Hi there, guys and dolls! Nothing causes more problems than domestic bliss, doesn’t it? Or maybe it’s just husbands… Anyhoo, I’ve got a couple of fine devoted wives asking yours truly what the heck to do with their other half. Read on to see my free and almost helpful advice to possibly train those impossible men of theirs.

Dear Barbara Jean,

I am fed up with my husband’s practical jokes, especially when he uses to trick our children. Last week he scared little Jimmy so badly that wouldn’t come out of the closet all night and poor little Suzie won’t go near any of her frilly dresses because she’s worried that Daddy put itching powder in all of them, again. What’s a wife to do?

Exasperated Edith in Enderby

Dear Edith,

I agree, your husband needs to be taken down a notch or two. Here’s an idea to fix his little red wagon! Get a hold of some rubber knives and possibly rope. Get the kids to surprise your husband when he comes home from work one day, even tie him up in a chair with that length of rope if you have to (don’t be surprised if you enjoy doing that, they say it’s perfectly normal for married couples, so I’m told…) . Do not untie him until he agrees not to play jokes on the family again. Agree to a truce and go out for ice cream.

Keeping families happy, Barbara Jean

Dear Barbara Jean,

My husband is the director of our little amateur theater group’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire and I think I would make the perfect Blanche DuBois, but he wants to cast Marcy, the neighborhood divorcee. How do I make him give me the part?

Thespian Teresa in Toluca

Dear Teresa,

Here’s what you do: Study the part and on the night of the first performance tell Marcy that there is a Hollywood agent scouting around and somebody needs to take him out for a drink. Watch Marcy’s dust as she skitters out the door to play hostess. Then get into costume and save the show.

Break a leg, 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