THE BULLETIN • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021 A7
GARDENING COLUMN
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: My husband
is an amazing guy. We have
a very nice life except for an
older sort-of family member
who is living with us.
“Nathan” has been living
in the house for years, but
he isn’t a blood relative. He’s
my husband’s late stepfather’s
brother.
Nathan is a sever-
al-times-divorced curmud-
geon who was living in a
shed. He was allowed to stay
here to get on his feet and,
partially, out of respect for
the stepfather.
Nathan refuses to help out
in any way. He comes and
goes as he pleases and is liv-
ing rent-free. We pay the
mortgage and all the bills.
Nathan buys food and stuff
for himself, but then will
eat the household food my
mother-in-law buys.
I’m tired of the garbage
he makes. He smokes in his
room, and he’s nasty, rude
and demanding.
He needs to move out
or pay up, but my husband
doesn’t want to do anything.
Advice?
— Unhappy Home
Dear Unhappy: Just this.
Realize that nothing will
change until your husband
is finally willing to put his
foot down and insist on some
changes, or the freeloader
leaves this earthly plane for
the next. I would have used
the phrase “goes to heaven,”
but it appears Nathan is al-
ready experiencing heaven
right here on Earth, so do
not expect him to move on
his own.
Dear Abby: I was re-
cently informed that my
best friend of 10 years, “Dar-
lene,” planned to ghost me as
soon as she got pregnant. I’m
shocked that she would say
such a thing or plan to do it. I
always thought I was a good
friend.
But now Darlene and her
husband are getting a di-
vorce, and she has been all
chummy. I have a sour taste
in my mouth.
Do I stay friends and get
over it, or give her her wish
and disappear?
— Unfriended in the West
Dear Unfriended: Are
you sure the person who in-
formed you about her plan
is credible? Could they be
jealous of the close friend-
ship you have with Darlene?
Frankly, it would be incredi-
bly stupid for a person plan-
ning to ghost someone to tell
a mutual friend who might
leak it before the fact. Talk
to Darlene! Do not end the
friendship unless you are
absolutely certain what you
were told was the gospel.
Dear Abby: My 82-year-
old mother made a special
request of her visiting rela-
tives on Christmas Day. She
asked everyone to hand over
their cellphones for the en-
tire celebration upon entering
or “don’t come.” She said she
would return them as we left.
Certain family members
had major meltdowns be-
cause of her request. My
mother, as always, provided
hors d’oeuvres, dinner and
gifts for all 23 people. Do you
think this was a fair request?
— Not a Big Deal
Dear Not: Your mother
wanted to encourage more
than superficial communica-
tion. As she indicated, if any-
one felt her request was too
much of an imposition, they
were free to refuse her invi-
tation. The oldest rule of en-
tertaining is: The host makes
the rules. Of course it was a
fair request!
YOUR HOROSCOPE
By Madalyn Aslan
Stars show the kind of day you’ll have
õ õ õ õ õ DYNAMIC | õ õ õ õ POSITIVE | õ õ õ AVERAGE | õ õ SO-SO | õ DIFFICULT
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR THURSDAY, FEB. 18, 2021: Magnetic,
philosophical and empathic, you follow the beat of your own drum. This
year, however, you embark on a project with others that proves very suc-
cessful. Hire a manager to look after the mundane details of life, and you9ll
be enriched. If single, you feel cut off from others, and this year it9s not likely
you9ll commit. If attached, utter bliss, as you9ve found your twin. CANCER is
as sensitive.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
õõõõ You9ll be thinking about security and stability. Purchase supplies for
projects. You find arts and crafts or other items you make or build a source of
pleasure and profit. A true transformation begins today. Tonight: No need to
worry; just don9t be careless.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
õõõõõ You9ll attract a great deal of attention today. Push yourself forward;
believe in yourself. This is the time when almost anything could happen. Your
warmth and confidence will lead to a new opportunity coming up. Tonight:
What you make of your potential.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
õõõ You9ll be more reserved than usual. Control worries. Be aware of how
your mind-set creates the world you live in. Holistic healing is helpful if some-
one close to you has a health problem. Tonight: The well-being of family
members is the focus.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
õõõõõ You will have new insights into friendships and will see how the
people you9re attached to are growing and changing. You will get in touch
with personal goals and wishes, deciding on which priorities are really im-
portant. Tonight: A profound night.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
õõõõõ You can turn a tense situation into a chance to shine and strength-
en your position if you study it carefully. Everyone seems to be noticing you.
