Page 6B East Oregonian PEANUTS COFFEE BREAK Thursday, November 2, 2017 DEAR ABBY BY CHARLES M . SCHULZ Wife refuses to accept job as family’s communicator FOR BETTER OR WORSE BY LYNN JOHNSTON B.C. BY JOHNNY HART PICKLES BY BRIAN CRANE Dear Abby: My husband is a nice they haven’t heard from the two of guy, but he’s not particularly good you is their son didn’t remember, you at planning ahead. This means that are dreaming. Because you are better special events, holidays and birthdays at planning ahead, deal with the chore. often go unmarked because he doesn’t I’m sure he does things for you that are remember in time to get something a pain in the neck (and even below). sent. In this day of automation, sending In my parents’ marriage, all family “something” to relatives is practically communications fell to my mom. a no-brainer. And it certainly beats Jeanne It was her job to send the Christmas Phillips feeling guilty because your husband cards, birthday gifts for nieces and isn’t up to it. Advice nephews and to remember her mother Dear Abby: My parents are in and her mother-in-law on Mother’s their late 60s and suffer from multiple Day. Our marriage is more egalitarian, and I lifestyle-related illnesses. Although they had don’t want the job of communicator-in-chief. every opportunity to make healthy changes, My husband knows this and agrees that he they chose not to. I live on the other side of should share some responsibility, but doesn’t the country, and I am busy with my career and act on it, even after being reminded. I feel family. guilty when an important milestone in one I love my parents and accept our relationship of his parents’ lives goes by and they receive for what it is. However, I do not feel obligated no acknowledgment from our household. to disrupt my life and upset my children to be The source of my guilt is surely the nagging with them as they die slow, painful deaths. If feeling that it’s my job as the wife to make their illnesses were not directly related to their these connections and that I am judged when own poor choices, I might feel and behave the things are not sent. differently toward them. Knowing it won’t How do I let go of the guilt, or at least let change their behavior, should I tell them why my in-laws know I love them and their son I won’t be with them for what appears will be is the one who is letting them down? I want prolonged and terrible deaths? — Saddened absolution. — No Calendar Girl In Cali- By Their Choices fornia Dear Saddened: If your parents are as Dear No Calendar Girl: Not everyone sick as you have indicated, they already feel excels at every task. That’s why there is terrible. I see nothing to be gained by adding division of labor in partnerships, including emotional pain to their physical pain. Put marriage. If you think you will look better aside your anger and find enough compassion after explaining to your in-laws that the reason to NOT say it unless asked directly. DAYS GONE BY BEETLE BAILEY GARFIELD BLONDIE BY MORT WALKER BY JIM DAVIS BY DEAN YOUNG AND STAN DRAKE 100 Years Ago From the East Oregonian Nov. 2, 1917 The war tax was brought home to tobacco users in Pendleton today. When the smoker of the five cent cigar showed up this morning to buy his after-breakfast smoke, he was confronted with signs announcing that all five cent cigars now sell at six cents. There is still margin enough left on 10 cent and two for a quarter goods so that dealers can afford to sell at the old prices. However, cigarette papers that formerly sold for five cents now sell for 10 and 10 cent tins of tobacco now sell for 12. Also all cigarettes have jumped in price. Local dealers were required this morning to invoice their stocks and pay war taxes on all of the tobacco on hand. The amount sent by the various stores of Pendleton to the govern- ment today ranged from $15 up to $300 or more. 50 Years Ago From the East Oregonian Nov. 2, 1967 Minor pranks were the order of the night for Halloween among youngsters of Morrow County. Several pieces of heavy machinery were moved from lots onto side streets at Lexington and the fire department was called out when a bale of straw was set afire at the main intersection of town on Highway 74 about 8 p.m. Huge tires from a farm machinery company were forced into a roadside telephone booth. At Ione a few windows were soaped and several trash cans were put in the middle of the street. Police Wednesday investigated a fight involving three Ione boys. A car was moved to the middle of Chase Street from a parking lot in downtown Heppner early Halloween and left locked. Water balloons were much in evidence among the teenagers in downtown Heppner and water fights were observed by police in Boardman. 25 Years Ago From the East Oregonian Nov. 2, 1992 A Milton-Freewater man pleaded not guilty this morning to charges he set a fire that burned 325 acres of land in the Mill Creek area July 29. Although Judge Robert Abrams set a trial date of Dec. 15, it does not appear likely Lance Davis’ case will go before a jury that soon. Robert Coblens withdrew this morning as Davis’ attorney, and the case was handed to Chris Brauer of the public defender’s office. The announcement was also made that Davis’ attorney intends to use insanity as a defense to the charges of first-degree arson. Although a psychiatric evaluation of Davis has not yet been requested, one may soon be called for. Davis has reportedly told police he started the blaze, but officers say that was after he first tried to establish an alibi. THIS DAY IN HISTORY DILBERT THE WIZARD OF ID LUANN ZITS BY SCOTT ADAMS BY BRANT PARKER AND JOHNNY HART BY GREG EVANS BY JERRY SCOTT AND JIM BORGMAN Today is the 306th day of 2017. There are 59 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Nov. 2, 1947, Howard Hughes piloted his huge wooden flying boat, the Hughes H-4 Hercules (deri- sively dubbed the “Spruce Goose” by detractors), on its only flight, which lasted about a minute over Long Beach Harbor in California. On this date: In 1795, the 11th pres- ident of the United States, James Knox Polk, was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. In 1865, the 29th pres- ident of the United States, Warren Gamaliel Harding, was born near Marion, Ohio. In 1867, Harper’s Bazaar magazine was first published under the title “Harper’s Bazar.” In 1889, North Dakota and South Dakota became the 39th and 40th states with the signing of proclama- tions by President Benjamin Harrison. In 1917, British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour issued a declaration expressing support for a “national home” for the Jews in Palestine. In 1936, the British Broadcasting Corp. inaugu- rated “high-definition” tele- vision service from Alex- andra Palace in London. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman surprised the experts by winning a narrow upset over Republican chal- lenger Thomas E. Dewey. In 1950, playwright George Bernard Shaw, 94, died in Ayot St. Lawrence, Hertfordshire, England. In 1976, former Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter became the first candidate from the Deep South since the Civil War to be elected president as he defeated incumbent Gerald R. Ford. Today’s Birthdays: Singer Jay Black (Jay and the Americans) is 79. Polit- ical commentator Patrick Buchanan is 79. Actress Stefanie Powers is 75. Author Shere (shehr) Hite is 75. Coun- try-rock singer-songwriter J.D. Souther is 72. Actress Kate Linder is 70. Rock musician Carter Beauford (The Dave Matthews Band) is 60. Actor Peter Mullan is 58. Singer-songwriter k.d. lang is 56. Rock musician Bobby Dall (Poison) is 54. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage is 53. Actor David Schwimmer is 51. Rhythm-and-blues singer Timothy Christian Riley (Tony Toni Tone) is 43. Rapper Nelly is 43. Thought for Today: “If I have done any deed worthy of remembrance, that deed will be my monument. If not, no monument can preserve my memory.” — Agesilaus II, King of Sparta (c. 444-360 B.C.) PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN BY DANA SIMPSON BIG NATE BY LINCOLN PEIRCE