Horoscopes

Aries (March 21-April 19): Challenge yourself to leave a situation before you respond to it. Even if you’re only walking away for five minutes, that’s enough time to come up with a better communication than you’d have reflexively. Taurus (April 20-May 20): There are interesting people out there you’d like to meet and equally interesting people who want to meet you. Your social efforts will pay off rather quickly now, so don’t miss the chance to mingle. Gemini (May 21-June 21): The No. 1 rule of the day: Don’t agonize. You’re creative, and to make the most of this you’ll need to make many decisions and execute them fast. Take the lessons and move on — no regrets! Cancer (June 22-July 22): Like a real pro, you are brave without being reckless, focused but not oblivious to the competition. This attitude will carry you into an exclusive situation where you’ll meet worthy opponents. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Maybe it won’t do any good to explain yourself. Those who would understand don’t need the explanation and those who don’t only get more confused the more you talk. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): For those waiting for the one day when it will all just click in, you know better. There’s no great light switch to turn on — not one gigantic click, but a ticker tape of small understandings you come to with daily awareness. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): Those who are overly concerned with stating their personal truths are often too melodramatic for you to take seriously. Emotionally mature people put kindness, compassion and cooperation first. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): You can’t tell what’s going to make other people happy. You can’t even tell what’s going to make you happy. So just do your best. When things don’t land quite right, shrug it off. And when they do, celebrate. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The language of souls is hard for you to miss these days. As you listen past what people say out of a sense of social appropriateness, good manners or obligation, you hear the soul’s cry. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): It’s not just the supporters around you who are aware of your potential. Those who knock your confidence on purpose are also aware. You can take it as a compliment that they see you as competition. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): It’s true that people have stumbled upon treasures like gold, but as for most of the better things in life, they cannot be found; they have to be assembled. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Today, while going about normal business, you’ll often be doing something very different in your head. You’ve a rich inner life. Your private world is only for you — though you may share glimpses with a trusted loved one.

To write to Holiday Mathis, visit www.creators. com/author/holiday-mathis and click “Contact.” DEAR ABBY » I’m a 55-yearold guy stranded in a tough marriage situation. My wife has had a serious fallingout with her father. After his wife of more than 50 years passed away, he immediately took up with an old flame and dumped his family in favor of his new lady’s family.

My wife now treats me like garbage. Apparently, “all men are dogs,” and if she passes away, I “obviously already have a girl lined up to take her place,” and, oh yeah, I plan to abandon my children in favor of the new woman’s family. I’m being painted with a very broad brush, and it is destroying our relationship.

My wife is angry and bitter all the time, and I feel abandoned. I love her dearly and don’t know what to do next, although I am thinking of punching out her father. Any thoughts are appreciated.

— Stranded in California

DEAR STRANDED » Your wife is now an “orphan.” She’s hurt, angry, and misdirecting her anger at her father onto you. Of course it is unfair to you. She needs counseling NOW, before she compounds her pain by destroying her marriage to you. Be smart and insist upon it.

DEAR ABBY » I’m a fifthgrader, and I’d like to know something important to girls my age. I want to know how to get a guy to be my boyfriend and the steps to getting him. It’s hard for me to get a boyfriend.

I know what you’re going to say — I’m too young for boys. But if I am, I would like this information for future reference. I have tried other things. Nothing worked, and basically, you’re my last hope. — Planning ahead in Bay

City, Texas

DEAR PLANNING AHEAD » OK, let’s review the basics. Are you neat and clean in your appearance? Are you fun to be around and liked by your classmates of both genders? Do you smile and say hello and show an interest?

Basically, the qualities that attract other girls are the same ones that will make boys pay attention. But there’s an important point to keep in mind, and it’s that while you may be developing an interest in boys, many of them may not be mature enough to have developed an interest in girls yet, so be patient. Focus on your studies, become involved in activities you enjoy, and things will happen naturally.

DEAR ABBY » Recently, a waiter spilled the dinner he was carrying for another diner all over my coat. This is not the first time something like this has happened to me or someone I was dining with. What is the proper thing for a restaurant to do in a situation like this? Offer me a free meal to cover the cost of getting my coat drycleaned?

— Annoyed in Australia

DEAR ANNOYED » The very least you should receive is an apology. If the restaurant is Class A, the manager should come to your table, apologize and instruct you to send or bring the bill for dry cleaning your garment to him or her so the establishment can pay for it. Offering to treat you to dessert would also be good public relations, but expecting to be treated to dinner is excessive.

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.