Horoscopes
Dear Miss Manners: A good friend adheres strictly to your rule that both corn-on-the-cob and asparagus may be eaten with the fingers. Unfortunately, the consumption of asparagus by this individual resembles nothing so much as a log being fed into a sawmill, and corn-on-thecob an old-fashioned speed typist (with a manual typewriter) coming at full speed to the end of the row and zinging back to its opposite end.
How am I to reconcile these good manners with these unattractive sights presented at my dinner table?
Gentle Reader: By serving something less challenging.
In saying this, Miss Manners recognizes that the possibilities for annoying others at the table are limitless. And she realizes that by suggesting a change in the menu, she may be accused of reducing your freedom. Consider it an aesthetic choice, like those of celebrity chefs who insist on locally sourced foods.
Dear Miss Manners: In the past two years, I have received invitations to several baby showers. In most cases I knew the expectant mother.
For two others, however, I had no idea who the young lady was. The name was unfamiliar, as was the name of the hostess. No information was given that would help me determine the identity of the soon-to-be parents.
(I feel it necessary to mention that both my husband and I come from very large families. We have three dozen nieces and nephews, and even more cousins.)
I discussed this with several friends who have faced similar difficulties. Is there a polite way to ask, “Who is this person and why am I invited?”
Gentle Reader: The problem is easier if the guest of honor’s last name has been omitted, as it often now is. You may then call the host and profess confusion about the identity of the mother-to-be: “I’m so sorry, it’s just that I know several Persephones, and I didn’t know which one you were friends with.”
The same technique can be used even if the mother-to-be’s full name was supplied — providing you are willing to look ditzy: “Silly me. How could I have missed that? There she is right on the invitation.”
Send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@ gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. Aries (March 21-April 19). Not only is it natural to feel defensive around people who have a history of socking you when you’re not expecting it: It’s advisable. Likely this has to do with the soft jabs of a loved one. Arms up; protect your head; duck and cover. Taurus (April 20-May 20). There’s a point at which too much conversation clouds the meaning of things instead of making it clearer. While some seem committed to talking things to death, you jump in and fix it. Gemini (May 21-June 21). It takes a confident person to risk being misunderstood and maybe that’s partly why you’ll do it. Plus, you’ll learn more from people who are dissimilar to you than from people with whom you have a great deal in common. Cancer (June 22-July 22). When things get a little more colorful and dramatic than is comfortable, be grateful for it. Were you to be limited to a very confined and unvarying society, you would be quickly bored to tears. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22). Discipline is just not something you easily come up with on your own right now. Enlist the help of a coach, a champion or a supportive friend. Not only will you get results; you’ll feel loved in the process. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Before you get into the mix, remind yourself of your purpose. Because if you’re not sure of this, someone will come along and fill in the blanks for you. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your big dream of the day may not be anything too spectacular; rather, it’s a small personal accomplishment or meaningful exchange that drives you to work deliberately and connect warmly with others today. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Don’t be surprised if, when you sit down to make a positive plan of action, negativity comes first. Work through the grievances. Once you give them airtime, they’ll go away. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Fun-loving people are the best when fun is chief on the agenda. What about when it’s not? If their love of fun is stronger than their love of doing the job at hand, trust your instincts and get the right person for the job. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’re an artist. This doesn’t always present itself in the way some people think about creativity, but there are so many ways to turn life into a beautiful experience. That’s what you’ll chase today. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Sameness leads to staleness. Seek variety and diversity. It takes an effort to mix things up, and you’ll probably meet with resistance from those more fearful than you. Do it anyway. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20). It’s a day to read and learn. Social topics, in particular, will be lucky to know about. They’ll also be as exciting to read up on as any fiction, because this learning paves the way to new adventures. Today’s Birthday (Feb. 21). A few stellar choices will carry you up this year. Happiness is having a pure strong love in your life. You’ll put quite a lot of effort into establishing a habit over the next 10 weeks. After that, living the way you prefer will be nearly automatic. There’s intense competition in March and September; get serious.Your lucky numbers are: 8, 20, 5, 33 and 16.