THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2018
FEATURES
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
Relatives intrude on our party
Dear Annie: Every year, my ready to go home, he will have told
husband and I have immediate fam- about 10 jokes. Again, they are usu-
ily and some friends over for Hal- ally funny, but at the same time, by
loween. We make food, have bev- the end of the evening, we feel as
erages and take turns giving out if we’ve been to a comedy club to
candy. A niece of ours and her fam- watch a stand-up comedian’s show.
ily always show up uninvited, even What can we say or do to get him to
when we said one year we
limit his act without upset-
DEAR
ting him? — Too Many
just wanted our kids and
Jokes in Venice, Fla.
grandkids. They stay the
ANNIE
Dear Too Many
whole time and never bring
Jokes: Usually, clowns
anything. They also have
and comedians are on a
horrible personal hygiene,
mission to make people
and our niece is especially
laugh and enjoy life —
outspoken and obnoxious.
and appreciate their wit
How do I tell her in a civil
and talent. As a result, they
way they are not welcome?
Annie Lane
may not be aware of how
— Not-a-Fan Auntie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Dear Not-a-Fan Aun-
many jokes they are telling
tie: Time for these ghouls
or when to stop. You could
to go haunt somewhere else. Tell either prep yourself for a comedy
them in terms that are polite but show when you go to dinner with
leave no room for ambiguity: “This them (you did mention that the
is important quality time with the jokes are funny) or try to steer the
grandkids, and we’re going to keep conversation into a topic that you
it to just us and the kids next year.” would like to talk about over din-
Dear Annie: My wife and I ner and drinks. If absolutely neces-
enjoy getting together with another sary, you could tell him that though
couple we met a few years ago, he’s very funny, you would like him
usually dinner and drinks at a local to limit his jokes so you can have a
restaurant. After some small talk conversation.
Dear Annie: It’s that time
and ordering drinks, the husband
finds a way to tell a new joke. It’s of year again. Would you please
usually funny, and we all laugh. The reprint the letter reminding your
problem is that by the time we’re all readers that not every child is for-
tunate enough to have a costume
and that some children are very
mature-looking for their age? It
would mean so much to so many
kids. — Heather
Dear Heather: I’m happy to
reprint the call for compassion.
Thank you for reminding me of it.
Dear Annie: I’m writing in
reply to “Halloweary,” who com-
plained about trick-or-treaters being
too old, not in costume or out after
8 p.m. I grew up in the inner city,
where parents worked multiple
jobs and took multiple buses to get
home. The understanding was that
Halloween doorbell ringing ended
at 9 p.m.
Some kids are too poor for cos-
tumes. Some have parents who
don’t care or aren’t really around
for them because of addiction.
As for the age aspect, I have
known kids who looked like adults
at age 9. My brother had a friend
who had to have an adult desk in
kindergarten because he didn’t fit in
the type that the other kids had.
Any child learns soon enough
that he has to give up being a child.
Let children remain children as long
as possible, and take pity on those
who are less fortunate. Your kind-
ness may be their fondest childhood
memory. — Be Kind
5A
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). The best
people to be around aren’t the ones who nag
you to be different; they are the ones who
make you want to be better by modeling a
different way of being.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Sometimes
you’re the apprentice, and sometimes you’re
the master. To help another person give life
to their dreams is a gift to you as well, and
vice versa. The roles are interchangeable
and equal.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Don’t under-
estimate the detrimental impact of too much
seriousness. A deficit of fun is a drain on
vitality. It may not be noticeable at first, but
letting the levels get too low puts all that’s
good in jeopardy.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You won’t
forget your manners. You almost never do,
and that is among the reasons you’ll be cho-
sen for today’s task, which calls for someone
who can be reliably polite.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). What you learn
today will light your way. Tomorrow will be
better because of it. If there’s some waiting
around or a little stress, it’s par for the
course. Life is on track. Things are getting
better.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There are
a few options on the table, one of which
seems particularly appealing if not for the
fact that it will take a very long time to realize.
Don’t let that deter you. The time will pass no
matter what you’re doing.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Many appre-
ciate what you do. Not everyone. The ones
who get it really get it. Those are the ones
you’re aiming your best efforts toward. Keep
company with those who uplift.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Nothing
develops a person quite like traveling. And
you needn’t go far. Even a visit inside the
next-door neighbor’s house will fortify you.
The important part is that you learn about
others. Ask questions.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll solve the
problem by thinking less and feeling more.
Imagine yourself as a coral-like receptor,
with the ocean flowing around and through
you. As you move in response, how can it be
anything but right?
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There are a few
dynamics at play that are no longer ideal for
you, to say the least. You can always make a
change. That’s an option you have; you just
have to decide to take it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). To have an
awareness of your shadow side is a start.
But to know that your shadow is actually just
the flip side of the best that’s in you is the
golden ticket to success.
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
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). If silliness is a
skill, it’s an important one. People need silli-
ness. It takes a certain amount of confidence
to risk being seen as foolish. And it involves
an instinct for guessing what will make the
other person laugh.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 1). You’ve
weathered storms of all sorts, and now it’s
time to revel in emotional sunshine. Not one
to let life overwhelm you, you’ll make an
exception in matters of love. Developments in
your personal life inspire special events, trav-
el and the integration of other families and
friend groups. Libra and Leo adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 18, 3, 33, 28 and 50.