Astrograph- Friday

Partnerships will be confusing if communications aren’t honest and free-flowing. It will be easy to get the wrong impression or to be misinterpreted if you don’t choose your words wisely this year. Maintain a fair and just approach to everything you do and everyone you deal with.

GEMINI (May 21- June 20) :

Don’t limit what you can do because someone deters you or puts up a fuss. You must be true to yourself if you want to avoid being controlled by someone else.

CANCER (June 21- July 22) :

Keep your intentions secret for the time being. The less others know about your plans, the easier it will be for you to put everything in place.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) :

Get involved in what’s going on in your community. Express your opinions and collaborate with people who share your ideals and principles.

VIRGO (Aug. 23- Sept. 22) :

Setbacks can be expected if you are unreasonable or come up against someone who opposes your every move. Don’t take on someone else’s responsibilities or fold under pressure.

LIBRA (Sept. 23- Oct. 23) :

Sticking to a strict budget, plan or schedule will help you accomplish all you set out to do. An unexpected party will want to join you or pitch in and help.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24- Nov. 22) :

Put everything you’ve got into doing a good job and negotiating your position. Set up meetings and interviews or discuss your plans with someone in a position to help.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) :

You’ll be confused about what you want or how you feel. Partnerships will face uncertainty. Take time to figure out your goals before you commit to anything or anyone.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- Jan. 19) :

Secrets will keep you from getting the facts you need to make a wise decision. Stick close to home and avoid unpredictable people trying

to take advantage of you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- Feb. 19) :

Receiving gifts, winning prizes and selling your belongings are all favored. Plan a garage sale. Clearing space at home will encourage you to use your skills to begin a lucrative venture.

PISCES (Feb. 20- March 20) :

Stick close to home and avoid dealing with institutions, government agencies or authority figures. Confusion and delays can be expected if you travel. Emotional deception is likely.

ARIES (March 21- April 19) :

Travel plans can be made, but double- check the information you are given and secure the dates before you commit. A change of scenery will enhance your life and an important relationship.

TAURUS (April 20- May 20) :

Emotional deception regarding financial or contractual matters will develop if you don’t read the fine print. Don’t let anyone negotiate on your behalf. Trust your own instincts. DEARANNIE » My wife and I are in our late 50s and met in high school. “Barb” was the girl of my dreams, a cheerleader, popular and athletic. We began dating as seniors and married after I graduated from college. After we married, I noticed that Barb had little interest in sex. I was always the initiator, and this seemed to irritate her and made our intimacy rare. I decided to bury myself in my work and ignored the issue. Today we are happily married and have children and grandchildren, and she is still my best friend. Sex isn’t as much an issue, as I am older and have ignored my sexuality for years anyway.

While we were dating back when, there was another girl, “Helen,” who made it obvious that she was interested in me. Helen was easily the prettiest girl I had ever met, but I ignored those feelings and stayed true to Barb. I would see Helen at reunions — the five-year, 10-year and 15-year — and it took me a few months each time to get over the feelings that I had for her. We stopped going to these reunions, partly because we had moved to another state and it was inconvenient to travel.

The most recent reunion was arranged over social media, and I kept seeing pictures of Helen. She is still gorgeous, married with children and grandchildren. Three years later, I am still compelled to Google her to learn everything I can about her. This has turned into a compulsion that I cannot stop. I haven’t told my wife because this would only create havoc in our marriage. I am not interested in speaking to a psychologist. My question is simple. How many people suffer from such feelings — feelings that they may have made a mistake but must now live with it to save the feelings of another? DEARLOVE LOST » I’m sure many people at some point indulge in a bit of “what if” daydreaming, whether it be about another person they might have married or a career path they might have taken. But we all know that the grass isn’t really greener on the other side; it just seems that way to those unsatisfied with their lot. Your crush on Helen has more to do with your relationship with Barb. The fact that you’ve ignored your sexuality for years doesn’t mean it’s not an issue anymore. Though every marriage is different, it’s important to share some form of intimacy. Redirect the energy spent Googling Helen into searching for ways to revitalize your marriage, whether through counseling or an open, noncritical conversation with Barb. DEARANNIE » I love your column; I never miss it. Thank you for your advice. You’ve printed some letters from people complaining about noise. I can relate. I’m an 89-yearyoung man. I hear very well, but with too much background noise, I get headaches. I like to go dancing at least twice a week — mostly to polka music. I avoid any bands that make a lot of noise.

Even just being in buildings with loud people, I cannot take it. So I have troubles and sound like an old grouch. This is life. DEARSAM » Thank you for reading the column. It’s great you get out dancing twice a week. It might be worth talking to your doc- tor about solutions to protect your ears so you can keep partying to polka indefinitely. DEARANNIE » My parents always told me that if someone helps you out, you help that person in return. Some people in my family think you should help everyone and not expect anything in return. For example, sometimes my brother “Carson” works on our half brother’s car and doesn’t charge him anything. I feel that’s very charitable. Carson just tells him that if he helps him out sometime, he’ll call it even. But if our half brother won’t help do anything, is that right? I feel those types of people are using people. What are your thoughts? DEARD.D. » Lending a helping hand to someone in need is always a good thing, unless the person you are helping begins to get your hands dirty. What I mean by that is that if you feel you are being taken advantage of, then you should stop, but if you don’t mind helping, then you should continue. It sounds as if Carson doesn’t mind helping out your half brother and hopes the favor will be returned one day but also isn’t too concerned about ensuring that it’s paid back. That’s a healthy attitude. I’ve found that what goes around truly does come around, though often not in the form we’re expecting.

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” — Mother Teresa