A6 THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, FEbRuARY 25, 2019 Crushing on a friend Dear Annie: “Jeremy” goes any further. He’s such and I have known each other a good friend, and I would for a few years and hung out hate to mess that up. How as friends in group settings. do I get over this and get Last year, he moved to my back to our friendship? — neighborhood, and Crushing Friend DEAR we started occasion- Dear Crushing ANNIE ally grabbing a drink Friend: The value after work or car- you place on friend- ship is admirable pooling to mutual and wise. But you friends’ things have feelings for Jer- together. We have emy, and that fact gotten to know each changes the dynam- other really well, and at this point, I ANNIE LANE ics, whether or not Creators you confess them. consider him among Syndicate Inc. There’s no putting my closest friends. that genie back in the But a few months ago, I started to develop bottle. If you should persuade feelings for him — getting excited and nervous before yourself to move on without seeing him, happy when he saying something, a part of sends me text messages, etc. you would always wonder I am not sure, but I think what would have happened he likes me, too. He contacts if you had. It’s the things me almost every day, and we don’t do in life that we I’ve noticed he hasn’t gone regret the most. on a date in a few months. So say something. Tell He used to go out with Jeremy how you feel. If it women from dating apps should turn out he doesn’t pretty regularly. Maybe I’m feel the same, take some reading into it too much. space and allow yourself to But even if I’m not and he move on. You might find in does like me back, I want a few months that you have to stamp this out before it no romantic feelings for him and can continue being friends, or you might never be close friends in the way you are now, and that would be OK, too. Sometimes Cupid’s arrow points our lives in different directions, and it’s nobody’s fault. And if he does recipro- cate your feelings, you may have just found a soul mate. There’s no better foundation for a long-term relationship than friendship. Dear Annie: To me, “Stripped” sounded as if she was concerned about a pos- sible personality change. I would have asked her to check with her doctor to make sure she doesn’t have a chemical imbalance or a tumor. I would not want a sudden change in habit to be overlooked. — Diane Dear Diane: You bring up a great point about the letter from “Stripped.” A sudden personality change can indeed be the canary in the coal mine for health issues, and I appreciate your writing. The following is another response to her letter. TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). In the morning, you’ll have the courage to blast past what held you back yesterday. Do it like the ram that is the symbol for your sign. Put your head down and run. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). This is not about talent. Rather, it’s a matter of gaining skills. The universe seems to be pushing you toward the skill you need most. Hone in on this; it’s worth your focused time. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There’s a juicy chal- lenge coming your way, like an assignment you’ve been waiting for or one you’ve feared but are completely ready for. The endeavor will grow you in the perfect direction. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Family will support you, though you may have to be explicit in your directions about how best to do this, otherwise you get what you get. It may be obvious to you but other people just won’t see it unless you lead them there. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You know where you’re going, and that gives you a distinct advantage. The confidence and naturalness that goes along with this knowledge is something people sense and yield to. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). One way you show your love is to kid around a bit, bring a little levity to the picture and relate to people in a way that lets them know they are on the inside, close enough to you that the relationship can bear a little good-natured ribbing. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It’s easy enough now, but this is only the beginning. At some point, you’ll need to apply the sort of gritty stamina and white-knuckled form of courage that the Finnish call “sisu.” Don’t worry; it will be there when you 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 need it. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Go ahead and air your feelings, but do it the way you’d air a slightly shaken bottle of club soda, half a cap twist at a time. Other- wise, an unpleasant surprise will be had by all. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You wisely realize that standing on the precipice of something dangerously grand doesn’t make you the master of all that’s below. Do not let your position mesmerize you from your firm footing. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’d gladly let go of what was holding you back, if only you knew what it was. Don’t ask your friends. Their answers come with baggage. An admired mentor (possi- bly speaking from the pages of a book) has your answer. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Even when you’re mad at someone, you find it much easier to be nice, which usually leads to eventually forgetting all about why you’re mad at someone. However, some slights are better to remember, just to avoid a repeat. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Is fickleness a mood, or is it a sign that it’s time for you to move on? Both. The mood is inspired by a sneaking suspicion that you’ve opened all the doors that can be opened in this endeavor and new challenges await elsewhere. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 26). This solar return sees you ambitious, powerful and ready to take on the world. What’s even better is that you’re thoughtful about your challenges and choose to step back to understand them better. You’ll gain comprehensive knowledge, formulate a vision, bring together a team and be truly unstoppable. Aries and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 20, 4, 44 and 19.