Make the most of this by projecting a polished, dignified image in all situa-
tions. Tonight: Relax.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
õõõõõ The pace quickens. You get some new opportunities and lucky
breaks today through friends, and possibly through a foreign-born friend.
You9ll be confident and courageous about exploring new ideas as well as
new surroundings. Tonight: You could do some (remote) public speaking.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
õõõ Today tempts you to overindulge. Try not to stray too far from your diet
or budget. Complete errands or really important work before relaxing. It9s
easy to procrastinate a bit. That9s fine if you don9t go to extremes. Tonight:
Your determination and confidence are renewed.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
õõõõ You can settle any legal matters amicably. Be aware of how others
are advising you, and balance their advice with your own insights. File docu-
ments; complete paperwork and forms. An oddly satisfying day. Tonight: Go
out on a real date!
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
õõõ You will pursue work and will expect a great deal of yourself and of
your associates. Communication is essential in helping them materialize.
Don9t overload your schedule. A little recreation will actually improve your
performance. Tonight: Get some extra sleep.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
õõõõõ There can be a sudden romantic attraction. Maintain balance and
get to know the new friend a bit better. You9ll be adventurous and can gain
experience following some type of speculation or risk-taking. Tonight: Young
people make you aware of your priorities.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
õõõõ A family member who has been out of touch calls, writes or visits.
Analyze habits and patterns for insights into domestic decisions. It9s a good
day to add beauty to your surroundings. There is a sense of deja vu with rela-
tives. Tonight: New home furnishings.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
õõõõõ You won9t enjoy solitude today, preferring action to tranquility.
You9ll be more confident, goal-oriented and doing some extra neighbor-
hood trips. Others see you as a role model. Your vitality is high, and you can
accomplish a great deal. Tonight: Catch up with a sibling or neighbor.
Streetscaping tips
The right plant in the right place
BY LIZ DOUVILLE
For The Bulletin
The observation of more
people walking in my neigh-
borhood and throughout the
city brought to mind a subject
I have never written about,
“streetscaping.”
Streetscaping involves the
narrow strip of land between
the street and sidewalk, usually
between three- to six-feet wide
and can be several times that
in length.
The city of Bend has pub-
lished a guidebook specifically
regarding the use of that strip
of land with regard to wa-
ter consumption. The guide
book is titled “WaterWiseTips,
StreetscapeGuide.org” avail-
able on-line and at the City
Hall.
At the time of publication, it
was noted that approximately
60% of all residential water use
in Bend occurs outdoors, most
of which goes to landscape ir-
rigation. Much of that irriga-
tion is lost due to overwater
through improper irrigation
scheduling and to irrigation
overspray resulting in run-off
onto streets and driveways.
The book is a step-by-step
guide to create a better looking
and more water-efficient alter-
native to what you may have.
The guide includes an initial
design or landscape plan, a fo-
cus on soil preparation and
grading, an efficient drip irriga-
tion system and minimal rou-
tine maintenance.
There is a notation that
some street strips in Bend are
designed to collect and retain
stormwater. These strips have
been engineered for a spe-
cific purpose and should not
be altered. Please call the city
of Bend WaterWise Program
(541-317-3000 option 2) if
you have questions about your
property. Property owners who
are part of a Home Owners As-
sociation should check on the
regulations in place with the as-
sociation.
The guide offers four plant-
ing options all of which are
water efficient, functional and
aesthetically pleasing. The
transformation isn’t as simple
as just digging out what you
have and replanting. There
are site preparation and grad-
ing which will include soil or
File photo
Trees line a quiet streetscape in the St. Nicholas Historic District, also
known as Strivers Row, in the Harlem section of New York.
sod excavation and a switch
from overhead sprinklers to a
dripline irrigation system.
Remember the Golden Rule
of gardening — “plant the right
plant in the right place.” Be
aware of the maximum growth
width of the plant, especially
shrubs. The plant may look
great for a year or two and then
extends growth into the side-
walk impeding walkers and
bike traffic. Label the plants
for the benefit of walkers who
might be encouraged to follow
your example. What could be a
better way to build community
than in your front yard?
The publication is a great in-
“We’ve all gone through
a year of this, of living
through this. And so I think
we’re a little, much better
equipped of how to handle
ourselves, how to conduct
ourselves, how to make
good use of our time.”
MLB
Continued from A5
Players underwent a five-day
at-home quarantine before re-
porting, with exceptions for es-
sential activities and approved
outdoor workouts and exercise.
