Horoscopes

Aries (March 21-April 19): You’re not here to show anyone you’re better; you’re here to (SET ITAL) be (END ITAL) better. The impression you make matters a lot less to you than the work you’re committed to. Taurus (April 20-May 20): When the conversation is over, let it be over. Don’t replay it in your head. Anything you replay will be distorted. You have a much better effect when you don’t worry so much about what exactly it is. Gemini (May 21-June 21): Love and life lessons can be learned through difficulty or ease. Both are valid methods of education, though lessons of hardship tend to be learned faster and deeper. Mankind is wired this way. Cancer (June 22-July 22): Warren Buffett famously stated, “Our investment philosophy borders on lethargy.” Apply it to your energetic investments today, because there’s much drifting across the radar that’s not worth trifling over. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Life isn’t a contest, and that goes double for love. If someone is trying to cast you as a competitor in what could or should be a non-competitive arena, your best bet is to opt out of the game. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’re not imagining it: The one who keeps paying special attention to you is smitten. It’s very likely that you’re not sure how you feel about this but the days to come will make it clearer. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): With your immense powers of creativity you will create scenarios in which you can shine. This is especially effective on the social front; friends love your brand of fun. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): Your story is more interesting than you think and is packed with valuable information and inspiration. How and when you share it will be important. Don’t wing it. Work on it. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You will fail many times before you will succeed. You can’t get ready for the big leagues any other way except through trial and as many errors as it takes to learn the right way. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Often we assume that the people we admire are somehow happier than us and they lead glamorous, problem-free lives. Nope, not true, not usually, anyway. In fact, maybe (SET ITAL) you’re (END ITAL) the lucky one. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Someone shows up to take the heat off of you. You’ll be glad that the attention is flowing away from you, but this is not a reason for you to pack up and go. Stay and contribute. You’ll learn something. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Craft your communication to present your ideas and identity in the best light. Pushing “send” takes a fraction of a second, but the consequences can be lasting.

To write to Holiday Mathis, visit www.creators. com/author/holiday-mathis and click “Contact.” DEAR ABBY >> My husband and I have been married 18 years. This is the second marriage for both of us. His ex-wife has asked him to fill in as caretaker for her father while she goes to an appointment. He sees nothing wrong with this, but it makes me very uncomfortable.

I don’t think this should be our responsibility. His exfather-in-law has three other grown children. I don’t know how to handle this without coming off as the bad guy. Help, please. Or am I the one who needs counseling? — Uncomfortable in Gulfport

DEAR UNCOMFORTABLE >> I wish you had mentioned how friendly your husband’s divorce was, and how much contact he has continued to maintain with his ex’s family. While I agree that caring for his former father-in-law should be his children’s responsibility, I would have to know more about this than you have written because there may be extenuating circumstances.

That your husband would be willing to do this — occasionally — speaks well about his level of compassion and character. But if this is ongoing, I can see why you would be uncomfortable about it.

DEAR ABBY >> I have been a vegetarian since I was 6 for ethical reasons, and I would like to raise my unborn daughter to be one, too. The problem is my parents and five sisters don’t agree. They say that I will be depriving her and that I should let her make her own choices. They also said they will do as they please, even after I explained I would always have her food prepared in advance. Am I already a bad mom for saying no to meat? — Ethical reasons in Spokane

DEAR ETHICAL REASONS >> According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: “Children raised on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes grow up to be slimmer and healthier and even live longer than their meat-eating friends.” However, not all doctors feel this way and advise that around 8 or 9 months complete proteins be introduced into a baby’s diet to ensure the child gets enough iron. This is why this very important subject should be discussed with your child’s pediatrician to help you decide what is best for her.

DEAR ABBY >> My boss and his wife have been my friends for 25 years. I invited them to my daughter’s wedding. His daughter is being married in three weeks and I have not yet received an invitation. I’m wondering why. Any thoughts?

— Wondering in California

DEAR WONDERING >> There could be any number of reasons why you weren’t invited. Their daughter and her fiance may prefer that the money her parents would have spent on a large wedding be given to them instead so they can save for a down payment on a house or condo; it will be a small, intimate affair with family only; they are paying for the wedding themselves and don’t have the money to invite all of their parents’ friends. My advice is to wait and see how this plays out, because eventually, I am sure you will have your answer.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www. DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.