The Ridgway Record – The Daily Press, – The Kane Republican, Friday, July 24, 2015 -5B


Clyde had a horrible child- hood. He told me that his mother had sex with various men in his presence. On the weekends, he would stay with his paternal grandparents, where he wit- nessed his uncle abusing his aunt. His grandmother is the only one who showed him any love, and while there, he slept on the sofa.


COPYRIGHT 2001 CREATORS SINDICATE, INC. ANNIE’S MAILBOX®


Dear Annie: I am 62 years old and have been married to “Clyde” for 12 years. We do not have a sexual relationship. He prefers to sleep on the sofa and always has, saying it’s more com- fortable.


Prior to meeting my hus- band, I contracted herpes. I am allergic to latex so sex is always a risk. He knew this prior to our marriage and things were OK then. But after we married, sex became infrequent, partly due to his erectile dysfunction. He in- formed me that I was no longer attractive to him because I had gained weight (so has he) and he


fears getting herpes. I don’t know what to do. Clyde is moody and I some- times feel that I’m walking on eggshells. He can acknowledge that he is difficult, but he doesn’t change. We love each other and share a fairly comfortable life, but I miss an intimate relation- ship. Clyde will not go to counsel- ing. In fact, he dislikes speaking of our problems in the bedroom and becomes so angry that I once put my feelings in a letter. He tore it up without reading it. Any advice? -- Missing My Husband Dear Missing: Clyde’s back- ground indicates a lot of unre- solved issues about sex and inti- macy, but if he refuses to address them, there is little you can do to change how he responds. How-


ever, you can get counseling for yourself. A good counselor will help you focus on what’s impor- tant to you and decide what is best for you, including ways to cope with the situation you have with less frustration. Dear Annie: “Good Daugh-


ter” said her mother endlessly stole the limelight. I’ve observed the exact same behavior in both my husband’s mother and mine, and it seems to have started in their 70s. I wondered if it had to do with them fighting the feeling of being invisible or irrelevant in their families’ lives.


As I transition into the empty-nest phase of life, I’m be- ginning to get a glimpse of what it feels like to go from being the center (and coordinator) of all


family activities into a much less active role in my kids’ lives, and I’m sure it will be even more pro- nounced over time. We all need to feel needed. In our younger years, we race through our busy lives. Once we reach our senior years, all of these connections and obli- gations fade. We need others to validate that we still matter. While this doesn’t make it any more pleasant to observe the re- direction of every conversation, a little perspective might encour- age more tolerance. -- Patient Daughter


Dear Patient: While we


aren’t sure that applies to all cases (many people are self-ab- sorbed from childhood on), we agree that the sense that one is


invisible and unimportant can push people to assert themselves this way. Thank you for provid- ing a plea for understanding. Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to annies- mailbox@creators.com, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Cre- ators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. You can also find Annie on Facebook at Facebook.com/AskAnnies. To find out more about Annie’s Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writ- ers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2015 CREATORS.COM


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For Saturday, July 25, 2015 ARIES


(March 21 to April 19) Small appliances might break down


today, or minor breakages could occur. Fam- ily arguments might break out. Your only re- course is patience. TAURUS


(April 20 to May 20)


This is an accident-prone day, so pay attention to everything you say and do. Expect the unexpected. Slow down and take it easy. Do not be hasty. GEMINI


(May 21 to June 20) Today, you might find money or you


might lose money. Guard your possessions against loss or theft, because something un- predictable could affect your wealth and as- sets.


CANCER


(June 21 to July 22) You feel restless and impulsive today.


You want the freedom to do your own thing. If someone bosses you around, you will rebel. Keep in mind the power of courtesy and pa- tience.


LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22)


This is a restless day for you -- for sure. Something going on behind the scenes is a distraction for you. My advice is to slow down and take it easy. Chill out. VIRGO


(Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) You might have an argument with someone, especially in a group, today. Com- petitive sports and physical activities are accident-prone, so be careful. LIBRA


(Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) CROSSWORD By Eugene Sheffer


This is a poor day to be pushy with an authority figure (parent, boss or the police). Things will not turn out the way you expect! Don’t overreact if someone catches you off guard. Be cool.


SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) Travel plans almost certainly will


change today. Likewise, plans related to high- er education, medicine and the law suddenly might go off course. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21)


Check your bank account and stay on top of financial matters, because some- thing unexpected could influence negotiations about shared property, inheritances and insur- ance. Expect the unexpected. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) You might quarrel with someone close


to you today, because you feel independent and rebellious, and you don’t want anyone telling you what to do. (Actually, everyone feels this way today.) AQUARIUS


(Jan. 20 to Feb. 18)


Computer crashes, canceled meet- ings, power outages, fire drills and staff short- ages are just some of the reasons your work day will go sideways in a New York minute. Allow extra time for wiggle room. PISCES


(Feb. 19 to March 20) This is an accident-prone day for your


kids, so be vigilant. This also applies to those of you who work with children -- know where they are at all times. YOU BORN TODAY You have high ideals, and you are noble and honorable -- a classic Leo. You have a wonderful imagina- tion and an appreciation (and often a talent) for the arts. This is a testing year of growth and building. This growth will occur beneath the surface. Do not make major changes yet; wait until next year. Strengthen your financial position by reducing your overhead. Birth date of: Illeana Douglas, actress; Maxfield Parrish, artist; Heather Marks, mod- el.


(c) 2015 King Features Syndicate, Inc. HAGAR THE HORRIBLE BEETLE BAILEY


ARCHIE


BABY BLUES


THE PHANTOM


HI & LOIS


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