ADVICE FROM RON - A RETIRED HUSBAND

It is
important for men to remember that, as women
grow older, it becomes harder for them to
maintain the same quality of housekeeping as
when they were younger. When you notice
this, try not to yell at them. Some are
oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an
oversensitive woman.

My name is Ron.
Let me relate how I handled the situation
with my wife. When I retired a few years
ago, it became necessary for Carol Anne to get a
full-time job, along with her part-time job,
both for extra income and for the health
benefits that we needed. Shortly after she
started working, I noticed she was beginning to
show her age. I usually get home from the
golf club about the same time she gets home from
work.

Although she knows how hungry I am,
she almost always says she has to rest for half
an hour or so before she starts dinner. I
don't yell at her. Instead, I tell her to
take her time and just wake me when she gets
dinner on the table. I generally have
lunch in the Men's Grill at the club, so eating
out is not reasonable. I'm ready for some
home-cooked grub when I hit that door. She
used to do the dishes as soon as we finished
eating. But now it's not unusual for them
to sit on the table for several hours after
dinner.

I do what I can by diplomatically
reminding her several times each evening that
they won't clean themselves. I know she
really appreciates this, as it does seem to
motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.

Another symptom of aging is
complaining, I think.For example, she will say
that it is difficult for her to find time to pay
the monthly bills during her lunch hour.
But, Boys, we take 'em for better or
worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement.
I tell her to stretch it out over two, or
even three days. That way, she won't have
to rush so much. I also remind her that
missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't
hurt her any (if you know what I mean). I
like to think tact is one of my strong points.

When doing simple jobs, she seems
to think she needs more rest periods. She
had to take a break when she was only
half-finished mowing the yard. I try not
to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I
tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass
of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a
while. And, as long as she is making one
for herself, she may as well make one for me,
too.

I know that I probably look like a
saint in the way I support my wife. I'm
not saying that showing this much consideration
is easy. Many men will find it difficult.
Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows
better than I do how frustrating women get as
they get older. However, Guys, even if you
just use a little more tact and less criticism
of your aging wife because of this article, I
will consider that writing it was well
worthwhile. After all, we are put on this
earth to help each other.



EDITOR'S NOTE:
Ron
died suddenly on January 31 of a perforated
rectum. The police report says he was
found with a Calloway extra-long 50-inch Big
Bertha Driver II golf club jammed up his rear
end, with barely 5 inches of grip showing, and a
sledge hammer laying nearby. His wife
was arrested and charged with murder.
The all-woman jury took only 10 minutes to
find her Not Guilty, accepting her defense that
Ron, somehow without looking, accidentally sat
down on his golf club.