Last word on astrology

Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022

Happy Birthday: Look for opportunities to follow through. Take what you can and use your skills to reach your goal. A change in how you earn and handle your money will help you build a strong base for what’s to come. Turn to the things you enjoy most, and use your intelligence and connections to make your dream come true. Your numbers are 7, 13, 18, 24, 30, 38, 42.

Aries (March 21-April 19): Reposition yourself, and use your skills to get ahead. Be innovative, put a plan in place and pitch what you want to someone in a position to help you reach your objective. Network or reconnect with someone you enjoy working alongside. ★★

Taurus (April 20-May 20): You are in a better position than you think. Use experience and fortitude to muster up a deal or idea that can help you use your skills and qualifications more to your liking. A change will revitalize you and give you hope. ★★★★★

Gemini (May 21-June 20): Keep thinking and doing. Don’t get trapped in someone’s dream when you have your own goals to achieve. Limit your time with reckless people or those who try to talk you into something that isn’t in your best interest. ★★★

Cancer (June 21-July 22): You’ll encounter situations and people who are unique and thought-provoking. Take the plunge and try something that exhilarates you. A positive connection with someone will lead to plans that can permanently alter your life.

Love is on the rise. ★★★

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Stay cool, calm and collected, and avoid a run-in with someone. Choose intelligence and verbal response over physical action and potential risk of injury or illness. Be wise in your assessments of situations and mindful of those around you. ★★★

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t lose sight of your dreams. You have plenty to gain if you participate in events focused on making a difference. Do your part, network, donate and align yourself with those doing their best to turn negatives into positives. ★★★★★

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Delve into something you enjoy, and it will put a smile on your face and give you hope. Get out and network. Refuse to let laziness steal the joy that accomplishments offer. ★★

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Let go of the past and embrace what life offers. Check out what others are up to, and share experiences. Explore your skills and talents creatively and uniquely, and you’ll find a new niche. ★★★★

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stick to what you know and do best. Don’t get into a pointless debate with someone who exaggerates. Stay intent on taking care of your financial affairs, and put a game plan in place that will help you save for something unique. ★★★

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan.

19): You know the drill, so don’t waste time. Turn up the volume and make yourself heard. Step into the spotlight, and bring about positive change. Make personal gains, love or selfimprovement your goal, and happiness will follow. ★★★

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Speculation is not enough to make a change that can affect your health, wealth and happiness. Dissect any offer that comes your way thoroughly before putting your cash or reputation on the line. Play it smart, be safe and eliminate sorrow. ★★★

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Invite alternative options into your life. Don’t be afraid to make a move and follow your heart. Step up, do as you please and have no regrets. Own what you do. ★★★★

By Thomas Joseph

Dear Amy: Two weeks ago, my husband, who was not being careful enough, came down with COVID-19.

I duly reported this to the person who is in charge of a weekly outdoor gathering I attend with some other people.

I said that we were taking serious precautions to ensure that I didn’t catch the disease, and that I had tested negative for the past five days.

I wasn’t surprised that my offer to skip the meeting that week was accepted.

I was distressed, however, to discover that the organizer had still included me in the group text announcing the event. (Our gathering is dependent on weather and other factors and hadn’t occurred for some weeks.)

It was painful to see all the outcries of joy from the other members that we would be meeting. Despite the measures I took to remove myself from the group text, I continued to receive messages.

This week I was again included in the group text, then privately contacted to query my testing status. I reported that I had tested negative eight times, but was asked to verify negative results for both me and my husband.

I said that our doctor’s office had told my husband not to waste a test because he would probably show being positive for some weeks, even though he was no longer contagious per CDC advisories.

I understand that people are worried about COVID, but is it wrong to expect some common courtesy?

Dear Lonely: I assume your main question is about the utility of excluding someone from an outdoor event who consistently tests negative for COVID for many days leading up to the event.

To me it seems overly cautious to keep someone who doesn’t have COVID away from an outdoor activity — but these are the rules laid down by the organizer, and you are conscientiously adhering to these guidelines. You are displaying “common courtesy” by being honest.

In terms of this group texting issue — yes, it hurts that you can’t join the activity, but you are part of the group and it is appropriate to include you in notifications, even if you can’t be there. Furthermore, I suspect that if you weren’t included in notifications, you might feel even more hurt and excluded.

This is a temporary but tough thing for you to experience, and after two pandemic years of facing other tough things, it might hurt a little more than it should.

Dear Amy: My dad has built incredible things, including a garage and an addition on his home. This is his hobby.

He has never charged anyone for helping them; they get the supplies, and he shows up to help.

I recently talked to him about a built-in wall project for my own home.

After some planning, he mentioned how much less he is charging me than another contractor would, and how he didn’t need me to give him the money for supplies upfront, because he’d include it on my invoice.

Is it presumptuous of me to think my dad would help me build something if I cover the costs for all of the materials?

I never ask him for anything and was stoked when he called and said he had time to help, but our last conversation left me deflated.

Dear Frustrated: Your father wasn’t specific regarding charging you for his time and talent. And it seems that he is advancing you the cost of the material.

Please, ask him to be specific, and then talk about it, using a neutral tone and adopting a non-defensive attitude. If you decide to go ahead with the project, go with him to select materials, and assist him in the building.