Political Aspirations

A whole new adventure?

Dear Blabby and Crabby:

My husband, Harry, is considering running for our homeowners’ association board of directors and has this hare-brained idea that he can win. He spends most of his time watching CNN and has an opinion on how to solve every problem in the world. Between newscasts, all he does is eat and sleep. He doesn’t participate in any activities, clubs, or organizations, but somehow he’s come up with this plan to get himself elected. I think he  watched too much of the presidential election campaign. The problem is, he wants me to take an active part in helping him get elected. I wouldn’t vote for the nutcase, and I sure don’t want to be embarrassed by getting involved in his campaign. Any suggestions? Signed: Ready to Commit Harry (Kerri)

Blabby: It’s easy to see why Kerri has an issue. Uncontrolled political ambition has soured many good marriages.

Crabby: Yes, you’re correct, but in Harry’s case, he may have set his sights too low. Eating, sleeping, watching CNN, and getting nothing else done sounds like our current Congress. He might as well jump into national politics with his qualifications. Read More >>

Give Her Some Credit

Hubby must've been a corporate executive

Dear Blabby and Crabby:

I’m retired and get a small pension each month. There’s a cute little convertible car on the market. I would like to buy it. I’ve never been a spendthrift, but I really like this new car and think that I would enjoy having my own vehicle. Here's the problem: my husband says I’m being frivolous to even think about spending our money on a sports car. He buys new golf clubs or fishing equipment without my approval whenever he gets the urge, yet he wants me to keep my money in the bank. What should I do? Signed: Controlled Carrie

Blabby: Carrie has a problem with her husband that often happens when couples retire and their income is reduced.

Crabby: Yeah! She’s probably married to a former corporate executive who wants to control every aspect of his wife’s budget just like he controlled his staff’s expenditures at work. There’s power in the approval process. Read More >>

I Prefer to Go Solo

Ah, fishing and solitude, but . . .

Dear Blabby and Crabby:

One of the reasons I came to eastern Tennessee was to fish and enjoy the solitude and beauty of the area’s lakes. Recently my wife has decided to accompany me whenever I go fishing. I haven’t figured out how to tell her I would rather fish alone without hurting her feelings. Any advice on how I can get her to stay home? Signed: Solo Angler

Blabby: I wonder why Solo’s wife recently started going with him on his fishing trips. Most women welcome some time to themselves. I believe there’s more to this problem than meets the eye. What do you think, Crabby? Read More >>

Duffer’s Dementia

Convenient mental lapses when counting strokes?

Dear Blabby and Crabby:

I play golf twice a week with Frank (not his real name) in a regular foursome. Frank is in his late 60s and is in good physical and mental health. However, Frank frequently has mental lapses (maybe) when it comes to remembering how many strokes he takes on some holes. At least two or three times each round, he comes up short in his stroke count for a hole played.

When we ask him a second time for the count on a hole just to give him an opportunity to recount, he never changes his first answer. The other two players in our group have noticed Frank’s incorrect stroke count, but we’re not sure how to deal with the issue. Any advice as to how we can resolve this problem without risking our friendship? Signed: Frustrated with Frank

Blabby: It’s easy to see why Frank’s playing partners are frustrated. The founding principles of golf include both honesty and integrity. Read More >>

I’m Having a Hot Flash

College funds wasted on a new Dodge Viper?

Dear Blabby and Crabby:

Our grandson will start college this fall. Over the past few years, his grandfather and I have given him several thousand dollars for his college fund. His maternal grandparents have done the same, which meant that our son and daughter-in-law didn’t have to spend hardly any of their own money to send him to college. Here’s our problem. The little weasel got an ROTC scholarship and spent all of the money on a brand new Dodge Viper. My husband and son think it’s “cool.” I’m “hot” over his actions and think it’s outrageous, since he could have invested the money and bought a nice house someday. Am I wrong? Signed: Boiling Brenda

Blabby: There are many good reasons why the term “generation gap” has surfaced in our language. Here’s another fine example. Read More >>