They’ll need to stay in their
living quarters throughout
spring training except for base-
ball activities, medical care,
grocery shopping, takeout food
pickups and outdoor physical
activity. Outdoor dining will
only be allowed if they get per-
mission beforehand.
“Between the players’ union
and MLB, the agreement I
think is pretty rock-solid when
it comes to player safety, staff
safety,” Chicago White Sox
pitcher Lucas Giolito said
Tuesday. “There’s going to be a
few things that are a little more,
what’s the word for it, given
more importance. I think some
of the workouts are going to be
in smaller groups, a lot more
on point with mask wearing
and things like that. I don’t
think it will affect our work too
much. We’ll certainly be able to
get done what we need to get
done.”
But the restrictions will
make it more challenging to
get ready for the season.
Catcher James McCann
faces hurdles this spring try-
ing to bond with an entirely
new pitching staff after signing
a $40 million, four-year deal
with New York Mets. Nor-
mally, the veteran backstop
would invite pitchers to dinner,
set up play dates for their kids,
go out and grab a drink — any-
thing to help develop those re-
lationships.
Forget the off-field meetups.
Under MLB’s protocols, even
getting together at the team’s
Florida complex is more dif-
ficult. Gathering in places like
the video room — usually a
convenient spot for 3-4 players
to meet — is a no-no.
“Nobody likes to wear a
mask and sit and talk 6 feet
away from each other,” Mc-
Cann said. “A lot of differ-
ent things I guess we took for
granted.”
MLB is hoping to have a full
season after playing a 60-game
schedule last year that included
no fans in the stands until the
postseason. The Miami Mar-
lins and St. Louis Cardinals
both dealt with COVID-19
outbreaks that resulted in mul-
tiple postponements.
“We’re the lucky sport to
have 162 games, but with
that obviously comes a lot of
thoughtfulness and dedication
and commitment,” new Mar-
lins general manager Kim Ng
said. “To play this game, you
have to be absolutely commit-
ted, especially this team with
them going through what they
went through last year. People
understand how it can deci-
mate.”
Cardinals pitcher Carlos
Martinez battled COVID-19
last summer and says he wasn’t
the same the rest of the season.
spiration to help correct some
of our old beliefs that there will
always be enough water. Maybe
we should be thinking more
seriously now rather than later.
Remember that basically, we
are living in a desert and not in
the lush Midwest. In years to
come who knows the problems
others might encounter as well.
In addition to the “Water-
Wise Streetscaping Guide,” the
City has also published “Wa-
terWise Tips, Landscape Guide
and WaterWiseTips, Irrigation
Guide.” “Water-wise Gardening
in Central Oregon,” an Oregon
State University extension pub-
lication is also available online.
— Aaron Boone, New York
Yankees manager
Kathy Willens/AP file
New York Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone yells at home plate umpire
Brennan Miller during the second inning of the first game of a double-
header against the Tampa Bay Rays in New York in 2019.
“After that, I was not com-
fortable with my body,” said
Martinez, who added that he
feels great now.
Two players were added to
the COVID-19-related injured
list Wednesday: Boston Red
Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki
and Chicago Cubs left-hander
Kyle Ryan.
One of the first things Car-
dinals president John Mozeliak
did upon arriving in Jupiter,
Florida, was to request a list
from the medical staff of play-
ers and coaches who tested
positive for COVID-19 anti-
bodies.
Mozeliak believes knowing
which players already have at
least some measure of protec-
tion from the coronavirus can
help in preventing an outbreak
during spring training.
“I believe we had about 15
or 18 people with antibodies in
this camp,” Mozeliak said, “so
that was encouraging.”
Mozeliak also expressed
hope that some staff and play-
ers could begin receiving the
COVID-19 vaccine by open-
ing day.
“But I certainly understand,
collectively, you’re dealing
with a pretty healthy group of
young people,” he said, “and
when you’re looking across our
country, there are people more
deserving of that opportunity
than this group. But clearly if
you were vaccinated, it would
ease up a lot of the protocols
we have in a sense of where
you can go and where you
can’t.”
For now, players say they are
ready to follow the protocols
while looking forward to the
day they’re playing in full stadi-
ums again.
“Thankful it’s going to be,
not quite normal, but closer
to it,” Arizona Diamondbacks
pitcher Madison Bumgarner
said. “I think we’re on the path
back to that, so hopefully it all
happens sooner rather than
later.”
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