Hi there, guys and dolls! Free advice Friday is here. How one gets through a week without a little half-wit wisdom, I’ll never know. Everywhere I turn, someone’s got an opinion about something. Yep, I’m no different. I received some great letters this week and I can’t wait to help these super gals out.

Dear Barbara Jean,

I have a very serious dilemma on my hands. My mother is so desperate to have me married off that she is always setting me up with these sappy guys, and the ambushes happen any time. Why, this week alone she sent this bowlegged guy with buck teeth to my office, promising I would buy him lunch and then when I was out on a date with a tall, dark and handsome man of my choosing, she had this brush cut weirdo follow us to the movie theater and told him to sit between me and my date. Not only could I not cuddle with the cute Carl, I also have no idea why the “12 Angry Men” were so mad because the strange little guy talked to me the whole way through the movie and he had really bad breath to boot! How do I make my mother stop? I’ve asked her nicely and she says I’ll thank her when I’m older. I sincerely don’t think so.

Fed Up Frieda in Fredericksburg

Dear Frieda,

Oh, the meddling mother who means well. I agree with you. I also sincerely don’t think you’ll thank her in your old age. Not if you were able to catch the cute Carl all on your own. I say keep doing you’re own fishing. One day the good one will not get away. As for your mother, why don’t you do your own surprise set up or two for her? Say, send her a musclebound loin cloth male acquaintance to show up at one of her committee meetings when she’s giving a speech (don’t worry, if you don’t know one, I’ll lend you Biff, he’s always up for a good time), or have a fine young man show up for a family gathering (hint: Thanksgiving’s right around the corner) and have him say, “Mom?” That should work.

Enjoy the fallout, Barbara Jean

Dear Barbara Jean,

I‘m in shock. I came home early from my bridge night and I caught my husband doing something, well, unnatural (for lack of a better word) by himself. He says he does it all the time when he’s left home alone. Barbara Jean, what do I do? I’m scared to leave him home alone.

Stunned Stella from Staten Island

Dear Stella,

Hmm, that leaves it wide open. I have no idea what that might be. Okay, to be honest there’s so much that comes to mind, but I’m getting all blushy thinking about it. Just remember, what might be ‘unnatural’ as you say, might be perfectly acceptable to someone else. I say talk to your husband, you’re married, for goodness sake, and if he really likes it, why not join in? You might find you like it. And what happens between two happily married people is not up to me to judge, but for the sanctity of the neighborhood, draw your curtains.

Curiously wondering what the heck is going on, Barbara Jean

Keep your letters coming! I love to help or hinder any way I can. 

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more posts. And don’t forget to give my Poppy Cove Mysteries a try if you haven’t already. 

Toodles, Barbara Jean