Hi there, guys and dolls! How’s your Friday going? Are you able to negotiate your way into the weekend without yours truly’s completely useless advice? Well, good for you. Let’s see how I can (mis)guide two souls today.

Dear Barbara Jean,

My daughter brought her fiance home to meet us at Easter, and quite frankly I’m concerned. Howard (or Howie, as he likes to be called) has more than a slight resemblance to that television “Howdy” and was always wearing dungarees and western shirts with a rather snazzy kerchief. His laugh was a little obnoxious as well. When I brought this up to my daughter Clara, she just shrugged it off. Her father and I have tried really hard to warn her off him, but she says that we just need to get to know him better and we’ll love him. I don’t think so. What do we do now?

Disconcerted Deena in Dearborn

Dear Deena,

You know, you may not want to dismiss this prospect too soon. If your daughter likes him, it may be a good thing. Are you so sure he is not that television “Howdy?” He may be a hayseed, but I’ll bet that even if he seems to have a wooden head, he probably has more than a few non-wooden nickels in the bank.

It’s your “Doody” to enjoy your new family member, Barbara Jean

Dear Barbara Jean,

I have met Juan, a dashingly swarthy Spanish Flamenco dancer and he has swept me off my feet. The only problem is that he does not speak a word of English and I do not know any Spanish. How do we communicate? Is there any hope for us?

Longing Louise in Long Beach

Dear Louise,

Pardon me for saying, but I don’t see any problem here. To be honest, I think this whole new ‘male/female verbal communication’ is where the troubles begin. The language of love knows no words, so both of you can then use your lips for things other than words.

I’ll take over with him if you have any problems, 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