are simple
and obvious.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It used to be
that people believed the answers were
blowing in the wind. Now they believe the
answers are trending on Twitter or Reddit.
Just to be safe, check everywhere.
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). In the name
of getting things done, you might have
to limit your mental scope. There will be
enough to do with what’s actually hap-
pening without also worrying about what
might happen or what could happen.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your
heart may cherish your friends, but it’s the
rest of you that really lets them know. Your
deeds speak volumes. They’ll be warmed
by your actions.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). By
simply sharing your honest appraisal of
a situation you’ll do more good than you
could possibly know. If this sort of thing
also happens to be your job, the result will
make you money today.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Not ev-
eryone wants to be famous, and you’ll be
living proof of this today as you choose t
do your thing without taking a picture or
otherwise submitting some representation
of it to the eyes of the world.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll do a
thing and then cross it off your list. But
don’t let that be the only reason to cross
things off. If you know you’ll never do it,
that’s as fine a reason as any to put a pen
slash through it.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 18).
When you think of the best thing that’s
happened to you, what pops to mind isn
something you would have predicted — a
random bit of luck you turned into some
thing exceptional. This sort of astounding
joy will repeat before the year’s end. Also
notable, an investment will pay off, as will
a mutual attraction. Leo and Virgo adore
you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 26, 1, 20
and 44.