A6
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JANuARY 7, 2019
Delayed response to texts
Dear
Annie: the wrong here? Is there
Recently, a friend con- a more tactful way to
fronted me about some- handle things when you
thing that I didn’t think take a while to respond
was a big deal: Some- to someone? — Delayed
times I forget to respond
Dear Delayed: Not
to texts for a
responding to
DEAR
while, and then
a text message
ANNIE
I reply and say
right away is
that I just saw
understandable
the
message.
— even healthy,
Te c h n i c a l l y ,
as we shouldn’t
most of the time,
be
beholden
it’s a lie; I did
to our devices
see the mes-
24/7. But lying
sage, and I just ANNIE LANE about the rea-
Creators
son for not
got sidetracked
Syndicate Inc.
returning a text
or zoned out or
is wrong, and
didn’t feel like
replying until later. But I it insults your friend’s
just say it to try to make intelligence. The next
the other person feel bet- time you take a while to
ter or to smooth things respond to a message,
over. I’m certainly not simply apologize (if
trying to be deceitful. appropriate) for not get-
My friend who always ting back to the person
tells it like it is, God sooner, and leave it at
bless her, called me out that. No flimsy excuses
for this behavior in front necessary.
Dear Annie: For at
of a group of mutual
friends. A few laughed least three years now,
and agreed that I do my neck has hurt on a
this. It was brought up daily basis. More often
in a joking manner, but than not, it’s stiff, and
it still ruffled my feath- I need to crack it to get
ers a bit. Am I really in some relief. I’ve heard
that changing to a bet-
ter pillow can help with
neck pain. But when I
went online to see what
pillow I should get, I
was overwhelmed by
dozens of options, all
claiming to have five-
star reviews. Now I
don’t know what to do!
I’m not sure how to
make a choice, consid-
ering I’m ... — Neck-
Deep in Options
Dear Neck-Deep in
Options: A new pillow
might help, but what
you really need is to
talk to your doctor. He
or she can refer you to
a physical therapist who
can help you protect
your neck long term.
You also might want to
consider using a stand-
ing desk, if you work
at a computer, because
unless you have per-
fect posture, sitting at a
desk all day can wreak
havoc on your neck and
back. As for the pillow,
perhaps the doctor or
physical therapist could
advise you on the right
kind.
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Maybe it seems back-
ward, but more practice and preparation won’t lead
to a better performance today. Doing well has to do
with mindset and attitude more than anything else.
Commit, believe, trust yourself.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You know that challenges
call out the best in you, as do irritations, annoyances,
inconveniences and other obstacles. But can you just
have one day when it’s all easy, smooth and harmoni-
ous? Yes, you can! And this is it.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). At your core you are
a wise, powerful, beautiful being. You don’t always
believe it. There are some layers of protection and
baggage to shed, and once you do, your spirit will be
abler to move, stretch and dance.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The term “mans-
plaining” describes the giving of unnecessary expla-
nations out of an incorrect assumption of the other
person’s ignorance. This sort of explanation is not
limited to men, and it can be avoided with awareness.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). While it’s been convenient
for you to conform, echoing the preferences, interests
and attitudes of those close to you, it’s not quite what
you really want. You’re free to honor your true nature
whenever you’re ready.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There are three C’s
that will be the guiding lights of your day — clarity,
courage and confidence. You see things how they are;
you’re willing to deal head-on with reality; and you
trust yourself to handle what comes next.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Practical matters require
attention, especially having to do with the mainte-
nance of what you own. Take care of your possessions
so they will be there for you and in good working
order when you need them.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’re really feeling full
today, like you don’t need too much out of life to feel
good and positive, and what you do need you can pro-
vide for yourself. This stable and empowered attitude
you carry is a magnet for love.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re ready to examine an un-
realized past goal to determine why it didn’t happen,
whether it’s still something you want, and how you
might do things differently going forward.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). A problem is a circum-
stance that impedes you from completing a task or
from getting to a destination or state of being. What a
problem is not is an idea about a circumstance. Distin-
guish between real and imagined problems.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A real friend brings out
the best in you, is undaunted by your weakness and
unthreatened by your greatness and generally seems
to amplify your strengths just by being near.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Remember the time you
got what you wanted and somehow it didn’t make you
happy? Join the club. When it comes to seeking happi-
ness, humans are not the best judges of what will do
the trick, but we can always try again.
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 (Jan. 8). It’s a passionate
year. You’ll discover places to invest your effort that
will pay you back in a multitude of ways before they
pay you back in the way you had in mind. Let your
commitment end only when you achieve what you
set out to do. In relationships, you’ll set the bar higher
and quality people will deliver the goods. Libra and
Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 44,
28, 11 and 4.