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
over-sensitive , and there's nothing worse than an
over-sensitive woman.

My name is Bill.....Let me relate how I handled the
situation with my wife, Ruth. When I took "early
retirement" last year, it became necessary for Ruth to
get a full-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 course 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
Dinning room at the club so eating dinner out is not a reasonable
solution. I'm ready for some home cooked food 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 appreciates this,
as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.
I really think my experience as a Supervisor helps a lot. I consider
"telling people what they ought to do" to be one of my strong points.

Now that she has gotten older, she does seem to get tired so much more
quickly.

Our washer and dryer are in the basement. Sometimes she says she just
can't make another trip down those steps. I don't make a big issue of
this; as long as she finishes up the laundry the next evening, I'm
willing to overlook it. Not only that, but unless I need something
ironed to wear to the Monday Lodge meeting, or to Wednesday's or
Saturday's Poker Club, or to Tuesday's or Thursday's Bowling, or
something like that, I will tell her to wait until the next evening to
do the ironing. This gives her a little more time to do some of those
odds and ends like shampooing the dog, vacuuming or dusting. Also, if
I've had a really good day on the course and it was wet and muddy, my
clubs are a mess, so I let her clean them, you know..get the grit off
the grips and a little light Steelo on the club faces at a casual pace.
My golf bag is heavy so I lift it out of the boot for her. Women are
delicate, have weak wrists and can't lift heavy stuff as good as men.
But, I did tell her I don't like to be awakened during my after-golf
nap, so rather than bother me, she can put them back in the boot when
she's finished. Another symptom of aging is complaining. 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 lawn. 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 orange 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, and then take her break by my hammock.
That way, she can talk with me until I fall asleep. I know that I
probably look like a saint in the way I support Ruth. 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.

Signed,
Bill

EDITOR'S NOTE: Bill died suddenly last Thursday. He was
found with a Calloway extra long 50-inch Big Bertha Driver
II rammed up his butt, with only 2 inches of grip showing.
His wife Ruth was arrested, but the all-woman Grand Jury
accepted her defence that he accidentally sat on it,
and she was released.