The Widow’s Email

The other day I received an email from a very displeased reader in regards to an article I wrote last September called The Widows of 9/11: Already Remarrying? Her name was Ms. Fisher and her subject line immediately caught my attention. It read “Who do you think you are?” Here’s what Ms. Fisher had to say: I am furious after reading your post about a 9/11 widow remarrying. First of all, since you aren’t a widow you have NO BUSINESS even writing on this subject. Second, you should do a tiny bit of research before you write my dear. Remember: … Continue reading →

“The Good Wife’s Guide”

Back at the start of February my friend Christy (of saved the puppy fame) forwarded an email entitled “The Care and Feeding of a Husband.” It was one I had seen before, and one which has become both laughable and notorious. Why? Well, in case you haven’t seen it, the article’s title is “The Good Wife’s Guide” and it suggests several specific ways to be a good wife. Below are a few of them: • Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of … Continue reading →

My Fascination with the Real Housewives of Orange County

Wayne might be fascinated with Cheaters, but I have my own guilty pleasure TV indulgence: Bravo’s the Real Housewives of Orange County. It plays off the success and popularity of other shows of similar, though fictional, ilk: ABC’s Desperate Housewives and Fox’s cancelled series the O.C. The Real Housewives, however, is a reality show following the lives of real women. The show’s name is sort of a misnomer, though. Some of the “housewives” don’t stay home at all. They not only work but are incredibly successful. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, two of them –Jeana and Vicki– own their … Continue reading →

TV Wives as Role Models: My Faves from the 1980s-Present Day

So far I listed my favorite TV role model wives from the 1950s to the 1970s. This list takes us through the eighties to current times. 1980s • Elyse Keaton (Family Ties): Her down to earth demeanor and strength of conviction helped her be the beacon her husband and kids turned to for guidance through rough waters. • Jennifer Hart (Hart to Hart): She was glamorous, stunning, stylish, and smart and she got to have all these amazing adventures catching bad guys with her dashing, devoted husband. • Roseanne Connor (Roseanne): This one straddles both the eighties and nineties since … Continue reading →

TV Wives as Role Models: My Faves from the 1950s-1970s

Since November is National Inspirational Role Model Month, I thought it’d be fun to list some television wives I’ve admired over the years. Even though they are TV wives, in a TV world where everything’s scripted and a happy ending is assured, there’s wisdom and inspiration to be gleaned from their foibles, mishaps, and messes nonetheless. Because conflict, confrontation, and duress are guaranteed at some point during the half hour or hour time slot in which their shows run. That’s what makes it entertaining: to see how they’ll deal with, and eventually overcome, the problems they’re faced with. I’ve listed … Continue reading →

The Things We Do for Love: What I Do for My Husband

Last week I wrote The Things He Does for Love: Ghost Hunting Classes and told how I was surprised Wayne agreed to take the class, until he asked, “Don’t I always do things for you?” That reminded me of all the nice things he’s done just for me, which I listed. One reader commented that it did sound like Wayne loved me greatly, but she also wanted to know what I do for him. What a great question! And sort of a timely one, because Wayne and I were just discussing that very thing this past weekend. Ever since he’s … Continue reading →

Are You a Queen Gorgo?

Last night I watched the movie 300, which was about the 300 Spartans that took a stand against the entire Persian army and at first successfully held them. I’d heard many good things about it. I was warned the historical accuracy was questionable, but the special effects rocked. I was curious to see it, not because of the nearly-naked very buff men that dominate it, but because I’ve ended up liking the other Frank Miller movies I’ve seen. (Although the muscle-rippling hunks in this one were a nice bonus. 😉 But when it started I thought to myself, “There probably … Continue reading →

A Traditional, Yet Unconventional, Wife

Yesterday I gave you a little background about myself and how I view love, relationships, and marriage. Today I thought I’d expand on that a little bit more. I’m still trying to figure out who I am. Just when I think I’ve got it nailed, some new dimension –usually one that’s in contrast to some other aspect of myself—pops up. This definitely keeps things interesting in my relationship with Wayne! Old-Fashioned… In many ways I’m old-fashioned. I don’t see anything wrong with the husband being the breadwinner or the wife staying home to tend the hearth and kids. I did … Continue reading →

Should You Be Judged By Your Spouse’s Behavior or Choices?

So I was reading in the paper this weekend that Hillary Clinton is dancing around addressing her husband’s record in the White House. I’ve read editorials that cite Hillary with contempt for the things that Bill did. There were also a few op-ed pieces that wanted to take Hillary to task for Bill Clinton policies. Now I realize this is politics and they’ll pick on you for what your grandmother’s boyfriend’s best friend did thirty years before you were born when it comes to politics – the worse it makes you look, the better to smear you with. But should … Continue reading →

Wives, Do You Nurture His Nature?

In Our Differences Help Us Grow we talked about how alike husbands and wives often are in what they want and do not want. But there are other ways to look at these situations and one of those ways is looking at our husbands and asking ourselves, what was it about him that attracted us in the first place? Did he make you laugh? Was he funny? Was he a man of action? Did he get things done? Was he strong and capable? Was it his looks? Was it his personality? What was it about your husband that made you … Continue reading →