You’ve Earned Right To Do As You Please

Dear Ann Landers: Because I appreciate your down-to-earth common sense, I have a question for you. Please answer in the column. I want a few people I know to see it.

I am a fairly healthy older man. When my wife passed away, I found it difficult to do the cooking, so I hired a woman to come live in my house and prepare my meals. “Gladys” has been living with me for the past six months, and we get along great. We both had some good furniture, so when she moved in with me, we sold some of it and are using the rest. I am past 90, and she is trailing me by only a few years. We are members of different churches, but that isn’t a problem. We respect one another’s religion and never fuss about it.

In this day and age, with all the divorces, my question is: Do you think Gladys and I should get married, or should we just go along with the tide and keep things as they are? Some of our friends, even my married daughter, say, “Why bother to get married?”

Gladys receives a larger Social Security check than I do. I think my health is better than hers. It is doubtful that either of us will live to see the year 2000. What do you say, Ann? - No Name in Missouri

Dear Missouri: You say you are past 90 and she is trailing you by a few years? In my opinion, you have earned the right to do whatever you please in this regard. If you want to get married, go ahead and do it. It would not surprise me if you both greeted the next century. I suggest you assume that you will, and then plan accordingly.

Dear Ann Landers: I read a letter in your column from someone who said it’s the fast drivers who cause accidents. I disagree. It is actually the slow drivers who cause accidents.

There is nothing worse than driving on a two-lane road with a speed limit of 40 mph and coming up behind someone going 25. You have to slow down considerably, and it’s frustrating when that driver will neither speed up nor pull over.

On highways, where there are more lanes, slower drivers should move to the right and let the faster drivers pass them. Believe me, Ann, when you’re stuck behind someone traveling at a snail’s pace and there’s no room to get around him, that’s what causes road rage and accidents. - P.M., Vista, Calif.

Dear P.M.: You may be right, but that’s no excuse for road rage. Avoiding a slow driver is no reason to take risks. Keep in mind that accidents at high speeds are much more horrendous and take more lives than those at slower speeds. Thanks for the input.

Dear Ann Landers: One of my dear friends asked if I knew the poem about “Wednesday’s Child.” I used to know it pretty well, but now, I can’t get beyond “Tuesday.” I’ll bet you can find the rest of the poem, Ann. Please help me out. - Fremont, Calif.

Dear Fremont: I looked it up, and here it is. But it’s pure fiction. The day of the week on which a child is born has no effect whatsoever on his or her disposition or the possibility of future success. Here is the poem:

Monday’s child is fair of face

Tuesday’s child is full of grace.

Wednesday’s child is full of woe.

Thursday’s child has far to go.

Friday’s child is loving and giving.

Saturday’s child has to work for his living.

But a child born on the Sabbath day

Is fair and wise and good and gay.

Gem of the Day (Credit Kimberly Johnson): Never ruin an apology with an excuse.